Aphorismes of Christian religion: or, a verie compendious abridgement of M. I. Calvins Institutions set forth in short sentences methodically by M. I. Piscator: and now Englished according to the authors third and last edition, by H. Holland.
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Title
Aphorismes of Christian religion: or, a verie compendious abridgement of M. I. Calvins Institutions set forth in short sentences methodically by M. I. Piscator: and now Englished according to the authors third and last edition, by H. Holland.
Author
Calvin, Jean, 1509-1564.
Publication
At London :: Imprinted by Richard Field and Robert Dexter, and are to be sold in Pauls Churchyard, at the signe of the Brasen serpent,
1596.
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Subject terms
Christianity -- Early works to 1800.
Theology, Doctrinal -- Early works to 1800.
Link to this Item
http://name.umdl.umich.edu/A17599.0001.001
Cite this Item
"Aphorismes of Christian religion: or, a verie compendious abridgement of M. I. Calvins Institutions set forth in short sentences methodically by M. I. Piscator: and now Englished according to the authors third and last edition, by H. Holland." In the digital collection Early English Books Online 2. https://name.umdl.umich.edu/A17599.0001.001. University of Michigan Library Digital Collections. Accessed June 10, 2024.
Pages
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CHAP. XX. Of the Ministers of the Church. (Book 20)
I. APHORISME.
ALbeit God alone inlighteneth and ru∣leth the harts of his elect: yet because it pleaseth him herein to vse the a 1.1 Mini∣sterie of men it is our partes with b 1.2 reue∣rence to embrace those things, which by his seruaunts he teacheth vs for our good instruction and comfort.
II.
The seruants of God or Ministers, are some continuing and as ordinarie, some but for a time and as extraordinarie.
III.
In the old Testament the continuing and ordinarie Ministers of the Church were Patriarches, Priests and Leuites: the temporall & extraordinarie the Prophets.
IIII.
In the new Testament, the perpetuall and ordinarie are a 1.3 Pastours & b 1.4 Teachers: the temporall and extraordinary were the c 1.5 Apostles, d 1.6 Prophets and e 1.7 Euangelistes.
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V.
God reuealed himselfe to the Patri∣arches, as a 1.8 Adam, b 1.9 Noah, c 1.10 Abraham, d 1.11 I∣saac, e 1.12 Iacob, f 1.13 Ioseph, by apparitions, vi∣sions, and dreames, and so gouerned their families.
VI.
He prescribed certain lawes by Moses, for the Priestes and a 1.14 Leuites, that so they might by them gouerne the Church of Is∣raell.
VII.
But as for the Prophets he raised them vp a 1.15 extraordinarily, to b 1.16 instruct and toc 1.17 ex∣cite the people, and the Priestes, if they er∣red or were negligēt in their duties: these did also foreshewe what d 1.18 punishmentes should fall vpon Gods people for their negligence, and what e 1.19 euils should come vpon their enemies for their destruction: but principally they comforted the faith∣ful with Prophecies of Christs comming: and therfore they preach often of hisf 1.20 con∣ception, g 1.21 natiuitie, h 1.22 passion, death, resur∣rection, and euerlasting i 1.23kingdome.
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VIII.
And thus farre of the Ministers of the old Testament: now touching the Mini∣sters of the new Testament. The Lord in the beginning of his kingdome raised vp a 1.24 Apostles, b 1.25 Prophets, c 1.26 Euangelistes, and whē the Churches were founded & plan∣ted by them, he ordained that Pastors and d 1.27 Teachers should succeede and continue for euer.
IX.
The Apostles were a 1.28 immediatly called of Christ, and sent into the whole b 1.29 world, that so they might set vp the kingdome of God in all places.
X.
He raised vp also at this time Prophets, who had speciall a 1.30 reuelation and gifts for the interpretation of holy Scriptures: and these did sometimes foreshew by the spi∣rite, any matter of waight which should come, either on the b 1.31 Church, or to any c 1.32 one of the faithfull.
XI.
Againe, the Apostles had the Euange∣listes for their a 1.33 companions, whom they
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tooke with them to supplie their absence in preaching of the Gospell, and in b 1.34 esta∣blishing the Churches: and such were c 1.35 Luke, d 1.36 Timothie and e 1.37 Titus.
XII.
Then folowed Pastours, and Teachers which the Church can neuer want.
XIII.
And thus farre of Churches offices, which did consist in the Ministerie of the word: There be two other ordinarie al∣so, which ought to remaine euer in this a 1.38 Church: Church-gouernement, and the care of the poore.
XIIII.
Church a 1.39 Gouernours are chosen men set ouer the people, for b 1.40 correction of manners, assistantes with the Bishops and Pastours.
XV.
The care of the poore, partly belon∣geth to the Deacons a 1.41 or Collectors that distribute the almes, partly to them which visite the sick, & such in Paules time were certaine b 1.42 auncient and honest widowes.
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XVI.
And thus farre of the duties of Church officers, now as touching their calling these foure points are to be obserued: first what kinde of persons are to be called, se∣condly how, thirdly by whom, lastly with what rite or ceremonie they must be or∣dained.
XVII.
As concerning the first, I say that Bi∣shops and Pastours, and Teachers, are to be chosen that are of sound a 1.43 doctrine, and b 1.44 holy life, fit and c 1.45 able to teach. The d 1.46 go∣uernors also must be furnished with good giftes, wisedome, and iudgement, to dis∣charge their duties.
XVIII.
Secondly, in this election & ordinance of the Ministers of Christ, men must pro∣ceede in a religious feare, and testifie the same before, by a 1.47 fasting and prayer.
XIX.
Thirdly, they must be men approued and knowen of the a 1.48 gouernors for know∣ledge and learning, & which haue a good name in the Church amōg the faithful for
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life and conuersation.
XX.
Fourthly, they were ordained in times past by the Apostles and their successors, with a 1.49 imposition or laying on of handes: which rite for comelinesse and order sake may well be obserued in these dayes, so that we put no opinion of necessitie or of worship therein.