Five disputations of church-government and worship

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.

The particular ends I shall not further speak of, as having been longer already then I intended on the Definition.

Sect. 23. But the principal thing that I would desire you to observe, in order to the decision of our controversy, hence, is that the Ministry is first considerable as a Work and Service, and that the Power is but a Power to be a servant to all, and to do the work. And therefore that the first Question is, Whether the great burden and labour of Ministerial service may be laid on any man without Ordination by such as our English Prelates? Or whether all men are discharged from this labour and service on whom such Prelates do not Impose it? If Magistrates, Presbyters and People conspire to call an able man to the work and service of the Lord, whether he be justified for refusing it, what ever the Church suffer by it, merely because the Prelates called him not?