A93091:334
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.
Answ. On this ground the universal Church should not have power to bind on earth so as in heaven without appeals, for they may err; and that not only rarely but frequently; witness the complaint of Nazianzen and others of the time passed; yea, they may be as much inclined to err▪ considering the greatest part ⟨p. 94⟩of Churches in the world are for the most part corrupt, yea, though they may have better eyes, yet they are further from the mark; if particular Churches have no power of excommunication, because they may err, be corrupt, be partial, or be divided; upon the same consideration, neither Classical, National, or oecumeniall Councils have any such power; for they may err, grow corrupt, be partial, and be miserably divided, as well as a congregational Church; other Churches may admonish in case of scandal, and counsel, when a particular congregation wants light; and moderate (if desired) in case of difference; but still the power is in the particular Church.
Answ. On this ground the universall Church should not have power to bind on earth so as in heaven without appeales, for they may erre; and that not onely rarely but frequently; witnesse the complaint of Nazianzen and others of the time passed; yea, they may be as much inclined to erre▪ considering the greatest part ⟨p. 94⟩of Churches in the world are for the most part corrupt, yea, though they may have better eyes, yet they are further from the mark; if particular Churches have no power of excommunication, because they may erre, be corrupt, be partiall, or be divided; upon the same consideration, neither Classicall, Nationall, or oecumeniall Councells have any such power; for they may erre, grow corrupt, be partiall, and be miserably divided, as well as a congregationall Church; other Churches may admonish in case of scandall, and counsell, when a particular congregation wants light; and moderate (if desired) in case of difference; but still the power is in the particular Church.