A92138:1541
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.
3. The cause was not properly a Church business but a crime of bodily death and sedition; I deny not but in Pauls accusation, profaning of the Temple, teaching against the Law of Moses was objected to him. Materialiter the enemies made the cause of Paul a Church business, but formally it was sedition. 1. It was a business for which the Sanhedrin sought Pauls life and blood, for which they had neither authority nor Law by divine Institution, therefore they sought the help of Felix, Festus and the Roman Deputies; so Lysias wrote to Felix, Act. 23. 29. I perceived Paul to be accused of questions of their law, but to have nothing laid to his charge worthy of death, or of bonds: Now it is clear the Roman Deputies thought not any accusation for the Jewish Religion a matter of death and bonds, and therefore Gallio the Deputy of Achaia, Acts 18. 14. saith to the Jews, if it were a matter of wrong and wicked lewdness, O ye Jews, reason were that I should bear with you. 15. But if it be a question of words and names, and of your Law, look ye to it, for I will be no judge of such matters; Ergo, to the Romans, all the blasphemies of the Jewish law was not a matter of wicked lewdness, nor of death: Now the story is clear, they were seeking Pauls life, and for names and words, the Jews should not reach Paul, nor move the Romans to put to death a Roman, except they could prove sedition or treason against him; and Acts 25. Festus saith to Agrippa, That the Priests and Elders desired to have judgement against Paul. 18. But against him they brought no accusation of such things as I supposed. 19. But had certain questions against him of their own Superstition, and of one Jesus, who was dead, whom Paul affirmed to be alive: Here it is clear, all are but words, nothing worthy of death, which the Jews chiefly intended; therefore they accuse him of treason, as we may collect from Pauls Apology, Acts 25. 8. Neither against the Law of the Jews, neither against the Temple, nor yet against Cesar have I offended any thing at all. Therefore Act. 24. Tertullus a witty man burdeneth Paul with that which might cost him his head, v. 5. For we have found this man a pestilent fellow, a mover of sedition amongst all the Jews, throughout all the world, see