A30189:100
An answer to two treatises of Mr. John Can, the leader of the English…An answer to two treatises of Mr. Iohn Can, the leader of the English…
An answer to two treatises of Mr. John Can, the leader of the English Brownists in Amsterdam the former called, A necessity of separation from the Church of England, proved by the Nonconformists principles : the other, A stay against straying : wherein in opposition to M. John Robinson, he undertakes to prove the unlawfulness of hearing the ministers of the Church of England ... / by the late learned, laborious and faithful servant of Jesus Christ, John Ball.An answer to two treatises of Mr. Iohn Can, the leader of the English Brownists in Amsterdam the former called, A necessitie of separation from the Church of England, proved by the Nonconformists principles : the other, A stay against straying : wherein in opposition to M. Iohn Robinson, he undertakes to prove the unlawfulnesse of hearing the ministers of the Church of England ... / by the late learned, laborious and faithfull servant of Jesus Christ, John Ball.
London: printed by R.B., 1642
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.
It is true, they complain of abuses in the Church (and not to excuse humane frailty) sometimes with heat and fervour excessive, and humbly sue for reformation. But to seek redress of what is out of order, is rather to endeavour the repair of what is ruinous, than the plucking of it down. It is one thing dutifully to urge the proceeding of our Church unto perfection, another, schismatically to leave, and forsake her. Betwixt these two, there is as much difference, 1as is between that child that in tender affection reproveth, and laboureth the reformation of his Mother, whom he seeth by her indiscreet behaviour to become a reproach among women; and him that under pretence of the hate of her uncomely behaviour, should pluck out her bowels, and forsake her.
It is true, they complaine of abuses in the Church (and not to excuse humane frailty) sometimes with heat and fervour excessive, and humbly sue for reformation. But to seek redresse of what is out of order, is rather to endeavour the repaire of what is ruinous, than the plucking of it down. Jt is one thing dutifully to urge the proceeding of our Church unto perfection, another, schismatically to leave, and forsake her. Betwixt these two, there is as much difference, 1as is betweene that child that in tender affection reproveth, and laboureth the reformation of his Mother, whom he seeth by her indiscreet behaviour to become a reproach among women; and him that under pretence of the hate of her uncomely behaviour, should pluck out her bowells, and forsake her.
- 1S. B. The rasing of the foundation, &c Epist. to the Reader.
They complain of abuses remaining in the Reformation, not denying that a wonderful and gracious reformation is already made, but moving to a through and perfect reformation of what is wanting and out of order. For willingly they confess, that next unto the Lord God, every one of them is most deeply bound unto the Kings and Princes, whom he hath used as excellent instruments to deliver his Church here, out of the spiritual Egypt of Popery.