A92138:677
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 but the old argument of Erastus, repeated almost a hundred times to please the people. We never taught that either Presbytery or Minister can give, or take away inward Communion with God. But hence it will not follow, that Excommunication is an empty thing, for all we do is but, a Ministry, Christ doth make the whole Gospel, promises, threatening, Sacraments, effectual, else, What is Paul? What is Apollo? but the Ministers by whom ye believe? And what is the planting of Paul, or the watering of Apollo, except God give the increase? If this annul Excommunication, because Excommunicators are not properly judges, but only Servants and Heralds to declare what Christ doth in Heaven, then may Erastus prove that the Word, Promises, threatenings of the Gospel; The Apostles, Evangelists, Pastors, Teachers are nothing, for all of themselves are mere declarations of Gods will. 2. Those who Excommunicate because they judge not,1 but declare the will of Christ, they are not for that void of all authority, for their declaration is authoritative. What did Jeremiah but declare Gods will, yet it is such a prophetical and authoritative declaration, as I conceive Baruch or any other not sent as a Prophet of God, could not bear that which God putteth on Jeremiah, c. 1. 10. See, I have this day set thee over the Nations, and over the Kingdoms to root out, and to pull down, to destroy, and to pull down, to build and to plant: Hath Jeremiah no Prophetical authority over the Nations and Kingdoms to whom he prophesieth in the Name of the Lord, to build and destroy, to root out, and to plant, because he declareth and prophesieth, that such Nations shall be destroyed and rooted out for their wickedness, and such shall be builded and planted? Then mere declaration saith nothing against Excommunication; Paul, saith he, and the rest of the Apostles were nothing but Ministers, 1 Cor. 3. 5. and yet authority they had, else he could not say, 2 Cor. •0. 6. We have in readiness vengeance against all disobedience, Verse 8. For though ⟨p. 267⟩I should boast somewhat more of our Authority, &c. I should not be ashamed, and