A93091:700
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. The reason is, because the Church hath not received some of the Keys formally but only virtually, and (as was said out of Parker) not as a gift absolute but conditional, that it might be communicated to the Officers. Such power as the body of the Church hath received formally she may and doth exercise, as a power of choosing Officers, a power of judging in censures, 1 Cor. 5. 12. and the like, the power of preaching properly so called & dispensing Sacraments, &c. being acts of authority, the Church hath them only virtually, and therefore must choose Officers, to whom Christ her Lord hath given authority in the Church. A Corporation that by Patent from the King hath many Privileges, the power is given to the Body incorporated, and so it is the first subject of it, yet many acts cannot be put forth, but by Officers duly chosen: and so here.
Answ. The reason is, because the Church hath not received some of the Keyes formally but onely vertually, and (as was said out of Parker) not as a gift absolute but conditionall, that it might bee communicated to the Officers. Such power as the body of the Church hath received formally shee may and doth exercise, as a power of choosing Officers, a power of judging in censures, 1 Cor. 5. 12. and the like, the power of preaching properly so called & dispensing Sacraments, &c. being acts of authority, the Church hath them onely vertually, and therefore must choose Officers, to whom Christ her Lord hath given authority in the Church. A Corporation that by Patent from the King hath many Priviledges, the power is given to the Body incorporated, and so it is the first subject of it, yet many acts cannot be put forth, but by Officers duely chosen: and so here.
Reply. For these Reasons (not to insist on any more) we judge the community of the faithful, not to be the immediate receptacle of ecclesiastical authority, and so the Power of excommunication, not to belong unto them.
Reply. For these Reasons (not to insist on any more) wee judge the community of the faithfull, not to bee the immediate receptacle of ecclesiasticall authority, and so the Power of excommunication, not to belong unto them.