A93091:524
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. Though we read not of the administration of Baptism to John Baptist, the Apostles, and many others, yet we read of a rule that required it of them, and it was a part of that righteousness, of which the Lord Jesus saith to John, Thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness, Matth. 3. 15. not for the institution ⟨p. 140⟩of Circumcision did bind Lot, Job, &c. yet that they were forbidden to join to Abraham's family, and so be circumcised, we cannot say; seeing afterwards Proselytes were received into the same Covenant and Church, and so circumcised.
Answ. Though wee reade not of the administration of Baptisme to John Baptist, the Apostles, and many others, yet wee reade of a rule that required it of them, and it was a part of that righteousnesse, of which the Lord Jesus saith to John, Thus it becommeth us to fulfill all righteousnesse, Matth. 3. 15. not for the institution ⟨p. 140⟩of Circumcision did bind Lot, Job, &c. yet that they were forbidden to joyne to Abrahams family, and so bee circumcised, wee cannot say; seeing afterwards Proselytes were reecived into the same Covenant and Church, and so circumcised.
Secondly, that it was so appropriated to Abraham's family, as that it was unlawful for them to join to Abraham's covenant, and be circumcised, this is more then can be showed; or if Lot, Melchizedek, Job were excluded, yet out of question Abraham might and did enlarge his family, and so might take in proselytes visible believers in the covenant of grace, and circumcise them, and so still the appropriating of circumcision to the Church, and Covenant of Abraham's family, doth not weaken, but strengthen the argument, in as much as no visible believer in the Covenant of grace might partake of the seal but by joining in visible covenant with that Church to which it was given.