A30189:457
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.
These words, Forms of worship, may be taken two ways. First, to note the substantial parts, or means of worship; and in this sense it is most true, That all forms of worship not prescribed of God, are unlawful and false worship, because devised by men.
These words, Formes of worship, may be taken two wayes. First, to note the substantiall parts, or meanes of worship; and in this sense it is most true, That all formes of worship not prescribed of God, are unlawfull and false worship, because devised by men.
Secondly, To note a bare order, method, or phrase, wherein divine Service is performed: And in this sense, the Nonconformists never said, That all forms of worship not prescribed are false, or devised worship. For they know, that no form is determined and prescribed of God precisely in all parts of his worship, and where none is set apart by his Majesty, it is a breach of his Commandment, and devised worship, to place an opinion of worship in the simple order or phrase of speech used in prayer, or administration of holy things.
Secondly, To note a bare order, methode, or phrase, wherein divine Service is performed: And in this sense, the Nonconformists never said, That all formes of worship not prescribed are false, or devised worship. For they know, that no forme is determined and prescribed of God precisely in all parts of his worship, and where none is set apart by his Majestie, it is a breach of his Commandement, and devised worship, to place an opinion of worship in the simple order or phrase of speech used in prayer, or administration of holy things.
The Nonconformists condemn not a Liturgy, or stinted form of prayer, but desire that all things therein might be ordered as doth tend most to edification. Whatsoever exceptions they have taken against our Book of Common-prayer, they never disliked the use of it, so far as they judged it sound and good. They do not condemn it wholly, but find fault with it, as in some points disagreeing with the word of God. What hath been their seeking from time to time? a razing of the Communion Book! No; but a purging and filing of it, after the pattern of that care, which former examples set us. The Book of Common-prayer, they condemn not as a wicked and ungodly Book, much less the Service as false, devised, and idolatrous; but they have and do use the book, and profess their readiness so to do, only they desire to be excused in some things, which they judge to be amiss.