A92138:761
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 weakly argued, for the father to kill the son, then should be no sin; God commanded Abraham to offer up his son Isaac; it is not properly a defiling, nor a sin, when God Levit. 21. willeth the Priest to be near those of his kin when they die, it is Gods own exception from the Law, though to come near to others when they are dead be sin. Gods commanding and forbidding will is the formal cause and rule of obedience and sin.
Ans. It is weakly argued, for the father to kill the sonne, then should be no sinne; God commanded Abraham to offer up his son Isaac; it is not properly a defiling, nor a sinne, when God Levit. 21. willeth the Priest to be neer those of his kin when they die, it is Gods owne exception from the Law, though to come neere to others when they are dead be sin. Gods commanding and forbidding will is the formall cause and rule of obedience and sinne.
Ans. It is written, Ezek. 44. 99. c. 22. 26. the Priests should not have admitted the uncircumcised in heart to the Sanctuary; Ergo, they should have tried if they were such ere they admitted them. Yea, if in the very day of his oblation ere he offer, the sinner must first restore what he hath unjustly taken away,