A92138:1034
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.
But saith Erastus, if Paul wished them to be cut off that troubled them, why did he not cut off those false teachers, and deliver them to Satan? Erastus answereth, it was not Gods will so to do, and the Apostles1 could not in every place, and at every time kill miraculously; but when it was profitable, and necessary.
- 1Pag 255. 256.
Ans. Then Paul, 1 Cor. 5. far less could rebuke the Corinthians; because they prayed not that the incestuous Corinthian might be miraculously killed by Paul: for Paul had not power to kill him; because it was not necessary, nor profitable: the man repented, and was never killed. 2. Judge if it be probable that Paul would wish to work a miracle in killing false teachers, when it was neither profitable, necessary, nor sa•e for the Church to have them killed. 3. Paul was confident the man who troubled them should bear his judgement. Erastus saith, it was not Gods will he should be miraculously killed; Ergo, it was not miraculous killing, but some Church censure; or then Erastus must find out another kind of judgement.
Ans. Then Paul, 1 Cor. 5. farre lesse could rebuke the Corinthians; because they prayed not that the incestuous Corinthian might be miraculously killed by Paul: for Paul had not power to kill him; because it was not necessary, nor profitable: the man repented, and was never killed. 2. Iudge if it be probable that Paul would wish to work a miracle in killing false teachers, when it was neither profitable, necessary, nor sa•e for the Church to have them killed. 3. Paul was confident the man who troubled them should beare his judgement. Erastus saith, it was not Gods will he should be miraculously killed; Ergo, it was not miraculous killing, but some Church censure; or then Erastus must find out another kind of judgement.