A92138:930
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.
And Erastus might as well say to Paul, why dost thou command the Saints not to eat and drink with those that are called brethren, and yet are fornicators, covetous, extortioners, 1 Cor. 4. 11. and such as cause divisions and walk inordinately, as Rom. 16. 17. 2 Thes. 3. 14, 15. and to withdraw from their company? they must then converse only with the slaves of Satan, and the wicked of the world, when they are deprived of the society of the godly, and that is the way to loose them; were it not better to command the just contrary, that the godly should eat, drink and converse with inordinate walkers? for they may turn them from their evil way; for will an unchaste virgin be made chaste by being cast out of her fathers house into a Bordel-house? Will not slaves of Satan rather be healed amongst the children of God, then amongst the wicked?
But Erastus seeth not, that Gods aim in this separation, is not only, that the cast out man may be ashamed, 2 Thes. 3. 14, 15. and so humbled and brought to repentance, when he findeth he is deprived of the blessings of the Saints, of their society, Ordinances: But also God hath a higher aim, to the end, the whole lump of Christs body, be not leavened and infected with the contagion of one man, 1 Cor. 4. 6, 7. Gal. 5. 9. 10.
But Erastus seeth not, that Gods aime in this separation, is not only, that the cast out man may be ashamed, 2 Thes. 3. 14, 15. and so humbled and brought to repentance, when he findeth he is deprived of the blessings of the Saints, of their society, Ordinances: But also God hath a higher aime, to the end, the whole lump of Christs body, be not leavened and infected with the contagion of one man,