A63200:301
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.
IT is one thing abruptly to break away when and whither they please, and forsake fellowship, another thing not to depart or remove habitation, unless the Congregation will give leave. Also it is one thing mutually to compound and agree not to depart from each other without consent and approbation, another to require a promise of all that be admitted into society, that they shall not depart without the Churches allowance. If such a promise be required of ⟨p. 79⟩all members to be admitted, we cannot discern upon what grounds your practise is warranted. First, you exclude all such as be not set members from the Sacrament of the Supper, and their children from Baptism, and yet hinder them from entrance into Church society, because they cannot promise continuance in the place where they are resident for the present. Here we desire to be satisfied from the word of God by what you require it. Did the Apostles ever stipulate with such as desired to be baptized, that they must abide in particular society, and not remove thence without approbation from the Church? or did they deny the seals unto them, because they could not make any such promise? Was it ever heard of in the Church of God from the beginning thereof unto this day, that any such thing was propounded unto, or required of, members to be admitted into Church-fellowship? That Church Covenant which is necessary was not in use in the Apostles times, but the Covenant they entered into bound no man to this condition for ought we read. They did not prescribe it, no Church ever yet covenanted it as necessary to the preservation of the body.
IT is one thing abruptly to breake away when and whither they please, and forsake fellowship, another thing not to depart or remove habitation, unlesse the Congregation will give leave. Also it is one thing mutually to compound and agree not to depart from each other without consent and approbation, another to require a promise of all that be admitted into societie, that they shall not depart without the Churches allowance. If such a promise be required of