A92138:916
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.
Answ. 1. It is true, he threateneth those who had not repented of their uncleanness, and fornication, and lasciviousness, 2. Cor. 12. 20, 21. and c. 13. v. 2. threateneth that he will not spare, but use his authority, but doth Erastus read that he either threateneth, or doth ⟨p. 340⟩actually, miraculously kill any of the believers at Corinth? and let him answer why the Apostle did not write to the Church▪ that they would convene, and take course with them, as he did with the incestuous man, 1 Cor. 5. 2. when he saith, He will not spare when he comes, he must be expounded according to Erastus, to come as a miraculous Magistrate to kill them. 3. He saith not they were impenitent, but he feareth it should be so. 4. We hold if any should be contumacious, he would not only deny pearls to such Swine, as his Master commanded, Mat. 7. But also follow that rule, Mat. 18. 4. Erastus himself granteth, if there shall be found a man that tramples upon the Pearls and holy things of God, as there must be some one or other, which is such as deserveth to be miraculously killed: By this Argument he granteth (I say) that such a one should not be admitted. Hunc ego minimè admittendum censeo, but how shall he be not admitted by this Argument?1
Answ. 1. It is true, he threatneth those who had not repented of their uncleannesse, and fornication, and lascivionsnesse, 2. Cor. 12. 20, 21. and c. 13. v. 2. threatneth that he will not spare, but use his authority, but doth Erastus read that he either threatneth, or doth ⟨p. 340⟩actually, miraculously kill any of the beleevers at Corinth? and let him answer why the Apostle did not write to the Church▪ that they would conveene, and take course with them, as he did with the incestuous man,