A92138:1457
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.
V. Assertion. When the Magistrate commandeth painful and sound administration in preaching and governing, with provision of the praising and rewarding of well doing, he doth not subordinate to himself the Ministry in its exercise. 1. Because this promise is accumulative, and of a temporal reward, for the Magistrate as the Magistrate cannot promise that which Peter promiseth; that 1. 1▪ Pet. 5. 4. When the chief shepherd shall appear, they shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away, he may as a Christian promise that, but for a temporal reward for men, no man for being faithful in the house of God, hath that unseparably annexed to his labours, by a literal promise in Scripture, and therefore it is only accumulative. 2. Right and sound preaching and governing in Gods house, cannot from this be said to be subjected to the Magistrate as a Magistrate, in regard that this is an accidental hire, and an external and accessory good, which the Church as the Church, and the most faithful Prophets, Apostles, ⟨p. 553⟩and Pastors have wanted, and yet have attained the end of a Church as a Church visible, nor is this a promise made to the Church as the Church or the Ministers thereof as such, for the Apostolic church that was most poor, had neither thing, nor name, nor promise, but by the contrary, the Kings and Rulers did conspire against the Kingdom of the son of God.
V. Assertion. When the Magistrate commandeth painfull and sound administration in preaching and governing, with provision of the praysing and rewarding of well doing, he doth not subordinate to himselfe the Ministery in its exercise. 1. Because this promise is accumulative, and of a temporall reward, for the Magistrate as the Magistrate cannot promise that which Peter promiseth; that 1. 1▪ Pet. 5. 4. When the chiefe shepheard shall appeare, they shall receive a crowne of glory that fadeth not away, he may as a Christian promise that, but for a temporall reward for men, no man for being faithfull in the house of God, hath that unseparably annexed to his labours, by a literall promise in Scripture, and therefore it is onely accumulative. 2. Right and sound preaching and governing in Gods house, cannot from this be said to bee subjected to the Magistrate as a Magistrate, in regard that this is an accidentall hire, and an externall and accessorie good, which the Church as the Church, and the most faithfull Prophets, Apostles,