A93091:254
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.
Propos. 1. The true Church of God is the whole number of Elect and called ones out of the world to fellowship with Jesus Christ their Head, with whom they make up one mystical body, Ephes. 1. 23. This whole Church is of the same nature, and one in essence from the beginning of the world to the end; for this Church Christ laid down his life, Ephes. 5. 26. Joh. 10. 15. and therefore he adds, vers. 16. such as are not yet of his fold (actually) shall be brought into the same, viz. by effectual calling, that there may be one Shepherd and one sheepfold: whereby it appears that the whole fold of Christ to which he stands as one Shepherd, contains all his members and sheep to the end of the world, and it is one fold in relation to Christ that one Shepherd.
Propos. 1. The true Church of God is the whole number of Elect and called ones out of the world to fellowship with Jesus Christ their Head, with whom they make up one mysticall body, Ephes. 1. 23. This whole Church is of the same nature, and one in essence from the beginning of the world to the end; for this Church Christ laid down his life, Ephes. 5. 26. Joh. 10. 15. and therefore he adds, vers. 16. such as are not yet of his fold (actually) shall be brought into the same, viz. by effectuall calling, that there may be one Shepheard and one sheepfold: wherby it appears that the whole fold of Christ to which he stands as one Shepheard, contains all his members and sheep to the end of the world, and it is one fold in relation to Christ that one Shepheard.
Propos. 2• This one entire body of Christ doth naturally fall under various notions and considerations, as (omitting others) when it is considered according to the adjuncts of visibility and invisibility, which are only adjuncts of the same Church, as is generally observed by Divines. In respect of the inward union which every such member hath with Christ the Head, by the Spirit of Christ, and by Faith, whereby we are united to him; it is called invisible, because this union is not visible to men. In respects of some visible fruits and manifestations of faith to the judgment of men, it is called visible; and hence though true believers be only univoce, and properly members of this body of Christ; yet to men that judge only by outward effects many hypocrites,