A93091:653
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. You mistake here in the force of our answer, as hath been ⟨p. 165⟩showed in the first consideration, to which this objection and answer belong. For we do not make all the Acts of the Apostles and Evangelists extraordinary, but generally orderly in the way we profess. Secondly, we answer to the particulars, (not to wrestle with the Ghosts of humane imaginations and conjectures, whether any besides the Apostles baptized the 3000. Act. 2.) As for Philip and Ananias if they baptized, did they baptize as private men, or as Church Officers? If the second, what Officers were they? ordinary or extraordinary? We think it will not be thought they were ordinary who were honoured with such extraordinary work: But in what Office soever they were, those particular actions (in baptizing the Eunuch and Paul) were done by an immediate call of God, as is evident in the story.
Answ. You mistake here in the force of our answer, as hath beene ⟨p. 165⟩shewed in the first consideration, to which this objection and answer belong. For wee doe not make all the Acts of the Apostles and Evangelists extraordinary, but generally orderly in the way wee professe. Secondly, wee answer to the particulars, (not to wrastle with the Ghosts of humane imaginations and conjectures, whether any besides the Apostles baptized the 3000. Act. 2.) As for Philip and Ananias if they baptized, did they baptize as private men, or as Church Officers? If the second, what Officers were they? ordinary or extraordinary? Wee thinke it will not bee thought they were ordinary who were honoured with such extraordinary worke: But in what Office soever they were, those particular actions (in baptizing the Eunuch and Paul) were done by an immediate call of God, as is evident in the story.
Reply. Thirdly, It is very improbable that the persons baptized were in Church State, or Order. If they were members of the Jewish Church not yet dissolved, this is not to the purpose, for men have not right to baptism, because members of the Jewish Church, but because Disciples, and as you say, joined together in Covenant, &c.