A92138:1267
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. He shall expede himself out of this doubt easily,1 who can distinguish the internal governing of the Church, which is proper to God only who knoweth the thoughts and can judge them without error, from the external governing of the Church, in qua falli infinitè omnes possumus in the which we may all infinitely err, and in which we can doe nothing, nisi quod mandatum expessè nobis legimus, 2except what we read to be expressly commanded, for here he who is not against us is with us, Mark 9. and no man ought to forbid those which God hath commanded, so they be externally done, all external actions quoad nos, to us are good which are done according to the prescript of Gods Word, though to God who judgeth the heart they be not good every way; many to day, the Pharisees of old; many in Pauls time preach for gain, many are ambitious, and some out of envy preach; Christ never for bad them to teach, nor Paul but rejoiced, Phil. 1. that Christ was preached; however since no man can understand the internal actions or thoughts, and without error judge them▪ there is no punishment by mans Law for them; only God, without error, judgeth and punisheth them.
Erastus. He shall expede himselfe out of this doubt easily,1 who can distinguish the internall governing of the Church, which is proper to God onely who knoweth the thoughts and can judge them without error, from the externall governing of the Church, in qua falli infinitè omnes possumus in the which we may all infinitely erre, and in which we can doe nothing, nisi quod mandatum expessè nobis legimus, 2except what vve read to be expresly commanded, for here he vvho is not against us is vvith us, Marke 9. and no man ought to forbid those which God hath commanded, so they bee externally done, all externall actions quoad nos, to us are good vvhich are done according to the prescript of Gods Word, though to God vvho judgeth the heart they be not good every vvay; many to day, the Pharisees of old; many in Pauls time preach for gaine, many are ambitious, and some out of envy preach; Christ never for bad them to teach, nor Paul but rejoyced,