A93091:413
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.
Thus we have run through this large field of the Catholic and particular Church, which hath detained us longer then we intended; yet, to prevent mistakes from any thing that have been said concerning the union, communion, and combination of the Churches; we shall add these two things.
Thus we have run through this large field of the Catholick and particular Church, which hath detained us longer then we intended; yet, to prevent mistakes from any thing that have been said concerning the union, communion, and combination of the Churches; we shall add these two things.
1 We observe that the Scripture speaks of the Church, sometimes as One body, sometimes as many, and therefore called Churches; and hence our care is to preserve not only the distinction of Churches, (as many by particular combinations) but also their unity, as being one by spiritual relation.
1 We observe that the Scripture speaks of the Church, sometimes as One body, sometimes as many, and therefore called Churches; and hence our care is to preserve not onely the distinction of Churches, (as many by particular combinations) but also their unity, as being one by spirituall relation.
2 Association of divers particular Churches we hold needful, as well as the combination of members into one; yet so as there be no schism of one from another, nor usurpation of one over another, that either one should deprive the rest of peace by schism; ⟨p. 114⟩or many should deprive any one of its power by usurpation; hence a fraternal consociation we acknowledge; consociation we say, for mutual counsel and help, to prevent or remove sin and schism; yet fraternal only, to preserve each others power; consociation of Churches we would have cumulative, (not in words, but in deed) to strengthen the power of particular Churches, not privative, to take away any power which they had from the gift of Christ before.