A42757:1238
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.
And do not think it a light matter (whereas thou entertainest with so great applause and honourable respect an earthly Kings Ambassadors) that thou shouldest disdain the Ambassadors of him, who alone hath power over all Kings and Lords. If thou yieldest unto a mortal Physician thy wounds to be handled, yea to be cut also, and to be burned and seared (if need be) how cometh it, that thou canst less endure the same thing also in the curing of the diseases of the soul from the spiritual Physician, especially seeing in so many respects better is the health of the soul then of the body? Nor do thou so account any whit in this regard to be impaired of thy honour, if unto thy Bishop or Pastor, yea rather herein to Christ thou be subjected. Yea contrariwise, so account as the thing is indeed, that there is no true glory but in Christ and in his sheepfolds; ⟨p. 589⟩that none do more prosperously reign, then they which every way do serve him, without whom as there is no glory, so is there no safety and salvation. Neither let it seem disgraceful to thee, what so many ages ago the most high Monarchs of the world and most potent Emperors have done before thee: amongst whom Philip, as he was the first of all the Emperors who was made a Christian; so I meet with no other more famous example, and more worthy of all mens imitation. He willing to be present at the solemn Assemblies of the Church on Easter, and to communicate of the Sacrament▪ when as yet he was judged not worthy of admission; It is reported that Fabian the Bishop withstood him, neither did receive him before he confessed his sins, and stood among the Penitentiaries. What would those our proud giants, fighters against God do here, if they had stood in the like condition and high place? But this no less mild then most mighty Emperor was nothing ashamed (forgetting in the mean while his Imperial Majesty) of his own accord to submit himself to the obedience of his Pastor, undergoing every thing whatsoever in the Name of Christ was imposed upon him. O truly noble Emperor, and no less worthy Bishop! But these examples in both are too rare amongst us this day.
And do not think it a light matter (whereas thou entertainest with so great applause and honourable respect an earthly Kings Ambassadors) that thou shouldest disdain the Ambassadors of him, who alone hath power over all Kings and Lords. If thou yeeldest unto a mortal Physitian thy wounds to be handled, yea to be cut also, and to be burned and seared (if need be) how commeth it, that thou canst lesse endure the same thing also in the curing of the diseases of the soul from the spiritual Physitian, especially seeing in so many respects better is the health of the soul then of the body? Nor do thou so account any whit in this regard to be impared of thy honour, if unto thy Bishop or Pastor, yea rather herein to Christ thou be subjected. Yea contrariwise, so account as the thing is indeed, that there is no true glory but in Christ and in his sheepfolds;