A57976:230
A peaceable and temperate plea for Pauls presbytery in Scotland, or, A modest and…A peaceable and temperate plea for Pauls presbyterie in Scotland, or, A modest and…
A peaceable and temperate plea for Pauls presbytery in Scotland, or, A modest and brotherly dispute of the government of the Church of Scotland wherein our discipline is demonstrated to be the true apostolic way of divine truth, and the arguments on the contrary are friendly dissolved, the grounds of separation and the independency [sic] of particular congregations, in defence of ecclesiastical presbyteries, synods, and assemblies, are examined and tried / by Samuel Rutherfurd ...A peaceable and temperate plea for Pauls presbyterie in Scotland, or, A modest and brotherly dispute of the government of the Church of Scotland wherein our discipline is demonstrated to be the true apostolick way of divine truth, and the arguments on the contrary are friendly dissolved, the grounds of separation and the indepencie [sic] of particular congregations, in defence of ecclesiasticall presbyteries, synods, and assemblies, are examined and tryed / by Samuell Rutherfurd ...
London: printed for John Bartlet, 1642London: printed for Iohn Bartlet, 1642
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.
That the Church of Elders is here understood I prove. Christ here alludeth to the Synedry and Consistory of the Jews, with which his hearers were well acquainted; for he was now speaking to the Jews, who knew his language well, and knew these terms. Brother, witnesses, Sunedry, Assembly, Congregation; Heathen, Publican, and knew what Church had power to cast out and repute men for Publicans and sinners: For as Beza observeth, who would understand Christ here to speak of a Christian Presbytery, that has power to excommunicate, except we consider that Christ has a respect in this form of speech to the Jews Church-policy: And Christ in like manner, Mat. 5. 22. accommodateth his speech to the form of the Jews judicatories: For many learned note out of the Talmud that the Jews had three judicatories noted there. 1. The Triumviri judged small matters. 2. Their Synedry consisting of twenty three judges, more weighty matters, and inflicted more weighty punishments; and 3. the great Council of 71. Judges did handle questions about false prophets, the High-priest, and of other weightiest causes; and therefore he showeth the punishment of an offending brother amongst the Jews too darkly; but these judicatories were well known to them. And here excommunication is expressed in Jewish terms in use at that time. Let him be to thee as a heathen, that is, a stranger from the common wealth of Israel, not one of the true Church, but such a one as they called Goijm.1 So Drusius and Beza on this place. Now (Tell the Church) Kahal to those that know the Jews form of speech must be (Tell the Elders of the Congregation) amongst them, the multitude no more judged causes, then we would think him excommunicated who is esteemed one not […] borne of Abraham, and so all the whole Church of the Gentiles should be excommunicated.2 So Franc. Johnson. 2. The Church of believers convened together is still a Church met together,3 for hearing the ⟨p. 88⟩Word, receiving the Sacraments, 1 Cor. 11. 18, 19.