A85313:18
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.
Shall these Sovereign and trembling Acts of a jealous God cause no awe upon our Spirits? Must we presently, before we are healed perfectly of our wounds, provoke God again? will you try to force the Nation into Perjury, by violating the solemn Covenant? I beseech you do not cast such scorn upon it: I remember, the last year, when the Army, and that piece of Parliament, (so called) were united, and in their height, while one was dehorting me friendly from praying for the Royal Family, I said then, Though God may suffer these men to go on a while; yet if God be not revenged for the breach of that Covenant, I will not believe my Bible. God made good my words sooner than I was aware of: I do yet believe, The Lord will in his time have a regard to it, let men now despise it as they please. I do protest, in the presence of the living God, that it is not any envy that I bear to mens Honours, Riches, ⟨image 4⟩Greatness, or Power in the Church, or that I affect a Party, which makes me engage in this Controversy, upon my one Defence, (for if my Ordination be null, I can hardly look on my self as a Minister) I can freely yield you the Honours and the Riches [though my poor Vicarage doth afford one but half the Maintenance for my Family] and the power you should have also, would but that which you and we call the Rule of your and our Faith (the Scriptures) give you it. But if those Officers our Covenant engages against must be owned in the Church, then we must not own our Bibles for a perfect Rule, for Regula non est, si quid ei deest, saith BASIL, Now all those Officers mentioned in the Covenant, [even Bishop as distinct from a Presbyter, and superior in power] Desunt, they are wanting in that Rule, where all the Officers and their names are distinctly set down, and you cannot make new Officers by Consequences.
Shall these Soveraign and trembling Acts of a jealous God cause no aw upon our Spirits? Must we presently, before we are healed perfectly of our wounds, provoke God again? will you try to force the Nation into Perjury, by violating the solemn Covenant? I beseech you do not cast such scorn upon it: I remember, the last year, when the Army, and that piece of Parliament, (so called) were united, and in their height, while one was dehorting me friendly from praying for the Royal Family, I said then, Though God may suffer these men to go on a while; yet if God be not revenged for the breach of that Covenant, I will not believe my Bible. God made good my words sooner than I was aware of: I do yet believe, The Lord will in his time have a regard to it, let men now despise it as they please. I do protest, in the presence of the living God, that it is not any envie that I beare to mens Honours, Riches,