A93091:570
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. 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.
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 seales, it is something; but that the very desiring of seales doth include such a subjection in it selfe, being but for this or that act of administration, wee cannot understand: but let this bee really made good, that desiring seales it being a way, that subjects themselves to the Church as members, and the case will bee issued, being understood of such approved Christians as the position speakes of.