A92138:1223
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. We deny not, but the Sword is sufficient to punish offenders, in its own kind, in order to the peace of the Common-wealth. to remove evil; to cause others fear, to pacify Gods wrath, as the Scriptures speak: so David and good Kings purged the city of God, but Erastus cannot deny but God ordained spiritual means of rebukings, putting out of the Camp, eschewing the company of offenders, that they may be ashamed, and those spiritual means have a spiritual influence on the soul to remove offences, to gain the offenders, Matth. 18. 15. Psal. 110▪ 2. Isa, 11. 4. Psal. 141. 5. 2 Thess. 3. 14, 15.
Ans. We deny not, but the Sword is sufficient to punish offenders, in its own kinde, in order to the peace of the Common-wealth. to remove evil; to cause others fear, to pacifie Gods wrath, as the Scriptures speak: so David and good Kings purged the city of God, but Erastus cannot deny but God ordained spirituall means of rebukings, putting out of the Camp, eschewing the company of offenders, that they may be ashamed, and those spirituall means have a spirituall influence on the soul to remove offences, to gain the offenders, Matth. 18. 15. Psal. 110▪ 2. Isa, 11. 4. Psal. 141. 5. 2 Thess. 3. 14, 15.
2. The word maketh the Priests separated from Civill Judges,