A93091:391
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. We grant much help may be had by sister Churches, and consultative Presbyteries, but that which takes away the exercise of the Keys in point of government from the church to whom Christ hath given it, doth not complete it, but take away and destroy the power and liberty of it; for though the Pastor of a congregation may oft consent, yet the major part of the Presbytery must carry it, whether he consent or no, and therefore his power is swallowed up. Besides, it seems to us a mystery, that every Pastor, even such as have no flock, should be Pastors of the Catholic church, and yet a Pastor should not have power to rule in his own flock over which Christ hath made him a Bishop, and for which flock he must give account unto God.
Answ. We grant much help may be had by sister Churches, and consultative Presbyteries, but that which takes away the exercise of the Keys in point of government from the church to whom Christ hath given it, doth not compleat it, but take away and destroy the power and liberty of it; for though the Pastor of a congregation may oft consent, yet the major part of the Presbytery must carry it, whether he consent or no, and therefore his power is swallowed up. Besides, it seems to us a mystery, that every Pastor, even such as have no flock, should be Pastors of the Catholick church, and yet a Pastor should not have power to rule in his own flock over which Christ hath made him a Bishop, and for which flock he must give account unto God.
Object. 2. It cannot have a Synod, which is one ordinance of God, therefore it is not a complete Church.
Object. 2. It cannot have a Synod, which is one ordinance of God, therefore it is not a compleat Church.
Answ. By this reason a Classical church is not complete, because it cannot have a National council; nor a National church, because it cannot have a general council; if it be said a classis have all ordinary means to a complete church, we say the like of a congregation.