A92138:1322
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. Because the multitude can do nothing in order, therefore (say they) they have power to choose Elders to whom belongeth the power of Excommunication. But how prove they this? Though a company wanting a Magistrate have this power, shall it follow, that a company to whom God hath given a godly Magistrate should have this power? But because confusion would follow, therefore Elders are to be chosen; Ergo, Such Elders as make up your Presbytery, à genere ad speciem affirmativè nulla est consequutio.
Erastus. Because the multitude can doe nothing in order, therefore (say they) they have power to choose Elders to whom belongeth the power of Excommunication. But how prove they this? Though a company vvanting a Magistrate have this power, shall it follovv, that a company to vvhom God hath given a godly Magistrate should have this povver? But because confusion vvould follovv, therefore Elders are to be chosen; Ergo, Such Elders as make up your Presbyterie, à genere ad speciem affirmativè nulla est consequutio.
Ans. 1. Not only from necessity of eschewing confusion, but from the positive Ordinance of God, we infer Presbyters; we do not own any such consequence: Prelates and Papists argue for a Monarchy in the Church, from order: we know no creatures of the like frame: Erastus is for a Bishop, he may so argue, not we: We find Christ hath placed such organs in his body, as Eph. 4. 11. 12. 1 Cor. 12. 28. 1 Tim. 5. 17. 1 Tim. 3. 1, 2, &c Act. 6. 1, 2, &c. and 14. 23. Ergo, they ought to be, for we think the Church cannot govern it self. 2. If the Church wanting a Magistrate as the Apostolic Church did, have power to choose Presbyters, and by a Divine Law: how dare Erastus say, That it followeth not, when the Church hath a godly Magistrate, she should keep the same power? Can the godly Magistrate when he cometh into the Church, take any Divine power from the Church? Is the Magistrate given to the Church as a Nurse-father to preserve that power that Christ hath given to his Spouse? or is he given as a spoiler at noonday, to take to himself the power, and make the Ambassadors of Christ, his Ambassadors and Servants to preach in his Name; whereas before when they had no Magistrate, Pastors did preach only in the Name of Jesus Christ?