A93091:184
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.
Reply. The corrupt sacrifice is that which the deceiver bringeth voluntarily, and our of neglect, having a male in his flock, but the godly bringeth himself and godly desires according to the will of God, and the corruptions in matter or manner are not his, they cleave not to his sacrifice to stain and pollute it. The Text in Malach. 1. is misapplied, and we desire such as allege this passage against simple presence at the prayers of the Liturgy, advisedly to consider whether God allow them to make such application of his truth, which we much doubt of, to say no more▪
Reply. The corrupt sacrifice is that which the deceiver bringeth voluntarily, and our of neglect, having a male in his flock, but the godly bringeth himselfe and godly desires according to the will of God, and the corruptions in matter or manner are not his, they cleave not to his sacrifice to staine and pollute it. The Text in Malach. 1. is misapplyed, and wee desire such as alledge this passage against simple presence at the prayers of the Liturgie, advisedly to consider whether God allow them to make such application of his truth, which we much doubt of, to say no more▪
Answ. That people joining in the whole Liturgy, voluntarily offer up the same, we thought had been no question: If any join by fear and compulsion (though the will in this case is not forced, for mixta actio is voluntaria) [we think that will not ease, but aggravate the evil, arguing a reluctancy or doubtfulness at least in his conscience, and so what he doth is not of faith, and therefore sin, Rom. 14.] 2ly. What you say of the faithful here, might be said for the faithful in Malachi his time, if any godly man came with godly desires to Jerusalem to worship, and then carelessly buy and take a corrupt sacrifice for cheapness, ease, &c. shall he not be counted (at least in part) this deceiver, and bear the curse? And why not so here in this case? Let a man bring himself, and never so godly desires, yet if he will join in a known corrupt service, will his godly desires excuse him? shall not his broken absurd responds, his standing at the Creed, kneeling at the Sacrament, &c. all which he must do, if he join in the whole Liturgy, shall none of these cleave to his sacrifice? what though the Minister offer the service? so did the Priest the sacrifice; But both in the name of the people, and they joining with him in offering the same to God. 3ly. Concerning