A93091:600
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. Be it so that in Corinth Paul baptized not many but by others, yet first we demand, By whom did Paul and the Apostles baptize? It was either by Evangelists, and so it is all one, as if the Apostles, as extraordinary officers did it, or by the Pastors newly chosen and ordained in the Churches newly gathered, who might baptize the rest; and then the Church was before such officers: or else by private persons, which is denied expressly in the Reply to the first proposition.
Answ. Bee it so that in Corinth Paul baptized not many but by others, yet first we demand, By whom did Paul and the Apostles baptize? It was either by Evangelists, and so it is all one, as if the Apostles, as extraordinary officers did it, or by the Pastors newly chosen and ordained in the Churches newly gathered, who might baptize the rest; and then the Church was before such officers: or else by private persons, which is denyed expresly in the Reply to the first proposition.
Reply. The Apostles appointed by election Elders in every City or Church, and so there was a Church before Elders, but this Church was a society of believers by Baptism admitted into Church fellowship, and therefore there must be Ministers to baptize, before there can be a Church to call a Minister. For a company of unbaptized men cannot choose a Minister to baptize them.
Reply. The Apostles appointed by election Elders in every City or Church, and so there was a Church before Elders, but this Church was a society of beleevers by Baptisme admitted into Church fellowship, and therefore there must be Ministers to baptize, before there can bee a Church to call a Minister. For a company of unbaptized men cannot choose a Minister to baptize them.
Answ. We see here still how unawares the truth of this proposition and of the position it self breaketh forth; for the proposition it is fully yielded and is most plain in the place alluded to