A30189:439
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
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.
You tell us peremptorily, 1If the reformed Churches do justify the English, therein they condemn greatly their own practice: for in their constitution, ministry, worship and Government they are as opposite as light and darkness one to the other. 2Can you find nothing to object, that the Sun doth not shine at Noonday? Is it not apparent to all the Christian world, that the reformed Churches do give unto us the right hand of fellowship, and esteem as us the true Churches of Jesus Christ? In manner of government they differ from us, and they have abolished some rites and Ceremonies, which we retain as matters indifferent, not as matters of holiness, necessity, or worship (this is the profession of our Church) but in doctrine, worship and ministry for the substance thereof, there is a sweet agreement. And the differences, that are betwixt them and us in other matters, 3they have so learned to tolerate, as neither to condemn their own practice, nor to dis-church us: and the like Christian moderation, they receive from us back again. The Churches of Christ have not learned to cure every scratch of a pin, with a knife or lance: This art of curing they leave to you, who was never admitted into the society of discreet Physicians among them or us. Thirdly consider how uncertain their ways are who walk in darkness. Sometimes the Scribes and Pharisees were to be heard, because they were lawfully called: Sometimes they might not be heard: sometime it is a case not easily determined: and sometimes in the Churches now under the New Testament false Prophets are not to be suffered; as if the passages of Scripture forbidding to hear false Prophets, must be restrained to the times of the Gospel. Such staggerings and gross delusions in others, 4would have occasioned out-cries to raise the Country.
You tell us peremptorily, 1If the reformed Churches do justifie the English, therein they condemne greatly their own practice: for in their constitution, ministerie, worship and Government they are as opposite as light and darknes one to the other.