A63200:106
A trial of the new-church way in New-England and in old ... by that…A tryall of the nevv-church vvay in New-England and in old ... by that…
A trial of the new-church way in New-England and in old ... by that learned and godly minister of Christ, John Ball of Whitmore ; penned a little before his death and sent over to the New England ministers, anno 1637, as a reply to an answer of theirs in justification of the said positions ... ; now published ... by William Rathband and Simeon Ash.A tryall of the nevv-church vvay in New-England and in old ... by that learned and godly minister of Christ, John Ball of Whitmore ; penned a little before his death and sent over to the New England ministers, anno 1637, as a reply to an answer of theirs in justification of the said positions ... ; now published ... by William Rathband and Simeon Ash.
London: printed by T. Paine and M. Simmons for Thomas Underhill, 1644
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.
To aggravate faults especially when it tends to draw away people from the Ordinances of God, is no less fault then to excuse them, it may be greater, and therefore we dare not esteem the prayers read by a godly and faithful Minister according to the book in use among us, a corrupt sacrifice whether in such as read them, or them that be present. In them that join according to Christs command (and liberty of absence from Christ hath not been showed) notwithstanding the corruptions, we hold the prayers to be an holy and acceptable sacrifice to God, ⟨p. 14⟩and pleasing to Jesus Christ. The corrupt sacrifice is that, which the deceiver bringeth voluntarily, and out of neglect, having a male in his flock: but the faithful bringeth himself and his godly desires according to the will of God, and as for corruptions, whether respecting matter or form, they are none of his, they cleave not to his Sacrifice to stain or pollute it. As for the Text of the Prophet Mal. 1. 13, 14. it is cited by many in this business, and to many purposes applied, but we cannot find that in the Prophet for which it is here brought, The deceiver is accursed that offereth a corrupt thing to the Lord. This we read and believe, but that a godly man, being present at this form of prayer among us, read by a godly and faithful Minister, is the deceiver, who offereth a corrupt thing unto the Lord, that is not proved. No argument can be brought from this place to the purpose, but by analogy, which is a kind of arguing of all other most ready at hand, but liable to most exceptions, and apt to draw aside, if great care be not had, (which in this place we find not) to take the proportion in every material point just and right. And we desire such as allege this passage of Scripture against simple presence at the prayers of our Liturgy, advisedly to consider whether God allow them to make such application of his truth which we much doubt of, to say no more.
To aggravate faults especially when it tends to draw away people from the Ordinances of God, is no lesse fault then to excuse them, it may be greater, and therefore we dare not esteeme the prayers read by a godly and faithfull Minister according to the booke in use among us, a corrupt sacrifice whether in such as read them, or them that be present. In them that join according to Christs command (and liberty of absence from Christ hath not beene shewed) notwithstanding the corruptions, we hold the prayers to be an holy and acceptable sacrifice to God,