A93091:237
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.
4 Concerning the Dilemma. We answer; 1 Our practice is not cross to this profession. For such as come recommended from foreign Churches, and give such satisfaction as is meet, we do receive; and such as have wholly cast off all relation to English Churches, and live amongst us, we have looked at as scattered stones, till they join some where in a Church; and themselves generally so judge of themselves; but if any will hold to their membership in England, and come orderly to communion with us, we have not, no• shall not under that notion refuse them, if they be fit for the ordinances; and therefore we exclude not the English Churches out of the number, and herein we deal no otherwise with them, then with the members of our own Churches.
4 Concerning the Dilemma. We answer; 1 Our practice is not crosse to this profession. For such as come recommended from forein Churches, and give such satisfaction as is meet, we doe receive; and such as have wholly cast off all relation to English Churches, and live amongst us, we have looked at as scattered stones, till they joyn some where in a Church; and themselves generally so judge of themselves; but if any will hold to their membership in England, and come orderly to communion with us, we have not, no• shall not under that notion refuse them, if they be fit for the ordinances; and therefore we exclude not the English Churches out of the number, and herein we deal no otherwise with them, then with the members of our owne Churches.
Reply. All possible care to keep the ordinances of God from contempt, we allow and commend, so you deny not Church privileges, to whom they are due, nor the name of Churches to such as God hath blessed with means of grace, and have received the Tables and Seals, and entered Covenant with God. Your liberty to receive such satisfaction as is ⟨p. 71⟩meet, is not questioned, nor whether you are to keep the bond of the spirit inviolable according to order: but whether this be according to▪ order, to exclude from the Sacrament true visible Christians, or known recommended Christians, formerly members of visible Churches amongst us, and their children; and to put such difference between them, and such as are in your Church order.