A93085:149
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; how we may know whether we have heard the same effectually: and by what means it may be come effectual unto us. With some remarkable passages of his life. By Tho. Shepherd, late pastor of the Church of Christ in Cambridge in New-England. Now published by Mr. Jonathan Michel pastor of the said church in New England.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; how we may know whether we have heard the same effectually: and by what means it may be come effectual unto us. With some remarkable passages of his life. By Tho. Shephard, late pastor of the Church of Christ in Cambridge in New-England. Now published by Mr. Jonathan Michell pastor of the said church in New England.
London: printed for John Rothwell, 1652
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.
For the clearing up of this, know that there is a threefold derivative power, which the Lord bath given to the Church jointly, and not to Elders only: Which may be miserably abused, and so provoke the Lord to take it away from their hands till they know better how to use it; yet when 'tis used according to Christ, now not to be under the power of it, which is Christs power delegated to it, is to cast off Christs Government. And I am confident, the bondage of all the Churches in Christendom; if ye examine the Churches, is continued, because the Lord sees hearts unwilling to submit to him in the government of Churches; and will continue it till Churches know how to use it, and men lye down to the power of it.
For the clearing up of this, know that there is a threefold derivative power, which the Lord bath given to the Church joyntly, and not to Elders only: Which may be miserably abused, and so provoke the Lord to take it away from their hands till they know better how to use it; yet when 'tis used according to Christ, now not to be under the power of it, which is Christs power delegated to it, is to cast off Christs Government. And I am confident, the bondage of all the Churches in Christendome; if ye examine the Churches, is continued, because the Lord sees hearts unwilling to submit to him in the government of Churches; and will continue it till Churches know how to use it, and men lye down to the power of it.
1. They have a power given them from Christ, of opening 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, ⟨p. 80⟩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