Plaine euidences The Church of England is apostolicall, the separation schismaticall. Directed against Mr. Ainsworth the Separatist, and Mr. Smith the Se-baptist: both of them seuerally opposing the booke called the Separatists schisme. By Richard Bernard, preacher of the word of God at Worsop. ... Set out by authoritie. Anno. 1610.

Reply to Mr. Ainsworths Answere to this fourth Likelihood.

[Reply.] HEe passeth by the proofe of my Likelihood, which is, that it is a propertie of the Church of God, to be able to discerne of a true Church: els none can. The proofe of this M^r. Ainsworth acknowledgeth, for he saith; that men endewed with Gods spirit, can discerne the Church, 1. Cor. 2. 15. Now all the Churches beyond the Seas acknowledge vs for true Churches, but allow not of them so standing: it is like∣ly then we be in the true Churches, and they in a Schisme, forsaking vs as false Churches. For this see more in my booke, Page 177. lightly passed ouer by this Answerer, and his fellow helpers.

His reasons giuen to refell my Likelihood are none at all: yet what he saith let vs see.

[Answere. 1] First, hee maketh this Likelihood much like the first, and so supposing the first to be answered, he concludes this to be answered also. [Reply.] But they be nothing like, neither as thou maist see (Reader) hath hee answered the first, and so this remaineth vnanswered.

[Answere. 2] Secondly, he saith, that this is a maine proppe to vphold our Church of England, and that we loue to make flesh our Arme. [Reply.] Hee is wicked in imputing such an idolatrous af∣fection to the Church of Christ, contrary to our doctrines in writing, and daily preaching. Neither make we it a maine proppe; it is denyed plainely in my booke, Page 177. And in this place I account it but a likelihood, or probable con∣iecture: what an ill spirit is this man led with, who will needs make vs belieue wee hold that which plainely by word, wri∣ting and practise we disclaime.

[Answere. 3] Thirdly, he refers his Reader ouer to his Answere in his former Treatise, and so doe I, to expect thereto a Reply: [Reply.] if he had dealt particularly with me, I would haue answered

him in particular: other mens labours, best vnderstood of themselues, I leaue to themselues; not that I cannot make an∣swer to what he there saith, but I know the party with whom he dealeth, is euery way sufficient to encounter a greater Ad∣uersarie then this Answerer, though he help himselfe with [Answere. 4] all the power he can with his confederates. [Reply.] Againe, he re∣fers men ouer to Iunius Letters. so doe I: for they be Let∣ters published to their disgrace, if they were capeable to ap∣prehend shame. [Answere. 5] Lastly, he puts me ouer to the Church of England, because we there say, that the truth of the Gospel of Iesus Christ, dependeth not vpon counsels; nor as S. Paul saith, vpon the iudgement of mortall creatures. [Reply.] This is true, it is worthy to be acknowledged: but it is nothing to this our purpose in hand. The Apostle speaketh of the truth of the Gospel it selfe: wee here of a Church professing the Gospel there, whether the Gospel depend on mans autho∣ritie: here, whether it be not a probable coniecture and likelihood, that the Church is a true Church, which the best Reformed doe acknowledge so, and that particular persons opposing all their iudgements therein, be not in a Schisme by so departing with condemnation.

Notes

• Page 158. 159.
• A true Church can iudge of a true Church.
• See Page 125.