A02990:346
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
Chapter 13: An examination of sundry positions laid down by Mr Jacob in his Exposition of the secon…
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.
There are express and pregnant texts of scripture which show what is the true visible church of God,1 whereunto Christians may and ought to join themselves in holy fellowship in the ordinances of worship: As, where the covenant of God is there is the people of God and the visible church:2 For communication and receiving the tables of the covenant is a certain sign of a people in covenant.3 For what is it to be the flock, sheep, or people of God, but to be in covenant with God, to be the church of God. The word maketh disciples to Christ: and the word given to a people is Gods covenanting with them; and the peoples receiving this word and professing their faith unto God,4 is their taking God to be their God.5 Those assemblies which have Christ for their Head,6 and the same also for their foundation, are the true visible churches of Christ. It is simply necessary, that the assemblies be laid upon Christ the foundation by faith: which being done, the remaining of what is forbidden, or the want of what is commanded, cannot put the assembly from the title and right of a church. For Christ is the foundation and head-corner-stone of the church. The form is coming unto Christ, and ⟨p. 288⟩being builded upon him by faith; the matter is the people united and knit unto Christ, and so one unto another. Now where the matter and form of a church is there is a church. Every society or assembly professing the int•re and true faith of Christ, and worshipping God with an holy worship, joining together in prayer and thanksgiving, enjoying the right use of the sacraments, and keeping the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace, is the true church of Christ. The Gospel may be preached to Infidels; some supernatural truths may be professed by heretics; the use of the sacraments may be in adulterate churches: but the entire profession of all fundamental articles of faith to be believed, and main precepts and moral laws for practice to be acknowledged, the dwelling of the truth amongst men, and the right use of the sacraments, which is ever joined with true doctrine, and to be esteemed by it, is proper to them that be in covenant with God. The laws and statutes which God gave to Israel was the honour and ornament of that nation, a testimony that the Lord had separated them from all other people, even the Gentiles themselves being judges.