A93091:567
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. To say some believers may be without in some respect, is far from such a censure: the Scripture saith of Israel in their corrupt estate, and defect of the Ordinances of God, that they were a long time without God, without Law, without a teaching Priest, yet that hard expression doth not equal them with the heathen; much less to say some believers are without the visible Church in regard of visible Church communion, and we judge no otherwise of such then of our selves when we were in the like case.
Answ. To say some beleevers may bee without in some respect, is farre from such a censure: the Scripture saith of Israel in their corrupt estate, and defect of the Ordinances of God, that they were a long time without God, without Law, without a teaching Priest, yet that hard expression doth not equall them with the heathen; much lesse to say some beleevers are without the visible Church in regard of visible Church communion, and wee judge no otherwise of such then of our selves when wee were in the like case.
Reply. Ninthly, Let this interpretation stand, and he shall be without also that is not subject to the censures of the community of the particular combination, few or many, without, or with Officers, and so all the reformed Churches that ascribe the Keys to the Presbytery, or Classis, and not to the community, and some amongst your selves (if not most) shall be without also.
Reply. Ninthly, Let this interpretation stand, and hee shall bee without also that is not subject to the censures of the community of the particular combination, few or many, without, or with Officers, and so all the reformed Churches that ascribe the Keyes to the Presbytery, or Classis, and not to the community, and some amongst your selves (if not most) shall bee without also.