A30189:243
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.
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.
The faithful and holy Ministers administer and receive the Sacraments with good profit, and benefit to themselves and others. The hypocritical, with benefit to others, not to themselves. The profane being not put from their places, do officiate with hurt to themselves, scandal to others, but to the everlasting comfort of them that partake worthily. The heretical and idolatrous administer the Sacraments, that are holy, and in their own nature, the means, pledges, and assurances of salvation, but without benefit to themselves and others, that continue in sin. Thus the Prophets, Apostles, Martyrs, and faithful, have held communion in the Ordinances ⟨p. 73⟩of grace, with such whose calling and conversation was not approved of God.
The faithfull and holy Ministers administer and receive the Sacraments with good profit, and benefit to themselves and others. The hypocriticall, with benefit to others, not to themselves. The prophane being not put from their places, doe officiate with hurt to themselves, scandall to others, but to the everlasting comfort of them that partake worthily. The hereticall and idolatrous administer the Sacraments, that are holy, and in their owne nature, the meanes, pledges, and assurances of salvation, but without benefit to themselves and others, that continue in sin. Thus the Prophets, Apostles, Martyrs, and faithfull, have held communion in the Ordinances