Ball, John 1585-1640............................................. No Portrait Available

He was born in Cassington, Oxfordshire.
After taking his BA degree from St Mary Hall, Oxford, in 1608, he went into Cheshire to act as tutor to the children of Lady Cholmondeley. He adopted Puritan views, and after being ordained without subscription, was appointed to the small curacy of Whitmore in Staffordshire. He was soon deprived by John Bridgeman, the high church bishop of Chester, who put him to much suffering.
He became a schoolmaster and earned a wide and high reputation for his scholarship and piety. He died on 20 October 1640.
Works
The most popular of his numerous works was A Short Catechisme, containing all the Principal Grounds of Religion (14 editions before 1632). His Treatise of Faith (1632), and Friendly Trial of the Grounds tending to Separation (1640), the latter of which defines his position with regard to the church, are also valuable.


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A Treatise of the covenant of Grace: wherein the graduall breakings out of gospel-grace from Adam to Christ are clearly discovered, the differences betwixt the old and new testament are laid open, divers errours of Arminians and others are confuted; the nature of uprightnesse, and the way of Christ in bringing the soul into communion with himself: together with many other points, both doctrinally and practically profitable, are solidly handled. Published by Simeon Ash after John Ball's death. - 1645
Google Books  Online digital facsimile


A Friendly Triall of the grounds tending to Separation; in a plain and modest dispute touching the lawfulnesse of a stinted liturgie and set form of prayer, communion in mixed assemblies, and the primitive subject and first receptacle of the power of the keyes: tending to satisfie the doubtfull, recall the wandring, and to strengthen the weak. - 1640


A Treatise of Faith. Divided into two parts: The first shewing the NATURE, the second, the LIFE OF FAITH. Both tending to direct the weak Christian how he may possesse the whole word of God as his owne, overcome temptations, better his obedience, and live comfortably in all estates, 3rd ed.
3rd ed. / London : Edward Brewster, 1637
3rd ed. / London : Edward Brewster, 1657


An answer to two treatises of Mr. John Can, the leader of the English Brownists in Amsterdam (London : London. R.B. and sold by J. Burroughes, 1642)


Catechisms of the second Reformation: with historical introduction and biographical notices, ed. Alexander F. Mitchen (London : James Nisbet, 1886) / added author(s)
Ball's Short Catechism (page 65)


A short treatise containing all the principal grounds of Christian religion : by way of questions and answers, very profitable for all sorts of men, but especially for householders ; Whereunto are add sever questions by the reverend authors own pen to clear the exposition..
London : John Wright, 1654
London : John Wright, 1656


A short treatise containing all the principall grounds of Christian religion : By way of questions and answers, very profitable for all men, but especially for housholders.
London : William Stansby and are to be sold by Edward Brewster and Robert Bird, 1631)


A treatise of divine meditation
(London : H. Mortlock, 1660)


A tryall 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.
(London : T. Paine and M. Simmons for Thomas Underhill ..., 1644)


A Defence of the Answer made unto the Nine Questions or Positions sent from New-England, against the REPLY THERETO by that Reverend servant of Christ, Mr. John Ball; entituled, A Tryall of the New Church-way in New-England and in Old. Wherin, beside a more full opening of sundry particulars concerning liturgies, power of the keys, matter of the visible church, &c. is more largely handled, that controversie concerning the Catholick visible church; tending to cleare up the Old-way of Christ in New-England Churches. - 1648 (Author: John Allin 1596-1671)