A42757:661
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 twentieth Argument I take from 1 Cor. 4. 1. Let a man so account of us, as of the Ministers of Christ, and Stewards of ⟨p. 300⟩the mysteries of God. Moreover it is required in Stewards that a man be found faithful. And Tit. 1. 7. a Bishop is the Steward of God; [Greek or Hebrew]. This name doth exclude Lordship and dominion, but withal it noteth a ministerial rule or government, as in the proper, so in the metaphorical signification: [Greek or Hebrew] is a name diverse times given by Aristotle in his Politics to the civil Magistrate. The Septuagints have [Greek or Hebrew] as synonymous with [Greek or Hebrew]. Esther 8. 9. To the Lieutenants and the Deputies. The 70. thus, [Greek or Hebrew]. The holy Ghost by the same word expresseth Government, Gal. 4. 2. [Greek or Hebrew], is under Tutors and Governors. Rom. 16. 23. Erastus is called [Greek or Hebrew]. Theophylact thinks he was Governor of the City; Erasmus that he was praefectus aerario, Town-Treasurer. The English Translators call him the Chamberlain of the City. Yea setting aside the metaphorical signification of this name often used for a name of rule; the very literal and native signification of the word will serve to strengthen this Argument in hand. Ministers are [Greek or Hebrew], that is, house-stewards, or over the house; but what house? Aristotle at the beginning of the second book of his Economics, distinguisheth a fourfold economy, [Greek or Hebrew]: kingly, noble, civil, private: The Ministers of Christ are [Greek or Hebrew] of the first sort. They are stewards in the house of the great King. He that is steward in a Kings house, must needs have a ruling power in the house. 1 Kings 4. 6. Ahishar was over Solomons household. 1 Kings 18. 3. And Ahab called Obadiah which was the Governor of his house. 2 Kings 18. 18. Eliakim which was over the household. In all which places the 70. have [Greek or Hebrew]. I hold therefore with