The sum of sacred divinity briefly & methodically propoundedThe summe of sacred diuinitie briefly & methodically propounded

Fourthly, Being but the Church of them that are called with an outward calling, there are among them oftentimes many Hypocrites, as the Apostle teacheth, 1. John 2. 1, 19: They went out from us, but they were not of us: for if they had been of us, they would have abidden with us. But this is to make it manifest, that all are not of us.

Fourthly, Being but the Church of them that are called with an outward calling, there are among them oftentimes many Hypocrites, as the Apostle teacheth, 1. Iohn 2. 1, 19: They went out from vs, but they were not of vs: for if they had beene of vs, they would haue abidden with vs. But this is to make it manifest, that all are not of vs.

Upon all that hath been said, it followeth, that the Church which now we speak of, is a Church visible. I call it not visible, as if the Church of GOD were always to be seen and known in the¹ World: for as the Moon is sometimes eclipsed, sometimes at the full: so the Church, sometimes lifted up above the Mountains, is other sometimes ⟨p. 355⟩thrust into the Wilderness, ^cthat no true Professors seem to be remaining. So 2. Chro. 15. 3. Israel, by which is meant not the ten Tribes only, but Judah and Benjamin, as the sequel of the Chapter showeth, is said to have been a long time without the true God without Priest to teach, without the Law. And Paul, 2. Thess. 2. 3. telleth of a general defection and falling from the Truth, that no face of a visible Church should be discerned: Antichrist should so universally set up his throne, which in the height and fullness of Popery we see to have bin accomplished: Although that God hath, and always had some that are his, as appeareth by that which the Lord