A compend of the controversies of religion wherin the trueth is confirmed, and errour convinced, by authoritie of Scripture, witnessing of antiquitie, and confession of partie. Most necessary for all, in this backe-slyding age. By W.G. minister of God's word.

§. 6. That the VVord of GOD purelie prea∣ched (vnder which the due admi∣nistration of the Sacraments is com∣prehended) is the onely cleare and truest note of a true Church.

1. Authoritie of Scripture.

DEut. 4.8. And vvhat Na∣tion is there so great, that hath statutes and judgements so righteous as all this Law, vvhich I set before you this day?

Psal. 147.19. He sheweth His Word to Iacob, His statutes, and His judgements to Israel: Hee hath not dealt so with anie Nation, &c.

Wee see then, that Gods people was ever differenced from all other nations, and knowne by his word and ordinan∣ces, to bee his peculiar Church.

Iohn 10.27. My Sheepe heare my voyce, and I know them, and they follow Mee.

Note then, Where Christs voyce soun∣deth, and is believed, and obeyed, there is his Church.

Iohn 8.31. If yee continue in

My Word, then are yee My Disci∣ples indeede.

Act. 2.42. And they continued stedfastlie in the Apostles doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.

Note then, That continuance in Christs trueth, and apostolicke doctrine, with the holie exercise of prayer, and partici∣pation of Sacraments, is a cleare note to know a true Church.

1. Tim. 3.15. Which is the Church of the living God, the Pillar and ground of trueth.

The meaning whereof the Apostle giveth Heb. 3.6. saying, Whose house are vvee, if vvee keepe fast the confidence, and the rejoycing of the hope firme to the ende.

Note therefore, That the Church is so called, and knowne to be such, by kee∣ping fast and firme the trueth of Gods Word in profession, and that confidence and hope that it breedeth in our hearts, sure to the ende.

2. Witnessing of Antiquitie.

THe Church consisteth not in Walles, but in the trueth of doctrine, (sayth Ie∣rome)

so that there is the Church where •…•…rue fayth is, (Hierom in Psal. 133.) and •…•…hey are good Catholicks onelie, who •…•…ollow the right fayth (sayth Augustine, lib. de vera religione, cap. 5.)

3. Confession of Partie.

THe confession lykewyse of our Ad∣versaries is thus, The Church con∣sisteth not in men (sayth Lyra) in respect of their power or dignitie Ecclesiasticke, or Civill; because manie Princes, and Popes too, haue beene found to haue made defection from the faith. Therefore the Church consisteth in those in whome is true knowledge, and the confession of faith, and the trueth of God. Lyra in Matth. cap. 16.

Notes

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