A92138:1493
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.
If the Magistrate should usurp over Husbands, and Masters and Fathers, their jus marital, herile, Paterum, and spoil them of Husband-power, and masterly and fatherly power, as our Adversaries counsel the Magistrate to take the spiritual right and power of the keys of the Kingdom of God, from the Church and Pastors, the former should complain, as do the latter.
If the Magistrate should usurpe over Husbands, and Masters and Fathers, their jus maritale, herile, Paterum, and spoil them of Husband-power, and masterly and fatherly power, as our Adversaries counsell the Magistrate to take the spirituall right and power of the keyes of the Kingdome of God, from the Church and Pastors, the former should complaine, as do the latter.
Object. 8. But if the Kingdom be heathenish, and the heart of the King be first supernaturally affected, then Religion beginneth at him as a Magistrate, and he may appoint gifted men after they are converted to preach the Gospel; Ergo, The first rise of Religion is from the Magistrate as the Magistrate.
Object. 8. But if the Kingdome be heathenish, and the heart of the King be first supernaturally affected, then Religion beginneth at him as a Magistrate, and he may appoint gifted men after they are converted to preach the Gospell; Ergo, The first rise of Religion is from the Magistrate as the Magistrate.
Ans. If the King be converted first as a Christian, not as a Magistrate, he may spread the Gospel to others, and preach himself but not as a Magistrate, as Jehoshaphat commanded the Levites to do their duty, so might he command those of the house of Aaron, who had deserted the Priests office, to take the office on them, to which God had called them, so here gifts and faithfulness appearing to the new converted Prince, he is to command those so gifted, (for their gifts and faithfulness is as evident a call as to be borne the sons of Aaron,) to take on them the calling of preaching and of dispensing the Seals. But 1. he ordaineth them not