Wilson on Article XXIII: Of Ministering in the Congregation

a We believe that there be divers degrees of ministers in the Church : whereof some be deacons, some priests, some bishops : to whom is committed the office to instruct the people, and the whole charge and setting forth of religion. Jewell.

Sith the duties and offices of feeding the Lord’s flock with God’s word, and the ministering the sacraments, are most nearly joined together, there is no doubt that the ministration thereof (of the latter) properly belongeth to them to whom the office of public teaching is committed. For as the Lord himself at his supper, exercising the office of the public minister, did set forth his own example to be followed, so did he commit the offices of baptizing and teaching peculiarly to the Apostles. Norvell, p. 113.

b Further we say, that the minister ought lawfully, duly, and orderly to be preferred to that office of the Church of God, and that no man hath power to wrest himself into the holy ministry at his own pleasure. Jewell.

Almighty God, our heavenly Father, who hast purchased to thyself an universal Church by the precious blood of thy dear Son ; mercifully look upon the same ; and at this time so guide

b No man taketh this honour to doings. Jer. xxiii. 22. How shall

himself, hut he that is called of they preach except they be sent ?

God, as was Aaron. So also Christ Rom. x. 15. Pray ye therefore the

glorified not himself to be made an Lord of the harvest, that he will

High Priest ; but he that said unto send forth labourers into his har-

him, Thou art my Son, to-day have vest. Matt. x. 38. Then said Jesus

I begotten thee. Heb. v. 4, 5. to them again, Peace be unto you:

Aaron was separated, that he should as my Father hath sent me, even

sanctify the most holy things he so send I you. John xx. 21. Jesus

and his sons for ever, to burn in- came and spake unto them, saying,

cense before the Lord, to minister All power is given unto me in hea-

unto him, and to bless in his name ven and in earth. Go ye therefore,

for ever. Numb, xxiii. 13. I have and teach all nations, baptizing

not sent these prophets, yet they them in the name of the Father, and

ran; I have not spoken to them, yet of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost,

they prophesied. But if they had Teaching them to observe all things

stood in my counsel, and caused my whatsoever I have commanded you :

people to hear my words, then they and, lo, I am with you alway, even

should have turned them from their unto the end of the world. Amen

evil way* and from the evil of their Matt, xxviii. 18—20. God hath set

and sent, which be chosen and called to this work, who have public authority given unto them in the congregation, to call and send mi- nisters into the Lord’s vineyard.

and govern the minds of thy servants, the Bishops and Pastors of thy flock, that they may lay hands suddenly on no man, but faithfully and wisely make choice of fit persons to serve in the sacred ministry of thy Church. And to those which shall be ordained to any holy function, give thy grace and heavenly benediction ; that both by their life and doctrine they may set forth thy glory, and set forward the salvation of all men, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Occasional Prayers.

Almighty God, the giver of all good gifts, who of thy divine providence hast appointed divers orders in thy Church ; Give thy grace, we humbly beseech thee, to all those who are to be called to any Office and Administration in the same; and so replenish them with the truth of thy doctrine, and endue them with innocency of life, that they may faithfully serve before thee, to the glory of thy great name, and the benefit of thy holy Church, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Occasional Prayers. See also Art. XXXVI.

some in the Church, first Apo- stles, secondarily Prophets, thirdly Teachers. 1 Cor. xii. 28. He gave some, Apostles; and some, Pro- phets; and some Evangelists ; and some, Pastors and Teachers; for the perfecting- of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edify- ing of the body of Christ. Eph. iv. 11, 12. Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that 1 should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ. Eph. iii. 8. He is a chosen vessel unto me to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel. Acts ix. 15. God hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us : we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God. 2 Cor. v. 19, 20. As they minis- tered to the Lord, and fasted, the

Holy Ghost said, Separate me Bar- nabas and Saul for the work where- unto I have called them. And when they had fasted and prayed, and laid their hands on them, they sent them away. So they, being sent forth by the Holy Ghost, de- parted unto Seleucia. Acts xiii. 2 — 4. When they had ordained them elders in every church, and had prayed with fasting, they com- mended them to the Lord, on whom they believed. Acts xiv. 23. Lay hands suddenly on no man, neither be partaker of other men’s sins : keep thyself pure. 1 Tim. v. 22. Neglect not the gift that is in thee which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery. 1 Tim. iv. 14. And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also. 2 Tim. ii. 2.