4. Fourth Way of Speaking

44. The fourth way of speaking is that, if from the beginning confirming was not licit for a common priest, the Pope was able to make any priest of the region a bishop as to this act, not however by conferring on him simply the episcopal rank, nor conferring it on him as to other acts; and then any of them truly gave confirmation as a bishop as to this act. And the reason for conferring this rank on any priest as to this act could have been avoiding the scandal of the people.

45. Now the remote matter, namely the chrism, has a likeness to the effect of this sacrament. For oil has a luster, and it is supreme over other liquids, and it is the matter proper for burning. By the first it signifies chastity or purity, by the other two it signifies charity. Balsam, which has a good odor, signifies good report, according to the verse of II Corinthians 2.15, “We are to God the good odor of Christ.” With balsam too are the bodies of the dead embalmed lest they putrefy; therefore it signifies incorruptibility.

46. Through this matter, then, namely chrism made of oil and balsam, is signified that the one confirmed must have purity and charity and good report, since without these the confirmation of the Christian faith will not be much authentic.