A63200:336
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.
The preaching of the Word, public prayer in the congregation met together solemnly to worship God, and the administration of the Sacraments, are acts properly ministerial (if any other) to be performed by power and authority from Christ,1 as you acknowledge, for the preaching of the Word, and dispensation of the Seals in your second Consideration. But these acts one Minister may perform in another Congregation, or towards the members of another Church. You know by whom your question hath been propounded touching one Ministers exercising in another Ministers Church, and how it hath been answered; and if you see more light and truth then formerly, we would desire ⟨p. 90⟩you substantially to confute what answers some of you have returned to that demand.2 To admit (saith Mr. J. D.) those that are known members of another Church to Communion in the Sacraments upon fitting occasions I hold lawful, and do profess my readiness to practise accordingly. 3Again, I conceive that (besides my membership else where, and the right which those Churches give to known passants of being admitted to the Communion for a short time) both himself and the whole Church acknowledge me for a member with them for the time of my abode in that service, which they testified by desiring the help of my public labours, and their cheerful admittance of me to that ordinance during that time without the least scruple. And if a Minister may pray, preach, bless the congregation in the name of the Lord, and receive the Sacrament with them, being thereunto requested; we doubt not but by consent of the Pastor and the Congregation he may lawfully dispense the Seals amongst them also as need and occasion requires.