A93091:276
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.
2 Object. If any object, as some do, in answer to an argument somewhat like this, that this similitude holds not, because there is not that external union of visible communion in the Common-wealths of the world, as in the Church; if one say, God hath placed Kings, Dukes in the Commonwealths, ⟨p. 83⟩as in one organical Body who have one head, who giveth influence to so many organs of head, feet, &c. as the Apostle speaketh of the Body the Church, 1 Cor. 12. then indeed all the Common-wealths of the world would make but one body.
2 Object. If any object, as some doe, in answer to an argument somewhat like this, that this similitude holds not, because there is not that externall union of visible communion in the Common-wealths of the world, as in the Church; if one say, God hath placed Kings, Dukes in the Commonwealths, ⟨p. 83⟩as in one organicall Body who have one head, who giveth influence to so many organs of head, feet, &c. as the Apostle speaketh of the Body the Church, 1 Cor. 12. then indeed all the Common-wealths of the world would make but one body.
Answ. To the Scripture alleged we shall speak after, here only let us clear our parallel. And first take the similitude as it is stated by us, and it will be clear. First, compare the Catholic number of mankind, with the Catholic Church, which is the number of called ones, and then there is as much external union of visible communion in one, as in the other. For, first, all mankind may and ought to maintain Civill communion one with another, in all Offices of humanity, for the common good of the whole, as the members of the Catholic Church do, or ought to do; and common humanity, and the command of the Moral Law binds thereto, as well as Christianity and rules of the Gospel bind here.