A92138:1623
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. 8. But is not this an easy way to extricate our selves out of1 all doubts, if we say in Church-government, that the doctrinal and declarative part is in the Ministers of Christ, as Mat. 28. Go teach, &c. and the punitive and censuring part in the Christian Magistrate, Rom. 13. according to that for the punishing of evil doers, as Mr. Coleman saith.
Obj. 8. But is not this an easie way to extricate our selves out of1 all doubts, if we say in Church-government, that the doctrinal and declarative part is in the Ministers of Christ, as Mat. 28. Go teach, &c. and the punitive and censuring part in the Christian Magistrate, Rom. 13. according to that for the punishing of evill doers, as Mr. Coleman saith.
- 1Mr. Colemans reexamination. p. 15.
Ans. This Erastian way will intricate us not a little, and is destructive1 of the Covenant of both Kingdoms. 1. Its a distinction void of Scripture and reason, for the Apostolic Churches by it must have no Government as Churches at all: for to publish the Gospel which is made the one half; Yea, all Church-government (for this punitive part is a dream) is not Church-government, nor any part thereof.
Ans. This Erastian way will intricate us not a little, and is destructive