Five disputations of church-government and worship

3. Under his Kingly office (a Paternal Kingdom) they are to Proclaim his Laws, and Command obedience in his Name, and to Rule or Govern all the flock, as Overseers of it, and to reprove, admonish, censure and cast out the obstinately impenitent, and confirm the weak, and approve of Professions and Confessions of Penitents, and to Absolve them, by delivering them pardon of their sin, in the name of Christ.

Sect. 21. 14. This work must be done for the ends mentioned in the Definition. To his own Safety, Comfort, and Reward, it is necessary that those Ends be sincerely intended. For the comfort and Satisfaction of the Church and the validity of the Ordinances (Sacraments especially) to their spiritual benefit, it is necessary that these ends be professed to be intended by him; and that they be really intended by themselves.

Sect. 22. 15. By this the Popish case may be resolved, Whether the Intention of the Priest be necessary to the Validity and success of Sacraments? The reality of the Priests Intention is not necessary to the Validity of them to the people: For then no ordinance performed by an hypocrite were Valid; nor could any man know when they are Valid and when not. But that they may be such administrations, as he may comfortably answer for to God, his sincere Intention is Necessary. And that they be such as the People are bound to submit to, it is necessary that he profess a sincere Intention: For if he purposely Baptize a man ludicrously in professed jest or scorn, or not with a seeming intent of true Baptizing, it is to be taken as a Nullity and the thing to be done again. And that the ordinances may be blessed and effectual to the Receiver upon Promise from God, it is necessary that the Receiver have a true intent of receiving them to the ends that God hath appointed them. Thus and no further is Intention necessary to the validity of the Ordinance and to the success.