A93091:201
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.
1 To the first reply then, wherein you put it beyond imagination, that such a practise should be scandalous or offensive, we know not what you have observed in some particular congregations near you: but what ever have been the opinions of men formerly concerning this practise, yet you know that the book in general hath been condemned of all godly reformers, and the use of any part of it hath been counted burdensome to many for the reasons named. But of later times, as the book and conformity thereto was urged more hotly, so the spirits of very many grew more zealous against it, and began to loath it, and to withdraw wholly from it; many very inquisitive about the lawfulness or unlawfulness of joining with it at all, and your selves complain of the withdrawing of many, from joining in the ordinances, where it was used, so that we see not, but at least in some persons and at some places and times it might probably be offensive and scandalous so to practise.
1 To the first reply then, wherein you put it beyond imagination, that such a practise should bee scandalous or offensive, wee know not what you have observed in some particular congregations neere you: but what ever have beene the opinions of men formerly concerning this practise, yet you know that the booke in generall hath been condemned of all godly reformers, and the use of any part of it hath been counted burdensome to many for the reasons named. But of later times, as the booke and conformitie thereto was urged more hotly, so the spirits of very many grew more zealous against it, and began to loath it, and to withdraw wholly from it; many very inquisitive about the lawfulnesse or unlawfulnesse of joyning with it at all, and your selves complaine of the withdrawing of many, from joyning in the ordinances, where it was used, so that wee see not, but at least in some persons and at some places and times it might probably bee offensive and scandalous so to practise.
2 We looked not only to the offence of those in your own congregations, but to the emboldening and hardening of Papists in honouring any part of their portuises, above the forms of other reformed Churches abroad; and you cannot be ignorant how many of the Lords witnesses now asleep have testified of the offence and danger thereof.