A30189:470
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.
If the Papists for the first ten years, 1resorted to our public Congregations and service, what can we think but that the hand of the Lord was with us for good, whiles we sought him unfeignedly, who caused our enemies at least lyingly to submit themselves. For in the first ten years of Queen Elizabeth there was sweet consent amongst brethren. The Pope durst not curse, the Gospel flourished and was glorified: the Papists durst not oppose themselves, and I think there was not a man that thought of separation. The pressing of subscription and conformity in the tenth year of Queen Elizabeths Reign, was that which brought in all the troubles and contentions following. For after that Brethren wrote one against another, the Papists they fell back to their vomit, and in process of time, and not long after, some of fiery spirits advanced the Controversies to such an height, as they forsook their brethren, renounced their Mother, and drew themselves into voluntary separation, or schism. Which rents have been increased unto this day by the violent urging of subscription and conformity on the one fide, and the maintenance of that rash and sinful departure on the other. But these things convince not our service to be idolatrous.
If the Papists for the first ten yeares, 1resorted to our publique Congregations and service, what can we thinke but that the hand of the Lord was with us for good, whiles we sought him unfaignedly, who caused our enemies at least lyingly to submit themselves. For in the first ten yeares of Queen Elizabeth there was sweet consent amongst brethren. The Pope durst not curse, the Gospell flourished and was glorifyed: the Papists durst not oppose themselves, and I thinke there was not a man that thought of separation. The pressing of subscription and conformitie in the tenth yeare of Queen Elizabeths Reigne, was that which brought in all the troubles and contentions following. For after that Brethren wrote one against another, the Papists they fell backe to their vomit, and in processe of time, and not long after, some of fiery spirits advanced the Controversies to such an height, as they forsooke their brethren, renounced their Mother, and drew themselves into voluntary separation, or schisme. Which rents have beene encreased unto this day by the violent urging of subscription and conformitie on the one fide, and the maintenance of that rash and sinfull departure on the other. But these things convince not our service to be idolatrous.