Page:Tracts for the Times Vol 1.djvu/66

 comparison of passages—and others perhaps are contained only in the Jewish Law. I will mention some specimens to assist the reflection of the reader.

The early Christians were remarkable for keeping to the Apostles' fellowship. Who are more likely to stand in the Apostles' place since their death, than that line of Bishops which they themselves began? for that the Apostles were in some sense or other to remain on earth to the end of all things, is plain from the text, "Lo, I am with you," &c.

St. Paul set Timothy over the Church at Ephesus, and Titus over the Churches of Crete; i.e. as Bishops; therefore it is safer to have Bishops now, it is more likely to be pleasing to Him who has loved us, and bids us in turn love Him with the heart, not with formal service.

Our Lord committed the Administration of the Lord's Supper to His Apostles; "Do in remembrance of Me"—therefore the Church has ever continued it in the hands of their Successors, and the delegates of these. On the other hand the command to baptize was given in the presence of the Disciples, and so indirectly to them; and therefore the Church has allowed lay-baptism, in cases where an ordained Minister could not be obtained.

From Christ's words, "Suffer the litte children," &c. and from His blessing them, we infer His desire that children should be brought near to Him in baptism;—as we do also from St Paul's conduct on several occasions. Acts xvi. 15, 33. 1 Cor. i. 16.

So also we continue the practice of Confirmation, from a desire io keep as near the Apostles' rule as possible.

Again, what little is there of express command in the New Testament for our meeting together in public worship! Yet we see what the custom of the Apostolic Church was from the book of Acts, 1 Cor. &c.

In like manner, the words in Genesis ii. and the practice of the Apostles in the Acts, are quite warrant enough for the Sanctification of the Lord's Day, even though the 4th Commandment were not binding on us.

For the same reason we continue the Patriarchal and Jewish rule of paying tithe to the Church. Some portion of our goods is evidently due to God;—and the ancient Divine Command is a direction to us in a case when reason and conscience have no means of determining.