A92138:339
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.
The Proposition is certain: I prove the Assumption by parts: 1. Whatever holiness be pretended to be in Ceremonies; yet God ⟨p. 129⟩only sanctifieth people, offices in his house, as the sons of Aaron, Altars, Temples, Vestures, Sacrifices by his express institution, as we are taught, byet are Ceremonies holy; their Author be the Apostles successors. 2. Their end to honour God. 3. Their matter is not civill or natural. 4. Their signification mystical, is Religious. 2. They be means of teaching and stirring up the dull affections to the remembrance of duties, by some notable and special signification, whereby the beholders may be edified; and since to stir up the mind, as a memorative object be the word of Gods due property, or the works of Providence and Creation; would not a Prelate in his Epistle to his under-Pastors, speak Peter-like, as, 2 Pet. 1. 13. I think it meet, so long as I am in this Tabernacle, to stir up your dull minds, by way of remembrance to your Christian duty, by Crossing, kneeling to Gods board and Altar, and Surplice; To be memorials were due to Phylacteries Commanded in the Law, to mind heavenly duties, Numb. 15. 38, 39. Deut. 22. 12. And the twelve stones set up by Gods special Commandment, Joshu. 4. 2, 3. to be a memorial of their miraculous entry into the holy Land, and Manna Commanded to be kept in the Ark, as a sign of Gods feeding his people with Christ the bread of life, Joh. 6. 48, 49. 51. are Ordinances of God, to call to remembrance duties and special mercies: And Sacraments do signify as tokens ordained of God, Gen. 17. 11. Gen. 9. 13. Heb. 9. 8. The Holy Ghost thus signifying, that the way to the holiest, was not yet made manifest: So