A93091:714
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. If our answer were but attended, such apprehensions of our practise of calling the whole Church to counsel in every such case, and all that follows might be spared. For thus we say, We judge it expedient, &c. That none forsake fellowship and abruptly break off, &c. This doth not imply a necessity of calling the whole Church to counsel in every plain and easy case; many times, and for the most part such removals are so plain and free from suspicion of abrupt breaking off or forsaking fellowship, that there is no need of counsel, as in case of servants marriages, &c. and therefore no trouble to the Church: and in some removal of families also, the case is clear, and openly carried in the knowledge of many of the Church, none scruple it, and therefore at the first demand of dismission or letters of recommendations, the same are granted: but in removal of some members, and in the manner of the same, there are such difficulties and dangers as need the prayers and counsel of the Officers and whole Church, (as is confessed after) nor do we say, it pertains to the whole Church to be called to counsel and judge of every particular members removal, for they may approve themselves to the consciences of all mediately by advising with some who may satisfy the rest, if need be.
Answ. If our answer were but attended, such apprehensions of our practise of calling the whole Church to counsell in every such case, and all that followes might be spared. For thus we say, Wee judge it expedient, &c. That none forsake fellowship and abruptly breake off, &c. This doth not imply a necessity of calling the whole Church to counsell in every plaine and easie case; many times, and for the most part such removals are so plaine and free from suspition of abrupt breaking off or forsaking fellowship, that there is no need of counsell, as in case of servants marriages, &c. and therefore no trouble to the Church: and in some removall of families also, the case is cleare, and openly carried in the knowledge of many of the Church, none scruple it, and therefore at the first demand of dismission or letters of recommendations, the same are granted: but in removall of some members, and in the manner of the same, there are such difficulties and dangers as neede the prayers and counsell of the Officers and whole Church, (as is confessed after) nor doe wee say, it pertaines to the whole Church to bee called to counsell and judge of every particular members removall, for they may approve themselves to the consciences of all mediately by advising with some who may satisfie the rest, if need be.