A30189:52
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.
Whether these conditions be observed by the Author himself in his writings, let the indifferent judge, as namely, whether passages of Scripture be truly alleged, Authors rightly quoted, arguments plainly propounded, conclusions soundly drawn, his adversaries ingenuously dealt withal? Whether in writing he set himself in the presence of God, and weigh in the Balance of the Sanctuary what he commendeth unto his Reader? Whether he censure not before he make proof by Scripture, and rather insult over his adversaries with insolent and reproachful terms, than confute their grounds with substantial reasons? and whiles he commendeth plain dealing, simplicity and integrity, he do not play the juggler, who pretends plainness, that he might beguile and deceive the sooner.
Whether these conditions be observed by the Author himselfe in his writings, let the indifferent judge, as namely, whether passages of Scripture be truly alledged, Authors rightly quoted, arguments plainly propounded, conclusions soundly drawne, his adversaries ingenuously dealt withall? Whether in writing he set himselfe in the presence of God, and weigh in the Ballance of the Sanctuarie what he commendeth unto his Reader? Whether he censure not before he make proofe by Scripture, and rather insult over his adversaries with insolent and reproachfull tearmes, than confute their grounds with substantiall reasons? and whiles he commendeth plaine dealing, simplicitie and integritie, he doe not play the jugler, who pretends plainnesse, that he might beguile and deceive the sooner.
For when he makes semblance of zeal for the purity of religion, 1wisheth tenderness of conscience to his Reader, ever and anon objecteth to his •pposites what abominations and vile corruptions they labour to justify, which formerly they condemned, beareth in hand that the Scriptures speak expressly for him, and the learned of all sorts ancient and modern, who would not expect fair carriage and honest dealing? whereas, let the whole frame of his writings be looked into, with a single heart and unpartial eye, and it will be found weary corrupt, loose, deceitful for the matter,