A64635:292
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.
And thus in these four things, I leave it to be calmly considered of, if the Ministers have not power left them by Christ in relation to forgiveness of sins, and with these limitations, whether that part of the old form of the words of Ordination, might not be continued also, which seems to me to be explained in the next following them; viz. And be thou a faithful dispenser of the word, and Sacraments, &c. (through both which the graces of the Holy Ghost, ⟨p. 276⟩and remission of sins are conveyed, and sealed) in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. According as in the words at the Communion used to the recipient, the former clause was added in Q. Elizabeths days, to give the more full sense of the latter. And let not any by this Moderate expression, extenuate the office of the Ministry, as Bellarmine would by this infer, that any Lay-man, Woman, or Child, may absolve as well as the Minister, (as we have among our selves, too many of that judgement.) For it consisteth not in speech, but in power, or Authority; he being as the officer of a King, Authorized to make Proclamation of his pleasure: Every man may speak one to another, to the use of edifying, but to them ⟨p. 277⟩is given, 1 Cor. 10. 16. power to edification, God hath made them able Ministers, not of the letter, but of the Spirit. That from them it comes, 1 Thess. 1. 5. not only in word, but in power also; and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance; which accordingly hath been experimentally found; that howsoever another may from the Scripture show as truly unto the penitent, what glad tidings are there intended to him; yet to drooping and doubting souls, it hath not been so efficacious, in quieting them, and giving satisfaction to their consciences, either in sickness, death-bed, or otherwise; as by the Ministry ordained, and commissionated for that end; That as 'tis their office to pray and exhort you in Christs stead to be reconciled unto God; so having ⟨p. 278⟩listened to that Motion, and submitted your selves accordingly; 'tis their office to declare, and assure unto you in Christs stead, that God is reconciled with you, All which appears to be the ancient doctrine of the Church of England, by what is publicly declared in the exhortation before the Communion to be read sometimes at the discretion of the Minister which is the recited and approved by the Primate, as followeth.