IN the Table of the primitive Church, hath been (gentle Reader) set forth and exhibited before thine eyes, the grievous afflictions and sorrowful torments, which through GODS secret sufferance, fell upon the true Saints and members of CHRISTS Church in that time, especially upon the good Bishops, Ministers, and teachers of the flock: of whom, some were scourged, some beheaded, some crucified, some burnt, some had their eyes put out, some one way, and some another, miserably consumed: which days of woeful calamity continued near the space of three hundred years. During which time, the dear spouse and Elect Church of GOD, being sharply assaulted on every side, had small rest, no joy, nor outward safety in this present world, but in much bitterness of heart, continual tears and mourning under the cross, passed over their days being spoiled, imprisoned, contemned, reviled, famished, tormented, and martyred every where, who neither durst well tarry ⟨p. 2⟩at home for fear and dread, & much less durst come abroad for the enemies, but only by night, when they assembled as they might, sometimes to sing Psalms and hymns together. In all which their dreadful dangers, and sorrowful afflictions, notwithstanding the goodness of the LORD left them not desolate: but the more their outward tribulations did increase, the more their inward consolations did abound: and the further off they seemed from the joys of this life, the more present was the LORD with them with grace and fortitude, to confirm and rejoice their souls: and though their possessions and riches in this world were lost and spoiled, yet were they enriched with Heavenly gifts and treasures from above an hundred fold, then was true Religion truly felt in heart. Then was Christianity not in outward appearance showed, but in inward affection received, and the true image of the Church not in outward show presented, but in her perfect state effectual. Then was the name and fear of GOD true in heart, not in lips alone dwelling: faith then was fervent, zeal ardent, prayer not swimming in the lips, but groaned out to GOD from the bottom of the spirit: Then was no pride in the Church, nor leisure to seek riches, nor time to keep them.
IN the Table of the primitiue Church, hath beene (gentle Reader) set foorth and exhibited before thine eyes, the grievous aflictions and sorrowfull torments, which through GODS secreet sufferance, fell vpon the true Saincts and members of CHRISTS Church in that time, especially vpon the good Bishops, Ministers, and teachers of the flocke: of whom, some were scourged, some beheaded, some crucified, some burnt, some had their eyes put out, some one way, and some another, miserably consumed: which dayes of woefull calamitie continued neare the space of three hundreth yeares. During which time, the deare spouse and Elect Church of GOD, being sharply assaulted on everie side, had small rest, no joy, nor outward safety in this present world, but in much bitternesse of heart, continuall teares and mourning vnder the crosse, passed over their dayes beeing spoyled, imprisoned, contemned, revyled, famished, tormented, and martyrde everie where, who neither durst well tarrie ⟨p. 2⟩at home for feare and dread, & much lesse durst come abroade for the enemies, but onely by night, when they assembled as they might, sometimes to sing Psalmes and hymnes together. In all which their dreadfull dangers, and sorrowfull afflictions, notwithstanding the goodnesse of the LORD left them not desolate: but the more their outward tribulations did increase, the more their inward consolations did abound: and the further off they seemed from the joyes of this life, the more present was the LORD with them with grace and fortitude, to confirme and rejoyce their soules: and though their possessions and riches in this world were lost and spoyled, yet were they inriched with Heavenly gifts and treasures from aboue an hundreth fold, then was true Religion truely felt in heart. Then was Christianitie not in outward appearance shewed, but in inward affection receaved, and the true image of the Church not in outward show presented, but in her perfect state effectuall. Then was the name and feare of GOD true in heart, not in lippes alone dwelling: faith then was fervent, zeale ardent, prayer not swimming in the lips, but groaned out to GOD from the bottome of the spirit: Then was no pryde in the Church, nor lasoure to seeke riches, nor time to keepe them.
