A92138:1759
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.
I. Suppose all be strong, in whose presence I practise, a thing indifferent, yet if it have no necessity, no aptitude to edify, and1 have only all its goodness from the will of commanders, in practising, I scandalize, 1. Because the strong are apt to sin, and so apt to be scandalized, and the action is idle, and not reasonable, having no other reason but the mere will of Rulers. 2. If I probably know my practice, shall come to the knowledge of these, who shall be scandalized, I scandalize them in such an action.
I. Suppose all be strong, in whose presence I practise, a thing indifferent, yet if it have no necessitie, no aptitude to edifie, and1 have onely all its goodness from the will of commanders, in practising, I scandalize, 1. Because the strong are apt to sinne, and so apt to be scandalized, and the action is idle, and not reasonable, having no other reason but the meere will of Rulers. 2. If I probably know my practice, shall come to the knowledge of these, who shall be scandalized, I scandalize them in such an action.
- 1Rules touching scandal.
II. Rule. Though the practice of things indifferent, having some necessity, be lawful, as 1 Cor. 10. 27. Eat what is set before you▪ asking no question for conscience sake▪ Yet the •aith and conscience of things indifferent, is never indifferent, we are never to judge a thing indifferent, necessary, nor a thing necessary, indifferent, and practice in that judgement, so erroneous is sinful, and not of faith,