Now that this is a most damnable thought may appear §1by the cursed fruits thereof;1 for first, hence ariseth that devilish and carnal opinion of sundry men,2 that think, and hold religion to be but humane policy to keep men in awe, and so use it as a politic devise to exercise mens brains to keep them from sedition, treachery, and rebellion: Secondly, §2hence springs all Apostasy, 3and departing from the faith; The Galatians were a worthy Church planted by the apostle Paul, yet even in his time they began to fall away to another Gospel, which made him to marvel; and the reason was ⟨p. 61⟩this,h they were not contented with that simplicity, which is in Christ, but would join with him, the observation of legal ceremonies. The like we may say of those famous Eastern Churches, as those seven Churches of Asia, planted by the apostles; wherein the truth flourished for a while, but not long after the Apostles times they fell into many damnable heresies, as Arianism, & such like. Yea about six hundred years after Christ, they embraced the damnable religion of Mahomet. In the West parts also, were worthy, and famous Churches planted by the Apostles, and their successors, as in Italy, France, Germany, Spain, & England, who about the same time of 6. hundred years after ⟨p. 64⟩Christ fell to Papism, which spread it self over all Europe and further (some few Churches of Greece excepted) In which religion men abandon the Gospel, of Christ, and betake themselves to another Gospel by adjoining to the truth of Christ, their own devises: And this Papism, hath reigned ever since, till now of late, & so hath Apostasy taken place in those Churches which the Apostles planted; The cause whereof was in the wicked and sinful heart of man, judging the gospel foolishness, whereupon men were contented to yield themselves to any other religion, rather then to that simplicity of truth, which is in Christ Jesus. We now in England by Gods special mercy, ⟨p. 65⟩hold, and teach the word of God: but if God should alter our religion with the times, the greatest part of men among us would forsake the truth, and cleave to any other religion, and that only upon this ground, because they judge the Gospel foolishness: Let any man among us broach an error, or heresy, & it shall have patrons at the first, be it never so vile and absurd, & protectors afterward:
Now that this is a most damnable thought may appeare §1by the cursed fruits therof;1 for first, hence ariseth that deuilish and carnall opinion of sundrie men,2 that thinke, and hold religion to be but humane policie to keepe men in awe, and so vse it as a politicke devise to exercise mens braines to keepe them from sedition, trecherie, and rebellion: Secondly, §2hence springs all Apostacie, 3and departing from the faith; The Galathians were a worthie Church planted by the apostle Paul, yet euen in his time they began to fall away to another Gospell, which made him to maruel; and the reason was ⟨p. 61⟩this,h they were not contented with that simplicitie, which is in Christ, but would ioyne with him, the obseruation of legall ceremonies. The like we may say of those famous Easterne Churches, as those seauen Churches of Asia, planted by the apostles; wherin the truth flourished for a while, but not long after the Apostles times they fell into many damnable heresies, as Arrianisme, & such like. Yea about six hundred yeares after Christ, they embraced the damnable religion of Mahomet. In the West partes also, were worthie, and famous Churches planted by the Apostles, and their successors, as in Italie, France, Germanie, Spaine, & England, who about the same time of 6. hūdred yeares after ⟨p. 64⟩Christ fell to Papisme, which spread it selfe ouer all Europe and further (some few Churches of Greece excepted) In which religion men abandon the Gospel, of Christ, and betake themselues to another Gospell by adioyning to the truth of Christ, their owne deuises: And this Papisme, hath raigned euer since, till now of late, & so hath Apostacie taken place in those Churches which the Apostles planted; The cause whereof was in the wicked and sinnefull heart of man, iudging the gospell foolishnes, whereupon men were contented to yeilde themselues to any other religion, rather then to that simplicitie of truth, which is in Christ Iesus. We now in England by Gods speciall mercie, ⟨p. 65⟩hold, and teach the word of God: but if God should alter our religion with the times, the greatest part of men among vs would forsake the truth, and cleaue to any other religion, and that only vpon this ground, because they iudge the Gospell foolishnes: Let any man among vs broach an error, or heresie, & it shall haue patrones at the first, be it neuer so vile and absurd, & protectors afterward:
- 1Fruits of this thought.
- 2Machavelisme.
- 3Apostasy.Apostacie.
- hGalat. 1. 6.
