A93091:124
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.
Reply. As yet we think most of them, that have separated are not so far gone, as to condemn all our Assemblies as no Churches of Christ.
Reply. As yet wee thinke most of them, that have separated are not so farre gone, as to condemne all our Assemblies as no Churches of Christ.
Answ. By this you seem to insinuate, that notwithstanding our acknowledgement of your Churches and Ministry, we may justly be accounted amongst those we properly call Separatists: but it is but your thought of most of them, without ground, contrary to their general profession in their public confessions and apologies. And therefore we see no reason of it, or that it toucheth us; but passing these generals, let us come to the matter more particularly.
Answ. By this you seeme to insinuate, that notwithstanding our acknowledgement of your Churches and Ministery, wee may justly bee accounted amongst those wee properly call Separatists: but it is but your thought of most of them, without ground, contrary to their generall profession in their publique confessions and apologies. And therefore we see no reason of it, or that it toucheth us; but passing these generalls, let us come to the matter more particularly.
Reply. Your judgement concerning the Position, you deliver in three Propositions (for so many they be for substance) in respect of the persons reading the Liturgy, or the thing it self that is read; as if any part of the Liturgy be read (put case some few select prayers only) by an unable and ungodly Minister, it is unlawful (say you) for the people to join in that case. But if unlawful for the people to join, when an ungodly Minister readeth some few select prayers, it is either in respect of the Minister, or the prayers themselves; not of the Prayers themselves, for they be select and choice, faultless, in respect of matter