A85313:26
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.
CHAP. I. Of Episcopacy, &c.
IN all the changes which have passed over this Nation of late years, it hath been the portion of the Lords Ministers, to pass through unkind dealings, and reproachful speeches from several sorts of men, no change proving to be on their side, but all changes against them. One while they were called Antichristian Ministers, because they were ordained by Bishops, who being Antichristian, all that were ordained by them, were such also: Hence Episcopal Ordination must be renounced, a new one taken [or Popular Election alone might serve the turn] else the people, will renounce their Ministry, separate from them, and so did. In this unexpected change [though much desired and prayed for, as to our King and the Royal Family, with our Ancient Civil Government, unto which by solemn Covenant we were engaged] many hundreds of Godly Ministers, and able for their work, are said to be no Ministers, because they were ordained by Presbyters: And let me give you the words of one of the great Doctors, who asking a godly and able Minister, who was ordained by Presbyters, Whether he were ordained by a Bishop? Whether he had his Institution, &c. from a Bishop? to which he answered, No; then said this Learned Doctor to him, Your Ordination and Institution is not worth a Fart. Sweetly spoken Sir!
According to the Talent the Lord hath lent me, I wrote a little in defence of Episcopal Ordination, so far as to prove it not to be Antichristian: But now the Controversy is come home to my own door; for though in the presence of the people who elected me, with their hands lifted up to manifest their Election, in a day of Fasting and Prayer, I was by five Ancient, Godly and Grave Divines [the greater part eminent in their Generation] set apart to the work of the Ministry by Imposition of hands, Prayer, and words suitable to the Ordinance, yet my Ordination is questioned by such in whose defence I wrote before; (thank you Brethren) the ground being this, they judge Ordination to be a work proper to a Bishop, whom they make an Officer distinct from Presbyters, having more eminent Offices, and greater power belonging to them than Presbyters have. How they come by this power, is the question; that Reverend and Learned Bishop Dr. Davenant, in his 42 Determination, undertakes to prove that this eminency of the Bishop, is in verbo divino adumbrata, delineata, & abipsis Apostolis constabilita, and that it is an easy thing to demonstrate it.