A92138:673
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.
Ans. This is more Charity then the Scripture knoweth, belike Erastus will have all those that seek God daily, and delight to know his ways, and ask for the Ordinances of Justice, and take delight in approaching to God, to be all hungry souls, hungering for Righteousness, and so blessed, Matth. 5. 6. Luk. 1. 52. Isa. 55. 1. Whereas Isaiah saith, They may do all that, and be but plastered Hypocrites, Isa. 58. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6.
Ans. This is more Charity then the Scripture knoweth, belike Erastus will have all those that seek God daily, and delight to know his wayes, and ask for the Ordinances of Iustice, and take delight in approaching to God, to be all hungry souls, hungring for Righteousnesse, and so blessed, Matth. 5. 6. Luk. 1. 52. Isa. 55. 1. Whereas Isaiah saith, They may do all that, and be but plaistred Hypocrites, Isa. 58. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6.
Erastus. But if the Excommunicated man repent, whether soon or late, he was never cut off from inward communion with Christ, for then the elect might perish; if David and Manasseh had been excommunicate, and died, they had been saved, except we deny the perseverance of the Saints.