lJ? mspersima is understood the sprinkling of holy water. �Eating re�em to the blmmed bread, which is also called eulogy by? the divines. The cenfeesion refers to tim public one .made at the eucimrist, or to dmt at the be?innin$ o; the nmm. The word ?m.,, A,?b,?, denotes the distribution o� alms. The term Messing expresses the blesoing of the bishop or conse' crated abbot. They maintain that the church has power to institute new ceremo- nies, and consequendy to annul or change those already in use. The Latin tongue, too, is made use of in administering their hera* mento, and none other is allowed on any account.
- 3. The m of ceremonies, in their estimation, &re yet7 peat. They
teach that they contribute to the majesty and reverence of the sacra. merits, and that they promote the instruction and c?evotion of the people. All this might pass with veF y Li?e cause for objection; but their use extendo to superstitious purposes, and their ceremonies are employed in the place of charms or incantations. Take the following t?rom Dens, who teaches nothing more than they all teach on this topic. Speaking of the use of ceremonies, he says: "To repress. the power of the devil, leat he would prevent the sacramental effect, or that he may not prevent the receiver from receiving the full effect of the sacrament. This effect is pezticularly effected if the minister performs those rites with great devotion and fervour of spirit, especially in the prayers and benedictions.'** 3. The e?ectr of sacramental. are numerous. We give the follow. inf from Bafily: "What are the effects of sacramen? ? A,umn'. 1. They do not confer sanctifying grace, ? epers e?; for this is peeulhr to the heramenu alone. 2. ?= oIMr? ?rmUL?, they rentit venial ms, and produce other effects, both 8ph*itti? mid corlMFea] , actual 8TaceS, such 88 remi.qsion of temporal punishment, temptations, restorati(m of health. 3. They can also a, opm'e remit mortal sins and produce sanetif'ying grace, but mediately only, as, by virtue of the prayers of the church, they ?rnich aids by which sets of faith and ct?m, ity may be elicited. Such acts of faith immediately dispose to the reception of justice, whether in a sacrament or without the sacrament. 4. Nevertheless, they do not ini'uJLibly produce these ell'ecru when the diviue promise does not ensure tl?i,, for God can de. prive the ncrumentals of these effects, ff his divine wisdom slimaid judge that to be just and right."?' The zeader will at once perceiv? that the foregoing sentiments, generally held by the clergy of' Church of Rome, iud received by their members with implicit con?. dence,.present their ceremonies and sacramentals in the Light o� charms or spells. 4. The use ot ? the Latiu language in administering the sacraments presents nlso no small objection to the Church o� Eome. This is plainly contrary to Scripture, which teaches that instructions are to be couveyed so as to be understood by the hearers. The Scriptural res*
- Dens, de hcrum., No. 48, vol. v, p. 155.
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