A92138:1460
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.
VIII. Assertion. The Ministers are in no sort the Ambassadors or servants of the Magistrate, but of Jesus Christ, and immediately in their ministerial acts subordinate to the King of Kings. 1. They ⟨p. 554⟩declare the truth in the Name of Christ, their master and Lord, not in the name of the Magistrate, as the Arminians make the steps of the subordination. 1. The Word of God. 2. The Magistrate carrying Gods sword. 3. The Preachers of the Gospel; for then the Preachers should hear the word of the Magistrate first, and have the mind of Christ spoken and revealed to them immediately from the magistrate, but mediately only by the mediation of the Magistrate, the mind of Christ. 2. There should be in every Christian Kingdom, where there is a King, a civill Pope, having directly both the Swords, not with the distinction of Jesuits, of directly and directly, and as they say, the Pope hath the temporal sword, indirectly and in ordine ad spiritualia, in order to spiritual things, and and how many inferior Magistrates, so many civill Popes, only they shall not be infallible. Arminians say that this collection is from envy, Because we (say they) deny a headship and supremacy of power of Government, to your Pastors and Elders in all your Parishes, which maketh the Church a Monster with many heads; therefore you put this, for envy upon the Magistrate, who yet hath the word of God above him, which the Pope hath not, who setteth himself above the Word of God.
VIII. Assertion. The Ministers are in no sort the Ambassadors or servants of the Magistrate, but of Iesus Christ, and immediately in their ministeriall acts subordinate to the King of Kings. 1. They ⟨p. 554⟩declare the truth in the Name of Christ, their master and Lord, not in the name of the Magistrate, as the Arminians make the steps of the subordination. 1. The Word of God. 2. The Magistrate carrying Gods sword. 3. The Preachers of the Gospell; for then the Preachers should hear the word of the Magistrate first, and have the minde of Christ spoken and revealed to them immediately from the magistrate, but mediately onely by the mediation of the Magistrate, the minde of Christ. 2. There should be in every Christian Kingdome, where there is a King, a civill Pope, having directly both the Swords, not with the distinction of Iesuites, of dixectly and directly, and as they say, the Pope hath the temporall sword, indirectly and in ordine ad spiritualia, in order to spirituall things, and and how many inferiour Magistrates, so many civill Popes, onely they shall not be infallible. Arminians say that this collection is from envie, Because we (say they) deny a headship and supremacy of power of Governement, to your Pastors and Elders in all your Parishes, which maketh the Church a Monster with many heads; therefore you put this, for envy upon the Magistrate, who yet hath the word of God above him, which the Pope hath not, who setteth himself above the Word of God.