A85313:41
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.
2. Were those Fathers and Churches you so much mention, so guided, that they could not, or did not err? Were not the holy Scriptures a Rule to them as well as to us? Err they did in some points I am sure.
2. Were those Fathers and Churches you so much mention, so guided, that they could not, or did not erre? Were not the holy Scriptures a Rule to them as well as to us? Erre they did in some points I am sure.
3. Will the Lord judge us at that great day by these Fathers? Will it be a sufficient answer to give the Lord, if we sin in setting up Humane Inventions in his Worship, to say, Lord, thus the Fathers said, thus they did; Dare you say it is sufficient to excuse us?
I beseech you then, Reverend Brethren, Why do you press us so much with these men, and with Antiquities, and not stick to pure Antiquity, the holy Scriptures: Blessed Augustine (whom I so much honour and love of all the Fathers) knew how to value Cyprian enough, 1but when Cresconius or other Donatists, would bring any thing out of him, to prove what Augustin judged an error, he knew how to set the Scriptures and Apostles above him. So doth Cyprian sharply speak against those who brought Tradition for their proof; qua ista obstinatio, qua presumptio, humanam traditionem divine dispositîoni anteponere, &c? Unde ista traditio? Utrumne de dominica & evangelica auctoritate descendens, 2&c? So ⟨p. 5⟩Tertullian. Non recipio quod extra Scripturam de two infert. Bellarmine saith enough, Patrum scripta non sunt regula, nec habent authoritatem obligandi.