A93091:601
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. 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 Acts 14. Vers. 23. And the position is yielded also, for if the Apostles admitted believers into all those Churches in the first constitution of them by baptism, (which is the very truth we contend for, and was formerly denied) and these Churches were such as chose Elders (and therefore were particular Churches) and so the cause is fully yielded.
Answ. Wee see here still how unawares the truth of this proposition and of the position it selfe breaketh forth; for the proposition it is fully yeelded and is most plain in the place alluded to Acts 14. Vers. 23. And the position is yeelded also, for if the Apostles admitted beleevers into all those Churches in the first constitution of them by baptisme, (which is the very truth wee contend for, and was formerly denyed) and these Churches were such as chose Elders (and therefore were particular Churches) and so the cause is fully yeelded.