A93091:833
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. We grant all this, and that it is the duty of a Church, be it weak or strong, to take all needful counsel, advise or exhortations and admonitions in so weighty a work. But if Churches or others shall impose upon any Church any Officer without their choice, this is no brotherly help, but unjust usurpation. And if you understand Junius so, as that Charitatis jure & Communion sanctorum, one Church have power to choose for another, other ways, then by advising them to elect such an one for themselves, we see no reason for that, nor do we think it is his meaning: neither doth Paul, Rom. 12. 12. lay any foundation of such usurpations, but only of mutual brotherly helpfulness by counsel, &c. and the contrary is not Policy, but some degree of tyranny.
Answ. Wee grant all this, and that it is the duty of a Church, bee it weake or strong, to take all needfull counsell, advise or exhortations and admonitions in so weighty a worke. But if Churches or others shall impose upon any Church any Officer without their choice, this is no brotherly helpe, but unjust usurpation. And if you understand Junius so, as that Charitatis jure & Communione sanctorum, one Church have power to choose for another, other wayes, then by advising them to elect such an one for themselves, wee see no reason for that, nor doe wee thinke it is his meaning: neither doth Paul, Rom. 12. 12. lay any foundation of such usurpations, but onely of mutuall brotherly helpfulnesse by counsell, &c. and the contrary is not Policy, but some degree of tyranny.
Reply. It is a blemish in the call of a Minister, if either the people be not fit to choose, or being fit they he shut out from the choice, but this maim doth not make a nullity in his calling.
Reply. It is a blemish in the call of a Minister, if either the people be not fit to choose, or being fit they he shut out from the choice, but this maime doth not make a nullity in his calling.