A93091:771
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.
1 Such a faith professed with the mouth, which is confirmed by an innocent godly conversation in the life, so as not to live in commission of any known sin, or omission of any known duty, we say this conversation makes faith appear real, James 2. 18. Rev. 22. 14. we conceive more is required to make a man appear a fit member of a Church, then of a Commonwealth, to be only bonus civis, and bare civility is sufficient for this latter, but not for the former, and therefore such a profession of faith is needful, as is confirmed by a not only a civill, but a godly life.
1 Such a faith professed with the mouth, which is confirmed by an innocent godly conversation in the life, so as not to live in commission of any knowne sinne, or omission of any knowne duty, wee say this conversation makes faith appeare reall, James 2. 18. Rev. 22. 14. wee conceive more is required to make a man appeare a fit member of a Church, then of a Commonwealth, to bee onely bonus civis, and bare civility is sufficient for this latter, but not for the former, and therefore such a profession of faith is needfull, as is confirmed by a not onely a civill, but a godly life.
2 Such a faith as is joined with evident repentance, and sorrow, and mourning for sin (although there be no experience always of such a holy life antecedently seen) for thus it was Act. 2. 37, 38. for the riches of Christs grace is such as not only to receive experienced christians into his family and house, but also the weakest and poorest (who may stand in most need of Christs Ordinances) and that as soon as ever they seem to be brought in; and therefore experience of a blameless life is not always necessary for admission into the Church: some think indeed that the Apostles received in the first converts, (