A93091:739
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.
Was it ever heard of in the Church of God from the beginning thereof unto this day, that any such thing was propounded unto and required of members, to be admitted into Church fellowship? Here is a loud ⟨p. 186⟩outcry, and who would not think but that we usually propound and require such a thing in our admissions, (which yet is nothing so.) But what is the ground of all this? Look a little before and he saith, If such a promise be required.
Was it ever heard of in the Church of God from the beginning thereof unto this day, that any such thing was propounded unto and required of members, to bee admitted into Church fellowship? Here is a loud ⟨p. 186⟩outcry, and who would not think but that we usually propound and require such a thing in our admissions, (which yet is nothing so.) But what is the ground of all this? Looke a little before and hee saith, If such a promise be required.
Again ibidem saith he, we think the Church is over-rigid in exacting such a condition of the members, and the members go beyond their measure as busy bodies, and what is the ground? It follows, If they arrogate such a power to themselves.
Againe ibidem saith hee, wee thinke the Church is over-rigid in exacting such a condition of the members, and the members goe beyond their measure as busie bodies, and what is the ground? It followes, If they arrogate such a power to themselves.
So page next 80. In the word it is not commanded that no member should remove or occasionally be absent from the place of his habitation before he have acquainted the congregation whither he goeth, on what occasion, &c. To what end is this inserted if not to suggest that there is such a practise among us that a man may not occasionally be absent, &c. which is far from us? And what is the ground see a few lines after, The Church shall burden herself, &c. If she take upon her to intermeddle in all such occasions.