A09453:463
A Reformed Catholic
A reformed Catholic: or, A declaration showing how near we may come to the present Church of Rome in sundry points of religion: and wherein we must for ever depart from them with an advertisement to all favourers of the Roman religion, showing that the said religion is against the Catholic principles and grounds of the catechism.A reformed Catholike: or, A declaration shewing how neere we may come to the present Church of Rome in sundrie points of religion: and vvherein we must for euer depart from them with an advertisment to all fauourers of the Romane religion, shewing that the said religion is against the Catholike principles and grounds of the catechisme.
Cambridge: printed by John Legat, 1598Cambridge: printed by Iohn Legat, 1598
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
But all things well considered, it is rather like a dead carcass, and is void of all spiritual life; as the popish errors in the foundation do manifest. Indeed a known harlot may afterward remain a wife and be so termed: yet after the bill of divorcement is given, she ceaseth to be a wife, though she can show her marriage ring: now the church hath received the bill of her divorcement in the written word, namely 2. Thess. 2. and Rev. 13. 11, 12, &c.
But all things wel considered, it is rather like a dead carkasse, and is voide of all spirituall life; as the popish errours in the foundation doe manifest. Indeede a knowne harlot may afterward remaine a wife and be so tearmed: yet after the bill of diuorcement is giuen, shee cease•h to be a wife, though she can shew her marriage ring: now the church hath receiued the bill of her diuorcement in the written word, namely 2. Thess. 2. and Rev. 13. 11, 12, &c.
Furthermore in this commandment we may see a lively portraiture of the state of all mankind. Here we see two sorts of men: some are pertaining to Babylon, a people running on to their destruction: some again ⟨p. 336⟩are a people of God severed from Babylon, and reserved to life everlasting. If any ask the cause of this distinction; I answer, it is the very will of God vouchsafing mercy to some, and forsaking others by withdrawing his mercy from them, for the better declaration of his justice. Thus saith the Lord, Rom. 11. 4. I HAVE RESERVED seven thousand that never bowed the knee to Baal: and the prophet Isai saith, Unless the Lord had reserved arē nant, we had been as Sodom and Gomorrah. By this distinction we are taught, above all things to seek to be of the number of Gods people, and to labour for assurance of this in our own consciences. For if all should be saved, less care would suffice: but this mercy is not common to all: and therefore the more to be thought upon.