An answer to two treatises of Mr. Iohn Can, the leader of the English Brownists in Amsterdam the former called, A necessitie of separation from the Church of England, proved by the Nonconformists principles : the other, A stay against straying : wherein in opposition to M. Iohn Robinson, he undertakes to prove the unlawfulnesse of hearing the ministers of the Church of England ... / by the late learned, laborious and faithfull servant of Jesus Christ, John Ball.

SEC. III. CAN. Stay against Stray. Sect. 1. pag. 4, 5.

WHatsoever God hath bestowed upon his Church, as her priviledge, the same is to be found in his Word: But it is not mentioned there, that Beleivers (as their priviledge) ought to heare Antichristian Teachers.

The proposition is unquestionably certaine by these Scriptures. Psal. 19.7. 2 Tim. 3.15.16. Isai. 8.20. Ioh. 15.17. Act. 20.27. Besides, * 1.1 this is the unanimous consent of learned writers. The Scriptures (saith Athanasius) doe helpe us with the know∣ledge of every truth, &c.

The first part which is only controversall is evident and cleere, * 1.2 by these Scriptures. Levit. 17.3.4. Deut. 12.5. Prov. 5.8. Hos. 4.15. Matth. 7.15. 2 Cor. 7.15, 16, 17. Rev. 18.4. Song. 1.6, 7. To this all sorts of Writers assent, Zanch. on Phil.

3.2. The Authors of the Admonition. pag. 27, &c. Yea the Papists themselves, Rhemists and Doway Translators.

ANSWER.

THe sinewes of this Argument are cut already in the first Section, if ever it had any, and therefore a few words may now suffice. In this reason you take for granted, that which is most false, little lesse than blasphemie; to wit, that all Ministers in the Church of England be Anti∣christian. For they are in respect of the substance of their of∣fice, the Ministers of Jesus Christ, set apart to preach the Go∣spel, dispense the Sacraments, and administer the Discipline of the Lord Christ: and many of them the approved servants of Christ, furnished with gifts from above, sent forth by autho∣ritie to preach the Gospel of God, and dispense his Sacraments, which they faithfully execute, according to commission recei∣ved from their Lord and Master, the King of the Church, who worketh by them, and blesseth their labours, if ever ordinary Ministers had cause to speake of, and rejoyce in the blessing of God, to the praise of his name.

But to let that passe, Antichristian Teachers (if I must speak in your owne language) be of divers sorts:

1. Such as be not called in every point according to your platforme, or at least whose calling is in any respect maymed or defective, though they be godly, learned, painfull, every way fit, set apart by authority, and approved by the Church. If An∣tichristian Teachers be taken in this sense, true Beleevers living in societies with them are bound to heare the Word, and par∣take in the Sacraments, because they be the ordinances of the Lord Jesus, who is present, knocking at the doore of the heart, and will come in and sup with them that open unto him. * 1.3 Look what reasons soever can be alledged to prove that Christians ought to joyne together in holy communion, the same will strongly convince, that ordinarily, or occasionally we must hold societie with such Ministers in the ordinances of piety and god∣linesse. And if this Ministerie be Antichristian, divers, if not most worthy Martyrs of Jesus Christ, that have withstood An∣tichrist unto blood, have stood under some ordinances, in their first originall, Antichristian, or of men in some respects, which

did not overthrow, though it might be some blemish unto their Ministerie.

2. Such as be not rightly called by men, because not rightly furnished with gifts, or faithfully executing their place, or teaching erroneous doctrines and traditions of men, but yet set apart to an office which is of God, and in communion of men professing the true Faith, are called Antichristian Ministers. And if it be taken in this sense, the faithfull are bound in con∣science to heare such, if they live in their societies: because they be the Ministers of Christ in a sort, though they be not approved of him, and doe his worke for the good of them that be heires of salvation. But in so doing, they doe not communi∣cate with the Ministers of Antichrists apostasie, but with the Lord Christ in his holy ordinance, by such meanes as he hath ap∣pointed. * 1.4 Hierome noteth, that there are foure sorts, who are employed in the businesses and affaires of Almighty God. The first, such as are sent neither of men, nor by men, but by Jesus Christ. The second, such as are sent of God, but by man. The third are such as are sent of man and not of God, who are they that are ordained by favour of Men, not rightly judging of the quality of them who are to serve in this calling. Who yet are not simply denyed to be sent of God, as if they had not commis∣sion from him, but therefore only, because if the choosers and ordainers had done their duties, they should have made a better choice. For being sent by men that have authoritie, though a∣busing the same, wee cannot say they have no true or lawfull Ministery: for then were all ministration of the Sacraments, and other sacred things void, performed by scandalous, un∣godly Ministers, and such as by sinister meanes get into these ho∣ly places. The fourth are of such as are neither sent of God, nor of men, nor by men, but runne of themselves, and have no calling at all: who are neither Ministers of Christ for them∣selves, nor others. Thus farre Hierome.

3 Such are Antichristian Ministers, as teach false doctrine, be set apart to an office meerely of men, contrary to the Word of God, and live in communion and societie with men professing reall idolatrie, as members of that societie, though somewhat of God be joyned in this their profession. Whereunto may be referred such as being tried, are found to be false Prophets, cen∣sured and cast out of the Church by them that have authority. Of which sort are those Hereticks, which are condemned of

their own conscience, and after once or twice admonition, are to be shunned.

4 Such are Antichristian, as be meerely from men, dispense onely the things of Antichrist, and have nothing of God at all. If by Antichristian Teachers be meant false Prophets, * 1.5 in this third and fourth acceptation, I grant the faithfull must hold no communion with them, because God hath forbidden it, and these are false Prophets, who have no calling, teach their owne dreames, minister not the things of God, but of men, and ei∣ther never were members of the true Church, professing the in∣tire faith, or upon their discoverie, are cast forth as unsavorie salt. And this the passages of Scripture, quoted to prove the controversall part, as you say, doe confirme, Whereunto answere hath been given already. And the authours of all sorts alledged, doe consent: for it is most manifest, they speake of false Pro∣phets, who have no calling, teach false doctrine, were never members of the Church, or springing up, and continuing in the Church for a time, are censured and cast out, that they might not molest, tare and devoure the Flock. But in this sense, the Ministers of the Church of England be not Antichristian: that which is spoken against false Prophets, cannot be applyed unto them.

And here consider how plentifull you are in proving that which was never questioned; as that the Scripture is perfect, to make the man of God wise unto salvation, that false Pro∣phets must not be heard or beleeved, that the Faithfull must come out of Babylon, &c. But that the Ministerie of the Church of England is Antichristian, and the Teachers false Prophets, as the Scripture useth the word in the Texts alledged, this we must take upon your bare word, or most grievous misapplicati∣on of the holy Text.

Paul the Fift (you say) in a certaine Bull, sent to the Catho∣likes in England, chargeth them by all meanes not to goe to the Parish Churches, or heare their Sermons, least they incurre the wrath of God If this testimony will stand in any steed, the Pope himselfe doth not esteeme our Parish assemblies Anti∣christian, for then his Catholikes should not incurre the wrath of God by going unto them. And what you can gaine by this witnesse, I know not, unlesse it be to shew, that how contrary soever you seeme to be unto the Pope or Antichrist, yet in this you consent and agree with him, to condemne Christian com∣muni••••••••••

in our Assemblies in the holy exercises of Reli∣gion. * 1.6

Nay, the sentence of the Pope is milde in comparison of that brand which you set upon communicating the ordinances of God in our assemblies, viz. That it tendeth to the putting down of our true King, Christ Jesus, and to raise up Antichrist againe, that bloody Tyrant; which bold ignorant censure must needs worke the soule of every sober minded Christian to su∣spect, that in defence of this cause, you consulted with furie, more than with truth, and hoped to winne more with swel∣ling words of vanity, than weight of reason. But my purpose is to try your strength, and for unadvised censures, vaine scoffes, and mis-application of common received Truths, I will leave you to the examination of your owne conscience.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Contra Gentes.
• * 1.2

  Anno. in 1 Cor. 10. §. 21. in 1 Reg. cap 5. v. 19.
• * 1.3

  So long as wee teach the same doctrine which the Apostles did, we have the same povver and autho∣rity to Preach, which they had. B••s. Chrill 〈◊〉〈◊〉 part 3. p. ••
• * 1.4

  Hieron. l. 1. Com in Eph. ad Galat. cap. 1.
• * 1.5

  Thom. Becon. his humble supplicat. unto God, &c. written in Queen Martes daies. Vol. 2. Purge our temples of all Popish abo∣minations, of cere∣monies, of Images, of Altars, of Copes, of Vestments, of Pixes, of Crosses, of Censers, of Ho∣ly Water buckets, of holy Bread Baskets, of Chis∣matories, &c. a∣bove all, Idola∣trous Priests, and ungodly ignorant Curates.

  Chaloner. The Orig. and progr. of Hae∣resie. This change of their use, by oc∣casion of Altars, and other ceremo∣mes which crept in, as also by reason of the figurative speeches of the Ancients, &c. produced in the end, a doubt of the change of the substance, &c. The Pope first Breve.
• * 1.6

  CAN. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 p 6 〈…〉〈…〉 to it, 〈…〉〈…〉 bring 〈…〉〈…〉 himselves un∣d•••• greater curse, by using their to agues, and pens to raise up againe one part of the Kingdome of the Beast, which the Lord before had consumed with the breath of his mouth.