Fides Catholica, or, The doctrine of the Catholick Church in eighteen grand ordinances referring to the Word, sacraments and prayer, in purity, number and nature, catholically maintained, and publickly taught against hereticks of all sorts : with the solutions of many proper and profitable questions sutable to to [sic] the nature of each ordinance treated of / by Wil. Annand ...

SECT. I.

The nature of ordination may be expressed in these words. (viz.)

It is a solemn setting of one apart, and ordaining of a person. 2. By Fasting and prayer. 3. For the preaching of the Word. 4. Dispencing of the Sacraments. And, 5. Exer∣cising the power of the Keyes. 6. With laying on of hands.

1. It is a solemn setting of one apart, and ordaining of a person] It is not to be rashly or inconsiderably done, 1 Tim. 5.22. but in most solemn decent manner ought to be perfor∣med, Acts 5.6.

2. It must be done by prayer and fasting: these two at this ordinance go usually together, Acts 13.3. For by prayer much may be obtained, and by fasting a strong Devil may be cast out.

3. For the preaching of the word, Acts 13.5. for the opening of the word by way of Doctrine, Reason and Use is the proper work for which one is separate to the work of the Ministry.

4. Dispencing of the Sacraments,] 1 Cor. 4.1. as that of Baptism, Mat. 28.19. and of the Lords Supper, 1 Cor. 11.23. these are the seals and evidencies of our reconciliation with God.

5. Exercising the power of the keyes;] whom they bind on earth, they are bound in heaven, Mat. 18.18. Now they bind by excommunication, which is a delivery over unto Sa∣than, a casting them out of the Church, making them to have no interest in the ordinances of the Church, more then heathens or Publicans, 1 Cor. 5.5. 1 Tim. 1.20. Whom they loose on earth, shall be loosed in heav••n, Mat. 18.18. Now they loose by Absolution, opening as it were the gate of the Church, to him that for his offences was thrust out, and re∣ceiveing him again upon his repentance to the communion and fellowship of the faithfull, 2 Cor. 6.10.

6. With laying on of hands] this is a grave and ancient ceremony in the Church of God. Iacob used it in blessing his grand children, Gen. 48.14. By it the Levites were given by the Is••aelites 'o the Lord instead of their first-born, Numb. 8.10. By it the beasts under the Law were to be set apart by sacrifice, Num. 8 12. By it Ioshua was set apart to be Go∣vernour of Israel ••ter Moses, Numb. 27.23. By it did our Saviour bless those children that were brought unto him, Mark 10.16. By it was St••phen and his brethren made Dea∣cons, Act •• 6. By it Paul and Barnabas Apostles, Acts 13.3. And Timot•••• made a Priest, Minister or Elder, 1 Tim. 4.14. for which cause in holy imitation of so ancient and divine a practise, the Bishop and his Presbyters lay their hands upon the head of them ••hom they separate for the work of the Mi∣nistry, 2 Tim. 1.6. being asign of celestial grace, which God with an open hand will give to all those who conscionably serve him in that holy imployment.