Ethiopic Didascalia

Ethiopic Didascalia — Platt English translation page 115

women to baptize any one. If it had been lawful for women to baptize, our Lord Jesus Christ would have been baptized by his mother, and not by John : neither would he have sent us into the world to baptize, but would have sent women to baptize with us. We then also command that women do no such thing ; even though they be very vdse, and have faith, and know the Scriptures, yet do we not suffer them to teach, and baptize, and preach the Gospel. XIV. That it is not lawful for the Layman to do any work belonging to the Priesthood. We command then that no Layman do any work belonging to the Priesthood, neither offer up incense, nor baptize, nor lay on hands, nor give the bread of blessing. For no man receiveth this grace, unless it be given to him of the Lord. But it behoveth them to receive the grace and honour at the hands of the Bishop. And he to whom the ordination of the Priesthood hath not been given, if he trans- gress, shall find condemnation, even as King Ozias. Moreover, we do not com- mand all that are ordained in the Church to baptize, neither the Reader, nor the Chanters, nor the Door-keepers, but only the Bishops and Priests, and the Deacons who minister with them. And they who transgress and do any such thing q2 115