A92138:888
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. Paul saith, he decreed to do this, and does not command1 the Church to do it, or that the Church alone should do it: We never read that Paul, whether alive or dead, did write to one, or many, to deliver any to Satan, for the destruction of the flesh, that was proper to the Apostles only, as the gift of healing was, Act. 5. and c. 13. ⟨p. 326⟩and he writeth, he will come himself with the rod, and he himself 1 Tim. 1. delivered Hymeneus and Alexander to Satan.
Erastus. Paul saith, he decreed to doe this, and does not command1 the Church to doe it, or that the Church alone should doe it: We never read that Paul, whether alive or dead, did write to one, or many, to deliver any to Satan, for the destruction of the flesh, that was proper to the Apostles onely, as the gift of healing was, Act. 5. and c. 13. ⟨p. 326⟩and he writeth, he will come himselfe with the rod, and he himself 1 Tim. 1. delivered Hymeneus and Alexander to Satan.
- 1Page 45. 46.
Ans. This is much for us, you never read that Paul did write1 to one or many, and did chide them, because they prayed not that he might work this and this particular miracle; or that without error he might write this or that Canonic Scripture, and therefore because this delivering to Satan, was commanded to the convened together Church, with his Apostolic spirit, and warrant to deliver such a one to Satan, and to judge him. v. 12. And to purge him out, and cast him out, therefore am I persuaded it was no miracle proper to Paul only. 2. How prove you that Paul, his alone without the Church Excommunicated Hymeneus? Paul saith that Timothy received the gift of God, by his laying on him hands,