A92138:688
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.
3. The Text speaketh of eating in their houses: could they cast the man out of his own house, and from his own Table? they had no power so to do. But ye will say, they might forbid any brother to go into this mans house to his Table: True, but this was not to put the man out of the midst of them, as Paul saith. Nor fourthly, was Pauls spirit, and the name and power of the Lord Jesus required for eschewing of a common Table with this man.
3. The Text speaketh of eating in their houses: could they cast the man out of his own house, and from his own Table? they had no power so to do. But ye will say, they might forbid any brother to go into this mans house to his Table: True, but this was not to put the man out of the midst of them, as Paul saith. Nor fourthly, was Pauls spirit, and the name and power of the Lord Iesus required for eschewing of a common Table with this man.
Erastus saith, Paul commanded this, Rom. 16. 17. 2 Thes. 3. 14, 15. To all and every believer at Rome, and Thessalonica by themselves. Nor 2. were they to kill him: Never did a Church convene to kill a man. This is so insolent that Erastus must give precept for it, or a practise beside the present case: therefore here must be some Church out-casting.
Erastus saith, Paul commanded this, Rom. 16. 17. 2 Thes. 3. 14, 15. To all and every beleever at Rome, and Thessalonica by themselves. Nor 2. were they to kill him: Never did a Church conveen to kill a man. This is so insolent that Erastus must give precept for it, or a practise beside the present case: therefore here must be some Church out-casting.