Page:A Catechism on the Thirty nine Articles.pdf/74

68 How do you prove that this is the character he assumes?

Titus i. 7; 2 Cor. v. 20.

Give a further reason.

Because St. Paul has laid down rules for choosing those who were to minister in the congregation, which would have been superfluous if men might take the office upon them without lawful authority. See 1 Tim. iii. 2-4; iv. 14; Tit. i. 5-9.

What persons "ought we to judge lawfully called and sent" to execute the office of ministers?

"Those who are chosen and called to this work by men who have public authority given unto them in the congregation, to call and send ministers into the Lord's vineyard."

What is meant by "the Lord's vineyard?"

"The Congregation," that is, the Church at large.

Who are the "men who have public authority given unto them in the Congregation to send Ministers into the Lord's vineyard?"

The bishops of the Church.

How do we know that this is the meaning of the Article?

Because the service for the Ordination of ministers declares that no man shall be accounted for a lawful minister, unless he be called and admitted thereto according to that service, or has been already ordained by a bishop.

How does that prove that the bishops are the