Formulary Friday: The evil be ever mingled with the good

Simon Scott considers an arresting phrase in Article 26 of the Thirty-nine Articles.

‘In the visible church, the evil be ever mingled with the good.’ This is a phrase which comes from Article 26 of the Thirty-nine Articles – which considers the ‘unworthiness of the ministers, which hinders not the effect of the sacraments.’

It is the purpose of the Article specifically to ensure that those who receive the sacraments with faith are reassured that the validity of the sacraments is not necessarily undermined by the life or doctrine of those who administer them. Keep reading