A42757:528
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 next thing he brings against me, is from Ephes. 4. 11. where there is no ordinary or standing Officer left to us, but the Teacher of the Word: here is neither help nor government but this poor Teacher left alone to edify the body of Christ, and to perfect the Saints. Answ. What Argument is there here? ruling Elders are not mentioned Ephes. 4. therefore the Governments mentioned 1 Cor▪ 12. are such as the Church had not at that time. There are diverse passages of Christs doctrine, life, and sufferings, which are not mentioned by Matthew, yet they are mentioned by John or some of the other Evangelists. So if we take the primitive platform right, we must set the whole before us, that which is not in one place is in another place. The Apostle Eph. 4. intendeth only to speak of preaching officers who are appointed for this work of the Ministry, to bring us to unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, that we be not carried about with every wind of Doctrine, v 12 13, 14. And if the Apostle had intended to enumerate all Church-officers in that place, which were then in the Church, how comes it he doth not mention Deacons which he distinguisheth from Bishops or Elders? 1 Tim. 3.
The next thing he brings against me, is from Ephes. 4. 11. where there is no ordinary or standing Officer left to us, but the Teacher of the Word: here is neither help nor government but this poor Teacher left alone to edifie the body of Christ, and to perfect the Saints. Answ. What Argument is there here? ruling Elders are not mentioned Ephes. 4. therefore the Governments mentioned 1 Cor▪ 12. are such as the Church had not at that time. There are diverse passages of Christs doctrine, life, and sufferings, which are not mentioned by Matthew, yet they are mentioned by Iohn or some of the other Evangelists. So if we take the primitive platform right, we must set the whole before us, that which is not in one place is in another place. The Apostle