A30189:570
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.
Now to apply this to the state of the British Churches, both in their first plantation, continuance after, and that reformation which was made by King Edward first, and after by Queen Elizabeth, and so is continued. Some zlearned men are of opinion, that the Druids did instruct the Britons, in the knowledge and worship of one God: but it is more probable, they lay drowned in the days of ignorance, as other Nations, in the most miserable and fearful idolatry, of serving and worshipping many and strange gods. But when the light of the Gospel began to shine unto the world of the Gentiles, it pleased God of his free and boundless mercy and compassion to look upon this aIsland, and to send unto us the word of reconciliation, which was received & brought forth fruit, grew and increased, until at length it filled the Land. Which of the Apostles first preached the Gospel among us, is uncertain, but that from the springing forth of the light, the faith of Christ was received, is a thing generally acknowledged. Of the year when King Lucius received the faith of Christ, and was baptized, there is great diversity among Historians: but in the thing it self they all bagree in the times of Hadrian and Antoninus, Emperors, the Christian faith received ⟨p. 62⟩mighty increase, as in the rest of the world; so in Britain, and amongst some, remained entire and undefiled, until the persecution of Diocletian; which persecution burned furiously for the space of ten years in many Provinces, but in Britain, it continued only one year. For Constantius Chlorus, being declared Augustus, crestored peace to Christians in the Province of his Dominions, scil. Spain, France, and Britain. After the death of Constantius, dConstantine his Son, borne in England, and present with his Father at York when he dyed, was made Emperor; in whose time and reign persecution ceased, peace was generally given to the Church, e