A42757:13
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
Dedication: TO THE Reverend and Learned Assembly of DIVINES Convened at WESTMINSTER.
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.
Right Reverend,
Though many faithful servants of God did long ago desire to see those things which we see, and to hear those things which we hear; Yet it hath been one of the special mercies reserved for this Generation, and denied to the times of our Ancestors, that Divines of both Kingdoms within this Island, should be gathered and continued together, to consult peaceably and freely concerning a Reformation of Religion ⟨image 3⟩in Doctrine, Worship, Discipline, and Government. 'Tis a mercy yet greater, that two Nations formerly at so great a distance in the form of public Worship and Church government, should (to their mutual comfort and happiness, and to the further endearing of each to other) through the good hand of God be now agreed upon one Directory of Worship, and with a good progress advanced, as in one Confession of Faith, so likewise in one form of Church-government. For all which, as the other Reformed Churches, (in regard of their common interest in the Truth and Ordinances of Christ) so especially your Brethren in the Church of Scotland are your debtors: Your name is as precious Ointment among them, and they do esteem you very highly in love for your works sake. A work, which as it is extraordinary and unparalleled, requiring a double portion of the Spirit of your Master, so You have very many Hearts and Prayers going along with you in it, that the pleasure of the Lord may prosper in your hand.
THough many faithfull servants of God did long agoe desire to see those things which we see, and to heare those things which we heare; Yet it hath been one of the speciall mercies reserved for this Generation, and denied to the times of our Ancestors, that Divines of both Kingdomes within this Island, should be gathered and continued together, to consult peaceably and freely concerning a Reformation of Religion ⟨image 3⟩in Doctrine, Worship, Discipline, and Government. 'Tis a mercy yet greater, that two Nations formerly at so great a distance in the form of publike Worship and Churchgovernment, should (to their mutuall comfort and happines, and to the further endearing of each to other) through the good hand of God be now agreed upon one Directory of Worship, and with a good progresse advanced, as in one Confession of Faith, so likewise in one forme of Church-government. For all which, as the other Reformed Churches, (in regard of their common interest in the Truth and Ordinances of Christ) so especially your Brethren in the Church of Scotland are your debters: Your name is as precious Oynment among them, and they doe esteeme you very highly in love for your workes sake. A worke, which as it is extraordinary and unparalleld, requiring a double portion of the Spirit of your Master, so You have very many Hearts and Prayers going along with you in it, that the pleasure of the Lord may prosper in your hand.