A92138:1314
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. Ergo, the Church hath a spiritual judicature: This is for1 u•. 2. Nor had the Sanhedrin the power in all offences, as Erastus would make the world believe, for it was but a shadow at this time void of power, and used what power they had against Christ and the Gospel. Nor needeth Erastus to prove that by the Church the multitude cannot be understood; though he cannot exclude them from their own part in Church Government, both in consenting, and in withdrawing from the Excommunicated.
Ans. Ergo, the Church hath a spirituall judicature: This is for1 u•. 2. Nor had the Sanedrim the power in all offences, as Erastus would make the world beleeve, for it was but a shadow at this time void of power, and used what power they had against Christ and the Gospel. Nor needeth Erastus to prove that by the Church the multitude cannot be understood; though he cannot exclude them from their owne part in Church Government, both in consenting, and in withdrawing from the Excommunicated.
- 1There was no more a right constituted Sanhedrin in Christs time, then a Christian Church.There was no more a right constituted Sanedrim in Christs time, then a Christian Church.
Erastus. But, Tell the Church is all one with this, Appoint1 some who in the name of the Church may manage the business; but how prove they this? Then Christ bade, Tell the Elders that then were, else he did not accommodate himself to their understanding to whom he spake; when he was to teach how our sacrifices pleaseth God, be biddeth us first be reconciled to our brother, and then sacrifice, yet he knew that sacrifices were to be abolished, but by Analogy he would teach us, what he requireth when he saith, he vvill have mercy, and not sacrifice; Ergo, by your own confession to tell the Church is to tell the Sanhedrin, for there was then no Church but the multitude.