A93091:146
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, if we consider wherein the outward call of all Church Officers in the New Testament lies, viz. in a great part in the choice of the Church, or at least in their after consent and receiving of them, being chosen by others for them, Act. 1. and 6. and 14. how can any godly man receive, submit unto, or acknowledge ⟨p. 50⟩such unable wretches by receiving Gods ordinances from them, as Ministers, but they must needs countenance them in their places, and set up to themselves an Idol or means of worship to edify themselves, which God never appointed; for let it be proved that ever God appointed readers of a Liturgy to edify the people.
Secondly, if we consider wherein the outward call of all Church Officers in the New Testament lies, viz. in a great part in the choice of the Church, or at least in their after consent and receiving of them, being chosen by others for them, Act. 1. and 6. and 14. how can any godly man receive, submit unto, or acknowledge ⟨p. 50⟩such unable wretches by receiving Gods ordinances from them, as Ministers, but they must needs countenance them in their places, and set up to themselves an Idoll or meanes of worship to edifie themselves, which God never appointed; for let it bee proved that ever God appointed readers of a Liturgie to edifie the people.
Answ. Thirdly, but that to join in worship with such should be to obey Gods command, who requires attendance upon himself in that way and means, we think it a speech not so throughly digested, if we carry in our eye the case now in hand, concerning these Idol Priests and Silver shrines. For where can they show any such command? or why hath it been suffered by any of our Brethren, that the godly living under such Priests, have been so frequently absent from them, reading the liturgy, to hear their Sermons? Nay why have they not told them, they were bound to attend upon God in hearing their Sir John read at home? We appeal to all consciences, whether they would approve of any godly man, that would rest in such means, and not call him to leave all his outward conveniences, for some godly able Ministry: or at least not to attend on them, but get where they may be better edified.