Page:Tracts for the Times Vol 3.djvu/225

Rh great Apostasy, I have these reasons to show, at least, the probability, First, &c. * * *

Sections 2 and 3. This government was by immediate substitution delegated to the Apostles, by Christ Himself, "in traditionæ clavium, in spiratione Spiritûs, in missione in Pentecosto." ..... This power so delegated, was not to expire with their persons; for when the great Shepherd had reduced His wandering sheep into a fold, He would not leave them without "guides to govern" them, so long as the wolf might possibly prey upon them, and that is, till the last separation of the sheep from the goats. And this Christ intimates in that promise, "Ero vobiscum (Apostolis) usque ad consummationem seculi." "Vobiscum;" not with your persons, for they died long ago: but "vobiscum et vestri similibus," with Apostles to the end of the world. And, therefore, that the Apostolate might be successive and perpetual, gave them a power of Ordination, that by imposing hands on others, they might impart that power which they received from Christ.

The Church, at his (St. John's) departure, he left firmly grounded in all the points of faith and doctrine, taught by our Saviour, as well settled in the outward government, the polity and administration of the same, which had been framed by the Apostles, according to the pattern and example of their Lord and Master. For being that the Church was born of seed immortal, and they themselves, though excellent and divine, yet still mortal men, it did concern the Church, in a high degree, to be provided of a perpetuity, or, if you will, the immortality of overseers, both for the sowing of this seed, and for the ordering of the Church, or the field itself. This, since they could not do in person, they were to do it by successors, who by their office were to be the ordinary pastors of the Church, and the Vicars of Christ. Now, if you ask the Fathers who they were that were accounted in their times and ages the successors of the Apostles, they will with one accord make answer, that the Bishops were.