A30189:564
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.
The History of the Gospel in the New Testament containeth but a short time, viz. from the time wherein John the Baptist began to preach, to the end of the acts and writings of the Apostles, which is not full fourscore years: so that we cannot show the repetition of the Covenant from time to time, or what patience was showed in tolerating abuses, or when men were adjudged obstinate, or what repentance and profession was required in general abuses or revolts; but by that which is said, we may discern who in phrase of Scripture are called Saints, and holy, faithful, and called, and chosen; even, all and every member of the common-wealth of Israel, and Christian Churches, until they were cut off, or cast out, though they lived not according to their profession, but were stiffenecked, scandalous, profane.
The History of the Gospel in the New Testament containeth but a short time, viz. from the time wherin John the Baptist began to preach, to the end of the acts and writings of the Apostles, which is not full fourscore yeares: so that we cannot shew the repetition of the Covenant from time to time, or what patience was shewed in tolerating abuses, or when men were adjudged obstinate, or what repentance and profession was required in generall abuses or revolts; but by that which is said, we may discerne who in phrase of Scripture are called Saints, and holy, faithfull, and called, and chosen; even, all and every member of the common-wealth of Israel, and Christian Churches, untill they were cut off, or cast out, though they lived not according to their profession, but were stiffenecked, scandalous, prophane.
The practice of the Church according to the example of the Apostles in qreceiving Heathens and them that were without into society was this. First, They were taught in the principles of Religion, and then the doctrine of Christ being received, profession made, with promise to renounce the world, the flesh, and the Devil, they were baptized. Justine sometime an Heathen Philosopher, but after a famous Martyr of Christ, in his second Apology for Christians, reporteth. That if any Heathen man desired to be received into the fellowship of the Church, he was first