A93091:157
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, concerning the argument it runs as full for conformity to all the corrupt ceremonies of the book as the corrupt worship it self therein, as was said before, clear the one, viz. nonconformity to ceremonies, show a reason why you will separate from the Sacrament, because you will not kneel according to the book, and you answer your argument here alleged against us: but the reply proceeds.
Secondly, concerning the argument it runs as full for conformitie to all the corrupt ceremonies of the booke as the corrupt worship it selfe therein, as was said before, cleare the one, viz. nonconformitie to ceremonies, shew a reason why you will separate from the Sacrament, because you will not kneele according to the booke, and you answer your argument here alledged against us: but the reply proceeds.
Reply. And if presence at forms of prayer be not lawful by reason of the corruptions alleged, there can be no visible society named, since 200. years after Christ or thereabout, wherein a Christian might lawfully join in prayer, reading the Scriptures, hearing the word, or participation of the Sacraments; their Doctrines, prayers, rights being less pure then ours: but no man we hope will be so bold as to affirm the state of the Churches ⟨p. 53⟩within 200. years after Christ to be so miserably decayed that the faithful could not without sin hold communion with them in the foresaid ordinances of God.
Reply. And if presence at formes of prayer bee not lawfull by reason of the corruptions alledged, there can bee no visible societie named, since 200. yeeres after Christ or thereabout, wherein a Christian might lawfully joyne in prayer, reading the Scriptures, hearing the word, or participation of the Sacraments; their Doctrines, prayers, rights being lesse pure then ours: but no man wee hope will bee so bold as to affirme the state of the Churches ⟨p. 53⟩within 200. yeers after Christ to bee so miserably decayed that the faithfull could not without sinne hold communion with them in the foresaid ordinances of God.