An humble apology for non-conformists with modest and serious reflections on the Friendly debate…

Answ. Hear what a Romish Doctor saith, which is cited by Bishop Bramhal, in his Treatise of Schism, pag. 7, 8. When there is a mutual division of two parts or Members of the Mystical Body of the Church, one from the other, yet both retaining Communion with the Universal Church, (which for the most part springs from some doubtful Opinion, or less necessary part of Divine Worship) quam cunque partem amplexus fueris Schismaticus non audies, quippe quod Universa Ecclesia neutiam damnarit; what side soever you take, you are not a Schismatic, &c.

Answ. Hear what a Romish Doctor saith, which is cited by Bishop Bramhal, in his Treatise of Schism, pag. 7, 8. When there is a mutual division of two parts or Members of the Mystical Body of the Church, one from the other, yet both retaining Communion with the Universal Church, (which for the most part springs from some doubtful Opinion, or less necessary part of Divine Worship) quam cunque partem amplexus fueris Schismaticus non audies, quippe quod Universa Ecclesia neutiam damnarit; what side soever you take, you are not a Schismatick, &c.

Quest. Sith that divers of the Non-conforming Ministers had no Ordination but by thei• Brethren the Presbyters, Can they be esteemed lawful Ministers? Is such Ordination valid, without Re-Ordination by the Bishops?

Answ. Ordination by Presbyters without Bishops, was adjudged valid by our former Bishops; witness the Case of three Scottish Bishops, consecrated in England in King James his days: ⟨p. 13⟩Take the History of it from Archbishop Spots•ood, who relateth the matter and manner of it thus: A Question, saith he, was moved by Doctor Andrews, Bishop of Ely, touching the Consecration f the Scottish Bishops, who as he said, must first be ordained Presbyters, at having received no Ordination by a Bishop; the Archbishop of Canterbury, Doctor Bancroft, who was by, said, That thereof here was no necessity; seeing where Bishops could not e had, the Ordination of or by Presbyters, must be esteemed lawful: This applauded to by the other Bishops, Ely acquiesced; and at the day and place appointed, the three Bishops were consecrated. A. Spots. Hist. Book 7. p. 514. Dr. Field in his Book of the Church, holds the Ministers lawful Ministers in the Transmarine Churches, though ordained without Bishops; and Dr. Thorndike, in his Treatise relating to the Primitive Government of Churches, hath so much charity as not to unchurch the Reformed Churches beyond the Seas, who have no Bishops, pag. 202. The pious, learned, and famous Mr. Gataker, never had any Episcopal Ordination, but was ordained by Dr. Stern, Suffragan of Colchester. The Religious and Renowned Archbishop Usher, in his Reduction set forth by Dean Barnard, was of the Judgement, that the Chor-Episcopi, or Rural Deans, might lawfully Ordain: And this his Judgement was attested by Doctor Holsworth, yea and very probably too, by Bishop Brownrig,