A92138:1556
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.
Prinne calleth the opinion of those who deny Ecclesiastical jurisdiction, legislative (a high word proper to God only) coercive power of Christian Emperors, Kings, Magistrates, Parliaments, in all matters of Religion, (what, in fundamental Articles of salvation?) Church-government, Discipline, Ceremonies, &c. Anti-monarchical, Anti-parliamentary, Anarchical, as holden by Papists, Prelates, Anabaptists, Arminians, Socinians, &c. Its that which Arminians objects to us, and calleth the soul, heart, and form of papal tyranny.
Prinne calleth the opinion of those who deny Ecclesiasticall jurisdiction, legislative (a high word proper to God only) coercive power of Christian Emperors, Kings, Magistrates, Parliaments, in all matters of Religion, (what, in fundamentall Articles of salvation?) Church-government, Discipline, Ceremonies, &c. Anti-monarchicall, Anti-parliamentarie, Anarchicall, as holden by Papists, Prelates, Anabaptists, Arminians, Socinians, &c. Its that which Arminians objects to us, and calleth the soul, heart, and forme of papall tyranny.
But that the Magistrate is not obliged to execute the decrees of the Church, without further examination; whither they be right or wrong, as Papists teach that the Magistrate is to execute the decrees of their Popish councils with blind obedience, and submit his faith to them; because he is a layman, and may not dare to examine, whether the Church doth err, or not, is clear; 1. Because if in hearing the word, all should follow the example of the men of Berea, not relying on the Testimony of Paul or any preacher; try, whether th•• which concerneth their conscience and faith, be agreeable to the Scriptures or no, and accordingly receive or reject; so in all things of Discipline, the Magistrate is to try by the word, whether he ought to add his sanction to these decrees, which the Church gives out for edification, and whether he should draw the sword against such a one as a heretic, and a perverter of souls: But the former is true, the Magistrates practise in adding his civill sanction, and in punishing heretics concerneth his conscience, knowing that he must do it in faith, as he doth all his moral actions; Ergo, the Magistrate must examine what he practiseth