A92138:1498
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.
Obj. But the obedience of the Magistrate to the Pastors, is not absolute, but conditional, if they command in the Lord; Ergo, It is no kindly obedience and subjection.
Obj. But the obedience of the Magistrate to the Pastors, is not absolute, but conditionall, if they command in the Lord; Ergo, It is no kindly obedience and subjection.
Ans. It followeth not, for so we should give no kindly obedience to Kings, to Parents, to Masters, for we obey them only conditionally in the Lord, as they warrant their Commandment from the Word. Yet Vedelius will not say, it is unproper subjection we owe to the King, nor can he say that the Royal power is imperium alienum, a begged power, all obedience to men this way is begged, and if we come to Logic, if I should say the nature and definition of obedience agreeth not univocally to obedience to God, and to obedience to the creature, Vedelius should hardly refute me. It is enough Ministers of the Gospel discharge an Embassy in the room and place of God, 2 Cor. 5. 20. God commandeth in his Ministers, a limited obedience, is kindly obedience.
Ans. It followeth not, for so we should give no kindly obedience to Kings, to Parents, to Masters, for we obey them onely conditionally in the Lord, as they warrant their Commandement from the Word. Yet Vedelius will not say, it is unproper subjection we owe to the King, nor can he say that the Royall power is imperium alienum, a begged power, all obedience to men this way is begged, and if we come to Logick, if I should say the nature and definition of obedience agreeth not univocally to obedience to God, and to obedience to the creature, Vedelius should hardly refute me. It is enough Ministers of the Gospell discharge an Ambassage in the roome and place of God, 2 Cor. 5. 20. God commandeth in his Ministers, a limited obedience, is kindly obedience.