A30189:476
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 likewise, they judge the Book in the form thereof to come too nigh the Papists (and so have others as well as they) and therefore have petitioned that it might be reformed, that we might depart further from them, and come nearer to the reformed Churches. But herein they show what they judge most convenient, not condemning the Book for the substance thereof, as a forged worship: How much more convenient were it (saith T. C.1) that according to the manner of the reformed Churches: first the Minister with an humble and general confession of faults, should desire the assistance of the Lord for the fruitful handling and receiving of the Word of God; and then after we have heard the Lord speak unto us in his Word by his Minister, the Church should likewise ⟨p. 16⟩speak unto the Lord, and present petitions and suits at once, &c. But how careful he was to prevent such ways and speeches as some professors of the Gospel being private men, might be emboldened to break forth upon such like exceptions, 2is evident by that solemn request he makes unto them that profess the Gospel, in the name of God, that they abuse not his labour to other ends, than he bestowed it, and that they keep themselves in their callings, commit the matter by prayer unto the Lord, leaving to the Ministers of the word of God, and to the Magistrate that which pertaineth to them. The Protestants in France for substance of matter agree with the Nonconformists herein.
It is true likewise, they judge the Booke in the forme thereof to come too nigh the Papists (and so have others as well as they) and therefore have petitioned that it might be reformed, that we might depart further from them, and come neerer to the reformed Churches. But herein they shew what they judge most convenient, not condemning the Booke for the substance thereof, as a forged worship: How much more convenient were it (saith T. C.1) that according to the manner of the reformed Churches: first the Minister with an humble and generall confession of faults, should desire the assistance of the Lord for the fruitfull handling and receiving of the Word of God; and then after we have heard the Lord speake unto us in his Word by his Minister, the Church should likewise