The state of the now-Romane Church Discussed by way of vindication of the Right Reuerend Father in God, the Lord Bishop of Exceter, from the weake cauills of Henry Burton. By H.C.

BVRTON.

This distinction comes too late, after the sentence of the diuorce is giuen on

both sides: Christ hath disclaimed her for his Spouse: bidding his Spouse to come from her: therefore whom God separateth, let no man ioyne together: yea in this case no distinction▪ will serue to ioyne vs together againe in one com∣munion: Herein we must not hearken to the voice of any man bee he neuer so Reuerend, before, or against the voice of Christ: By what distinction (I pray) can an honest and chaste Matrone salue her credit by keeping company, or ha∣uing communion with a notorious Strumpet? Would it not seem a strange distinction to say, The Deuill in his essence being good, wee detract not to hold communion with him; but as a Deuill, wee can haue nothing to doe with him?

Answer.

You abuse your selfe and the Reader too bad, and that in two things: First, in blaming the distinction: Secondly, in scandalizing your Author. The di∣stinction (you say) comes too late, and is not vseful to ioyne vs together again

in one communion. The former where∣of is false, as hath beene shewed in the former answers. The latter dependeth vpon the scandals of the Author; for the better vnderstanding whereof wee are to know, That the reformed Chur∣ches neuer made a full, and totall sepa∣ration from the Church of Rome; but onely partiall, from her corruptions; Non tam ab ea, quam ab eius erroribus discessimus, saith Iewel in his Apologie, which is the common voice of all, euen of Perkins himselfe in his Reformed Ca∣tholike, who sh••wes in euery head of doctrine how farre wee may and must hold communion with that Church: and to this and no more hath the Reue∣rend Author respect in this assertion: Now this Calumniator would make the world beleeue, that his intent is to vse a meanes by help of this distinction to ioyne vs together againe in one com∣munion in those things wherein we are already separated: which as it was far from his heart and meaning (for his whole Treatise tends to the contrary) so indeed it were a vaine thing for him

to endeuour it by this distinction. For it would be all one as if hee should say, As she is a visible Church, wee may com∣municate with her in her corruptions; But as she is Babylon we may not. Which is indeede the folly which hee illustra∣teth by his two similitudes of societie with a strumpet and the deuill. Thus you see the honesty, and wisedome of the man; and by this you may iudge of his zeale for the glory of God.

Author.

They haue not well heeded the cha∣ritable profession of zealous Lu∣ther, Nos fatemur, &c. We professe (saith hee) that vnder the Papacie, there is much Christian good, yea all, &c. I say moreouer that vnder the Papacie is true Christianitie, ••••a, the very kernell of Christia∣nity, &c.