Holy Order Expounded.
Q. WHAT is the sixth Sacrament?
A. Holy Order.
A. Holy Order.
Q. To whom doth this appertain?
A. To the rulers and ministers of the church, as bishops, priests, deacons, and sub-deacons.
A. To the rulers and ministers of the church, as bishops, priests, deacons, and sub-deacons.
Q. What proof have you for bishops, priests and deacons?
A. For bishops and deacons, out of Phil. i. 1. "To all the saints at Philippi, (saith St. Paul) with the bishops and deacons," and for the priests out of St. James above cited. "Is any man sick among you, let him bring in the priests of the church." &c.
A. For bishops and deacons, out of Phil. i. 1. "To all the saints at Philippi, (saith St. Paul) with the bishops and deacons," and for the priests out of St. James above cited. "Is any man sick among you, let him bring in the priests of the church." &c.
Q. Where did Christ ordain this Sacrament?
A. At his last supper, where he made his Apostles priests, saying, "This is my body which is given for you; do ye this in commemoration of me." Luke xxii. 19.
A. At his last supper, where he made his Apostles priests, saying, "This is my body which is given for you; do ye this in commemoration of me." Luke xxii. 19.
Q. What did Christ give them power to do?
A. To offer the unbloody sacrifice of his own body and blood, which he himself had there ordained, and offered under the outward forms of bread and wine.
A. To offer the unbloody sacrifice of his own body and blood, which he himself had there ordained, and offered under the outward forms of bread and wine.
Q. Why did he say, Do ye this in commemoration of me?
A. Because the unbloody sacrifice of the Mass is a commemoration or memorial of the bloody sacrifice made on the Cross; nay more, it is a renewal of it in an unbloody manner.
A. Because the unbloody sacrifice of the Mass is a commemoration or memorial of the bloody sacrifice made on the Cross; nay more, it is a renewal of it in an unbloody manner.
Q. What are the effects of holy order?
A. It gives spiritual power, to ordain priests, to consecrate the body and blood of Christ, to administer the sacraments, serve the altar, and to preach.
A. It gives spiritual power, to ordain priests, to consecrate the body and blood of Christ, to administer the sacraments, serve the altar, and to preach.
Q. What else?
A. It gives also a spiritual grace, for the well-doing of these offices.
A. It gives also a spiritual grace, for the well-doing of these offices.
Q. How prove you that?
A. Out of 1 Tim. iv. 14. "Neglect not the grace which is thine by prophecy, with the imposition of the hands of the priesthood."
A. Out of 1 Tim. iv. 14. "Neglect not the grace which is thine by prophecy, with the imposition of the hands of the priesthood."
Q. What is the proper office of a bishop?
A. To give holy orders and confirmation, to preach and govern the church.
A. To give holy orders and confirmation, to preach and govern the church.
Q. How prove you that?
A. To confirm, out of Acts viii. above cited, where we read, "Two bishops were sent to confirm the Samaritans."
A. To confirm, out of Acts viii. above cited, where we read, "Two bishops were sent to confirm the Samaritans."
Q. How prove you that the bishops are of divine right and have authority from God to rule the church?
A. Out of Acts xx. 28. "Take heed unto yourselves and to the whole flock, wherein the Holy Ghost hath made you bishops to rule the church of God."
Q. How prove you that the bishops only can ordain priests?
A. Out of Titus i. 5. "For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest order the things that were wanting, and ordain priests in every city," (he was a bishop.)
A. Out of Titus i. 5. "For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest order the things that were wanting, and ordain priests in every city," (he was a bishop.)
Q. What sin is it therefore to oppose Hierarchy and Episcopacy either in the whole church, or in particular churches?
A. It is a sin of rebellion and high treason against the peace and safety of Christ's spiritual commonwealth, the church.
A. It is a sin of rebellion and high treason against the peace and safety of Christ's spiritual commonwealth, the church.
Q. How prove you that?
A. Because no law can subsist without guards and officers for it. Since therefore Christ hath ordained bishops to be the guards and teachers of his law, they who strike at bishops, strike also at the whole law of Christ, and safety of the people.
A. Because no law can subsist without guards and officers for it. Since therefore Christ hath ordained bishops to be the guards and teachers of his law, they who strike at bishops, strike also at the whole law of Christ, and safety of the people.
Q. Why is it requisite that bishops and pastors should have revenues?
A. Because they bear a considerable charge and office in the commonwealth, therefore, they ought to have a competence for the performance of it. Secondly, to enable them, as good soldiers of Christ Jesus, to keep clear of worldly cares: for "no man, being a soldier to God, entangleth himself with worldly business; that he may please him to whom he hath engaged himself." 2 Tim. ii. 4.
A. Because they bear a considerable charge and office in the commonwealth, therefore, they ought to have a competence for the performance of it. Secondly, to enable them, as good soldiers of Christ Jesus, to keep clear of worldly cares: for "no man, being a soldier to God, entangleth himself with worldly business; that he may please him to whom he hath engaged himself." 2 Tim. ii. 4.
Q. What is the office of a priest?
A. To offer sacrifice, and administer the rest of the sacraments, excepting holy order and confirmation.
A. To offer sacrifice, and administer the rest of the sacraments, excepting holy order and confirmation.
Q. How prove you a sacrifice in the New Law?
A. First, because there is a priesthood, as you have heard, and an altar according to that, "We have an altar (saith St. Paul) whereof they have not power to eat, who serve in the tabernacle." Heb. xiii. 10.
Secondly, out of Mal. i. 11, where he foretold the sacrifice in the new law, saying, "From the rising of the sun, even to the going down, great is my name among the Gentiles, and in every place there is sacrificing, and there is offered to my name a clean oblation, saith the Lord of Hosts."
Thirdly, out of Luke xxii. 19, 20, where Christ who is high priest for ever (according to the order of Melchesedech) offered the sacrifice of his own body and blood under the form of bread and wine, saying, "This is my body which is given for you, (it is given for us, you find at his last supper) this is the chalice of the New Testament in my blood, which chalice (according to the great text) is shed for you."
A. First, because there is a priesthood, as you have heard, and an altar according to that, "We have an altar (saith St. Paul) whereof they have not power to eat, who serve in the tabernacle." Heb. xiii. 10.
Secondly, out of Mal. i. 11, where he foretold the sacrifice in the new law, saying, "From the rising of the sun, even to the going down, great is my name among the Gentiles, and in every place there is sacrificing, and there is offered to my name a clean oblation, saith the Lord of Hosts."
Thirdly, out of Luke xxii. 19, 20, where Christ who is high priest for ever (according to the order of Melchesedech) offered the sacrifice of his own body and blood under the form of bread and wine, saying, "This is my body which is given for you, (it is given for us, you find at his last supper) this is the chalice of the New Testament in my blood, which chalice (according to the great text) is shed for you."
Q. Is it lawful for priests to marry?
A. It is not; there being a precept of the church against it, descending to us by tradition from the Apostles; neither did any of the Apostles ever accompany their wives, after their calling to the apostleship; and a vow of perpetual chastity being annexed to the holy orders, in the Latin or Western church.
A. It is not; there being a precept of the church against it, descending to us by tradition from the Apostles; neither did any of the Apostles ever accompany their wives, after their calling to the apostleship; and a vow of perpetual chastity being annexed to the holy orders, in the Latin or Western church.
Q. Why is it requisite that priests should live chaste and unmarried?
A. Because, as by their ordination they are bound to teach and instruct the faithful, their minds should be totally disengaged from the cares and pleasures of the world, and wholly employed in the study and piety of heavenly things, which is incompatible with the marriage state. 1 Cor. vii. 32.
A. Because, as by their ordination they are bound to teach and instruct the faithful, their minds should be totally disengaged from the cares and pleasures of the world, and wholly employed in the study and piety of heavenly things, which is incompatible with the marriage state. 1 Cor. vii. 32.
Q. What are the lesser orders of the church?
A. Acolyte, lector, exorcist, and porter, according to the fourth council of Carthage, can. 6.
A. Acolyte, lector, exorcist, and porter, according to the fourth council of Carthage, can. 6.
Q. Is it lawful for women to preach, or to be priests?
A. It is not, according to 1 Cor. xiv. 34. "Let women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted to them to speak, but to the subject, as also the law saith."
A. It is not, according to 1 Cor. xiv. 34. "Let women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted to them to speak, but to the subject, as also the law saith."
Q. It is lawful for a man to usurp and take upon him priestly power, without the ordination of the church?
A. It is not, according to Heb. v. 1, 4. "For every high priest taken from among men, is appointed for men &c. that he may offer gifts and sacrifices for sins neither doth any man take the honour to himself, but he that is called of God, as was Aaron.
A. It is not, according to Heb. v. 1, 4. "For every high priest taken from among men, is appointed for men &c. that he may offer gifts and sacrifices for sins neither doth any man take the honour to himself, but he that is called of God, as was Aaron.
Q. What other proof have you?
A. Out of John x. 1. "Amen I say unto you, he that entereth not by the door (Holy Order) into the fold of the sheep, but climbs up another way, is a thief and a robber."
A. Out of John x. 1. "Amen I say unto you, he that entereth not by the door (Holy Order) into the fold of the sheep, but climbs up another way, is a thief and a robber."
Q. What if any man pretend an extraordinary calling?
A. He must prove it by miracles, or else be esteemed an impostor.
A. He must prove it by miracles, or else be esteemed an impostor.
Q. What examples have you against the usurpation of the priestly power?
A. That the king Ozeas, who was presently struck by God with a leprosy in his forehead, for usurping the priestly office of offering or burning incense in the temple. 2 Paral. xxvi. 19.
A. That the king Ozeas, who was presently struck by God with a leprosy in his forehead, for usurping the priestly office of offering or burning incense in the temple. 2 Paral. xxvi. 19.
Q. What besides?
A. The example of Core, Dathan, and Abriam, who for usurping the office of priest, (though they were themselves true believers) were swallowed up alive by the earth, Numb. xvi. 32. and two hundred and fifty others who were offering incense with them, were consumed with fire from heaven, v. 34, with fourteen thousand and seven hundred more, which were also burnt with fire from heaven, for only joining with them, v. 49.
A. The example of Core, Dathan, and Abriam, who for usurping the office of priest, (though they were themselves true believers) were swallowed up alive by the earth, Numb. xvi. 32. and two hundred and fifty others who were offering incense with them, were consumed with fire from heaven, v. 34, with fourteen thousand and seven hundred more, which were also burnt with fire from heaven, for only joining with them, v. 49.
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