A30189:303
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 6 › CAN. Necess. of Separation, Pag. 37. › 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.
2 The superiority they take or challenge over their brethren, which makes not a difference or nullity in the substance of their ministry; and this is of men. All Ministers of the Gospel are stewards of Jesus Christ, set apart to do his work, wherein if any one shall challenge more than of right appertaineth unto him; or do ought out of pride, partiality, sinister affection, tyranny or sedition: or receiveth such authority to himself alone, as belongeth not to his place and office, or is common to many; in that he is blameworthy: but thereupon his Ministry or ministerial acts done by him, are not made void and of none effect.
2 The superioritie they take or challenge over their brethren, which makes not a difference or nullitie in the substance of their ministery; and this is of men. All Ministers of the Gospell are stewards of Jesus Christ, set apart to doe his worke, wherein if any one shall challenge more than of right appertaineth unto him; or doe ought out of pride, partialitie, sinister affection, tyrannie or sedition: or receiveth such authoritie to himselfe alone, as belongeth not to his place and office, or is common to many; in that he is blameworthy: but thereupon his Ministery or ministeriall acts done by him, are not made voide and of none effect.
Thus the Church of England, 1at least the prime maintainers of Religion, against the Papists have taught, That there is little or no difference betwixt a Bishop and a Presbyter: to which purpose Jewell cites many passages out of the Ancient Fathers; as of Ambrose, there is one Ordination of a Bishop and a Presbyter: Chrys. betwixt a Bishop and a Presbyter there is almost no difference. Aug. what is a Bishop, but the first or chief Presbyter. And both Conformists and Non-confor••ists agree in this, that ministers rightly qualified with gifts, and preaching the doctrine of salvation purely, be the Ministers of Jesus Christ, whether ordained by Bishops or the Eldership. 2