A30189:90
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 Godly and Faithful among the Jews, might not refuse to hear the Scribes and Pharisees, when they had no power to cast them out, and yet they were thieves and robbers, who corrupted the Law, and without question spake most reproachful things against the way and worship of God. The godly could not be sure that the Pharisees would not deliver such things, neither did they offend in being present at the worship of God: and yet it will not follow, that a man may hear any one, or any where. Thieves and murderers in the Church of the Jews, sprung up with them, and continued amongst them, and neither departed themselves, nor were cast out by others that had authority. In the Christian Church divers false ⟨p. 17⟩Teachers, ravening Wolves, Antichrists rose up, 1not from among the heathen, or Jews, but in and from themselves, whereof some went out from the Church, and separated themselves, others were cast out by excommunication, and delivered up to Satan, that they might learn not to blaspheme. Others were tolerated in the Church, either because their heresies were not so pernicious at the first, or the better side had not power to cast them out, or they preached the fundamental Truths, but of evil minds. These in respect of outward order, were lawfully elected or called, but false Prophets discovered by their doctrine, not by their calling, 2and some of them continuing in the Church, the Faithful are not forbidden to partake of the Ordinances of God, because they are present, but to beware of their errors, that they be not infected by them. But, if by strangers we understand only such as did arise from without, and brought blasphemous doctrine, directly contrary to the foundation of the Faith, or such as are justly cast out by the Church, that they might learn not to blaspheme, then the Faithful might neither communicate with them in public, nor receive them unto house, but fly from them both in mind and body. But thieves, who lead not in by the door, Christ, who have strange voices, which the sheep acknowledge not, who bring another foundation besides Jesus Christ, 3these are not to be enrolled with such as teach the doctrine of Faith truly: for they are not strangers either in respect of Sect, Religion, or Laws, they are of the household of God, they serve the Lord as he hath prescribed, and walk according to his Law.