A counter-essay, or, A vindication and assertion of Calvin and Beza's presbyterian judgment and principles drawn from their writings, in answer to the imputations of a late pamphlet, entituled, An essay concerning church-government ... attempting to fasten upon them an episcopal perswasion ... / by a minister of the true Presbyterian Church of Scotland, established by law.

About this Item

Title
A counter-essay, or, A vindication and assertion of Calvin and Beza's presbyterian judgment and principles drawn from their writings, in answer to the imputations of a late pamphlet, entituled, An essay concerning church-government ... attempting to fasten upon them an episcopal perswasion ... / by a minister of the true Presbyterian Church of Scotland, established by law.
Author
Forrester, Thomas, 1635?-1706.
Publication
Edinburgh :: Printed by the heir of Andrew Anderson ...,
1692.
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Subject terms
Cunningham, Alexander. -- An essay concerning church government, out of the excellent writings of Calvin and Beza.
Bèze, Théodore de, 1519-1605.
Reformed churches -- Government.
Presbyterianism.
Link to this Item
http://name.umdl.umich.edu/A39997.0001.001
Cite this Item
"A counter-essay, or, A vindication and assertion of Calvin and Beza's presbyterian judgment and principles drawn from their writings, in answer to the imputations of a late pamphlet, entituled, An essay concerning church-government ... attempting to fasten upon them an episcopal perswasion ... / by a minister of the true Presbyterian Church of Scotland, established by law." In the digital collection Early English Books Online. https://name.umdl.umich.edu/A39997.0001.001. University of Michigan Library Digital Collections. Accessed June 2, 2024.

Pages

Answer.

We did upon this Definition collated with his proof out of Calvin, discover this mans pitiful Prevatication, and his involving Calvin and himself in palpable nconsistencies. We did also prove from several places of that learned Divine, that he denys this fixed and ordinary stand∣ing Presidency, both to Apostles and Evanglists, and holds that such fixed Presidents, as the Church did after set up, did not infringe the collegiat power and Authority of Pastors, but were subject to them; And that Calvin disowns an official preheminency in any Pastor over a∣nother, and expresly a peculiar Designation of Bishop, as an abuse of Scripture language, and contrair to the Divine Institution. So that the Major of his Demonstration, and this Definition whereupon (as the preceeding) it is grounded, appears to be a rotten Fabrick, and a bowing Wall, and tottering Fence.

I cannot but further observe, that he makes this goodly Proposition, containing his Definition of the president Bishop, serve both Paul, and the other Apostlesturn, for proof of his Episcopal Presidency, and likewise Timothy with the inferiour sort of Bishops, thus equi-parating them, and shaping their Episcopacy with one and the same Standard and Measure; The place of Calvin which speaks of Paul's sole Imposi∣tion of Hands upon Timothy, whereby he would fortifie this part of the Definition, relating to Ordination, serves also with him for Timothy's like Episcopacy, giving thus to them both a sole power in Ordination; And how consistent this is with Calvins Sense of the power of the A∣postles and Evangelists, any who have read Calvin can easily judge.

Page 53

Again (which makes good Jest) left Paul his first and high Bishop, and his Schollar the younger Bishop Timothy should 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 de∣borded, and play the wanton, and run out of their Circle, both De∣monstrations, and Difinitions hath a prudent Limitation annexed; That their power must be regulat by Canons, and well ballanced by assisting Mini∣sters; and yet Paul and Timothy's sole power in Ordination seems para∣mount to these Canons, and far to counter-ballance all Ministers Au∣thority. Follows the Assumption of his Demonstration.

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