farre seduce, as to deceiue the verie elect, if it were possible; which could not be, if ye true Church should be euer gloriously conspicuous. S. Paul, 2. Thess. 2. 3, 4. telleth vs of such a reuolt, as Antichrist shall be exalted and sit in the Temple of God. And S. Iohn in the Reuelation, Chap. 9. 2. telleth of such a darknesse, that should obscure the Sunne and Aire, of such an oppression of the Church, as she should be trodden vnder foote, Chap. 11. 2. of such a persecution, as she should be glad to fly into the wil∣dernesse, Chap. 12. 6. and lastly, of such a preuailing of the Beast that enemie, as the whole earth should adore, and follow after him, Chap. 13. 7, 8. Which Word of God must needs be true. And therefore the Church is not euer gloriously conspi∣cuous to the world, as an earthly Monarchy or estate.
2. By Historicall narration, 2. Chron. 15. 3. Heb. 11. 37, 38. Iudg. 6. 2. in the kingdom of Iudah, in Ahaz his dayes, in the dayes of Manasses his reuolt from God; for then was there no glorious conspicuitie of the Church any where. What a low ebbe was Gods Church come to in Israel in Eliah his dayes? About the time of Christs suffering, what glorious face of the true Church we•• there then? Christ was condemned: the Apostles were sted 〈◊〉〈◊〉 scattered: Peter forswore Christ. Was heere a glorious true Church in the eye of the world? We see then, the Church hath not euer beene in a pompous visibi∣litie.