A92138:1337
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.
and such they are in the eyes of men, otherwise Paul would not forbid to withdraw from such.
and such they are in the eies of men, otherwise Paul would not forbid to withdraw from such.
Erastus. The Author I think would yield that the Sacraments1 should not be denied to those who seek them, and desire to use them aright, and are not excommunicated, for the writeth that the denial of the Sacraments, is only a Testimony of excommunication; So when we give not a Testimony of a thing for example of learning, to any to whom the thing it self, to wit, learning doth not agree, we cannot deny the Sacraments to those who are not Excommunicated, for he should not be blotted with a Testimony of a banished man, who is not declared to be banished.
Erastus. The Author I thinke would yeeld that the Sacraments1 should not be denyed to those who seeke them, and desire to use them aright, and are not excommunicated, for the writeth that the deniall of the Sacraments, is onely a Testimony of excommunication; So when we give not a Testimony of a thing for example of learning, to any to whom the thing it selfe, to wit, learning doth not agree, we cannot deny the Sacraments to those who are not Excommunicated, for hee should not be blotted with a Testimony of a banished man, who is not declared to be banished.
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Ans. 1. The Author I think would never yield, but the Sacraments ought to be denied to those who ask for them, and desire to use them aright, if they be otherwise Truce-breakers, false accusers, incontinent, traitors, for those have, and may have a form of godliness, and ask the Sacraments and desire to use them aright; I mean they may say they desire to use them aright, for of their inward desire, God only can judge, who knoweth the heart; yet the