A63200:215
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.
And therefore we cannot think approved Christians desiring to be received unto the Sacrament, either to be without, or uncapable of Church censures for the time being if they should offend, though not set members of any particular congregation: for desiring baptism for their children or themselves to be admitted to the Lords Supper for the time they put themselves under the ordinance of Jesus Christ there. And as they are members for the time, so they might be proceeded against according to the rule prescribed by our Saviour, as they would proceed with an offending member.
And therefore we cannot think approved Christians desiring to be received unto the Sacrament, either to be without, or uncapable of Church censures for the time being if they should offend, though not set members of any particular congregation: for desiring baptisme for their children or themselves to be admitted to the Lords Supper for the time they put themselves under the ordinance of Jesus Christ there. And as they are members for the time, so they might be proceeded against according to the rule prescribed by our Saviour, as they would proceed with an offending member.
10. If upon just and good reason a passage of Scripture can be cleared to prove that for which it was never alleged by any writer, we are not to except against any truth of God, because it wanteth mans testimony. Only if we desire credit in such cases, our reasons must be weighty and convincing. But for your exposition of this text of Scripture, as yet we have not observed one substantial ground, or approved author to be alleged. Doctor Ames showing the necessity of Christians joining themselves to some particular Church, giveth this reason, Quoniam alias fieri non potest quum conturbentur signa illa quibus fideles ab infidelibus discerni possunt. 1. Cor. 5. 12. But herein Dr. Ames manifestly showeth that by them that are [without] heathens, and unbelievers must be understood, and not believers and godly men though of no particular settled society for the time, for thus we conceive he argueth. The signs and evidences whereby the faithful are to be discerned from unbelievers, must not be confounded: but unless Christians make themselves actual members of a Society or Church, the signs whereby the faithful are discerned from unbelievers, will be obscured and darkened. And if this be his reason how can that text of Scripture be alleged for confirmation, unless by [men without] Infidels be understood. Again Doctor Ames