A93091:438
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 There is a social or common covenanting between God and a people, to be a God to them, and they a people unto God in outward visible profession of his Worship; and so the Lord took Abraham and his seed into Covenant, and renewed that Covenant with them, as an holy Nation and peculiar people to him; and in this covenanting of God with a people, whereby they become a Church, there is required, first, that they be many, not one. Secondly, that these many become one body, one people. Thirdly, that they make visible profession of their Covenant with God really, or vocally. Fourthly, that this Covenant contain a profession of subjection to the ordinances of Gods Worship, wherein God requires a Church to walk together before him: and all these may be seen in the Church of Israel, who received Gods laws indeed, but so as they became one people to God, visibly avouched God for their God, received and submitted unto all the laws of his Worship, Government, and other Ordinances. And this is expressly or implicitly in every true visible Church, though more or less fully and purely.
2 There is a sociall or common covenanting between God and a people, to be a God to them, and they a people unto God in outward visible profession of his Worship; and so the Lord took Abraham and his seed into Covenant, and renewed that Covenant with them, as an holy Nation and peculiar people to him; and in this covenanting of God with a people, whereby they become a Church, there is required, first, that they be many, not one. Secondly, that these many become one body, one people. Thirdly, that they make visible profession of their Covenant with God really, or vocally. Fourthly, that this Covenant contain a profession of subjection to the ordinances of Gods Worship, wherein God requires a Church to walk together before him: and all these may be seen in the Church of Israel, who received Gods laws indeed, but so as they became one people to God, visibly avouched God for their God, received and submitted unto all the laws of his Worship, Government, and other Ordinances. And this is expresly or implicitly in every true visible Church, though more or lesse fully and purely.
Now if you intend such a covenanting of a people with God, by a professed receiving of his Word, and subjection to his Ordinances; we grant such to be true Churches, and to such the seals do belong; and therefore we willingly close with the Conclusion that follows, They that have received the Word of salvation entirely, and have Pastors godly and faithful to feed and guide them, they and their seed have right to the seals in order. And they that join together in the true Worship of God, according to his will, with godly and faithful Pastors, they have right to the sacraments, according to Divine institution. These conclusions we willingly embrace, and infer, that if the seals belong to such a Church, then to particular Congregations. For where shall we find a people joining together with godly Pastors, but in such particular Assemblies? For we doubt not our Brethren do disclaim all Diocesan Pastors or Provincial, &c.