A30189:369
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 8 › CAN. STAY against. Sect. 5. Pag. 74. 75. › 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.
It derogates nothing from the glory of Christs wisdom and faithfulness in providing for the full and perfect instruction of the Church, that such Pastors be sometimes wanting and cannot be had: for he never promised to provide otherwise for them in all ages of the Church, but told them of the scarcity which might come before, and in wisdom saw into be most for his own glory. Christ never laid this charge upon the faithful to separate from those teachers, which preached truly the doctrine of salvation, if any exception could be taken against their calling qualification, manner of life or execution of their office. The Pastors of the Church should be wise, vigilant, holy, examples to the flock both in doctrine and conversation, not seeking their own but, that which is Jesus Christs; And after they be chosen, they should execute their office with all diligence: But if they be careless, covetous, pompous, entangling themselves in things of this world, scandalous, yet if they preach Christ, and be not, or cannot be removed, the faithful are bound to hear them. The Primitive Bishops and Martyrs, were neither Pastors nor Doctors according ⟨p. 116⟩to every circumstance, which your will require in a Pastor or Teacher, but the faithful in those times held communion with, and heard them as they preached Christ and him crucified, and that by the commandment and approbation of Christ Himself, what was of God, they were obliged to submit unto, wisely distinguishing it from that which is annexed of man.
It derogates nothing from the glory of Christs wisdome and faithfulnesse in providing for the full and perfect instruction of the Church, that such Pastors be sometimes wanting and cannot bee had: for he never promised to provide otherwise for them in all ages of the Church, but told them of the scarcitie which might come before, and in wisdome saw i•to be most for his owne glory. Christ never laid this charge upon the faithfull to separate from those teachers, which preached truely the doctrine of salvation, if any exception could bee taken against their calling qualification, manner of life or execution of their office. The Pastors of the Church should be wise, vigilant, holy, examples to the flock both in doctrine and conversation, not seeking their owne but, that which is Jesus Christs; And after they be chosen, they should execute their office with al diligence: But if they be carelesse, covetous, pompous, intangling themselves in things of this world, scandalous, yet if they preach Christ, and be not, or cannot be removed, the faithfull are bound to heare them. The Primitive Bishops and Martyrs, were neither Pastors nor Doctors according