A63200:175
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.
8 In the Primitive Churches when Elders were ordained in every City, they were not only to look to their flock but endeavour the conversion of poor Infidels among whom they lived,1 and the enlargement of Christs Kingdom,2 for the work of the Lord must be done in its season, and then was the time of the calling of the Gentiles:
8 In the Primitive Churches when Elders were ordained in every City, they were not onely to looke to their flock but indeavour the conversion of poore Infidels among whom they lived,1 and the inlargement of Christs Kingdome,2 for the worke of the Lord must be done in its season, and then was the time of the calling of the Gentiles:
- 1Rom. 16 3 12.
- 2Phil. 2. 15, 16. & 4. •.
It was not their office proper and essential to travail from Country to Country as did the Apostles, nor were they pastors of the Infidels,1 but by private instruction and public teaching (if any of them would be penitent) they were to labour the coming of them to God. And these Infidels converted to the faith were to be baptised of the Elders ordinarily in those Cities, though the number might be so great as they could not well meet in one Congregation, nor be subject to the same Pastor; for either they must be baptized by the pastors among whom they lived, (being converted to the faith) or continue unbaptized until they were a number convenient to make a distinct society, or grow together into one body, and to elect and choose their own Minister by whom they may be baptised: But that either they must stay so long without baptism, or that a society of unbaptized men had power in those times to elect and choose their Minister, by whom they should be baptised is contrary to all presidents in Scripture.