A30189:267
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.
1. If by a false Church you understand a Church erring in points of faith exceeding dangerous, and corrupting the pure worship of God with real Idolatry, with whom the faithful may not lawfully hold Communion: yet then that which they have of God amongst them, though not rightly administered, is effectual by the blessing of GOD according, to promise.
1. If by a false Church you understand a Church erring in points of faith exceeding dangerous, and corrupting the pure worship of God with reall Idolatry, with whom the faithfull may not lawfully hold Communion: yet then that which they have of God amongst them, though not rightly administred, is effectuall by the blessing of GOD according, to promise.
As Baptism administered by the Heretics holding the form of Baptism, and of Popish Priests, is true Baptism, and not to be reiterated. For one and the same society may in one sense have somewhat of the true Church, and in another be the Synagogue of Satan: and their Ministers exercise the Ministry and service of Christ, when they themselves be the bond-slaves of Satan. It is true, God threatens to destroy such societies, and is highly displeased with the service that is done there as such, because it is not done as it ought: but as he is pleased to continue his Ordinance, so he is pleased to give it force and validity according to his institution. And it is not strange that God should be displeased with a thing not done according to his institution, when the institution it ⟨p. 80⟩self he doth approve and bless to some according to his free covenant.
As Baptisme administred by the Heretikes holding the forme of Baptisme, and of Popish Priests, is true Baptisme, and not to be reiterated. For one and the same society may in one sense have somewhat of the true Church, and in another bee the Synagogue of Satan: and their Ministers exercise the Ministery and service of Christ, when they themselves bee the bond-slaves of Satan. It is true, God threatens to destroy such societies, and is highly displeased with the service that is done there as such, because it is not done as it ought: but as he is pleased to continue his Ordinance, so he is pleased to give it force and validity according to his institution. And it is not strange that God should bee displeased with a thing not done according to his institution, when the institution it