A92138:1245
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.
A vindication of other Arguments for Excommunication, as from sacrificing, offering of gifts, &c. with bloody hands.
Erastus. Isaiah 1. c. 52. c. 66. Jer. 6. 7. Ezech. 23. and 33.1 Psa. 50. are alleged for Excommunication, to which I answer, 1. The Lord doth not condemn sacrificing, for he commanded it, but the abuse thereof, as he that commendeth modesty to one that eateth undecently, doeth condemn unmannerly eating; but commandeth not abstinence from eating; so Christ Mat. 6. removeth not fasting and praying, but the abuse of ⟨p. 448⟩them. When the Hebrews propound two just and right things, of which they approve the one, and deny the other, there is only a comparison understood, as Hos. 6. I will have mercy, and not sacrifice, that is, rather mercy then sacrifice, Prov. 8. Receive my instruction, and not silver, that is▪ receive rather my instruction then silver: so this is no good consequence. God hateth the sacrifice of the wicked; Ergo, Presbyters are to be chosen, who should hinder wicked men to sacrifice: it followeth not, for then this should be as good a consequence; God hateth the prayers of the wicked; Ergo, Presbyters are to be chosen, who should hinder men to call upon God, to praise God, to rest on the Sabbath, to give alms, except these Presbyters judge them worthy.
Erastus. Esay 1. c. 52. c. 66.