A63200:278
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 Question is much mistaken, for the demand is not whether in the Congregation matters should be carried by number of votes against God, as you interpret the Position, but whether the power of Excommunication so lye in the body of the Congregation as that sentence must proceed in externo foro, according to the vote and determination of the Major part, and so whether power of ⟨p. 71⟩admission of members do so reside in the community, as that they must be refused whom the Major part refuse, though the Pastors and Governors and part of the Congregation be of another judgement, and he admitted whom the Major part doth approve. And though the Church hath received no power against God, but for God, yet in the execution of the power no doubt the members of that Church may be of different judgements and affections, wherein the one side or other doth err, and is deceived. Now the Question hereupon moved is, whether the power of the keys be so given and committed to the society of the faithful, as that in external Court that act or sentence must stand and be in force which the greater part shall determine amongst them which hold the power of the keys to be given to the Church. Somea distinguish betwixt the power it self wch they give to the Church, and the execution and exercise of it, which they confine to the Presbytery:b Others give the power of the keys with the exercise thereof to the whole body of the Church, or if in the dispensation they attribute any thing to the Officers, it is but as servants of the Church, from whom they derive their authority. By Church also some understand the community of the faithful, together with their officers and guides. And here lieth the stone at which they of the Separation stumble, and which we conceive to be your judgement and practise, wherein we required your plain answer, with your reasons, but have received no satisfaction. You refer us to Mr. Parkers reasons to prove the power of the keys to belong to the whole Church, who are of far different judgement from Mr. Parker in the point it self. And if your judgement and practise be according to that of the Separation (which we fear) you dissent from him, and we cannot but dissent from you upon these considerations.