Five disputations of church-government and worship

CHAP. III. Ordination is not of Necessity to the being of the Ministry.

Sect. 1. Having showed what the Ministry is, and what Ordination is, and how the work is imposed on us, and the Power conferred, I may now come up to the point undertaken, to show the sin of them that Nullify all our Ministers calling and administrations, except of such as are ordained by the English Prelates. And for the fuller performance of this task, I shall do it in these parts. 1. I shall show that Ordination it self by man is not of Necessity to the being of a Minister. 2. I shall show that much less is an uninterrupted succession of Regular Ordination (such as either Scripture or Church Canons count valid) of Necessity to the being of Church or Ministry. 3. I shall show, that much less is an Ordination by such as our English Bishops ⟨p. 151⟩necessary to the Being of the Ministry. 4. I shall show that yet much less is an Ordination by such Bishops rebus sic stantibus, as now things go, of necessity to the being of the Ministry. 5. I shall show that without all these pretences of necessity for a Presbyterian Ordination, the present way of Ordination by this & other Reformed▪ Churches is agreeable to the Holy Scripture, and the custom of the Ancient Church, and the postulata of our chief opposers. 6. I shall then show the greatness of their sin that would Nullify our Ministry and administrations. 7. And yet I shall show the greatness of their sin that oppose or wilfully neglect Ordination. 8. And lastly I shall return to my former subject, and show yet how far I could wish the Episcopal Brethren accommodated, and propound somewhat for a Peace.

Sect. 1. HAving shewed what the Ministry is, and what Ordination is, and how the work is imposed on us, and the Power conferred, I may now come up to the point undertaken, to shew the sin of them that Nullifie all our Ministers calling and administrations, except of such as are ordained by the English Prelates. And for the fuller performance of this task, I shall do it in these parts. 1. I shall shew that Ordination it self by man is not of Necessity to the being of a Minister. 2. I shall shew that much less is an uninterrupted succession of Regular Ordination (such as either Scripture or Church Canons count valid) of Necessity to the being of Church or Ministry. 3. I shall shew, that much less is an Ordination by such as our English Bishops