A63200:146
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.
In answer to the ninth position you say the members of other Churches, well known and approved by virtue of communion with Churches, do mutually and with good acceptance communicate each of them at others Churches, even so often as Gods providence leads them thereunto, and themselves desire it. In your preface to this consideration, you say you admit to fellowship of the seals, the known, approved, and orderly recommended members of any true Church, and if known and approved Christians, members of our Churches coming over into New England shall desire either to have their children baptized, or to be admitted themselves to the Lords Supper before they be set members of any society the•e, we desire to know upon what grounds from God you can deny them, if you acknowledge our Churches Ministry, and Sacraments, to be true and of God (as you profess) and the members of the Church be known and approved, orderly recommended unto you.
In answer to the ninth position you say the members of other Churches, well known and approved by vertue of communion with Churches, doe mutually and with good acceptance communicate each of them at others Churches, even so often as Gods providence leads them thereunto, and themselves desire it. In your preface to this consideration, you say you admit to fellowship of the seales, the known, approved, and orderly recommended members of any true Church, and if knowne and approved Christians, members of our Churches comming over into New England shall desire either to have their children baptized, or to be admitted themselves to the Lords Supper before they be set members of any society the•e, we desire to know upon what grounds from God you can deny them, if you acknowledge our Churches Ministery, and Sacraments, to be true and of God (as you professe) and the members of the Church be known and approved, orderly recommended unto you.
It is the privilege of Christians baptised themselves, and walking in the faith, that their children should have right to baptism in all true Churches in the world. It is the privilege of Christians lawfully and justly admitted to the Lords Supper in one visible Church, and walking in covenant with God, that they have right to this privilege in all Churches professing their entire faith, and you must show just and sound reasons from God of your judgement and practice in debarring their seed from baptism, and parents themselves from the Supper, or else (to use the words of a reverend Elder among you,