A63200:71
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.
But if any thing had been left doubtful in the Letter, that it might be strained to another sense, either because we were short in expression, or many of you not informed in the passages which gave occasion to the question, it is well known what the words mean in ordinary construction. And we doubt not but many brethren among you, might and could fully inform you of our meaning that there need no such straining to find it out.
But if any thing had beene left doubtfull in the Letter, that it might be strained to another sence, either because we were short in expression, or many of you not informed in the passages which gave occasion to the question, it is well knowne what the words meane in ordinary construction. And we doubt not but many brethren among you, might and could fully informe you of our meaning that there need no such straining to find it out.
That which followeth in your answer to the position (as you interpret it) we pass over, because it is not to the matter intended. And we are as unwilling to trouble you with the affairs of other Churches taking you from your own weighty occasions, as you are unwilling to be interrupted. Only in regard of promise, and because plain dealing serves to maintain love, we think good to advertise you these few things.
That which followeth in your answer to the position (as you interpret it) wee passe over, because it is not to the matter intended. And wee are as unwilling to trouble you with the affaires of other Churches taking you from your owne weightie occasions, as you are unwilling to be interrupted. Onely in regard of promise, and because plaine dealing serves to maintaine love, we thinke good to advertise you these few things.
1 That your reasons why you accept not of a stinted Liturgy be ambiguously propounded, for sometimes you plead only for your liberty herein, and that a stinted form is not necessary, and sometime you speak so, as they that look at Stinted Liturgies, as Images forbidden in the second Commandment will easily draw your words to their meaning.