Jus divinum ministerii evangelici. Or The divine right of the Gospel-ministry: divided into two parts. The first part containing a justification of the Gospel-ministry in general. The necessity of ordination thereunto by imposition of hands. The unlawfulnesse of private mens assuming to themselves either the office or work of the ministry without a lawfull call and ordination. The second part containing a justification of the present ministers of England, both such as were ordained during the prevalency of episcopacy from the foul aspersion of anti-christianism: and those who have been ordained since its abolition, from the unjust imputation of novelty: proving that a bishop and presbyter are all one in Scripture; and that ordination by presbyters is most agreeable to the Scripture-patern. Together with an appendix, wherein the judgement and practice of antiquity about the whole matter of episcopacy, and especially about the ordination of ministers, is briefly discussed. Published by the Provincial Assembly of London.

Title: Jus divinum ministerii evangelici. Or The divine right of the Gospel-ministry: divided into two parts. The first part containing a justification of the Gospel-ministry in general. The necessity of ordination thereunto by imposition of hands. The unlawfulnesse of private mens assuming to themselves either the office or work of the ministry without a lawfull call and ordination. The second part containing a justification of the present ministers of England, both such as were ordained during the prevalency of episcopacy from the foul aspersion of anti-christianism: and those who have been ordained since its abolition, from the unjust imputation of novelty: proving that a bishop and presbyter are all one in Scripture; and that ordination by presbyters is most agreeable to the Scripture-patern. Together with an appendix, wherein the judgement and practice of antiquity about the whole matter of episcopacy, and especially about the ordination of ministers, is briefly discussed. Published by the Provincial Assembly of London.

Author: London (England). Provincial Assembly.

Collection: Early English Books Online

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think of them above what is meet, yet this esteem must not be vulgar as that which is only common to ordinary men and be∣lievers: Tim. 5.17. When the nthankful world despise the Ministers, the Saints are obliged to account them worthy of double honour, and to esteem them highly, 1 The. 5.13. very highly and abundantly; This high degree of esteem must be in love, for if we love the Embassage, and the Lord who sends the glad tidings of Sal∣vation,Rom. 10.15. How beautifull then are the feet of his Embassa∣dours! This esteem of them in love must be for teir works sake: Now if this work was not of God, he would never give so many injunctions to honour these work-men: But this work of the Ministry in reconciling sinners to God,1 Pet. 1.12. is so stupendious, that the Angels with admiration desire to look into these things: And in the dispensation of this my∣stery which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, is made known by the Church not only to men bu to Cherubins and Seraphims Principalities and powers in Heavenly places the manifold wisedom of God.Eph. 3.9, 10.Heb. 13.17.4. To obey them that have the rule over you and submit your selves unto them.Heb. 13.17.5. To encourage them, that they may do their work with joy and not with grief, for that is unprofitable to the Flock, as uncomfortable to the Pastour.6, To maintain them; He that is taught in the Word must communicate to him that teacheth in all good things:Gal. 6.6. 1 Cor. 9.7. to 19. Why doth the holy Ghost spend almost a whole Chapter upon this Sub∣ject? and after many arguments, why doth the Apostle make that appeal? Do ye not know that they which minister about holy things live of the things of the Temple;V. 13.and they that wait a the Altar are partakers with the Alar? And whereas some might say, This practise is Mosaicall, and fit for the Jewish Priesthood,V. 14. but not for Gospel-times, He prevents this Ob∣jection, and asserts as a Divine Institution, that God hath thus ordained, that they which preach the Gospel shold live of the Gospel: But this doctrine of the maintenance of Ministers hath been of late so largely and soldly asserted by several able pens, that we shall not need to sy any more about it. But 0