A02990:358
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.
But though the being of a church is not absolutely destroyed by the want or omission of these exercises for a time, yet they are actions necessary to the well-being of a church, and such as flow from the very nature of a church if they be not hindered. Thirdly, there must be subjection to lawful guides, officers, or pastors appointed, authorized and sanctified to lead and direct the flock in the happy ways of eternal life. Companies of believers were gathered before elders were ordained amongst them, and the church may continue when guides are wanting (as in case they be taken away by death, persecution, banishment) but it is not complete or perfect without them, neither can it hold communion in many ordinances of worship, nor execute many offices ⟨p. 304⟩which belong to the church consisting of all its parts. Fourthly, to the making up of an entire, visible, distinct society, orders, laws and discipline is required for the perventing of abuses and scandals, the preservation of the holy things of God from contempt, the recovery of them that fall, and suppression of profaneness. Discipline is needful in every society, without which it cannot long continue but all things will run into confusion. It is necessary the members of the church should live Christianly, otherwise the profession of faith and administration of the holy things of God must needs be polluted. Discipline, put for the censures, hath no practice but in an united body or church, which must needs have a being before it can exercise its power: But the exercise of that power in a body complete is necessary, not simply to the being but to the well-being of the whole. As a city, so the church cannot be without those things which belong to the necessary being thereof: but it may be without those that belong unto her safety alone, though not so well. Fifthly, the members of a visible church must hold fellowship in faith and love, not only one with another, but with all other visible churches, and all others entirely professing the faith of Christ and walking in holiness, so far as they hold communion with Jesus Christ. For all visible churches, though distinct societies; be sisters, one in profession, fundamental laws and ordinances, and should be one in hearty love and affection: And no particular church can be called ⟨p. 305⟩or be the true church of Christ but as it holdeth union with the catholic.
But though the being of a church is not absolutely destroyed by the want or omission of these exercises for a time, yet they are actions necessary to the well-being of a church, and such as flow from the very nature of a church if they be not hindred. Thirdly, there must be subjection to lawfull guides, officers, or pastours appointed, authorized and sanctified to lead and direct the flock in the happy wayes of eternall life. Companies of believers were gathered before elders were ordained amongst them, and the church may continue when guides are wanting (as in case they be taken away by death, persecution, banishment) but it is not complete or perfect without them, neither can it hold communion in many ordinances of worship, nor execute many offices