A92138:1543
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 may not Nero accuse Paul, that he dare preach his Jesus Christ in the Emperors dominions?
Obj. But may not Nero accuse Paul, that he dare preach his Iesus Christ in the Emperours dominions?
Ans. If his dominions be the Christian Churches conquered by his sword, he may accuse as he conquered, that is he may oppress the consciences of men in accusing, as he oppressed them in their bodies and liberties in the conquering of them: But he may not1 as a conqueror accuse them for their conscience, he may if he conquer those that worship Satan, cause instruct them in all meekness and lenity: But this he doth by the sword as a Christian ruler, to enlarge the dominions of Christ; for when •• conquereth their bodies, it is not to be thought that he conquereth their souls, or acquireth any new dominion over their consciences: But though ⟨p. 591⟩he do as a Magistrate command them to be instructed, I doubt if he have a negative voice in imposing any Religion that he will, though they be heathens, though some learned Divines say be have a definitive voice, in setting up what Religion he will or tolerating it; I conceive, though he have a definitive voice in erecting the only true Religion in his heathenish dominions, when there be no Ministers of the Gospel there; yet not for any false Religions, that being of perpetual truth, God never gave authority or power of the sword to do ill, ad malum non est potestas: what other things Videlius and Utenbogard have on the contrary, are answered: Hence2 we ask, 1. If the intrinsical end of judging and censuring Ecclesiastically, be not the enlightening of the mind, the gaining of souls; and if Nero, or Christian, or Heathen Magistrates, be appointed for that spiritual end? 2. If Paul aimed to refer the judging of the Gospel to Nero? 3. If Paul knowing the Sanhedrin sought his blood, not the gaining of his soul, might not appeal to the Magistrate to save his life? 4. If it was not the Law of natures dictate in Paul so to do, and not any positive constitution of the Magistrates Headship over the Church and Gospel? 5. If the Ecclesiastical judicature will swell without its sphere of activity, to dispose of the life and blood of the Saints; if then the state of the question be not changed; and if then it be not lawful to appeal and decline, and provoke to the civill Magistrate?