A92138:1307
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 word Church to the Hebrews, signifieth either1 a multitude, or the Senate, or Magistrate, as Num. 35. Church is four times, Josh. 20. Twice, Psal. 82. Once: and it signifies the Magistrate. So we say, the Empire hath done what the Emperor with the States of the Empire hath done. So the Church or Convention think so, because the chief amongst them think so, the Common Wealth hath done this, because the Senate hath done this.
Erastus. The vvord Church to the Hebrevvs, signifieth either1 a multitude, or the Senate, or Magistrate, as Num. 35. Church is four times, Josh. 20. Tvv•ce, Psal. 82. Once: and it signifies the Magistrate. So vve say, the Empire hath done vvhat the Emperour vvith the States of the Empire hath done. So the Church or Convention think so, because the chief amongst them think so, the Common Wealth hath done this, because the Senate hath done this.
- 1P. 323. 324
Ans. The word [Greek or Hebrew] is Num. 35. 12. But in all that Chapter [Greek or Hebrew] is not, but [Greek or Hebrew]: Now how this signifieth one Magistrate, which ever signifieth a collection or multitude of rulers, I