A92138:24
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.
Let the Appeal be to the Spirit that speaketh to the Churches in the Word: The Golden Reed can measure every Cubit of the Temple; as well the outer Porch, as the Holy of Holiest, and all the dimensions, the length and breadth of the City which is named [Greek or Hebrew] ▪ The Lord is there. If the Scripture be no Rule of Church Government, but the Magistrates Sword be upon the shoulders of Christ, as the prime Magistrate; we come too near to the Jewish, Earthly, and Temporary Messiah. And if Excommunication and Censures, and that Ministerial Governing which was undeniably in the Apostolic Church, be Fictions, we are in the dark. I confess, we know not whether the Vessels of the House should be of Gold and ⟨image 7⟩Silver, or if they should be but Earthen Pitchers.
Let the Appeal be to the Spirit that speaketh to the Churches in the Word: The Golden Reed can measure every Cubit of the Temple; as well the outer Porch, as the Holy of Holiest, and all the dimensions, the length and bredth of the City which is named 〈non-Latin alphabet〉 ▪ The Lord is there. If the Scripture be no Rule of Church Government, but the Magistrates Sword be upon the shoulders of Christ, as the prime Magistrate; we come too near to the Jewish, Earthly, and Temporary Mes•iah. And if Excommunication and Censures, and that Ministerial Governing which was undeniably in the Apostolick Church, be Fictions, we are in the dark. I confesse, we know not whether the Vessels of the House should be of Gold and ⟨image 7⟩Silver, or if they should be but Earthen Pitchers.
It is said, That all this is but a Plea for a Dominion of an higher Nature, even over the Consciences of men by Censures. But why a Dominion? Because a power of Censures? Surely, if they were not Spiritual Censures, and such as hath influence on the Conscience, we should yield a Domination were the business. But this power of Censuring Spiritually, is as strong as Authoritative in Dispensing Rebukes, Threats, Gospel-charges and Commands in the Word Preached, as in Censures; The power is Ministerial only in the Word, not Lordly; and why should it be deemed a Dominion, and an Arbitrary power in the one, and not in the other?