A93091:140
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.
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?
Secondly, wee see no demonstrative argument that the Priests and Pharisees were wholly unable for the worke of those times, as these wee speake of are for—: though the Priests, Esay 56. 10. were dumb dogs that cannot barke; yet it seemes by the place to be meant actually, rather then habitually, through their slumbering or security there mentioned, not telling the people of their sinnes, nor warning them of judgements, rather then of their totall inability. Men of good parts and able gifts may be actually such dumb dogs, as seldome preach, or never to purpose, and bee spiritually ignorant through much prophanenesse, yet not totally deprived of common gifts: It is most evident that the Pharisees were blinde, yet taught the people, and hence the Disciples were permitted to heare them; but what is this to the question, which is of unable, as well as of ungodly Ministers?
Thirdly, suppose some of the Priests and Levites were unable,1 yet the Ministry of the Old Testament was limited by God himself to the tribe of Levi, and that by succession, which is far otherwise in the New Testament, being left to the Churches election, and therefore they had no power to reject them, o• withdraw from them, when they had ministered the ordinances of God.