A92138:943
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.
But that the Church hath or had any influence in the blood of an incestuous person, and in working of miracles for the bodily destruction of any, is most false, and cannot be proved by this Text: Nor do we think that the Church (the weapons of whose warfare are carnal) can compel any man by corporal punishment, to duties by the Sword; for so their Spiritual way, which is terminated on the Conscience, should lead men to Hypocrisy in profession of the truth, for so reasoneth Erastus; the Magistrate with the Sword rather punisheth sins committed in Gods Service, then forceth to duties: The fifth Argument of Beza is vindicated already.
But that the Church hath or had any influence in the blood of an incestuous person, and in working of miracles for the bodily destruction of any, is most false, and cannot be proved by this Text: Nor do we think that the Church (the weapons of whose warfare are carnall) can compell any man by corporall punishment, to duties by the Sword; for so their Spirituall way, which is terminated on the Conscience, should lead men to Hypocrisie in profession of the truth, for so reasoneth Erastus; the Magistrate with the Sword rather punisheth sins committed in Gods Service, then forceth to duties: The fifth Argument of Beza is vindicated already.
Erastus. We say not that Paul was to deliver the man to Satan, that1 he may be saved, but that Paul was to punish this high transgression with the Sword, to the terror of others; but only he set bounds to Satan, that he should only kill his body, but not meddle with his soul; but because the man repented, Paul hoped well of his soul, that his soul should be saved in the day of Christ.
- 1Page 237, 238.