A02990:94
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.
and so the translation of the scripture is warranted, because is must be read to edification; and edify it cannot, unless it be understood. Thirdly, that is warranted which is by special institution commanded as a part or substantial means of worship, which should be unlawful if it was not particularly instituted, as being contrary to the second commandment. And seeing the word is ⟨p. 69⟩thus diversly used in different matters, unless it be wisely distinguished a man shall build false conclusions upon true principles, if truly applied; and sooner entangle himself then confute his adversary: as it fareth with our brethren in this case. For taking the word warranted in the strictest sense, when they dispute against a set form or Liturgy, as an addition to the word, and means of worshipping God by the devises and appointment of men, they conclude erroneously: For a stinted Liturgy is no substantial means of worshipping, or positive worship, (for these two are one) but only a matter of order, or form of words and method, wherein we present our requests to God, &c. And from the same mistake they ensnare themselves, while they teach others to argue upon the same grounds and with like force against singing of psalms and reading of set translations; to wit, That they are not warranted of God, and that we must be careful, as not to take away from the word any ordinance of God, so not to add to the word, as means of worshipping God, the devises and appointment of men. Out of which snare they can never rid themselves, unless they take the word warranted in a larger sense, and distinguish betwixt the substantial and necessary means of worship, and that which is allowed by consequence only, or doth pertain to the worship of God •s a matter of order. For though singing of psalms be commanded of God; though God allow, nay command, that the scriptures should be translated, as that without which they ⟨p. 70⟩cannot be read to edification: yet the frame of words in singing, and the translation it self is the work of men, and the words and phrases the devises of men, not an ordinance of worship. This knot cannot be untied but it will cut the sinews of the former objection.
and so the translation of the scripture is warranted, because is must be read to edification; and edifie it cannot, unlesse it be understood. Thirdly, that is warranted which is by speciall institution commanded as a part or substantiall means of worship, which should be unlawfull if it was not particularly instituted, as being contrary to the second commandment. And seeing the word is