A42757:548
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
Book 2 › Chapter 7: Arguments for the Negative of that Question formerly propounded.
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.
which if they cannot show, they have done a greater disservice to the Christian Magistrate, then they can easily repair or amend: We are sure the lawful Magistrate (whether Heathen or Christian) is Gods Vicegerent▪ and that is a safe holding of his office. But our opposites shall never prove, that any civil ⟨p. 235⟩Magistrate (though Christian and godly) is the Vicegerent of Jesus Christ as Mediator. And in seeking to prove it, I am persuaded they shall but discover their own weakness, and shall also weaken the Magistrates authority more then they can strengthen it.
which if they cannot shew, they have done a greater disservice to the Christian Magistrate, then they can easily repair or amend: We are sure the lawful Magistrate (whether Heathen or Christian) is Gods Vicegerent▪ and that is a safe holding of his office. But our opposites shall never prove, that any civil ⟨p. 235⟩Magistrate (though Christian and godly) is the Vicegerent of Jesus Christ as Mediator. And in seeking to prove it, I am perswaded they shall but discover their own weaknesse, and shall also weaken the Magistrates authority more then they can strengthen it.
Thirdly, The Scripture intimateth this difference between Ministry and Magistracy; that the work of the Ministry and the administrations thereof are performed in the name of Jesus Christ as Mediator and King of the Church: the work of Magistracy not so, except we add to the Word of God; they who will do any thing in the Name of Jesus Christ as Mediator, and cannot find any Scripture which can warrant their so doing, are liars, and the truth is not in them. Now let our opposites show (if they can) where they find in Scripture, that the Christian Magistrate is to rule in the name of Christ, to judge in the name of Christ, to make laws in the name of Christ, to make war or peace in the name of Christ, to punish evil doers with the Temporal Sword in the name of Christ. Of the Ministry I did show, that in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ we do assemble our selves together,