A42757:649
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.
3. The Civil Magistrate is Gods Vicegerent, but not Christs: that is, the Magistrates power hath its rise, origination, institution, and deputation, not from that special dominion which Christ exerciseth over the Church as Mediator and Head thereof, But from that Universal Lordship and Sovereignty which God exerciseth over all men by right of Creation: In so much, that there had been (for orders sake) Magistrates or superior Powers though man had not fallen, but continued in his innocency; and now by the Law of Nature and Nations there are Magistrates among those who know nothing of Christ, and among whom Christ reigneth not as Mediator, though God reigneth over them by the Kingdom of power.
3. The Civil Magistrate is Gods Vicegerent, but not Christs: that is, the Magistrates power hath its rise, orig•nation, institution, and deputation, not from that speciall dominion which Christ exerciseth over the Church as Mediator and Head thereof, But from that Universal Lordship and Soveraignity which God exerciseth over all men by right of Creation: In so much, that there had been (for orders sake) Magistrates or superior Powers though man had not fallen, but continued in his innocency; and now by the Law of Nature and Nations there are Magistrates among those who know nothing of Christ, and among whom Christ reigneth not as Mediator, though God reigneth over them by the Kingdom of power.
4. If the Magistrate be supreme Head and Governor of the Church under Christ, then the Ministers of the Church are the Magistrates Ministers as well as Christs, and must act in the Magistrates name, and as subordinate to him; and the Magistrate shall be Christs Minister, and act in Christs Name.
4. If the Magistrate be supreme Head and Governour of the Church under Christ, then the Ministers of the Church are the Magistrates Ministers as well as Christs, and must act in the Magistrates name, and as subordinate to him; and the Magistrate shall be Christs Minister, and act in Christs Name.