Page:Tracts for the Times Vol 3.djvu/239

Rh ianity, because the Papists say Christians can only be saved in their Church. Again, we ought not to insist upon a true faith, because the Papists say, that a true faith is only in their communion. So that there is just as much Popery in teaching this doctrine, as in asserting the necessity of Christianity to a Jew, or the necessity of a right faith to a Socinian, &c.

The Eucharist is one, as offered by priests, who are one by their commission. It is very evident that it was not only our Saviour's intention, but His most passionate desire, that, as all His Apostles received their commission from Him, so they might execute it with such a harmony and consent of mind, that there might not be the least jarring between them; for thus He prays for them: "Keep through Thine own name those whom Thou hast given me, that they may be one, as We are." And the foundation of our Saviour's wishes and expectations for so perfect an union between His Apostles was this, as is expressed by Himself, "I have given them the words which Thou gavest me," that is, He had committed to them the same treasure of Divine truth which the Father had before committed to Him, &c..... After His resurrection. He does, with great solemnity, tell them, "As My Father sent me, even so send I you;" from which words it is evident, that the commission of all the Apostles was one and the same; that it was such a commission as himself in His human nature, had received from His Father; and even they who were not of the same order with the Apostles, but only inferior Presbyters under them, yet by deriving their authority from the same fountainhead, and exercising it in conformity to the instructions which they received from them, they still kept the "unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace." .. It was upon this account that Ignatius, Cyprian, and others, represent the whole college of Bishops throughout the whole world as one person, sitting in one chair, attending one altar; and that, therefore, is the one Eucharist which is celebrated by this one priesthood: and St. Clement of Rome allows nothing to be offered without the inspection of the high priest; and, therefore, when a new altar is erected, a new