A85313:252
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.
I desire to know of these Imposers of Forms of Prayer, whether if they sent a Servant on their Message, and the servant is hail, lusty, and can go very well; if another man should meet this servant, who is going on his journey, and force him to go with crutches, which hinder him extremely, would you take it well? Why do you force the servant of God in his work to use your crutches, which are his hindrance in his Masters work, he can go better without them? I am afraid the bottom of this lieth here, that many of our great men, if you take away a Prayer-book, know not how to pray, wanting a praying heart, and they think it some dishonour to them to have other men, over whom they would tyrannize, to exceed them in a gift of Prayer; and so force men to their book, that no difference might appear. We leave these men to God.
I desire to know of these Imposers of Forms of Prayer, whether if they sent a Servant on their Message, and the servant is hail, lusty, and can go very well; if another man should meet this servant, who is going on his journey, and force him to go with crutches, which hinder him extreamly, would you take it well? Why do you force the servant of God in his work to use your crutches, which are his hindrance in his Masters work, he can go better without them? I am afraid the bottom of this lieth here, that many of our great men, if you take away a Prayer-book, know not how to pray, wanting a praying heart, and they think it some dishonour to them to have other men, over whom they would tyrannize, to exceed them in a gift of Prayer; and so force men to their book, that no difference might appear. We leave these men to God.
Do not these Composers of Forms of Prayer suppose their Gifts to be better than any Ministers upon whom they impose their Forms? If other Ministers can express the same Petitions in other words, as well, may be better, more lively, why are they hindered? Do they know the Gifts of all Ministers? do they know how the Spirit may assist them sometimes over other times? To think your Gifts to be the best, savours of such pride as becomes not a Christian.
Do not these Composers of Formes of Prayer suppose their Gifts to be better than any Ministers upon whom they impose their Forms? If other Ministers can expresse the same Petitions in other words, as well, may be better, more lively, why are they hindered? Do they know the Gifts of all Ministers? do they know how the Spirit may assist them sometimes over other times? To think your Gifts to be the best, savours of such pride as becomes not a Christian.