A30189:150
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.
2. Such as be not rightly called by men, because not rightly furnished with gifts, or faithfully executing their place, or teaching erroneous doctrines and traditions of men, but yet set apart to an office which is of God, and in communion of men professing the true Faith, are called Antichristian Ministers. And if it be taken in this sense, the faithful are bound in conscience to hear such, if they live in their societies: because they be the Ministers of Christ in a sort, though they be not approved of him, and do his work for the good of them that be heirs of salvation. But in so doing, they do not communicate with the Ministers of Antichrists apostasy, but with the Lord Christ in his holy ordinance, by such means as he hath appointed. 1Hierome noteth, that there are four sorts, who are employed in the businesses and affairs of Almighty God. The first, such as are sent neither of men, nor by men, but by Jesus Christ. The second, such as are sent of God, but by man. The third are such as are sent of man and not of God, who are they that are ordained by favour of Men, not rightly judging of the quality of them who are to serve in this calling. Who yet are not simply denied to be sent of God, as if they had not commission from him, but therefore only, because if the choosers and ordainers had done their duties, they should have made a better choice. For being sent by men that have authority, though abusing the same, we cannot say they have no true or lawful Ministry: for then were all ministration of the Sacraments, and other sacred things void, performed by scandalous, ungodly Ministers, and such as by sinister means get into these holy places. The fourth are of such as are neither sent of God, nor of men, nor by men, but run of themselves, and have no calling at all: who are neither Ministers of Christ for themselves, nor others. Thus far Hierome.
2. Such as be not rightly called by men, because not rightly furnished with gifts, or faithfully executing their place, or teaching erroneous doctrines and traditions of men, but yet set apart to an office which is of God, and in communion of men professing the true Faith, are called Antichristian Ministers. And if it be taken in this sense, the faithfull are bound in conscience to heare such, if they live in their societies: because they be the Ministers of Christ in a sort, though they be not approved of him, and doe his worke for the good of them that be heires of salvation. But in so doing, they doe not communicate with the Ministers of Antichrists apostasie, but with the Lord Christ in his holy ordinance, by such meanes as he hath appointed.