A92138:1558
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.
who ever impute this to us who have suffered for non-conformity, and upon this ground that Synods can err, refused the Ceremonies, are to consult with their own conscience whether this be not to make us appear disloyal & odious to Magistracy in that which we never thought, •ar less to teach and profess it to the world. 4. Their chief reason is, the Magistrate by our doctrine, by his office, is obliged, 1. To follow the judgement of the Church, and in that he is a servant or inslaved, Qui enim judicia aliorum sequi tenetur, is non regit, sed regitur, adeoque 1servus est, & mancipium brutum eorum, quorum judicium sequi obligatur, and the Magistrate (say they) as such, is neither to judge nor try what the Church decrees, but as a Burrio, or Hangman to execute that which the Church hath decreed. But 1. I put it in form, and retort it thus, They are servants and slaves who are obliged not to despise, but to hear and obey, and so to follow the judgement of the Prophets, the faithful Pastors of Christ, preaching the Word of God soundly and Orthodoxly.
who ever impute this to us who have suffered for non-conformity, and upon this ground that Synods can erre, refused the Ceremonies, are to consult with their own conscience whether this be not to make us appear disloyall & odious to Magistracy in that which we never thought, •ar lesse to teach and professe it to the world. 4. Their chiefe reason is, the Magistrate by our doctrine, by his office, is obliged, 1. To follow the judgement of the Church, and in that he is a servant or inslaved, Qui enim judicia aliorum sequi tenetur, is non regit, sed regitur, adeoque 1servus est, & mancipium brutum eorum, quorum judicium sequi obligatur, and the Magistrate (say they) as such, is neither to judge nor try what the Church decrees, but as a Burrio, or Hangman to execute that which the Church hath decreed. But 1. I put it in forme, and retort it thus, They are servants and slaves who are obliged not to despise, but to hear and obey, and so to follow the judgement of the Prophets, the faithfull Pastors of Christ, preaching the Word of God soundly and Orthodoxly.
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