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Orthodox Confession
St Peter Mogila, tr. Lodvel, 1762
Part 1, 9. Questions 91–100
Question 91
What is the fifth Precept of the Church?
Answer.
That plain and unlearned Men do not read the Books of Heretics, nor listen to their Doctrines, nor entertain any Conversation with them, lest they be corrupted, by becoming familiar with them: As the Psalmist Prophet warns us (Psal. i. 1), Blessed is the Man who hath not walked in the Counsel of the Ungodly, nor stood in the Way of Sinners. And elsewhere the Scripture enjoins us (Tit. iii. 10), A Man that is an Heretic, after the first and second Admonition, reject.
Question 92
What is the sixth Precept of the Church?
Answer.
That we pray unto the all-good God for all Conditions of Men. First, For all spiritual Persons; for the most holy Patriarch, for the Metropolitan, and for the Bishop of the Province to which we belong. Secondly, For the King, the Governor of our Province, the Senate and Commonwealth, and for the Army; but chiefly for those who deserve well of the Church and endeavour to propagate and extend the orthodox and catholic Religion. According to the Apostle (1 Tim. ii. 1), I exhort, therefore, that first of all Supplications, Prayers, Intercessions, and giving of Thanks be made for all Men, for Kings, and for all that are in Authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable Life, in all Godliness and Honesty; for this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour. Thirdly, We are to pray for all those who are departed hence in the orthodox Faith. Lastly, We are to make Intercession for Heretics and Schismatics, that they may repent and return to the Sanctuary of true Religion before their last Day.
Question 93
What is the seventh Precept of the Church?
Answer.
That all People observe to keep the Fasts and Supplications which are particularly enjoined and appointed by their Metropolitan or Bishops of their Diocese, when they think proper, by reason of any Necessity, to appease the Wrath of God, afflicting his People; and for Deliverance from Pestilence, Famine, War, Drought, excessive Rain, and the like: Or for the Sick, and those that are oppressed. As it is said (Acts xii. 5), Peter therefore was kept in Prison: but Prayer was made without ceasing of the Church to God for him.
Question 94
What is the eighth Precept of the Church?
Answer.
That lay Persons do not presume to meddle with the Goods or Moneys belonging to the Church, or take them away by Fraud or Force and apply them to their own needs; But that those Cares be committed to the Rulers of the Church, that with the holy Treasure they may provide Vestments and other Necessaries; so that those who minister unto the Church, being clothed and fed, they may have wherewith to relieve the Poor and the Stranger: According to the Scripture (Acts xi. 29), The Disciples, every Man according to his Ability, determined to send Relief unto the Brethren that dwelt in Judea; which also they did, and sent it to the Elders by the Hands of Barnabas and Saul. Besides, it is unjust that either secular Men, or, indeed, that even the spiritual Rulers who, in any Church, are entrusted with the Care of the Things appertaining to the Church, should withdraw any Money, or other valuable Movables, whether left by Will to the Church or given to it otherwise, and pervert them to their own private Use and Profit: For thus the Piety of well-disposed Persons would be disappointed and rendered ineffectual.
Question 95
What is the ninth Precept of the Church?
Answer.
That no Marriage be solemnised on such Days as are forbidden by the Church. Also, that orthodox Christians abstain from forbidden Games and Diversions, and from Theatres and unseemly Shows; not following the Manners and Behaviour of Barbarians and Savages, but avoiding, as much as possible, all their bad Customs.
Question 96
Wherefore do we, who ought only to believe in God, profess to believe in the Church, which is a Creature?
Answer.
Because, although the Church be a Creature, as consisting of Men, who are created Beings, she hath for her Head Christ himself, who is very God. She hath the Holy Ghost, who perpetually teacheth and guideth her, and maketh her, according to the Apostle (Eph. v. 27), The spotless and unblemished Spouse of Christ; and (1 Tim. iii. 15), The Pillar and Ground of the Truth. Now, her Precepts and Doctrines are by no means human, but divine; not by Man, but of God. When, therefore, we profess to believe in her, we profess to believe in the Scriptures delivered to her of God, and in the Commands, which are inspired by God. For thus sayeth the Scripture (2 Pet. i. 21), Holy Men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost. In like Manner St. Paul (1 Thess. ii. 13), Ye received it not as the Word of Men, but (as it is in Truth) the Word of God. Wherefore we are persuaded to have Faith, both in the holy Gospel, which the Church hath received, according to that Command of Christ himself (Mark i. 15), Believe the Gospel, and also in all the other holy Writings and Decrees of Councils.
Question 97
What is the tenth Article of the Faith?
Answer.
I acknowledge one Baptism for the Remission of Sins.
Question 98
What doth this Article of the Faith teach?
Answer.
Whereas we here have Baptism, which is the first Mystery of the Church made mention of: This seemeth a meet Place wherein to discourse concerning the seven Mysteries of the Church, which be these: Baptism, the Unguent of Chrism, Eucharist, Penance, Priesthood, Marriage, and Oil with Prayer; Which seven Mysteries correspond unto the seven Gifts of the Spirit; inasmuch as by them the Holy Spirit conveyeth his Gifts and Grace unto the Soul that rightly useth these Mysteries. Concerning which Matter the Patriarch Jeremias hath more at large treated, in the Books which he wrote for the Conversion of the Lutherans.
Question 99
What is a Mystery or Sacrament?
Answer.
A Mystery is a certain holy Rite or Ceremony, which, under a visible Show, causes and conveys into the Soul of the Faithful the invisible Grace of God; an Institution of our Lord, whereby every one of the Faithful receiveth the divine Grace.
Question 100
What things are requisite to a Mystery?
Answer.
Three Things. First, Fit and proper Matter, as Water in Baptism, Bread and Wine in the Eucharist, Oil and other things in their respective Mysteries. Secondly, A Bishop, or a Priest, regularly ordained. Thirdly, The Invocation of the Holy Ghost, and a solemn Form of Words: By which the Priest celebrates the Mystery, through the Power and Efficacy of the Holy Ghost: Having a fixed and deliberate Intention of celebrating it.