A92138:1076
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.
Ans. If being called to be Magistrate, he be also called to be a Minister, then being called to be a Minister, he is called to be a Magistrate, and Hoc ipso that he is a Minister, be may usurp the sword, and usurp the Throne and the Bench▪ But Christ being sent to be a Prophet, and to preach the Gospel, Esa. 61. 1. Luk. 4. 20. 21. ve•. 43. refused to divide the inheritance, and to be a a Judge, Luk. 12. 13, 14. He would not take on him to be a judge, except God had made him, and called him to be a judge; If any say the Magistrate, being the supreme place, containeth eminently all inferior offices▪ as to be a Minister, a Lawyer, a Physician, &c. but the inferior does not contain the superior, I Ans. Then the Magistrate being called to be a Magistrate and King, he is called to be a Priest to burn incense, which the Lord condemned in his word▪ in Uzzah; then when Saul is called to be a King, he is called to be an Astronomer, Lawyer, Physician, Sailor, Tailor: Now God giveth a spirit to be a King, but no gifts to those offices; Ergo, No calling thereunto, for no gifts argue no calling of God. 2. If a man called to be a judge, be also by that same calling, by which he is made a judge, made a Minister, then it is all one to be called to be a judge, and to be a Minister; and so a Magistrate as a Magistrate doth preach and administrate the Sacraments, then 1. All Magistrates should preach and administrate the Sacraments, and Nero, and heathen Magistrates are gifts, actu primo, given by Christ ascending on high, for the edifying the body of the Church, Ephe. 4. 11, 12.
Ans. If being called to be Magistrate, he be also called to be a Minister, then being called to be a Minister, he is called to be a Magistrate, and Hoc ipso that he is a Minister, be may usurpe the sword, and usurpe the Throne and the Bench▪ But Christ being sent to be a Prophet, and to preach the Gospel,