A63200:31
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.
Neither do we mention it because we knew it to be the private opinion of some Brethren among you, whom we had left to the liberty of their own judgment, so far as the maintenance of the Truth, and a just call did not engage us: but because it was cried up, and advanced with all diligence, and endeavour of some among us standing affected New England-ward, as if a chief point of holiness consisted in separation. You know how great a fire a little sparkle kindles. And seeing this Distraction and Rent had its original, growth and continuance from some Brethren in those parts, or affected to that way, when in loving and friendly manner we could neither receive grounds at home for our conviction, nor procure just satisfaction to the contrary; what could we do less then call upon you jointly to know your judgment, and either by sound proof to be by you convinced (if happily you should approve their separation (which we esteem groundless, rash, unlawful, and prejudicial to outward peace) or being backed by a testimony of its dislike from you, we might the better be both encouraged, and furnished to endeavour the quenching of that fire which was kindled but in too many places,
Neither do we mention it because we knew it to be the private opinion of some Brethren among you, whom we had left to the liberty of their owne judgment, so far as the maintenance of the Truth, and a just call did not ingage us: but because it was cryed up, and advanced with all diligence, and endeavour of some among us standing affected New England-ward, as if a chief point of holinesse consisted in separation. You know how great a fire a little sparkle kindles. And seeing this Distraction and Rent had its originall, growth and continuance from some Brethren in those parts, or affected to that way, when in loving and friendly manner we could neither receive grounds at home for our conviction, nor procure just satisfaction to the contrary; what could wee doe lesse then call upon you joyntly to know your judgment, and either by sound proof to be by you convinced (if happily you should approve their separation (which we esteem groundlesse, rash, unlawfull, and prejudiciall to outward peace) or being backed by a testimony of its dislike from you, we might the better be both incouraged, and furnished to endevour the quenching of that fire which was kindled but in too many places,