A92138:1411
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.
6. Whatever power in matters of Christs Kingdom or the Government1 thereof, the Magistrate hath, that must be given of Christ, who only can appoint Elders and officers over his own house, but no where in Scripture find we any such power given to the Magistrate; Ergo, we are to believe he hath not any such power. The proposition is true, because Christ being a perfect Lawgiver and King, doth give Laws for his own house, as particularly as Moses did for every several pin in the Lords Tabernacle, and David and Solomon for the Temple: the assumption I prove; because the Government of Christs house is spiritual, as the weapons of their warfare are not carnal, 2 Cor. 8. 5. and it is in binding and loosing, forgiving and retaining sins, by the power of the keys of the ⟨p. 529⟩Kingdom of God given to the Church, and to such as are sent, as the Father sent his Son Christ, Matth. 18. 18. & 16. 19. Joh. 20. 21, 22, &c. But Magistrates as Magistrates do punish sins with the sword, Rom. 13. 4. but not forgive sins, nor bind and loose in earth or heaven, nor exercise any spiritual power, nor deal with the consciences of men, no more then they cure the diseases of the body, though indirectly and externally they take care that there be Physicians who can cure diseases.
6. Whatever power in matters of Christs Kingdome or the Government1 thereof, the Magistrate hath, that must be given of Christ, who only can appoint Elders and officers over his owne house, but no where in Scripture find we any such power given to the Magistrate; Ergo, we are to beleeve he hath not any such power. The proposition is true, because Christ being a perfect Lawgiver and King, doth give Lawes for his owne house, as particularly as Moses did for every severall pinne in the Lords Tabernacle, and David and Solomon for the Temple: the assumption I prove; because the Government of Christs house is spirituall, as the weapons of their warfare are not carnall,