A93091:431
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.
Reply. The seals Baptism and the Lords-supper are given to the Church, not only in ordinary, but also extraordinary dispensation: True Baptism is not without the Church, but in it, an ordinance given to it. The Sacraments are the seals of the Covenant to the faithful, which is the form of the Church tokens and pledges of our spiritual admittance into the Lords family. Hence it is inferred, that if the seals in extraordinary dispensation were given to the Church, and yet to members of no particular Church, then also in ordinary dispensation it may be so.
Reply. The seals Baptism and the Lords-supper are given to the Church, not onely in ordinary, but also extraordinary dispensation: True Baptism is not without the Church, but in it, an ordinance given to it. The Sacraments are the seales of the Covenant to the faithfull, which is the form of the Church tokens and pledges of our spirituall admittance into the Lords family. Hence it is inferred, that if the seales in extraordinary dispensation were given to the Church, and yet to members of no particular Church, then also in ordinary dispensation it may be so.
Answ. 1 It will not follow; for first, if the Apostle in extraordinary cases baptized privately, will it follow that in ordinary dispensation it may be so? Secondly, if because the Ministry be given to the Church, and extraordinary Officers were not limited to particular Churches; will it therefore follow that in ordinary dispensations, Ministers ought not to be given only to particular churches? Thirdly, as we have oft said, that seals belong de jure to all believers, as such, as members of the Catholic church, (they being given unto it firstly, as to its object and end) and all that are truly baptized, are baptized into it, and thus never out of it, as being tokens of our spiritual admittance into the Lords family both in ordinary and extraordinary dispensation; but doth it hence follow that actual fruition of the seals (of which the question ⟨p. 119⟩is stated) may ordinarily be had or given to such as set loose from all societies? the Apostles had extraordinary power, being general Pastors over all persons believing as well as Churches; and therefore at some times by special guidance of the Spirit they might do that which ordinary Pastors may not do.