A92138:1191
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.
Erastus. 1 Cor. 12. How is Government a Presbytery? how are Overseers1 & governments, Doctors & Prophets? There be many kinds of Governors. I wonder that by [Greek or Hebrew] Miracles, you understand not the power of Excommunication, that hath terrified all the World; how are Doctors & Prophets added to Pastors, are they not teachers as well as Pastors, but that they administer not the Sacraments? & how do you ⟨p. 434⟩prove that? how prove you Overseers to be •ther then Ministers?
Erastus. 1 Cor. 12. How is Government a Presbytery? how are Overseers1 & governments, Doctors & Prophets? There be many kinds of Governours. I wonder that by 〈non-Latin alphabet〉 Miracles, you understand not the power of Excommunication, that hath terrified all the World; how are Doctors & Prophets added to Pastors, are they not teachers as well as Pastors, but that they administer not the Sacraments? & how doe you ⟨p. 434⟩prove that? how prove you Overseers to be •ther then Ministers?
- 1Page 289.
Ans. Governments to us are but a part of the Presbytery. 2. There be many kinds of Governors, but he durst not venture to show what is signified by governments, lest he should say, his Magistrate must be the only Church Governor, but he knoweth that a Magistrate as a Magistrate is no member nor part of the Church, but as he is a Christian; for then Cesar, Herod, Pontius Pilate, as Magistrates must be set in the body of Christ, as Apostles, and Teachers and Prophets, which all the World will cry shame on. 3. Beza said never that Teachers and prophets are cast to Ministers to make a Presbytery, for by Teachers he meaneth Pastors. 4. Because Paul setteth down Governments different from Apostles, Prophets, and Teachers, they must be some Officers different from them, we can find none else, but such as rule well, and yet labour not in the Word,