A30189:608
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 5 › ANSWER.Chapter 4 › Section 5 › 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.
Fourthly, In the true Church of Christ, the true doctrine of Jesus Christ, the Prophets and Apostles in matters fundamental is kept, but so as the living members may err both in doctrine and manners, and others in society with them may err grossly, impenitently, finally. And thus the Church of England doth keep the doctrine of wChrist, the Prophets and Apostles entirely without addition or alteration, though in the government and administration there be many things amiss; though in the society there be many who be not qualified as sheep, humble and meek, but fierce and cruel.
Fourthly, In the true Church of Christ, the true doctrine of Jesus Christ, the Prophets and Apostles in matters fundamentall is kept, but so as the living members may erre both in doctrine and manners, and others in societie with them may erre grossely, impenitently, finally. And thus the Church of England doth keepe the doctrine of wChrist, the Prophets and Apostles intirely without addition or alteration, though in the government and administration there be many things amisse; though in the societie there be many who be not qualified as sheepe, humble and meeke, but fierce and cruell.
- wChaloner. Credo Sanct. 2 part, subject. The church in respect of its outward part (as it enters the Creed) is not only an outward profession of a doctrine or discipline, but a profession of the same under the notion of truth. And that the Church in this sense is invisible. Gregory de Valent. confes. in his third Tom. upon Thomas disp. 1 qu. 1. pag. 7. sect. 16. and Bellarm. in his third Book de Eccles. ca. 15. Bilson Christ. subject. par. 3. pag. 305. The visible Church consisting of good and bad, elect & reprobate, hath no such promise, but she may err: only the chosen of christ, which are the true members of his body, properly called his Church, they shall not err unto perdition, &c.Chaloner. Credo Sanct. 2 part, subject. The church in respect of its outward part (as it enters the Creed) is not onely an outward profession of a doctrine or discipline, but a profession of the same under the notion of truth. And that the Church in this sense is invisible. Gregory de Valent. confes. in his third Tom. upō Thomas disp. 1 qu. 1. pag. 7. sect. 16. and Bellarm. in his third Book de Eccles. ca. 15. Bilson Christ. subject. par. 3. pag. 305. The visible Church consisting of good and bad, elect & reprobate, hath no such promise, but shee may erre: only the chosen of christ, which are the true members of his body, properly called his Church, they shall not erre unto perdition, &c.