A92138:1020
The divine right of church-government and excommunication
The divine right of church-government and excommunication: or a peaceable dispute for the perfection of the holy scripture in point of ceremonies and church government; in which the removal of the Service-book is justified, the six books of Tho: Erastus against excommunication are briefly examined; with a vindication of that eminent divine Theod: Beza against the aspersions of Erastus, the arguments of Mr. William Pryn, Rich: Hooker, Dr. Morton, Dr. Jackson, Dr. John Forbes, and the doctors of Aberdeen; touching will-worship, ceremonies, imagery, idolatry, things indifferent, an ambulatory government; the due and just powers of the magistrate in matters of religion, and the arguments of Mr. Pryn, in so far as they side with Erastus, are modestly discussed. To which is added, a brief tractate of scandal ... / By Samuel Rutherfurd, Professor of Divinity in the University of St. Andrews in Scotland. Published by authority.The divine right of church-government and excommunication: or a peacable dispute for the perfection of the holy scripture in point of ceremonies and church government; in which the removal of the Service-book is justifi'd, the six books of Tho: Erastus against excommunication are briefly examin'd; with a vindication of that eminent divine Theod: Beza against the aspersions of Erastus, the arguments of Mr. William Pryn, Rich: Hooker, Dr. Morton, Dr. Jackson, Dr. John Forbes, and the doctors of Aberdeen; touching will-worship, ceremonies, imagery, idolatry, things indifferent, an ambulatory government; the due and just powers of the magistrate in matters of religion, and the arguments of Mr. Pryn, in so far as they side with Erastus, are modestly discussed. To which is added, a brief tractate of scandal ... / By Samuel Rutherfurd, Professor of Divinity in the University of St. Andrews in Scotland. Published by authority.
London: printed by John Field for Christopher Meredith, 1646
Title page typeset from the transcription.
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.
Erastus saith, They be wickedly forbidden to come to the Lords Supper, who desire to Celebrate the memorial of his death.
Erastus saith, They be wickedly forbidden to come to the Lords Supper, who desire to Celebrate the memoriall of his death.
Beza Replieth well, 1. What if he know not what he desireth who cometh? 2. What if there be just suspicion or clear evidence that he ⟨p. 369⟩playeth the Hypocrite? 3. What if it concern the whole Church that his desire be suspended?
Beza Replieth well, 1. What if he know not what he desireth who cometh? 2. What if there be just suspition or clear evidence that he ⟨p. 369⟩playeth the Hypocrite? 3. What if it concern the whole Church that his desire be suspended?
Erastus. The first cause is not to purpose, because we speak of those1 that are well instructed. 2. The second is bred in the brain of Beza; I am compelled to think that he that publicly professeth he is grieved for his sins, and that he purposeth to live a holy life in time to come, that he thinketh as he speaketh, if he remain not in that purpose: I also remain not always in my good purpose; his desire is an Argument of Piety, which should not be smothered and oppressed, but excited and nourished: And this opinion of Beza dependeth on the Judgement of men; neither hath the Lord committed the Examination of some to Elders: And it is folly to say, It concerns the Church to delay, to do that which the Lord hath Commanded me to do.