A92138:719
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.
Erastus, 2 Cor. 13. is against this; a person is to try himself: Will it follow when he hath tried himself, that he cannot come to the Lords Supper, except he seem meet to the Elders. And this not our consequence, let Erastus own it, we care not▪ In a constitute Church he should, else Erastus provides no way against a Pagan, who hath heard the Word, as he may do, 1 Cor. 14. 23. may without the Elders and Church sit down at the Lords Supper, for Erastus provides no stop for him, but only his own pagan Conscience, and so may one by that rule but trample on the Sacrament, his own Conscience is all his rule, contrary to what he saith himself, lib. 3. c. •. p. 207.
Erastus, 2 Cor. 13. is against this; a person is to try himselfe: Will it follow when he hath tryed himselfe, that he cannot come to the Lords Supper, except he seem meet to the Elders. And this not our consequence, let Erastus owne it, we care not▪ In a constitute Church he should, else Erastus provides no way against a Pagan, who hath heard the Word, as he may doe, 1 Cor. 14. 23. may without the Elders and Church sit downe at the Lords Supper, for Erastus provides no stop for him, but only his own pagan Conscience, and so may one by that rule but trample on the Sacrament, his owne Conscience is all his rule, contrary to what he saith himselfe, lib. 3. c. •. p. 207.
Erastus 1 Cor. 11. Paul forbiddeth none to come to the Supper, but upon supposition that they come as the manner is, he biddeth them come worthily, as all are bidden hear the Word, though they e forbidden to he are it, as if it were some profane History; nor doth the Lord command sinful coming, for no act commanded of God is evil.