A briefe of the Bible drawne first into English poësy, and then illustrated by apte annotations: togither vvith some other necessary appendices. By Henoch Clapham.

(a) Evan∣gelists in English is, Pub∣lishers of glad Ty∣dings. In the large sence any bringer of glad newes may be so called: but in this spe∣ciall and peculiar sense, these are properly Evange∣listes, that wer called by the Apostles to assist them in the planting of Churches. Such were Marke, Luke, Timothie, Titus.

(b) Inventions of men, fetched out of their bot∣••omlesse brayne (first broched into their brayne by Satan of the lowest Hells) these arose in the Chur∣ches, and so darkned the Sun of Righteousnes. Here∣upon the Angels of the churches fel out of the hea∣uenly places, who before were as Starres in Christ his right hand. The Churches who before tooke their word (which was their Lantern & light) from the mouth of Iesus, even as the Moone taketh her light from the Sunne, they quicklie changed their hue: whervpon the Heauenly Face of the Churches passed away, even as the materiall heavens at last

shall scrole••like vanish. Paul charged his Churches to be watchfull of their waies: and blessed Iohn he specially admonisheth the Churches of Asia-Mi∣nor. But al of them neglecting their spiritual watch, what are become of them? what is become of the golden Romane People? what is become of Co∣••••nth, of Galatin, Philippi, Colossus, Thessalonia? what are become of Iohns 7. Churches? They vanished like a scrowle, their visibilitie or face vnable to bee founde.

The 7. Churches of Asia (togither with their fel∣lowes) had Mahumet quickly seated in their chair. The 7. Churches (Rev. 1.) were seven golden Can∣dlesticks, and their Ministers 7. Starres in Iesus his right hand: if these be Apostate (as all knowe they be) what warrant had Rome never to fall awaye. These 7. were in Christs right hand, and yet Apo∣state; such a priviledged place (in so open speach) Rome never had: or if she had bene an 8. starre in his hand, vet lo, the Sun lost his Light; the Sonne hath turned his hand vpside dow••e.

Paul writing vnto Rome, he saith, To the Saintes at Rome, not To the Church of Rome: to other people he saith, To the Church, or Churches, by which forme of speach, it is to be thought, that there was not at the writing of that Epistle, any established Church at Rome. Obiect. Hee saith, (Chap. vlt.) Salute the Church in their house, Vers. 5. Ans. By the Church (or Congregation faithfull) of that house, he cannot meane a Church established, (for then all the resi∣due of the Saints saluted, shuld seeme to be so ma∣ny Churches as there were divers housholds, or else that they stood apart from the Church) but there∣by he must necessarily meane the Faithfull Assem∣blie of that house. Every Established Church, is a companie of Faithfull convened: but every com∣pany of Faithfull congregated, is not an established

Church. They two are not Convertibles. Neither is it any thing like, that there should then in Rome be an established Church. First, considering that Great Citie, (Revel. 17. 18.) was heade for Idolatrie. Se∣condly, had bloody Nero King, called by Paul, the Lyons mouth, 2. Tim. 4. 17. therein (I doubt not) alluding to the Lyons Monarch of Babel, (Dan. 7. 4.) the mouth of the 4. mettelled Image, wherof else∣where I haue spoken.

Howe hatd it was long after, for any to professe Christ in Rome (much more to haue an established Church) their owne Records declare. Nay, seeing All forsooke Paul what time he was first exami∣ned before the Emperour Nero: (2. Timoth. 4. 16.) I would demaund of such, where was Peter then? did he then apostate from Paul, or was hee Non-resi∣dent? Indeed the Romanists say, he was then gone into some other Cuntrie, notwithstanding his Apo∣stolicall Sea was at Rome. As such an answer is but absurde, so neither (if Peter had bene there, and had an established Church) could it well be deemed, that both the common persons of that Church, as also every their Ministers should forsake Paul. Be∣sides, Peter should haue shewen himselfe no true Pastor by such Non-residencie, as also haue beene guiltie of that Peoples fall. Howe trulie then they haue taught, that Peter first established the Faith of Christ in Rome, as also should for 25. yeares be Romes Bishop: let the wise hearted coniecture by the former Circumstances. Much more let them consider, what feeble footing they haue for Stan∣ding alwaies in visible obedience to the true Faith.