A92138:1843
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.
Answer 1. This is a wide step, to make all things in Scripture, either matters of faith, or matters indifferent. That there were eight persons in Noah's Ark, and that Sampson s•ew a thousand with the jaw bone of an ass, are not matters of faith, as matters of faith are contradistinguished, from things indifferent, many are saved, who neither know nor believe many things of this historical verity in Scripture, yet are they not matters indifferent. But the Doctors are reconcilers with the Belgic Arminians, who deny all the things controverted betwixt Papists and us, and betwixt us and Arminians, and Anabaptists, at least the most part of them to be fundamental▪ and that either side may be believed, and holden, without hazard of salvation, and therefore we are to lean to the Churches determination in these without farther inquiry. 2 They mean, that in matters controverted, and in all things indifferent; as whether in this, or that fact, we do murder him for whom Christ died; We are to give our faith and conscience over to the Church without further trial. 3. What if we be▪ not persuaded of the indifferency of the things commanded but doubt whether they be commanded or forbidden in the Word, as is now the present case of Ceremonies to us, for we cannot be persuaded of their indifferency, and the Doctors saith they are not matters of faith. Ergo, by their own doctrine their distinction is defective. 4. Scripture is also perfect in resolving us, what is scandal and murdering of our brother, as what is Idolatry and Blasphemy, and therefore we are not to hang our faith here upon the Churches Canons without farther trial, as you say. 5. That the Scripture is perfect in matters of faith, but imperfect in matters of Policy, that is in matters wherein we may kill him for whom Christ died, is no better then the Papists distinction, who teach us that the Scripture is perfect in the articles of faith, not in traditions, so Scotus asaith. True Theology according to Divine revelation is only of things in Scripture, or which may be deduced out of Scripture. And Suarez bsaith, Things that belong to accidentarie rites are left to the Churches determination, but the Scripture implicitly containeth all articles of fear ⟨p. 45⟩