A92138:324
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.
because superstition and Idolatry are indeed forbidden, but superstition and Idolatry, with the opinion, that they have neither holiness, merit, nor Divine necessity, but are merely Arbitrary, are no where forbidden in the word. Let Formalists by their grounds, show us a Scripture for it; for they cannot by their Doctrine be forbidden as false worship, seeing they want that which essentially constituteth false worship (as they teach) for they (as the Argument supposeth) want opinion of necessity, Divine merit and holiness. 6. If the Churches will, commanding Crossing, and Surplice, make them Lawful; then their forbidding them shall make them unlawful, and mans will shall be a Pope and God. 7. If Rulers conclude them Lawful, then either upon National ⟨p. 123⟩reasons concerning Britain rather then other Nations, or upon reasons immutable & eternal▪ if the latter be said, they be essential worship, not Arbitrary▪ if the former be said, they be more apt to stir up the dull senses of British men, then others, which is a dream. Dull senses are alike every where, sin original alike in all places, and God in his perfect word hath provided alike remedies against natural dullness to all mankind, else we in Britain do supererogate, and the word▪ must be perfect to some Nations, in that which is common to all, and not to others. 8. By as good reason, Arbitrary mercy, and Arbitrary justice is holden as Arbitrary worship; for the Lords word is as perfect in works of charity for the second Table, as in works of Religion for the first, and if so be, then it were in mens will to do things conducing for the murdering, or not murdering of our brethren, of their own wit and will, without the word of God, and there should be some lawful acts of will-love, or will-murder. 9. Laws oblige (as Papists grant) as aDriedo, and bVasquez say, after Gerson, Occam, Almain, and other Papists, from the goodness of the matter commanded in the Law, not from the will of the Law-giver: If then the general will and command of God constitute Arbitrary worship, this worship from Gods will layeth a band on the conscience, no less then essential worship: For Hezekiah is no less obliged in conscience to apply Figs to his boil, and Moses to make every little ring in the Tabernacle: when God commandeth these, then the Prophets are to write Canonic Scripture: