A short instruction for to arm all good Christian people against the pestiferous errors…A short instruction for to arme all good Christian people agaynst the pestiferous errours…

☞ Now because it is not sufficient to say let us see whether we can have a good approbation of our doctrine out of the scripture. For I do gladly subject my self to this condition, that nothing be believed of that I shall say, except it have the testimony of the scripture. Now the first question is, whether that company, which hath not such an use of excommunication, as the Lord Jesus ordained, ought to be taken for a Christen church? Truly this default was at Corinth, that same time that Saint Paul wrote unto them, as he declareth and complaineth there of.

☞ Nowe because it is not sufficient to say let vs se whether we can haue a good approbation of oure doctryne out of the scripture. For I do gladlye subiecte my selfe to thys cōdicion, that nothynge be beleued of that I shal say, excepte it haue the testimonye of the scripture. Nowe the fyrste question is, whether that companye, whych hath not suche an vse of excommunication, as the Lorde Iesus ordeyned, oughte to be taken for a Christen churche? Truelye thys defaute was at Corinthe, that same tyme that Sayncte Paulle wrote vnto them, as he declareth and complaineth ther of.

¶ This notwithstanding, he giveth them this honour, that he calleth their congregation, the christen church. There was among them divers sects and partakings: ambition and avarice, reigned among many of them. They went so to law, as one would eat another. An offence, which among heathen men was execrable, was not only tolerate among them: but in manner approved. And besides such a corruption in manners, there were also many faults in doctrine. Not withstanding all this, saint Paul speaking not of him self, but as the mouth and organ of the holy Ghost, intituleth his Epistle unto the Christen church which is at Corinth. Who is that now among us which will take upon him, to be more sincere in judgement, than god? who soever dare do it, shall show his foolish boldness: ⟨image 16⟩but he shall change nothing of that which God hath once pronounced. What shall we say of the Galatians? We know the confusion and disorder which was among them. But that notwithstanding Saint Paul knoweledgeth a church to be there. We must earnestly endeavour our selves, to come unto that perfection, which ought to be in the body of Christ. Yet may we not look for any other state or condition in the church, than that, which hath be showed unto us, by the infallible verity. Let us not than abuse our selves to imagine a, perfect church in this world seeing that our lord Jesus hath showed unto us: that she shall be like unto a floor where on men thresh, in which the good corn is so mingled with the chaff, that many times it appeareth not. Also that she shall be like unto a net, wherein divers sorts of fishes are gathered together. These similitudes do teach us, that though we ought to desire an excellent pureness in the church: and also do our endeavour that so it may be: yet shall we never see it so pure, but that there shall be many filthinesses there in.