A42757:409
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.
Thereafter Maimonides proceedeth thus. Yet if it seem good to the Sanhedrin that any man shall be left in the state of excommunication, ⟨p. 148⟩for how many years shall be be left in excommunication? The Sanhedrin will determine the number of years and space of time, according to the heinousness of the trespass. So likewise if the Sanhedrin will, it may devote and subject to a curse, first the party himself who is guilty of the crime, and then also every other person whosoever eateth or drinketh with him, or sitteth near unto him unless at four cubits distance: that so by this means the heavier correction may fall upon the sinner, and there may be as it were a hedge put about the law, which may restrain wicked men from transgressing it. Whence observe 1. It was from the Jewish Church, that the ancient Councils of the Christian Church, took a pattern for determining and fixing a certain number of years to the separation of some heinous offenders from the Sacrament, and sometimes from other Ordinances also. Though I do not approve this thing, either in the Jewish or Christian Church; for at what time soever a scandalous sinner doth give evident signs of repentance, the Church ought to receive him again into her bosom and fellowship. 2. From the Jewish Church also was the pattern taken, for that ancient Discipline in the Christian Church, that he who keepeth company and communion with an excommunicated person, should fall under the same censure of excommunication. Which thing must be well explained and qualified before it can be approved. 3. Compare also this passage of Maimonides with 1 Cor. 5. 11. with such a one no not to eat, 2 Thes. 3. 14. have no company with him, that he may be ashamed. Which Texts do fitly answer to that which the Hebrew writers say of a person excommunicated. 4. The excommunication of an offender among the Jews, was intended not only for the offenders humiliation and amendment, but for an ensample to others, that they might hear and fear and do no more any such thing: it was therefore a public and exemplary censure. And so much of Sect. 8.
Thereafter Maimonides proceedeth thus. Yet if it seem good to the Sanhedrin that any man shall be left in the state of excommunication, ⟨p. 148⟩