And they that were so ordained, were indeed, and also were called the ministers of GOD as the Apostles themselves were, as Paul saith unto Timothy. And so the ministration of GOD’S word (which our LORD JESUS CHRIST Himself did first institute) was derived from the Apostles, unto other after them, by imposition of hands and giving the HOLY GHOST, from the Apostles’ time to our days. And this was the consecration, orders, and unction of the Apostles, whereby they, at the beginning, made Bishops and Priests; and this shall continue in the Church, even to the world’s end. Wherefore, good children, you shall give due reverence and honour to the Ministers of the Church, and shall not meanly or lightly esteem them in the execution of their office, but you shall take them for GOD’S Ministers, and the Messengers of our LORD JESUS CHRIST. For CHRIST Himself saith in the Gospel, “He that heareth you, heareth ME; and he that despiseth you, despiseth ME.” Wherefore, good children, you shall steadfastly believe all those things, which such Ministers shall speak unto you from the mouth and by the commandment of our LORD JESUS CHRIST. And whatsoever They do to you, as when They BAPTIZE you, when They give you ABSOLUTION, and distribute to you the BODY and BLOOD of our LORD JESUS CHRIST, these you shall so esteem as if CHRIST Himself, in His own person, did speak and minister unto you. For CHRIST hath commanded His ministers to do this unto you, and He Himself (although you see Him not with your bodily eyes) is present with His ministers, and worketh by the HOLY GHOST in the administration of His Sacraments. And on the other side you shall take good heed and beware of false and privy preachers, which privily creep into cities, and preach in corners, having none authority, nor being called to this office. For CHRIST is not present with such preachers, and therefore doth not the HOLY GHOST work by their preaching; but their word is without fruit or profit, and they do great hurt in commonwealths. For such as be not called of GOD, they, no doubt of it, do err, and sow abroad heresy and naughty doctrine.—CRANMER’S “Catechismus.” Edit. 1548. A _Sermon of the authority of the Keys_.—See also _Jewel’s Apology_, pp. 28, &c. Ed. 1829. V.