A42757:452
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 Prelates power was not merely Ecclesiastical, they were Lords of Parliament, they held Civil places in the State, which the Presbyterial Government condemneth. 12. The Prelates were not chosen by the Church, Presbyters are. 13. The Prelates did presume to make Laws binding the Conscience, even in things indifferent, and did persecute, imprison, fine, depose, excommunicate men for certain Rites and Ceremonies acknowledged by themselves to be indifferent (setting aside the will and authority of the Law makers) This the Presbyterial Government abhorreth. 14. They did excommunicate for money matters, for trifles. Which the Presbyterial Government condemneth. 15. The Prelates did not allow men to examine by the Judgement of Christian and private discretion, their Decrees and Canons, so as to search the Scriptures and look at the Warrants, but would needs have men think it enough to know the things to be commanded by them that are in place and power. Presbyterial Government doth not lord it over mens consciences, but admitteth (yea commendeth) the searching of the Scriptures, whether these things which it holds forth be not so, and doth not press mens Consciences with Sic volo, sic jubeo, but desireth they may do in faith what they do. 16. The Prelates held up pluralities, non-residencies ⟨p. 180⟩&c. Which the Presbyterial Government doth not 17. As many of the Prelates did themselves neglect to preach the Gospel, so they kept up in diverse places a reading non-preaching Ministry: Which the Presbyterial Government suffereth not. 18. They opened the door of the Ministry to diverse scandalous, Arminianized, and popishly affected men, and locked the door upon many worthy to be admitted. The Presbyterial Government herein is as contrary to theirs, as theirs was to the right. 19. Their Official Courts, Commissaries, &c. did serve themselves H•ires to the sons of Eli, Nay, but thou shalt give it me now, and if not, I will take it by force. The Presbyterial Government […] such proceedings. 20. The Prelates and their High-Commission Court did assume pot•statem utriusque gladij, the power both of the Temporal and Civil Sword. The Presbyterial Government meddleth with no Civil nor Temporal punishments.
The Prelates power was not meerly Ecclesiasticall, they were Lords of Parliament, they held Civil places in the State, which the Presbyterial Government condemneth. 12. The Prelats were not chosen by the Church, Presbyters are. 13. The Prelates did presume to make Lawes binding the Conscience, even in things indifferent, and did persecute, imprison, fine, depose, excommunicate men for certain Rites and Ceremonies acknowledged by themselves to be indifferent (setting aside the will and authority of the Law makers) This the Presbyteriall Government abhorreth. 14. They did excommunicate for money matters, for trifles. Which the Presbyteriall Government condemneth. 15. The Prelates did not allow men to examine by the Judgement of Christian and private discretion, their Decrees and Canons, so as to search the Scriptures and look at the Warrants, but would needs have men think it enough to know the things to be commanded by them that are in place and power. Presbyteriall Government doth not lord it over mens consciences, but admitteth (yea commendeth) the searching of the Scriptures, whether these things which it holds forth be not so, and doth not presse mens Consciences with Sic volo, sic jubeo, but desireth they may doe in faith what they do. 16. The Prelates held up pluralities, non-residencies