A93091:216
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.
as is confessed) arose out of a politic push to conform the Christian to the Pagan Religion, and the deckings of it, from the itching humour of the Roman busy Bishops, admirers of humane inventions and Ceremonies; let the Reader then judge what sound parts are left beside the scab. We do not speak this to condemn everything for the matter▪ of it that is in the Common-Prayer-book: Yea, we honour the affection and piety of the first Reformers, and the godly then, that were glad to hear Prayers in their own tongue, and according to the glimmering light of those times, aimed at the winning of Papists to the true Religion by such a Form of Worship. But now since experience hath taught, it rather hardens them against the truth, then draws them toward it; when we see the pressing of it is rather a temptation to conform to Popery, then otherwise; we verily believe, if they had lived in these times of further light, they would have born witness against it, as others have done.
as is confessed) arose out of a politick push to conform the Christian to the Pagan Religion, and the deckings of it, from the itching humor of the Roman busie Bishops, admirers of humane inventions and Ceremonies; let the Reader then judge what sound parts are left beside the scab. We do not speak this to condemn everything for the matter▪ of it that is in the Common-Prayer-book: Yea, we honor the affection and piety of the first Reformers, and the godly then, that were glad to hear Prayers in their own tongue, and according to the glimmering light of those times, aymed at the winning of Papists to the true Religion by such a Form of Worship. But now since experience hath taught, it rather hardens them against the truth, then draws them toward it; when we see the pressing of it is rather a temptation to conform to Popery, then otherwise; we verily beleeve, if they had lived in these times of further light, they would have born witnesse against it, as others have done.
Lastly, though the original had been good (which yet is contrary) we may answer in the words of Peter Martyr, to such as did plead for a lawful presence at Mass, because the original