A93091:572
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.
Lastly, to proceed against such as are not members, or of another Church, as with an offending member of our own, is not much unlike the proceedings of Victor in his contentious time or may sow the seeds of such usurpations, which we leave to the godly wise to consider of.
Lastly, to proceed against such as are not members, or of another Church, as with an offending member of our owne, is not much unlike the proceedings of Victor in his contentious time or may sow the seeds of such usurpations, which wee leave to the godly wise to consider of.
Reply. Tenthly, If upon good reason a passage of Scripture can be cleared to prove that for which it was never alleged by any writer, we are not to except against it for want of mans testimony, only in such cases our reasons must be convincing, but for the exposition of this Text we have not observed one substantial ground or approved author to be alleged. Dr. Ames showing the necessity of Christians joining themselves to some peculiar Church giveth this reason; Quoniam alias fieri non potest quin conturbentur signa illa quibus fideles ab infidelibus discerni possunt, 1 Cor. 5. 12. But herein Dr. Ames manifestly showeth that by ⟨p. 150⟩them without, heathens and unbelievers must be understood, and not believers, though of no settled society for the time; for thus we conceive he argueth. The signs whereby the faithful are to be discerned from unbelievers must not be confounded: but unless Christians make themselves actual members of a Church, the signs whereby the faithful are discerned from unbelievers, will be obscured and darkened: and if this be his reason, how can that Text be alleged unless by men without, infidels be understood?
Reply. Tenthly, If upon good reason a passage of Scripture can bee cleared to prove that for which it was never alleadged by any writer, wee are not to except against it for want of mans testimony, onely in such cases our reasons must bee convincing, but for the exposition of this Text wee have not observed one substantiall ground or approved author to bee alledged. Dr. Ames shewing the necessitie of Christians joyning themselves to some peculiar Church giveth this reason; Quoniam alias fieri non potest quin conturbentur signa illa quibus fideles ab infidelibus discerni possunt,