A92138:350
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.
yet are we to submit our Conscience to them, as to warnings, because they be sent as Gods Messengers appointed by him, as Mic. 6. 9. Hear the Rod, and who hath appointed it. 4. Ceremonies 1work (saith Burges) as sensible objects, and as other Creatures; yea, but he is far wide, the Creature doth book (as the word is, Psal. 19. v. 1.) the glory of God, and that which may be known of God, is made manifest in them: and God hath manifested ([Greek or Hebrew]) these ⟨p. 136⟩things by the Creatures, Rom. 1. 19. But Ceremonies are not books of Gods writing, God hath not written nor booked this upon a Surplice (Be holy, ye who bear the Vessels of the Lord) he hath written it in Isaiah's book, c. 52. 11. And we submit to the teaching of the Creatures, though they work not upon the soul, as the Word and Sacraments do, because God hath appointed such books to teach us; Erg•, we are in no sort to submit to the Devils books, Printed by Prelates, or to their Ceremonial Volumes, because God hath written nothing upon them; and here by the way, I say it is unlawful, yea▪ and Hypocrisy to be devouter then God will have us, as to enlarge the Phylacteries, and make them above Gods measure, Numb. 15. 38. To be humble by a mean not appointed of God, Joh. 13. Or to do what God only should do, as to make Anointing Oil besides Gods Oil, Exod. 30. 31, 32, 33. Or to set a threshold and a post, beside Gods own threshold, Ezek. 43. 8. is presumption.
yet are we to submit our Conscience to them, as to warnings, because they be sent as Gods Messengers appointed by him, as