A93085:179
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.
3. There is a Ministerial power, committed from Christ by the Church to the ruling Officers thereof. I say, by the Church; for all power in the Church, is properly Christs, yet he nextly communicates it ordinarily to his Church, or multitude of Believers, to whom is committed the supreme power of the Keys in his word, and of binding and loosing, as hath been shown; and by this Church, this power hath been by Christs appointment, and still is, to be communicated to those that are chosen out of themselves, to be Officers and Rulers over them in the Lord, to exercise the power of Christ over them according to his will. Hence the very power of binding and loosing, opening and shutting, given to the Church, is also given to Peter and the rest of the Apostles, and the successors of Christs Apostles in Doctrine, sent of Christ, John 20.23. ⟨p. 96⟩Whosoevers sins ye remit, they are remitted, &c. Because, though the power of Communication of it is in the Churches hand, yet the power of usual administration of it is in their hand, whiles they exercise it according to Christ, yet by the Church. And hence Paul puts a difference between this extraordinary Ministry, as Apostleship, and ordinary. Gal. 1.1. An Apostle not of men, nor by the will of men, but by Christ, for the Church, not by it: Now this I say, is by the Church from Christ. Hence, Acts 20.28. The holy Ghost hath made them overseers; so that 'tis no invention of man, or act of man, or the power of man; but of Christ, and hence refuse to be under this power; men cast off the yoke and power of Christ Jesus.
3. There is a Ministerial power, committed from Christ by the Church to the ruling Officers thereof. I say, by the Church; for all power in the Church, is properly Christs, yet he nextly communicates it ordinarily to his Church, or multitude of Beleevers, to whom is committed the supreme power of the Keyes in his word, and of binding and loosing, as hath been shewen; and by this Church, this power hath been by Christs appointment, and still is, to be communicated to those that are chosen out of themselves, to be Officers and Rulers over them in the Lord, to exercise the power of Christ over them according to his will. Hence the very power of binding and loosing, opening and shutting, given to the Church, is also given to Peter and the rest of the Apostles, and the successors of Christs Apostles in Doctrine, sent of Christ,