A63200:6
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.
To the Reader.
Good Reader,
Upon the receipt of the Answer returned unto the Nine Positions, Master Ball moved by the request of Brethren, drew up this reply, which upon perusal and joint approbation, was directed unto the reverend Elders of the several Churches in New England. The Reply sent miscarrying in the hand, to which it was committed, though both Letters and printed Books trusted in the same hand were delivered: Hereupon another Copy was from New England desired, and accordingly prepared in the year following. In the mean time, the Answer being tendered to the Press, it was judged more meet to keep the Reply in readiness to attend the publishing of the Answer, then to part with it in the other way. This intelligence was the last year conveyed into New England, since which time, there hath been an expectation to see that in Print, which now is sent abroad to open view. By this Relation it is manifest who are volunteers, and who are pressed to come forth as defendants, in these Controversies. These differences betwixt the loving Brethren of old England and New, had not been made thus notorious, if some who cry up the Church way in New England, as the only way of God, had not been forward, to blow them abroad in the world. But surely the providence of God is remarkable in bringing these questions into debate at this time, when the Ministers of the Gospel from all the Counties in the Kingdom are called together by both houses of Parliament, to consult about the healing of our breaches, which are very many and dangerous: The Copy of this Reply being committed to our custody we are necessitated to appear in the publication of it: yet we shall preface nothing concerning the Treatise it self, because our known respects to the reverend and judicious Author will render us partial, and our testimony can add no credit to his works, which withal indifferent Readers will plead sufficiently for their own acceptance. If this discourse shall add any discovery of light unto them, who desire a sound judgement in the controversies here agitated, our end is obtained, and our prayers answered, who are.