- 1. Arg. They cannot prove this simply by any playne doctrine of scripture, and that which they would prove is but onely respectively, and so may any thing, and their Church also be condemned.
- 2. Arg. It is against the evidence of the scriptures which maketh the word, externall profession, and sacraments the visible constitution, &c.
That you then affirm in the first place is, that wee cannot prove this simply by any playne doctrine, wherein you do half confesse that wee do it by iust consequence, though not by playne doctrine, & whol∣ly, that respectively, and so & so considered (as you speak) your cō∣stitution is false. And thus (you say) any thing may be condemned.
But first it is not true that any thing may be condemned af∣ter this sort. The constitutiō of the Ch: Apostolike could in no cō∣sideration be condemned, neyther could ours (to our knowledge) being according to that pattern, how weakly soever we walk in it.
Secondly, the constitution even of Rome (as now it stands) is not simply false, but onely in this & that respect. So far as it se∣parates fro heathenish Idolatry, & Idolaters vnto the true God, & reteynes any truthes of God & remaynders of Christs testament, so far it is not false, or feyned, and yet is her present constitution false & she vncapable of the Lords covenant.
To come nearer the matter. The constitution of the Church is the orderly collection and coniunction of the sayncts into & in the covenant of the new Testament: 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the saynts are the matter, the covenant the form, from which two concurring, the Church ariseth, and is by them constituted. Now for the word, it is an outward instrument preparing, and preserving the matter, but no more the constitution of the Church then the ax is the cō∣stitution or frame of the house: and for externall profession it ma∣nifests the fitnes of the matter for the form, and by it the saynts