A30189:255
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. 15. pag 133. › 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.
Those Churches to which all these notes agree truly, are to be esteemed pure in their measure: but those to whom all do not agree, or not so truly, they are to be esteemed less pure or true, and that in comparison more or less according as more or fewer of these notes, common, special or proper, shall be found more or less pure amongst them.
Those Churches to which all these notes agree truelie, are to bee esteemed pure in their measure: but those to whom all doe not agree, or not so truely, they are to be esteemed lesse pure or true, and that in comparison more or lesse according as more or fewer of these notes, common, speciall or proper, shall be found more or lesse pure amongst them.
Where all these notes are to be found purely, the Church is excellent for degree, pure and famous; where any of these is wanting or impure, the Church is so much defective or impure, though it may be pure in comparison of others.
The profession of the true faith, 1and the framing of our life and conversation according to the direction of the word, with the right administration of the Sacraments and comely order, 2are signs of a Church in a good state and condition. But it may fall out, that the profession of faith alone by public preaching and hearing of the word, administration of the Sacraments, prayers and thanksgiving doth take place, when good order is neglected, and if life degenerate from the profession: for in this case she ceaseth not to be the true CHURCH of Christ, so long as it pleaseth him not to give her a Bill of divorce.