A30189:116
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.
In the Primitive Churches, when the people had a voice in the choice of their Teachers, oftentimes there were factions in the Church, the people stood against their Guides, and the Guides against their people, and the people were divided one ⟨p. 27⟩against another. And sometimes, either through sloth, or for peace, the Pastors left the election of Officers to the people, 1and the people challenged it unto themselves, and sometimes again they took it from their people, and challenged it to themselves. But in the mids of these broils, he was accounted a true Minister, who was elected, whether by the Guides, or by the people, or by the Emperor, so he taught the doctrine of Salvation truly. And if this be not admitted, what shall be done, when the people and their Elders be divided in the choice of a fit Officer or Guide. If the people prevail against their Elders, he whom they choose is no Minister to them, because not chosen by their Suffrages: if the Elders against the people, he whom they approve is no Minister, because he wants the peoples voice. And if the people dissent, they must separate and excommunicate one another, because to the one part he is no Minister, whom the other approve.
In the Primitive Churches, when the people had a voice in the choice of their Teachers, oftentimes there were factions in the Church, the people stood against their Guides, and the Guides against their people, and the people were divided one ⟨p. 27⟩against another. And sometimes, either through sloth, or for peace, the Pastors left the election of Officers to the people, 1and the people challenged it unto themselves, and sometimes againe they took it from their people, and challenged it to themselves. But in the mids of these broyles, he was accounted a true Minister, who was elected, whether by the Guides, or by the people, or by the Emperour, so he taught the doctrine of Salvation truely. And if this be not admitted, what shall be done, when the people and their Elders be divided in the choice of a fit Officer or Guide. If the people prevaile against their Elders, he whom they chuse is no Minister to them, because not chosen by their Suffrages: if the Elders against the people, he whom they approve is no Minister, because he wants the peoples voice. And if the people dissent, they must separate and excommunicate one another, because to the one part he is no Minister, whom the other approve.