A30189:111
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.
Thirdly, The Minister doth not derive his power or authority, either virtually or formally from the people, but immediately from Christ, whose servant he is, for the Churches use and benefit, in whose name he must execute his office, whose message he must deliver, whose seals he must dispense, and to whom he must give account. This is that which Franciscus de Victoria, the master of Canus affirmeth (though his words be ignorantly drawn to another purpose, I suppose you know by whom) That all Bishops do derive Jurisdiction and power immediately from God.
Thirdly, The Minister doth not derive his power or authoritie, either vertually or formally from the people, but immediately from Christ, whose servant he is, for the Churches use and benefit, in whose name he must execute his office, whose message he must deliver, whose seales he must dispence, and to whom he must give account. This is that which Franciscus de Victoria, the master of Canus affirmeth (though his words be ignorantly drawne to another purpose, I suppose you know by whom) That all Bishops doe derive Iurisdiction and power immediately from God.
Fourthly, If the people have given away their power of election, or be not fit to choose, through their ignorance or simplicity, ⟨p. 26⟩or that liberty be taken from them, they conceive it to be a maim or defect in the calling of the Minister; but this defect doth not make a nullity of the office, or acts done by virtue of that calling, which he hath: For in every true Church, where the Word of God is entirely Preached, and received, and the Sacraments for substance rightly administered, there is a true Ministry, and a true calling to the Ministry, though in some things maimed and faulty. In the Church of God, and no where else, all sound and saving truth is to be found: for the Church is the pillar and ground of Truth; and where the profession of all saving Truth, with the right administration of the Sacraments is found, there is the Church, which ordinarily cannot be had, maintained or continued, without a true Ministry, nor that without a true calling.