A42757:856
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 3 › Chapter 5: That Tell it to the Church hath more in it, then, Tell it unto a greater number.
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.
Concerning the taking of witnesses, when the trespass is known to me alone, there are three different opinions. 1. That when I have rebuked the offender privately, and cannot gain him, I am to proceed no further, but have done my duty and must leave the event to God. 2. That when a secret admonition is not effectual▪ witnesses are to be taken, in case the offender so admonished continue in his sin, or in case his relapse be feared and expected, that the witnesses may observe such continuing or relapse in sin, and then assist and join in rebuking him, and if need be (that is, in case of his contumacy) to prove the fact before the Church. 3. That even when his continuance or relapse in sin can not be observed, (and so can not be afterward proved by witnesses) yet the second admonition is to be given before witnesses, when the first admonition given privately hath not gained the offender. Of these let the Reader judge. Tis enough for the point now in hand, that when witnesses can be had to prove the trespass committed, ⟨p. 405⟩they ought to be brought, first before the offender, and then (if he continue obstinate) before the Church to prove the fact: and they must be three, or two at the least, which I do not see how it can be thought necessary, if we suppose that the sin is not known to any but to me alone who give tho first rebuke; for if there must be a witness of my second admonition, why may not one witness join with me as well as two, when I can not have two, but one only, willing and ready to •oyn with me. But now a necessity of precept lies on me, that I must have two witnesses at least, which cannot be otherwise understood, but in reference to a forensicall proceeding afterwards, if need be.
Concerning the taking of witnesses, when the trespasse is known to me alone, there are three different opinions. 1. That when I have rebuked the offender privately, and cannot gaine him, I am to proceed no further, but have done my duty and must leave the event to God. 2. That when a secret admonition is not effectuall▪ witnesses are to be taken, in case the offender so admonished continue in his sinne, or in case his relapse be feared and expected, that the witnesses may observe such continuing or relapse in sinne, and then assist and joyne in rebuking him, and if need be (that is, in case of his contumacy) to prove the fact before the Church. 3. That even when his continuance or relapse in sinne can not be observed, (and so can not be afterward proved by witnesses) yet the second admonition is to be given before witnsses, when the first admonition given privately hath not gained the offender. Of these let the Reader judge. Tis enough for the point now in hand, that when witnesses can be had to prove the trespasse committed,