A92138:1292
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. The Ceremonially unclean were excluded from the1 Sacraments; Ergo, far more the Morally unclean; But how (saith he) doth this follow? You Excommunicate none but the obstinate; for those that were Ceremonially unclean against their will, were excluded from the holy things; Ergo, far more he that is Morally unclean is to be debarred, though he be not obstinate: How could Paul Excommunicate the incestuous man, 1 Cor. 5. he was never admonished; or Peter Excommunicate Ananias, as you say?
Erastus. The Ceremonially unclean were excluded from the1 Sacraments; Ergo, far more the Morally unclean; But how (saith he) doth this follow? You Excommunicate none but the obstinate; for those that were Ceremonially unclean against their will, were excluded from the holy things; Ergo, far more he that is Morally unclean is to be debarred, though he be not obstinate: How could Paul Excommunicate the incestuous man, 1 Cor. 5. he was never admonished; or Peter Excommunicate Annanias, as you say?
- 1P. 318. 319.
Ans. All Types or comparisons hold only in that for which the spirit of God doth bring them: Now the Ceremonially unclean ⟨p. 473⟩were debarred from holy things, to signify how much God detests filthiness. 2. Filthiness, polluting and leavening others: Now the less will in any sin, the less sin, and so the less contagion to others, and therefore, where there is much infirmity, less will, and no contumacy, it rather followeth, Ergo, there should be no casting out, no Excommunication.