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He gave them the power of sending others with a divine commission, who in like manner should have the power of sending others, and so on even unto the end; and that our Lord promised His continual assistance to these Successors of the Apostles in this and all other respects, when He said, "Lo I am with you," (that is with you, and those who shall represent and succeed you,) "alway, even unto the end of the world."
And, if it is plain that the Apostles left Successors after them, it is equally plain that the Bishops are these Successors. For it is only the Bishops who have ever been called by the title of Successors; and there has been actually a perpetual succession of these Bishops in the Church, who alone were always esteemed to have the power of sending other Ministers to preach and administer the Sacraments. So that the proof of the doctrine seems to lie in a very small space.
2. But, perhaps it may be as well to look at it in another point of view. I suppose no man of common sense thinks himself entitled to set about teaching religion, administering Baptism and the Lord's Supper, and taking care of the souls of other people, unless he has in some way been called to undertake the office. Now, as religion is a business between every man's own conscience and God Almighty, no one can have any right to interfere in the religious concerns of another with the authority of a teacher, unless he is able to shew, that God has in some way called and sent him to do so. It is true, that men may as friends encourage and instruct each other with consent of both parties; but this is something very different from the office of a Minister of religion, who is entitled and called to exhort, rebuke, and rule, with all authority, as well as love and humility.
You may observe that our Lord Himself did not teach the Gospel, without proving most plainly that His Father had sent Him. He and His Apostles prove their divine commission by miracles. As miracles, however, have long ago come to an end, there must be some other way for a man to prove his right to be a Minister of religion. And what other way can there possibly be, except a regular call and ordination by those who have succeeded to the Apostles?
3. Further, you will observe, that all sects think it necessary that their Ministers should be ordained by other Ministers. Now, if
