A92138:1135
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. 1. Because a man consisteth of a spiritual part, a conscience and soul, and of an external visible part; in which he exerciseth visible and external acts of worship; yet spiritual, another, as he is a civill Agent, therefore there is a necessity there be no supreme external Governors under the one supreme Lord of Heaven and earth; one that teacheth and informeth the mind, and ruleth by the sword whole man, as he is a part of a civill society, in all his civil actions, and this is the Magistrate; another that governeth him, as he is a member of a spiritual and supernatural society, and exerciseth external spiritual actions, in reference to God & in the subjection of his conscience to him, and this is either a Priest, Levite or Prophet in the Old Testament, or Pastor, Teacher or Elder in the New Testament: and it is absurd, that there should not be two Governors; one over man in relation to his conscience and walking with God, and his brethren as Members of a spiritual society, called a Pastor or Teacher; another in relation to his civill actions of Peace and justice to his brother, as he is a Member of a civill society, called a Magistrate.
Ans. 1. Because a man consisteth of a spirituall part, a conscience and soul, and of an externall visible part; in which he exerciseth visible and externall acts of worship; yet spirituall, another, as he is a civill Agent, therefore there is a necessity there be no supream externall Governours under the one supream Lord of Heaven and earth; one that teacheth and informeth the minde, and ruleth by the sword whole man, as he is a part of a civill society, in all his civil actions, and this is the Magistrate; another that governeth him, as he is a member of a spirituall and supernaturall society, and exerciseth externall spirituall actions, in reference to God & in the subjection of his conscience to him, and this is either a Priest, Levite or Prophet in the Old Testament, or Pastor, Teacher or Elder in the New Testament: and it is absurd, that there should not be two Governors; one over man in relation to his conscience and walking with God, and his brethren as Members of a spirituall society, called a Pastor or Teacher; another in relation to his civill actions of Peace and justice to his brother, as he is a Member of a civill society, called a Magistrate.