A93091:621
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▪ First, it doth not answer the profession in the letter thus to join us with Mr. Robinson as another of the same sort as it were. For such as would gladly receive every Syllable from us that may dislodge their thoughts of separation in us (as we are heartily desired to be assured of in the Epistle to this Reply) we think would not so closely join us with such they would have us parted from; and upon so little occasion and to so little purpose, unless they do much forget themselves.
Answ▪ First, it doth not answer the profession in the letter thus to joyne us with Mr. Robinson as another of the same sort as it were. For such as would gladly receive every Syllable from us that may dislodge their thoughts of separation in us (as wee are heartily desired to bee assured of in the Epistle to this Reply) wee thinke would not so closely joyne us with such they would have us parted from; and upon so little occasion and to so little purpose, unlesse they doe much forget themselves.
Secondly, when it cannot be denied but the choice of Ministers is in the Church, and that hands should not rashly be laid on any man: and Deacons the lowest Office should be proved and then Minister being found blameless, yea he saith and these also proved, implying that others also should be so, 1 Tim. 3. 10. what fault can be found with the substance of what either Robinson or our selves speak, if our meaning, and his were but charitably taken? If his word be over-zealous to say it is a presumptuous ⟨p. 160⟩sin to do otherwise, what is that to us?
Secondly, when it cannot be denied but the choyse of Ministers is in the Church, and that hands should not rashly bee laid on any man: and Deacons the lowest Office should bee proved and then Minister being found blamelesse, yea hee saith and these also proved, implying that others also should bee so,