A92138:1788
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 must crave here leave for a pause, and ask the question. ⟨p. 20⟩1. If information and light given to beware of the scandal of Ceremonies and things indifferent, can make them the lawful object of Church Canons, D. Forbes and other say so. But 1. This1 is that which Papists say to our Divines, who object that Images are pits and snares to Idolatry. This danger (saith aJohannes de Lugo) the Popes Professor at Rome, is easily prevented by the instruction and care of Prelates, who are to teach, that Images have no dignity of themselves, but only from the sampler. And so bBellarm. the Jesuit, cVasquez. dEstius. eThe Council of Magountine helpeth the matter. Let our Pastors (say they) carefully teach the people, that Images are not set up, that we should adore them, but that they should be helps for our memory. 2. Paul gave strong reasons for lawfulness of days, and meats, that weak Jews should not be scandalized at the eating thereof. yet he would neither pass them in a Church Canon, nor practise them himself, while the world standeth, 1 Cor. 8. 13. yea, he proveth Rom. 14. by eight strong Arguments, that it was not lawful to practise them. Ergo, he presupposeth that information of Pastors should not take away the scandal of the weak, as Rom. 14. 14. There is nothing unclean of it self. Ergo, It is lawful to eat all meats, 1 Cor. 10. 26. The earth is the Lords. Ergo, eat what is set before you, v. 23. all things are lawful, and yet he saith, eat not, give no offence, if meat offend my brother, I will not eat to the worlds end.