A92138:1615
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.
But he judgeth not in a spiritual manner, and with any spiritual power of the sword, of those as fitting and conducing to life eternal, and inward peace of conscience with God; but as a justified and believing Saint, he judgeth, chooseth, and loveth Ordinances, and the true Church in this consideration, and no wise as a Magistrate: If those Relations of Magistrate and Christian had been considered by the Author, he had not compared the Magistrate punishing idolatry to the Dragon, and the godly Pastors who exhort the Magistrate to punish false teachers to the Beast, and the false Prophet, who maketh war with the Lamb: For the godly magistrate who advanceth the throne of the Lamb, is praise worthy; he doth cut off all wicked doers from the city of the Lord, Psal. 101. 8. and doth this as a Magistrate, that his Kingdom might have peace and well grounded prosperity; but as a man according to Gods heart he doth it formally set on high the throne of the Lamb, nor would he have compared those worthy and dear brethren of New England the Saints of the most high, especially reverend Master Cotton to the frogs that proceeded out of the mouth of the false Prophet, Rev. 17. 3. Nor do the Papists use this argument at all, but another argument, and for a contrary conclusion; for the Pope as the Pope is an earthly Monarch, and as Pope hath power to translate Crowns and Kingdoms, and as Pope the Holy Ghost in him commandeth the Kings of the Earth, to make war with the Lamb and his followers, as Papists teach; do we ascribe any such power be the Church or Churchmen? are Malignants, Prelates, and Papists, the followers of the Lamb?
But he judgeth not in a spirituall manner, and with any spirituall power of the sword, of those as fitting and conducing to life eternall, and inward peace of conscience with God; but as a justified and believing Saint, he judgeth, chuseth, and loveth Ordinances, and the true Church in this consideration, and no wise as a Magistrate: If those Relations of Magistrate and Christian had been considered by the Author, he had not compared the Magistrate punishing idolatry to the Dragon, and the godly Pastors who exhort the Magistrate to punish false teachers to the Beast, and the false Prophet, who maketh war with the Lambe: For the godly magistrate who advanceth the throne of the Lambe, is praise worthy; he doth cut off all wicked doers from the city of the Lord,