A92138:1490
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. The Church hath a Ministry, no dominion of Magistracy. 2. There is a collaterality without equality. The Magistrate is highest and worthiest, the other hath no dignity, no supereminency, but to be authoritative declarers of the mind of Christ. 3. The Magistrate is no more tied to the judgement of a Synod, or Church, then any private man is tied in his practice▪ the tie in Discipline and in all Synodical acts and determinations, is here as it is in preaching the Word, the tie is secondary, conditional, with limitation in so far as it agreeth with the Word, not absolutely obliging, not Papal, qua or because commanded, or because determined by the Church, and such as Magistrates, and all Christians may reject, when contrary to, or not warranted by the Word of God.
Ans. The Church hath a Ministery, no dominion of Magistracy. 2. There is a collaterality without equality. The Magistrate is highest and worthiest, the other hath no dignity, no supereminency, but to be authoritative declarers of the mind of Christ. 3. The Magistrate is no more tyed to the judgement of a Synod, or Church, then any private man is tyed in his practice▪ the tye in Discipline and in all Synodicall acts and determinations, is here as it is in preaching the Word, the tye is secondary, conditionall, with limitation in so farre as it agreeth with the Word, not absolutely obliging, not Papal, qua or because commanded, or because determined by the Church, and such as Magistrates, and all Christians may reject, when contrary to, or not warranted by the Word of God.
Obj. 8. But Pastors have authority equally immediate and independent under God, as the magistrate hath, and what more can they have except the Crown and Sceptre? is not this an emulous and odious equality, beside a collaterality? hence they cry the liberty, the liberty of the Kingdom of Christ, the right, the power of the Church is taken away, so often as the magistrate punisheth scandals.
Obj. 8. But Pastors have authority equally immediate and independent under God, as the magistrate hath, and what more can they have except the Crowne and Scepter? is not this an emulous and odious equality, beside a collaterality? hence they cry the liberty, the liberty of the Kingdome of Christ, the right, the power of the Church is taken away, so often as the magistrate punisheth scandals.