A93091:104
A treatise of liturgies, power of the keys, and of matter of the visible…A treatise of liturgies, power of the keyes, and of matter of the visible…
A treatise of liturgies, power of the keys, and of matter of the visible church. In answer to the reverend servant of Christ, Mr. John Ball. By Thomas Shepherd, sometimes fellow of Emanuel-College in Cambridge, and late pastor of Cambridge in New-England.A treatise of liturgies, power of the keyes, and of matter of the visible church. In answer to the reverend servant of Christ, Mr. John Ball. By Thomas Shephard, sometimes fellow of Emanuel-Colledge in Cambridge, and late pastour of Cambridge in New-England.
London: printed by E. Cotes for Andrew Crooke, 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.
Answ. 1 We were told in the first Epistle of our Reverend and dear Brethren, that whiles we lived in England, we joined in the same Ordinances and purity of worship, and therefore we might have some just cause to clear up our differing practise from disusing that form of Administration there, considering that our differing practise might occasion others to rend off from your Administrations there, whereof you complain.
Answ. 1 Wee were told in the first Epistle of our Reverend and deare Brethren, that whiles wee lived in England, wee joyned in the same Ordinances and purity of worship, and therefore wee might have some just cause to cleare up our differing practise from disusing that forme of Administration there, considering that our differing practise might occasion others to rend off from your Administrations there, whereof you complain.
2 We doubt not but in the Popish Forms of Mass, Matten, and Evensong, &c. some things lawful, good, and pertinent may be found, yet would not the godly allow these very reasons we allege in the Answer sufficient to refuse the whole Form, and so those good and lawful things in that Form? as that they are devised by men, without the command of God, imposed by an Antichristian power, abused to Idolatry and Superstition, wherein the people place much holiness, and necessity, full of scandal, &c. and if these Reasons do not hold against this Form in the Communion book, the Reply should have acquitted it from them: or else the consequence must be yielded in this case, as in the other, notwithstanding all the good and pertinent things therein. John Simpson, and John Ardly Martyrs in Q. Mary's days, and faithful Witnesses, made answer to the sixth article of Bonner, concerning the Mass, that 'tis of the Pope, not of Christ, and therefore not good, not ⟨p. 38⟩having in it any goodness, saving Gloria in excelsis, the Epistles and Gospels, the Creed and Pater Noster; and for this cause (they said) they have not, nor will not come to hear Mass: the same answer was made by six more in those days, mentioned by Mr. Fox. If therefore corrupt Forms may be used because of some things good and lawful mixed with them, there should have been shown us some proof for it, but if the meaning be, that there may be a lawful use of those things which are lawful and good in it: we say so too, (due circumstances of their use being observed) but then we fall off from the question between us; otherwise we know that things lawful and good in themselves, yet (not duly circumstantiated) may be evil and scandalous in their use. Hear what Paul saith, it was lawful for Paul to eat some kinds of meat, yet if it maketh my brother offend, I will eat no flesh whiles the world standeth,