A92138:1708
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.
Answ. In things indifferent, the very malice adhering to the practice of them, howbeit, it adhere not inseparably to them, maketh the practice damnable: For eating Rom. 14. before a weak Brother, whose weakness might have been removed, if he would be docile, and know that their is no creature now unclean, is murder, Rom. 14. 14. Therefore, suppose all the Kings and General Assemblies on Earth, should command one to eat in that case, before the weak Brother, they were to be disobeyed; and so the Doctor freeth us, that we cannot kneel at the Lords Supper. 2. Rulers may not make laws of things having no necessity of Goodness, Decency, and aptness to Edify, and only good, because they will, when they see of necessity, these laws shall inevitably ruin many souls; for that is to have more regard to their own will, then to the salvation of peoples souls, whereas even Christ pleased not himself. 3. Many weak are uncapable of all Reasons or Arguments that can free our kneeling of Idolatry. Ergo, They should abstain, and not kneel with a doubting conscience; better not eat as eat, with a doubting conscience, Rom. 14 23. 4. Pride and contempt are only seen to God: Prelates have no place to punish heart-acts, they are to prove by two Witnesses, the Malice, and Pride, and Contempt of Authority; but this is invisible to mens eyes, refusal of obedience to Canons touching indifferent things, the necessity whereof (as the Doctor must say) cometh only from mans will, cannot be contempt: The neglect of a command of God, is indeed a virtual contempt of the Majesty, Authority, Power, and Justice of God, because a command of God hath Essentially, Equity, and Justice in it, from Gods commanding Will: But a command of a thing indifferent, that may as well, without sin be left undone, as done, (as our Doctor saith of our Ceremonies) can never have equity or goodness from Humane Authority; and I never contemn Humane Authority, except I contemn the just Laws made by Humane Authority*.
Answ. In things indifferent, the very malice adhering to the practice of them, howbeit, it adhere not inseparably to them, maketh the practice damnable: For eating