A30189:643
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.
ANSWER.
ANSVVER.
WE have here the same thing over again, and when all is said, it is but this, I deny it, or I say it. The assumption cannot for shame be denied. The proposition rightly understood is true and sound, but it may carry divers constructions. As first, the meaning may be, That Ministry is for substance unlawful, which none may lawfully give to such or such persons, scil. to such as be unfit or profane. And in this sense, the proposition is not sound. For the Ministry is unlawfully committed to an ungodly man, an hypocrite, but the Ministry it self is heavenly, and from above. Or the sense may be, That Ministry is unlawful which men may not lawfully give virtually or formally: And then it is weak; For Pastors and Teachers are the gifts of Christ unto his Church, from whom they receive their office, and not ⟨p. 91⟩from men, Or it may bear this sense. That Ministry is unlawful, which none may lawfully give in such form, and manner, as it is executed? And then it is liable to exception. For of right the power of administration of the Seals and Censures of the Church, belong to the Pastors, Teachers, and Governors of the Church; when in the execution of this office, they may be hindered. It is lawful to be an assistant or helper to a Pastor for a time, when it is not lawful to give the office of Ministry to a man for a time only, and then to expire. To the assumption; The Lecturers of whom we speak, have derived their office from the Lord Jesus Christ, by the Ministry of his Church, as instruments, their entrance into it lawful, the service and work it self holy, the manner of performing it warrantable, and the authority they have received the same which Christ hath communicated to the Ministers of the Gospel. To publish the truth by way of instruction or exhortation, is not peculiar to the Ministers of the Gospel, but by authority, […] peculiar to the Minister. For the Scripture joineth together the preaching of the Word, and dispensation of the Seals, as both belonging to the Officers, 1