A30189:472
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.
Such is the unholiness of this Idol-book, 1as the Nonconformists generally have refused to subscribe unto it; affirming it to be such a piece of work at it is strange any will use it, there being in it most vile and unallowable things. And for this cause, they have besought the Peers of the Ready, that it might be utterly removed, and many reasons they have given in several Treatises, to prove their condemnation of it, just and lawful. First, because it is an infections Liturgy, Romish-stuff, a devised service, and in it are many, Religions •ixed together, of Christ and Antichrist, of God and the Devil: besides, a book full of fancies, and a great many things contrary to Gods Word; and prayers which are false, foolish, superstitious, and stark naught. Secondly, They cannot account it praying, as they use it commonly, but only reading or saying of prayers: 2even as a child that learneth to reads, if his lesson be a prayer he readeth a prayer, and doth not pray: even so it is commonly a saying, and reading prayers; and not praying. Thirdly, In all the order there is no edification, but confusion. Fourthly, We read not of any such Liturgy in the Christian Church in the days of the Apostles, 3nor in many ages following, till blindness, ignorance and laziness occasioned a prescript form to be made for idle and dumb Priests. Fifthly, If this were not, many would make more profession of Love to preaching, and hearing Gods Word, but by this means it is neglected and despised: for worldlings, usurers, drunkards, whore-mongers, and other earthly and profane people, away with nothing so well as English Mass; 4and why? but because it doth not sharply reprove them of their sins, nor disclose the secret of their hearts, but that they may continue in all kind of voluptuousness, and all other kind of wickedness; 5and therefore rightly it is called their starve-us-book. Sixthly, God hath no where appointed that the Church should be tied to read the Book of Common-prayer for his worship: and therefore to do it is an high transgression before him, as great as the sin of Nadab and Abihu, and such are liable unto the like or greater punishment.