A02990:352
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.
Out of doubt this kind of the visible church is now under the Gospel only lawful for us,1 even a particular ordinary congregation only. And ⟨p. 296⟩whatsoever kind or form of a visible church is instituted or ordained by men, the same is contained manifestly in the negative part of the second commandment, that is to say, it is simply unlawful and by God himself here forbidden unto us.
Out of doubt this kind of the visible church is now under the Gospel onely lawfull for us,1 even a particular ordinary congregation onely. And ⟨p. 296⟩whatsoever kind or form of a visible church is instituted or ordained by men, the same is conteined manifestly in the negative part of the second commandment, that is to say, it is simply unlawfull and by God himself here forbidden unto us.
- 1Exposit. the third part, ubi s•prá.
In the new Testament the church doth signify a multitude of believers,1 whether assembled or dispersed: and whether they be met in one place or separated in place they retain tho same name still. The church is a society of the faithful, not an assembly, if we speak properly. When the word is put absolutely, it noteth the multitude or society of the faithful, which is distinguished from their assembly or meeting together for the worship of God.2 For we shall read, the church of God or Christ, and so the church of the first-born; but never, the church of these or them, or you or us, but assembly or assembling of your selves.