A92138:118
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.
Religious polemic › Introduction › Section 1 › Conclusion 1: 1. Conclusion.
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.
1 Arg. What ever maketh the man of God perfect, thoroughly furnished 1unto all good works, and is written for this end, that any Timothy or Faithful Pastor, might know how he ought to behave himself in the House of God. That must make the man of God perfect in this good work, of holy walking, as a perfect Governor, or a perfect Church-member, to be governed in all Moral acts of Discipline and godly behaviour, according to the spiritual policy of the Lords house, and so must hold forth a perfect Plot-form of Discipline, which doth not vary, ebb and flow, and alter according to the Civill Government, Laws, Manners and Customs of men: But the Scriptures of God doth so instruct all Members of the visible Church, both Governors and governed, 2 Tim. 3. 16, 17. 1 Tim. 3. 14, 15. Ergo, the Scripture must hold forth a perfect form of Discipline which doth not vary, ebb, flow, and alter according to the Civill Governments, Laws, Manners and Customs of men. The Proposition is made good: Because, 1. to walk according to the spiritual Policy of the Lords house, must be a good work, and so a Moral and Lawful work, and a due conversing in the spiritual Society of the Church, according to the Rule of the Word. 2. If this Moral walking be according to a Rule that may crook, bow and vary according as Civill Customs of men and Cities alter and vary at mens pleasure, It is a Moral walking, no more according to the Rule of Scripture, then the contradic•nt thereof is according to this Rule, but falleth and riseth, hath its ups and downs at the mere nod and pleasure of men, who may change Customs and Manners every year twice, if so it please them. For what Scripture teacheth me a Civill Custom of a City, as not to carry Armour in the night, to take up the Names of all between sixteen years of age and sixty? Or what Scripture teacheth me, a Bishop may be above the Pastors of the Church, or a Bishop may not be? Surplice, Crossing, Bowing and Cringing to wooden Altars, may be or may not be? Deacons may be, or may not be? even as customs and guises of ⟨p. 8⟩the Civill State, appear as Meteors in the Air, and in the fourth part of a night, disappear and vanish to nothing;