,,?u,?. X�.] ORX)BA's. 440 sign. But Christ did ltOt ilse this ceremony at all in appointing the apesdes; especially at the last supper, which was the time, they s?y, the sacrament of orders was instituted. ?Tor is there any special com- mand to use this rite Of imposition of hands in Holy Scripture; though it is, both as a form of prayer and as a rite of dedication, the most propriate that can be used. As to the grace, which they say is given by ordination, it i8 incon- sistent to confine the gift of the Holy Spirit to the mere rite of imposi- tion of hands; and more especially, when deficiency in moral ch?_racter forms no obstacle in validly o?ing in the Church of Rome. It is true, t?tey sometimes say, that the grace is not in this case given, or only in degree. But the Council of? Trent (sesa. 23, can. 4) says: "Whoever shall affirm, that the H01y Spirit is not given by ordination, let him be accused." The sentiment of the comicll seems to us near akin to that of Simon Magus, who thought that the gift of the HoLy Ghost was so confined to the imposition of hands, that it could be bestowed on any person at will. That appointment to the mi?stry was commanded or instituted by' Jesus Christ, is acknowledged on both sides. But that ordination m to be considered as a sacrament, if we consider the sacraments of the old and new law, cannot be admitted; because in orders there is not that formal institution Of the outward rite, as in baptism and the eucha- rist, in the paschal supper or circumcision. Add to this, that it is much disputed among Roman Catholic theolo- gians, whether imposition of hands alone is the outward sign, or whether .prayer and various other ceremonies are not to be added. 4. The institution of this sacrament is said to be by our Lord Jesus Christ, and the time of its appointment, at the last supper, when he said to his almsdes, Do tALv is ronem?asce of me. The Council of Trent* says, "Whoever shah affirm, that, by these words, ' do thla for & com- memoration of me,' Christ did not appoint his apostles priests, let him be accursed." It is also maintained that at the same time they were mede bishops, or received the power of Ordaining others. It would be strange indeed if' our Lord had, by these words, instituted two sa- craments: for it is allowed on ,!1 hands, that the sacrament of' the euc]3?rist was instituted at this time. And to suppo? that another sacrament was instituted at the same time, and by tNe same word?, would be confounding things of the most dietinet chaxacter. Besides, the apostles had been already appointed to their office; and to celebrate the euclmrist became one of the functions of the o?e or ministry tm which they had been previously set a4mrt. 5. On the powe. r bestowed on the priesthood, the Roman Catech/sm speaks thus: "The faithful then are to be made acquainted with the exalted dignity and excellence of this sacrament in its highest degree, which is the priesthood. Priests and bishops are, as it were, the in- terpreters and heralds of God, commissioned in his name to teach mankind the law of God, and the precepts of a Christian lifo=they ur? the representatives Of C_.ed upon earth. lmpmmible, therefore, to con- ceive a more exalted dignity, or funrations more sacred. Justly there- fore are they called not only' angels,' but gods, hold/ng as they do the place, an/power, and anthuri? Of Cod on m?h. But the !wiesthond, �os.. 1.--29
�
