A92138:1293
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. 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.
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 signifie how much God detests filthinesse. 2. Filthinesse, polluting and leavening others: Now the lesse will in any sin, the lesse sin, and so the lesse contagion to others, and therefore, where there is much infirmity, lesse will, and no contumacy, it rather followeth, Ergo, there should be no casting out, no Excommunication.
Erastus. The Ceremonially unclean were not counted as1 condemned and lost, as your Excommunicated persons were; they were admitted to Sacraments and the yearly expiation.
- 1Page 318.
Ans. This is Answered fully: The Excommunicated, because Excommunicated, are to us in a way to be saved under Medicine, and not given for lost, no more then those to whom the Pastors do threaten eternal wrath, or those with whom we will not eat, because of their inordinate walking are given for lost, though conditionally they are in danger of damnation if they repent no. 2. It is denied that the Ceremonially unclean were admitted to the Sacraments. Philo Judaeus, no less well versed in Jewish Antiquities then Josephus, Tract. de sacerdotum honoribus, saith, Nulli homicidae licebat introire Templum: and Josephus, l. 19. c. 7. saith, Herod Agrippa who beheaded James the brother of Christ accused one Simon, who being a wicked man, went into the Temple, Qia Templum non nisi puris & dignis pateret: he witnesseth the same, De Bel. Jadaic. l. 4. c. 13.