A63200:117
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.
Answ.
These two Positions may be maintained with one and the same defence, being somewhat coincident, and therefore we join them as if they were but one. Therefore to prevent all mistakes, it may please you to take notice that we are not of their ⟨p. 17⟩judgement who refuse all religious communion with such as are not Church Members, nor do we appropriate communion in this privilege of the seals only to the Members of our own Churches, excluding all other Churches of Christ from the same, though they may be through error or humane frailty defective in some matters of order, provided that the liberty of our Churches be preserved, of receiving such satisfaction as is meet (as well by Letters of recommendation, or otherwise if it be requisite) concerning those whom we admit unto fellowship in the seals. For as we account it our duty to keep the unity of spirit inviolate with any, in whom we discern any fruits of the spirit, so we hold our selves bound to discharge this duty, according to order. Spiritual communion in prayers, holy conferences & other religious actions of like nature we maintain with all godly persons, though they be not in Church order: But Church communion we hold only with Church members admitting to fellowship of the seals the known and approved, & orderly recommended members of any true Church. But into fellowship of the censures, admittance of members and choice of Officers, only the members of that particular Church whereof they and we (any of us) stand members. These things being premised, the considerations whereupon our judgement and practice is swayed for administration of the Seals only to such as are in order of a true visible Church are these that follow.
THese two Positions may be maintained with one and the same defence, being somewhat coincident, and therfore we joyn them as if they were but one. Therefore to prevent all mistakes, it may please you to take notice that we are not of their