A92138:1445
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. 1. I deny the connection of the Antecedent; for Elders may command as Elders, more then the not doing of which they can censure, which the Magistrate cannot do; for Elders have committed to them the word of reconciliation, as the Ambassadors of Christ. Now the word hath an immediate influence on the conscience, on the thoughts and intents of the heart, 2 Cor. 5. 18, 19, 20. 1 Cor. 3. 5. 1 Cor. 4. 15. Ps. 19. 7. Heb. 4. 12, 13. And therefore their Ministry hath action on the thoughts; yet can they not in the external court of the Church, censure the thoughts, as not being able to see them, but the Gospel which they preach can arraign the conscience and thoughts▪ 2 Cor. 10. 4, 5. But the Magistrate carrieth not such a message, and therefore his Magistratical command can reach no farther then his temporal praise and reward, and his sword; and that is commensurable and of equal latitude with those.
Ans. 1. I deny the connexion of the Antecedent; for Elders may command as Elders, more then the not doing of which they can censure, which the Magistrate cannot do; for Elders have committed to them the word of reconciliation, as the Ambassadors of Christ. Now the word hath an immediate influence on the conscience, on the thoughts and intents of the heart, 2 Cor. 5. 18, 19, 20. 1 Cor. 3. 5. 1 Cor. 4. 15. Ps. 19. 7. Heb. 4. 12, 13. And therefore their Ministery hath action on the thoughts; yet can they not in the externall court of the Church, censure the thoughts, as not being able to see them, but the Gospel which they preach can arraigne the conscience and thoughts