A42757:1135
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.
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.
Answ. 1. It is a very bad consequence, for the strength resolves into this principle, an unregenerate carnal man will be more affected and moved with the representation of Christs afflictions, than with the feeling of his own corporal afflictions. 2. Affliction doth not convert without the Word either going before or accompanying it (unless we say that Pagans or Turks may be converted savingly by affliction before ever they hear the Word.) Psal. 94. 12. Blessed is the man whom thou chastenest and teachest him out of thy Law. Job. 36. 9. 10. 11. And if they be bound in fetters, and holden in cords of affliction. Then he showeth them their work and their transgression that they have exceeded. He openeth also their ear to Discipline, and commandeth that they return from iniquity. Behold conversion by afflictions, but not without the Word. While Mr. Prynn goeth about to prove that afflictions convert without the Word, the first Text he citeth is Psal. 119. 67. 71. where express mention is made of the Word.
Answ. 1. It is a very bad consequence, for the strength resolves into this principle, an unregenerate carnal man will be more affected and moved with the representation of Christs afflictions, than with the feeling of his own corporal afflictions. 2. Affliction doth not convert without the Word either going before or accompanying it (unlesse we say that Pagans or Turks may be converted savingly by affliction before ever they hear the Word.) Psal. 94. 12. Blessed is the man whom thou chastenest and teachest him out of thy Law.