Five disputations of church-government and worship

Sect. 25. But, 1. if this were proved, its nothing against us: for if Presbyters with Bishops have power to Ordain, then it is not a work that is without the reach of their Office, but that which belongeth to them: and therefore if they could prove it irregular for them to Ordain without a Bishop, yet would they not prove it Null. Otherwise they might prove it Null, if a Bishop Ordain without a Presbytery, because according to this Objection they must concur▪ 2. But indeed, they prove not that any above Presbyters did concur in Timothy's Ordination, whatever probability they may show for it. And till they prove it, we must hold so much as is proved and granted.

Sect. 25. But, 1. if this were proved, its nothing against us: for if Presbyters with Bishops have power to O•dain, then it is not a work that is without the reach of their Office, but that which belongeth to them: and therefore if they could prove it irregular for them to Ordain without a Bishop, yet would they not prove it Null. Otherwise they might prove it Null, if a Bishop Ordain without a Presbyterie, because according to this Objection they must concur▪ 2. But indeed, they prove not that any above Presbyters did concur in Timothies Ordination, whatever probability they may shew for it. And till they prove it, we must hold so much as is proved and granted.

Sect. 26. As for 2 Tim. 1.6. it is no certain proof of it. It may be Imposition of hands in Confirmation, or for the first ⟨p. 206⟩giving of the Holy Ghost after Baptism (ordinarily used by the Apostles) that is there spoken of: which also seemeth probable, by the Apostles annexing it to Timothy's Faith, in which he succeeded his Mother and Grandmother; and to the following effects of [the Spirit of Power, and of Love, and of a sound mind,] which are the fruits of Confirming Grace: admonishing hm, that he be not ashamed of the Testimony of our Lord which is also the fruit of Confirmation. However the probability go, they can give us no certainty, that Paul or any Apostle had an hand in the Ordination here spoken of: when the Text saith that it was [with the laying on of the hands of the Presbytery] we must judge of the office by the name: and therefore 1. we are sure that there were Presbyters. 2. And if there were also any of an higher rank, the Phrase encourageth us to believe, that it was as Presbyters, that they imposed hands in Ordination.