A92138:717
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. It is an unlearned and vain consequence: It is commanded, that every one try if he be in the Faith or no; for the peace of his conscience, and this is so proper to a man himself, and so personal▪ ⟨p. 279⟩that no man can try, or know certainly, whether be in the state of grace, but he himself, 2 Cor. 13. 5. Rev. 2. 17. None can join with him in this, as none can join with a man to try if he have faith to discern the Lords body, and eat worthily, but will it follow therefore the Pastor should not watch over him to try in another way in a Pastoral way, by his walking, profession, and practical knowledge, whether he be in Christ or no.
Ans. It is an unlearned and vain consequence: It is commanded, that every one try if he be in the Faith or no; for the peace of his conscience, and this is so proper to a man himself, and so personall▪ ⟨p. 279⟩that no man can try, or know certainly, whether be in the state of grace, but he himself, 2 Cor. 13. 5. Rev. 2. 17. None can joyn with him in this, as none can joyn with a man to try if he have faith to discern the Lords body, and eat worthily, but will it follow therefore the Pastor should not watch over him to try in another way in a Pastorall way, by his walking, profession, and practicall knowledge, whether he be in Christ or no.
The contrary is Heb. 13. 17