Hartley, John, d. 1724 Defence of the Vindication of Presbyterian ordination

Observations on Mr. H's reply to the Reverend Mr. Sturges's sermons concerning episcopacy . This singularity of one pastor in each place, descended form the apostles and their scholars in all the famous churches in the world by a perpetual chain of succession, and doth to this day continue; but where abomination or desolation, imean, heresie of violence interrup it. This right by imposing hands to ordain presbyters and bishops in the Church of Christ was at first derived from the apostles unto bishops, and not unto presbyters; and hath of these fifteen hundred years, without example or instance to the contrary till this our age, remain'd in bishops, and not in presbyters. It importeth the universal consent of the primitive church to have been this, that no presbyter could ordain a presbyter; but those that receiv'd imposition of hands from any such, were throughout the Church of Christ esteemed and reputed mere laymen. Bilson's perpetual government of Christ's Church, C. 14. P. 247, 248, 254. Printed in Queen Elizabeth's Reign, 1593. Perused, and allowed by publick authority.