A93091:606
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.
3. Though no such example of unbaptized persons choosing a Pastor among themselves can be showed, when there was no need thereof; (Apostles being at hand to baptize them) yet why in absence of Apostles, &c. might they not choose some other baptized Christian, who coming into some far remote country of Infidels, is a means of their conversion; we see nothing to hinder: it would be hard for any to show an example of Presbyters holding a Synod or ordaining of Elders, without Apostles or some extraordinary officer, yet we suppose, you make no doubt of such things.
3. Though no such example of unbaptized persons choosing a Pastour among themselves can bee shewed, when there was no need thereof; (Apostles being at hand to baptize them) yet why in absence of Apostles, &c. might they not choose some other baptized Christian, who comming into some farre remote country of Infidels, is a meanes of their conversion; wee see nothing to hinder: it would bee hard for any to shew an example of Presbyters holding a Synod or ordaining of Elders, without Apostles or some extraordinary officer, yet we suppose, you make no doubt of such things.
4▪ If an example of one unbaptized that preached & baptized Ministerially would satisfy, the example of John the Baptist might answer your demand, for whether he baptized himself, or were baptized by some other at first, an unbaptized person did baptize, but we see no need of such an example: Scripture grounds are sufficient to guide us in these cases, be they rules, examples or good consequences deduced from them, and we reason thus; a ⟨p. 157⟩Church of believers professing Christ have liberty from Christ to choose their Officers: But a company of unbaptized men professing the entire faith in a combined society, is a true Church: and therefore may choose their officers.
4▪ If an example of one unbaptized that preached & baptized Ministerially would satisfie, the example of Iohn the Baptist might answer your demand, for whether hee baptized himselfe, or were baptized by some other at first, an unbaptized person did baptize, but wee see no need of such an example: Scripture grounds are sufficient to guide us in these cases, bee they rules, examples or good consequences deduced from them, and wee reason thus; a