A30189:77
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 Faithful entreat Christ, To show them where he feedeth his flock; that they might not turn aside (if the words will bear that interpretation) to the flocks of his companions, that is, the Congregations of false Christs, and false Prophets. That which you add, by his Ministry with his Spirit, Word, Seals, and Censures: And that there they might place themselves for instruction and government, is not found in the Text, and may be received or refused, as it is understood. If your meaning be, that Christ by these means doth feed or rule his Flock, it will easily be granted. If it be this, That no Christian may lawfully sit down in any congregation, where any one of these is wanting, or not executed in all points as it ought; you speak of your self, and not by the warrant of Gods Word. For where Christ doth feed his flock, there may the Saints of God communicate, in the ordinances of Grace and Religion, though some be wanting, or not so purely performed in all ⟨p. 10⟩points as they ought; though the Minister in some particular enter not as he ought, or be not qualified as the Word requireth.
The Faithfull entreate Christ, To shew them where he feedeth his flock; that they might not turne aside (if the words will beare that interpretation) to the flocks of his companions, that is, the Congregations of false Christs, and false Prophets. That which you adde, by his Ministerie with his Spirit, Word, Seales, and Censures: And that there they might place themselves for instruction and government, is not found in the Text, and may be received or refused, as it is understood. If your meaning be, that Christ by these means doth feed or rule his Flock, it will easily be granted. If it be this, That no Christian may lawfully sit downe in any congregation, where any one of these is wanting, or not executed in all points as it ought; you speak of your selfe, and not by the warrant of Gods Word. For where Christ doth feed his flock, there may the Saints of God communicate, in the ordinances of Grace and Religion, though some be wanting, or not so purely performed in all ⟨p. 10⟩points as they ought; though the Minister in some particular enter not as he ought, or be not qualified as the Word requireth.