A Christian Dictionary, Dictionary 1 · Part 43 – Part 44
E. L.
Eldership. sig:
The Colledge or whole company of Elders, which labour in the worde and the regiment of the Church. 1. Tim. 4, 14. Giuen thee with the laying on of hands of the Company of the Eldership.
Elder. sig:
An ancient, or one stricken in yeares, or of great age. 1. Tim. 6, 1. Rebuke not an Elder. This is an Elder in respect of age.
2 A temporall Gouernor and Ruler among the Iewes. Exod. 34. 1. Also Exod. 4, 29. The Elders of the Children of Israell. Exod. 17, 5. Take with thee the Elders of Israell. Math. 21, 23. Actes 4, 5. These were Lay, or ciuill Elders. Elders by office and dignity in the Common-wealth.
3 One that hath authority ouer a flocke, to rule or teach it. 1. Tim. 5, 17. The Elders that rule well are worthy of double honour. 1. Pet. 5, 1. The Elders which are among you. This is an ecclesiastical Elder, to deale in the Edification of the Church.
4 An Apostle. 1. Pet. 5, 1. I also that am an Elder. 2. Iohn 1. The Elder to the elect Lady.
5 Progenitors, or Fore-fathers, which liued in former ages. Marke 7, 3. Holding the Tradition of the Elders.
6 Pastors, Deacons, and other Church Officers. Acts 14, 23. Synochdoche.
Election. sig: pro
A choosing of some out of many, as if out of a great heape of Flowers or Hearbes, Golde, or precious Stone, or other things, ye would gather the chiefe. Now, where some are chosen, others are refused; and where some be refused, all bee notNote. They erre, who hold election vntounto life to be cōmon: or to depend on foreseene faith or workes, for it is most free. chosen.
2 The choosing of some, to obtaine saluation by Christ, according to the good pleasure of GOD. Rom. 9, 11. Election of grace.
3 The choosing or appointing some vntounto publicke functions, by voices, or by a common consent. Acts 14, 23. When they had ordained Elders by election in eueryevery Church. Iohn 6, 70.
4 The elect themselues. Rom. 11, 7. The Election hath obtained it.
Elect angels. sig:
Certaine Angels chosen from amongest the rest to eternall life. 1. Tim. 5, 21. I charge thee before God and the Elect Angels.
gods Elect. sig:
Such men & women, as are freely chosen of God in Christ Iesus vntounto euerlasting saluation, without respect of faith or workes, foreseene only, because God would shew them mercy. Titus 1, 2. According to the faith of Gods Elect. Rom. 9, 9, 10.
2 Christ, whom alone God Elected and chose to be the Messiah and Sauiour. Luke 23, 35.
Elect Lady sig:
Some excellent and honourable Dame. 2. Ioh. 1. To the Elect Lady. In this sence Theophilus is called most Noble. Luke 1, 3. being a chiefe & principall person.
Election what it is.
Gods eternall decree, freely choosing as some Angels, so also a certaine number out of lost mankinde, to obtain saluation by faith in Iesus Christ, vntounto the praise of his glorious grace. Rom. 9, 11. Acts 13, 48. Eph. 1, 4, 5.
Election of grace. sig:
Free Election, o… that Election which comes from the free mercy and fauour of God. Ro. 11, 5. According to the Election of grace. If Election bee of grace, then it is not of workes; for then Grace were no Grace saieth the Apostle, and that is no way free which is not free eueryevery way.
Elements, or rudimēts of the world sig: pro
The Fire, Ayre, Water, Earth, called Elements, because they be the beginning whereof other visible Creatures are compounded. 2. Pet. 3, 10, 12. Elements melt with heate.
2 The Legall Ceremonies of the old Testament, which were Principles or Rules, whereby God ruled and instructed his Church (as it were) vnderunder a Schoole-maister in those dayes. But being now ioyned to the Gospell. or helde as necessary to saluation, they are to be taken heede of. Col. 2, 8. Beware least ye be spoyled by Traditions of men, according to the Elements of the worlde. Thus it must be read after the Originall Text. Gal. 4, 9. Sée Rudiments.
Elyas. sig:
That particular Prophet and man of God, called [Elias] the restorer of Religion in his time. 1. Kin. 17, 16. According to the word of the Lord which hee spake by the hand of Flyas.
2 Iohn Baptist, which came in the spirit and power of Elyas, to restore Religion in his time. Mat. 17, 11. Certainly Elyas must first come and restore al things. verse 13, And his Disciples perceiued that he spake this of Iohn Baptist.
E. M.
Emanuell. sig:
God with vsus, or God in our Nature, God-Man. Math. 1, 23. And they shall call his Name Emanuel: This is a name of Christs person.
Emulation sig:
A strife, who should go before other in receiuing fauours and honors. Gal. 5, 20. Debate, Emulation. Heere it is taken in ill part. There is an example of it in Marke 9, 33.
2 A strife betweene two or more persons, who should go before and excell other, in doing good. An example heereof, we hauehave in Rom. 11, 14.
to Embalm sig:
To season a dead body with Spices, to preserue it from sauoring. Gen. 50, 1.
Empty. sig:
Voide, or one which hath nothing that good is. Luke 1, 53. The rich he will send empty away.