A93091:450
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.
All your Arguments stand upon that ground of personal covenant with God, which is too weak to bear up that conclusion, to make all such visible Churches to whom the seals belong, as the absurd consequences thereof show.
All your Arguments stand upon that ground of personall covenant with God, which is too weak to bear up that conclusion, to make all such visible Churches to whom the seals belong, as the absurd consequences thereof shew.
These Reasons, and the Scriptures in the margin (some of them) will prove them fit matter for visible Churches, and that they have a remote right unto the seals of that Covenant, (which we grant) but they will not prove every Society of such to be true Churches, having immediate right to have the seals dispensed unto them.
These Reasons, and the Scriptures in the margent (some of them) will prove them fit matter for visible Churches, and that they have a remote right unto the seals of that Covenant, (which we grant) but they will not prove every Society of such to bee true Churches, having immediate right to have the seals dispensed unto them.
Reply. Fifthly, If it be granted that the seals are the prerogative of particular visible Churches, known and approved Christians amongst us are members of such Churches, and so to be esteemed amongst you, &c. and every visible believer professing the pure entire faith, admitted to the right and lawful participation of the sacraments, is a visible member of the true Church, if he hath neither renounced the Society, nor deserved justly to be cast out by excommunication, or Church censure, &c. And if known and approved Christians, members of our Churches coming to New-England, shall desire to have their children baptized, or themselves admitted to the Lords-supper, before they be set members amongst you; we desire to know upon what grounds from God you can deny them, if you acknowledge our Churches, Ministry and Sacraments to be true, (as you profess) and the members of the Church be known and approved, orderly recommended unto you.