A85313:14
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.
The Lord then rebuke the spirits of those men who go about [notwithstanding his Majesties gracious Declaration, to give Liberty to tender Consciences] to make sad the hearts of those men who have thus prayed, and praised GOD for our King, by labouring to impose upon us again those humane Inventions in the Worship of God, which were the first beginners of our troubles; I say, the first beginners: for I dare say, had it not been for those Humane devices, and tyrannical forcing upon the Ministry of Christ, what men only invented, but God never appointed: and for their not yielding to their wills, silenced abundance, imprisoned divers, and forced into banishment many of the eminent Servants of Christ, God had not been as yet so provoked (though I know there was guilt enough) the Spirits of people had not been so exasperated, to have raised a Civil War, and therein spill so much English blood, much less the blood of our Sovereign King, a person of rare and Princely Endowments, as before the Wars I was a little informed, in the Wars further confirmed, but after the Wars certainly assured, by that excellent Book of His, which who can read, and then think who did the fact, but must needs lament, the wound, the stain, the blot, which the Reformed Protestant Religion, accompanied (at least seemingly) with warm and powerful profession received, alas, how shall the glory of it be recovered again!
The Lord then rebuke the spirits of those men who go about [notwithstanding his Majesties gracious Declaration, to give Liberty to tender Consciences] to make sad the hearts of those men who have thus prayed, and praised GOD for our King, by labouring to impose upon us again those humane Inventions in the Worship of God, which were the first beginners of our troubles; I say, the first beginners: for I dare say, had it not been for those Humane devices, and tyrannical forcing upon the Ministry of Christ, what men only invented, but God never appointed: and for their not yielding to their wills, silenced abundance, imprisoned divers, and forced into banishment many of the eminent Servants of Christ, God had not been as yet so provoked (though I know there was guilt enough) the Spirits of people had not been so exasperated, to have raised a Civil Warr, and therein spill so much English blood, much lesse the bloud of our Soveraign King, a person of rare and Princely Endowments, as before the Warrs I was a little informed, in the Warrs further confirmed, but after the Warres certainly assured, by that excellent Book of His, which who can read, and then think who did the fact, but must needs lament, the wound, the stain, the blot, which the Reformed Protestant Religion, accompanied (at least seemingly) with warm and powerfull profession received, alas, how shall the glory of it be recovered again!