A93091:690
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. Answ. First, though Pastors in respect of the exercise of their function dispense the Word and other Mysteries of Christ as from him immediately, and so are fitly compared to Ambassadors and Stewards, yet in the call of the one and other to that work there is a plain dissimilitude, the one being called Mediately, the other Immediately by their Masters, and therefore in this case it proves nothing.
Answ. Answ. First, though Pastors in respect of the exercise of their function dispense the Word and other Mysteries of Christ as from him immediately, and so are fitly compared to Embassadors and Stewards, yet in the call of the one and other to that work there is a plaine dissimilitude, the one being called Mediately, the other Immediately by their Masters, and therefore in this case it proves nothing.
What doth this argument conclude? if only that the function and order is not from the Church as the first subject, we readily grant it; if the application of the office to such a person, (so far as may be done by an outward call) it follows not at all, for the function and office may be from Christ, and the application thereof by the Church.
What doth this argument conclude? if onely that the function and order is not from the Church as the first subject, we readily grant it; if the application of the office to such a person, (so farre as may bee done by an outward call) it followes not at all, for the function and office may bee from Christ, and the application thereof by the Church.
Reply. Thus Protestant Divines dispute against Papists, if Bishops receive their power and authority of exercising immediately from Christ by Mandate, Mission and commission from him, then not from the Pope, and so for Presbyters in regard of the Bishop.