A93091:556
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. Thirdly, (The fornicators of this world) do they not explain whom the Apostle pointeth unto by the title of being without Verse the 10. 11. such as had not received the Covenant of grace?
Reply. Thirdly, (The fornicators of this world) doe they not explaine whom the Apostle pointeth unto by the title of being without Verse the 10. 11. such as had not received the Covenant of grace?
Answ. We never thought otherwise but that the fornicators of this world and the heathen are most properly without in the Apostles sense; but if our words be observed, that in a certain respect, or as our words are, in regard of visible Church communion, such as are in no Church society are said to be without, what great offence have we given? For first, is not a godly man (if justly excommunicate) without in this sense. Secondly, doth not the Apostle John expressly call them without that forsook the fellowship of the Church, 1 John 2. 19. saying they went out? Thirdly, were not the Catechumeni of old in this respect without, and the lapsed in times of persecution, and the like, who (in those zealous and severe times of Church discipline) were not only said to be without, but stood without, though weeping and praying as penitents at the Church doors, sometimes for two or three years? and after this degree of preparation for entrance into the Church which they called [Greek or Hebrew], there were three more before they were received to the Lords Supper: which severity though we approve not, yet it may mollify the minds of the godly learned that are apt to be offended at such a word from us. Fourthly, our Saviour himself expressly saith (and that not only of those of no Church) but such as were even of the visible Church, and his ordinary hearers, that many of them were [Greek or Hebrew] or men without: and therefore this application of 1 Cor. 5. 12. need not be called insolent, or raise such an hubbub abroad, as we perceive it doth.
Answ. Wee never thought otherwise but that the fornicators of this world and the heathen are most properly without in the Apostles sense; but if our words bee observed, that in a certain respect, or as our words are, in regard of visible Church communion, such as are in no Church society are said to bee without, what great offence have wee given? For first, is not a godly man (if justly excommunicate) without in this sense. Secondly, doth not the Apostle Iohn expresly call them without that forsooke the fellowship of the Church,