A92138:1427
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.
1. There is subordination of the power, and a subordination of the person endued with the power, here to be considered.
1. There is subordination of the power, and a subordination of the person indued with the power, here to be considered.
2. So is there a supremacy of power, and a supremacy of the person.
3. There is a four fold judgement here considerable; 1. The first is apprehensive (apprehensivum) and common to both Magistrate, ⟨p. 538⟩Christian, Pastor, and all which must be given to all to whom we can ascribe conscience. 2. (Discretivum) the knowledge of discretion, the connatural guide and principle of every mans belief and obedience. 3. (Definiti•um) of those that are in Authority, and do command in the Lord. 4. Peremptorium et infallibile, the supreme judgement of the King of the Church, who cannot err. The first is common to all, Rom. 15. The second proper to Christians, and is a judgement of faith, 1 Thess. 5. 2. 1 Joh. 4. 1. and it must be builded on the first. The third is the Authoritative judgement of the Church, Act. 15. 28. Mat. 18. 17. and of judges, and it must be swayed by the second, both in the commander and the commanded. The fourth is Jesus Christs only,