An answer to two treatises of Mr. John Can, the leader of the English…An answer to two treatises of Mr. Iohn Can, the leader of the English…

Secondly, seeing this term, False Church, is so familiar with you, we will consider what it meaneth, and how far it doth stand true, that God hath made no promise to bless things done in a false Church. These words, True and false Church, are used oft to signify, as much as pure and corrupt, found and languishing Church. And as there is scarce a Church so pure, which hath not some impurity, nor so true, which hath not some falsehood admixed: so there is no Church so false or impure, which hath not somewhat of God, or some supernatural Christian truth within it, For if no supernatural Christian truth be received or professed, there is no Church. Infidels being clean without the Church, deny and utterly reject the principles of Christianity. Heretics or false Christians, in respect of general truths which they openly profess, are Christians, or of the Church, but in respect of their particular errors, condemned of all men that be of sound belief. A Church is not to be esteemed false for some corruptions, nor impure for some disorders, no more, than we account him a sickly man who now and then finds some weariness or distemper. Neither is a Church to be accounted true, because of some truths which they profess, ¹worship, which they practise, or use of the Sacraments, which they retain. The notes of a pure Church are, entire profession of the Gospel, and saving truth of God, the right ⟨p. 77⟩use of the Sacraments, holiness of conversation, the sound preaching of the word of life, fervent and pure calling upon Gods name, subjection to their spiritual guides, whereby they may be directed and built forward in the ways of life, mutual communion in the ordinances of worship, ²and Christian fellowship with all Saints, and true visible Churches of Jesus Christ.

Secondly, seeing this tearme, False Church, is so familiar with you, we will consider what it meaneth, and how farre it doth stand true, that God hath made no promise to blesse things done in a false Church. These words, True and false Church, are used oft to signifie, as much as pure and corrupt, found and languishing Church. And as there is scarce a Church so pure, which hath not some impuritie, nor so true, which hath not some falshood admixed: so there is no Church so false or impure, which hath not somewhat of God, or some supernaturall Christian truth within it, For if no supernaturall Christian truth bee received or professed, there is no Church. Infidels being cleane without the Church, deny and utterly reject the principles of Christianitie. Heretikes or false Christians, in respect of generall truths which they openly professe, are Christians, or of the Church, but in respect of their particular errours, condemned of all men that be of sound beliefe. A Church is not to be esteemed false for some corruptions, nor impure for some disorders, no more, than we account him a sickly man who now and then findes some wearinesse or distemper. Neither is a Church to be accounted true, because of some truths which they professe,