A93091:269
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.
Secondly, it is as evident that all this number of mankind are one visibile totum, by the arguments used for the visible Catholic ⟨p. 81⟩Church, for that which hath visible parts, is a visible totum, i• holds here as well as in the other case. Yea, if the Catholic Church be one visible Body, because it hath organs and visible Officers in it, it will hold here, for all mankind is but one Army of the Lord of Hosts, who hath Armies of heaven, and Armies on earth, and in this Body God by his Providence hath set, and by his ordinance hath ordained Fathers, Masters, Husbands, Judges, Kings, &c. to govern in this Body of mankind for the good of the whole. Ruling and subjection by the fifth Commandment of the Moral Law, which is in all mens hearts, is ordained of God for the order, peace, and welfare of all mankind, and therefore why is not this by the same reason a totum visibile?
Secondly, it is as evident that all this number of mankinde are one visibile totum, by the arguments used for the visible Catholick ⟨p. 81⟩Church, for that which hath visible parts, is a visible totum, i• holds here as well as in the other case. Yea, if the Catholick Church be one visible Body, because it hath organs and visible Officers in it, it will hold here, for all mankinde is but one Army of the Lord of Hosts, who hath Armies of heaven, and Armies on earth, and in this Body God by his Providence hath set, and by his ordinance hath ordained Fathers, Masters, Husbands, Judges, Kings, &c. to govern in this Body of mankinde for the good of the whole. Ruling and subjection by the fifth Commandement of the Morall Law, which is in all mens hearts, is ordained of God for the order, peace, and welfare of all mankind, and therefore why is not this by the same reason a totum visibile?
Thirdly, for Priority, it is clear, that as God hath firstly in nature and intention given Christ to the whole Church, then to this and that particular believer, and the power of feeding and being fed and governed by shepherds. First, to the whole race of sheep. Secondly, to this or that flock. So in nature and Gods intention he hath firstly given to the race of mankind power of being governed with Government and Governors, before they are given to this or that Family, City, Kingdom, &c. So likewise what is said of Promises, given to the Church Catholic firstly; is it not as true here? Those promises and blessings increase and multiply, Subdue the earth and inhabit it. The fear and dread of you shall be on all beasts: and all like promises and privileges of marriage, of liberty to eat flesh, &c. mentioned,