A92138:1533
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. This is nothing for Magistrates as Magistrates, but all Christians as Christians so must have hand in Synods, which I grant in so far as concerneth their faith and practise, that they try all things, and try the Spirits whether they be of God or not; but will it follow, Ergo, Magistrates as Magistrates are those only who govern the Church, and make all Ecclesiastical constitutions, as having in them all power of Ecclesiastical jurisdiction, and deriving it to Bishops and Pastors at the second hand, as Mr. Pryn saith in the same book.
Ans. This is nothing for Magistrates as Magistrates, but all Christians as Christians so must have hand in Synods, which I grant in so far as concerneth their faith and practise, that they try all things, and try the Spirits whether they be of God or not; but will it follow, Ergo, Magistrates as Magistrates are those only who govern the Church, and make all Ecclesiasticall constitutions, as having in them all power of Ecclesiasticall jurisdiction, and deriving it to Bishops and Pastors at the second hand, as Mr. Pryn saith in the same booke.
Ans. The Antecedent is false, if not blasphemous; it is proper to Jesus Christ only,