A93091:569
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.
And therefore we cannot think that approved Christians desiring seals are either without or not capable of Church censures: if they offend, though no set members, for desiring seals, they put themselves under the ordinances for a time, and may be proceeded withal as offending members.
And therefore wee cannot thinke that approved Christians desiring seales are either without or not capable of Church censures: if they offend, though no set members, for desiring seales, they put themselves under the ordinances for a time, and may be proceeded withall as offending members.
Answ. This objection hath no colour without extreme straining of our application of 1 Cor. 5. 12. seeing we never limited the position to Churches of the same judgement, or in like degree of order to ours; it is only a forced odium which is cast upon us, but we can bear more at our brethren's hands, neither do we know any Church or elder that ascribes the power of the Keys to the Presbytery or Classis, excluding the community amongst us.
Answ. This objection hath no colour without extreame straining of our application of 1 Cor. 5. 12. seeing wee never limited the position to Churches of the same judgement, or in like degree of order to ours; it is onely a forced odium which is cast upon us, but wee can beare more at our brethrens hands, neither doe we know any Church or elder that ascribes the power of the Keys to the Presbytery or Classis, excluding the community amongst us.
Secondly, for that objection that such put themselves under the ordinances of Christ for the time; if with profession of faith and subjection to the government of Christ, they desire seals, it is something; but that the very desiring of seals doth include such a subjection in it self, being but for this or that act of administration, we cannot understand: but let this be really made good, that desiring seals it being a way, that subjects themselves to the Church as members, and the case will be issued, being understood of such approved Christians as the position speaks of.