A92138:721
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. 1. Paul then forbiddeth not Pagans, more to come to the1 Supper, and Children, then he forbiddeth them to hear the Word, which is absurd; he commandeth all to hear, but he commandeth not all to come to the Supper, but those only that can discern the Lords body, for to hear the Word, though I be not prepared, is simply necessary, if I would be saved; and to sacrifice, if I would be reconciled; and to pray, if I would obtain any blessing: though the manner of doing all these be commanded, that I hear, sacrifice, and pray in faith. But to come to the Supper is not commanded to all, not to Pagans, not to children, not to the unregenerated; but only to the regenerated, and to those who discern the Lords body: and for a child to come to the Lords Supper, or an unrenewed man, is forbidden, not commanded, and no ill act is commanded, and it is a sin that they come at all: But Erastus will have it lawful as it is to hear the Word, then doth Christ command Turks and children to come to the Supper, for he commandeth them to hear the Word, and Peter bade Simon Magus pray, Act. 8. 22. but he neither bids give the Supper to him, nor bids he him receive it, but by the contrary, forbids pearls to be cast unto Swine.
Ans. 1. Paul then forbiddeth not Pagans, more to come to the1 Supper, and Children, then he forbiddeth them to heare the Word, which is absurd; he commandeth all to heare, but he commandeth not all to come to the Supper, but those onely that can discerne the Lords body, for to heare the Word, though I be not prepared, is simply necessary, if I would be saved; and to sacrifice, if I would be reconciled; and to pray, if I would obtaine any blessing: though the manner of doing all these be commanded, that I heare, sacrifice, and pray in faith. But to come to the Supper is not commanded to all, not to Pagans, not to children, not to the unregenerated; but onely to the regenerated, and to those who discerne the Lords body: and for a child to come to the Lords Supper, or an unrenewed man, is forbidden, not commanded, and no ill act is commanded, and it is a sinne that they come at all: But Erastus will have it lawfull as it is to heare the Word, then doth Christ command Turks and children to come to the Supper, for he commandeth them to heare the Word, and Peter bade Simon Magus pray,