AARON'S ROD BLOSSOMING;

OR,

THE DIVINE ORDINANCE

OF

CHURCH GOVERNMENT VINDICATED;

SO AS THE PRESENT ERASTIAN CONTROVERSY CONCERNING

THE DISTINCTION OF CIVIL 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 LATER 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,

MINISTER AT EDINBURGH.

For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given, and the government shall be upon his shoulder.-Isa. ix. 6.
Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour.-1 Tim. v. 17.

And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets, for God is not the author of confusion but of peace.-1 Cor. xiv. 32, 33.
Ne forte aut indisciplinata patientia foveat iniquitatem, aut impatiens disciplina dissipet unitatem.-August. lib. contra Donat. post collat. cap. 4.

EDINBURGH:

ROBERT OGLE, AND OLIVER & BOYD.

M. OGLE & SON AND WILLIAM COLLINS, GLASGOW.
D. DEWAR, PERTH. A. BROWN & CO., ABERDEEN. W. M'COMB, BELFAST.
HAMILTON, ADAMS & CO., AND JAMES NISBET & CO., LONDON.

MDCCCXLIV.

[Published by Authority.

London, Printed by E. G. for Richard Whitaker, at the signe of the
Kings Armes in Pauls Church-yard.

BIBL

1646.]

NUS TIO

DOMIN

ILLUME

EDINBURGH:

REPRINTED BY A. MURRAY, 1 MILNE SQUARE.

ADVERTISEMENT.

THERE are few conversant with the Works of the Scottish Reformers who do not appreciate the talent and learning, and admire the style of composition and eloquence displayed in the writings of GEORGE GILLESPIE. As his Works have always been held in high estimation, and have been long exceedingly rare, and, consequently, high in price, the publication of a Complete Edition of his Works has been suggested by several Gentlemen of judgment and discrimination.

With that object in view the Publisher now issues his "Aaron's Rod Blossoming," which will be immediately followed by his "Dispute against English Popish Ceremonies," and "A Treatise of Miscellany Questions," together with his "Journal of the Westminster Assembly of Divines," (a work which has never before been printed,) and his Minor Controversial Pieces and Sermons. An Account of his Life and Writings, to form a prefix, will also be published, together with Title-page, Index, &c., to complete the Work.

It is expected that the Series will form One large handsome Volume, printed in a superior manner; and the Public will thus have in a collected form, for the first time, the Complete Writings of one of the greatest ornaments of our Church.