A93091:673
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. This question is much mistaken, for the demand is not, Whether in the Congregation matters should be carried by number of votes against God, as you interpret the position, but whether the power of excommunication so lie in the body of the Congregation as that sentence must proceed in externo foro, according to the vote and determination of the major part, and so in admissions of members, &c. and though they have no power against God, but for God, yet in execution of that power they may be divided in judgement, and one part must err▪ Now hence the question is moved, Whether the power he so in the people, that what the major part determine must stand.
Reply. This question is much mistaken, for the demand is not, Whether in the Congregation matters should be carried by number of votes against God, as you interpret the position, but whether the power of excommunication so lie in the body of the Congregation as that sentence must proceed in externo foro, according to the vote and determination of the major part, and so in admissions of members, &c. and though they have no power against God, but for God, yet in execution of that power they may bee divided in judgement, and one part must erre▪ Now hence the question is moved, Whether the power hee so in the people, that what the major part determine must stand.
Answ. If our whole answer had been attended unto, it is so clear and full, that it could not with any show of reason be subject to such a mistake: To omit the first part of our answer affirmatively, wherein we cite Mr. Parker as consenting with him. In the second part to the position as stated, our answer is plainly negative, that excommunication is not so seated, neither ought to be so in any of the Churches of the Lord Jesus. What follows is our reason grounded upon the last clause of the position, because Churches ought to carry things not by number of votes against God (as this position implies) but by strength of Rule and Reason according to God, and for edification, 2 Cor. 13. 8.