A93091:531
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.
Reply. First, If ever circumcision was appropriated to Abraham's family, and might not be communicated to other visible believers, it was in the first institution, but in the first institution of baptism, it was not so observed, that believers should be gathered into a Christian Church, and then baptized. Mat. 3. 7. John baptized such as came to him, confessing their sins, the Apostles baptized Disciples, such as gladly received their doctrine, &c.
Reply. First, If ever circumcision was appropriated to Abrahams family, and might not be communicated to other visible beleevers, it was in the first institution, but in the first institution of baptisme, it was not so observed, that beleevers should bee gathered into a Christian Church, and then baptized. Mat. 3. 7. John baptized such as came to him, confessing their sinnes, the Apostles baptized Disciples, such as gladly received their doctrine, &c.
Answ. There is no such disparity in this as is objected, for Abraham's family was in Covenant before Circumcision was given, only the Covenant was more fully explained and confirmed: and so when John baptized, he baptized the members of the Jews ⟨p. 142⟩Church in Covenant before, to whom he was sent to turn the heart of the fathers to the children, &c. and to prepare a people for the Lord, and baptism was then given to the Church of the Jews with reference to so many as would receive the doctrine of John, concerning repentance and remission of sins by faith in the Messiah now come amongst them, and therefore Christ himself, and his Disciples remained yet members of that Church.
Answ. There is no such disparity in this as is objected, for Abrahams family was in Covenant before Circumcision was given, onely the Covenant was more fully explained and confirmed: and so when John baptized, hee baptized the members of the Jewes