A09463:143
The combat between Christ and the Devil displayedThe combat betvveene Christ and the Diuell displayed
The combat between Christ and the Devil displayed: or A commentary upon the temptations of Christ: preached in Cambridge by that reverend and judicious divine M. William PerkinsThe combat betvveene Christ and the Diuell displayed: or A commentarie vpon the temptations of Christ: preached in Cambridge by that reuerend and iudicious diuine M. William Perkins
London: printed by Melchizedek Bradwood for E. Edgar, 1606London: printed by Melchisedech Bradwood for E. Edgar, 1606
Title page typeset from the transcription.
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.
The use. Hence we may observe, that at this time Jerusalem was the true church of God: indeed it was very corrupt both for doctrine and manners, as Christs severe reproof of both doth plainly show, Mat. 5. 21. &c. and Mat. 23. 13. 14. &c. and yet a true Church, else the holy ghost would not have called it the holy city. Now if Jerusalem at this time were the true church of God then, then may we well say, that in England God hath his true church: for, let the corruptions of our Church be as they are; yet shall it match Jerusalem in the prerogatives of Gods church. They had the law and the Prophets read and expounded; so have we, and the Gospel also which is the power of God to mans salvation. They had the Sacraments and ceremonies of the Law; answerable thereto we have the Sacraments of the Gospel, and also a true and holy form of serving God. Their Jerusalem was a mother city; and though we cannot say so much in that behalf, yet hath our Church been a nurse to neighbour Churches in Germany, France and other places round about, for many years; in regard whereof, the Lord, no doubt, hath bestowed many blessings upon us. And therefore though our sins and abuses be many and grievous, yet in regard of Church prerogatives we may be called a holy nation, and a true member of the Church of God; so that as our Saviour Christ and his Disciples joined themselves to the congregations of the Jews in their legal service, and forsook them not till they became no Church; so ought it to be among us, till we separate from Christ, none should sever themselves from our church ministry & service of God. Those therefore that make a separation from our Church because of corruptions in it, are far from the spirit of Christ and his Apostles. If any shall say, this makes well for the church of Rome, if so corrupt a place as Jerusalem, in regard of Church prerogatives were an holy city, for they have as many prerogatives for religion, as the Jews then had, and therefore are the church of God, and so we do not well to separate from them. Answ. Some indeed that are no Papists, say the Church of Rome is the Church of God: but the truth is, the present Church of Rome is spiritual Babylon, 1the mother of abominations, ⟨p. 20⟩