A92138:935
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.
Beza saith, that Paul speaketh of a spiritual punishment, and not of a corporal.
Beza saith, that Paul speaketh of a spirituall punishment, and not of a corporall.
Erastus saith. When Peter killed Ananias corporally, was not this1 corporal punishment? When Paul gave some to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, and God punisheth our sins with temporal death, how shall you prove that God, and the Apostles punisheth not sins with corporal, or politic punishment?
Erastus saith. When Peter killed Ananias corporally, was not this1 corporall punishment? When Paul gave some to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, and God punisheth our sinnes with temporall death, how shall you prove that God, and the Apostles punisheth not sinnes with corporall, or politicke punishment?
- 1Page 235.
Ans. The instance of Peters killing Ananias is in vain brought1 in▪ Its but a begging of the question, for it is not said Peter delivered Ananias to Satan, that his Spirit might be saved. Who revealed this secret to Erastus, that Peter used the Ministry of Satan in killing Ananias? We have as good reason to say, Peter delivered Ananias to a good Angel to be killed, as Erastus hath for his dream. 2. We deny not, but God and the Apostles did punish sin with corporal punishment, but let him show without the bounds of the place in controversy; (for we must expound Scripture by Scripture) where ever the Church convened together in the Name of the Lord Jesus, did judge and miraculously kill any member of the Church, that the Spirit may be saved in the day of God.