A42757:1159
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.
Fourthly, That use of the Sacrament which strengtheneth the hands of the wicked, so that he turneth not from his wickedness, is an abuse and profanation of the Sacrament. But the giving of the Sacrament to any known profane impenitent person is such an use of the Sacrament as strengtheneth the hands of the wicked, so that he turneth not from his wickedness. Ergo.
Fourthly, That use of the Sacrament which strengtheneth the hands of the wicked, so that he turneth not from his wickednesse, is an abuse and profanation of the Sacrament. But the giving of the Sacrament to any known prophane impenitent person is such an use of the Sacrament as strengtheneth the hands of the wicked, so that he turneth not from his wickednesse. Ergo.
I appeal to the experience of all godly and faithful ministers, ⟨p. 544⟩whether they have not found it a great deal more difficult to convince or convert such profane men as have been usually admitted to the Sacrament, then to convince or convert such as have been kept back from the Sacrament? No marvel that such profane ones as have usually received the seals of the Covenant of grace, and joined in the highest act of Church-communion, live in a good opinion of their souls estate, and trust in lying words, Have we not eaten and drunken at thy Table? The Sacrament, The Sacrament, as of old The Temple, The Temple. Mr. Prynn thinks, that the Minister hath fully discharged his duty and conscience, if he give warning to unworthy Communicants of the danger they incur by their unworthy approaches to the Lords Table. Vindic. pag. 28, 29. But he may be pleased to receive an answer from himself, pag. 43. The things we see with our eyes do more affect and beget deeper impressions in our hearts, then the things we hear. The Word preached is Verbum audibile, the Sacrament is Verbum visibile. How shall profane ones be persuaded by their ears to believe that whereof they see the contrary with their eyes? they will give more credit in Mr. Prynns own opinion to the visible Word, then to the audible Word.