A85312:208
Of schism. Parochial congregations in England, and ordination
Of schism. Parochial congregations in England, and ordination by imposition of hands. Wherein Dr. Owen's discovery of the true nature of schism is briefly and friendly examined, together with Mr. Noyes of New England his arguments against imposition of hands in ordination. / By Giles Firmin, sometime of new England, now pastor of the Church at Shalford in Essex.
London: printed by T.C. for Nathanael Webb, 1658
Title page typeset from the transcription.
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.
2. He who is chosen President or Moderator this Session may be the next, and the next; we may choose him for one year, or two years, what Scripture text forbids it? why may we not twenty?
3. I am so far from thinking it is contrary to Scripture, that I think it comes nearest to Scripture. [I may declare my opinion with submission to better judgements] for as for the word Angel mentioned in the Epistles to the seven Churches, though I cannot agree to that which that ever honoured and learned Davenant doth gather from it, namely, 1the superiority of the Bishop above other Presbyters, because here was one in the Church of Ephesus, &c. which [Greek or Hebrew] is called [Greek or Hebrew]. For what Isidore saith of created Angels, Angelus est nomen officii non naturae, semper sunt spiritus sed cum mittuntur vocantur Angeli, I may apply to this, if all true preaching Ministers are sent, as they are, Rom. 10. then they also are [Greek or Hebrew]. I think our Divines have spoken sufficiently to take off this; yet [with favour] I conceive that Christ mentioning an Angel in the singular number, and reason telling us what must be in all orderly Meetings & Councils to avoid confusion, there being divers Elders in one Church, who had the care, inspection, and government of it; I conceive those Elders had one who for order sake was a President, Moderator, [though he had not power above them, as may be proved by other Scriptures] that ordered the transactions when they met; nor can I conceive it was so, ⟨p. 68⟩for one Session or two, but for his life for ought I can learn, he that can, let him prove the contrary? in that he is taken notice of so in a special manner, it should seem he was one that was so more then one or two Sessions.
3. I am so far from thinking it is contrary to Scripture, that I think it comes neerest to Scripture. [I may declare my opinion with submission to better judgements] for as for the word Angel mentioned in the Epistles to the seven Churches, though I cannot agree to that which that ever honoured and learned Davenant doth gather from it, namely,