No popery, or, A catechism against popery wherein the heretical doctrins, idolatrous worship, and superstitious practices of the Roman Church are briefly yet plainly refuted, and the Protestant principles proved by testimonies of Holy Scripture, and evidence of reason / by a minister of the Gospell.

SECT. XLV. Of the Sacrament of Orders.

Quest. WHy do you not acknowledge Orders for a Sacrament?

A. 1. Because, according to their account, there are seven different sorts of Orders, there must then be thirteen Sacraments in∣stead of seven. 2. Because it is not common to all Believers, but particular to Ecclesiasti∣cal Persons only. 3. Because there is no ma∣terial sign in it. 4. It doth not represent to us the death of Jesus Christ, and his Benefits. 5. The greatest part of these Orders was not instituted by Jesus Christ; as Porters, Exor∣cists, Acolyts, Under-Deacons. 6. It is a great absurdity to make a Sacrament of the ordinary Offices in the Church.

Q. May not the Imposition of Hands upon a Pastor, to establish him in his Office, be called a Sacrament, since it is a visible Sign of

an invisible Grace, to wit, the Grace of the Holy Ghost?

A. It may be called a Sacrament, but not in the same sense that Baptism and the Lord's Supper are; for this Imposition of Hands is not a sacred Sign of the Covenant of God in Jesus Christ, it is not common to all Believers, and it cannot be a Sacrament of the New Te∣stament, since it was practised under the Old, Num. 27.23. Deut. 34.9.

Q. Do you believe that the conferring of Orders upon a man imprints such an indelible Character upon his Soul, that the flames of Hell cannot efface it, or raze it out?

A. I believe this Character is a vain ima∣gination; and I know no other Chara∣cter that is printed upon the Soul, but that of the Spirit of God, whereby the Elect are sealed to the day of Redemption, Ephes. 1.13. and 4.30.