A92138:1291
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. The Author doth not except Ministers from civill subjection to Magistrates: But only he saith, In Ecclesiastical censures, the Magistrate is not to judge the Ministers; because a Ministry being an Ecclesiastical office, as such, it is not liable to the civill power, only the Ministers as they err and sin in their persons, are liable to civill punishment, but not to Ecclesiastical, to be inflicted by the Magistrate. 2. Through the corruption of mens nature, every one may wink at another's faults: It is true, But consider if this slow from the nature of Gods Ordinance, to wit, that the Citizen obey the Laws of the City whereof he is a member. This is an Argument against any Senate, Parliament, Council of State, or War, or Aristocracy on earth: if of an hundred Lords of the States General, one or ten play the Traitor to the State, who shall take order with them? Their Colleagues and fellow-Senators. Partial judging falls out here through mens corruption: spare thou the nails, and Isle spare the teeth: and from Erastus his way, (if you Argue from mens corruption) the same will follow: May not the Magistrate say to the Minister, Honour me before the people, and Preach not against the sins of King and Court, and I will oversee and wink at thy Pluralities, non-residencies, soul-murders? And may not the Minister say to the Magistrate, Let me be above all Civill Laws, and be Lord Prelate, and sit on the necks of my Brethren, and defraud, oppress, and I shall be silent and preach nothing against the idolatry, oppressions, Sodomy, uncleanness of Magistrate and court.
Ans. The Author doth not except Ministers from civill subjection to Magistrates: But only he saith, In Ecclesiasticall censures, the Magistrate is not to judge the Ministers; because a Ministery being an Ecclesiasticall office, as such, it is not liable to the civill power, only the Ministers as they erre and sin in their persons, are liable to civill punishment, but not to Ecclesiasticall, to be inflicted by the Magistrate. 2. Through the corruption of mens nature, every one may wink at anothers faults: It is true, But consider if this slow from the nature of Gods Ordinance, to wit, that the Citizen obey the Laws of the City whereof he is a member. This is an Argument against any Senate, Parliament, Counsell of State, or War, or Aristocracy on earth: if of an hundreth Lords of the States Generall, one or ten play the Traytor to the State, who shall take order with them? Their Collegues and fellow-Senators. Partiall judging falls out here through mens corruption: spare thou the nails, and Ile spare the teeth: and from Erastus his way, (if you Argue from mens corruption) the same will follow: May not the Magistrate say to the Minister, Honour me before the people, and Preach not against the sins of King and Court, and I will oversee and wink at thy Pluralities, non-residencies, soul-murthers? And may not the Minister say to the Magistrate, Let me be above all Civill Laws, and be Lord Prelat, and sit on the necks of my Brethren, and defraud, oppresse, and I shall be silent and preach nothing against the idolatry, oppressions, Sodomy, uncleannesse of Magistrate and court.