A63200:148
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.
6 The distinct Churches mentioned in the New Testament, it is not certain that they were congregational societies consisting only of so many as might and did meet together ordinarily in one place at one time for the public worship of God, and their own edification, and if this were granted it would not carry the weight that was laid upon it, But because it may make way for the clearing of some other ⟨p. 26⟩points pertaining to discipline and Church order, we entreat leave to set down, and desire you to examine what may be objected against it. We will not insist upon this that the least circuit wherein there is mention of Churches, is ample enough to contain some dioceses and the least City,1 populous enough to make many numbersome congregations. Nor upon this, that to meet at one time and one place, as one assembly is a thing merely accidentary to the unity of the Church and society Ecclesiastical which is still one, when they are dispersed asunder, and no particular man of that society at first remaining now alive. The number of believers was so great in some Cities as they could not conveniently meet in one place as one assembly to worship the Lord according to his will and for their edifying. That there was a Church gathered in the City of Samaria by the ministry of Phillip will not be denied, for they received the word and were baptised, but that the Church in that City was only a congregational assembly is more then can probably be concluded out of Scripture. For the whole City or the greatest part could not ordinarily assemble in one place to their edification: But the whole City of Samaria, 2in a manner, (as it is probable) embraced the faith. As the whole City from the least to the greatest had given heed to Simon Magus before,3 so to Phillip now when he preached Christ, And the Text saith expressly that Samaria received the Gospel.
6 The distinct Churches mentioned in the New Testament, it is not certain that they were congregationall societies consisting onely of so many as might and did meete together ordinarily in one place at one time for the publike worship of God, and their own edification, and if this were granted it would not carry the weight that was laid upon it, But because it may make way for the clearing of some other