A93091:179
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 not only join with you in this hearty desire, but bless God that we live to see the same so far accomplished in a good part of England, as it is; but as we are persuaded the growing light and zeal of many godly Ministers and Christians, that have discovered the evil of the book it self, as well as the ceremonies thereof, and their resolute rejection of the same, was one blessed means hereof, so we fear the pleas and endeavours of some brethren to excuse it and the use of it, will be a dangerous means to uphold in the hearts of many too good an opinion of it, and loathness to cast it quite away to the Moles and Bats, from whence it first came.
Answ. Wee not onely joyne with you in this hearty desire, but blesse God that wee live to see the same so farre accomplished in a good part of England, as it is; but as wee are perswaded the growing light and zeale of many godly Ministers and Christians, that have discovered the evill of the booke it selfe, as well as the ceremonies thereof, and their resolute rejection of the same, was one blessed meanes hereof, so wee feare the pleas and indeavours of some brethren to excuse it and the use of it, will be a dangerous meanes to uphold in the hearts of many too good an opinion of it, and loathnesse to cast it quite away to the Moles and Bats, from whence it first came.
Reply. To aggravate faults, especially when it tends to draw away people from the ordinances of God, is no less evil then to excuse them, it m•y be greater.
Reply. To aggravate faults, especially when it tends to draw away people from the ordinances of God, is no lesse evill then to excuse them, it m•y bee greater.
Answ. We grant at some times and in some cases it may be so, but in matters of corrupt worship, wherein God is so jealous and at such a time as this was; when the burdensome corruptions of humane traditions so violently imposed on the Churches, grew to such a number and unsupportable weight to the consciences of so many, we doubt not to affirm, that now extenuations were far more dangerous and offensive to the Lord: we cannot but with sad hearts consider and call to mind how many weak Christians have ventured to swallow down all manner of humane traditions and worships imposed upon them, emboldened much (we fear) by the examples, if not the reasonings of many godly Ministers, which scandal some of us with many amongst you have have cause to bewail before the Lord and give satisfaction before the world; And we hope our departure from these burdens, and flight into these wildernesses to enjoy Christ in more pure ordinances of his worship, and the witness we have thereby borne against them, have not been in vain through the grace of Jesus Christ.