A85313:159
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.
6. How can the Bishop be a fit means to cure Schism or prevent it? I know no way but this, that Presbyters must resign all their judgments up to his Chair, and he infallibly determine, which is right or wrong, and so all must yield to his sentence. This were brave indeed.
7. Let our King withdraw his tender and healing hand, and his power from assisting Bishops, & let us now see how the Bishops will show forth that wonderful virtue of Episcopacy in healing our Schisms: I doubt our King who is, as Constantine said of himself, the Bishop extra Ecclesiam, must be the great healer, under God, of our Schisms, else the Bishops within the Church will make them much worse, but never heal I am sure by all power Episcopal. If the Keys of the Gate-house and other Prisons be at their command, then they may do more with those Keys than their Episcopal Keys. Yet I think Prisons will hardly heal us.
7. Let our King withdraw his tender and healing hand, and his power from assisting Bishops, & let us now see how the Bishops will shew forth that wonderful vertue of Episcopacy in healing our Schisms: I doubt our King who is, as Constantine said of himself, the Bishop extra Ecclesiam, must be the great healer, under God, of our Schisms, else the Bishops within the Church will make them much worse, but never heal I am sure by all power Episcopal. If the Keyes of the Gate-house and other Prisons be at their command, then they may do more with those Keyes than their Episcopal Keyes. Yet I think Prisons will hardly heal us.
8. There was an honest way found out how to cure wrangling, schismatical Bishops; and the same cure is proper and very apt for Schismatical Presbyters, Concil. Carthag. 4. Can. 25. Dissidents episcopos si non timor Dei, Synodus reconciliet: A more apt means than a Bishop, because that is Apostolical.