A92138:871
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.
because they cried not to God, for Pauls bloody sword of vengeance, that these wicked men might be cut off by Satan, nor doth the Apostle to the Hebrews draw this Sword against those who sinned against the Holy Ghost, c. 10. c. 6. Nor James against bloody warriors, Murderers, Adulterers, Oppressors, c. 4. c. 5. Nor doth Peter and Jude use this sword, or command the Churches to use such carnal weapons against the wickedest of men, but recommended long-suffering, rebuking, the rod of Church-discipline, to reject Heretics after admonitions. Hence I argue negatively; in all the Scripture, never did the Lord command that they should pray to God and mourn, that he would inflict bodily vengeance and death, or yet sickness on any scandalous professor, nor is there promise, precept, or practise in any Scripture of this Church censure. 5. Erastus doth think a court of the Church, that hath power to lead Witnesses, judge and censure offenders an extreme wronging of the Magistrate, and an encroaching on his Liberties, but here is a more bloody Court, for if the whole faithful are to pray for bodily death by the Ministry of the Devil, upon one of their own brethren, because he hath lien with his fathers wife, or fallen in Adultery, or Murder, as David did: Surely they must pray in faith, and upon certain knowledge that he is guilty; the Law of God and Nature must ⟨p. 322⟩then have warranted the whole Saints, Women and Children, to meet in a grand Jury and Inquest, either to have the fact proved by Witnesses, or to hear his own confession; else how could they pray in faith, if it was not sure to their conscience that the man had done this deed? Here is a Jury of men and women, I am sure unknown to the Apostolic Church. 2. A greater abridging of the Magistrates power then we teach: The Church shall take away the life of a Subject & never ask the Magistrates leave. 6. It is against Christs mind, Mat. 18. •s Erastus expoundeth it, that Christians should go any further against an offending brother, then implead him before an Heathen, though he add injury to injury: But this wa• maketh the Holy Ghost sharply to rebuke all the Saints when they are offended, before the bar of Heaven, by crying miraculous blood•e vengeance upon the Offender. 7. It is evident this man repented, and that the Corinthians confirmed their love to him, and did forgive him,