A42757:1133
Aaron's rod blossoming, or, The divine ordinance of church-government vindicated so as the present…Aarons rod blossoming, or, The divine ordinance of church-government vindicated so as the present…
Aaron's rod blossoming, or, The divine ordinance of church-government vindicated so as the present Erastian controversy concerning the distinction of civill and ecclesiastical government, excommunication, and suspension, is fully debated and discussed, from the holy scripture, from the Jewish and Christian antiquities, from the consent of latter writers, from the true nature and rights of magistracy, and from the groundlessness of the chief objections made against the Presbyterial government in point of a domineering arbitrary unlimited power / by George Gillespie ...Aarons rod blossoming, or, The divine ordinance of church-government vindicated so as the present Erastian controversie concerning the distinction of civill and ecclesiasticall government, excommunication, and suspension, is fully debated and discussed, from the holy scripture, from the Jewish and Christian antiquities, from the consent of latter writers, from the true nature and rights of magistracy, and from the groundlesnesse of the chief objections made against the Presbyteriall government in point of a domineering arbitrary unlimited power / by George Gillespie ...
London: printed by E.G. for Richard Whitaker, 1646
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.
I proceed to his seventh Argument which is this. The most melting soul-changing meditation is the serious contemplation of Christs death and Passion. No meditation comparable to this, to regenerate and convert a carnal heart. And is not this effectually represented to our eyes, hearts, in this very Sacrament in a more powerful prevailing manner then in the Word alone.
Answ. That which he had to subsume and prove is, that this Sacrament worketh in a unregenerate carnal heart such soul changing meditations of the death and passion of Christ, as it never had before (the soul having never before been regenerate) Which being the point to be proved, why did he not prove it, if he could? No doubt the Sacrament is a most powerful mean to beget in the hearts of believers and regenerate persons most humbling and melting meditations concerning the death of Christ. But that it begetteth any soul changing or regenerating meditations in those in whom the Word hath never yet begun the work of regeneration and conversion; I do as much disagree in this, as I agree in the other.
Answ. That which he had to subsume and prove is, that this Sacrament worketh in a unregenerate carnal heart such soul changing meditations of the death and passion of Christ, as it never had before (the soul having never before been regenerate) Which being the point to be proved, why did he not prove it, if he could? No doubt the Sacrament is a most powerful mean to beget in the hearts of beleevers and regenerate persons most humbling and melting meditations concerning the death of Christ. But that it begetteth any soul changing or regenerating meditations in those in whom the Word hath never yet begun the work of regeneration and conversion; I do as much disagree in this, as I agree in the other.
The eighth Argument which he brings is from comparing the Sacrament with afflictions. Our own corporal external afflictions are many times without the Word the means of our repentance and conversion unto God, &c. Then much more the Sacrament, wherein the afflictions of Christ himself are so visibly set forth before our eyes.