A93091:290
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.
We shall now, (as the Lord shall help us) come to clear the state of this knotty controversy, as we think it ought to be stated and carried. Viz.
We shall now, (as the Lord shall helpe us) come to cleare the state of this knotty controversie, as we think it ought to be stated and carryed. Viz.
What is that form of a Political Church which Jesus Christ in the Gospel hath instituted and appointed as the subject of Church power of government, and administration of all the ordinances of the Gospel for actual communion with Christ, and one with another therein? And here give us leave before we enter into the question it self, to make a little further use of our former similitude for illustration; and then we will show where the ne plus ⟨p. 86⟩ultra, as we conceive must stand. It hath been showed in respect of the body of mankind, that although much may be said for the unity, visibility, and priority thereof before any parts of it, yet no reason will enforce that it is the first subject of Civill power, &c. in respect of actual administration, and immediate enjoyment thereof, and so here in respect of the Church. We will now add but this one thing more, that notwithstanding all such reasons, yet in execution for the good of the whole, the least civill society, yea, a family may be, and is the first subject of civill power, and privileges of civill government; so the least political Church society may be the first subject of these Keys of Church power in the exercise thereof, and of immediate communion in all visible ordinances, and we think that there by Divine institution it is seated, and the edification and perfection of the Catholic Church may best be attained thereby.
What is that form of a Politicall Church which Jesus Christ in the Gospel hath instituted and appointed as the subject of Church power of government, and administration of all the ordinances of the Gospel for actuall communion with Christ, and one with another therein? And here give us leave before we enter into the question it self, to make a little further use of our former similitude for illustration; and then we will shew where the ne plus