A92138:686
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. Erastus propounds an Argument of his own, 1 Cor. 5. in place of ours; we said never that they that are unworthy of the holy Supper, are unworthy to be Tabled with in common familiarity, as brethren, though that be most true: But we reason thus, Those that are to be delivered to Satan, and cast out, as, 1 Cor. 5. 5, 13. of the Church, and judged, ver. 12. and with whom we may not eat, ver. 11. These are not to be admitted to the Lords Supper, which is the proper feast of the Church: But such are all incestuous and scandalous persons, and therefore Paul doth indeed command them to be excluded from the holy feast. 2. To say the Church and her Officers must try themselves, not others, ere they come to the Lords Supper, is to beg the question, for ere they be admitted into the Sanctuary, they are to be tried, whither they be uncircumcised in heart and flesh, or not, Ezek. 44. 7, 8, 9. Ezek. 22. 26. As we have proved. 3. Paul not only useth a passive verb, be not mixed with them, but 1 Cor. 5. 5. he useth four active words, v. 5. [Greek or Hebrew], 2. v. 7. [Greek or Hebrew] purge him out. 3. v. 12. He willeth them [Greek or Hebrew] to judge him▪ 4. He saith, [Greek or Hebrew], put away that evil one.
Ans. Erastus propounds an Argument of his own, 1 Cor. 5. in place of ours; we said never that they that are unworthy of the holy Supper, are unworthy to be Tabled with in common familiarity, as brethren, though that be most true: But we reason thus, Those that are to be delivered to Satan, and cast out, as, 1 Cor. 5. 5, 13. of the Church, and judged, ver. 12. and with whom we may not eat, ver. 11. These are not to be admitted to the Lords Supper, which is the proper feast of the Church: But such are all incestuous and scandalous persons, and therefore Paul doth indeed command them to be excluded from the holy feast. 2. To say the Church and her Officers must try themselves, not others, ere they come to the Lords Supper, is to beg the question, for ere they be admitted into the Sanctuary, they are to be tried, whither they be uncircumcised in heart and flesh, or not,