A93091:117
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.
We suppose the Worthies of this renowned Parliament, together with those of the reverend Assembly, would not so soon have removed the whole frame and fabric of this Book, nor wholly stopped up this pit, if building of battlements about it, and keeping watchmen near it, to bid passengers take heed, had been the readiest way to cure separation: nor do we think that this reverend man of God, would have been in more jealousy and fear of us (if he had considered how tenderly we returned our answer to the question) then of those faithful witnesses in Scotland, who separated their lives into the hands of death, rather then communicate in the use of this Book; and yet we think they deserve a better place, then to be ranked so near to the rigid separation; notwithstanding for our selves we are heartily thankful for what he humbly wisheth, and for his jealousy over us so far as it is godly; but so far as such wishes cast a cloud of evil suspicion over us in the hearts of others, as if we were going faster then we knew where to stay, we wish humbly such words had been spared till some other time.
Wee suppose the Worthies of this renowned Parliament, together with those of the reverend Assembly, would not so soone have removed the whole frame and fabrick of this Book, nor wholly stopped up this pit, if building of battlements about it, and keeping watchmen neare it, to bid passengers take heed, had been the readiest way to cure separation: nor doe wee thinke that this reverend man of God, would have been in more jealousie and feare of us (if hee had considered how tenderly we returned our answer to the question) then of those faithfull witnesses in Scotland, who separated their lives into the hands of death, rather then communicate in the use of this Booke; and yet wee thinke they deserve a better place, then to bee ranked so neare to the rigid separation; notwithstanding for our selves we are heartily thankfull for what he humbly wisheth, and for his jealousie over us so farre as it is godly; but so farre as such wishes cast a cloud of evill suspition over us in the hearts of others, as if we were going faster then we knew where to stay, we wish humbly such words had been spared till some other time.
Concerning this distinction, a letter of this subject is cited, printed without the Authors knowledge, that put a difference indeed between the reasons of the Separatists proper to them qua tales, and other reasons used by himself, common to others studious of Reformation. To which we answer.