A30189:541
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.
CHAP. IV.
SECT. I.
ALL true visible Churches gathered and planted according to Gods Word, 1consisted in their constitution of Saints only: But the Churches of England after Popery were not so constituted. For the greatest number of them were profane people, even mockers and contemners of Religion, as Atheists, Idolaters, Sorcerers, Blasphemers, and all sorts of miscreants and wicked livers. Therefore the Churches of England are not true visible Churches. There is never a part of this argument they can deny, unless they will let fall their own principles. For the Assumption I make no question, but it will pass without exception, and none of them will have the face to oppose it, considering how generally the thing hath been affirmed, and still is upon all occasions both in word and writing. Now that the proposition may appear as true also, I will prove the same; first, by Scriptures; secondly, by reason; thirdly, by the testimonies of the learned.
ALL true visible Churches gathered and planted according to Gods Word, 1consisted in their constitution of Saints onely: But the Churches of England after Popery were not so constituted. For the greatest number of them were prophane people, even mockers and contemners of Religion, as Atheists, Idolaters, Sorcerers, Blasphemers, and all sorts of miscreants and wicked livers. Therefore the Churches of England are not true visible Churches. There is never a part of this argument they can deny, unlesse they will let fall their owne principles. For the Assumption I make no question, but it will passe without exception, and none of them will have the face to oppose it, considering how generally the thing hath beene affirmed, and still is upon all occasions both in word and writing. Now that the proposition may appeare as true also, I will prove the same; first, by Scriptures; secondly, by reason; thirdly, by the testimonies of the learned.