A93091:360
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 But further▪ according to our former principles laid down, we say he that is justly cast out of one Church, he is morally excommunicated out of all, but not politically and formally: For to excommunicate politically and formally, is by virtue of a superior authority next under Christ; so that what is bound by them, is bound in heaven. In which act the Minister doth not ⟨p. 101⟩only bind the person, but also by virtue of his▪ Office chargeth the Church not to have communion with him. But we do not think that our Brethren will say that one Church putteth forth such an act of superior authority binding or charging all Churches politicè and judicialitèr not to have communion with him; for so one Church should exercise jurisdiction overall Churches, and that without their actual approbation, for, quod spectat ad omnes, debet ab omnibus approbari.
2 But further▪ according to our former principles laid down, we say he that is justly cast out of one Church, he is morally excommunicated out of all, but not politically and formally: For to excommunicate politically and formally, is by vertue of a superior authority next under Christ; so that what is bound by them, is bound in heaven. In which act the Minister doth not ⟨p. 101⟩onely bind the person, but also by vertue of his▪ Office chargeth the Church not to have communion with him. But we doe not think that our Brethren will say that one Church putteth forth such an act of superior authority binding or charging all Churches politicè and judicialitèr not to have communion with him; for so one Church should exercise jurisdiction overall Churches, and that without their actuall approbation, for, quod spectat ad omnes, debet ab omnibus approbari.
If it be said, That a particular Church doth excommunicate by an intrinsical power not only in it self, but intrinsical in the whole body; the question will be, What is that intrinsical power? Is it natural or voluntary?