A02990:8
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.
To the Christian Reader, sound judgement, the spirit of wisdom, uprightness of heart, and sweet communion with GOD.
To the Christian Reader, sound judgement, the spirit of wisdome, uprightnesse of heart, and sweet communion with GOD.
Christian READER,
IT is commonly professed, though not so well known and observed as it ought, that Satan is always busy to solicit, and our own deceitful hearts ready to turn aside from the ways of peace and comfort, either to the right hand or to the left. To say nothing of the lamentable state of heathen Infidels, Turks, and Jews, who know not God, nor believe the Gospel of JESUS CHRIST; Amongst them that profess Christianity, some are so deeply plunged into superstition, that the truth of God and the ordinances of grace are not prized in comparison of their own vain and fruitless traditions. And others, on the contrary, do so far distaste all ⟨image 3⟩inventions whatsoever (as they speak) in Gods worship, as they reject that which beareth the stamp and image of God, and might be greatly profitable to their souls. Many come profanely to the Lords table, and pollute the holy things of God to their own destruction: Others, through groundless fears of defilement, do withdraw themselves from ordinances Divine, and the society of the godly, because some unworthy are not debarred. To satisfy this latter sort, who offend out of weakness & misguided judgement not of stubbornness and contempt, and to settle them that are staggering, I have penned this poor & rude treatise, nothing doubting but the truth will be able to maintain it self, and that the beauty thereof will procure favour and acceptance, though it come arrayed in a very homely garment.