A92138:1739
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.
1 Cor. 8. v. 7. Paul condemneth them in the use of their liberty Christian, Howbeit there be not in every man this knowledge, then that Rulers may make laws in things indifferent, without scandal, they must remove ignorance. 2. If there be but one person weak (there is not in every man that knowledge) in knowledge, a Law obliging all, in things indifferent cannot be made.
1 Cor. 8. v. 7. Paul condemneth them in the use of their libertie Christian, Howbeit there be not in every man this knowledge, then that Rulers may make lawes in things indifferent, without scandall, they must remove ignorance. 2. If there be but one person weake (there is not in every man that knowledge) in knowledge, a Law obliedging all, in things indifferent cannot be made.
Ʋ. 8. There is a definition of a thing indifferent. It is a thing that commendeth us not to God, which neither helpeth, nor hindereth piety, nor maketh a man better, or worse before God. Then Ceremonies pretended to be for order, decency, edification, to stir up the dull mind to spiritual duties, cannot be things indifferent.
Ʋ. 8. There is a definition of a thing indifferent. It is a thing that commendeth us not to God, which neither helpeth, nor hindereth pietie, nor maketh a man better, or worse before God. Then Ceremonies pretended to be for order, decencie, edification, to stirre up the dull minde to spirituall duties, cannot be things indifferent.
Hence observe 1. The materials of worship, as linen, clothes, habits, gestures may be in their physical consideration indifferent, but as applied by formulists, they cannot be indifferent, for in their use, kneeling appropriated to sacramental bread, linen appropriated to the body of a Priest, while he officiateth, cannot be but religious or profane. 2. If God command gestures he commandeth this gesture, hic & nunc. If in general, ealing be forbidden, then for Achan, to steal this Babylonish garment, must be forbidden. 3. It seemeth to have been after-noon with Henry Leslie (