A93091:679
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 The official power of the Keys is a power to act with authority in the name of Christ ministerially in opening and shutting, binding and loosing, &c. In respect of which Office (while the Minister acts according to the will of Christ) he is over the Church in things properly Ecclesiastical, because he stands in the room of Christ, and comes in his name, and hence in those Church acts which are not proper to him, but common in some cases to the fraternity, yet there is an office-authority upon them, which is not upon the like acts materially done by others. Ex. gr. Any brother may and ought to exhort▪ and rebuke, 1 Thes. 5. 14. Heb. 3. 13. Titus a Minister is exhorted to do the same thing, but with all authority, Titus 2. 15. some able and gifted, though not in Office, may occasionally open and apply the word, yet not with an Office-authority. But an Officer preacheth as an Ambassador of Christ, 2 Cor. 5. So also in admission of members, and casting out of offenders (wherein though the fraternity have a power whether in consenting or otherwise) yet they act obedientially in respect of their guides, declaring the rule, going ⟨p. 171⟩before them in example, and commanding them (if need be) in the name of Christ to do his pleasure. But the Officers act in these things in the name and authority of him in whose room they stand, and hence we think that in case the fraternity without Officers should cast out any, yet it is not altogether the same with that which may be dispensed by the Officers thereof, it being no official act.
3 The officiall power of the Keyes is a power to act with authority in the name of Christ ministerially in opening and shutting, binding and loosing, &c. In respect of which Office (while the Minister acts according to the will of Christ) he is over the Church in things properly Ecclesiasticall, because hee stands in the roome of Christ, and comes in his name, and hence in those Church acts which are not proper to him, but common in some cases to the fraternitie, yet there is an office-authority upon them, which is not upon the like acts materially done by others. Ex. gr. Any brother may and ought to exhort and rebuke,