A93091:435
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 Word makes Disciples, the Word given unto a people is Gods covenanting with them, and the peoples receiving this Word, and professing their faith in God through Jesus Christ, is the taking of God to be their God, the laws and statutes which God gave unto Israel, were a testimony that God hath separated them from all other people: the Word of reconciliation is sent and given to the world reconciled in Jesus Christ, and they that receive the Doctrine, Law, or Word of God, are the disciples, servants, and people of God.
Reply. The Word makes Disciples, the Word given unto a people is Gods covenanting with them, and the peoples receiving this Word, and professing their faith in God through Jesus Christ, is the taking of God to be their God, the laws and statutes which God gave unto Israel, were a testimony that God hath separated them from all other people: the Word of reconciliation is sent and given to the world reconciled in Iesus Christ, and they that receive the Doctrine, Law, or Word of God, are the disciples, servants, and people of God.
Answ. In these words, and that which follows in the second Paragraph, there seems to be a double scope: First, to prove the Word proper to the Church; to which is answered afore. Secondly, that where-ever the Word of God is, there is the true visible Church; and so where the true Worship of God is, there is a mark of the Church, especially where it is received and confessed. To which we answer:
1 There is a covenanting between God and man, which is personal, and so whosoever receives the Word of Gods grace by faith sent unto him by God, enters into Covenant to be his, and that before he makes any visible profession thereof, and so every believer is a disciple, a servant of God, and one of Gods people, ⟨p. 120⟩