A64635:217
Certain discourses, viz. of Babylon (Rev. 18. 4.) being the present See of Rome…
Certain discourses, viz. of Babylon (Rev. 18. 4.) being the present See of Rome (with a sermon of Bishop Beadles upon the same words) of laying on of hands (Heb. 6. 2.) to be an ordained ministry, of the old form of words in ordination, of a set form of prayer : each being the judgment of the late Arch-bishop of Armagh, and Primate of Ireland / published and enlarged by Nicholas Bernard ... : unto which is added a character of Bishop Bedel, and an answer to Mr. Pierces fifth letter concerning the late Primate.Certain discourses, viz. of Babylon (Rev. 18. 4.) being the present See of Rome (with a sermon of Bishop Bedels upon the same words) of laying on of hands (Heb. 6. 2.) to be an ordained ministry, of the old form of words in ordination, of a set form of prayer : each being the judgment of the late Arch-bishop of Armagh, and Primate of Ireland / published and enlarged by Nicholas Bernard ... : unto which is added a character of Bishop Bedel, and an answer to Mr. Pierces fifth letter concerning the late Primate.
London: printed for John Crook, 1659
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
Now the second observation §2is, that Ordination is not only an internal Call of God, but an external of man; for so 'tis denominated by that very act, laying on of hands, i. e. implying the hand of God is not all in the holy frame of the heart of the person by his spirit, requisite in every ⟨p. 206⟩true believer, but there must be the hands of men in the designation of him in his name also. The first was wont to be asked, the person ordained,1 viz. Whether in his heart or conscience, he found himself truly called to the Ministry, according to the will of our Lord Jesus Christ. This persuasion of his gave a capacity, but the authority actually conferred on him, was by the imposition of hands, Ability and faithfulness were the qualifications, but the commission to officiate, was transferred to Timothy (2 Eph. 2. 2.) by that means. Ye know those two memento's of Saint Paul to him, Neglect not the gift (1 Tim. 4. 14.) Stir up the gift of God which is in thee (2 Tim. 1. 16.) by the laying on of my hands, and of the hands of the Presbytery; if it ⟨p. 207⟩should be asked, What is here meant by the gift, I conceive there is no necessity of understanding it, either of gifts of ability, or saving gifts of the Spirit; for as the former doubtless were found in Timothy before his ordination, and the latter from his childhood, & education; (2 Epist. cap. 3. 15. cap. 1. 5.) so 'tis a doubt if it were in the power of Timothy to transfer either of §1those by this means, they being to be left to Christ himself, who enlightens every man that cometh into the world; and to that holy Spirit who blows when, and where it listeth, but the surest sense is to take it for the authority given him for the officiating, and exercising these abilities, and transferring of it unto others: And in this sense I grant gifted ⟨p. 208⟩