A93091:835
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 a people or Church be never so weak, which is here called unfitness, yet Christ being amongst them, and they making an orderly and good choice, there can be no blemish in the call seeing the right is them, and such a free choice will better stablish the conscience of any godly Minister in his call, then if a Synod of the ablest Ministers should impose him without their free choice, except it can be proved that the right of election is in the Synod, which we think will not be done. But be they able or weak, if the people be shut out, it must needs make a great maim in his call, ⟨p. 207⟩and if they do not consent nor submit to such a one called by others, it will make it a nullity, as was showed before. What authority hath he to Minister to any Church, if they will refuse him? or who shall censure them for refusing, by any rule of Christ?
Answ. If a people or Church bee never so weake, which is here called unfitnesse, yet Christ being amongst them, and they making an orderly and good choice, there can be no blemish in the call seeing the right is them, and such a free choice will better stablish the conscience of any godly Minister in his call, then if a Synod of the ablest Ministers should impose him without their free choice, except it can bee proved that the right of election is in the Synod, which we thinke will not bee done. But bee they able or weake, if the people be shut out, it must needs make a great maim in his call, ⟨p. 207⟩and if they doe not consent nor submit to such a one called by others, it will make it a nullity, as was shewed before. What authority hath hee to Minister to any Church, if they will refuse him? or who shall censure them for refusing, by any rule of Christ?
Reply. The saving truth of God and a lawful Ministry are both essential to a true Church.
Reply. The saving truth of God and a lawfull Ministery are both essentiall to a true Church.