A93091:293
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.
which we see not how according to the rule of Christ they can be constituted either descendendo, from the common nature of the Catholic Church; or ascendendo, from the combination of particulars, except institution can be found for the same. We find indeed, that some endeavour to build such forms upon the foundation of Moral principles, and the Law of nature; as, That God hath given government to be over a multitude, and that of many Societies, as well as persons, that one Society may not suffer as well as one person; and that therefore must be given of the God of grace to a society and multitude of little Churches power of external government.
which we see not how according to the rule of Christ they can be constituted either descendendo, from the common nature of the Catholick Church; or ascendendo, from the combination of particulars, except institution can bee found for the same. We find indeed, that some endevor to build such forms upon the foundation of Morall principles, and the Law of nature; as, That God hath given government to be over a multitude, and that of many Societies, as well as persons, that one Society may not suffer as well as one person; and that therefore must be given of the God of grace to a society and multitude of little Churches power of externall government.
To which we answer; 1 That there is no such principle in nature that generally binds free Societies to submit to one common government; must many Kingdoms, &c. by consequence all kingdoms combine in government, lest one kingdom be hurt, •. must Moab, Ammon, Edom, Tyre, Sidon, Judea, &c. being so contiguous in near vicinity to each other, combine in one government? 2 Is it not as suitable to morality and reason, in such combinations, that they set up One to rule over them, when many grow ignorant, evil, or heady, to preserve peace, and prevent wrong, as to set up many? 3 Did Abraham, Lot, Melchizedek, and such family Churches, walk against grounds of morality and nature, that did not so combine? We might add more, but forbear; but we could desire our dear Brethren to be wary of scattering such principles; for though in the matters of the Church, and Worship, and Government of Christ, grace doth not destroy nature, yet look as a particular Church constitution and government was never erected by the Law of nature; but