A85313:276
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. IV. Of Ceremonies, and in particular of the Surplice.
I Intend but a few words; We are told, the Church hath power to decree Rites and Ceremonies, and this is swallowed down so readily, as if there were no bones in it. What they mean by the ambiguous word, Ceremony, and what by the Church, we must learn from their practice: And I pray see through all Pauls Epistles where the Church is often mentioned, whether you can find such a Church as decreed our Ceremonies. God having appointed his Day for Worship, what time of the day is fittest for it, we doubt not the Church may determine; so for place, and other things, which of necessity must be; as if there must be Wine and Bread at the Supper, &c. then Vessels must be, whether Wooden, (as when they had their golden Priests) or Pewter, or Silver, there is no determination by God, the Church may here appoint, but these deserve not the names of Ceremonies: Were we in our purest estate in Adam, had God appointed such Ordinances, these things must of necessity follow, these things must be, place and vessels, &c. but it would not then have necessarily followed we must have garments; Considering sin indeed which hath brought this shame upon us, we must now from sin have garments, but it doth not follow properly from the Ordinance it self we must have Garments, as if Wine and Bread, we must have vessels to put the Wine into; if sin, then garments, is true; not properly if ordinances, then garments; though now it is true.
I Intend but a few words; We are told, the Church hath power to decree Rites and Ceremonies, and this is swallowed down so readily, as if there were no bones in it. What they mean by the ambiguous word, Ceremony, and what by the Church, we must learn from their practice: And I pray see through all Pauls Epistles where the Church is often mentioned, whether you can find such a Church as decreed our Ceremonies. God having appointed his Day for Worship, what time of the day is fittest for it, we doubt not the Church may determine; so for place, and other things, which of necessity must be; as if there must be Wine and Bread at the Supper, &c. then Vessels must be, whether Woodden, (as when they had their golden Priests) or Pewter, or Silver, there is no determination by God, the Church may here appoint, but these deserve not the names of Ceremonies: Were we in our purest estate in Adam, had God appointed such Ordimnces, these things must of necessity follow, these things must be, place and vessels, &c. but it would not then have necessarily followed we must have garments; Considering sin indeed which hath brought this shame upon us, we must now from sin have garments, but it doth not follow properly from the Ordinance it self we must have Garments, as if Wine and Bread, we must have vessels to put the Wine into; if sin, then garments, is true; not properly if ordinances, then garments; though now it is true.