A92138:1136
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.
2. It is an absurd thing, for Erastus to fancy God, and the1 Magistrate, two supreme Governors, when the Magistrate is not supreme, but a mere Minister and vassal subordinate to God, the only most high. 3. It is as absurd to imagine God hath given no Rulers, Teachers, and guides to govern a man as he is a spiritual Agent obliged to worship God, and to be edified in the faith, but only the civill Magistrate; then hath Christ left no shepherd to his redeemed flock but the Civill Magistrate, and ascending on high he hath left no gifts, no Pastors and Teachers, for the gathering of the Saints to the end of the world, when we shall meet all in the unity of the Faith; but only the Magistrate contrary to Christs end, in ascending to heaven, Eph. 4. 11. Act. 20. 28. 1 Pet. 5. 1, 2. and contrary to Christs compassion to souls, who is moved, that his sheep want shepherds; for there souls, rather then Magistrates, Matth. 9. 36, 37, 38. therefore the opinion of Erastus is like the Divinity of Epicures or unchristian Moralists, who appoint Magistrates to Govern the external man, but no Teachers to ⟨p. 417⟩take care of their souls, or to lead them to heaven.
2. It is an absurd thing, for Erastus to fancie God, and the1 Magistrate, two supream Governors, when the Magistrate is not supream, but a meer Minister and vassall subordinate to God, the only most high. 3. It is as absurd to imagine God hath given no Rulers, Teachers, and guides to govern a man as he is a spirituall Agent obliged to worship God, and to be edified in the faith, but only the civill Magistrate; then hath Christ left no shepherd to his redeemed flock but the Civill Magistrate, and ascending on high he hath left no gifts, no Pastors and Teachers, for the gathering of the Saints to the end of the world, when we shall meet all in the unity of the Faith; but only the Magistrate contrary to Christs end, in ascending to heaven,