A63200:96
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.
Your judgement concerning the Position, you deliver in three propositions (for so many they be for substance) In respect of the persons reading the Liturgy, or the ⟨p. 10⟩thing it self that is read. As if any part of the Liturgy be read, (put case some few selected prayers only, by an unable and ungodly minister: it is unlawful (say you) for the people to join in that case. But if it be unlawful for the people to join, when an ungodly minister readeth some few select prayers, it is either in respect of the Minister,1 or the prayers themselves. Not of the prayers themselves, for they be select and choice, faultless both in respect of matter and manner, as it is taken for granted, unless this distribution be to no purpose; if in respect of the Minister, then it is not lawful to join with such a one in any ordinance of God whatsoever. For if the Minister make it unlawful, then all communion in any part of Gods worship, with such Ministers is unlawful, and so the Church in all ages of the world, the Prophets, our Saviour Christ, the Apostles, and the faithful in the primitive Churches sinned, in holding Communion with such, when the Priests were dumb dogs that could not bark,2 and greedy dogs that could never have enough; when the Prophets prophesied lies, and the Priests bare rule by their means; when the Priests bought and sold Doves in the Temple, and took upon them to provide such things for them that were to offer; when the Pharisees corrupted the Law by false glosses, taught for doctrines mens precepts, made the commandments of God of none effect through their traditions, under pretence of long prayer devoured widows houses, taught the Law, but practised it not; when they were such, and did such things, they were ungodly Ministers; But we never find that the Prophets, our Saviour, the Apostles, did either forbear themselves, or warn the faithful not to communicate with such in the ordinance of worship.3 We read our Saviour charged his Disciples, to beware of the leaven of the Scribes and Pharisees, to let them alone, because they were the blind leaders of the blind, but he never forbade to communicate with them in the ordinance of God.