A30189:562
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
Chapter 4 › Section 2 › ANSWER.Chapter 4 › Section 2 › ANSVVER.
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.
When John the Baptist began to preach the Gospel, 1and gather a new people for Christ, he admitted none to Baptism but upon confession of their sins, which was both a renouncing of them, and a promising of amendment of life. But we find not that he repulsed any that voluntarily submitted themselves, nor took time for trial, whether they made nonfession in truth of heart, or no. It appeareth many ways, that when the Apostles planted Churches, 2the people whom they received did enter into Covenant with God: But it is diligently to be observed, whom they did receive upon confession of sins and profession of faith, and whom they suffered after they were received. Simon Mag•s. believed and was baptized, 3who not long after offered money that he might obtain the gifts of the holy Ghost. In Corinth Galatina and other Churches, many were admitted into the society, who in short time turned aside both in practice and opinion, as to deny the resurrection, and join the ceremonies of the Law with Christ in the point of justification, and many other abuses: which is a great presumption, they gave no sure testimony of ⟨p. 57⟩any sound work of grace in their souls, when first entertained into fellowship. And though the Apostles required a confession of faith, and profession of obedience of them that joined in Christian society, yet they tolerated great abuses in private persons, which they could not redress. For without question they condemned the having of many wives at once in all men, but when that custom at least secret and indirect, 4prevailed among the Jews and Gentiles both in those times, they give no pCommandment that each believer having two wives, should be cast out of the society, but only that he should not be chosen into the place of a Bishop or Deacon. Great and manifold abuses crept into the Churches, even whilst the Apostles lived, and shortly after they were planted, and some of those were reprehended only, calling the Churches to reformation and amendment; the gross, obstinate, and most abominable transgressors, either they gave up to Satan, or gave commandment to the Churches that they should cast them out: but evermore, with such mildness and moderation, as it is most evident, they forbore to pluck up the tares, least they should pluck up the good corn also.