A30189:308
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.
The doctrine of the Nicolaitaus (which was, that adultery and fornication were no sins, and that men might communicate with the sacrifices of Idolaters in their Idol Temples. Iren. l. 1. c. 27. Epiphan. 1. Tom. 1.) Was not (you say) in the judgment of the Churches at Pergamus & Thyatira esteemed as a thing that might not be born withal. If Pergamus and Thyatyra, so grievously corrupted were true Churches, The receiving of Ordination from the hands of a Bishop doth not so leaven the Ministry as to make a nullity thereof, or make it unlawful for others to join therewith in the worship of God.
The doctrine of the Nicolaitaus (which was, that adultery and fornication were no sinnes, and that men might communicate with the sacrifices of Idolaters in their Idol Temples. Iren. l. 1. c. 27. Epiphan. 1. Tom. 1.) Was not (you say) in the judgment of the Churches at Pergamus & Thyatira esteemed as a thing that might not be born withal. If Pergamus and Thyatyra, so grievously corrupted were true Churches, The receiving of Ordination from the hands of a Bishop doth not so leaven the Ministery as to make a nullity thereof, or make it unlawfull for others to joyn therewith in the worship of God.
A Bishop ordained per saltum, 1that never had the Ordination of a Presbyter, can neither consecrate and administer the Sacrament of the Lords Supper, nor ordain a Presbyter, himself being none, nor do any act peculiarly appertaining to Presbyters. Ordination therefore is reserved to the Bishop, not in respect of superiority in degree of ministry above his brethren, for if he be no Presbyter he cannot make Presbyters, but for order sake and to prevent Schism and division, being for substance of the same order and Consecration with them. If one member in the body challenge to it self that office which belongeth to many, it breeds some disorder and confusion, but makes not a nullity of that which is done.
A Bishop ordained per saltum, 1