A30189:75
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.
The Pastors according to Gods own heart, whom he gives, of his matrimonial love, and special favour, are furnished with the gifts of knowledge and holiness: but others are called of God, not without his over-ruling stroke in that which is done by men. The Lord threatens to reject them, who despise knowledge, that they shall be no Priests unto him: But this threatening is not a present degradation, or turning them out of office, disinabling them in that they could do, and making all their acts void, but a menace of future evil in Gods time, for that they ought to have done, but did not. And even from this commination it will follow, That if Ministers who despise knowledge and understanding, be permitted, by such as have power to cast them out, but do not; they retain their power and authority still, for the good of the faithful, until God be pleased to cast them off, and turn them out of office, though their function be not pleasing unto God.
The Pastors according to Gods owne heart, whom he gives, of his matrimoniall love, and speciall favour, are furnished with the gifts of knowledge and holinesse: but others are called of God, not without his over-ruling stroke in that which is done by men. The Lord threatens to reject them, who despise knowledge, that they shall be no Priests unto him: But this threatning is not a present degradation, or turning them out of office, disinabling them in that they could doe, and making all their acts void, but a menace of future evill in Gods time, for that they ought to have done, but did not. And even from this cōmination it will follow, That if Ministers who despise knowledge and understanding, be permitted, by such as have power to cast them out, but doe not; they retaine their power and authoritie still, for the good of the faithfull, untill God be pleased to cast them off, and turne them out of office, though their function be not pleasing unto God.
Ephraim (saith the Prophet) is joined to Idols; that is, 1hath left the true God, and followeth false Gods, or Idols; he is glued, and sticketh fast unto them, that he will not be pulled away: Let him alone, that is, Have no fellowship or communion with him in his Idolatry. But that which is truly alleged against communion with Idolaters in their Idolatry, or false worship, is unjustly wrested against communion with a true Christian Church, in the holy things of God. The faithful must not enter into Gilgal, nor go up to Bethaven, though the Priests that there sacrificed, were of the Tribe of Levi, because Idolatry was there committed, the Office or Service there performed, was directly contrary to Gods Commandment. But they were bound to go up to Jerusalem, though the Priests there Ministering had entered unlawfully, and executed their Offices corruptly: because God had appointed they should appear before him in that place, and the Service there tendered was of the Lord, and by his appointment, though the Priests were ignorant, proud, profane, covetous, or the like.