A42757:1193
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.
Thirdly, By the 13th. Canon of Basil to Amphilochius, he that had killed another though in a lawful war, was (for the greater reverence to the Sacrament) suspended for three years; and by the 55. Canon, he also that killed a Robber was suspended from the Sacrament. I do not justify these Canons, but only I cite them to prove, that by the Ancient Discipline Persons not excommunicated were suspended from the Sacrament: for no man can imagine that a Soldier shedding blood in a lawful ⟨p. 562⟩war, or a man killing a Robber on the high way was therefore excommunicated.
Thirdly, By the 13th. Canon of Basil to Amphilochius, he that had killed another though in a lawful war, was (for the greater reverence to the Sacrament) suspended for three yeers; and by the 55. Canon, he also that killed a Robber was suspended from the Sacrament. I do not justifie these Canons, but only I cite them to prove, that by the Ancient Discipline Persons not excommunicated were suspended from the Sacrament: for no man can imagine that a Souldier shedding blood in a lawful ⟨p. 562⟩war, or a man killing a Robber on the high way was therefor excommunicated.
Fourthly, The eighth general Council called Synodus prima & secunds, held about the year 869. in the thirteenth Canon, speaking of certain turbulent Schismatics (not being of the Clergy as the Canon speaketh, but Laics or Monks) appointeth this censure, [Greek or Hebrew], Let them be totally or altogether separated from the Church. Which intimateth that there was a lesser degree of being separated or suspended from communion with the Church. Zonaras upon that Canon doth so understand it, and distinguisheth a double [Greek or Hebrew] cFor it is also a separation (saith he) to be excluded or restrained from the receiving of the Divine Mysteries only. But there is another separation, which is to be cast out of the Church, which the Canon calleth a total separation, as being the heavier or greater Censure. Which is the very same distinction with that which was afterward expressed under the terms of major & minor, the greater and lesser excommunication. For which also I shall give you another proof as clear and older too, taken from the 61. Canon of the sixth general Council, where it is decreed that those who resort to Magicians, Charmers, Fortune-tellers, and such others who profess curious and unlawful arts, shall fall under the Canon of six years separation. But as for those who persist in such things, and do not turn away nor flee from these pernicious and Heathenish studies, [Greek or Hebrew], We appoint them to be altogether cast out of the Church. Mark the gradation in the Canon, and the [Greek or Hebrew]. And hear Balsamon his explanation upon it. Note from this present Canon (saith he) that he who sinneth and converteth, obtaineth favour, [Greek or Hebrew], and is punished in a lesser measure; But he who persevereth in the evil, and is not willingly reduced to that which is better, [Greek or Hebrew], is greatly punished. For here also he that cometh and confesseth the sin, is to be punished with six years segregation: but he that persevereth in the evil [Greek or Hebrew], is to be east out or expelled from the Church: add what he had said before, [Greek or Hebrew], and shall not thenceforth converse with the Orthodox.