That which is here said of this Church of Sardis, may be truly verified of divers churches in this age. As first, of the great church of Rome, who are guided by the Pope as by their head. That church hath a name to be alive, & in their own pretence it is the only true church of God in the world, but in truth and before God it is dead. Some say, it is as a body full of diseases, and whose throat is cut: but yet the heart panteth, & life remaineth therein. But we may say, it hath no manner of spiritual life, but lieth stark dead as a carcass in the grave. The reasons that some allege for it, are of small moment: first, they say it hath the Sacrament of baptism, which is a note of a true Church: and therefore it hath some life? Ans. First, Baptism is not always a note of a true church: for circumcision, in whose stead ⟨p. 165⟩cometh baptism, was a sacrament used of the Samaritans when they were (a)no people of God, and so no church of God. Again, Baptism without the true preaching of the Gospel, is no infallible sign of a church: it is but a seal pulled from the writing, or set to a bare paper to no use: and further outward Baptism without inward Baptism, is no note of a church: but such is baptism in the church of Rome; it hath not inward baptism joined unto it, neither the true preaching of the word; for the doctrine which they teach, is a quite overturning of Christ and his Gospel: and therefore outward baptism may be where there is no church. Secondly, I answer, that baptism in the church of Rome, is a Sacrament not to their synagogue, but to the hidden church of God among them. For God had his Church among them, even in the midst of Popery. There were always some among them that renounced their religion, whom God called home unto himself by the means which were among them; as the use of this Sacrament▪ the Apostles Creed, and of other books of holy Scripture. For as God said to Elijah in Ahab's time, (b)I have reserved seven thousand that never bowed the knee to Baal: So may it be said of many among the Papists; God hath there his secret Church, who never yielded to the Popes government, and doctrine.
That which is here said of this Church of Sardis, may be truly verified of diuers churches in this age. As first, of the great church of Rome, who are guided by the Pope as by their head. That church hath a name to be aliue, & in their owne pretence it is the only true church of God in the world, but in truth and before God it is dead. Some say, it is as a body full of diseases, and whose throat is cut: but yet the heart panteth, & life remaineth therin. But we may say, it hath no manner of spirituall life, but lyeth starke dead as a carkasse in the graue. The reasons that some alledge for it, are of small moment: first, they say it hath the Sacramēt of baptisme, which is a note of a true Church: and therefore it hath some life? Ans. First, Baptisme is not alwayes a note of a true church: for circumcision, in whose stead ⟨p. 165⟩commeth baptisme, was a sacrament vsed of the Samaritans when they were (a)no people of God, and so no church of God. Againe, Baptisme without the true preaching of the Gospel, is no infallible signe of a church: it is but a seale pulled from the writing, or set to a bare paper to no vse: and further outward Baptisme without inward Baptisme, is no note of a church: but such is baptisme in the church of Rome; it hath not inward baptisme ioyned vnto it, neither the true preaching of the word; for the doctrine which they teach, is a quite ouerturning of Christ and his Gospel: and therefore outward baptisme may bee where there is no church. Secondly, I answer, that baptisme in the church of Rome, is a Sacrament not to their synagogue, but to the hiddē church of God among them. For God had his Church among them, euen in the midst of Poperie. There were alwayes some among them that renounced their religion, whom God called home vnto himself by the meanes which were among them; as the vse of this Sacrament▪ the Apostles Creed, and of other books of holy Scripture. For as God said to Elias in Ahabs time, (b)I haue reserued seuen thousand that neuer bowed the knee to Baal: So may it bee sayd of many among the Papists; God hath there his secret Church, who neuer yeelded to the Popes gouernment, and doctrine.
- (a)••se. 1.9.
- (b)•. Kin. 19.18.
