Fathers, that by sacred Ordination, which is performed by words and external signs,grace is conferred: hence let no one doubt, that Order is truly and properly one of the seven Sacraments of the Church. The Apostle says to Timothy: I admonish thee, that thou stir up the grace of God, which is in thee by the imposition of my hands,” (2 Tim. i. 6.) Sess.xxiii. c. iii. p. 212.-The Synod also defines, that, besides the Priesthood, there are other major and minor Orders, by which, as it were by steps, the candidate rises to the Priesthood. The major Orders are those of Deacon and Subdeacon: the minor are those of acolyte, exorcist, lector, and door-keeper (ostiarius.) Ibid.
CELIBACY OF THE CLERGY.
The discipline of our Church on this point, has not always been, it is plain, precisely what it is at present; but because it is discipline, therefore may it be changed, as, in the alteration of times and circumstances, it has seemed, or shall seem, good to our ecclesiastical rulers. In the Greek and Latin Churches the discipline is not the same: but in both, the advice of St. Paul, founded on the justest views, if it did not always enforce the practice, served to establish the principle of the expediency of clerical celibacy. With the Greeks, no one, after ordination to the higher orders, is now allowed to marry; but they that have wives may be promoted to them, that of Bishops excepted, who must always be single men.
SCRIPTURE.
I would that all men were even as myself: but every one hath his proper gift from God; one after this manner, and another after that. - But I say to the
