Contrariwise Sarah the freewoman, that is to say, the true church seemeth to be barren.1 For the Gospel which is the word of the cross and affliction, which the Church preacheth, shineth not so brightly as the doctrine of the law and works, and therefore she hath not so many disciples to cleave unto her. Moreover, she beareth this title, that she forbiddeth good works,2 maketh men secure, idle, and negligent, raiseth up heresies and seditions, and is the cause of all mischief: and therefore she seemeth to bring no success or prosperity, but all things seem to be full of barrenness, desolation and desperation. Therefore the wicked are certainly persuaded, that the church with her doctrine can not long endure. The Jews assured themselves that the church which was planted by the Apostles, should shortly be overthrown: the which by an odious name they called a Sect. For thus they speak to Paul in the .28. Chapter of yt Acts.3 As concerning this Sect, we know that every where it is spoken against. In like manner how often (I pray you) have our adversaries ben deceived, which somewhiles appointed one time, & somewhiles an other, when we should be certainly destroyed? Christ and his Apostles were oppressed: but after their death the doctrine of the Gospel was further spread abroad then it was during their life. In like manner our adversaries may oppress us at this day but the word of God shall abide for ever. How much so ever then the church seem to be barren and forsaken, weak and despised, and outwardly to suffer persecution: and moreover be compelled to hear this reproach, that her doctrine is heretical and seditious: notwithstanding she alone is fruitful before God: she gendereth by the ministry of the word an infinite number of children, heirs of righteousness and everlasting life: And although outwardly they suffer persecution, yet in spirit they are most free: who not only are judges over all doctrines & works, but also are most victorious conquerors against the gates of hell.
Contrariwise Sara the freewoman, that is to say, the true church seemeth to be barren.1 For the Gospell which is the word of the crosse and affliction, which the Church preacheth, shineth not so brightly as the doctrine of the law and workes, and therfore she hath not so many disciples to cleaue vnto her. Moreouer, she beareth this title, that she forbiddeth good workes,2 maketh men secure, idle, and negligent, raiseth vp heresies and seditions, and is the cause of all mischeefe: and therefore she seemeth to bring no successe or prosperitie, but all things seeme to be full of barennes, desolation and desperation. Therefore the wicked are certenly perswaded, that the church with her doctrine can not long endure. The Iewes assured themselues that the church which was plāted by the Apostles, should shortly be ouerthrowne: the which by an odious name they called a Sect. For thus they speake to Paule in the .28. Chapter of yt Acts.3 As concerning this Sect, vve knovv that euery vvhere it is spoken against. In like maner how often (I pray you) haue our aduersaries ben deceaued, which somewhiles appoynted one time, & somewhiles an other, when we should be certainly destroyed? Christ and his Apostles were oppressed: but after their death the doctrine of the Gospell was further spred abrode then it was during their life. In like maner our aduersaries may oppresse vs at this day but the word of God shall abide for euer. How much so euer then the church seeme to be barren and forsaken, weake and despised, and outwardly to suffer persecution: and moreouer be compelled to heare this reproch, that her doctrine is heretical and seditious: notwithstanding she alone is frutefull before God: she gendreth by the ministerie of the word an infinite number of children, heires of righteousnes and euerlasting life: And although outwardly they suffer persecution, yet in spirite they are most free: who not onely are iudges ouer all doctrines & works, but also are most victorious conquerours against the gates of hell.
- 1The church seemeth to be barren. 1. Cor. 1.18.
- 2The Gospel hath but few disciples.The Gospell hath but fevv disciples.
- 3Acts. 21.22. How many years, days & times have our Papists appointed when the gospel should be overthrovne, and they receive their idolatrous Mass & other abominations again?Actes. 21.22. Hovv many yeares, dayes & times haue our Papistes appoynted vvhen the gospel should be ouerthrovne, and they receaue their idolatrous Masse & other abhominations againe?
