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.

CHAP. I. (Book 1)

Concerning the Title.

WHereas it is called a new Church-way; wee lit∣tle expected that Brethren studious of Refor∣mation, who have been so exercised with im∣putations of novelty, would have so readily, and in the frontispice cast the same upon us, who with them desire to walk in the first wayes of our Lord Jesus Christ and his holy Apo∣stles; but as in most substantiall points of Church-order, wee goe along with the best reformed Churches, so wee doubt not to make it good that wherein wee (pressing after further Reforma∣tion) seeme to differ from them; yet wee build upon Scripture grounds acknowledged by many godly and Learned Reformers, in our English and other reformed Churches: which, if the Lord have in mercy given us further light, (or rather oppor∣tunity to practise) then they had, let it not bee imputed to us for novelty.

A new edition of the old Church-way of godly Reformers, in some things perhaps corrected and amended, is no new

Church-way; or if it be thought the mending of some crooks in the old way make a new way, wee answer with Junius in a case not unlike; Ʋteunque novam esse videatur, attamen quaecunque sunt vetera, fuerunt nova, ac non propterea novitati•• nomine vitiosa,* 1.1 nisi forte novam pro renovatâ & restitutâ accipitis; quo sensu novam esse hanc viam agnoscimus.

One thing more in the Title page the Reader is to take notice of, that whereas it is said, This Treatise of Mr. Ball was penned a little before his death, and sent over 1637. it seemes to bee a mistake of the Printer; for the Nine Questions themselves were sent over 1636, the answer returned 38, but miscarrying, another was sent 39. from which time wee longingly expected a return, but part∣ly for the reason rendred in the Epistle, and what else wee know not, wee never in so many yeares received any, till this printed Reply by a Friends meanes came occasionally to our hands, 1644.

Concerning the Epistle to the Reader.

Whereas the publishers of this Treatise impute unto us, or some related to our Cause, That we are the Volunteers, such as cry up this way, and forward to blow such things abroad in the world, which pressed them to make this Controversie publique.

1 Wee may truly professe before the world, that our Epistle sent with our former Answer, proceeded from a spirit of love and peace, with an humble willingnesse to receive further light by the holy and just Animadversions of our reverend and beloved Brethren, which wee earnestly expected as men searching after the truth.

2 That wee were altogether ignorant of the Printing of that our Answer; and in that it was published then, was not without our utter dislike; wee have neither sounded trumpet, nor struck up drum to any (if any such) volunteers, wee heartily grieve that there are any differences between Brethren, much more that they should bee published; most of all, if before they bee privately debated, and brought to some head by mutual consent, are thought fit to be sent out to publique considerations.

3 For our Brethren in England, we know no reason to question the truth of that Apology of our Brother, Mr. Thomas Weld, in his answer to W. R. pag. 2. Obj. 3. Answ. 1. where he professeth in the name of himselfe and others of our way, a lothnesse to ap∣peare

in the case, and that although they had Bookes of this sub∣ject ready for the Presse, yet by joint consent they suppressed them, (happily to the detriment of the Cause) being unwilling to blow a fire; and whether they appeared in Pulpit or Presse without instigation, and how sparingly, hee appeales to all the godly to judge.

4 Lastly, wee desire our Brethren to consider the date of Mr. Ball his Booke printed for stinted Liturgies, (one chiefe part of this controversie) and the Printed answer to the Nine questions, and let that resolve the question, who of us came first Volunteers into the field; and if any through weaknesse, or zeale without knowledge, have been too clamorous to cry up New-England way, with reproach to others; wee desire the world to take notice, that they have neither patent nor patterne from us so to doe, who came not hither proudly to censure others, but to reforme our owne.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Jun. lib. 1. paral. 6.