A85313:33
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. Thus it hath been for fifteen hundred years, before Calvin rose, the Churches had ever Bishops; name the Church that had not: Thus these Brethren think, à facto ad jus, valet consequentia undeniably.
2. The Fathers who lived in the Primitive times tell us, the Apostles did constitute Bishops in several Cities, as, Timothy, and Titus, &c. This is all their strength.
But in sober words I beseech you, What kind of Bishops were fifteen hundred years ago? [if you begin to reckon from the Apostles times] Bishops distinct from Presbyters in Power and Offices and that by Divine right? Verily you fall short in proving it. Or were they such Bishops that extended their power for forty miles space or more, over many hundred Presbyters, and over many hundred thousand of persons, whom they never saw? I beseech you name us such Bishops in the three or four first Centuries, else you know what Bishops do not answer. I have read in a Learned Author, that in Augustine's time, there were in one Province under Carthage, of the Catholics and Donatists, above nine hundred Bishops, the Author sums up how many of each; surely these Bishops did not extend their power much further than some great Parishes in some Countries*, or some such Towns as Ipswich, Bristol, Colchester, &c. If you will have such Bishops, and give them no more power than Christ hath given them, for Order sake I will yield to them, and give them the Honour, and if more maintenance be conferred upon them by the King, than other Presbyters who join with them, I shall be very willing and glad of it. So that I am not against an Imparity in honour nor maintenance, neither would I be in power and office, if Christ had given more to them than others.