A92138:1532
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.
Hence this is easily answered, we may appeal in Church business to him as to the supreme judge, who may punish the erring Church and Pastors; but the Magistrate may in Church business do this: For answer, 1. I retort it, the Magistrate in making civill Laws, that must in their morality be determined by the Word of God, may appeal to Pastors, whose lips by office should preserve knowledge; Ergo, the Magistrate in making civill Laws, may appeal to the Pastor, which is absurd. 2. If men in Church-constitutions may appeal to the Magistrate, as to one who may in his person determine Synodically in Assemblies above all the Pastors, 1. Because Magistrates may punish the Pastors erring and oppressing in Synods. 2. Because the Magistrate and all laymen have interest in the faith, as well as Pastors, then may people in hearing the Word and receiving the Sacraments, and in all Pastoral rebukings and threatenings, in believing of all Gospel promises and threatenings, and fundamental truths, appeal from Pastors to Magistrates as Magistrates, and Magistrates as such may determine all fundamental truths, all conscionall promises and rebukes; and that is, formally they may preach, (for he that can distinguish these hath a good engine) Because Magistrates may punish ⟨p. 586⟩heretical preaching, and superstitions, and idolatrous abusing of the Sacraments by preachers, and Magistrates and all Laymen have interest of Faith, in Word, Doctrine, and Sacraments, as in Discipline; yea, the Magistrate may punish the Priest that offered strange fire to the Lord, offered bastard incense; and the people had their interest of saith, in sacrifices offered for their own sins: but can it follow, therefore the Magistrate might sacrifice and burn incense in his own person, as Mr. Pryn will have him to make Church laws in his own person: Other Arguments of Mr. Pryns are light;1 as, that there were brethren, and Lay-men that had hand in the Council at Jerusalem, Acts 15.
Hence this is easily answered, we may appeal in Church businesse to him as to the supream judge, who may punish the erring Church and Pastors; but the Magistrate may in Church businesse do this: For answer, 1. I retort it, the Magistrate in making civill Lawes, that must in their moralitie be determined by the Word of God, may appeal to Pastors, whose lips by office should preserve knowledge; Ergo, the Magistrate in making civill Lawes, may appeal to the Pastor, which is absurd. 2. If men in Church-constitutions may appeal to the Magistrate, as to one who may in his person determine Synodically in Assemblies above all the Pastors, 1. Because Magistrates may punish the Pastors erring and oppressing in Synods. 2. Because the Magistrate and all laymen have interest in the faith, as well as Pastors, then may people in hearing the Word and receiving the Sacraments, and in all Pastorall rebukings and threatnings, in believing of all Gospel promises and threatnings, and fundamentall truths, appeal from Pastors to Magistrates as Magistrates, and Magistrates as such may determine all fundamentall truths, all conscionall promises and rebukes; and that is, formally they may preach, (for he that can distinguish these hath a good engine) Because Magistrates may punish