A93091:139
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.
Cyprian's speech is commonly noted, that Plebs maxim habe• potestatem vel eligendi dignos Sacerdotes, vel indignos recusandi; yet the occasion of it is not so generally observed, which is this, Plebs obsequens praeceptis Dominicis, Deum metuens, à peccatore proposito ⟨p. 48⟩separare se debet, nec se ad sacrilegia sacerdotis sacrificia miscere, •um ipse maxime habet potestatem eligendi, &c. that is, the people observing divine precepts, and fearing God, ought to separate themselves from a wicked Minister, neither join themselves to the sacrifices of a sacrilegious Priest, seeing they chiefly have power of choosing worthy Ministers, and rejecting unworthy.
Cyprians speech is commonly noted, that Plebs maxime habe• potestatem vel eligendi dignos Sacerdotes, vel indignos recusandi; yet the occasion of it is not so generally observed, which is this, Plebs obsequens praeceptis Dominicis, Deum metuens, à peccatore proposito ⟨p. 48⟩separare se debet, nec se ad sacrilegia sacerdotis sacrificia miscere, •um ipse maxime habet potestatem eligendi, &c. that is, the people observing divine precepts, and fearing God, ought to separate themselves from a wicked Minister, neither joyne themselves to the sacrifices of a sacrilegious Priest, seeing they chiefly have power of choosing worthy Ministers, and rejecting unworthy.
Secondly, we see no demonstrative argument that the Priests and Pharisees were wholly unable for the work of those times, as these we speak of are for—: though the Priests, Isaiah 56. 10. were dumb dogs that cannot bark; yet it seems by the place to be meant actually, rather then habitually, through their slumbering or security there mentioned, not telling the people of their sins, nor warning them of judgements, rather then of their total inability. Men of good parts and able gifts may be actually such dumb dogs, as seldom preach, or never to purpose, and be spiritually ignorant through much profaneness, yet not totally deprived of common gifts: It is most evident that the Pharisees were blind, yet taught the people, and hence the Disciples were permitted to hear them; but what is this to the question, which is of unable, as well as of ungodly Ministers?