A93091:133
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.
Further consider the administration of the Sacraments, according to the Book (as we speak still of joining in it) who knows not, that such must subject their children to that gross Idol of the cross, and see and approve the pollution of Gods Ordinances with the same: and at the Lords table join in that Idolatrous gesture of kneeling; and therefore how the godly can join lawfully in the whole, or such parts as those Idol-priests dispense, let all Non-conformists judge; and it is well known, how superstitiously precise such are, in pressing all conformity to every gesture and ceremony prescribed in their Book, which they so idolize, as they have good cause, being that which maintains them.
Further consider the administration of the Sacraments, according to the Book (as we speak still of joyning in it) who knows not, that such must subject their children to that grosse Idol of the crosse, and see and approve the pollution of Gods Ordinances with the same: and at the Lords table joyne in that Idolatrous gesture of kneeling; and therefore how the godly can joyn lawfully in the whole, or such parts as those Idol-priests dispense, let all Non-conformists judge; and it is well knowne, how superstitiously precise such are, in pressing all conformity to every gesture and ceremony prescribed in their Booke, which they so idolize, as they have good cause, being that which maintaines them.
Secondly, if we consider the imposition hereof by the Prelates and late strict pressing thereof upon the people to be present and conform fully to it, as well as upon Ministers to use it. The very yielding of conformity thereto, doth miserably cast away the liberty purchased by Christ to his Churches, enthral the Churches to Antichrist, and lift up the power of Antichrist in his tyrannous usurpations upon the Churches of Christ.
Secondly, if wee consider the imposition hereof by the Prelates and late strict pressing thereof upon the people to be present and conforme fully to it, as well as upon Ministers to use it. The very yeelding of conformity thereto, doth miserably cast away the liberty purchased by Christ to his Churches, inthrall the Churches to Antichrist, and lift up the power of Antichrist in his tyrannous usurpations upon the Churches of Christ.