A93091:257
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. 4. And therefore we add, That there is no way for this Church to enjoy actual visible communion under the visible government of Christ, and in the visible instituted ordinances of Christ, but in a Society. A thousand uncombined persons meeting occasionally in one place, though their natural relations were as near as brethren, yet have no power of government or actual communion in any Civill privileges, if they stand not in relation to one another as a combined Society; as after shall be shown; so here: And therefore, Acts 2. 41, 42. first they were added to the Church, and then followed their fellowship in all the ordinances of the Church; as after will more fully appear. And hence it is said, Acts 5. 14. Believers were added; first they were believers, standing in that spiritual relation to Christ and his whole body, and then added to the Church by visible combination.
Propos. 4. And therefore we add, That there is no way for this Church to enjoy actuall visible communion under the visible government of Christ, and in the visible instituted ordinances of Christ, but in a Society. A thousand uncombined persons meeting occasionally in one place, though their naturall relations were as near as brethren, yet have no power of government or actuall communion in any Civill priviledges, if they stand not in relation to one another as a combined Society; as after shall be shown; so here: And therefore, Acts 2. 41, 42. first they were added to the Church, and then followed their fellowship in all the ordinances of the Church; as after will more fully appear. And hence it is said, Acts 5. 14. Beleevers were added; first they were beleevers, standing in that spirituall relation to Christ and his whole body, and then added to the Church by visible combination.
Propos. 5.There is no visible society of a Church who hath actual and immediate right unto, and communion in the visible government of Christ, and the dispensation of his instituted Worship and ordinances, but such a Society as the Lord Jesus hath in the Gospel instituted and ordained for that end. We say actual and immediate right unto the same; for though a believer, quâ believer, have an immediate right, and actual enjoyment of such benefits of Christ as necessarily and immediately flow from his internal union with Christ, as justification, adoption, &c. and such right to Christian communion with all the Saints in their prayers, gifts, &c. as flow from his spiritual relation unto them; yea, and also he hath a true right to all benefits purchased by Christ in a due order and manner: yet we say instituted privileges and ordinances do not immediately flow from spiritual union and relation to Christ and his members, but are dispensed by Christ to his people mediately, and in such an order as he hath in wisdom