A92138:907
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. To be debarred from the society of the faithful, as Hagar was, as Cain was; as David was, Cast out of the Lords inheritance by Saul; yea, to be rebuked, Ezech. 3. 25, 26. are evils, but they are not evils of sin; Ergo, He speaks not like a Divine, who will not have them punishments; if to enjoy the Sanctuary, Church, holy things of God, and the society of the Saints be a rich, blessing of God, as the Scripture saith it is, Psal. 42. 4. Psal. 27. 4. Psal. 84. 10. Psal, 110. 3. Psal. 63. 1, 2, 3. Cant. 1. 7. 8. Cant. 2. 16. 17. Cant. 5. 1. Cant. 6. 1, 2, 3. Rev. 2, 1. and to deny this be a symptom of profanity, then to be separated from these as a Heathen, must be to the children of God, the greatest evil of punishment and matter of sorrow on earth, it smelleth not of piety to deny this.
Ans. 1. To be debarred from the society of the faithfull, as Hagar was, as Cain was; as David was, Cast out of the Lords inheritance by Saul; yea, to be rebuked, Ezech. 3. 25, 26. are evils, but they are not evils of sin; Ergo, He speaks not like a Divine, who will not have them punishments; if to injoy the Sanctuary, Church, holy things of God, and the society of the Saints be a rich, blessing of God, as the Scripture saith it is, Psal. 42. 4.