his feet 3. The third place we give to the permission of the fall and sinne having given him not impotentiam cadendi an impotencie to fall but potentiam non cadendi a power not to fall if he pleased which he abusing brought himselfe and all mankind into death and misery by transgressing the command given him and so becommeth a mean to set forth Gods justice and mercy his justice in punishing this rebellion with eternal fire and his mercy in giving his only begotten sonne that whosoever of the now lost off spring of Adam should believe in him should not perish but have everlasting life as a gift of his infinite mercy Iohn 3 16 17 18. but he that believed not should be condemned because he beleeved not in the name of the only begotten Sonne of God And this is a third way whereby God sets forth the outward glory of his Justice and infinite mercy 4. A fourth way is consisting in the free gift of his word and ministry to acquaint lost man with his forlorne estate and to discover a way how to get out of the same The law is given to discover the first and the Gospel shew's a way how to get out 1. 1. the Law The word of the Law taketh place first which being preached doth first bring man to a sight of sin Rom. 3.20 Chap. 7.7 Rom. 3.20 discovering to man his manifold defects and swervings from the law 2. After this it proposeth Gods curse due to sinne Deut. 27.26 Gal. 3.10 3ly Whence ariseth anxiety Deut. 27.26 Gal. 3.10 fear and that grief the Apostle calleth according to the world 2. Cor. 7.10 4ly By all which acts man is prepared to entertain the grace of the Gospel which is appointed for sinners 2. Cor. 7.10 Mat. 9.13 1 Tim. 1.13 for them who labour and are heavy laden Mat. 11.28 Mat. 9.13 Mat. 11.18 For those who are poore and of a contrite spirit Isa 66.2 Then the Gospel taketh the second place 2 the Gospel which Offereth to the sinners contrite with the sense and feeling of their sinnes and Gods wrath for the same the grace of God in Christ revealing the mystery which was kept secret since the world began Rom. 16.25 chap. 10.16 Rom. 16.25 shewing how by faith they may become partakers of the same cap. 10.16 Then secondly the Gospel begetteth faith as an effectuall and powerfull instrument Rom. 1.16 by the word preached and heard Rom. 1.16 chap. 10.17 cap. 10.17 and thus Thirdly it applyeth grace to the beleever according to Christs promise Joh. 5.24 Verily verily I say unto you Ioh. 5.24 he that heareth my word and beleeveth on him that sent me hath everlasting life and shall not come into condemnation but is passed from death unto life From this ariseth in our hearts Ioy because being justified by faith we have peace with God through Jesus Christ Rom. 5.1 Rom. 5.1 Griefe for discovering by the Gospel so great a mercy of God the Father towards us man cannot but grieve and be ashamed of those sins wherewith he hath offended him This is a far other griefe from that of the world which therefore the Apostle calleth the griefe according to God 2 Cor. 7.10 2 Cor. 7.10 Bringing with it a new man in mind will affections and all his actions from evill to good Psal 34.15 Ps 34.15 And here again the Law becomes subservient to the Gospel For seeing this change is not to be wrought after mans pleasure but according to the will of God expressed in his Law Isa 8.20 Ezc. 20.18.19 Mat. 15.8.9 Col. 2.8.18 Psal 119.105 Ier. 31.33 Rom. 6. Isa 8.20 Ezek. 20.18 19. Mat. 15.8 9. 2 Col. 8.18 Therefore the Law here offers it self again to be a Rule to us in this new life Psal 119.105 Jer. 31.33 Rom. 6. Thus it plainly appeareth that God Almighty doth all for man For man 1. All things were created Psal 8. Even Angels to be his Ministers Heb. 1.14 2. Heb. 1.14 Gods Son devested himself for man came down from Heaven submitted to that shamefull death of the Crosse to redeem him Phil. 2.6 7 8. Phil. 2.6 7 8. 3. For mans sake God hath committed to writing his will in his Law and Gospel That so man might See his deformity by sin Rom. 7.7 and punishment deserved to seek for mercy That man might secondly Get faith to lay hold on Christ to be saved by him from the evill of sin and punishment And lastly to Gather men into a society or Company who should be his peculiar people Tit. 2 13. zealous of good works Which people called out of the World and believing in Christ make up his body spirituall the Church of which he is the head And thus wee see all was done for the Church CHAP. II. The Nature and Members of this mysticall body of the Church THe Church according to these premises is an assembly or Company of men whom God by his Word and Spirit calleth out of the State of sin to the State of grace and glory God calls men ordinarily by men his Ministers who are his Ambassadors beseeching and praying men in Christs steed to be reconciled to God 2 Cor. 5.20 The Church then is a number of Called and calling doth make up this Assembly we call the Church From this Act of calling the Church hath her name in Hebrew 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a Congregation or Company called together in the Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 from calling out namely of some from others Ioh. 15.19 Chap. 17.6 vers 14. I have chosen you out of the World because they were given him out of the World And being thus called out they are no more of the World They are now to be a particular peculiar Assembly or Company distinguished from the former Gen. 12.1 Thus was Abraham called out of Ur of Chaldea Paul out of the Assembly of Pharisees others yea all out of the Company and state of sinners the power of darknesse Col. 1.13 Act. 26.18 Col. 1.13 The power of Satan Act. 26.18 To be of the number of Gods people who are in the state of grace to repentance 2 Pet. 3.9 2 Pet. 3.9 To Gods Kingdome 1 Thess 2.12 1 Thes 2.12 We may observe here by the way the high dignity of every one effectually called he is by calling intitled to the Kingdome and glory of God an high or supernaturall calling Phil. 3.14 Phil. 3.14 An heavenly calling Heb. 3.1 Heb. 3.1 Compare Chap. 12.22 Chap. 12.22 23. 23. The Church then properly is the Assembly of the Lord or the Lords Assembly This Assembly hath Christ loved and given himself for her Eph. 5.25 Eph. 5.25 He hath purchased the same with his own bloud Act. 20.28 Act. 20.28 Her he purifieth and bestoweth eternall life upon Eph. 5.23 Eph. 5.23 The matter therefore of the Church is an
6.13 Returne returne O Shunamite an earnest invitation and perswasion which the Church of the Gentiles makes to the Jewish Synagogue to come off from her former worship and administrations to the Evangelicall Covenant that so both may be made one in that fullness and union this is promised Rom. 11.25 and not yet fulfilled therefore it is our dutie to pray for it And as we are to pray for Jerusalem the Church so likewise collaterally against all enemies of the Church for it is with the Church and her enemies as it is with a paire of ballances when one scale goeth up the other goeth down so that those prayers that are made for the Church directly reach collaterally against her enemies Quest But what is the thing we must wish or pray for in behalfe of the Church Ans Dauid calls it peace in the fore-quoted place which according to the Hebrew phrase comprehendeth in his lap all good things protection of the Church freedome of those who are in dangers preservation of those who are out of it That God would restore those that are over-runne refine and purge them which remaine That God would enlarge the borders of Christs Kingdome and adde dayly to the Church such as shall be saved But more properly if we consider the peace we are to pray is threefold 1. Peace with God to cause his Churches to walke in the puritie and power of his ordinances to maintaine true religion in doctrine and worship which being left all other things must needs decay Tamper with that and all other blessings will be gon they will betake themselves to their wings and fly away Except we keepe our peace with God all other peace will fall asunder 2. We pray also that we may be at peace amongst our selves enjoying civill peace free from dissention divisions and distraction that all thinke the same thing goe the same way and all unanimously minde the glory of God 3ly We understand also peace forraine from all opposition from without that there may be no hostilitie no invasion of forrain enemies upon the Churches of God and our Church specially One thing more by way of Caution and that is if we dreame of temporall peace only and the blessings upō that it is not worth the while to pray for the peace to the Churches of God It may better prosper in warre and misery The primitive Church as long as it was persecuted by the Dragon was clothed with the sunne crowned with a Crown of twelve Stars having the moone under her feet shee contemneth worldly things But that woman Chap. 17. is all cloathed in scarlet and gold outwardly rich poore and beggarly within we must therefore pray for a sanctified peace and that we may make good use of it I had almost forgotten that which David remembreth in his 51 Psalm 18. That God would build the walls of Jerusalem walls are fences against enemies the Churches walls are discipline and order this is that hedge keepes out the wild beast out of the Lords vineyard late experience hath made it good I will say nothing but as that Roman Emperour si disciplinam amittimus nomen Romanum amittimus and as it is in an Army and Commonwealth so we dayly find it in the Church Motives to pray for the Church 1. In Generall There cannot be a better imployment for Christians then prayer and we cannot ayme at a better blessing then a sanctified peace and settlement both of Church and State There is not a neerer relation we have to any for whom we should wish all good then the Church The neerest relation that a Christian hath to any for whom he should wish good is the Church the greatest blessing is a good peace and settlement The most effectuall meanes to attaine this is fervent prayer 2. He that loves the Church will pray for her it is a most certain signe we doe not love the Church nor Gods glory if we will not so much as pray for her even then when others seeke her ruine 3. Our prayers for the Church give us a share in all the Churches prayers no prayers no share 4. All our prosperity depends on the prosperity of the Church all the good that God doth is for the Churches sake Out of Sion God blesseth and true prosperity belongeth onely to such as love the Church The Church I have shewed is 1. Gods house the spouse of Christ and can there be a neerer and dearer relation to a Christian then this to tender the house of God and spouse of Christ 2. The Church if we be true Christians is the Mother of us all all saints Sons and Daughters Gal. 4 26. have the Church for their Mother whosoever denies her denies also God to be his or her Father In her we are born in her we are new born He is an unnaturall Son and she an unnaturall Daughter who will not pray hard for her Mother in danger who will not open their mouth to keep harme from their Mother 5ly Such is the efficacy of fervent prayer that it stayes the hand of the Almighty and with greatest reverence be it spoken to the divine Majesty in a manner binds the same Prayers rule God Let me alone saith God to Moses Exod. 32.10 The prayers of the faithfull stay his punishments not by the prevayling of humane force above divine but by condescending of divine grace to the desires of the Godly By prayer we obtain all things of God whatsoever Gods divine power is able to bring to passe a Godly Christain may obtain by his fervent prayer 6ly We must of necessity pray if we will obtain Look for no blessing of God without prayer Psal 50.11 Thou shalt call on me 7ly In praying for the Church you pray for your selves if you be a lively member of the same By these motives you may easily find of what temper and mould you are off that shall read this all pretend to Christianity and to be members of Christ now try the truth of this by your affection to the Church The Church is Christs body He is the head you and others if believers are members If so then you feel are sensible of the breaches made in this body can a rupture can a breach be made in a body and a true lively member of the same not be sensible It is a dead member that hath lost feeling or at least benummed and stupified for the present whatsoever you have done hitherto yet now remember your duty to pray for the welfare of your Mother the Church observe the sad estate of the same what the eye sees the heart will mind If we do not minde the Church we will never carefully make our expressions to God for her Take heed of the World which like Ivy will clasp about your heart and hinder it from thriving in Christianity Be not like that Canniball of Christians even the best Protestants bloudy Alva who when Henry demanded of him whether he
Assembly of men elected and called 1 Pet. 1.1 2. 1 Cor. 1.2 1 Thess 1.1 2 3. Rom. 8.28 If the Church be 1. An Assembly one alone cannot be a Church as Elias conceived 1 King 19.10 For one is not a people flock a multitude of believers 1 King 19.10 a holy nation City of God the Congregation of the just as the Church is said to be 1 Pet. 2.9 Chap. 5.2 3. Eph. 2.19 Act. 4.32 2. The Church again is an Assembly of men not of Angels who neither are men nor chosen or called as men 3. Thirdly the Church is a Company or Assembly of the elect or chosen 1 Pet. 1.2 Rom. 8.28 29 30. 4. Fourthly It is an Assembly of men elected and called therefore it is not sufficient to be elected calling is required also Election appoints them but calling makes them actuall members declares them Thus Paul by destination was a member of the Church in his Pharisaisme even then when he persecuted the Church But by calling he became an actuall member Gal. 1.15 To the contrary whereas excommunicated persons and such as are newly come into the Churches pale to be instructed but are not as yet baptized may be elected called as may appear by the example of those who were excommunicated by the Jewish Church Iohn 9.22 Of the Thief on the Crosse Luke 23.43 And Cornelius Act. 10.2 34. These therefore may be also members of the Church and are indeed as many as have true faith Children also and mad men belong to the Church Outward by Condition of their birth which causeth them to be called holy or Saints being born of faithfull parents either one or both 1 Cor. 7.14 Secondly they belong to the Church inward or invisible by the gift of inward calling Rom. 11.29 By which known to the Lord are those who are his 2 Tim. 2.19 2 Tim. 2.19 Those who are deaf may not onely be partakers of the inward but also outward calling not by hearing indeed but by sight as often as Christ Crucisied is set forth to the faithfull in the Gospel and Sacraments Gal. 3.1 CHAP. III. What it is that makes the Church with her true markes THat which gives being to this holy Assembly the Church is that the same is called by the word and spirit of God out of the State of sin into the state of grace All and every member of the Church are such by calling Thus Abraham is called out of Vr of the Caldeans Paul out of Pharisaisme all that are Members of the Church by being called out of the state of sin into the state of grace Outwardly by the word whereby also are called evē these that are not elected Mat. 20.16 and 22.14 Inwardly by the holy Spirit according to Gods purpose Rom. 8.28 and of election Chap. 9.11 belonging onely to the elect Rom. 11.29 2 Pet. 1.10 Hence is the Church called and said to be 1. Visible according to outward calling by the word being sensible or subject to sense And 2. Invisible in respect of the inward calling by the Spirit not being sensible or subject to sense onely known to him who calleth 2 Tim. 2.19 The Lord knoweth who are his and is also discerned by those who are called Rev. 2.17 For none knoweth that new name in the white stone saving him that hath received it Christ therefore saith the Kingdome of God commeth not with outward observation or shew but is within Luk. 17.20 21. that is in secret Psalm 45.13 The Kings Daughter is all glorious within and so we confesse in our Creed to beleeve the Church and faith is of things not seen Heb. 11.1 Yet the Church is visibly known by a marke purely divine the word which marketh out the Church two ways infallibly and sensibly 1. Infallibly because the Church is a body or company of those who embrace the word of God and every company or body embracing the word of God is the Church according to Christs word Joh. 8.47 He that is of God heareth Gods word and vers 31. If you continue in my word then are you my Disciples indeed Chap. 10.27 My sheep hear my voyce and v. 5. they know not the voyce of strangers 2. Secondly the visible Church is known sensibly by the word which may be seen read and heard The preaching of the word and profession of the same as also the use of the Sacraments are secondary markes together with order discipline flowing from the former which is purely divine But these are of a mixt nature partly divine and partly humane in respect of mans help in the administration of the same whence they are more or lesse pure and incorrupt according to the dispensers of the same CHAP. IV. Of the Prerogatives of the Church HAving shewed the nature of the Church in the next place let us view the priviledges and dignities of the same for God hath graced this Assembly we call the Church with special prerogatives above all assembly's in this vniverse all must be subservient to her Kings must be nursing Fathers and Queens nursing mothers Isa 43.23 These dignities may be considered either in 1. Generall Isa 54.1 we read of the enlargment and advancement thereof under the name of a tent wherein anciently they dwelt the stretching out the Curtains the lengthning of the cords the breaking forth on the right hand and on the left inheriting the Gentiles and making the desolate Cities to be inhabited what meaneth it but the enlargement of the Church Christian consisting joyntly of Jew and Gentile There was a time when it did belong to the Jews and to those that did joyn with them but now Christ hath broken down the partition wall and hath laid all the world common Eph. 2 13. now he hath enlarged the Church and spread it all the world over This is that Peter speakes of Act. 10.34 Of a truth I perceive that God is no accepter of persons but in every nation he that feareth Him and worketh righteousnes is accepted of him see Mat. 8.11 The particular dignities and priviledges of the Church are these 1. First the Church is Christs body namely mysticall whose head and very soule is Christ quickning the same with his spirit Eph. 1.22 23. Hence whatsoever is done to any of the Church he taketh it to himself Act. 9.4 Saul Saul why persecutest thou me Membris adhuc positis in terris caput clamat in coelis non dicebat quid persequeris fideles meos August Serm. 11. de anct Whilest his members were as yet on earth the head cries out in heaven and he saith not why persecutest thou my faithful ones but why persecutest thou me 2 Secondly the Church is Christs Love Ps 45.20 Eph. 5.31 Spouse Sister and Queen Daughter of a King yea his Wife This is a neere relation and partaking A man shall be joyned to his Wife saith the Apostle and they two shall be one flesh This is an ineffable mystery the
Beleevers heart may feel it no tongue can expresse it here all language is lost and admiration seals up every lip Principality and powers nature and reason men Angels stand amazed at it 3. Thirdly this holy Spouse begetteth Children to Christ 1 Pet. 1.23 by the seed of the word and ministry of the same therefore is she called the Mother of us all Gal. 4.26 And after they are borne she feedeth her Babes by the same word 1 Pet. 2.2 as with milke and strong meate The sincere word of God being of this nature that without any mixture of humane addition it serves for a most fit nourishment of our soules whence is that saying of old Qui non habet Ecclesiam matrem non habet Deum patrem He or shee who acknowledgeth not the Church for his Mother hath not God for his Father These her Children are a Kingdome of Priests a holy nation Exod. 19.6 The Lords inheritance and his flock 1 Pet. 5.3 Iohn 10. All which and many more expressions the Seripture affords whereby it plainly appears how dear and pretious the Church is to God I am my beloveds my beloved is mine Cant. 6.3 All true believers members of this Church are his by a peculiar propriety Wee are thine thou never barest rule over them they were not called by thy name Isa 63.19 The Divells are his vassals the wicked of the world his prisoners The faithfull onely are his Jewels friends brethren members his Spouse His by all the relations of intimatenesse that can be named CHAP. V. The good things which flow from this neer relation to the Church and place where the same is gathered SAmpson who was a Type of Christ comes not empty handed to his Wife Christ Jesus who hath chosen the Church for his Wife lov's his Wife with a true love and therefore she is sure of abundance of blessings All grace to our souls all good to our bodies all peace that may concern this life or that to come is derived to us through Christ the Husband of the Church Whatsoever good descends from God to us is granted through Christ wee are elected in Christ as the head redeemed by Christ from all iniquity and purified to himself to be a peculiar people that is the Church zealous of good workes Tit. 2.14 Wee are ingrafted into Christ as Members of his Body and at length we shall be saved by him God gives to all gifts but they are onely true comforts to those which enjoy them as members of Christs body the Church Amongst his Love tokens which Christ bestowes on his Spouse the Church for grace and ornament the Jewel of the word and ministery is the chiefest so the Psalmist 147.19 20. Hee shewed his word unto Jacob his Statutes and his judgements unto Israel he hath not dealt so with any nation The benefits of this are expressed in the 19th Psalm by six Couples where your are to note and observe 1. That David speaks especially of the word of the Gospel Verse 7 8. which converts and rejoyceth the heart Marke likewise 2. The names he gives to the word Then 3. The benefits of it by couples and that by way of opposition to all other instruction out of the pale of the Church that is in opposition to all meer humane learning plainly shewing the happinesse of them who are made partakers of the word 1. The first name is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Thora á 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 jecit projecit To cast forth from him hence Thora a doctrine uttered cast forth by a Teacher to instruct others here especially concerning the will of God wherefore the word Jehovah is added Verse 7. It 's two excellencies and effects are integrity and restitution or restoring the soul Conversion 1. Integrity the word of God is perfect that is discovers more plainly and fully to his Church or people the will of God then any doctrine or learning that is taught out of the Church by any though never so learned Philosophers had onely the knowledge of God by the Creatures Sun Moon Stars and others on Earth in the Air and the Sea whereby God did evidence his goodnesse wisdome and power his will nature is not evidenced fully or perfectly 2. Excellencie or the second effect of Gods Law is to convert the Soul that is Gods heavenly doctrine discovers the remedy against all evills which proceed from sin withall the way to get out But humane wisdome at the farthest brings only to the sight of our miseries prescribing no remedy but leav's men with great pensivenesse and care of minde to enquire the cause of that horrible ruine in man the little world and chief of all visible creatures which made Theophrastus to utter this complaint that nature was rather a Stepdame then a loving Mother to mankinde Thus men out of the Church are left without any remedy spending and wasting themselves with most sad and sorrowfull complaints Whereas Gods word sheweth to those of the church a plain way to get out of their wretched estate 2. The second name given to the word is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 from 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Gnud to testify the Law or word is called a Testimony because it beareth witnesse of Gods will which he manifesteth to us in his word chiefly the Gospel Truth and making wise the simple are the two excellencies of this Testimony The Word of God witnesseth first 1. What is that good acceptable and perfect will of God Rom. 12.2 2. Secondly being applyed to our thoughts words or works as a witnesse in our consciences it either accuseth if they answere not the pattern God hath given in his Word or else excuseth if they be conformable to the word 3. The third generall excellency of the word and first of this Testimony is 1. Truth 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 faithfull certain firm incorrupt which is allwayes the same a singular excellency of the word expressing fully the nature of the Author of this word who is Amen yesterday and to day Heb. 13.8 and the same for ever By this Christ prayeth the Father to sanctify his Disciples Ioh. 17.17 Sanctify them by thy word thy word is truth as if he said onely that doctrine which is delivered in thy word is the truth All other doctrines are erroneous whence it is that the consciences cannot be setled by them but are left uncertain allwayes doubting never fixed and setled and so at length are precipitated into the gulf of everlasting despair 2. The other excellency or effect of the word and fourth in number is making wise the simple No humane wisdome surpasseth this of the word and whosoever will be truely wise must repair to the word of God This doth 1. Reveal Gods will towards us which no other doctrine can This 2. Sheweth us our wounds diseases and withall prescribes the remedy 3. This discovers the plots and stratagems of Satan against Mankinde and teacheth us
into the Church they shall perish the Church is the Ark of God there is no salvation but in Sion that is the Church of God therefore the holy Word saith of those God had a purpose to save he added to the Church such as should be saved and that from day to day he added them Eph. 5.23 It is said that Christ is the saviour of his Body now the Church is the Body of Christ therefore there are none saved but the Church that is none but they which are joyned to Christ the head and become members of him hold therefore still communion with it and suffer not your selves to be drawn from the society of it John 6.68 When many slipped away Christ said to the twelve will ye also go away Peter answered Lord to whom shall we go thou hast the Words of eternall life when you see others to go out of the society of the Church say you whither shall we go Here are the Words of eternall life here are the means to get faith and repentance here are the means of salvation remember what the Apostle saith Heb. 13.9 Be not carried about with divers and strange Doctrines for it is a good thing that the heart be established As God hath upheld Religion among us strangely and miraculously doth yet so let us hold it fast and persevere in it to the end Though an Angel from Heaven much more though a Priest or Jesuit from Rome an Anabaptist or a sectary Preach unto us any other Gospel be carryed by none of them all carry to Christ be not carryed from Christ take heed therefore of false Prophets CHAP. IX Of false Teachers THe state of Christs Church militant here on Earth never hath been nor is now nor ever shall be so happy as to bee free from false Teachers She cannot escape this grand evil so long as there is a Sheeps skin to be gotten for a Wolf to maske in or a Sorcerer Elymas can usurpe the name of Bar-Jesus Acts 13.6 These have been and will be till Christ hath housed all his friends imprisoned all his enemies This is a true Prophesy of a false Prophesy But you demand what is false Doctrine who are the Teachers thereof 2 Pet. 2.1 1. False Doctrine hath divers names in holy writ according to the divers conditions of the same arising from the Authors matter and degrees 1. For first Christ calleth them Mat. 13.38 to 41. tares Zizania saith a learned man is blasted Corne or deafe eares which grow up with the good corne and cannot be discerned from it untill the harvest and then it proveth naught So will all false doctrine though pleasing now prove false in the end together with all hypocrites vers 41. scandalls which is the bridge in a trap which when the mouse or any other vermin puts downe they are taken false doctrine then gives scandall that is sets a trap in our brothers way to take and destroy him 2ly The Apostle 1 Cor. 1.10 calleth the same schismes or divisions 1. False doctrines in a manner divide Christ and teare him in peeces by making him the head of two divers and disagreeing bodies himself being but one 2. They divide themselves from Christ by going to a false Christ 3ly They divide themselves in heart to be found faultie Hos 10.2 and vers 11. he stileth them contentions or strife Boni Catholici quod ad fidei doctrinam pertinet ita quaerunt ut absit decertatio periculosa saith August Good Catholike Christians do question as that they avoid dangerous contending But men of corrupt minds and destitute of the love of truth contend not that error might be overcome of the truth but that their sayings may goe for currant and other mens be put down Salamander-like they are so cold in charitie that they cannot live but in the fire of contention out of it they are as it were dead but if engaged in some contention then are they lively This is the vvay to ruinate the Church Altar against Altar Professor against Professor vvho getteth thereby Sathan the Papists to vvhom vve have given this staffe to smite us vvith namely our contentions A grievous sinne Companion of the blackest iniquities Rom. 13.13 Rom. 13.13 1 Cor. 3.3 The marke of carnall men 1 Cor. 3.3 The doctrine then of false teachers is like themselves deceitfull making shew of good and vvholesome corne for food of the soule but in truth it is blasted and deafe yea the same is full of danger hiding traps to take and to destroy dividing from Christ yea Christ himself and their ovvn hearts to the ruine of the Church and themselves 2ly If the doctrine be so deceitfull and dangerous vvhat are the teachers The Scripture describeth them also both in the old and new Testament Ezkiel names them foxes chap. 13.4 Subtile ravenous of whom the spouse complaineth 2. Cant. 15. that they Spoile her vines that is members of the Church the faithfull the Churches And that false prophets or false teachers are such appeares by their fruits and natures having not only the craft of that beast transforming themselves 2. Cor. 11.13 carrying a Fox in their bosome when they are lambes outwardly but also the bloudy rage and crueltie where they get power none being like them for never did the Church of God suffer more from the maddest and blindest heathen then she hath done from hereticks and schismaticks that were among them In the new Testament Christ calleth them theives and robbers seeking to destroy slay and kill Joh. 10.18 ravenous wolves vers 15. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 from 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to teare in pieces 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 rapaces ravenous Act. 20.29 grievous wolves not sparing the flock Horum genus longae nocentius qui in Ecclesiâ contra Ecclesiam sentiunt saith Hieron Farre more dangerous are they who in the Church hold against the Church Great danger is intimated by Christ to be imminent to poore Christians from false teachers They as wolves are of a bloudy nature and their enmitie and crueltie to the sheep is such that strings made of both their guts and joyned together in one musicall instrument wil never be consonant such enmity and contrary nature is between faithfull Christians and false teachers The wolfe invading the flock never leaves till he have killed all In like manner false teachers seeke to infect and destroy all 1 Pet. 5.8 Like the divell their Father they goe up and downe like a roaring Lion seeking whom they may devour Paul describes them exactly Act. 20.29 1. They are wolves who both by their doctrines and manners seek to destroy the harmeless and innocent sheep 2ly Grievous they are and ravenous by which their cruelty is noted which is also explained by him in these words not sparing the flocke 3ly Of our owne selves shall such men arise they shall not come from without such deceivers are the more langerous 4ly They shall speake perverse things