Page:Delineation of Roman Catholicism.djvu/215

 'of' such unseriptural and foolish sentiments and practices is their con- futation to every unbiased and intelligent mind. III. THE VOa) OF BAI'?mM. Roman Catholics and Protestants are agreed on this point. Both allow that no other form can be used than that prescribed by our $a- viour Christ, to baptize in the name of the Father, and Of the Son, and of the Holy Ohost. That it is not lawful to change this form in sense, b.s many heretics have done, nor yet in words, so as to leave out any of the three persons in the trinity, and inclusively to understand them by naming one. The Greeks use the following form: "Let this thy servant be bap- tized in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ohost." The reason for this form was to shun and refute the error of certain persons areaug them who ascribed the virtue of baptism to the baptizers as to a principal cause. The Latin Church acknowledges the validity of baptism among the Oreeke, as she does the baptism of Protestants and every kind of heretics. IV. Tb minist or administrator of baptism. Bishops and priest5, by r/gAt ofo.ce, baptize in the Church of Rome. [Jut deacons, by/Mere/as/on of the bishop or priest, may baptize.* "Those who may administer baptism in case of necessity, but with- out its soleare ceremonies, hold the third and last place; and in this class are included all, even the laity, men and women, to whatever sect they may belong. This power extends, in case of necessity, even to Jews, infidels, and heretics; provided, however, they intend to do what the Catholic Church does in that act of her ministry.**t "Let not the faithful, however, imagine that this office is given pro- miscuously to all, so as to supersede the. propriety of observing a certain order among those who adntinister baptism; when a man is present, 'a woman, when a clerk, a hyman, when a priest, a 8im)le clerk, should not administer this sacrament. biidwives, however, when accustomed to its aaministration, are not to be found fault with if sometimes, when a nun is present who is unacquainted with the manner of its adminis- tration, they perform what may otherwise appear to belong more pro- perly to men." The Council of Trent has the following canon on this point: "Vho- ever shall affirm that baptism, when aAministered by heretics, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ohost, with the intention of doing what the church does, is not ume baptism; let  be accursed.*--Can. 4th. The reader will perceive that laymen or women, whether Christians or Jews, infidels or heretics, of every sect, whether wicked or righteous Dersous, may baptize. The absurdity of this must be so apparent to every person that it is needless to make it the subject of sober cam* meat. The reason given for this unscriptural latitude is, toprev.ent the damnation of children; as they believe that every child dying without baptism must be shut OUt of heaven. Besides, however wicked the admintor be, his wickedness does not, so they teach, cli him from administering m. But . * Cs&, p. 188. t ldmm. $ ldkm. 1

�