A02990:325
A friendly trial of the grounds tending to separation in a plain and modest…A friendly triall of the grounds tending to separation in a plain and modest…
A friendly trial of the grounds tending to separation in a plain and modest dispute touching the lawfulness of a stinted liturgy and set form of prayer, Communion in mixed assemblies, and the primitive subject and first receptacle of the power of the Keys: tending to satisfy the doubtful, recall the wandering, and to strengthen the weak: by John Ball.A friendly triall of the grounds tending to separation in a plain and modest dispute touching the lawfulnesse of a stinted liturgie and set form of prayer, Communion in mixed assemblies, and the primitive subject and first receptacle of the power of the Keyes: tending to satisfie the doubtfull, recall the wandering, and to strengthen the weak: by John Ball.
Cambridge: printed by Roger Daniel printer to the University of Cambridge for Edward Brewster, 1640Cambridge: printed by Roger Daniel printer to the Universitie of Cambridge for Edward Brewster, 1640
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.
In so great a multitude it cannot be conceived how things should be done seasonably, moderately, in order, without partiality and dissension, ⟨p. 268⟩where every one may walk according to his own rule, and no man to be guided or directed by another, but as pleaseth himself. And if spiritual power originaliter & executivè be given to every member of and to the whole community of the faithful, then is every member in some sort a ruler and governor. And if we search into the records of the church, we shall find none example, either in the holy scriptures or the histories of the ancient church, where the universal multitude of the faithful, none directing or governing the action,1 did lawfully proceed in the determination of spiritual matters of this kind.2 In the old testament not only [Greek or Hebrew], when it is rendered Synagoga, 3but [Greek or Hebrew] when it is translated Ecclesia, signifieth an assembly of princes and elders of the people, and so of prophets likewise: for when the words are general,4 to note any assembly of men met together, whether civil or sacred, it is not strange if the congregation of princes,5 nobles, elders, and prophets assembled be known by the same name.6 In the new Testament the word church is sometimes an assembly or company howsoever gathered together; but ordinarily it noteth a society of faithful Christians,7 as all and every saint are called saints. 8But as the Apostle, when he doth grievously reprehend the Corinthians that they had not brought the knowledge of their contentions to the saints,