A93091:517
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.
First, in that (as was granted) Circumcision sealed the entrance into the Covenant, but this Covenant was not simply, and only the Covenant of grace; but that whole Covenant, that was made ⟨p. 138⟩with Abraham, whereby on Gods part they were assured of many special blessings, (whereof Lot, and others not in this Covenant with Abraham, were not capable) and whereby Abraham his seed, and family were bound for their part to be a people to God, and to observe this sign of the Covenant, which others in the Covenant of grace were not bound to.
First, in that (as was granted) Circumcision sealed the entrance into the Covenant, but this Covenant was not simply, and onely the Covenant of grace; but that whole Covenant, that was made ⟨p. 138⟩with Abraham, whereby on Gods part they were assured of many speciall blessings, (whereof Lot, and others not in this Covenant with Abraham, were not capable) and whereby Abraham his seed, and family were bound for their part to be a people to God, and to observe this signe of the Covenant, which others in the Covenant of grace were not bound to.
Answ. Secondly, (as is granted) it was Abraham, and his household, and the seed of believing Jews that were the persons to be Circumcised, and therefore not visible believers, (as such) for then Lot had been included: so by right proportion not all visible believers as such, but such as with Abraham, and his family are in visible Covenant to be the people of God according to the institution of Churches when, and to which the seal of Baptism is given; and therefore as all family Churches but Abraham's being in a new form of a Church were excluded, so much more such as are in no visible constituted Church at all.
Answ. Secondly, (as is granted) it was Abraham, and his houshold, and the seed of beleeving Jewes that were the persons to bee Circumcised, and therefore not visible beleevers, (as such) for then Lot had been included: so by right proportion not all visible beleevers as such, but such as with Abraham, and his family are in visible Covenant to bee the people of God according to the institution of Churches when, and to which the seale of Baptisme is given; and therefore as all family Churches but Abrahams being in a new forme of a Church were excluded, so much more such as are in no visible constituted Church at all.