A85313:209
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.
VIII. Arg. 8 That Ordination which by the most learned and godly, Episcopal men is judged valid, cannot be denied by others to be invalid, without great defect of modesty, and humility, Unless they have good Scripture against it, which be sure they have not. But thus have a Presbyterial Ordination been judged by the most Learned, &c. as by that flower of all Episcopal men, Bishop Usher; so all our Bishops, and Episcopal men, who have asserted the Ministry of other Churches where no Bishops are, to be lawful and valid.
VIII. Arg. 8 That Ordination which by the most learned and godly, Episcopall men is judged valid, cannot be denied by others to be invalid, without great defect of modesty, and humility, Unless they have good Scripture against it, which be sure they have not. But thus have a Presbyterial Ordination been judged by the most Learned, &c. as by that flower of all Episcopal men, Bishop Usher; so all our Bishops, and Episcopal men, who have asserted the Ministry of other Churches where no Bishops are, to be lawful and valid.
And to go yet a little higher to Antiquity: those places in Augustine aand Ambrose bare well known, both of them speak to the same purpose: Nam in Alexandria & per totam Aegyptum si desit Episcopus, consecrat Presbyter, so saith Augustine. Consignant Presbyteri si praesens non sit Episcopus, saith Ambrose. Yea, it seems, that this Ordination by Presbyters did trouble Durandus, 3for speaking to this question. Utrum in Ecclesia sit aliqua potest as major Sacerdotali? In point of Jurisdiction he will allow the Bishop to be superiour, but De potestate Consecrationis vel Ordinis est magnum dubium. By Jeromes Authority from the Scripture, and by a reason he brings himself, he could conclude Bishop and Priest in this point to be Pares, but that the Authority of the Church had determined it ⟨p. 29⟩