A63200:139
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.
Nevertheless, in some respects of reason,1 the visible Church, may be called the Church, sheepfold or flock of Christ; for if the whole society or body mystical of Christ be one, this Church militant in like sort is one: the unity of which society consists in that uniformity, which all several persons thereunto belonging, have by reason of that one Lord whose servants they all are, and profess themselves, that one Spirit whereby they are animated as the body by one soul; whereby they believe in Christ, and which they acknowledge and profess, that one Baptism inward and outward, whereby they put on Christ, and are initiated.
Neverthelesse, in some respects of reason,1 the visible Church, may be called the Church, sheepfold or flock of Christ; for if the whole society or body mysticall of Christ be one, this Church militant in like sort is one: the unity of which society consists in that uniformity, which all severall persons thereunto belonging, have by reason of that one Lord whose servants they all are, and professe themselves, that one Spirit whereby they are animated as the body by one soul; whereby they believe in Christ, and which they acknowledge and professe, that one Baptisme inward and outward, whereby they put on Christ, and are initiated.
- 1As Christ is that one great Pastor, so hath he generally one fold and flock, John 10. 16. Ezeck. 34 22. 23 which is his Church, as he saith. And ye my flock, the flock of my pasture are men, Ezek. 34. 31. Aynsw. Cant 1. 8. Sure it is that he is none of Christs sheep visibly, or in respect of men which is without Christs sheepfold, for there is one sheepfold and one shepherd. John 10. 16. Robins against Bern likelihoods, p. 61.As Christ is that one great Pastor, so hath hee generally one fold and flock,