A92138:1366
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. The Sword is no intrinsical mean of the saving of any1 mans soul: It is true, the godly Magistrate may procure a godly life; but as a cause removens impedimentum, removing idolatry, heresy, wolves and false teachers from the flock, and commanding under the pain of the Sword, that Pastors do their duty. But Christ ascending on high, gave Pastors and Teachers to gather a Church; but not Magistrates armed with the Sword.
Ans. The Sword is no intrinsecall mean of the saving of any1 mans soul: It is true, the godly Magistrate may procure a godly life; but as a cause removens impedimentum, removing idolatry, heresie, wolves and false teachers from the flock, and commanding under the paine of the Sword, that Pastors do their duty. But Christ ascending on high, gave Pastors and Teachers to gather a Church; but not Magistrates armed with the Sword.
- 1The sword no intrinsical mean of gaining souls.The sword no intrinsecall mean of gaining souls.
Erastus. The Magistrates Sword is a most efficacious mean to bring1 men to the knowledge of God, nothing more effectual then affliction, and the cross, when right teaching is joined therewith; examples teach us that in danger of death, men have seriously turned to God, who before could be moved by no exhortations. But you say all die not in the Lord, nor repent; nor (say I) do they all die in the Lord, who are taken away by diseases, or are excommunicated; yea, Excommunication maketh many hypocrites.
Erastus. The Magistrates Sword is a most efficacious mean to bring1