A92138:1945
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.
Obj. Some things are of their own nature scandalous, and1 cannot choose but breed offence as those sinks of execrable filth which Josiah did turn out: Some things though not by nature generally, and of themselves, are generally turned to evil through a corrupt habit grown, and uncurably settled in the minds of men, without the removal of the thing, as was the worshipping of the Brazen Serpent. But some, as the Cross though subject either almost, or altogether to as much corruption, are yet curable with more facility and ease.
Obj. Some things are of their owne nature scandalous, and1 cannot choose but breed offence as those sinkes of execrable filth which Josiah did turne out: Some things though not by nature generally, and of themselves, are generally turned to evill through a corrupt habit growne, and uncurably settled in the mindes of men, without the removall of the thing, as was the worshipping of the Brazen Serpent. But some, as the Crosse though subject either almost, or altogether to as much corruption, are yet curable with more facilitie and ease.
- 1Hooker Eccle. Policy, • l. 5. 349 350. 2 King 23. 7.Hooker Eccle. Policie, • l. 5. 349 350. 2 King 23. 7.
Ans. Objects sinful and so intrinsically scandalous are to be removed, as the Image of Jupiter, Molech, both because sins, and and so not necessary. 2. Because scandalous, for the truth is, even sins (if we speak accurately) are not scandalous actum secundo, in regard of our corruption, our sins may sad the Angels, but they are not properly scandalous to Angels, and therefore every thing actively scandalous, as scandalous is to be removed. 2. How doth Hooker prove that the Vessels made for Baal, are in their own nature more incurable then the sign of the Cross? You may remove the superstitious intention and Idolatrous use of any vessel, and turn it to a good use; Yet Josiah burnt them to ashes. The like may be said of the Groves which he stamped to powder, and cast in the brook Kidron, And of the Chariots five of the Sun, which he burnt with fire, and of the