A godly and learned exposition or commentary upon the three first chapters of the…A godly and learned exposition or commentarie vpon the three first chapters of the…

Second reason, Antichrist (say they) sitteth in the ^(c)Temple of God. Now the Temple of God, is Gods Church; & therefore the church of Rome is Gods church? Answ. He sitteth there, not as a member thereof, but as an usurper and deceiver. For in the Church of Popery is the hidden church of God: they are therein mingled as a little wheat with much chaff, and as little gold with much dross. So that though the church of God be where Antichrist sitteth, yet the Church whereof he is head, is no church of God: for whether we regard their doctrine, or worship of God, there is no means to beget or preserve spiritual life in their Church. Further, this which Christ saith of Sardis, may be said not only of the Papists, but of the churches of the Protestants, as of this our Church of ENGLAND, & of the most congregations in the great towns thereof, though not for doctrine, yet in regard of mens conuersations• for the body of our people seem to be alive by their outward profession, but indeed they are dead in respect of the power of godliness; for by occasion of outward peace these sins abound, fullness of bread, pride both inward in heart, & outward in attire: also cruelty, covetousness, & carnal security; like as it was in Noah's time▪ Now where these sins reign, there the power of godliness is wanting: men content themselves with an outward profession, but the spiritual life of grace is not to be seen. And yet this doth not prejudice the state of our church, to nullify it from being the church of God: for God hath his chosen among us in all places, who live indeed a spiritual life: though the body of our people be dead in […] & so will continue while peace abideth; the threatenings of the ministers▪ will not awake men out of the sleep of sin; it must be the rod of correction that must put into them the power of religion. Men are like to little children, who besides admonition, must feel the smart of the rod to bring them to their duty.

Second reason, Antichrist (say they) sitteth in the ^(c)Temple of God. Now the Temple of God, is Gods Church; & therfore the church of Rome is Gods church? Answ. He sitteth there, not as a member thereof, but as an vsurper and deceiuer. For in the Church of Poperie is the hidden church of God: they are therein mingled as a little wheat with much chaffe, and as little gold with much drosse. So that though the church of God be where Antichrist sitteth, yet the Church whereof hee is head, is no church of God: for whether we regard their doctrin, or worship of God, there is no meanes to beget or preserue spirituall life in their Church. Further, this which Christ sayth of Sardis, may be sayd not onely of the Papists, but of the churches of the Protestants, as of this our Church of ENGLAND, & of the most congregations in the great townes thereof, though not for doctrine, yet in regard of mens conuersations for the body of our people seeme to be aliue by their outward profession, but indeed they are dead in respect of the power of godlinesse; for by occasion of outward peace these sins abound, fulnes of bread, pride both inward in heart, & outward in attyre: also cruelty, couetousnes, & carnal security; like as it was in Noahs time Now where these sins raigne, there the power of godlines is wanting: men content thēselues with an outward profession, but the spiritual life of grace is not to be seen. And yet this doth not preiudice the state of our church, to nullifie it from being the church of God: for God hath his chosen among vs in all places, who liue indeed a spirituall life: thogh the body of our people be dead in & so will continue while peace abideth; the threatnings of the ministers wil not awake mē out of the sleepe of sin; it must be the rod of correctiō that must put into them the power of religion. Men are like to little children, who besides admonition, must feele the smart of the rod to bring them to their dutie.