vye_n with_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n for_o antiquity_n and_o duration_n and_o though_o they_o may_v not_o be_v able_a to_o boast_v of_o the_o same_o outward_a splendour_n plenty_n and_o prosperity_n yet_o what_o be_v outward_a splendour_n and_o prosperity_n to_o a_o christian_a church_n when_o in_o scripture_n it_o be_v make_v the_o character_n of_o wicked_a man_n more_o than_o of_o those_o who_o will_v live_v godly_a in_o christ_n jesus_n 3._o we_o do_v not_o deny_v that_o the_o church_n of_o christ_n have_v be_v visible_a so_o far_o from_o it_o that_o we_o believe_v it_o to_o have_v be_v visible_a in_o all_o age_n indeed_o some_o of_o our_o divine_n talk_v of_o a_o visible_a and_o invisible_a church_n but_o when_o they_o do_v so_o they_o consider_v the_o church_n as_o we_o consider_v a_o man_n who_o consist_v of_o two_o part_n a_o body_n and_o a_o soul_n the_o body_n be_v visible_a the_o soul_n invisible_a so_o it_o be_v with_o the_o church_n the_o outward_a society_n in_o which_o true_a and_o sincere_a believer_n live_v be_v the_o body_n and_o that_o be_v visible_a the_o sincere_a believer_n be_v the_o soul_n of_o that_o body_n and_o they_o be_v and_o must_v be_v invisible_a be_v know_v only_o to_o god_n the_o searcher_n of_o heart_n but_o the_o outward_a society_n which_o profess_v the_o faith_n of_o christ_n and_o which_o be_v the_o body_n wherein_o that_o soul_n live_v be_v and_o have_v be_v always_o visible_a and_o that_o which_o make_v it_o so_o be_v the_o profession_n of_o the_o fundamental_a principle_n of_o christianity_n contain_v in_o the_o apostle_n creed_n and_o understand_v in_o that_o sense_n that_o the_o primitive_a church_n understand_v they_o in_o this_o make_v and_o constitute_v a_o christian_a church_n and_o there_o be_v none_o but_o must_v grant_v that_o these_o fundamental_a principle_n of_o christianity_n have_v be_v visible_a in_o all_o age_n even_o in_o time_n of_o the_o great_a persecution_n even_o in_o the_o midst_n of_o arianism_n and_o consequent_o the_o church_n of_o christ_n have_v be_v visible_a in_o all_o age_n and_o shall_v continue_v so_o to_o the_o end_n of_o the_o world_n and_o though_o in_o abundance_n of_o church_n for_o some_o age_n together_o these_o fundamental_a principle_n of_o christianity_n have_v be_v mingle_v with_o many_o accidental_a error_n superstition_n and_o idolatry_n yet_o still_o so_o far_o as_o these_o fundamental_a principle_n have_v be_v retain_v in_o the_o respective_a church_n so_o far_o the_o church_n of_o christ_n have_v be_v always_o visible_a as_o a_o sound_a egg_n swim_v in_o a_o filthy_a nasty_a stink_a pool_n of_o water_n be_v visible_a notwithstanding_o the_o filth_n which_o surround_v it_o and_o therefore_o as_o sickly_a and_o corrupt_a as_o the_o church_n may_v be_v in_o some_o age_n the_o essential_o of_o christianity_n be_v every_o where_o retain_v heathen_n and_o infidel_n have_v still_o opportunity_n and_o motive_n to_o join_v themselves_o to_o it_o for_o in_o these_o principle_n and_o the_o profession_n of_o they_o it_o be_v visible_a so_o that_o 4._o to_o that_o common_a impertinent_a query_n where_o be_v your_o church_n before_o luther_n calvin_n or_o henry_n viii_o the_o answer_n be_v this_o it_o be_v all_o the_o christian_a world_n over_o even_o in_o all_o the_o christian_a society_n that_o be_v either_o in_o ethiopia_n or_o egypt_n or_o africa_n or_o asia_n or_o greece_n or_o constantinople_n or_o alexandria_n or_o antioch_n or_o in_o muscovy_n and_o even_o in_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n herself_o for_o since_o we_o profess_v the_o same_o faith_n or_o the_o same_o fundamental_a principle_n of_o christianity_n which_o be_v profess_v in_o all_o these_o church_n all_o along_o our_o church_n must_v necessary_o have_v be_v in_o all_o those_o church_n where_o those_o fundamental_a principle_n be_v retain_v and_o profess_v so_o that_o it_o be_v in_o vain_a to_o urge_v that_o our_o church_n be_v not_o visible_a two_o hundred_o year_n ago_o for_o it_o be_v enough_o that_o the_o universal_a church_n of_o christ_n be_v always_o visible_a i_o mean_v the_o church_n of_o christ_n disperse_v through_o the_o four_o quarter_n of_o the_o world_n this_o will_v be_v always_o some_o where_o and_o god_n will_v never_o suffer_v it_o to_o decay_v according_a to_o his_o promise_n matth._n xvi_o that_o the_o gate_n of_o hell_n shall_v not_o prevail_v against_o it_o as_o for_o particular_a church_n they_o may_v either_o become_v invisible_a by_o be_v destroy_v or_o become_v visible_a whenever_o they_o appear_v in_o the_o world_n and_o hold_v the_o same_o catholic_n faith_n that_o the_o universal_a church_n hold_v but_o from_o thence_o it_o follow_v not_o that_o either_o these_o particular_a church_n which_o have_v be_v destroy_v or_o which_o rise_v at_o such_o a_o time_n be_v it_o soon_o or_o late_a be_v no_o true_a church_n as_o to_o particular_a church_n which_o decay_n it_o be_v evident_a that_o the_o church_n of_o africa_n of_o carthage_n hippo_n numidia_n where_o st._n cyprian_n st._n austin_n st._n fulgentius_n and_o other_o eminent_a bishop_n govern_v be_v total_o destroy_v but_o no_o man_n will_v therefore_o say_v that_o they_o be_v no_o true_a church_n when_o they_o be_v in_o be_v and_o as_o to_o church_n which_o be_v of_o no_o long_a stand_n their_o be_v of_o a_o late_a plantation_n or_o erection_n do_v not_o make_v they_o false_a church_n else_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n herself_o will_v be_v in_o a_o ill_a case_n for_o the_o church_n they_o pretend_v to_o have_v erect_v in_o china_n and_o in_o other_o eastern_a part_n of_o the_o world_n be_v not_o much_o above_o a_o hundred_o year_n stand_v yet_o they_o will_v not_o think_v they_o false_a church_n because_o their_o plantation_n be_v late_a and_o they_o can_v boast_v of_o many_o hundred_o year_n continuance_n so_o that_o the_o faith_n a_o church_n hold_v must_v be_v the_o great_a standart_n to_o judge_v by_o both_o of_o the_o truth_n and_o visibility_n of_o it_o where_o the_o aforesaid_a fundamental_a principle_n of_o chrianity_n be_v retain_v profess_v preach_v and_o maintain_v there_o the_o church_n be_v visible_a and_o consequent_o the_o church_n of_o christ_n have_v be_v visible_a in_o all_o age_n for_o in_o one_o part_n of_o the_o world_n or_o other_o those_o fundamental_a principle_n have_v be_v profess_v and_o retain_v from_o the_o begin_n of_o christianity_n unto_o this_o day_n and_o if_o a_o church_n appear_v but_o yesterday_o it_o hold_v these_o fundamental_a principle_n the_o pillar_n and_o foundation_n of_o truth_n it_o will_v be_v a_o true_a church_n and_o visible_a and_o consequent_o have_v be_v visible_a in_o those_o church_n where_o the_o same_o truth_n have_v be_v profess_v and_o have_v the_o church_n of_o england_n be_v raise_v but_o forty_o or_o fifty_o year_n ago_o that_o will_v not_o make_v she_o either_o a_o false_a or_o invisible_a church_n because_o she_o retain_v the_o principle_n on_o which_o christianity_n be_v found_v but_o 5._o lest_o any_o person_n shall_v infer_v from_o this_o discourse_n that_o since_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n have_v be_v visible_a for_o many_o age_n as_o well_o as_o other_o church_n and_o have_v retain_v and_o do_v retain_v to_o this_o day_n the_o fundamental_a principle_n of_o christianity_n there_o be_v no_o reason_n to_o separate_v ourselves_o from_o she_o or_o to_o leave_v her_o communion_n i_o answer_v be_v it_o possible_a in_o that_o church_n to_o eat_v only_o of_o the_o wholesome_a fruit_n she_o have_v keep_v and_o preserve_v without_o participate_v of_o the_o poison_n she_o have_v add_v to_o it_o or_o mingle_v with_o it_o something_o may_v be_v plead_v for_o continue_v in_o that_o communion_n but_o that_o be_v impossible_a now_o as_o the_o case_n stand_v of_o child_n that_o be_v baptise_a in_o that_o church_n and_o baptise_a only_o into_o the_o faith_n deliver_v in_o the_o apostle_n creed_n and_o die_v before_o they_o come_v to_o be_v of_o age_n we_o can_v but_o entertain_v a_o favourable_a opinion_n but_o for_o the_o adult_n and_o person_n who_o be_v of_o year_n of_o discretion_n that_o join_v with_o that_o church_n it_o be_v evident_a they_o can_v be_v member_n of_o that_o church_n except_o they_o swallow_v the_o ratsbane_n as_o well_o as_o the_o milk_n the_o unwholesome_a as_o well_o as_o the_o wholesome_a food_n especial_o since_o the_o confession_n of_o pope_n pius_n iu._n and_o the_o council_n of_o trent_n which_o have_v make_v the_o monstrous_a sacrifice_n of_o the_o mass_n transubstantiation_n invocation_n of_o saint_n worship_v of_o image_n purgatory_n indulgence_n seven_o sacrament_n the_o belief_n of_o human_a tradition_n etc._n etc._n of_o the_o same_o necessity_n to_o salvation_n that_o the_o incarnation_n of_o the_o son_n of_o god_n be_v they_o do_v indeed_o retain_v the_o foundation_n of_o christianity_n but_o then_o they_o have_v add_v also_o fundamental_a error_n which_o
every_o christian_a who_o believe_v god_n more_o than_o man_n be_v bind_v to_o abhor_v and_o since_o it_o be_v impossible_a at_o once_o to_o abhor_v they_o and_o to_o continue_v in_o communion_n with_o that_o church_n it_o must_v necessary_o follow_v that_o separate_n from_o it_o be_v a_o duty_n and_o a_o duty_n as_o much_o as_o our_o life_n be_v worth_a but_o 6._o though_o with_o respect_n to_o the_o fundamental_a principle_n of_o christianity_n we_o grant_v the_o church_n of_o rome_n have_v be_v visible_a for_o many_o age_n as_o well_o as_o other_o church_n yet_o in_o regard_n of_o those_o additional_a article_n i_o mention_v just_a now_o if_o the_o doctrine_n make_v a_o church_n visible_a we_o must_v with_o very_o great_a assurance_n affirm_v that_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n have_v not_o be_v visible_a in_o all_o age_n for_o it_o will_v appear_v to_o any_o impartial_a considerer_n that_o the_o present_a doctrine_n which_o they_o have_v add_v to_o the_o old_a foundation_n be_v neither_o teach_v in_o the_o primitive_a church_n for_o the_o first_o three_o hundred_o year_n after_o christ_n nor_o even_o in_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n herself_o a_o thousand_o year_n ago_o not_o in_o the_o primitive_a church_n for_o in_o all_o the_o genuine_a writer_n of_o the_o first_o three_o hundred_o year_n we_o find_v not_o a_o word_n of_o invocation_n of_o saint_n of_o transubstantiation_n of_o worship_v of_o image_n of_o religious_a veneration_n of_o relic_n or_o of_o the_o supremacy_n of_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n much_o less_o of_o her_o infallibility_n nay_o for_o a_o thousand_o year_n after_o christ_n the_o church_n of_o rome_n never_o have_v the_o boldness_n to_o call_v herself_o infallible_a not_o till_o hildebrand_n time_n or_o pope_n gregory_n vii_o by_o the_o confession_n of_o some_o romanist_n a_o monster_n of_o pride_n and_o vice_n he_o be_v the_o first_o that_o give_v himself_o and_o his_o church_n that_o pompous_a and_o ridiculous_a title_n and_o as_o i_o say_v the_o present_a doctrine_n of_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n add_v to_o the_o creed_n and_o make_v article_n of_o faith_n be_v not_o believe_v much_o less_o look_v upon_o as_o necessary_a article_n even_o in_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n herself_o a_o thousand_o year_n ago_o i_o mean_v in_o the_o time_n of_o pope_n gregory_n the_o first_o the_o doctrine_n which_o be_v visible_a in_o that_o church_n now_o be_v not_o visible_a then_o for_o in_o that_o gregory_n time_n the_o sacrament_n be_v administer_v to_o the_o laity_n in_o both_o kind_n worship_v of_o image_n be_v count_v abominable_a the_o title_n of_o universal_a bishop_n be_v think_v antichristian_a private_a mass_n where_o the_o priest_n only_o receive_v and_o communicate_v be_v repute_v unlawful_a the_o book_n of_o the_o maccabee_n be_v not_o take_v into_o the_o canon_n purgatory_n be_v not_o yet_o lick_v into_o a_o perfect_a shape_n much_o less_o into_o a_o article_n of_o faith_n no_o mass_n be_v yet_o say_v for_o the_o dead_a to_o deliver_v soul_n from_o that_o fire_n auricular_a confession_n and_o extreme_a unction_n be_v not_o yet_o make_v sacrament_n etc._n etc._n and_o therefore_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n can_v not_o possible_o be_v visible_a in_o all_o age_n since_o her_o doctrine_n she_o now_o profess_v be_v not_o profess_v no_o not_o by_o she_o own_o member_n in_o all_o age_n inference_n 1._o a_o city_n set_v upon_o a_o hill_n can_v be_v hide_v it_o follow_v therefore_o that_o a_o hide_a piety_n be_v no_o piety_n i_o mean_v where_o a_o person_n think_v it_o enough_o to_o worship_n god_n in_o his_o chamber_n or_o closet_n and_o to_o pay_v he_o due_a respect_n in_o private_a and_o when_o he_o come_v abroad_o into_o company_n vain_a and_o sinful_a and_o wicked_a do_v as_o they_o do_v dare_v not_o or_o will_v not_o own_v his_o pious_a principle_n but_o conceal_v his_o better_a inclination_n and_o love_n of_o god_n and_o make_v no_o expression_n of_o it_o either_o by_o dislike_a the_o sin_n he_o see_v or_o by_o dread_v to_o imitate_v they_o or_o by_o vindicate_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o gospel_n i_o say_v this_o piety_n must_v needs_o be_v counterfeit_a and_o nought_o for_o it_o be_v against_o the_o character_n christ_n give_v of_o his_o disciple_n and_o follower_n and_o in_o call_v they_o a_o city_n set_v upon_o a_o hill_n which_o can_v be_v hide_v and_o beside_o this_o be_v to_o be_v ashamed_a of_o he_o and_o of_o his_o gospel_n before_o man_n and_o how_o he_o resent_v that_o and_o will_v resent_v it_o in_o the_o last_o day_n you_o may_v read_v matth._n x._o 32_o 33._o mark_v viii_o 38._o i_o do_v not_o deny_v that_o nicodemus_n and_o joseph_n of_o arimathea_n be_v disciple_n of_o christ_n but_o secret_o for_o fear_v of_o the_o jew_n joh._n xix_o 38._o but_o 1._o though_o they_o be_v no_o open_a professor_n yet_o they_o consent_v not_o to_o the_o impiety_n of_o the_o jew_n in_o traduce_v and_o slander_v the_o lord_n jesus_n their_o blood_n rise_v to_o hear_v he_o abuse_v and_o in_o the_o midst_n of_o all_o their_o fear_n we_o find_v very_o notable_a effect_n of_o their_o zeal_n for_o his_o cause_n and_o person_n of_o nicodemus_n we_o read_v joh._n vii_o 10_o 11._o that_o when_o the_o whole_a counsel_n be_v for_o condemn_v christ_n to_o death_n the_o brave_a man_n stand_v up_o and_o argue_v with_o they_o do_v our_o law_n judge_v a_o man_n before_o it_o hear_v he_o and_o know_v what_o he_o do_v and_o of_o joseph_n st._n luke_n report_v that_o he_o consent_v not_o to_o the_o counsel_n and_o deed_n of_o the_o barbarous_a man_n who_o judge_v he_o guilty_a of_o death_n luke_n xxiii_o 11._o and_o st._n mark_n add_v that_o he_o go_v in_o bold_o unto_o pilate_n and_o crave_v the_o body_n of_o jesus_n mark_n xv._n 43._o but_o 2._o though_o these_o two_o man_n be_v fearful_a and_o have_v no_o great_a courage_n to_o assert_v their_o love_n and_o devotion_n to_o christ_n open_o yet_o it_o be_v at_o a_o time_n when_o they_o be_v not_o thorough_o instruct_v in_o the_o mystery_n of_o the_o gospel_n the_o case_n alter_v when_o they_o come_v to_o have_v a_o more_o perfect_a knowledge_n of_o it_o and_o then_o not_o all_o the_o rage_n of_o tyrant_n not_o all_o the_o tumult_n the_o jew_n can_v raise_v nor_o all_o the_o terror_n of_o pilate_n can_v hinder_v they_o from_o own_v their_o love_n to_o his_o doctrine_n and_o command_n we_o live_v in_o the_o broad_a daylight_n of_o the_o gospel_n and_o therefore_o must_v not_o take_v example_n by_o man_n who_o be_v novice_n in_o christianity_n and_o while_o they_o be_v so_o for_o we_o to_o be_v one_o thing_n at_o home_n and_o another_o abroad_o pious_a when_o alone_o wicked_a when_o we_o do_v converse_v devout_a within_o the_o wall_n of_o our_o horse_n and_o profane_a and_o loose_a in_o company_n which_o can_v bear_v no_o strictness_n this_o be_v notorious_o to_o dissemble_v with_o god_n and_o to_o be_v false_a and_o treacherous_a to_o he_o what_o caress_n a_o friend_n and_o hug_v he_o in_o a_o corner_n and_o revile_v or_o not_o to_o know_v he_o in_o society_n such_o baseness_n among_o man_n be_v count_v abominable_a and_o therefore_o can_v be_v suppose_v to_o be_v very_o please_v when_o the_o same_o affront_n be_v offer_v to_o god_n nor_o will_v your_o private_a seriousness_n stand_v you_o in_o any_o stead_n in_o that_o day_n when_o your_o soul_n must_v give_v a_o account_n of_o their_o behaviour_n before_o men._n a_o christian_n must_v be_v a_o man_n of_o courage_n and_o when_o he_o be_v to_o do_v a_o know_a duty_n not_o all_o the_o threaten_n and_o commination_n of_o cruel_a man_n not_o all_o the_o hope_n of_o gain_n not_o all_o the_o bait_n of_o profit_n not_o all_o the_o fear_n of_o lose_v his_o honour_n credit_n or_o life_n must_v deter_v he_o from_o it_o for_o let_v come_v what_o will_v come_v of_o it_o the_o life_n to_o come_v which_o be_v and_o must_v be_v his_o great_a treasure_n will_v make_v infinite_a recompense_n for_o all_o his_o loss_n ii_o a_o city_n set_v on_o a_o hill_n can_v be_v hide_v this_o show_v that_o a_o active_a life_n or_o a_o life_n of_o society_n and_o converse_n be_v a_o much_o noble_a life_n than_o a_o life_n solitary_a and_o retire_v from_o the_o world_n i_o will_v not_o deny_v that_o a_o solitary_a life_n have_v its_o advantage_n and_o he_o that_o separate_v himself_o from_o temptation_n be_v not_o very_o likely_a to_o be_v entice_v by_o they_o yet_o still_o it_o be_v a_o great_a act_n of_o virtue_n and_o more_o christian_n like_o to_o be_v good_a in_o the_o midst_n of_o all_o the_o entice_a pleasure_n of_o the_o world_n there_o be_v indeed_o great_a difficulty_n in_o it_o but_o then_o the_o virtue_n be_v great_a and_o the_o fruit_n sweet_a and_o the_o reward_n will_v be_v
in_o the_o name_n of_o the_o lord_n and_o stay_v upon_o his_o god_n excellent_a counsel_n in_o the_o midst_n of_o all_o temptation_n darkness_n cloud_n and_o shadow_n of_o death_n let_v they_o even_o resolve_v to_o depend_v upon_o god_n mercy_n and_o goodness_n and_o rest_v there_o whatever_o come_v of_o it_o and_o though_o they_o can_v give_v no_o reason_n for_o so_o do_v yet_o let_v they_o fix_v here_o and_o upon_o this_o resolution_n if_o i_o perish_v i_o will_v perish_v in_o the_o hope_n of_o god_n mercy_n while_o the_o light_n of_o holiness_n shine_v and_o burn_v in_o they_o there_o be_v that_o in_o they_o which_o will_v secure_v their_o title_n to_o the_o enjoyment_n of_o god_n everlasting_a light_n light_n will_v mingle_v with_o light_n and_o the_o light_n of_o the_o love_n of_o god_n in_o the_o soul_n on_o this_o side_n heaven_n by_o a_o natural_a tendency_n must_v necessary_o at_o last_o terminate_v in_o and_o be_v unite_v to_o he_o who_o dwell_v in_o a_o light_n which_o no_o mortal_a man_n can_v approach_v unto_o for_o with_o thou_o o_o lord_n be_v the_o fountain_n of_o light_n and_o in_o thy_o light_n shall_v we_o see_v light_n lift_v thou_o up_o the_o light_n of_o thy_o countenance_n upon_o we_o and_o we_o shall_v be_v safe_a sermon_n xv._n st._n matth._n ch._n v._o ver._n 14._o a_o city_n set_v upon_o a_o hill_n can_v be_v hide_v in_o these_o word_n our_o saviour_n prosecute_v his_o design_n in_o the_o precede_a character_n he_o have_v give_v of_o his_o disciple_n and_o follower_n he_o have_v call_v they_o the_o salt_n of_o the_o earth_n and_o the_o light_n of_o the_o world_n and_o these_o character_n he_o illustrate_v and_o enlarge_v upon_o not_o only_o in_o the_o text_n but_o in_o the_o two_o verse_n follow_v he_o have_v tell_v they_o that_o their_o life_n must_v be_v exemplary_a their_o conversation_n edify_v and_o their_o action_n such_o as_o may_v serve_v both_o to_o reform_v and_o enlighten_v other_o to_o this_o he_o add_v another_o simile_n you_o be_v say_v he_o and_o god_n expect_v and_o intend_v you_o shall_v be_v like_o a_o city_n set_v upon_o a_o hill_n now_o a_o city_n set_v upon_o a_o hill_n can_v be_v hide_v i._n e._n man_n will_v take_v notice_n of_o you_o as_o they_o do_v of_o a_o city_n seat_v upon_o a_o hill_n if_o your_o life_n be_v not_o according_a to_o the_o rule_n of_o my_o gospel_n your_o christianity_n and_o discipleship_n will_v soon_o be_v see_v through_o and_o you_o will_v quick_o betray_v your_o hypocrisy_n your_o business_n be_v to_o own_o and_o profess_v the_o truth_n in_o the_o face_n of_o the_o sun_n and_o by_o your_o conformity_n to_o my_o holy_a law_n to_o let_v the_o world_n see_v that_o you_o be_v of_o the_o same_o mind_n and_o spirit_n and_o temper_v that_o i_o be_o of_o city_n be_v conspicuous_a all_o man_n that_o pass_v by_o they_o look_v upon_o they_o especial_o if_o they_o be_v set_v on_o a_o hill_n so_o the_o eye_n of_o the_o world_n be_v and_o will_v be_v upon_o you_o and_o it_o will_v soon_o appear_v what_o manner_n of_o spirit_n you_o be_v of_o let_v it_o be_v therefore_o your_o care_n so_o to_o behave_v yourselves_o that_o those_o who_o look_v upon_o you_o and_o observe_v your_o deportment_n may_v be_v convince_v that_o you_o do_v not_o profess_v one_o thing_n and_o practice_v another_o this_o be_v the_o natural_a sense_n and_o design_n of_o our_o saviour_n expression_n here_o as_o will_v appear_v to_o any_o one_o that_o shall_v examine_v the_o drift_n and_o scope_n of_o christ_n in_o this_o sermon_n on_o the_o mount_n and_o the_o antecedent_n and_o consequent_a passage_n but_o because_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n lay_v a_o great_a stress_n upon_o this_o place_n and_o make_v use_v of_o it_o to_o prove_v the_o perpetual_a visibility_n of_o their_o church_n i_o must_v necessary_o discover_v to_o you_o the_o vanity_n of_o that_o pretence_n before_o i_o draw_v any_o inference_n from_o this_o passage_n to_o instruct_v you_o how_o to_o govern_v your_o life_n and_o action_n according_a to_o the_o import_n of_o this_o similitude_n not_o that_o i_o be_o fond_a of_o controversy_n or_o love_v to_o insult_v over_o a_o die_a religion_n but_o the_o subject_a lie_n in_o my_o way_n and_o to_o balk_v it_o will_v look_v like_o betray_v the_o noble_a cause_n we_o have_v espouse_v build_v upon_o the_o eternal_a pillar_n of_o truth_n and_o reason_n the_o pretence_n therefore_o be_v this_o it_o must_v be_v grant_v say_v they_o that_o the_o church_n of_o christ_n must_v have_v be_v visible_a in_o all_o age_n for_o it_o be_v a_o city_n set_v upon_o a_o hill_n which_o can_v be_v hide_v and_o there_o be_v no_o reason_n it_o shall_v for_o how_o shall_v heathen_n and_o infidel_n be_v convert_v to_o the_o faith_n of_o christ_n if_o the_o church_n which_o must_v teach_v they_o that_o faith_n be_v not_o visible_a if_o it_o have_v lie_v hide_v and_o obscure_a in_o the_o world_n for_o several_a age_n confine_v to_o cave_n and_o den_n to_o corner_n and_o desert_n as_o you_o protestant_n pretend_v christ_n must_v have_v miss_v of_o his_o design_n which_o be_v by_o the_o conspicuousness_n of_o his_o church_n to_o draw_v unbeliever_n into_o the_o bosom_n of_o it_o now_o it_o be_v evident_a that_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n have_v be_v visible_a in_o all_o age_n conspicuous_a and_o splendid_a for_o many_o century_n together_o without_o any_o interruption_n you_o never_o begin_v to_o appear_v till_o luther_n and_o calvin_n and_o henry_n viii_o make_v it_o visible_a therefore_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n must_v be_v the_o true_a church_n and_o you_o the_o false_a because_o it_o have_v not_o be_v visible_a in_o all_o age_n this_o be_v the_o pretence_n and_o now_o let_v we_o brief_o consider_v the_o weakness_n and_o absurdity_n of_o it_o 1._o whatever_o may_v be_v say_v for_o the_o perpetual_a visibility_n of_o christ_n church_n it_o be_v plain_a that_o from_o this_o text_n it_o can_v be_v prove_v for_o christ_n do_v not_o speak_v here_o of_o his_o follower_n consider_v as_o a_o church_n or_o a_o body_n of_o man_n unite_v under_o their_o pastor_n in_o the_o profession_n of_o the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o gospel_n and_o in_o the_o use_n and_o administration_n of_o the_o sacrament_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n but_o of_o every_o individual_a disciple_n consider_v as_o a_o christian_a and_o a_o follower_n of_o christ_n to_o teach_v he_o how_o he_o ought_v to_o live_v and_o behave_v himself_o in_o the_o world_n to_o the_o edification_n of_o other_o and_o this_o be_v evident_a from_o the_o virtue_n of_o meekness_n and_o humility_n and_o patience_n and_o peaceableness_n etc._n etc._n press_v in_o the_o forego_n verse_n which_o be_v thing_n appertain_v to_o every_o private_a christian_a and_o this_o say_n you_o be_v a_o city_n set_v on_o a_o hill_n which_o can_v be_v hide_v be_v speak_v to_o the_o very_a same_o person_n of_o who_o the_o aforesaid_a virtue_n be_v require_v so_o that_o these_o word_n relate_v to_o a_o christian_a duty_n not_o to_o the_o state_n or_o condition_n or_o splendour_n or_o visibility_n of_o christ_n church_n but_o 2._o suppose_v they_o do_v relate_v to_o christ_n church_n consider_v as_o a_o church_n they_o must_v necessary_o relate_v to_o christ_n universal_a church_n for_o here_o be_v no_o particular_a church_n mention_v christ_n universal_a church_n of_o all_o age_n nation_n country_n may_v he_o call_v a_o city_n as_o it_o be_v in_o other_o place_n style_v a_o body_n for_o as_o a_o city_n be_v make_v up_o of_o various_a bulding_n and_o as_o a_o body_n consist_v of_o many_o member_n so_o christ_n universal_a church_n consist_v of_o many_o particular_a church_n which_o make_v up_o that_o great_a city_n and_o that_o vast_a body_n and_o if_o these_o word_n relate_v to_o christ_n universal_a church_n how_o can_v they_o be_v apply_v to_o a_o particular_a and_o especial_o to_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n more_o than_o to_o the_o church_n of_o ethiopia_n or_o greece_n or_o armenia_n and_o how_o absurd_a must_v be_v the_o consequence_n the_o universal_a church_n of_o christ_n be_v a_o city_n set_v upon_o a_o hill_n which_o can_v be_v hide_v therefore_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n be_v that_o church_n or_o therefore_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n be_v that_o city_n it_o be_v true_a they_o call_v themselves_o the_o universal_a or_o catholic_n church_n so_o do_v the_o donatist_n of_o old_a but_o what_o do_v call_v themselves_o so_o signify_v when_o it_o be_v evident_a and_o clear_a as_o the_o sun_n at_o noon_n that_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n be_v but_o a_o particular_a church_n there_o be_v church_n in_o the_o world_n before_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n be_v hear_v of_o and_o there_o be_v at_o this_o day_n and_o have_v be_v all_o along_o church_n which_o may_v