A42757:196
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 putting of Steven to death was upon pretence of Judicium zeli, or Jus zelotarum, as Grotius thinks d• Jure belli a• pacis lib. 2. cap 20. sect. 9. If so, it was an extraordinary act. I am sure it was done most tumultuously, disorderly and furiously, before either himself was heard speak out, or any sentence was given against him, as is manifest Acts 7. 54, 57, 58. 3. Erastus his gloss upon John 18. 31. It is not lawful for us to put any man to death, meaning (saith he) for making himself a King against Caesar, the cause for which they did chiefly accuse him to Pilate. So likewise Bishop Bilson (a great follower of Erastus) of the perpetual government of Christs Church cap. 4. But mark the words, Then said Pilate unto them, Take ye him and judge him according to your Law; The Jews therefore said unto him, It is not lawful for us to put any man to death. Pilate durst not have refused to judge a man who made himself a King against Caesar, nor durst he have put it over upon the Jews to have judged one in that which concerned Caesars crown. Nay, as soon as the Jews objected, If thou let this man go, thou art not Caesars friend; for whosoever maketh himself a King, speaketh against Caesar. Pilate when he heard that, went in again, and sate down on the Judgement seat John 19. 12. 13. Therefore when Pilate said to the Jews take ye him, and judge him according to your law, he spake it of matters of their Law. The Council of the chief Priests, Elders and Scribes had given sentence against Christ de ju•e, that he was guilty of blasphemy, and thereupon (not having power to put any man to death) they led him to Pilate, Matth. 26. 65, 66. with Matth. 27. 1, 2. Mark 14. 63, 64. with Mark 15. 1.