A59692:161
Subjection to Christ in all his ordinances and appointments the best means to preserve…
Subjection to Christ in all his ordinances and appointments the best means to preserve our liberty : together with a treatise of ineffectual hearing the word ... : with some remarkable passages of His life / by Thomas Shepard ...
London: printed by S.G. for John Rothwell, 1657
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.
1. They have a power given them from Christ, of §1opening and shutting the doors of the Church, the Kingdom of God on earth: i. e. of letting in, and keeping out any according to Christ; into, or out of their communion: and this I conceive to be one part of the power of the Keys, committed to the Church: The chief office of which, is to open and shut; to receive in, and keep out according to Christ; and hence the three thousand were added to the Church, though the Apostles were guides therein: and Acts 9. 26. Paul would have joined himself, but they would not accept of him; because, they were afraid of him. No body natural or politic, but they have power to receive to them the useful, & keep from them the hurtful; so, much more Christs spiritual body. And hence, the Church of Ephesus is commended, Revel. 2. 2. together with their Angel, for trying those that seemed good, and were not.
1. They have a power given them from Christ, of §1opening and shutting the doors of the Church, the Kingdome of God on earth: i. e. of letting in, and keeping out any according to Christ; into, or out of their communion: and this I conceive to be one part of the power of the Keys, committed to the Church: The chief office of which, is to open and shut; to receive in, and keep out according to Christ; and hence the three thousand were added to the Church, though the Apostles were guides therein: and Acts 9. 26. Paul would have joyned himself, but they would not accept of him; because, they were afraid of him. No body naturall or politick, but they have power to receive to them the usefull, & keep from them the hurtfull; so, much more Christs spirituall body. And hence, the Church of Ephesus is commended, Revel. 2. 2. together with their Angel, for trying those that seemed good, and were not.