A93091:355
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.
Hence also may appear an answer to divers arguments, the chief whereof we shall run through.
Object. 1. If by baptism we are not admitted into one particular Church, but into the whole Catholic visible Church, 1 Cor. 12. 13. then there is such a Catholic Church.
Object. 1. If by baptism we are not admitted into one particular Church, but into the whole Catholick visible Church, 1 Cor. 12. 13. then there is such a Catholick Church.
Answ. Baptism admitteth us into the whole mystical body of Christ, whether visible or invisible of all ages: But this is not a Catholic Political body, of which we speak; for then every baptized person should be a member of every particular Church, and have an Oa•e in every boat, in electing Officers, admitting members, censuring offenders, &c. which Mr. Ball will not grant, and indeed would bring in endless confusion into the Churches of Christ. Besides, no man can be a member of any combined society without their consent, for otherwise so many may crowd into the Church because baptized, as shall overthrow the edification thereof, and that against the consent of the Church, and all the Officers thereof.
Answ. Baptism admitteth us into the whole mysticall body of Christ, whether visible or invisible of all ages: But this is not a Catholick Politicall body, of which we speak; for then every baptized person should be a member of every particular Church, and have an Oa•e in every boat, in electing Officers, admitting members, censuring offenders, &c. which Mr. Ball will not grant, and indeed would bring in endlesse confusion into the Churches of Christ. Besides, no man can be a member of any combined society without their consent, for otherwise so many may croud into the Church because baptized, as shall overthrow the edification thereof, and that against the consent of the Church, and all the Officers thereof.