A30189:475
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.
It is true, 1the Nonconformists judge it unlawful to subscribe to that Book, that every thing contained therein is agreeable to the Scripture, but they condemn not the Book as an Idol or profane, nor the use of the Book in those things which are consonant to the truth. And of this their judgement there is evident ground: for we must not approve the least error (though in it self never so harmless) for truth, because that were to lie against the truth, and the God of truth needeth not my lie: But many things must be tolerated, when it is not in our power to amend them, which we cannot approve, otherwise we must hold communion with no Church or society in the world. And of this mark are the corruptions noted in the Communion-Book, as hath been showed, and is evident by the particulars mentioned in passages which you allege.
It is true, 1the Nonconformists judge it unlawfull to subscribe to that Booke, that every thing conteined therein is agreeable to the Scripture, but they condemne not the Booke as an Idol or prophane, nor the use of the Booke in those things which are consonant to the truth. And of this their judgement there is evident ground: for we must not approve the least error (though in it selfe never so harmlesse) for truth, because that were to lie against the truth, and the God of truth needeth not my lie: But many things must be tolerated, when it is not in our power to amend them, which we cannot approve, otherwise we must hold communion with no Church or societie in the world. And of this marke are the corruptions noted in the Communion-Booke, as hath been shewed, and is evident by the particulars mentioned in passages which you alledge.
- 1Beza Epist. 2. Gravissimè nimirum & in semetipsos & in fratres reliquos peccare qui naevis istis, aut etiam si mavis, corrupt•lis, et suas ex aliorum cos•entias non leviter perturbant, perinde ac si de Christianismo semel ablato ageretur, &c. Sed vitia a vitiis & quae condonanda sunt Christianae chari•ati ab iis quae prorsus sunt execranda, pradenter distinguenda esset censeo, idque tamen non ex carnis sed spiritus prudenti.