A63200:225
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.
Reply.
This conclusion is not to the question propounded, for we speak of such as cannot, not of such as refuse to join themselves unto the Church; or if they do not join, it is not out of contempt or wilful neglect of Gods ordinance, or desire of carnal liberty, and not to be in subjection to Christ, but for lack of opportunity, or through their fault that should admit them but do not. For if in any of your Churches you shall require more of members to be admitted then Christ the chief Shepherd of the flock doth, or press that upon their consciences ⟨p. 53⟩which they cannot consent unto, if they shall fit down quietly for the time and serve God in private, when they cannot enjoy Church privileges, it is your fault and not theirs. And they may more justly challenge the Assembly as injurious and tyrannical, then you them as wilful despisers of Gods ordinance. We accuse not the wisdom and discretion of your Churches, but we know the zealous multitude may sometimes be rash; And when a reason is craved of your judgement, why you do debar the most known and approved Christians which come over, and their children from the seals of the covenant, we dislike you should put this note upon them, as if against light they refused orderly to subject themselves to the Gospel of Jesus Christ: What warrant you have thus to censure, what use of this manner of dispute we leave it to your godly wisdom to judge. In the Consideration it self there are many Propositions couched together, which we must examine severally as they have reference to the conclusion intended, and then try whether it can be raised from them.
THis conclusion is not to the question propounded, for we speake of such as cannot, not of such as refuse to joyne themselves unto the Church; or if they do not joyne, it is not out of contempt or wilfull neglect of Gods ordinance, or desire of carnall libertie, and not to be in subjection to Christ, but for lacke of opportunitie, or through their fault that should admit them but do not. For if in any of your Churches you shall require more of members to be admitted then Christ the chiefe Shepherd of the flock doth, or presse that upon their consciences