THE Philosophers in old time did account it humanum errare , in matters Philosophicall , a thing incident to man to erre : but in errore perseuerare , belluinum , a beastly thing to perseuere in error . And Diuines may iudge it humanum , a thing incident to man , to erre in matters Theologicall : but in errore perseuerare perniciosum , to perseuere in error , that in matters Theologicall must needs be deadly : especially if a man doth so cleaue to error , that he chooseth rather to forsake the Church , then to forgoe his errour : for seeing the Church is the mother of the faithfull , whosoeuer doth cut himselfe there-from , he must needs be faithlesse : and therefore what goodly shewes soeuer he doth make , yet if the Apostles wordes be true , he cannot please God : Euery man therfore that would be acceptable vnto God , had neede to get himselfe into the bosome of the Church , and being once gotten thither , not to suffer himselfe in any wise , to be remoued there-from . For as none could be deliuered from the deluge , but such as were contained in Noabs Arke : so can none be saued from eternall death , but onely those who keepe themselues within the Church of God . These are common principles , which no man that accounts himselfe a Christian , can or will deny .

But the controuersie which doth trouble seduced braines , is of the Church it selfe : what it is , & where it should be sought for . Papists would tye the Church to Rome : so that if we credit them , then must we confesse , that as many as made a separation from the Romane Bishop , haue likewise made a separation from the Church of God . And all other Sectaries doe tye the Church vnto their sects : whereas it were farre fitter for euery man to tye himselfe vnto the Church : which that we may with ease performe , it is very fit and meete , first , to define the vniuersall Church , that we may know what it is : secondly , to expresse and lay downe the true notes and markes , whereby true particular Churches ( which are very members of that vniuersall Church ) may be knowne from other congregations : which when we haue once found out , then may we cleaue vnto the Church with great security .

The word Ecclesia , in English , Church , is a Greeke word , & doth properly signifie a congregation : and yet euery congregation is not the Church of God ; but that congregation onely , which Saint Paul doth tearme (a) (a) Ephe. 4. ●…er . 12. ● . Cor. 12.12 . Christs body , of the which Christ himselfe is head . And as the soule of man giueth life vnto mans body : so Christs spirit giueth life vnto this body of Christ ; according vnto Christs words : (b) (b) ●ohn 6. v. 6. ● . Cor. 12. ●er. 13. It is the spirit which giueth life , &c.

Neither is there any thing which doth maintaine , and ioyne in one , the members of this body , besides this spirit , according vnto that of Paul , For by one spirit , saith he , are we all baptized into one body , whether we be lewes , or Grecians , bond , or free , &c. Euen as therefore a dead body , whose soule is already departed , can receiue neither fruite , nor comfort from any meate , or drinke : so that congregation , which is destitute of Gods spirit , can receiue from Gods word , which is the true spirituall meate , neither fruite nor comfort : and therefore it is , that the Apostle telleth vs : Though (a) (a) 1. Cor. 3. ●…er . 6. Paul plans , and Apollo water , yet that it is God which doth giue the encrease .

As therefore it is euident , that euery member of mans body is liuely , wherein the soule remaineth : so euery congregation , in the which Gods spirit worketh , must needs be a true and liuely member of Christs body : so that God is tyed to no one part of the world , more then vnto another , because he is God of all the world : euen so the Church of God is tyed to no part of the world , because it containeth in it , all the beleeuers , who are scattered ouer all the world .

This Church being one , yet may it be considered diuersly : either as it is hidden from , and inuisible vnto men , and knowne onely vnto him , from whom nothing can be hidden : or as it is visible , conspicuous , and apparant vnto men : as it is inuisible , and hidden from the sight of men , it containeth onely those , who appertaine vnto Gods free election , and shall most certainly be saued . And the reason why in this respect the Church is said to be hidden from men , is , because God onely knoweth who are his : neither can man know them , whilest he liueth here vpon the earth : but the Church , as it is visible , apparant , and conspicuous vnto men , doth containe all those , who in their outward behauiour worship one God , embrace one Christ , professe one Gospell , hearken vnto one word , and vse the same Sacraments : many of these may be rauening wolues , and wicked reprobates , and yet they may be so close in cariage , and their sinnes may be so secret , that the Church cannot discerne them , and therefore cannot discarde them , vntill God doth make them manifest . Hence it is , that the Church thus considered , is compared by our Sauiour Christ vnto a (b) (b) Mat. 3. ver. 12. threshing floore , where the wheate and chaffe are so mixed together , that they cannot be seuered , before he with his fanne doth seuer them : vnto a (c) (c) Mat. 13 ver. 15. field , where doe grow both corne and weedes together , which cannot be seperated before the haruest : vnto a (d) (d) Ibid. 〈◊〉 47. net , in the which fish both good and bad are contained , which cannot be sundred , vntill both be brought vnto the shore . And as this is the estate of the generall and vniuersall Church , militant here in earth , so is it the estate of euery branch , or member thereof , I meane , of euery particular Church or congregation : whether it be contained within one Realme , Prouince , or Diocesse , or doe consist of thousands , hundreds , more or fewer , it hath euer some lewd and wicked men amongst the good and godly Saints of God . Neither doth these mens wickednesse make it to cease to be a Church , although they are suffred to liue within it . Would you haue it proued by examples , it may be done with ease : I will let passe the auncient Iewish Church , and come vnto Christ his time .

Paul writeth vnto the Galathians , as vnto the (a) (a) Gala. 1 ver. 2. Church of God : and yet he saith , that they are (b) (b) Vers. 6 remoued vnto another Gospell : that they were (c) (c) Gal. 3. ver. 1. foolish , bewitched , and disobedient vnto the truth . Lo then , behold men foolish , men bewitched , men disobedient vnto the truth , and remoued to another Gospell , and yet a Church . Amongst the Corinthians there were sects , enuie , strife , discension , and such incest , as was not once named amongst the Gentiles : they abused the Lords supper , and many of them denied the resurrection of the dead ; and yet Paul writeth vnto this by the name of the (d) (d) 1. Cor. 1. Verse . 2. Church of God which was at Corinth . Nay , cast your eyes vpon Christs owne Disciples , and there you shall finde a Iudas : and yet his wickednes was not so forcible , but that Christs Disciples were still a Church .

So then it followeth , that there may be in a congregation , not onely wicked men , but euen wicked Ministers ; and yet that congregation may be a true part , or parcell , of that generall , catholicke , and vniuersall Church , which comprehendeth all Gods chosen : so that although that , which Christ saith , that by their fruites , men shall know true , from false seducing Prophets , be very true , and certaine , ( for that those who preach the truth vnfainedly , setting only Gods glory , and the saluation of their brethrens soules before their eyes , are only to be tearmed true Prophets , and these do euer liue vprightly , as farre forth as flesh and bloud will suffer them ) yet notwithstanding it followeth not , but that amongst these faithfull and vnfained Pastors , there may be other , who teach for a time the truth , and yet be deceitfull workmen , and rauening wolues , who doe but watch fit opportunity to prey vpon Gods people , as Iudas watched his opportunitie to betray Christ Iesus . Of this sort , were those , of whom Saint Iohn speaketh (e) (e) 1. Iohn ● . ver. 19. They went from vs , but they were not of vs , &c. Such be the close Atheists , and Neuters of the world , which liue in euery age , and almost in euery congregation , who haue two faces vnder one hood with Ianus , and with the Cameleon can turne themselues vnto any colour : such doe liue and teach in many faithfull congregations , and hardly can they be certainely discerned from faithfull Pastors , vntill the time of persecution : for that is like Christ his fanne , wherewith he seperateth the wheate from chaffe ; the wheate remaineth , the chaffe is carried with that wind , from the threshing floore , which is Christ his Church : for whilest the Church enioyeth peace and quietnesse , it is gouerned with discipline , and ruled with lawes , and Canons , whereof some prohibite the broaching of vntrue doctrine , and not onely admit into no dignities , but withall punish such as broach it . Others correct the maners , and behauiour of lewde liuers , profane persons , and all their wicked actions : and therefore feare , and ambition , doe make those hypocritish cormorants , to teach but truth ; & at leastwise to seeme to liue within their lists : but when the Churches peace is turned into persecution , when , for executing lawes , it be driuen to suffer violence , and that all dignities and preferments are taken from it : then , though their ambition still remaineth , yet their hope of preferments by the Church , is quite cut off : and though then they feare such tyrants , as vsurpe authoritie ; yet the feare they had to offend the Churches lawes , is departed from them : and therefore then , and not before , they shew what they were before : they embrue their hands in the Churches dearest bloud , who lately seemed to be their dearest mother : and they endeuour to wound her to death , who would haue nourished them to euerlasting life . It is not to be doubted , as wily as these Foxes are , but that in the time , that the Church doth flourish , they doe often commit such wickednes , as is not to be once named : yet for that their actions are sometimes so secret , that they come not to the knowledge of those , in whose hands it is to cut men off from Gods assemblies : and sometimes , when they are conuented for their enormities , they sayne such penitencie , that for the hope men haue of their amendments , they are suffred to liue within the Church : and sometimes , as well through the negligence of those who should informe the gouernors , as of the gouernors themselues , many of their iniquities are winked at , and they are neuer called into question for them :

I conclude therefore , that the lewd maners of men , liuing in any congregation , is no certaine note , whereby that congregation may be iudged to be no Church : especially , if the notes whereby a Church may be discerned , be to be found therein : and these notes are two : Truth of doctrine , and the right vse of the sacred Sacraments . This truth must be grounded vpon Gods word ; and these Sacraments must be the very same , which Christ did institute to be most certaine seales of our deliuerie , and most vndoubted pledges of our Vnion with Christ Iesus , Where the former is truely taught , and the later rightly ministred , it cannot be , but that that assembly is assembled in Christ his name : and therefore it cannot be , but that there Christ is present : and vndoubtedly , that assembly where Christ is present , must needs be Christ his Church .

Againe , this word of God , wheresoeuer it be truely taught , doth worke effectually , in some vnto saluation , and in some vnto the contrarie : and who knoweth not , but that where the saluation of men is wrought , there is a Church , seeing that out of the Church there is no saluation : But seeing that vnto others it works perdition , in the same assembly ; vnto whom as the Apostle speaketh , It is a sauour of death , vnto death , ( though it be said before , that truth of doctrine , and right vse of Sacraments , be vndoubted notes of Christ his Church ) yet hereby we may perceine , that , that is not to be so strictly vnderstood , but that in the Church , there may happen in doctrine some error , & in the administration of the Sacraments some abuses : for that it is impossible , that Gods enemies , whose hearts are hardned in the hearing of Gods word , should be altogether faithfull teachers , or obedient hearers . And hence it is , that in the Galathian Church , men were bewitched , & turned from the truth of Gods word , vnto another Gospell : & hence it is , that some in the Corinthian Church (a) (a) 1. Cor. 15. denied the resurrection of the dead : and others (b) (b) 1. Cor. 11. abused the Lords Supper , most pernitiously : and yet there ceased not to be a Church , in the one or other of them . So that in a true Church , there may be in doctrine error , and in Sacraments abuses : a true Church , I say , as long as it doth but suffer , and not maintaine these errors , and abuses : and therefore whosoeuer doth separate himselfe from such a Church , he separateth himselfe from the true Arke , from the holy congregation , and from Gods fauour , neither can he be saued , vnlesse he doth returne againe into the same . Nay , there may be in doctrine errours , and in Sacraments abuses , so tolerable , that though the Church doth teach and maintaine them openly : yet as long as they are not in matters necessarie vnto saluation , it is intolerable for a man for these errours and abuses , to cut himselfe off from the Church . Such are the errours which may happen , concerning things , not as yet fully reuealed vnto men ; As for example : One congregation may teach , that hell is in the center of the earth : another , that it is vpon the earth : a third , that it standeth in the ayre : a fourth , that it is compassed with fire , that highest element : and all these congregations may teach these opposit doctrines publikely : and yet all of them may be Churches , and true parts and parcels of the Catholike and Vniuersall Church .

The like may be said of the soules of Saints departed : One congregation may maintaine , that they be already in their full and perfect blisse : another may be perswaded , that they haue not as yet receiued the fulnesse of their ioy : and a third may thinke it a point of rashnesse , to define with the one , or with the other : and yet all three may be Gods assemblies : yea , in distant Churches there may be diuerse and disagreeing ceremonies in the administration of Baptisme , and the Lords Supper : yet as long as these are not contentiously maintained , or enioyned to be obserued , as things necessary vnto saluation , God forbid , that any Christian should for these , seuer himselfe from any of them .

Seeing then , my deare friends , these things be thus : and that you haue seuered your selues from our assemblies , it standeth you vpon , to shew in doctrine some grieuous and pernicious errors , and in the ministration of the Sacraments , some dangerous and damnable abuses , which are maintained , and publikely defended by vs : or at least , some small errours or abuses , contentiously defended , and violently thrust vpon men , to be by them firmely beleeued , and receiued as things necessary vnto saluation : ( which you cannot doe ) or else you must acknowledge , that your estate is dangerous , as indeede it is : as must needs be the estate of them , that haue wilfully made a separation from that body , whereof Christ is head : out of the which there is no saluation : which if once you could be induced to beleeue , I doubt not , but you would with as great alacritie ioyne your selues vnto vs , as euer you went out from vs : for I know full well , that zeale hath made this separation , but it was not a zeale grounded vpon knowledge : and therefore , if now you would receiue true instructions , and to ioyne knowledge vnto your zeale : then that very zeale , which vnaduisedly did thrust you out , would now , being guided with vnderstanding , bring you backe againe , vnto the bosome of Christ his body mysticall ; which may be a ioy vnto men and Angels , and a comfort vnto your very soules : out of the which , as long as obstinately you stand , ( pardon me , truth is truth , and must be plainely told ) you cannot but vainely hope for the saluation of your soules : it doth as much greeue me to vtter it , as it greeueth any of you to heare it : you may through your conuersions , conuert , and turne these grieues to ioy .

If you will stand in your owne defence , and tell me , that you liue within the bosome of that Catholike and vniuersall Church , whereof Christ is head , although you will not communicate with the members of the Church of England ; I must tell you , that this defence doth mightily offend the Church of God , God himselfe , and you very soules ; for that the coniunction is so neere , betweene the Catholike Church , and all the parts , & parcels thereof , ( I meane particular Churches ) that whosoeuer doth seuer himselfe from any of these branches , he is become thereby no branch of Christ his Church .

If you say , that our English Church is no Church at all , and so no part of Christ his Church : and therefore that you may , and must seuer your selfe there-from : it is soone said , but hardly proued , my good brethren : neither can you euer proue it , vntill you proue , that this Church maintaineth some pernicious doctrine , which ouerthroweth the foundation of the faith : or that it doth so wickedly abuse the Sacraments , or either of them , that their force and efficacie is altogether weakened , and become of no validitie . If these things could be proued , then might you ( peraduenture ) iustifie your doings : but if all the world would ioyne in one , and bend themselues against vs , I know , & therefore I speake it , these things could not be proued , no not by all the world .

Be you not therefore obstinate , neither hinder you your own saluation : nor yet obiect that , which by men of your sect is commonly obiected ; That the whole face of our Church is so ouerwhelmed with vices , that in outward shew , it seemeth rather to be the Synagogue of Sathan , then the Church of God ; & therefore that it is impietie , in any Christian , to ioyne himselfe vnto it . Surely I must needs confesse vnto you , that our liues are not answerable vnto our calling , & that from the highest to the lowest , we haue in many things offended : yet I would haue you to confesse , (a) (a) 2. Sam. 13. & 24. Matt. 16. v 22. & 26. ver. 70 , 72 74. that the very worthiest members of Christes Church , haue often most grieuously offended : and therefore , that in our Church , there may be many , euen great offenders , who are true members of Christ his body : neither should you doubt , but that of those , whom the contagion of sinne hath mightily infected , there are very many , who are grieued with the burthen of their iniquities , and being strooke with true remorse of conscience , aspire vnto innocencie of life and conuersation .

I confesse indeed , that , that generall iniquitie , which couereth , in a maner , the whole earth , hath often grieued me , and troubled my conscience greatly , and had almost thrust me rasbly into those mens company , with whose company alone you seeme to be delighted : but I thanke my God , he opened the eyes of mine vnderstanding , and I did in good time perceiue , that there is greater efficacie , in Gods word truely taught , and his Sacramentes rightly administred , to beget children vnto God , then can be disanulled , by the wickednesse of rebellious and disobedient children : and therefore farre be it from me , from euer seuering of my selfe from that company , wherein this word is truely taught , and these Sacraments rightly administred , as in our assemblies I know they are . Our sinnes are great indeede , and our iniquities are many in number : yet compare our Church , with the olde assemblies of the Israelites , before Christs birth , and you shall finde , that we are not gone beyond them ; nay , as whicked as we are , if you vouchsafe to read Gods booke with a single eye , you shall find assuredly , that they had gone beyond vs in iniquities : Their Princes are called by the name of the (a) (a) Esay . 1 verse 9. Princes of Sodome : and the people are called the people of Gomorha .

How saith he , is (b) (b) Ver. 21 23. the faithfull Citie , become an harlot ? it was full of iudgement , and iustice lodged therein : but now they are murtherers ; thy siluer is become drosse , thy wine is mixed with water , thy Princes are rebellious , and companions of theeues : euery one loueth gifts , & followeth after rewards ; they iudge not the fatherlesse , neither doth the widdowes cause come before them : the Priests and Prophets of Ephraim , are said to (c) (c) Esay . 28 ● . 7 , 8. haue erred through strong drinke , &c. to haue fayled in vision , and to haue stumbled in iudgement : all , saith he , their tables are full of filthy vomiting , and there is no place cleane amongst them : (d) (d) Esay . 29 ● . 10 , 13. the eyes of the Seers and Prophets are shut vp with a spirit of slumber , so that they cannot see , and the people are said to come neere him with their lips , and to haue remoued their hearts farre from him : (e) (e) Esay . 56 ●trs . 10. their watchmen are said to be all blind , to haue no knowledge , to be dumme dogges , which cannot barke , to be such as lye and sleepe , and delight in sleeping .

How say you , my brethren , are our Princes like the Princes of Sodome ? are they rebellious and companions of theeues ? doe all of them loue gifts , and follow after rewards ? iudge they not the fatherlesse , & commeth not the widowes cause before them ? what ? haue our Priests & Prophets erred , through strong drink ? haue they fayled in vision , and stumbled in their iudgements ? are their eyes couered and shut vp with a spirit of slumber ? are our watchmen blind ? haue they no knowledge ? be they dumbe dogs which cannot barke ? are they such as lye and sleepe , & delight in sleeping ? are our people like the people of Gomorha ? are our assemblies become harlots , and our congregations theeues ? is our siluer become drosse , and our wine mixed with water ? are our tables full of filthy vomiting ? and are all places amongst vs vncleane ? doe our people with their lips , come neere vnto the Lord , and are their hearts far from him ? Surely it were very hard , to giue so hard a censure , against all our Magistrates , all our Ministers , and all our people .

Yet admit , that our Magistrates , Ministers , and people , were such as I haue heere described , were it fit , that therfore we should make a seperation from them , hauing his word truely taught , and his Sacraments rightly administred amongst them ? Surely no ( my beloued brethren ) for I haue already proued , that in the time of Esay , such were the Magistrates , Ministers , and people of Ierusalem : and yet Esay , though he sharply reproued them for their iniquities , yet did he not seuer himselfe from their assemblies , nor erect another Church , other Altars , other sacrifices , or other ceremonies : but in the middest of a peruerse and froward generation , he lifted vp pure hands vnto the Lord .

Neither was that ancient Church thus generally corrupted , in the time of Esay onely : peruse the other Prophets , & you shall finde the very same , or the like descriptions , in their volumes : it were in a maner infinit , to lay down all their words ; (a) (a) Ier. 4. v. 22. and 5. v. 1.7 , 8 , 26. & 28. & 7 , v. 11.17 , 18 , 19 , 30 , 31. & 8 , v. 5.6 , 7 , 8 , 9 , & 9. v. 4.5 , 6 , 7. & 10. v. 21. & 11 , vers. 9 , 10.13 , and 19. vers. 4 , 5. Ezech. 1. v. 4 , 5 , 6. & 8 , from v. 5. to the end . and 14. v. 3. and 16. from v. 15. vnto 36. and from 45 vnto 57. and 22 , throughout . Hos. 2. vers. 5. and 4. vers. 1 , 2 , 11.12 , 13 , and 7 , thoroughout . and 8 , v. 11 , 7 , & 13 , v. 1 , 2 , and 3. v. 10. & 6 , v. 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 , and 8. v. 4 , 5 , 6. Micah . 1 , v. 5 , and 2 , v. 8 , & 3 , v. 2.3 , and 7 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6. Zeph. 3. v. 2 , 3 , 4. Mal. 1. vers. 8 , 12 , 13 , and 2 , vers. 7 , 8 , 11. view the places quoted in the margent , and you shall finde what I say , most certaine & vndoubted : and yet shew me amongst all these godly Prophets , any one , which did euer seuer himselfe from the Church wherein he liued : or name any of them , that did refuse to communicate with the wicked of their time , in the word , sacrifices , or ceremonies , which the Lord had appointed them to vse . Assuredly you cannot name me one . How then ? what , are we wiser then they were ? or doe we exceede them in holynesse ? I would to God wee were indued with the tenth part of their wisedome , or of their holinesse .

How is it then , that any of vs should be so presumptuous , as to seuer himselfe from those congregations , which most assuredly are not so wicked , as those assemblies were , with the which they were contented to assemble themselues and to communicate ? Doubtlesse , had they beene perswaded , that those mens wickednesse , with whom they did communicate , must of necessitie infect their integritie , they would haue suffered a thousand deaths , rather then to haue resorted with such vnto the Synagogues .

Doth the example of these men nothing moue you ? Open then your eyes , and looke vpon Iohn Baptist , looke vpon Christs Disciples , and vpon Christ himselfe . Iohn Baptist tearmeth the (b) (b) Matth. 3. v. 7. Scribes and Pharisees , generations of vipers : and yet (c) (c) Eph. 8 , 9 , 10. he preacheth the word vnto them . (d) (d) Matth. 10. v. 6. Luk. 10. v. 3. Christ his Disciples preached among wolues : and although the Scribes and Pharisees were most wicked men , yet Christ exhorteth not his Disciples to make a seperation from them : but he rather willed them to doe that which they commaunded : adding this reason ; For that they sit in Moses his chayre : which is as much by the interpretation of the learned , as if he should haue said , For they teach the law of God , which was deliuered by the hands of Moses .