A30189:311
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.
Howsoever therefore the Non-conformists dissent from others touching the Office and calling of Bishops: as it is esteemed a degree of ministry above Pastors and Ministers of the whole Diocese, who leave the care of Preaching to particular flocks, unto others, and challenge that as peculiar to themselves which is common to others, or properly belongeth to many: yet they never denied the word Preached by them that profess the entire faith, and the Sacraments administered by them, to be the true effectual Ordinances of Jesus Christ. And most that approve the calling of Bishops, deny not that there may be a Presbytery, but that a Presbytery is so fit for a Monarchy, being of opinion, that the form of government is left to the discretion of every Church. And both sides profess, that there is not any difference betwixt them, which may either deprive them of salvation by the death of CHRIST, or bar them from living brotherly and Christianly as members of one and the same Church.
Howsoever therefore the Non-conformists dissent from others touching the Office and calling of Bishops: as it is esteemed a degree of ministery above Pastors and Ministers of the whole Diocesse, who leave the care of Preaching to particular flockes, unto others, and challenge that as peculiar to themselves which is common to others, or properly belongeth to many: yet they never denyed the word Preached by them that professe the intire faith, and the Sacraments administred by them, to be the true effectuall Ordinances of Iesus Christ. And most that approve the calling of Bishops, deny not that there may be a Presbytery, but that a Presbytery is so fit for a Monarchy, being of opinion, that the forme of government is left to the discretion of every Church. And both sides professe, that there is not any difference betwixt them, which may either deprive them of salvation by the death of CHRIST, or barre them from living brotherly and Christianly as members of one and the same Church.
It is a rule, you say. That no man can give more to another than he hath himself. But this rule of Law is unskilfully applied, or else while you dispute against one false ministry you set up another, or destroy the ministry altogether. For the community of the faithful have not power to preach the Word, or administer the Sacraments, and he that derives his authority from them, which they have not to give, is no true Minister. If they be false Ministers, who derive their authority from them that have it not, then they that derive it from the Church as the Primitive and immediate subject must go in that number. For the Church hath not that authority,