reason_n that_o saint_n paul_n have_v caution_v the_o faithful_a to_o 2._o take_v heed_n that_o no_o one_o seduce_v they_o through_o philosophy_n and_o vain_a deceitful_a reason_n after_o the_o tradition_n of_o man_n after_o the_o rudiment_n of_o the_o wisdom_n of_o the_o world_n and_o not_o after_o jesus_n christ_n 9_o they_o will_v say_v without_o doubt_n that_o all_o these_o consideration_n how_o strong_a soever_o they_o appear_v do_v yet_o make_v no_o more_o than_o conjecture_n and_o likelihood_n which_o ought_v to_o have_v be_v immediate_o stifle_v by_o the_o only_a name_n of_o the_o church_n which_o improve_v so_o profound_a a_o respect_n for_o itself_o in_o the_o soul_n of_o all_o true_a beleiver_n but_o that_o very_a thing_n serve_v but_o to_o increase_v the_o just_a suspicion_n of_o our_o father_n they_o understand_v what_o respect_n they_o owe_v to_o the_o church_n but_o they_o be_v not_o also_o ignorant_a how_o easy_a it_o be_v to_o be_v deceive_v by_o so_o specious_a a_o name_n that_o visible_a society_n of_o man_n who_o profess_v christianity_n which_o we_o call_v the_o church_n be_v not_o whole_o compose_v of_o true_a believer_n it_o take_v into_o its_o bosom_n a_o great_a number_n of_o false_a christian_n of_o wicked_a worldly_a and_o hypocritical_a man_n who_o be_v mingle_v with_o the_o good_a as_o chaff_n among_o the_o wheat_n or_o as_o the_o mud_n of_o the_o stream_n be_v with_o the_o water_n of_o the_o fountain_n and_o as_o on_o the_o one_o side_n the_o false_a christian_n be_v not_o all_o so_o after_o the_o same_o manner_n for_o some_o be_v full_a of_o light_n and_o knowledge_n other_o of_o ignorance_n some_o be_v profane_a other_o superstitious_a one_o sort_n be_v full_a of_o contrivance_n and_o intrigue_n in_o the_o affair_n of_o religion_n other_o take_v little_a care_n of_o its_o interest_n some_o be_v ambitious_a other_o covetous_a other_o fierce_a and_o inflexible_a other_o full_a of_o imposture_n and_o deceit_n according_a as_o we_o see_v those_o different_a humour_n ordinary_o reign_v among_o the_o man_n of_o the_o world_n so_o on_o the_o other_o side_n the_o true_a beleiver_n who_o be_v in_o the_o same_o visible_a society_n have_v not_o all_o of_o they_o the_o same_o degree_n either_o of_o knowledge_n or_o sanctification_n that_o they_o have_v more_o or_o less_o of_o natural_a light_n more_o or_o less_o of_o supernatural_a grace_n more_o or_o less_o of_o zeal_n of_o courage_n or_o of_o vigour_n according_a to_o the_o measure_n of_o the_o spirit_n that_o be_v communicate_v to_o they_o it_o be_v now_o almost_o scarce_o conceivable_a that_o that_o medley_n shall_v not_o corrupt_v religion_n in_o a_o long_a train_n of_o age_n and_o that_o it_o shall_v not_o cause_v to_o enter_v in_o maxim_n doctrine_n service_n and_o custom_n far_o more_o conformable_a to_o the_o spirit_n of_o the_o world_n then_o to_o that_o of_o jesus_n christ_n there_o need_v but_o a_o little_a leven_a say_v saint_n paul_n to_o 5._o corrupt_v the_o whole_a mass_n from_o thence_o that_o two_o party_n whereof_o the_o one_o be_v good_a the_o other_o be_v evil_a be_v join_v together_o experience_n always_o instruct_v we_o that_o the_o ill_n do_v far_o more_o easy_o deprave_v the_o good_a than_o the_o good_a better_o the_o bad_a and_o we_o can_v say_v that_o god_n be_v bind_v to_o hinder_v that_o corruption_n and_o that_o otherwise_o his_o church_n will_v perish_v from_o the_o earth_n for_o beside_o that_o it_o no_o way_n belong_v to_o we_o to_o order_v so_o bold_o what_o god_n be_v bind_v to_o do_v or_o not_o to_o do_v for_o the_o execution_n of_o his_o design_n it_o be_v certain_a that_o he_o have_v not_o hinder_v it_o as_o we_o have_v but_o just_a before_o see_v in_o the_o church_n of_o the_o jew_n nor_o in_o the_o eastern_a christian_a church_n nor_o in_o the_o the_o whole_a body_n of_o the_o church_n in_o the_o time_n of_o the_o arian_n he_o have_v other_o way_n to_o preserve_v his_o elect_n and_o his_o sincere_o faithful_a one_o who_o only_o be_v to_o speak_v proper_o his_o church_n he_o can_v preserve_v they_o in_o the_o midst_n of_o a_o corrupt_a ministry_n and_o when_o that_o be_v become_v impossible_a he_o know_v how_o to_o separate_v they_o from_o the_o wicked_a and_o to_o draw_v they_o away_o from_o their_o communion_n but_o we_o will_v speak_v to_o that_o more_o large_o at_o the_o end_n of_o this_o treatise_n 10._o to_o go_v on_o with_o our_o remark_n that_o which_o i_o have_v say_v supply_v we_o with_o another_o which_o be_v not_o less_o considerable_a than_o the_o rest_n it_o be_v in_o consequence_n of_o that_o mixture_n of_o the_o good_a and_o the_o wicked_a in_o the_o same_o visible_a church_n that_o it_o may_v fall_v out_o and_o it_o have_v very_o frequent_o happen_v that_o the_o far_o great_a number_n the_o external_a splendour_n force_n and_o authority_n be_v find_v among_o the_o party_n of_o the_o wicked_a and_o that_o they_o be_v chief_o those_o who_o fill_v up_o the_o high_a place_n in_o the_o church_n for_o as_o those_o high_a place_n yield_v they_o honour_n and_o the_o good_n of_o the_o world_n in_o a_o very_a great_a measure_n so_o it_o be_v very_o natural_a that_o they_o shall_v be_v more_o hunt_v after_o and_o obtain_v by_o the_o man_n of_o the_o world_n then_o by_o the_o true_o faithful_a who_o ordinary_o be_v not_o so_o violent_o carry_v out_o to_o those_o thing_n after_o that_o manner_n one_o may_v very_o often_o see_v the_o government_n of_o the_o visible_a church_n to_o fall_v into_o exceed_o wicked_a hand_n and_o then_o there_o need_v but_o a_o capricious_a humour_n but_o a_o passion_n but_o a_o interest_n but_o a_o whimsy_n but_o some_o neglect_n or_o some_o other_o thing_n of_o the_o like_a nature_n which_o it_o be_v not_o hard_a to_o conceive_v to_o be_v in_o such_o person_n as_o we_o suppose_v to_o bring_v into_o the_o church_n false_a doctrine_n and_o false_a worship_n to_o which_o those_o of_o the_o best_a mind_n shall_v no_o soon_o oppose_v themselves_o but_o they_o shall_v be_v immediate_o quell_v which_o often_o force_v they_o to_o keep_v silence_n and_o to_o give_v way_n for_o a_o season_n till_o it_o shall_v please_v god_n to_o deliver_v they_o from_o that_o oppression_n 11._o can_v it_o not_o in_o the_o least_o happen_v that_o those_o error_n and_o superstition_n that_o be_v but_o little_o take_v notice_n of_o at_o first_o spring_v up_o in_o the_o school_n or_o among_o some_o other_o sort_n of_o man_n shall_v be_v by_o little_a and_o little_a and_o insensible_o spread_v over_o the_o body_n of_o the_o church_n by_o the_o mean_n of_o ignorance_n and_o negligence_n of_o the_o pastor_n and_o may_v not_o the_o same_o thing_n fall_v out_o according_a to_o the_o pleasure_n and_o interest_n that_o the_o pastor_n may_v take_v to_o see_v they_o establish_v that_o in_o the_o end_n be_v find_v to_o be_v root_v in_o man_n mind_n and_o as_o i_o may_v so_o say_v incorporate_v into_o religion_n they_o may_v be_v look_v upon_o as_o tradition_n or_o as_o custom_n that_o for_o the_o future_a aught_o to_o be_v observe_v as_o law_n no_o one_o can_v deny_v that_o a_o multitude_n of_o thing_n have_v creep_v after_o that_o manner_n into_o the_o latin_a church_n as_o the_o keep_n back_o the_o cup_n which_o the_o council_n of_o constance_n have_v take_v 13._o up_o in_o express_a term_n as_o a_o custom_n that_o have_v be_v say_v it_o rational_o introduce_v and_o which_o ought_v to_o be_v keep_v as_o a_o law_n it_o be_v after_o the_o same_o manner_n that_o the_o celibacy_n of_o priest_n the_o worship_v of_o image_n the_o distinction_n of_o meat_n and_o many_o other_o thing_n which_o how_o particular_a and_o private_a soever_o they_o be_v at_o first_o come_v after_o to_o be_v make_v public_a and_o in_o the_o end_n to_o be_v change_v into_o article_n of_o religion_n 12._o all_o these_o reflection_n may_v serve_v to_o let_v our_o father_n understand_v that_o it_o be_v no_o way_n impossible_a for_o the_o state_n of_o the_o latin_a church_n to_o be_v corrupt_v but_o beside_o that_o reason_n those_o example_n and_o that_o experience_n which_o convince_v they_o of_o it_o they_o yet_o far_a see_v the_o plain_a proof_n of_o it_o in_o the_o declaration_n of_o the_o holy_a scripture_n for_o after_o whatsoever_o manner_n they_o expound_v that_o mystery_n of_o iniquity_n of_o which_o saint_n paul_n speak_v to_o the_o thessalonian_n which_o in_o his_o day_n have_v begin_v to_o work_v and_o that_o captivity_n of_o god_n people_n 18._o who_o god_n command_v to_o go_v out_o of_o babylon_n lest_o in_o partake_v of_o its_o sin_n it_o partake_v also_o of_o its_o plague_n no_o one_o can_v avoid_v acknowledge_v from_o those_o two_o place_n but_o that_o a_o great_a corruption_n must_v needs_o fall_v out_o in_o the_o visible_a church_n the_o
they_o make_v use_v of_o the_o visibility_n of_o the_o church_n to_o 6._o prove_v its_o infallibility_n the_o true_a church_n of_o jesus_n christ_n say_v one_o ought_v always_o to_o be_v visible_a always_o plain_o to_o be_v discern_v whence_o it_o follow_v that_o she_o can_v err_v for_o if_o it_o be_v possible_a for_o she_o to_o do_v so_o she_o can_v be_v no_o long_o acknowledge_v as_o a_o true_a church_n and_o there_o will_v be_v no_o more_o mean_n propose_v to_o all_o man_n for_o their_o salvation_n none_o can_v be_v save_v out_o of_o the_o communion_n of_o the_o true_a church_n since_o it_o be_v impossible_a for_o any_o to_o be_v save_v without_o faith_n and_o that_o according_a to_o the_o apostle_n none_o can_v have_v faith_n without_o that_o preach_v which_o ought_v to_o be_v make_v by_o the_o minister_n of_o the_o church_n the_o true_a church_n ought_v then_o to_o be_v always_o visible_a to_o the_o end_n that_o all_o man_n shall_v set_v themselves_o under_o its_o ministry_n to_o obtain_v salvation_n or_o that_o at_o least_o they_o shall_v be_v inexcusable_a if_o they_o do_v not_o so_o place_v themselves_o and_o by_o consequence_n it_o be_v necessary_a that_o she_o shall_v be_v infallible_a to_o this_o reason_n which_o alone_o make_v a_o long_a controversy_n and_o about_o which_o they_o make_v very_o long_a chapter_n they_o add_v some_o passage_n of_o scripture_n from_o whence_o they_o conclude_v that_o the_o church_n be_v always_o visible_a and_o some_o other_o that_o contain_v in_o their_o opinion_n not_o only_o the_o promise_n of_o a_o perpetual_a visibility_n but_o of_o a_o visibility_n shine_v with_o such_o a_o brightness_n and_o such_o splendour_n that_o the_o true_a church_n may_v be_v know_v to_o stranger_n and_o infidel_n to_o be_v so_o to_o answer_v this_o argument_n of_o they_o in_o the_o first_o place_n i_o say_v that_o the_o true_a church_n may_v be_v so_o far_o from_o be_v always_o discernible_a by_o all_o man_n as_o they_o pretend_v it_o to_o be_v as_o that_o one_o can_v say_v so_o much_o as_o that_o all_o man_n have_v always_o be_v able_a to_o know_v that_o there_o have_v be_v a_o society_n of_o christian_n in_o the_o world_n for_o not_o to_o allege_v that_o the_o christian_a church_n in_o its_o original_a then_o when_o the_o apostle_n be_v as_o yet_o in_o jerusalem_n or_o thereabouts_o be_v very_o little_o know_v to_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o world_n not_o to_o say_v that_o the_o knowledge_n of_o that_o new_a society_n do_v not_o so_o soon_o spread_v itself_o over_o the_o roman_a empire_n nor_o in_o the_o border_a country_n that_o the_o most_o of_o the_o people_n be_v ignorant_a for_o some_o time_n of_o what_o it_o be_v to_o be_v christian_n it_o can_v be_v deny_v that_o many_o age_n have_v slip_v away_o before_o that_o the_o most_o considerable_a part_n of_o the_o earth_n as_o all_o america_n can_v have_v any_o knowledge_n that_o there_o be_v any_o christian_n in_o the_o world_n how_o then_o can_v any_o one_o say_v the_o true_a church_n be_v always_o visible_a and_o always_o discernible_a to_o all_o man_n be_v it_o because_o those_o american_n before_o these_o last_o age_n be_v not_o man_n or_o be_v it_o because_o they_o be_v not_o bind_v to_o work_v out_o their_o own_o salvation_n they_o ought_v then_o in_o good_a earnest_n to_o acknowledge_v that_o god_n be_v most_o free_a in_o the_o dispense_n of_o the_o mean_n of_o salvation_n which_o he_o propose_v to_o who_o he_o will_v and_o refuse_v to_o who_o he_o will_n till_o the_o external_a communion_n with_o the_o true_a church_n shall_v be_v the_o only_a mean_n of_o and_o absolute_o necessary_a to_o salvation_n none_o can_v conclude_v that_o she_o ought_v to_o be_v perpetual_o visible_a and_o discernible_a by_o all_o man_n for_o it_o frequent_o happen_v that_o god_n for_o most_o just_a reason_n but_o which_o we_o ought_v not_o to_o search_v out_o with_o too_o great_a curiosity_n may_v withdraw_v from_o man_n the_o external_a mean_n of_o their_o salvation_n and_o yet_o notwithstanding_o he_o do_v not_o fail_v to_o convince_v by_o other_o way_n which_o render_v they_o inexcusable_a &_o worthy_a of_o condemnation_n man_n be_v bind_v to_o place_n themselves_o in_o the_o true_a church_n then_o when_o it_o be_v discernible_a to_o they_o to_o be_v so_o but_o when_o it_o be_v not_o so_o as_o it_o be_v not_o at_o this_o day_n to_o the_o southern_a nation_n we_o ought_v not_o to_o believe_v that_o god_n will_v damn_v they_o for_o not_o have_v put_v themselves_o into_o it_o they_o have_v other_o crime_n enough_o to_o be_v punish_v for_o without_o make_v god_n to_o violate_v his_o justice_n in_o that_o respect_n see_v here_o what_o i_o say_v for_o the_o defend_n of_o god_n justice_n and_o to_o let_v you_o see_v the_o rashness_n of_o those_o argument_n which_o suppose_v that_o god_n be_v bind_v to_o make_v those_o gentleman_n infallible_a to_o the_o end_n that_o he_o may_v condemn_v man_n with_o some_o reason_n but_o further_a i_o do_v not_o deny_v that_o one_o can_v in_o some_o sense_n say_v that_o god_n have_v always_o preserve_v some_o true_a church_n visible_a upon_o earth_n but_o that_o one_o ought_v not_o to_o play_v with_o those_o ambiguous_a term_n it_o be_v necessary_a to_o make_v a_o distinction_n and_o to_o show_v clear_o in_o what_o sense_n it_o may_v and_o in_o what_o sense_n it_o may_v not_o be_v find_v to_o be_v true_a for_o beside_o that_o that_o i_o have_v say_v in_o the_o first_o place_n that_o the_o true_a church_n be_v not_o visible_a nor_o to_o be_v general_o know_v by_o all_o we_o ought_v not_o to_o imagine_v that_o the_o true_a church_n must_v be_v always_o visible_a in_o one_o certain_a place_n that_o be_v to_o say_v that_o one_o only_a people_n one_o society_n one_o body_n which_o have_v be_v for_o time_n a_o true_a church_n may_v not_o in_o the_o end_n lose_v that_o quality_n after_o whatsoever_o manner_n that_o come_v to_o pass_v whether_o it_o be_v by_o a_o entire_a forsake_v of_o christianity_n or_o whether_o it_o be_v by_o a_o extreme_a and_o general_a corruption_n of_o that_o religion_n god_n have_v sometimee_n take_v away_o his_o candlestick_n from_o the_o midst_n of_o a_o people_n according_a to_o that_o threaten_v which_o he_o make_v to_o the_o church_n of_o ephesus_n i_o will_v come_v quick_o unto_o thou_o and_o take_v away_o thy_o candlestick_n out_o of_o its_o 2._o place_n except_o thou_o repent_v the_o great_a part_n of_o the_o african_a church_n which_o heretofore_o be_v so_o flourish_v be_v now_o no_o long_o so_o and_o there_o be_v not_o any_o place_n upon_o the_o earth_n neither_o paris_n nor_o constantinople_n nor_o jerusalem_n nor_o antioch_n nor_o rome_n nor_o avignon_n neither_o the_o latin_a church_n nor_o the_o greek_a nor_o the_o armenian_a nor_o the_o aethiopian_a neither_o the_o chair_n of_o saint_n peter_n nor_o that_o of_o saint_n james_n nor_o that_o of_o saint_n john_n nor_o that_o of_o saint_n denis_n that_o can_v promise_v itself_o that_o it_o shall_v never_o perish_v there_o be_v no_o such_o promise_n in_o the_o scripture_n and_o it_o be_v a_o speech_n very_o criminal_a in_o the_o mouth_n of_o any_o church_n whatsoever_o it_o be_v if_o she_o say_v i_o sit_v a_o queen_n 18._o and_o be_o no_o widow_n and_o shall_v see_v no_o sorrow_n when_o therefore_o they_o shall_v say_v that_o god_n keep_v up_o always_o a_o true_a church_n in_o the_o world_n let_v they_o remember_v that_o it_o be_v in_o a_o way_n independent_a on_o any_o place_n and_o see_v or_o if_o that_o restriction_n will_v not_o please_v they_o let_v they_o produce_v those_o clear_a and_o solid_a and_o peculiar_a privilege_n to_o we_o which_o may_v set_v the_o latin_a church_n above_o all_o its_o fellow_n for_o as_o to_o that_o that_o some_o set_v before_o we_o that_o say_n of_o jesus_n christ_n to_o s._n peter_n i_o have_v pray_v for_o thou_o that_o thy_o faith_n fail_v not_o it_o be_v clear_a from_o a_o plain_a 22._o view_n of_o that_o passage_n that_o it_o only_o regard_v the_o person_n of_o saint_n peter_n with_o relation_n to_o that_o violent_a temptation_n wherewith_o he_o be_v hurry_v in_o the_o house_n of_o the_o high_a priest_n and_o under_o which_o there_o want_v but_o a_o little_a of_o his_o faith_n have_v whole_o perish_v and_o that_o it_o do_v not_o in_o the_o least_o concern_v his_o pretend_a successor_n whereof_o there_o be_v not_o so_o much_o as_o one_o word_n in_o all_o the_o scripture_n i_o say_v the_o same_o to_o that_o commandment_n that_o jesus_n christ_n give_v he_o to_o feed_v his_o sheep_n 21._o which_o respect_v only_o his_o re-establishment_n in_o the_o office_n of_o a_o apostle_n after_o his_o fall_n nor_o be_v there_o any_o promise_n adjoin_v for_o his_o successor_n nor_o for_o their_o see_n whereof_o there_o be_v not_o a_o
word_n mention_v either_o there_o or_o any_o where_o else_o and_o as_o to_o that_o passage_n thou_o be_v peter_n and_o upon_o this_o rock_n will_v i_o build_v my_o church_n etc._n etc._n whether_o they_o understand_v 16._o it_o of_o that_o confession_n which_o saint_n peter_n have_v make_v or_o whether_o they_o refer_v it_o to_o his_o person_n i_o say_v that_o no_o one_o can_v understand_v it_o of_o his_o successor_n since_o there_o be_v not_o any_o mention_n make_v of_o they_o either_o direct_o or_o indirect_o for_o when_o the_o see_v of_o rome_n be_v not_o when_o it_o have_v never_o yet_o be_v the_o church_n do_v not_o fail_v of_o be_v build_v upon_o that_o confession_n of_o saint_n peter_n comprehend_v jesus_n christ_n upon_o who_o the_o church_n be_v every_o way_n build_v but_o also_o because_o that_o confession_n of_o saint_n peter_n or_o saint_n peter_n confess_v be_v as_o one_o of_o the_o chief_a stone_n in_o that_o mystical_a building_n which_o be_v not_o leave_v alone_o for_o jesus_n christ_n who_o be_v not_o only_o the_o foundation_n but_o the_o sovereign_a architect_n have_v add_v many_o other_o in_o all_o age_n and_o will_v always_o join_v other_o to_o they_o till_o the_o building_n be_v entire_o finish_v that_o be_v to_o say_v till_o god_n fulfil_v the_o decree_n of_o his_o election_n but_o to_o go_v on_o with_o our_o discourse_n of_o the_o visibility_n of_o the_o true_a church_n i_o affirm_v in_o the_o three_o place_n that_o we_o ought_v to_o know_v very_o well_o what_o a_o true_a church_n visible_a be_v for_o we_o ought_v not_o to_o imagine_v that_o all_o those_o person_n who_o compose_v that_o visible_a society_n shall_v be_v that_o true_a church_n none_o but_o those_o true_a believer_n i_o will_v say_v those_o who_o join_v to_o their_o external_a profession_n of_o christianty_n a_o true_a and_o sincere_a piety_n be_v real_o the_o church_n of_o jesus_n christ_n and_o as_o for_o the_o other_o that_o be_v to_o say_v the_o worldly_a profane_a and_o hypocritical_a they_o be_v but_o the_o church_n in_o appearance_n only_o and_o not_o indeed_o for_o have_v no_o inward_a call_v which_o consist_v in_o faith_n and_o love_n they_o do_v not_o belong_v to_o the_o mystical_a body_n of_o our_o saviour_n nor_o be_v they_o of_o his_o communion_n notwithstanding_o they_o do_v not_o fail_v to_o be_v mix_v with_o the_o faithful_a by_o reason_n of_o that_o external_a profession_n as_o if_o they_o real_o be_v in_o the_o same_o religious_a society_n with_o they_o what_o then_o be_v the_o visibility_n of_o the_o true_a church_n as_o to_o we_o it_o be_v not_o that_o we_o can_v distinct_o and_o with_o any_o certainty_n affirm_v behold_v these_o be_v the_o true_o faithful_a of_o jesus_n christ_n none_o but_o but_o god_n alone_o can_v know_v they_o after_o that_o distinct_a manner_n and_o and_o without_o a_o possibility_n of_o be_v deceive_v but_o this_o we_o may_v say_v of_o that_o visible_a society_n that_o under_o that_o ministry_n and_o in_o that_o communion_n god_n preserve_v and_o raise_v the_o true_o faithful_a whence_o we_o may_v from_o this_o judgement_n with_o solidity_n and_o truth_n and_o i_o may_v say_v also_o without_o a_o possibility_n of_o be_v deceive_v that_o there_o be_v a_o true_a visible_a church_n in_o that_o sense_n i_o declare_v that_o there_o have_v always_o be_v some_o way_n or_o other_o a_o true_a church_n visible_a upon_o earth_n not_o but_o that_o god_n can_v make_v it_o whole_o disappear_v to_o the_o eye_n of_o man_n whensoever_o it_o shall_v please_v he_o to_o do_v so_o without_o do_v man_n any_o wrong_n or_o any_o breach_n of_o his_o promise_n since_o he_o have_v without_o doubt_n extraordinary_a way_n to_o beget_v faith_n in_o the_o heart_n of_o his_o child_n and_o to_o keep_v they_o on_o in_o that_o course_n and_o to_o lead_v they_o in_o the_o end_n unto_o salvation_n without_o make_v use_n either_o of_o the_o public_a assembly_n or_o ministry_n but_o only_o because_o we_o ought_v not_o to_o believe_v that_o there_o ever_o happen_v since_o the_o first_o rise_v of_o christianity_n a_o eclipse_n so_o full_a and_o entire_a that_o one_o can_v not_o some_o way_n say_v there_o be_v a_o society_n in_o which_o god_n do_v keep_v the_o true_o faithful_a i_o say_v after_o some_o way_n for_o as_o that_o judgement_n depend_v on_o two_o thing_n the_o one_o to_o be_v able_a to_o know_v a_o society_n and_o a_o ministry_n and_o the_o other_o to_o know_v that_o under_o that_o ministry_n and_o in_o that_o society_n a_o man_n may_v work_v out_o his_o own_o salvation_n in_o respect_n of_o the_o first_o it_o be_v necessary_a to_o distinguish_v between_o two_o season_n the_o one_o of_o liberty_n and_o prosperity_n where_o the_o church_n have_v its_o assembly_n and_o exercise_n its_o ministry_n open_o in_o the_o face_n of_o all_o the_o world_n for_o then_o she_o be_v much_o more_o visible_a than_o she_o will_v be_v otherwise_o that_o be_v to_o say_v it_o be_v far_o more_o easy_a to_o be_v know_v what_o society_n and_o what_o ministry_n that_o be_v such_o be_v the_o state_n of_o the_o church_n under_o constantine_n and_o other_o christian_a emperor_n and_o it_o be_v in_o such_o time_n as_o those_o that_o the_o promise_n of_o its_o outward_a splendour_n if_o there_o be_v any_o such_o in_o scripture_n be_v accomplish_v the_o other_o season_n be_v that_o of_o its_o affliction_n and_o persecution_n such_o be_v that_o of_o the_o first_o century_n of_o the_o church_n under_o the_o pagan_a emperor_n and_o the_o enemy_n of_o christianity_n for_o none_o can_v deny_v that_o then_o the_o church_n be_v less_o discernible_a by_o its_o assembly_n not_o only_o because_o they_o be_v more_o private_a and_o less_o expose_v to_o the_o public_a view_n but_o also_o yet_o further_o because_o the_o name_n of_o christian_a have_v be_v defame_v by_o a_o thousand_o calumny_n and_o charge_v with_o a_o thousand_o false_a imputation_n which_o make_v the_o knowledge_n of_o the_o church_n to_o be_v far_o more_o difficult_a and_o it_o will_v be_v to_o no_o purpose_n to_o say_v that_o then_o the_o church_n be_v visible_a and_o illustrious_a by_o the_o blood_n of_o its_o martyr_n for_o the_o blood_n of_o its_o martyr_n do_v not_o in_o the_o least_o hinder_v the_o accuse_v of_o the_o christian_n of_o most_o odious_a crime_n that_o which_o hinder_v its_o be_v liable_a to_o be_v easy_o know_v those_o accusation_n be_v as_o a_o cloud_n before_o the_o eye_n of_o the_o common_a people_n which_o be_v necessary_o to_o be_v discipate_v before_o they_o can_v come_v to_o know_v what_o christianity_n be_v so_o that_o the_o true_a church_n be_v more_o or_o less_o visible_a according_a to_o the_o difference_n of_o its_o season_n as_o to_o the_o second_o thing_n which_o be_v to_o know_v that_o one_o may_v be_v save_v in_o that_o society_n and_o under_o that_o ministry_n it_o be_v necessary_a that_o we_o distinguish_v of_o the_o two_o state_n or_o condition_n wherein_o that_o society_n may_v be_v find_v the_o one_o be_v a_o more_o pure_a state_n then_o when_o the_o word_n of_o god_n be_v preach_v without_o mixture_n of_o the_o doctrine_n of_o man_n when_o the_o public_a worship_n be_v perform_v without_o superstition_n and_o the_o sacrament_n plain_o administer_v according_a to_o their_o primitive_a institution_n and_o when_o general_o religion_n be_v establish_v teach_v and_o observe_v after_o the_o same_o manner_n wherein_o jesus_n christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n leave_v it_o to_o the_o world_n in_o that_o condition_n it_o be_v certain_a that_o the_o true_a church_n in_o very_o visible_a and_o very_o discernible_a for_o it_o be_v easy_a to_o behold_v all_o the_o character_n of_o its_o truth_n which_o only_o consist_v in_o its_o conformity_n to_o that_o lively_a primitive_a and_o natural_a image_n of_o christianity_n which_o god_n have_v leave_v we_o in_o his_o holy_a scripture_n but_o it_o be_v not_o less_o certain_a that_o a_o church_n may_v fall_v into_o a_o quite_o contrary_a condition_n that_o be_v to_o say_v into_o a_o state_n of_o corruption_n then_o when_o it_o add_v to_o divine_a truth_n strange_a and_o adulterate_a doctrine_n when_o it_o mingle_v superstition_n with_o the_o true_a worship_n of_o god_n and_o when_o in_o stead_n of_o a_o just_a government_n it_o exercise_v a_o insolent_a and_o absolute_a dominion_n over_o man_n conscience_n in_o one_o word_n then_o when_o all_o thing_n appear_v so_o confuse_v and_o in_o that_o disorder_n that_o one_o can_v scarce_o any_o more_o see_v any_o trace_n of_o that_o beautiful_a and_o glorious_a image_n of_o christianity_n which_o i_o have_v before_o speak_v of_o to_o shine_v forth_o in_o that_o condition_n i_o affirm_v that_o true_a church_n be_v very_o hard_a to_o be_v know_v for_o howsoever_o it_o be_v most_o visible_a in_o quality_n of_o a_o church_n because_o its_o assembly_n may_v be_v