A92138:28
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 do also here plead for the perfection of the Word of God against Humane Ceremonies, which are deservedly by the Honourable Houses of Parliament, and Reverend Assembly laid aside; Religion needeth not any such Ornaments, except men would make the Worship of God, when naked, under shame, and so under sin (for Justice Married shame and sin once.) But as Roses, Lilies, the Sun, and other glorious Creatures, are most beautiful without Garments, and not capable of shame; so is the Worship of God. I confess, Ceremonies were the Seas and Rivers that Prelates delighted to swim in; and if their Element be dried up, they have the less pleasure to live: But if they would repent of their bloody Persecution, that their Souls might be saved, no matter. Ceremonies, as they have nothing of Christ in them, so have they been injurious to Magistrates. It is but a Ceremony that the Emperor kiss the sole of the Popes foot, because there is indented on it a curious Crucifix. And when Prelacy was young, and its beard not grown, a Deacon was sent to Theodosius the Emperor by the Prelates to chide him, because he presumed to sit in the Chancel, a place too holy for Lay-men.
I do also here plead for the perfection of the Word of God against Humane Ceremonies, which are deservedly by the Honorable Houses of Parliament, and Reverend Assembly laid aside; Religion needeth not any such Ornaments, except men would make the Worship of God, when naked, under shame, and so under sin (for Justice Married shame and sin once.) But as Roses, Lillies, the Sun, and other glorious Creatures, are most beautiful without Garments, and not capable of shame; so is the Worship of God. I confesse, Ceremonies were the Seas and Rivers that Prelats delighted to swim in; and if their Element be dried up, they have the lesse pleasure to live: But if they would repent of their bloody Persecution, that their Souls might be saved, no matter. Ceremonies, as they have nothing of Christ in them, so have they been injurious to Magistrates. It is but a Ceremony that the Emperour kisse the sole of the Popes foot, because there is indented on it a curious Crucifix. And when Prelacy was yong, and its beard not grown, a Deacon was sent to Theodosius the Emperor by the Prelats to chide him, because he presumed to sit in the Chancel, a place too holy for Lay-men.