A30189:109
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.
First, the Nonconformists never held Ordination by the people, where he is to administer, to be necessary or essential in the calling of a Minister. For in their opinion, ordination ⟨p. 25⟩belongeth not to the community of the Faithful but to the Presbytery, or College Ecclesiastical, and may and ought to be performed by the Presbyters of neighbouring Congregations, if they have none of their own, or not a competent number. Thus you your self relate their Position. Moreover, every officer in the Church, must be ordained by imposition of hands of the Eldership, the whole Church joining with them in fasting and prayer.
First, the Nonconformists never held Ordination by the people, where he is to administer, to be necessarie or essentiall in the calling of a Minister. For in their opinion, ordination ⟨p. 25⟩belongeth not to the communitie of the Faithfull but to the Presbyterie, or Colledge Ecclesiasticall, and may and ought to be performed by the Presbyters of neighbouring Congregations, if they have none of their owne, or not a competent number. Thus you your selfe relate their Position. Moreover, every officer in the Church, must be ordained by imposition of hands of the Eldership, the whole Church joyning with them in fasting and prayer.
Secondly, They give not the sole power of Election to the community of the Faithful, but require their consent in the election, by the guidance and direction of their Governors, 1and the Ecclesiastical College, to whom the Government of the Church is committed. They allow not that every small company should do as they please, or stand upon their own bottom; But as the Church is to be governed by common counsel, and consent of the Ecclesiastical College, so the election and choice of the Pastor or Teacher, is to be made by the direction and counsel of the Senate. A Pastor should not be thrust upon the people without their knowledge and approbation, neither should the people proceed therein without direction of the Governors.