A93091:686
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. 1 Concerning the power of the Apostles, and extraordinary Officers we now dispute not, it was answered before; and for the authority of other Officers, we do not affirm that it is derived from the Church, but from Christ for the good of the Church; but if the question be of the application of an Office, and the power of it to such and such persons in the Church, we would demand whether Christ doth this to such a Pastor and Teacher immediately or mediately: if immediately, then their call is not (in this) different from Apostles, which Paul expressly distinguisheth Gal. 1. 1. Paul was an Apostle, not of man, nor by man, but of God, and by Jesus Christ; false Teachers are of man, and by man. True Pastors as Thomas, John, &c. are of God by man, and if Christ communicate this Office, and the authority annexed unto it mediately by man, not immediately, the question is, Who is the subject of this power to call, and so to apply this office in the name of Christ to this or that person, John, Thomas, &c. We hold this fraternal ministerial power (under Christ) is in the Church, and so far we shall defend this position, and where▪ ever it be else placed it will be subject to all the absurdities that are imputed to us. To the sentence of Parker we answer, that the misinterpreting one word of his sentence doth pervert his whole meaning, his words are Pro dono conditionali ut Rectoribus communicetur, i. e. that the Church might not communicate that power to Officers, nor keep it in her own hand. Or that it might be communicated from Christ by the Church. And this will appear his meaning, and it agrees with that position he holds so strongly, that the Church is the first subject of the Keys.
Answ. 1 Concerning the power of the Apostles, and extraordinary Officers wee now dispute not, it was answered before; and for the authority of other Officers, wee doe not affirme that it is derived from the Church, but from Christ for the good of the Church; but if the question bee of the application of an Office, and the power of it to such and such persons in the Church, wee would demand whether Christ doth this to such a Pastour and Teacher immediatly or mediatly: if immediatly, then their call is not (in this) different from Apostles, which Paul expresly distinguisheth Gal. 1. 1. Paul was an Apostle, not of man, nor by man, but of God, and by Jesus Christ; false Teachers are of man, and by man. True Pastors as Thomas, Iohn, &c. are of God by man, and if Christ communicate this Office, and the authority annexed unto it mediatly by man, not immediatly, the question is, Who is the subject of this power to call, and so to apply this office in the name of Christ to this or that person, John, Thomas, &c. Wee hold this fraternall ministeriall power (under Christ) is in the Church, and so farre wee shall defend this position, and where ever it be else placed it will be subject to all the absurdities that are imputed to us. To the sentence of Parker we answer, that the misinterpreting one word of his sentence doth pervert his whole meaning, his words are Pro dono conditionali ut Rectoribus communicetur, i. e. that the Church might not communicate that power to Officers, nor keepe it in her owne hand. Or that it might bee communicated from Christ by the Church. And this will appeare his meaning, and it agrees with that position hee holds so strongly, that the Church is the first subject of the Keys.