A30189:258
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.
True doctrine in all points, and the due and right administration of the Sacraments in all things according to the word both for substance and circumstance, is the note of a pure Church, and in good plight. But true Doctrine in the main grounds and Articles of faith, though mixed with defects and errors in other matters, not concerning the life and soul of Religion, and the right administration of the Sacraments for substance, though in the manner of dispensation some things be not so well ordered as they might and ought, are notes and marks of a true and sound Church, though somewhat crazed in health and soundness, by errors in doctrine, corruptions in the worship of God, and evils in life and manners.
True doctrine in all points, and the due and right administration of the Sacraments in all things according to the word both for substance and circumstance, is the note of a pure Church, and in good plight. But true Doctrine in the maine grounds and Articles of faith, though mixt with defects and errours in other matters, not concerning the life and soule of Religion, and the right administration of the Sacraments for substance, though in the manner of dispensation some things be not so well ordered as they might and ought, are notes and markes of a true and sound Church, though somewhat crased in health and soundnesse, by errors in doctrine, corruptions in the worship of God, and evils in life and manners.
A false Church is that which holds neither the truth of faith ⟨p. 78⟩entirely, nor the integrity of divine worship, nor comely order which God hath appointed for the government of his house, nor holiness of conversation. But addeth to the Articles of faith, to that which is worshipped, and to the substantial means whereby God is worshipped, and to the holy Commandments, which God hath given for the direction of his people, or detracteth and perverteth the right sense of faith, not considering that which is worshipped as is meet, mangling the Ordinances of God, and transforming the lawful manner of worship into another form, and inverteth the holy Commandment by corrupt glosses and sinister interpretations, which destroyeth the life and power of godliness.