A92138:124
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.
Mr. Hooker denieth the assumption; For Paul (saith he) restraineth 1the words to one special Commandment amongst many; and therefore it is not said, keep the Ordinances, Laws, Constitutions, which thou hast received; but [Greek or Hebrew], that great Commandment, which doth principally concern thee and thy calling, that Commandment that Christ did so often inculcate unto Peter (Feed my sheep) and that Act. 20. Attend to your selves and all the flock, &c. And that, 2 Tim. 4. 1. I charge thee in the sight of God, &c. Preach the word, and teach the Gospel without mixture, &c. And these words (till the appearance of Christ) doth not import the time wherein it should be kept; but rather the time whereunto the final reward for keeping it was reserved according to that, henceforth is laid up for me a crown of Righteousness. It doth not import perpetual observation of the Apostles Commandment, for it bindeth not to the Precept of choosing of Widows, as the Adversaries grant. We do not deny, but certain things were Commanded to be, though Positive, yet perpetual in the Church. Ans. 1. If Paul restrain this to one special Commandment, sure it is so general and comprehensive a Commandment of feeding the Flock, as taketh in all the special Positive Commandments belonging ⟨p. 11⟩to feeding, by both Word and Discipline, which is enough for the perpetuity of all Positive precepts of Discipline and Policy, even till Christs appearance to judge the world; and I wonder that Hooker expoundeth this by 2. Tim. 4. 1. As if Paul did mean the precept of Preaching only, and that soundly and without mixture; and yet pass by the Parallel place, 1 Tim. 5 21. A•lmostin the same stile of Language, in which place he speaketh of many special Positive precepts and Rules of Policy, as of poor widows, the Alms to be given to them; the not rebuking of an Elder, the office of Elders Governing, and of Elders labouring in the Word and Doctrine, the not receiving an accusation against an Elder, but under two or three Witnesses, the public rebuking of those who offend publicly, the not admitting to the Ministry raw and green soldiers not tried, and many other particulars of Policy, of all which he saith gravely, v. 21. I charge thee before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, and the Elect Angels, that thou observe these things &c.