A85313:101
Presbyterial ordination vindicated. In a brief and sober discourse concerning episcopacy, as claiming greater…
Presbyterial ordination vindicated. In a brief and sober discourse concerning episcopacy, as claiming greater power, and more eminent offices by divine right, then presbytery. The arguments of the Reverend Bishop Dr Davenant in his determination for such episcopacy are modestly examined. And arguments for the validity of presbyterial ordination added. With a brief discourse concerning imposed forms of prayer, and ceremonies. Written by G.F. minister of the gospel in defence of his own ordination, being questioned, because it was performed by Presbyters.Presbyterial ordination vindicated. In a brief and sober discourse concerning episcopacy, as claiming greater power, and more eminent offices by divine right, then presbyterie. The arguments of the Reverend Bishop Dr Davenant in his determination for such episcopacy are modestly examined. And arguments for the validity of presbyterial ordination added. With a brief discourse concerning imposed forms of prayer, and ceremonies. Written by G.F. minister of the gospel in defence of his own ordination, being questioned, because it was performed by Presbyters.
London: printed for Nathanael Webb, 1660
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.
That in large and populous Cities, in which were many Presbyters made, the Apostles ordained one only Bishop.
For the Bishop in the question, Answ. the Apostles were so far from ordaining unicum, that they ordained ne unum; not one Scripture or sound reason brought to prove it
2. That the Apostles did ordain but one Scripture-Bishop in a great City, is an assertion point-blank against the Scriptures, which show the contrary. Let Jerome speak; some say he was angry, and I know not what, but the Scriptures he produces were not, 1[Chemnitius gives us a better ground for his writing] but thus Jerome, Doth any one think it is our own opinion, and not the sentence of the Scriptures that a Bishop & a Presbyter are one? Let him read Phil. 1.1. With the Bishops and Deacons. Philippi is one City of Macedonia, and certainly as Bishops are now called, there cannot be more than one in one City, but then there were. 2Doth it still seem doubtful unless it be confirmed by another testimony, then take Acts 20.17, He calls them Elders. v. 28. calls them Bishops. Observe diligently, the Elders of one City he calls Bishops, then adds, Heb. 13.17. Thus he in Tit. 1. When in his Epist. ad Evagr. he had been proving the Identity of Bishop and Presbyter, from