Ecclesiastical Claims Investigated, and the Liberty of the Pulpit Defended; 5 EssaysThis historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1815. Excerpt: ... ESSAY IL ON ORDINATION. Ordination is the act of conferring holy orders, or of initiating a person into the ministerial office.. High churchmen hold, that the power of ordination was vested by Jesus Christ in the apostles, and that the apostles limited the exercise of this power ten their successors, the bishops. It is inferred from this, that the assumption of the office, or the reception-of it from laymen or presbyters, is illegal. If it were true that bishops are the successors of the apostles, it would not follow, that they only have the right to ordain ministers, unless a restrictive clause to that effect could be found in the New Testament, but the chapter and verse have never yet been produced. But the bishops are not the successors of the apostles. They do not possess apostolical qualifications. They can neither work miracles, nor predict with certainty future events, nor discern spirits. They do not discharge the duties of the apostolic office. The greek word, Ajr oTA s, signifies a messenger, a person sent by another upon some business. Jesus Christ sent his apostles to the whole world to preach the gospel, and baptize their converts: "Go ye, therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost; teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you. Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized, shall be saved; and he that believeth not, shall be damned." They were chosen by him for this express purpose; "and he ordained twelve, that they should be with him, and that he might send them forth to Preach." f Preaching and baptizing, therefore, are the two great duties of the apostolic office; but our bishops sel... |