Chapter 15: The Ministers of the Word of God

The Ministers of the Word of God

And for this cause we graunte the ministers of the church to be Cooperators of God as Paule calleth the, by whome God geueth and ministreth both know ledge of our selfe, and remission of synne, and conuerteth men to hym selfe, rayseth them vp, and comforteth the, affrayeth them also, and iudgeth them but so that the vertue and efficacie therof we ascrybe also to the Lorde, and the ministracion of the sacramentes. For it is manifest that this efficacie and powre is not bounde nor knytte to any creature, but is dyspensed lyberally and freely who soeuer and when soeuer he shall please for he that watereth is nothyng, nor yet is he that planteth any thynge, but he that geueth the encreasment, whiche is God.