A93091:617
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. What should hinder, if the whole nation would be willing, to recover themselves into Churches? Indeed that is rare to be found that all will affect such a recovery. But we see nothing to hinder but all the nation or so many as are awakened in conscience to bewail their Apostasy and lament after the Lord, having especially the countenance of the supreme magistrate, several companies of Christians may combine in Churches so as may best suite with their edification, choose officers and enjoy ordinances. Nay, è contra, our Protestant Divines, as Chemnitius, Field, Brentius, Whitaker, Luther, &c. make peoples power of electing their Ministers the best foundation of a peoples recovery of a true Ministry and Church estate.
Answ. What should hinder, if the whole nation would bee willing, to recover themselves into Churches? Indeed that is rare to be found that all will affect such a recovery. But wee see nothing to hinder but all the nation or so many as are awakened in conscience to bewaile their Apostasie and lament after the Lord, having especially the countenance of the supreme magistrate, severall companies of Christians may combine in Churches so as may best suite with their edification, chuse officers and injoy ordinances. Nay, è contra, our Protestant Divines, as Chemnitius, Field, Brentius, Whitacher, Luther, &c. make peoples power of electing their Ministers the best foundation of a peoples recovery of a true Ministry and Church estate.
Reply. The fifth Proposition riseth beyond measure, That no Christian can expect by the appointment of God to partake in the seals, till he have joined ⟨p. 159⟩himself in Church fellowship and in the call of the Minister. We conceive you will not say that children and women have to do in the call of the Minister. If some part of the Church do not consent in the call of the Minister, must they separate from the ordinances of worship, &c.
Reply. The fifth Proposition riseth beyond measure, That no Christian can expect by the appointment of God to partake in the seales, till hee have joyned