A02990:97
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.
An able minister hath discretion and wisdom to know what portion of scripture is meet to be read, and how much: hath the church no warrant then to appoint what books, chapters or sections shall ordinarily be read? nor the minister warrant to observe that appointment? A learned Grecian or Hebrician is able to translate a book or chapter in the Old or New Testament as well, peradventure better, then it is in our ordinary translations: may not the church then ordain one translation usually to be read? Let me entreat our brethren to view the strength of this reason in another of the same form, which I certainly persuade my self they will not allow; and it is this; Reading of translations in the worship of God is unlawful, because it doth contradict the gifts bestowed by Christ upon the church for the work of the ministry, and derogateth from the virtue of Christs ascension and dignity of his kingdom, and blemisheth Christs bounty to, and care of his church, and may be performed by a child perfectly well. For it may be said, If Christ hath given gifts unto men for the work of the ministry, he hath given ability also to translate the scriptures, or else translations are not necessary: And if Christ hath given gifts to his servants to translate the scriptures, or ⟨p. 73⟩translations be not necessary, then they have no warrant to read, nor others authority to prescribe any set translation. It may also be added, That God will be worshipped with our own, not with another mans; with that which cost us something, not with that which cost us nothing; with our own gifts, not with other mens. But for one ignorant of the originals to read the translations, is to offer unto God that which cost him nothing, to serve God with other mens not with his own gifts. The conclusion our brethren will not acknowledge; but whatsoever they can soundly answer to the premisses will with the same labour untie the knot of their own argument.
An able minister hath discretion and wisdome to know what portion of scripture is meet to be read, and how much: hath the church no warrant then to appoint what books, chapters or sections shall ordinarily be read? nor the minister warrant to observe that appointment? A learned Grecian or Hebrician is able to translate a book or chapter in the Old or New Testament as well, peradventure better, then it is in our ordinary translations: may not the church then ordain one translation usually to be read? Let me intreat our brethren to view the strength of this reason in another of the same form, which I certainly perswade my self they will not allow; and it is this; Reading of translations in the worship of God is unlawfull, because it doth contradict the gifts bestowed by Christ upon the church for the work of the ministery, and derogateth from the vertue of Christs ascension and dignity of his kingdome, and blemisheth Christs bounty to, and care of his church, and may be performed by a child perfectly well. For it may be said, If Christ hath given gifts unto men for the work of the ministery, he hath given ability also to translate the scriptures, or else translations are not necessary: And if Christ hath given gifts to his servants to translate the scriptures, or