A92138:325
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.
for Gods Authority in Commanding, is equal in all, though in respect of the matter, there be great things, and less things of the Law: therefore Gods general permissive-will, doth no less oblige the conscience, then his approving will. 10. To this Arbitrary worship agreeth all the properties of will-worship; as 1 Colos. 2. 18. It beguileth us of our reward; for no promise of God is made of a Bishopric for conformity▪ 2. It is will-humility, to be devouter then God willeth us. 3. It intrudeth in things not known in the word. 4. It holdeth not the head Christ, for it maketh him not a perfect Law-giver, if Prelates under him give Laws added to his word, and that after the Traditions of men. 5. It enthralleth men dead with Christ, to a yoke. They object, But not to yoke upon the conscience. Answer; yea, but we are in Christ freed also from the external yoke, as from shedding of blood in Circumcision, ⟨p. 124⟩removal out of the Camp seven days, many Ceremonial Sabbaths, presenting of the male-children, and going up to sacrifice at Jerusalem; yea, expensive offerings, all called burdens, Act. 15. 10. Col. 2. 20. Gal▪ 4. 3, 4, 5. Col. 2. 14. 15. And multiplied holy days, Surplice, Crossing, keeping us in that same bondage; though less (they may say) Magis, & minus non variant speciem. 6. This worship perisheth with the use: 7. Subjecteth us to the Ordinances of men. 8. Hath a show of wisdom, Mr. Burges asaith, Some will-worship i• not unlawful, a• three Sermons in one day. The free-vvill offerings and vows were in some sort vvill-Worship. The Church at her godly discretion, and will, may appoint some Formalities to attend the Worship. Answer, Gregor▪ de valent saith, That some Idolatry is Lawful, some unlawful: This man saith, some will-worship is lawful, some unlawful, that is, some sin is Lawful, some unlawful: 2. Three preachings come from zeal, not from will, and is no new worship different from preaching, and there may be reason therefore, where all cannot be present in one day at all the three, there is reason for three preachings, none for Crossing: 3. Will as will, is carver of will-worship: Will createth not the worship, but determineth the circumstances according to the light of reason, in Lawful worship. But where will, as will, void of reason hath influence in the worship, it is wills brood: