A30189:242
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
Chapter 1 › Section 5 › Can. Stay. Sect. 5. Pag 37.38. › ANSWER.
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.
The Church of Rome is a false constitution, but baptism administered in that Church is not idolatry, nor a mere nullity. If the Church of Rome were not a Church in some respects, but a mere Idol, the Pope could not be that Antichrist, a principal rebel, a notorious traitor against Christ. If we speak absolutely, or compare Rome with Churches truly Christian, it is no true Church, but the Synagogue of Satan: But if we speak of it in opposition to the Jews, of Turks, or other professed Infidels, it hath so much of a visible Church, as a man cannot say it is no Church at all; so much true doctrine is in it, as sufficeth to support the title of Antichrist, and some ordinances are so administered, as that it cannot be said, they are mere nullities.
The Church of Rome is a false constitution, but baptisme administred in that Church is not idolatry, nor a meere nullitie. If the Church of Rome were not a Church in some respects, but a meere Idoll, the Pope could not be that Antichrist, a principall rebell, a notorious traitor against Christ. If we speak absolutely, or compare Rome with Churches truly Christian, it is no true Church, but the Synagogue of Satan: But if we speake of it in opposition to the Jewes, of Turkes, or other professed Infidels, it hath so much of a visible Church, as a man cannot say it is no Church at all; so much true doctrine is in it, as sufficeth to support the title of Antichrist, and some ordinances are so administred, as that it cannot be said, they are meer nullities.
In the true Church many wicked ones are found, that are no less profane, sacrilegious, enemies to peace, the vassals of Satan, possessed by the Devil, dead in sin and accursed of God, than heretics or schismatics, who yet for that they have that order, office, or degree of ministry, which is holy, do no less nor with less effect administer the holy sacraments, than those who are the samplers of all piety and virtue.
In the true Church many wicked ones are found, that are no lesse prophane, sacrilegious, enemies to peace, the vassals of Satan, possessed by the Divell, dead in sin and accursed of God, than heretiks or schismatiks, who yet for that they have that order, office, or degree of ministerie, which is holy, doe no lesse nor with lesse effect administer the holy sacraments, than those who are the samplars of all pietie and vertue.