A93091:456
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.
Answ. Although we expected not Objections in this case against the currant Tenet of our godly Reformers, Bath, Parker, &c. with whom we join; and we might refer you to them for answer to this beaten Objection of the Prelates; yet we are not unwilling to examine what is said in this digression. The Argument stands thus: If the number of believers were so great in some City, as could not meet in one Assembly to edification; then there was some other form of a Church besides Congregational; But so it was in Samaria, &c▪ Answ. We deny the consequences, for when they grew to so great a number, they might fall into more Congregational Churches, and so no other form arise from the multitude; but we suppose you mean of such a multitude as is called a Church; and therefore to answer to your Assumption, we deny that any such multitude of believers as is here called a Church were so great as could not meet to edification: And first concerning Samaria.
Answ. Although we expected not Objections in this case against the currant Tenent of our godly Reformers, Baine, Parker, &c. with whom we joyn; and we might refer you to them for answer to this beaten Objection of the Prelates; yet we are not unwilling to examine what is said in this digression. The Argument stands thus: If the number of beleevers were so great in some City, as could not meet in one Assembly to edification; then there was some other form of a Church besides Congregationall; But so it was in Samaria, &c▪ Answ. We deny the consequences, for when they grew to so great a number, they might fall into more Congregationall Churches, and so no other form arise from the multitude; but we suppose you mean of such a multitude as is called a Church; and therefore to answer to your Assumption, we deny that any such multitude of beleevers as is here called a Church were so great as could not meet to edification: And first concerning Samaria.
Reply. That there was a Church gathered in Samaria, will not be denied, for they received the Word, and were baptized; but that the Church in that City was only a Congregational Assembly, is more then can probably be concluded.