A93091:128
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.
For, 1 Although the Answer distinguisheth of the Liturgy, either of the whole, or of some select prayers which may be conceived to be less offensive, yet the application of this of select prayers, is only made in the second proposition of the Answer, no way intended in the first. Neither doth the Answer confess those prayers, as you say, to be choice and faultless for matter and manner, but which may be conceived less offensive.
For, 1 Although the Answer distinguisheth of the Liturgie, either of the whole, or of some select prayers which may bee conceived to bee lesse offensive, yet the application of this of select prayers, is onely made in the second proposition of the Answer, no way intended in the first. Neither doth the Answer confesse those prayers, as you say, to bee choyce and faultlesse for matter and manner, but which may bee conceived lesse offensive.
2 Whereas the Proposition is of an unable and ungodly Minister, such unlearned Idol-Priests that are countenanced and established by the Liturgy, and can do no more then read the same, to the unspeakable hazard and ruin of a multitude of souls; you carry along your arguments only in the term of an ungodly Minister, which leaves out one chief ground of our proposition, viz. unable.
2 Whereas the Proposition is of an unable and ungodly Minister, such unlearned Idol-Priests that are countenanced and established by the Liturgie, and can doe no more then read the same, to the unspeakable hazard and ruine of a multitude of soules; you carry along your arguments onely in the terme of an ungodly Minister, which leaves out one chiefe ground of our proposition, viz. unable.
To reduce therefore this proposition unto its true state which the answer puts it in, which is thus, If the question be of joining in prayer with, and when that whole Liturgy is read, or where that which is used, (viz. though not the whole) is read by an unable and ungodly Minister: we see not how it can be lawful to join, &c. where that which is read by an unable and ungodly Minister, cannot have reference to the select prayers, but only was put in, to reach the whole case, lest any should say, may we not join, therefore if they read not all, (as sometimes such do not, for haste to the Alehouse, Bear-baitings, &c.) And the case is so well known to our selves and others, what the manner of such Priests is, how far they are from making any choice of select prayers: or having any skill indeed so to do; that if any be more superstitious then others, they would