By all which it is evident, that the Church of Rome is a corrupt and unsound Church, if a Church at all. For touching the Sacraments, and other holy things, or rather the Profanations of the same which are to be found among them (for in truth, out of the Church there are not any Sacraments rightly administered) they can no more make a true Church, then the bare writing and setting to of a Seal, can make a Deed, without the parties delivery: for God never delivered his Sacraments to any out of his Church, though they presume to take them, and to set, as it were, his Scale to them. And where the Apostle saith, 2. Thes. 2. 4. that Antichrist must sit in the Temple or Church of God, he meaneth that which once was the Church of God, though now it be not. Like to the speech of our Saviour Christ, Mat. 24. 15. When you see the abomination of desolation, standing in the holy place, that is, the place which once was holy, whilst it was a figure of Christ and of his Church: but so was it not, when this which he fore-telleth should come to pass. But what are we to do in these cases? Surely where the error is dangerous, and overthroweth the foundation, we are there to sever our selves, and to have no fellowship with them, as we are taught in the case of erroneous doctrine, 1. Tim. 6. 3. If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to the wholesome words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the Doctrine which is according to Godliness, he is puffed up; from such separate your selves. He himself that taught this Lesson, made no bones to practise it, Acts 19. 9. When certain men at Ephesus were hardened, and disobeyed, speaking evil of the way of God, he ⟨p. 354⟩departed from them, and separated the Disciples. And the like he did at Rome, Acts 28. 28. Of the other, that is to say, Idolatry, we have a Commandment, 2. Cor. 6. 14, 15. 16, 17. Be not unequally yoked with Infidels: for what fellowship hath Righteousness with unrighteousness, or what communion hath light with darkness? or what concord hath Christ with BELIAL? or what part hath the Believer with the Infidel? or what agreement hath the Temple of God with Idols? Wherefore come out from among them, and separate your selves, saith the Lord.
By all which it is euident, that the Church of Rome is a corrupt and vnsound Church, if a Church at all. For touching the Sacraments, and other holy things, or rather the Prophanations of the same which are to bee found among them (for in truth, out of the Church there are not any Sacraments rightly administred) they can no more make a true Church, then the bare writing and setting to of a Seale, can make a Deed, without the parties deliuerie: for God neuer deliuered his Sacraments to any out of his Church, though they presume to take them, and to set, as it were, his Scale to them. And where the Apostle saith, 2. Thes. 2. 4. that Antichrist must sit in the Temple or Church of God, hee meaneth that which once was the Church of God, though now it bee not. Like to the speech of our Sauiour Christ, Mat. 24. 15. When you see the abomination of desolation, standing in the holy place, that is, the place which once was holy, whilest it was a figure of Christ and of his Church: but so was it not, when this which hee fore-telleth should come to passe. But what are wee to doe in these cases? Surely where the errour is dangerous, and ouerthroweth the foundation, wee are there to seuer our selues, and to haue no fellowship with them, as wee are taught in the case of erronious doctrine, 1. Tim. 6. 3. If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to the wholesome words of our Lord Iesus Christ, and to the Doctrine which is according to Godlinesse, he is puffed vp; from such separate your selues. Hee himselfe that taught this Lesson, made no bones to practize it, Acts 19. 9. When certaine men at Ephesus were hardened, and disobeyed, speaking euill of the way of God, hee ⟨p. 354⟩departed from them, and separated the Disciples. And the like he did at Rome, Acts 28. 28. Of the other, that is to say, Idolatrie, we haue a Commandement, 2. Cor. 6. 14, 15. 16, 17. Bee not vnequally yoked with Infidels: for what fellowship hath Righteousnesse with vnrighteousnesse, or what communion hath light with darknesse? or what concord hath Christ with BELIAL? or what part hath the Beleeuer with the Infidell? or what agreement hath the Temple of God with Idols? Wherefore come out from among them, and separate your selues, saith the Lord.
