A26701:47
The way to true happiness in a serious treatise /
The way to true happiness in a serious treatise / by Joseph Alleine.
London : Printed and are to be sold by Nevil Simmons, 1678
Title page typeset from the transcription.
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.
Quest. 17. What is the difference between the Church and the World? Is not the Church a holy Society of regenerate souls? Yea the Church visible, is only those that in baptism vow Holiness and profess it. Look those hypocrites in the face and see whether they do not blush, when they repeat in the Creed, I believe in the Holy Ghost, I believe in the Holy Catholic Church, and the communion of Saints, who shall have the forgiveness of sins, and live ever-lasting. Ask them whether they mean, Holy Adulterers, holy ⟨image 12⟩worldlings, holy perjured persons? Ask them whether they mean a Communion of Saints in a Tavern, in a Play-house, in a Gaming-house, in a Whore-house •or a jesting, canting stage-play Communion? If the Church be holy, be holy if you will be of the Church: If it be a Communion of Saints, make it not a Communion of Swine, and make not Saints and their Communion seem odious either for their infirmities, or their crossness to your carnal interests or conceits.
Quest. 17. What is the difference between the Church and the World? Is not the Church a holy Society of regenerate souls? Yea the Church visible, is only those that in baptism vow Holiness and profess it. Look those hypocrites in the face and see whether they do not blush, when they repeat in the Creed, I believe in the Holy Ghost, I believe in the Holy Catholick Church, and the communion of Saints, who shall have the forgiveness of sins, and live ever-lasting. Ask them whether they mean, Holy Adulterers, holy ⟨image 12⟩worldlings, holy perjured persons? Ask them whether they mean a Communion of Saints in a Tavern, in a Play-house, in a Gaming-house, in a Whore-house •or a jesting, canting stage-play Communion? If the Church be holy, be holy if you will be of the Church: If it be a Communion of Saints, make it not a Communion of Swine, and make not Saints and their Communion seem odious either for their infirmities, or their crossness to your carnal interests or conceits.