A92138:1371
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. Shall not then idolaters and apostates be debarred? as w• (saith he) deny an idolater▪ and an apostate to be a Member of th• Church of Christ; so we think the man that defendeth his wickedness, is not to be reckoned amongst the Members of the Church; An• as we think the former are to be banished out of the society of Christians, so we think the latter are not to be suffered in that society.
Erastus. Shall not then idolaters and apostates be debarred? as w• (saith he) deny an idolater▪ and an apostate to be a Member of th• Church of Christ; so we thinke the man that defendeth his wickednesse, is not to be reckoned amongst the Members of the Church; An• as we think the former are to be banished out of the society of Christians, so we think the latter are not to be suffered in that society.
Ans. The Idolater that maketh defection, and the apostate were once Members of the Church; what hath made them now no Members? Who should judge them, and cast them out? the Magistrate? I answer, there is no Christian Magistrate: If the Church must do it, here truly, is all granted by Erastus, that he hath disputed against in six books, even this very Excommunication. But if there be a Christian Magistrate; what Scripture is there to warrant that he should cast out a Member out of Christs body? Here is an Excommunication without precept, promise, or practise in the word; we read that the Church of Corinth congregated together, hath a command to judge, and cast out a scandalous Member, 1 Cor. 5. 4, 5, 11, 12, 13. out from amongst the midst of them: Let Erastus say as much from the New Testament, for his Magistratical casting ou. 2. What reason is there by Erastus his way, for casting out an idolater, and a man that defendeth his own wickedness? 1. May not God convert those suddenly; as he did the thief on the cross, and Saul? Ergo, They should not be cast out. 2. The Magistrate cannot more cut off those from being Members of Christs body; then he can remove their faith and internal communion with Christ. Now for this cause Erastus saith, the Church cannot Excommunicate, pag. 1.