A85313:44
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.
To the Scriptures then let us go, which speak so clear in this controversy, that all men, even the Papists, who call those men Heretics, that deny this superiority of Bishops, yet are forced to yield it, that in the Apostles time, the Bishop and Presbyter were the same. Let Cajetan's interpretation be heard, upon Tit. 1.5, 7. Ubi advert eundem gradum, idemquè officium significari à Paulo, nomine Presbyteri & nomine Episcopi; as cross to Bishop Davenant as can be, Anselm the Archbishop of Canterbury, in his Comment upon the same verses, brings all Hierons Comment, where he proves Bishops and Presbyters to be the same, and no way opposeth it. Estius, who in the beginning of his Disputation, calls them Heretics, who will not yield the superiority of Bishops, and that jure divino, in the midst of his Disputation, hath these words, Quod autem jure divin• sint Episcopi Presbyteris superiores, 1etsi non ita clarum est è saoris literis, aliunde ramen satis efficaciter probari potest; probatur tam ratione, quàm testimoniis veterum. It seems then the Scriptures are not clear enough to prove this superiority, in his opinion; and which is divinely spoken, though he could not prove the divine right of this Superiority out of the Scriptures, yet he would prove it by reason and testimonies of Ancients: Had a Presbyterian written thus, he should have been scorned to purpose.
To the Scriptures then let us go, which speak so clear in this controversie, that all men, even the Papists, who call those men Hereticks, that deny this superiority of Bishops, yet are forced to yield it, that in the Apostles time, the Bishop and Presbyter were the same. Let Cajetan's interpretation be heard, upon Tit. 1.5, 7. Ʋbi adverte eundem gradum, idemquè officium significari à Paulo, nomine Presbyteri & nomine Episcopi; as cross to Bishop Davenant as can be, Anselm the Archbishop of Canterbury, in his Comment upon the same verses, brings all Hierons Comment, where he proves Bishops and Presbyters to be the same, and no way opposeth it. Estius, who in the beginning of his Disputation, calls them Hereticks, who will not yield the superiority of Bishops, and that jure divino, in the midst of his Disputation, hath these words, Quod autem jure divin• sint Episcopi Presbyteris superiores,