A93091:147
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.
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.
Answ. Thirdly, but that to joyne in worship with such should bee to obey Gods command, who requires attendance upon himselfe in that way and meanes, wee thinke it a speech not so throughly digested, if wee carry in our eye the case now in hand, concerning these Idoll Priests and Silver shrines. For where can they shew 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 heare their Sermons? Nay why have they not told them, they were bound to attend upon God in hearing their Sir John read at home? Wee appeale to all consciences, whether they would approve of any godly man, that would rest in such meanes, 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 bee better edified.
Reply. To go no further then the Text you quote, Hosea 4. 6, 7. Because thou hast despised knowledge I have rejected thee; properly the Text speaketh of the ten Tribes and the Priests amongst them, who worshipped the Calves, &c. whom the Lord threatens to reject; but neither this nor any other Text proves, that people joining in worship with such, do countenance them in their places.