A42757:703
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.
Thirdly, whereas Arch-bishop Whitgift Answ. to the Admon. pag. 114. did allege that the Church may not be governed under a Christian Magistrate as it may under a Tyrant, which he brings as an exception against ruling Elders and Elderships, while he could not deny but such there were in the Primitive Church. Mr. Cartwright▪ in his Reply pag. 140. answereth, that if these Elders under a Tyrant had meddled with any office of a Magistrate, then there had been some cause why a godly Magistrate being in the Church, that office should cease: but since they did only assist the Pastor in matters Ecclesiastical, there is no distinction between times of persecution, and times of peace, as touching the office of Elders. The like say I of Church-censures and discipline. If the Government of the Church by Presbyteries and Synods, if suspension and excommunication in the Apostles times had been an usurping of any thing belonging to the Magistrate, then there had been some reason to lay aside all Church-censures and Ecclesiastical Government, when the Magistrate turned Christian, and willing to do his duty. But if not, then the civil and Church-government may still remain distinct, even where the State is Christian.
Thirdly, whereas Arch-bishop Whitgift Answ. to the Admon. pag. 114. did alledge that the Church may not be governed under a Christian Magistrate as it may under a Tyrant, which he brings as an exception against ruling Elders and Elderships, while he could not denie but such there were in the Primitive Church. Mr. Cartwrigh▪ in his Reply pag. 140. answereth, that if these Elders under a Tyrant had medled with any office of a Magistrate, then there had been some cause why a godly Magistrate being in the Church, that office should cease: but since they did onely assist the Pastor in matters Ecclesiastical, there is no distinction between times of persecution, and times of peace, as touching the office of Elders. The like say I of Church-censures and discipline. If the Government of the Church by Presbyteries and Synods, if suspension and excommunication in the Apostles times had been an usurping of any thing belonging to the Magistrate, then there had been some reason to lay aside all Church-censures and Ecclesiastical Government, when the Magistrate turned Christian, and willing to do his duty. But if not, then the civil and Church-government may still remain distinct, even where the State is Christian.