A93091:584
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. Seals may be profaned when the dispensers cannot help it: but here is no fear or danger of such consequences necessary to follow: for we speak not of all sorts, at random, but of Christians professing the faith entirely, lawfully baptized, known and approved to the wise and judicious visible members of the Churches amongst us sufficiently known to you, or orderly recommended, &c.
Reply. Seals may bee prophaned when the dispensers cannot helpe it: but here is no feare or danger of such consequences necessary to follow: for wee speake not of all sorts, at randome, but of Christians professing the faith intirely, lawfully baptized, knowne and approved to the wise and judicious visible members of the Churches amongst us sufficiently knowne to you, or orderly recommended, &c.
Answ. The fear and danger in this case is more then (so far off) can easily be discerned, though the limitations be good in ⟨p. 152⟩themselves, yet the application of this description in the first part of it would open a door wider then many can imagine, for many such (in the judgement even of the wisest) coming in to this state of temptations prove far otherwise, (even your selves being Judges, if you were here) we suppose the experience of the discoveries God hath made in these late trials of England, amongst forward professors, will teach our brethren to consider how many professors may prove here. Yet secondly, if you add such as retaining their membership in your Churches, are recommended unto us by your Churches, or by known godly Ministers, we can then according to order receive them, and avoid the confusion and inconveniences we objected. Thirdly, if also it be taken into the description, known and sufficiently approved of our selves, then the door is open to them to the communion of the Church and all the privileges thereof, though they cannot settle in the place of their present abode, and this way of order would prevent the inconveniences: but if we come to put a difference any other way, we cannot avoid it but great offence will be given to many, and the inconveniences objected in some degree at least will follow here with us, and it may be much more in some other places.