A27045:379
The successive visibility of the church of which the Protestants are the soundest members…
The successive visibility of the church of which the Protestants are the soundest members I. defended against the opposition of Mr. William Johnson, II. proved by many arguments / by Richard Baxter ; whereunto is added 1. an account of my judgement to Mr. J. how far heretics are or are not in the church, 2. Mr. Js. explication of the most used terms, with my queries thereupon, and his answer and my reply, 3. an appendix about successive ordination, 4. letters between me and T.S., a papist, with a narrative of the success.The successive visibility of the church of which the Protestants are the soundest members I. defended against the opposition of Mr. William Johnson, II. proved by many arguments / by Richard Baxter ; whereunto is added 1. an account of my judgement to Mr. J. how far hereticks are or are not in the church, 2. Mr. Js. explication of the most used terms, with my queries thereupon, and his answer and my reply, 3. an appendix about successive ordination, 4. letters between me and T.S., a papist, with a narrative of the success.
London: printed by R.W. for Nevil Simmons, 1660
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.
[Ever since the days of Christ on earth.] 1. But not still in one and the same place on earth. It might be in one age much of it in Judea, at Ephesus, Sardis, Laodicaea, Coloss, Philippi, and other parts of Asia; and in other ages removed thence, either wholly or for the most part: It might be in one age in Tendu•, Nubia, and other great Kingdoms, where it shall after cease to be: But in some part or other of the earth it hath been still.
[Ever since the dayes of Christ on earth.] 1. But not still in one and the same place on earth. It might be in one age much of it in Iudea, at Ephesus, Sardis, Laodicaea, Colosse, Philippi, and other parts of Asia; and in other ages removed thence, either wholly or for the most part: It might be in one age in Tendu•, N•bia, and other great Kingdoms, where it shall af•er cease to be: But in some part or other of the earth it hath been still.
2. Not equally visible in all Times and Places of the earth. In some Times (as in the Arians prevalency) it was so oppressed and obscured, that the world groaned to find it self turned Arian, and the Arians in General Councils and number of Bishops (to whom the true Christians were very few) did seem to carry away the Name and glory of the Catholic Church; so that in their eyes, and in the eyes of slanders by that were of neither party, the most Visible Catholic ⟨p. 203⟩Church was theirs: who yet had no part in it, because they were not Christians (as denying that which is essential to Christ, the object of the Christian faith) and therefore none of the Church, and therefore though most visible and numerous, yet not the visible Church: And the Church, which to others was as wheat hidden in this chaff, or rather a few ears among so many rares, was yet Visible to it self in its Truth of faith, and visible to its Enemies in its Profession and assemblies, though in number far below them.