Meditations upon the marks of the true Church of Christ: or, Motives of credibility in behalf of the true religion: and, the easiest way to finde it out. / By H.W.

The fourth Point.

Consider now what may be gather∣ed out of the precedent points: First, either these modern Sectaries acknow∣ledge Luther, Calvin, Beza, or others of their times, for their first Founders, or not; if they do, then they admit men of scandalous lives for their Founders, and so the Religion or fruit sprung from these b••d trees cannot be good: If they disavouch them, then they be like the Acephalists, members without a head, and without Ancestors: for they cannot lay claim to the Saints mentioned in the second point; since they so little resemble them either in belief or life: Secondly the reason why due respect to the Saints in heaven is neither taught, nor practised by them; to wit, because they have had none of their own; and because the true Saints indeed were Roman Catholicks: thirdly, seeing that the opposition of contraries, and their repugnancy, ap∣pears more clearly when they are para∣lell'd together; compare the Roman religion and the best of these later sects together in point of virtue, and sancti∣ty, which is the cream & quintessence

of mans felicity in this life: then make a prudent choice, and side with that party where there is most Sanctity, and by good consequence most hopes of salvation; then with the Cherubins, and Seraphins cry out; Holy, holy, ho∣ly, Lord God of Sabbath, Son of God, since you bid us be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect: Heavenly Father since you bid us be holy, because you are ho∣ly; grant us what you command, and com∣mand what your good pleasure is: My heart is ready, O God, my heart is rea∣dy: Help me Lord to remove the obstacles, and apply the means aright; that being freed from the enemies of my conversion, I may serve thee in sanctity and justice all the dayes of my life, Amen.