A92138:136
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.
Except that he is a visible Head in this sense, in that he Reigneth and Ruleth, even in the external visible Policy of his Church, through all the Catholic visible Church, in his Officers, Lawful Synods, Ordinances, giving them Laws in all Positive externals, which place the Beast, the King of the Bottomless Pit, the Pope usurpeth: But I would gladly be informed of Formalists, how the King is the Head and Vicegerent of Christ over the Church; if Christs Kingdom be only spiritual, Mystical Internal, not Political, not external; for sure the King as King, exerciseth no internal and Mystical operations upon the consciences of men under Jesus Christ, his power is only Political and Civilly Political, about, or without the Church, not properly within the Church: Surely if Rulers be Subjects and Members under Christ the Head and King: I shall believe that Christ must in all Positive things of external Policy, give to them Particular Laws in the Scripture, and Rule them; and that they being Members, not the Head, must as particularly be Ruled in all externals Positive, by the will and Law of the Head Christ, and that they are not Kings, Heads and Law givers, and Rulers to themselves: And especially upon these considerations. This King and Head must be particular in an immutable, perpetual, and unalterable Platform of Church-Government. 1. Solomon for wisdom in the order, degrees, number, attire of his servants and Policy of his house to the admiration of the Queen of Sheba, in this we conceive was a type of a greater then Solomon. 2. The Positives of the policy of Christs house, must be congruous to a supernatural end, the edification of souls, and that ⟨p. 19⟩Symbolical Rites of mens devising, speak supernatural duties, that Christ hath already spoken in the Scripture, as that Crossing spell out Dedication to Christs Service, Surplice, pastoral holiness, which both are Gospel truths, 1. Pet. 1. 18. 1 Pet. 2. 24. Isa. 52. 11. Is as supernatural a mean for edification, as that bread and wine signify Christs body and blood; & therefore the one more then the other ought not to be left to humane reason, but must be expressly set down in Scripture. 3. All these must lay a tie upon the conscience; but if they have their rise from the vain will of Prelates and men, they can never bind my conscience;