A85313:300
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.
1. Why then do you use these Ceremonies, if the worship be not one whit the better, nor God accept the more? but that the worship is every whit as good, and God fully as well pleased with his worship, without these, as with these, then we shall show our selves vain in our Imaginations indeed, and very foolish, having no rational end of our actions. Cui bono? To what end then serve they? You do use to quote the 1 Cor. 14. for your ground, and end. It is true, Decent Worship is better than Undecent Worship, and we may conceive more acceptable to God. Now, if you by your humane Ceremonies, can make it Decent, and without them it is Undecent, Then your Ceremonies add some goodness to the worship of God, and tend more to acceptation with him.
1. Why then do you use these Ceremonies, if the worship be not one whit the better, nor God accept the more? but that the worship is every whit as good, and God fully as well pleased with his worship, without these, as with these, then we shall shew our selves vain in our Imaginations indeed, and very foolish, having no rational end of our actions. Cui bono? To what end then serve they? You do use to quote the 1 Cor. 14. for your ground, and end. It is true, Decent Worship is better than Undecent Worship, and we may conceive more acceptable to God. Now, if you by your humane Ceremonies, can make it Decent, and without them it is Undecent, Then your Ceremonies add some goodnesse to the worship of God, and tend more to acceptation with him.
2. If not, Why then have people been debarred from the Worship of God, because the Surplice hath been wanting? I read in the Writings of an eminent Minister of Christ [whom I knew when he lived] that in Suffolk the Surplice was lost in one Parish, There was a strict in junction to the poor Countrymen, that there might not be any Service or Sermon till they had got another, for which they were appointed Ten days, and this being upon a Friday, there were two Sabbaths without any Service. Now if the worship of God had been as good in it self, and as acceptable to God