Rome ruin'd by VVhite Hall, or, The papall crown demolisht

SECT. 6.

Obj. IF the Government which ought to be established be not yet knowne, what is become of all since the primative times (••••∣ring the Apostacy) that have practised contrary to th•• truth, (through ignorance) and yet have thought they have sacrifi•••••• their lives for it; witnesse the many Martyrs, that hath suffered fire, and faggot, for their judgements, which since are de••me•• ••ro••ious?

Ans. Ignorance is of two sorts, viz. Simple ignorance▪ and* 1.1 Wilfull ignorance; simple ignorance is such as was in the Disci∣ples of Ephesus, that did not know whether there were any Ho∣ly Ghost or no, Act. 19. 2. under which notion may be conclu∣ded all those whom the Lord is not pleased to reveale many of his secrets, and yet practise according to that knowledge they have, with a desire to improve their Talent, and not to bury it* 1.2 in a Napkin; such people (I say) though they come farre short of the knowledge which others have, may be saved thereby; (yea albeit under the least degree of Knowledge in Christianity, if it be but as a graine of Mustard seed) as wel as he that hath attai∣ned to the highest pitch of it, for to whom little is given, little will be required.

2. Wilfull ignorance is such as the Psalmist speaketh of, where* 1.3 he saith, The foole hath said in his heart that there is ••o God, Psal. 14. 1. such an one was Pharaoh, who said, I know no•• the Lord, Exod. 5. 2. and such are all Athists, and wicked people, which love darknesse rather then light; such as ••••••e to be bet∣ter reformed, and reject apparant light being offered, and under this stubbornesse of Spirit, men may as wel be damned under the notion of Presbitery, or Independenly, as of Papacy, and rather, for to whom much is given, of them much will be required.

Again, God hath had his Church in all ages, & albeit that every* 1.4 age hath not had the same measure of light to worship him by (for Abraham saw more of Christ then Adam, Moses more then〈2 pages missing〉〈2 pages missing〉

a patterne for us to imitate; (as that in the Mount was unto Moses for building the Tabernacle,) and in so doing, I hope I shall not be gaine-sayed; presuming also, that it is the desire of all, that the Reformation (now intended) may be punctually according to the wil, and appointment of Jesus Christ, and not to be mixed with humane inventions, or traditions of men, it being a thing so much de••ested (both of Christ, and all true Christians) as that it de••er••eth to be hissed out of the Church of Christ.

Obj. Hold me no longer in di••••ence, but acquaint me with your intention.

Ans. I wil deliver it in the expresse words of our Saviour to* 1.5 his Apostles, to that very purpose, viz. Goe teach all Nations, and Baptize them, &c. Mat. 28. 19. As also, Goe yee into all the world, and preach the Gospel to every creature; he that beleeveth, and is baptized, shall be saved, &c.

Notes

• * 1.1

  O•• simple ig∣norance.
• * 1.2

  M••n mig•••• he sa••ed formerly by such means ••s 〈◊◊〉〈◊◊〉 co••dem••••.
• * 1.3

  O•• 〈…〉〈…〉.
• * 1.4

  〈◊〉〈◊〉 no••••∣••n▪ 〈◊〉〈◊〉 kn••w∣•••••• 〈…〉〈…〉
• * 1.5

  Christs way of gath••••i••g Churches.