A93091:535
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. First, This difference makes little to the point in hand, it is enough, that all that would be circumcised were bound to join to that Church, and so now. Secondly, in after times no doubt every true proselyte fearing God was bound to join to that church, as well as now; and if now all visible believers be bound to profess their faith, and seek baptism in an holy manner, why should they not be bound to join to some visible Church, and seek it there, (as well as of old?) yea where should they profess their faith, but in the visible Churches, as the Proselytes of old did?
Answ. First, This difference makes little to the point in hand, it is enough, that all that would be circumcised were bound to joyne to that Church, and so now. Secondly, in after times no doubt every true proselyte fearing God was bound to joyne to that church, as well as now; and if now all visible beleevers be bound to professe their faith, and seek baptisme in an holy manner, why should they not bee bound to joyne to some visible Church, and seeke it there, (as well as of old?) yea where should they professe their faith, but in the visible Churches, as the Proselytes of old did?
Your third difference is oft pressed, and answered before.
Reply. Fourthly, If Circumcision be appropriated to the family of Abraham, it is because that Covenant was peculiar to Abraham's posterity, namely, that Christ should come of Isaac, but baptism is the Seal of the Covenant of Grace without peculiarity or respect.
Reply. Fourthly, If Circumcision bee appropriated to the family of Abraham, it is because that Covenant was peculiar to Abrahams posterity, namely, that Christ should come of Isaac, but baptisme is the Seale of the Covenant of Grace without peculiarity or respect.