Apologia pro Ecclesia Anglicana: February 2011

Wednesday, February 2, 2011

The Confirmation of St John the Baptist

SS Mary and Elizabeth wearing episcopal chasuble and pallium
Mosaic in the Basilica of Parenzo, Croatia, 540 AD

At this feast [the Visitation], the Blessed Virgin performed two principal functions of Jesus’ apostles: she carries knowledge of Jesus Christ to St. Elizabeth and sanctifies the soul of St. John. ‘Teach all nations and baptise them’, Jesus Christ ordered his apostles. ‘Teach them’. It indicates the faith and the light which they have to carry everywhere. ‘Baptise them’. This signifies the sanctification of souls. It is true that the Blessed Virgin’s words had the effect in John of the sacramental words of baptism, sanctifying him and doing even more, ... namely what confirmation brings about in the hearts of Christians who, illuminated by reason, receive the fulness of the gifts of the Holy Spirit who illumines them and takes possession of them, who guides them and consumes them in perfection and fulness of holy love.

The Blessed Virgin, as Bishop in the Church, sanctified the son of the highpriest Zachariah. She sanctified St. John and through the imposition of her power, using her right as Mother of God and spouse of the Father, she imprinted the Holy Spirit on St. John...

Recueil, manuscript in Saint Sulpice, Paris

Our Precepts

To observe the Festivals and Holy Days appointed.
To keep the Fasting Days with devotion and abstinence.
To observe the ecclesiastical customs and ceremonies established, and that without frowardness or contradiction.
To repair unto the public service of the Church for Matins and Evensong, with other holy offices at times appointed, unless there be just and unfeigned cause to the contrary.
To receive the Blessed Sacrament of the Body and Blood of Christ with frequent devotion, and three times a year at least, of which Easter to be always one. And for better preparation thereunto, as occasion is, to disburthan and quit your consciences of those sins that may grieve us, or scruples that may trouble us, to a learned and discreet priest, and from him to receive advice, and the benefit of Absolution.

+John Cosin, 1594-1672

Our Unity

The Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments, as "containing all things necessary to salvation," and as being the rule and ultimate standard of faith.
The Apostles' Creed, as the Baptismal Symbol; and the Nicene Creed, as the sufficient statement of the Christian faith.
The two Sacraments ordained by Christ Himself — Baptism and the Supper of the Lord — ministered with unfailing use of Christ's Words of Institution, and of the elements ordained by Him.
The Historic Episcopate, locally adapted in the methods of its administration to the varying needs of the nations and peoples called of God into the Unity of His Church.

The Lambeth Quadrilateral, 1888

Our Eucharist

Those words which Our Blessed Saviour used in the institution of the Blessed Sacrament of the Eucharist, This is my Body, which is given for you, This is my Blood which is shed for you, for the remission of sins, are held and acknowledged by the Universal Church to be most true and infallible; and if any one dares oppose them, or call in question Christ's veracity, or the truth of His words, or refuse to yield his sincere assent to them except he be allowed to make a mere figment or bare figure of them, we cannot, and ought not, either excuse or suffer him in our churches.

+John Cosin, 1594-1672

Our Ecclesia Anglicana

What can be supposed wanting in order to salvation? We have the Word of God, the Faith of the Apostles, the Creeds of the Primitive Church, the Articles of the first four General Councils, a holy liturgy, excellent prayers, perfect Sacraments, faith and repentance, the Ten Commandments, and the sermons of Christ, and all the precepts and counsels of the Gospel. We teach the necessity of good works, and require and strictly exact the severity of a holy life. We live in obedience to God, and are ready to die for Him, and do so when He requires us to do so. We speak honourably of His most Holy Name. We worship Him at the mention of His Name. We confess His attributes. We love His servants. We pray for all men. We love all Christians, even our most erring brethren. We confess our sins to God and to our brethren whom we have offended, and to God's ministers in case of scandal or of a troubled conscience. We communicate often. We are enjoined to receive the Holy Sacrament thrice every year at least. Our priests absolve the penitent. Our Bishops ordain priests, and confirm baptized persons, and bless their people and intercede for them. And what could here be wanting to salvation?

+Jeremy Taylor, 1613-1667