A92138:850
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. These words, Tell the Church prove only that the Church1 hath the same power to rebuke the injurious man, that a private man hath, this then is poor reason: The Church hath power to rebuke an offender; Ergo, it hath power to Excommunicate him.
Erastus. These words, Tell the Church prove only that the Church1 hath the same povver to rebuke the injurious man, that a private man hath, this then is poor reason: The Church hath power to rebuke an offender; Ergo, it hath power to Excommunicate him.
- 1Thes. 44. 29.
Ans. All know that Christ ascendeth in these three steps: 2. Erastus granteth the cause is not brought to the Church, but by two or three witnesses which is a judicial power, as in the Law of Moses and in all Laws is evident: if he hear not a brother, he is not to be esteemed, as a Heathen and a Publican, but if he hear not the Church, he is to be reputed so. 3. We reason never from power of rebuking to the power of Excommunication; but thus, The Church hath power to rebuke an offender, and if he will not hear ⟨p. 314⟩the Church, then is the man to thee, that is, to all men, as a Heathen and a Publican; Ergo, The Church hath power to Excommunicate.
Ans. All know that Christ ascendeth in these three steps: 2. Erastus granteth the cause is not brought to the Church, but by two or three witnesses which is a judiciall power, as in the Law of Moses and in all Laws is evident: if he hear not a brother, he is not to be esteemed, as a Heathen and a Publican, but if he hear not the Church, he is to be reputed so. 3. We reason never from power of rebuking to the power of Excommunication; but thus, The Church hath power to rebuke an offender, and if he will not hear