A92138:1946
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.
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 ⟨p. 92⟩bones of dead men, not any of these, being of their own nature more indifferent, and innocent creatures of God, were of their own nature more scandalous, and more uncurable then the sign of the Cross. The like may be said of Altars, and I pray are reasonable men, the Priests of the high places of their own nature uncurable? are they not capable of repentance, and curable by doctrine? yet 2 King. 23. 20. Josiah slew all the Priests of the high places. 3. Teaching may remove evil customs, otherwise how should the Gospel convert sinners, that are accustomed from the womb to do evil? Jer. 13. 23. Jer. 22. 21. Ephes. 2. 1. 2. 3. 4. Tit. 3. 3. 4 5. therefore scandalous objects of the second kind, are no more to be removed, then the Sign of the Cross. 4. It is false, that scandalous objects of the third sort are more easily cured, except they be removed, for no humane prudence, when the sign of the Cross, and the Brazen serpent, are sure, not necessary in Gods worship. And when men have, and so still may abuse them to Superstition and Idolatry, can make these being now actively scandalous, to be not actively scandalous, as no ar• can make a pit to be no pit. Indeed Gods ordinances, because necessary, may be cured, from scandal by teaching.