A92138:1359
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. We find no distinction made by Christ, Matth. 18▪ and therefore we make none; He that offendeth his brother, (Christ maketh no exceptions of light or small offences) if he cannot be gained by admonitions, and be contumacious against the Church, he is reputed as a heathen and a publican; and this is our warrant. 2. Let Erastus answer this contradiction according to his own way. Every one who is Ceremonially clean should come to the Temple. Some who are Ceremonially clean, (to wit, who the same day have slain their sons to Molech) should not come into the Temple. The affirmative is holden as a truth by Erastus. The negative is the word of the Lord, Ezech. 23. 38, 39. 3. It is no contradiction which Erastus proposeth: For every one who is Ceremonially clean, should not keep the Passover, except also he be Morally clean: For he that discerneth not the Lords body, should not eat; and the Lamb was no less Sacramentally the Lords body, then the Bread and Wine is his ⟨p. 497⟩body, so the former is false, in rei veritate. The latter, to wit, Every one Ceremonially clean should not keep the Passover, to Erastus is false: Now of two propositions contradicent, both cannot be false, Erastus may know this is bad Logic.
Ans. We finde no distinction made by Christ, Matth. 18▪ and therefore we make none; He that offendeth his brother, (Christ maketh no exceptions of light or small offences) if he cannot be gained by admonitions, and be contumacious against the Church, he is reputed as a heathen and a publican; and this is our warrant. 2. Let Erastus answer this contradiction according to his owne way. Every one who is Ceremonially clean should come to the Temple. Some who are Ceremonially clean, (to wit, who the same day have slaine their sons to Molech) should not come into the Temple. The affirmative is holden as a truth by Erastus. The negative is the word of the Lord, Ezech. 23. 38, 39. 3. It is no contradiction which Erastus proposeth: For every one who is Ceremonially clean, should not keep the Passeover, except also he be Morally clean: For he that discerneth not the Lords body, should not eat; and the Lambe was no lesse Sacramentally the Lords body, then the Bread and Wine is his