A93091:185
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. 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 Malach. 1. 13, 14. the more advisedly we consider it, the more persuaded we are, the Lord allow us to make such application of the truth contained in it, and we think others will be of our mind, not only in respect of the similitude that is in this case, with that in Malachi, but also if we consider, what an argument the Lord useth to convince them of their corruptions and carelessness in his service, Verse 11. wherein the Lord upbraids the Jews and provokes them to Jealousy, as the Apostle Paul speaks, by declaring the reverend esteem of his name amongst the heathen, and that every where Incense should be offered and a pure offering to his name. And what is that Incense, and pure offering, but the pure prayers, and worship of God that should be in all Gentile Churches under the Gospel? as Tertullian, Eusebius, Jerome and Austin with others expound it. And he applies it again, Verse 14. I am a great King, and my name shall be great amongst the heathen:
Answ. That people joyning in the whole Liturgie, voluntarily offer up the same, wee thought had beene no question: If any joyne by feare and compulsion (though the will in this case is not forced, for mixta actio is voluntaria) [wee thinke that will not ease, but aggravate the evill, arguing a reluctancy or doubtfulnesse at least in his conscience, and so what hee doth is not of faith, and therefore sin,