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.

CHAP. II. OF THE CHVRCH.

§. 1. That the estate of the true Church is not ever visible to all men, and chieflie to the enemies thereof.

1. Authoritie of Scripture.

I. KIngs 19.10. And Eliah sayde, I haue bene very zea∣lous for the LORD of Hoasts: for the children of Israel haue forsaken thy covenant, throwne downe thine Altars, and slaine thy Prophets, and I onlie am left, and they seeke my life.

I aske, Where was then a visible com∣panie of true and publicke worshippers at this time in Israel?

And that the like estate of true pro∣fessours was at one time both in Israel and Iudah, is evident out of 2. Chron. 15.

8. and 1. King. 15.9. the whole King∣dome of Iudah beeing idolatrous, in A∣biiam's latter reigne, and at the same tyme whole Israel being idolatrous vn∣der Ieroboam.

Againe, 2. Chron. 28.24. it is recor∣ded, how at once both Iudah was alto∣gether idolatrous vnder King Ahaz, and the Lords publicke worship vtterlie was abrogated, and at the same tyme Israel was even so vnder their Kinges Pekah and Hoshea.

Of this tyme it is sayde in Historie, 2 King. 17.16. And Israel left all the Com∣mandementes of the Lord their God, and made them molten Images, even two calues, and made a groue, and worshipped all the hoste of Heaven, and served Baal. Vers. 18. So there was none left, but the tribe of Iudah onlie: and Iudah kept not the Com∣mandementes of the Lord their God, but walked also in the statutes of Israel, which they made. And so the Lord reiected all the seede of Israel, and afflicted them, &c.

And of this tyme also it is sayde in prophecie by Ieremie, (Ier. 5.11.) For the house of Israel, and the house of Iudah, haue dealt verie treacherouslie against mee, sayeth the Lord. And by Ezechiel (23.13.) it is sayde, that these two sisters in their spirituall whoredomes tooke both one way.

Note then, When both this people, which onelie were then counted Gods Church, made defection with their Kings •…•…n common, to the publicke practise of •…•…dolatrie onlie, and abrogated the pub∣licke worship of the true God alluterlie, where was then the face of a visible com∣panie of true professours, having a pub∣•…•…icke worship? Therefore, Zeph. 3.12. the Lord sayeth of his true Church, Then I will leaue in the midst of thee an afflicted and poore people, that shall trust in the Name of the Lord. Which is farre from an outward pompous, and a glo∣rious visibilitie to all.

Marke 14.27. And Iesus saide vnto them, All yee shalbe of∣fended because of mee this Night; for it is written, I will smyte the Shepheard, and the Sheepe shall bee scattered. I aske then, when this was done, Where was a visible companie to all of true professours to be pointed at?

Revel. 12.14. And to the Woman were given two Winges of a great Eagle, that shee might flie into the Wildernesse vnto her place, vvhere shee is nowrished for a time, and times, and halfe a time, from

the face of the Serpent.

This wom•…•… the Romanists themselues (as Lyra and•…•…¦thers) interprete to be the true Churc•…•… lurking vnder persecution, (as Elias d•…•… three yeares and an halfe in the W•…•…¦dernesse, where hee was miraculous•…•… fed.) I aske then, at this same time, shee could lurke vnder persecution, a•…•… yet bee gloriouslie and conspicuous•…•… visible to all? Or, Rev. 13.3. When the time of Antichrists prevaili••g the Earth shall follow the Beast, wh•…•… shall such visibilitie be? Even no whe•…•… as the Rhemists, on the 2. Thess. 2. grant: but a communion in heart onl•…•… and a practise of worship in secret.

2. Witnessing of Antiquitie.

SOmetimes the Church is not app•…•…¦rent (sayeth Augustine:) to w•…•… when wicked persecuters aboue measu•…•…¦rage against her. Aug. epist. 80. ad Hes•…•…¦chium. Therefore the Church lookin•…•… foorth, as the Moone hath oft times h•…•… eclypses, saith Ambrose, lib. 4. hexam. c.〈…〉〈…〉

3. Confession of Partie.

THE confession of our Adversari•…•… is likewise thus, that in the time o•…•… Antichrist, the communion of Christian in the true Church shalbe onlie in hear•…•… and their worship onlie in secret; for s•…•… sayeth the Rhemists, on 2. Thess. 2.3. So

that our difference is not so much in the •…•…sition of invisibilitie, as in the appli∣•…•…tion vnto persons and tymes.

〈…〉〈…〉 2. That the visible Church of Christian professours may erre from the trueth in common, both Pastours & people, (altho not all and everie one.)

1. Authoritie of Scripture.

ISai. 1.21. How is the faith∣full citie become an Harlot?

Ier. 5.11. For the House of Israel, and the House of Iudah, •…•…aue dealt verie treacherouslie •…•…gainst mee (sayth the Lord.)

Ier. 2.8. The Priests said not, Where is the Lord? and they that handle the Law, knew me not: the Pastours also transgressed against mee, and the Prophets prophesied by Baall, and vvalked after thinges •…•…hat doe not profit. Loe then, what a generall Apostasie of all sorts is set downe heere.

Againe,

v. 26. As the Thiefe is ashamed vvhen he is found, so is

the House of Israel ashamed: they, their Kinges, their Princes, and their Priestes, and their Prophets: saying to a stocke, Thou art my Father, &c.

Beholde then againe: no sort excepted.

Isai. 9.16. The leaders of this peo∣ple cause them to erre: and they that are led of them, are destroyed.

Note then, that the leaders in a Church, and people that are led, may both make defection: and so a whole Church, which consisteth of both.

Isai. 56.10. His watch-men are blinde: they are all ignorant: they are all dumbe Dogs, &c.

Note then, howe generall a defection may be amongst Teachers in the Church of God: and howe the chiefe Pastoures haue first made Apostasie, let these ex∣amples verifie.

2. King. 16.11. And Vriah the Priest built an Altar, according to all that King Ahaz had sent from Damascus, &c.

Againe.

Matth. 26.65. Then the High Priest rent his garments, saying, Hee hath blasphemed: what neede

wee Witnesses anie farder? &c.

Marke 14.64. Yee haue heard •…•…is blasphemie: How thinke ye? vvho •…•…ll condemned him to bee guiltie of •…•…eath.

Note then, howe grosselie also the •…•…erie hie-priests vnder the Law erred, •…•…nd the chiefe Pastor that sate in Moses haire erroniouslie decreeted with his •…•…hole counsell: the one, in making an •…•…olatrous Altar, and erecting idolatrous •…•…orship: and the other, pronouncing •…•…e trueth in Christs owne mouth, to bee •…•…asphemie, and himselfe worthie to •…•…e. And therefore, how groslie hee •…•…d his Church may erre, who preten∣•…•…eth nowe to bee the Christian High-•…•…riest, see §. 5.

2. Thess. 2.3. Let no man de∣•…•…iue you, by anie meanes: for that •…•…ay shall not come, except there come 〈…〉〈…〉 falling away first, and that man 〈…〉〈…〉 sinne bee revealed, the sonne of •…•…rdition.

Note then, that in the Christian Church 〈…〉〈…〉 great Apostasie from the Trueth is •…•…re-tolde, before that by the preaching •…•…gaine of the same clearlie, Antichrist be •…•…vealed, and made knowne: So that in

the tyme of his prevayling, no public•…•… exercise shall bee of the true Christi•…•… worship, but in secret onlie: and this〈…〉〈…〉 verie Rhemists on this place confesse.

2. Witnessing of Antiquitie.

ANd the poyson of Arrius (saye•…•… Lyrinensis) did not onlie infect a p•…•… of the Church, but almost the whole wo•…•… (Ʋnic. Lyrin. adu. hereses, c. 6.) So th•…•… the whole world sobbed, and admired t•…•… it was made Arrian, as testifieth S. Iero•…•…

3. Confession of Partie.

OF that time when the Arrian her•…•… domined over the whole world, S. •…•…¦rome wrote that the ship of the Chu•…•… was almost sunke, sayth Gregorie of Va•…•…¦tia, analys. lib. 6. c. 4. §. probatio 4.

§. 3. That the Church of Rome in p•…•…¦cular may erre, and as shall〈…〉〈…〉 proven, hath erred, by all the p•…•…¦ticulars ensuing.

1. Authoritie of Scripture.

ROm. 11.20. Because of v•…•…¦beliefe, they vvere broken o•…•… and thou standest by faith. Be n•…•… high minded, but feare.

Note, Now then what greater hi•…•… mindednesse can the Romane Chur•…•…

show, than to say, shee cannot erre? and if this were true, what needed her to feare? and yet I hope shee cannot exeeme her selfe from this Apostolicke exhortation, which is so expreslie written to her, and biddeth her feare.

Againe,

ver. 21.22. For if God spared not the naturall branches, take heede lest hee spare not thee. Beholde, therefore, the goodnesse and severitie of God: on them which fell, severitie; but towards thee, good∣nesse, if thou continue in his good∣nesse, otherwise thou also shalt bee cut off.

Note then, that the Apostle showeth, that the Church of Rome, as well as other Churches of the Gentiles, may fall away from the trueth, and bee cut off from being a true Church: otherwise, if shee had infallibilitie, this his exhorta∣tion should haue beene altogether need∣lesse: neither should hee haue spoken doubtinglie after this manner, saying, if thou continue: but particularlie excep∣ted her as one, that could not, but con∣tinue.

2. Witnessing of Antiquitie.

THey haue not Peters heritage (saith Ambrose) who haue not Peters faith.

§. 4. That personall succession to the Chaires of true Teachers, priviledgeth not their successours from errour.

1. Authoritie of Scripture.

EXod. 32.21. And Moses saide to Aaron, What did this people vnto thee, that thou hast brought so great a sinne vpon them?

Loe then, How the verie first sitter in the high priest's chaire, falleth filthilie in grossest idolatrie.

2. Kings 16.11.16. And Vriah the Priest built an Altar, ac∣cording to all that King Ahaz had sent from Damascus, &c. Thus did Vriah the Priest, according to all that King Ahaz commanded.

Note then, That notwithstanding of his succeeding personallie to the office of the high priest-hood, hee performeth all the idolatrous King's commande∣ments, and so foullie erreth.

Mat. 26.65. Then the high Priest rent his garments, saying, Hee hath blaspemed.

Note then, That the high Priests suc∣cession, nor place, freeth him not from erring, in calling CHRISTES trueth, blasphemie.

Mat. 23.2. The Scribes and Pharisees sit in Moses chaire.

But yet.

Iohn 7.48. Haue anie of the Rulers and Pharisees, believed in him? Yea, more-over.

Mat. 16.6. Then Iesus said vnto them, Take heede, and beware, of the leaven of the Pharisees, and of the Sadduces.

Verse 12. Then they vnderstood that hee bade them not beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, but of the doctrine of the Pharisees and Sadduces.

Note then, That notwithstanding of their sitting in Moses chaire, they both rejected Christ, and his trueth, and taught contrarie falsehood: neither be∣lieving in the Sonne of God themselues, nor yet truelie teaching the people of God, concerning their MESSIAS.

2. Witnessing of Antiquitie.

NIcephorus doeth testifie, that Nesto∣rius & Macedonius, arch-hereticks, succeeded to S. Andrew the Apostle in the Church of Constantinople, called before Byzantium. Niceph. lib. 8. chronol. cap. 6.

3. Confession of Partie.

THat almost all Arch-hereticks were eyther Bishops or Priestes, sayeth Bel∣armine, Lib. 1. de Pont. Cap. 8. §. 4.

§. 5. That the Iewish Church pretended n•…•… lesse infallibilitie, than the Romane doeth: and had farre greater, and more particular promises, and ye•…•… erred.

1. Authoritie of Scripture.

AS for the pretence, wee see it se•…•… downe,

Ierem. 18.18. in these wordes, Come, let vs devise de∣vices against Ieremie: for the Law

shall not perish from the Priest, nor Counsell from the Wise, nor the •…•…ord from the Prophet.

And there∣•…•…re from the lyke words in Malachie 2.〈…〉〈…〉. which the Papists would haue thus, The Priests lips shall preserue know∣ledge, and they shall seeke the Law •…•…t his mouth, they gather the High •…•…riests infallibilitie vnder the Law ex •…•…acto, and conclude the Popes infallibi∣•…•…tie vnder the Gospell ex aequo: allead∣•…•…ing to the same purpose that of Deuter∣•…•…omie 7.10. In lyke manner.

As for Promises, it is saide,

Psal. •…•…32.14. The Lord hath chosen Sion for an habitation, and hath said, This is my rest for ever.

And againe,

Isai. 33.20. Looke vp∣on Sion, the citie of our solemnities; •…•…hine eyes shall beholde Ierusalem, 〈…〉〈…〉 quyet habitation: a Tabernacle that shall not bee taken downe: not one of the stakes thereof shall ever be remo∣ved: neither shall anie of the cords •…•…hereof bee broken.

Note then, And aske, where ever anie such promises are made vnto Rome: but

in the contrarie, a fearfull destruction fo•…•… her grosse idolatrie, is clearlie fore-told; Revelation 18.

And last of all, for praises, it is said of Ierusalem, and Gods Church there Psal. 87.3. Glorious things are spoken of thee, O Citie of God. But of Rome the most glorious thing that is spoke•…•… of her, is, That shee should bee a gloriou•…•… Harlot, Revel. 17.4.18. And Thessalonie•…•… equalleth her in that which the Apostle spake of the faythfull, onelie of his tym•…•… in her; and where-of the Papists so much glorie: which by collation, & inspection of the places, is moste cleare and evi∣dent, Rom. 1.8. 2. Thes. 1.4.

§. 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,* 1.1 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.

§. 7. That multitude is no note of a true Church.

1. Authoritie of Scripture.

1. KIngs 19.10. And Elias saide, I haue beene verie zea∣lous for the LORD of Hoasts: for the children of Israel haue forsa∣ken thy covenant, cast downe thine Altars, and slaine thy Prophets, and I, even I, onlie am left, and they seeke my life.

I aske then, If a visible multitude was a note here of the true Church in Israel? or the two tribes of Iudah being com∣pared with these ten, which of them was the greater multitude? or the whole twelue compared with the whole worlde beside, which of these were maniest? and consequentlie, by the note of multitude, who was the true Church?

Isai. 1.9. Except the Lord of Hoastes had left to vs a verie small remnant, wee should haue beene like Sodome, and like vnto Gomorrah.

Note then, That the true professours are called a verie small remnant: which is farre from being the greatest multi∣tude of men.

Ier. 3.14. I vvill take one of a Citie, and two of a Familie, and bring you to Sion.

Note then, That one of a Citie being the fewest that can bee, that the greater multitude is left vncalled to the trueth effectualie.

Mat. 7.13. Enter in at the strait gate, for vvide is the gate, and broad is the vvay that leadeth to de∣struction, and manie there bee vvho enter in thereat.

Note then, If few enter in at the strait gate, that leadeth to salvation; and manie at the wide gate, that leadeth to damna∣tion: then paucitie should bee rather a note of the true Church, than anie wise multitude; seeing Rev. 13. the whole World is saide to follow the beast.

Luke 12.32. Feare not, little Flocke, for it is your Fathers plea∣sure to giue to you a Kingdome.

Note then, If Christs Flocke bee little, then multitude is no good note to know the same thereby.

Examples of the paucitie of Gods true Church in the house of Abraham, compa∣red with the rest of the world, and of the true professours at Christs Passion, verefie this point.

2. Witnessing of Antiquitie.

THe multitude of Associates shall no wise show thee to bee a Catholicke, but an Hareticke (sayeth Ierome, dialog. contra Pelag. lib. 3.) Therefore where are they that define the Church by multi∣tudes, (sayeth Gregorie Nazienzen) and contemneth so the little Flocke of Christ? Oratione de seipso contra Arrianos.

3. Confession of Partie.

THat time when the Church seemed to lurke (sayeth Gregorie of Valentia) being compared with by gone tymes,

it may bee found, that the Church was not with the multitude, &c. Greg. de Valen. analys. lib. 6. c. 4. §. probatio. 4.

§. 8. That outward glorie and vvorldlie prosperitie, whereby a Church is vi∣siblie conspicuous to all, is not a marke of the true Church.

1. Authoritie of Scripture.

ZEph. 3.12. I vvill leaue in the midst of thee, an afflicted and poore people, that shall trust in the Name of the Lord.

Note then, That Gods Church oft times like the 7000. reserved in Israel, or Gods people preserved till their evoca∣tion in the midst of Babell, or rather a poore and afflicted companie, compelled oft times to lurke as the woman in the Desart, than to bee ever gloriouslie con∣spicuous, and visible to all.

Isai. 54.11. Oh, thou afflicted, tossed vvith tempest, and not com∣forted; behold, I vvill lay thy stones vvith faire colours, and thy founda∣tion vvith Saphyrs.

Mat. 24.9. Then shall they

deliver you into tribulation, and shall kill you, and you shall be odious to all Nations for my Names sake.

Iohn 15.20. Remember my vvord that I said to you, The ser∣vant is not greater than his master: if they haue persecuted mee, they vvill also persecute you, &c.

2. Tim. 3.12. And all that will liue godlie in Christ Iesus, shall suffer persecution.

Acts 14.21. Confirming the hearts of the Disciples, they exhor∣ted them to continue in the fayth; & that we must vvith much tribu∣latiō enter into the Kingdome of God.

Note then, Out of all the former, that persecution rather, which maketh men lurke, is a note of the true profes∣sours of Christ, than worldlie prosperi∣tie, which maketh men to be gloriouslie visible, and outwardlie conspicuous; and that the one estate happeneth farre ofter than the other to the Church of God.

2. Witnessing of Antiquitie.

WHile Antichrist shall reigne (sayeth Ierome) the Church shall be driven

to the Desart, and given to Beasts, and suffer what-so-ever the Prophet descry∣beth. (In c. 2. Sophoniae, in finc.)

3. Confession of Partie.

WEE say not (sayth Gregorie of Va∣lentia) that the Church shall be ever conspicuous, as if wee would haue her ever alike easilie knowne: for wee know, that shee is so tossed, whiles with the waues of Errours and Schismes, and whiles of persecution, that shee is hard to bee knowne to the vnskilfull, that are not prudent to consider of tymes and circumstances of thinges. Valentia, analys. lib. 6. c. 4. §. propositio 4.

§. 9. That Miracles are no note of the true Church, neyther personall suc∣cession, nor Antiquitie.

1. Authoritie of Scripture.

DEut. 13.1.2. And if there arise amongst you a Prophet, or a dreamer of Dreames, and gi∣veth thee a signe, or a vvonder, and the signe or vvonder come to passe, vvhereof hee spake vnto thee, saying, Let vs goe after other gods, (vvhich thou hast not knowne) and

let vs serue them: Thou shalt not hearken to the words of that Prophet.

Note then, That miracles cannot au∣thorize false doctrine, nor bee any sure note of a true Church, or true teachers therein.

Mat. 24.24. For there shall arise false christs, and false prophets, and shall show great signes and won∣ders: in so much (if it vvere possible) that they should deceiue the verie Elect.

2. Thess. 2.9. Whose comming (to wit, Antichrists) is after the wor∣king of Satan, with all power, and signes, and lying wonders.

Note then, That Antichristianisme is advanced by miracles in the latter times: and therefore they can bee no sure note of the true Church; but rather a cleare note of the false Church in the latter tymes.

As for Succession, it is alreadie spoken of, §. 4: That it can bee no note (ex∣cept it were in true doctrine:) For so the high Priest, and erronious Pharisees, who persecuted Christ and His Apo∣stles, should haue bene the true Church; having their succession from Aaron, and

sitting them-selues in Moses Chaire.

Neyther can Antiquitie nor Duration bee a note of the true Church; for with the verie first Preaching of the Gospell the misterie of iniquitie began to worke, 2. Thess. 2.7. And for Duration, it shall last to the ende of the worlde, and haue some beeing: for so the Apostle testifieth, 2. Thess. 2.8. That, that man of sinne, Antichrist, shall piece and piece bee con∣sumed by the breath of the LORDES Mouth; but shall bee vtterlie destroyed with the brightnesse of His comming onelie.

2. Witnessing of Antiquitie.

THe Church is not made manifest to bee Catholicke (sayeth Augustine) because miracles are done in her, de vnit. Eccles. cap. 16. Yea, they are more to be found amongst them who are false Chri∣stians (sayeth Chrysostome) beeing lying wonders. hom. 19. in Matth. operis imperf.

3. Confession of Partie.

They would bee rather an hinderance now-a-dayes, (sayth the Iesuit Stella) than anie wayes an helpe to adduce men to the trueth, in Luc. 11. p. 64. So also sayeth Stapleton, prompt, morale in dominic. 24. post Pentecosten. Not onelie for the greater try all of the faythfull, may Anti∣christ, & his nearest fore-runners, worke true miracles: But what-so-ever other

Heretickes, (sayeth hee) as inchanters also doe by Gods permission. And there∣fore he showeth, that in the Ecclesiasti∣call Historie wee reade, that the Novatian Heretickes wrought miracles in Christes Name. And the Donatistes vaunted greatlie of their miracles against Augu∣stine: to whome hee answered, de vnit. Eccles. cap. 16.

Notes

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