A02990:99
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.
If this be granted, that every minister is enabled to pray better,1 according to the present occasion, ⟨p. 74⟩then possibly he can be directed in a stinted form, (which can never be proved by text of scripture, or sound reason drawn from thence) in like manner a man may, and some have argued against the reading of translations; God will be served with the best we have: but there is no one translation the best we have; for a minister may be able to render a chapter, sentence or verse more significantly then the translation hath it: And yet (I suppose) no minister will refuse to use a sound and good translation, though it be here and there less significant; nor take liberty in reading to alter it at pleasure, lest liberty herein should teach graceless and ungodly people to wrangle against the scriptures themselves. In preaching and disputing men may and do note the significancy of the phrase, which cannot so fully be expressed in a translation; and more fully interpret what is not so plain and full as might be desired: but in reading the scriptures in the congregation great wariness is to be used, lest boldness to correct occasion doubts in the weak, and embolden the ungodly to carp against religion. And if a minister may be tied to the use of a sound & good translation, though not in every jot or tittle the best that may be, this reason hath lost its sinews. Universal propositions duly limited may be of great use, whereas if extended too far, they are dangerous in application. It is true, if we speak of Gods incomprehensible goodness, excellency, glory and dominion, that more love and service is due to God then he requireth in his word, or possibly can be ⟨p. 75⟩given by men or Angels: It is true, we are bound to whatsoever duty the Lord requireth in his law, for matter, manner and measure; to whatsoever he obligeth us unto upon special occasion, or inciteth us unto by the heroical motions of his Spirit, which must not be resisted: It is also most true, that the creature cannot merit of the Creator; much less can sinful man, who faileth continually in his best duties, and offendeth in many things, supererogate by doing some outward act not required, or forbearing somewhat in it self allowable, when outwardly and inwardly he cometh short in many things commanded.