A92138:1633
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.
6. This punitive part of Church Government, is neither in name, nor in thing: in Scripture Triglandius denieth that there is any Ecclesiastical, co-active, or compulsive power properly so called in the Church; there is no violence used by Christ as King of his Church; this shepherd carrieth the Lambs in his bosom▪ Isai. 40. 11. Hyeronimus said well, The King or Magistrate ruleth over men that are unwilling, he meaneth in punishing them; but the Pastor doth it to men that are willing: And renowned Salmasius citing this, addeth that of the Apostle Peter to the Elders, Feed the flock [Greek or Hebrew]; It is not pena a proper ⟨p. 633⟩punishment that the Church doth inflict, nor doth the Scripture1 speak so, nor is the thing it self punishment, or any punitive power here; indeed all co-active power of the Magistrate as the Magistrate, and all punishment issuing from it, is against the will of the punished, and is inflicted with the dominion of the sword; we know how the Adversary side here with Papists who make all Church censures to be penances inflicted upon penitents against their will: Therefore saith Salmasius, Of old, censures were so voluntary, that to deny them was a punishment, and they were desired and sought as a Benefit, as the ancient Canons of Councils, and Canonic Epistles, and writings of Fathers bear witness; and this doth prove, if Jesus Christ have a willing people, Psal. 110. and if rebukes and censures be to the Saints as medicine that will not break the head, Psal. 141. 5. no medicine is received unwillingly by wise men, and no medicine is a punishment; then the punitive power of the Magistrate hath no place in the Church as the Church.
6. This punitive part of Church Government, is neither in name, nor in thing: in Scripture Triglandius denieth that there is any Ecclesiastical, co-active, or compulsive power properly so called in the Church; there is no violence used by Christ as King of his Church; this shepheard carrieth the Lambs in his bosome▪