A92138:1256
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. Whereas it is said, Deut. 23. the Lord would not1 have the price of a whore offered to him; Ergo, far less would he have a whore admitted to the sacrifice: it followeth not, but a penitent, or a whore, professing repentance, may be admitted to the sacrifices. 2. He forbiddeth only the price of a whore to be offered to him as a vow, or a thing vowed, it may be that agree not to all sacrifices: For God forbiddeth a living creature, that is unperfect, in a vow; But Lev. 22. he forbiddeth not such imperfect living creatures to be offered to him, in a free will sacrifice, so God forbiddeth honey to be offered in an offering by fire, but not in all other oblations. But will not the Lord have a whore to offer to God that which is lawfully purchased, or which is her patrimony? or may not a whore offer her first borne to the Lord, or circumcise him? We find not that forbidden. From things to persons we cannot argue; we may not offer a lame beast to God; Ergo, doth the Lord so abhor a lame man, that he may not come to the Temple? God alloweth not tares amongst the wheat, yet he will not have the external Ministers to pluck up the tares while harvest.
Erastus. Whereas it is said, Deut. 23. the Lord would not1 have the price of a whore offered to him; Ergo, far lesse would he have a whore admitted to the sacrifice: it followeth not, but a penitent, or a whore, professing repentance, may be admitted to the sacrifices. 2. He forbiddeth only the price of a whore to be offered to him as a vow, or a thing vowed, it may be that agree not to all sacrifices: For God forbiddeth a living creature, that is unperfect, in a vow; But Lev. 22. he forbiddeth not such imperfect living creatures to be offered to him, in a free will sacrifice, so God forbiddeth honey to be offered in an offering by fire, but not in all other oblations. But will not the Lord have a whore to offer to God that which is lawfully purchased, or which is her patrimony? or may not a whore offer her first borne to the Lord, or circumcise him? We find not that forbidden. From things to persons we cannot argue; we may not offer a lame beast to God; Ergo, doth the Lord so abhor a lame man, that he may not come to the Temple? God alloweth not tares amongst the wheat, yet he will not have the externall Ministers to pluck up the tares while harvest.