A92138:1375
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.
QUEST. XIX.
Whether or no the Christian Magistrate be so above the Church in matters of Religion, Doctrine and Discipline, that the Church and her Guides, Pastors, and Teachers, do all they do in these, as subordinate to the Magistrate as his servants, and by his Authority? Or is the spiritual power of the Church, immediately subject to Jesus Christ only?
Whether or no the Christian Magistrate be so above the Church in matters of Religion, Doctrine and Discipline, that the Church and her Guides, Pastors, and Teachers, do all they do in these, as subordinate to the Magistrate as his servants, and by his Authority? Or is the spirituall power of the Church, immediately subject to Iesus Christ only?
WE know that Erastus who is Refuted by Beza, 1Utenbogard, whom Ant▪ Walens Learnedly Refuteth, Maccovius opposed by the Universities and Divines of Holland, Vedelius Answered by Gu. Apollonius and others; and the Belgic Arminians in their Petition to the States, and Hu. Grotius against Sibrandus Lubert. Divers Episcopal Writers in England do hold, That the Guides of the Church do all in their Ministry by the Authority of the Christian Magistrate: I believe the contrary: And 1. We exclude not the Magistrate who is a keeper of both Tables of the Law, from a care of matters of Religion. 2. We deny not to him a power to examine Heresies and false Doctrine: 1. In order to bodily punishment with the sword: 2. With a judgement not Antecedent, but Subsequent to the judgement of the Church, where the Church is constituted.