A93091:701
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. 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.
Answ. By this conclusion it appears that how ever the author began professedly against us as Separatists in this point, yet he follows the cause against Mr. Parker, with whom he seems to be friends. Secondly, the power of excommunication may belong to the Church or community in respect of a fraternal power of judging, though official authority be not formally given to the Church but to the Officers.
Answ. By this conclusion it appeares that how ever the author began professedly against us as Separatists in this point, yet he followes the cause against Mr. Parker, with whom hee seemes to be friends. Secondly, the power of excommunication may belong to the Church or community in respect of a fraternall power of judging, though officiall authority bee not formally given to the Church but to the Officers.
Reply. If consent of Churches be asked in this point, to omit others, the Churches of Scotland speak fully and expressly for us in the second book of Discip. Cap. 1. The Church as it is taken for them that exercise spiritual functions in the Congregation of them that profess the truth, hath a certain power granted of God according to which it useth a proper jurisdiction, &c. Beza de Presb. pag. 60. Helv. Confess. Cap. 18. Belgic, &c.