A13257:195
A confession of faith made by common consent of divers reformed churches beyond the…A confession of fayth made by common consent of diuers reformed churches beyonde the…
A confession of faith made by common consent of divers reformed churches beyond the seas: with an exhortation to the reformation of the Church. Perused and allowed according to the Queens Majesties injunctions.A confession of fayth made by common consent of diuers reformed churches beyonde the seas: with an exhortation to the reformation of the Churche. Perused and allowed accordinge to the Queenes Maiesties iniunctions.
London: printed by Henry Wykes for Lucas Harrison, 1568
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.
¶ Of the holy and ecclesiastical assemblies or coming to the Church. Chap. 22.
¶ Of the holye and ecclesiasticall assemblies or commynge to the Churche. Chap. 22.
Although it be lawful for all men to read the holy scriptures 1privately at home, and to instruct or edify one an other in true religion, yet holy congregations and meetings together in churches is very necessary, to the end that gods words may be soundly preached to the people, that prayers & supplications may be made publicly, the Sacraments rightly ministered, and alms gathered for the poor and other necessary charges and expenses of the Church. For it is evident in the apostolic & primitive church, that there were such assemblies frequented of all the godly. Who soever despise these congregations 2& withhold them selves from them, contemn true religion, and ought to be compelled by the ministers and godly magistrates to sever them selves no more so stubbornly from faithful people assembled in the church. Let their meetings in the church be, not secret, but public, and oft, except persecution and the cruel enemies of the Christian congregation ⟨p. 81⟩will not suffer it. For we know, what manner of assemblies there were in time paste in the primitive 3church, in hidden and secret places, during the tyranny of the princes of Rome. Let also the places, where the faithful mete together, be honest and in all points convenient for the church of God. Let the Churches therefore be large, yet such as are cleansed from all those things, that become not the Church. Let all things be furnished comely, and as necessity and Godly honesty requireth. Let nothing be lacking, requisite for necessary uses of the Church. But as we believe, that God dwelleth not in Temples made with hands, so we are not ignorant that places dedicated to God, for the worshipping of him, are not profane but holy: & that they, which be therein ought to use them selves reverently