A93091:152
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. We intended no other sorts then such as we have in hand, the unable and ungodly Idol Priests of England, and therefore this discourse concerns us not. For we freely confess, that it is lawful in divers cases, at least for a time, to communicate with such unworthy Ministers as may be contained in your description: but that people must and ought to join with such in the worship of God, and sin, if they separate from the ordinances, (as you say) the Scriptures alleged teach not this so evidently, that we can see, as 1 Sam. 2. 12, 13. 17. 24. that imputation, Verse 24. They make the Lords people to transgress, doth not depend immediately on Verse 13, 14. 17. but on Verse 22. 23. where they are charged to have lain with the women, the other passages being interrupted by the story of Samuel and his Mother, Verse 18, 19. 20, 21. So Jer. 8. 8, 9. Micah 3. 11, 12. contain only threats against wicked Ministers, but not a word to prove people ought to join with them, &c. Phil. 1. 15. speaking of such as preach and preach Christ, though not of sincerity, doth not reach such Ministers as the word condemns: for many such may be approved Ministers by the Word, having a call according to the same; but we shall not contend in this case, wherein we do not dissent, so that Christians be left to their lawful liberty of withdrawing from Ministers grossly wicked, and Teachers of false Doctrine, or idle and unsufficient, when they cannot reclaim them, or remove them in the use of all lawful means within their power.
Answ. Wee intended no other sorts then such as wee have in hand, the unable and ungodly Idoll Priests of England, and therefore this discourse concernes us not. For wee freely confesse, that it is lawfull in divers cases, at least for a time, to communicate with such unworthy Ministers as may bee contained in your description: but that people must and ought to joyne with such in the worship of God, and sinne, if they separate from the ordinances, (as you say) the Scriptures alledged teach not this so evidently, that wee can see, as 1 Sam. 2. 12, 13. 17. 24