A93091:597
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. In the consideration it self there are many propositions couched to be examined, the first, That none have power to dispense seals but such as are called to the Ministry, is freely granted. The second, That no man can be so called, till there be a Church to call him, needeth explication. For by the Church you must understand the community of the faithful, as they are one body without officers, and such a Church there cannot be, without a ministry to call, and admit them into Church fellowship.
Reply. In the consideration it selfe there are many propositions couched to be examined, the first, That none have power to dispense seales but such as are called to the Ministry, is freely granted. The second, That no man can be so called, till there bee a Church to call him, needeth explication. For by the Church you must understand the community of the faithfull, as they are one body without officers, and such a Church there cannot be, without a ministry to call, and admit them into Church fellowship.
Answ. This consideration shines with such clearness, that an impartial eye may easily see that the truth by sundry diverticula is rather clouded, then the argument fairly answered. This second proposition being too plain to be denied, interpretations are sought, but they are rather objections, to which we shall answer in order. First, though we grant the Lord ordinarily gathered Churches by the ministry of men in Office, as the Apostles, Evangelists, &c. yet not always so, as is evident, Acts 11. 20, 21. The story of Waldus is well known, and we suppose you will grant those Waldenses the name of a true Church. Origen when he was not allowed of the Church to be a Minister, yet converted many who died Martyrs. The story also of Frumentius is well known, with divers others. Secondly, Ministers by Office are of two sorts, either such as are called immediately or mediately, such as were immediately and extraordinarily called, were before Churches, and were called together and begin Churches, (as the Apostles, Matth. 28. 20