A93091:778
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.
This rule was best seen by that public profession before the whole Church, and if no just exception be made (as one should be without conviction) they are to be admitted by the Officers with the consent of the members hereunto, for if public profession is needful at least before the Church, though not the world alway (as Didoclavius observes) to the entrance into the Covenant and Church by baptism; we see no reason, but persons formerly baptized, and entering a new into the Church, but they should openly profess their faith again: the visible Church being built upon this rock, Matth. 16. 16, 18. viz. Profession of the faith of Christ; and lastly, if there should be no necessity for such a profession, yet if this be desired of the people of God, for the increase of their own joy to see God glorified, and Christs name professed, and his virtues held forth, and for the increase of their love to those that join with them, why should it not be done before Saints, which should be done before persecutors? 1 Pet. 3. 15.
This rule was best seene by that publike profession before the whole Church, and if no just exception bee made (as one should bee without conviction) they are to be admitted by the Officers with the consent of the members hereunto, for if publike profession is needfull at least before the Church, though not the world alway (as Didoclavius observes) to the entrance into the Covenant and Church by baptisme; wee see no reason, but persons formerly baptized, and entering a new into the Church, but they should openly professe their faith againe: the visible Church being built upon this rocke, Matth. 16. 16, 18. viz. Profession of the faith of Christ; and lastly, if there should be no necessity for such a profession, yet if this bee desired of the people of God, for the increase of their owne joy to see God glorified, and Christs name professed, and his vertues held forth, and for the increase of their love to those that joyne with them, why should it not be done before Saints, which should bee done before persecutors? 1 Pet. 3. 15.