A92138:992
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 I wonder that Erastus can say with any, that it is in our power to converse, or not to converse with wicked men; are we not discharged by Gods Spirit to converse with them? As we are commanded to eat and drink at the Lords Table, and is it in our power morally to obey, or disobey any Commandment of God? Except Erastus will say with Papists, that God doth here give counsels, not commands, Rom. 16. 17. 2 Thes. 3. 14. 1 Cor. 5. 9, 11.
And I wonder that Erastus can say with any, that it is in our power to converse, or not to converse with wicked men; are we not discharged by Gods Spirit to converse with them? As we are commanded to eat and drinke at the Lords Table, and is it in our power morally to obey, or disobey any Commandement of God? Except Erastus will say with Papists, that God doth here give counsels, not commands, Rom. 16. 17. 2 Thes. 3. 14. 1 Cor. 5. 9, 11.
And whereas Erastus saith, Paul will have us 2 Thes. 3. 15. to admonish this man as a brother; Ergo, In holy things, and in the Sacraments▪ that are helps of piety and Salvation, we are not to •ast him off: It is true, the cast out man is not to be reputed as an enemy, but a brother. Yet a sick and diseased brother, under the roughest Medicine of the Church, to wit, the rod of Excommunication, that the Spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord. But withdrawing of brotherly fellowship, is not a mere civill unbrothering of him, for if the brotherly fellowship of Christians must be spiritual, religious, and for the edifying of one another's souls, for exhorting one another, to prevent hardening of heart,