A92138:987
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.
3. Though we may have commerce, and buy and •ell with heathens, and neglect no duties of humanity to them, as to receive them into our house, and to be hospital to them, Heb. 13. 2. Job 31. 32. Yet this will conclude entire fellowship with neither heathen, or scandalous brethren; Yea, we are not to receive a false teacher into our house, 2. Joh. ver. 10. Yet are we not forbidden to neglect duties of common humanity to false Teachers, though we be forbidden entireness of Brotherly fellowship with them.
3. Though we may have commerce, and buy and •ell with heathens, and neglect no dutie• of humanity to them, as to receive them into our house, and to be hospitall to them, Heb. 13. 2. Iob 31. 32. Yet this will conclude intire fellowship with neither heathen, or scandalous brethren; Yea, we are not to receive a false teacher into our house, 2. Ioh. ver. 10. Yet are we not forbidden to neglect duties of common humanity to false Teachers, though we be forbidden intirenesse of Brotherly fellowship with them.
Erastus. There is not the same reason of holy things, and of private civill things; for this, not eating, belongeth to private conversing with men, not to public Communion with them in the holy things of God: One saith, It is in our liberty, Whether we converse familiarly with wicked men, or not, But it is not in our power, Whether we come to the Lords Supper, or not; And Paul will not have us to deny any thing that belongeth to Salvation; and therefore he saith,