But to come to the last reformation which was made of Religion in this Land, and it was not the conversion of England from infidelity to the profession of the Gospel, but the restoring of it from a corrupt state or profession to a more pure; from Christianity polluted, to Christianity unpolluted. Christians they were who inhabited this Land, baptized into the true faith of Jesus Christ, but Christians defiled with manifold superstitions, led aside into manifold errors, which errors and superstitions removed, they become sound and true Christians indeed. The true hChurch lay hid in Popery, as a little oar in a great lump of dross, not refined, not purified, not coined, but true gold for substance, yea, that very same for substance which being purified and stamped, is currant coin. When the invocation of Saints, worshipping of Images, the Latin Service, and fabulous Legends, the sacrifice of the Mass, and adoration of the Sacrament, with such like abominations, were taken away; and in the room thereof, the true worship of one true God in the mediation of Jesus Christ, and the right administration of the Sacraments, and the reading of the holy Scriptures in a known tongue established; ⟨p. 64⟩when the omnipotency of the Pope is abandoned, with all corrupt superstitions, which did undermine the foundation it self: and in stead thereof the entire faith of the Lord Jesus, in all points necessary to salvation, taught, professed, and received; then is the Church refined and separated from that dross. To bring Infidels from the state of infidelity to the faith, it is necessary that instruction go before, either by reading, exhortation, preaching, or report of Christian faith, for faith cometh by hearing. But where men profess Christianity, abuses may be reformed by the Edict of the Magistrate, without such particular instruction going before, as in the former case is requisite. Many times *heresy departeth from the Church, or Heretics go out from the Church: and sometimes the Church is compelled to go out from heresy, the heresy still remaining. *Come out of her my people, saith the Lord: the godly then departing from Babylon, according to Gods commandment, & gathering themselves into Christian societies, the religious Magistrate, by his Edict or Proclamation going before them, are the true churches of Christ.
But to come to the last reformation which was made of Religion in this Land, and it was not the conversion of England from infidelitie to the profession of the Gospell, but the restoring of it from a corrupt state or profession to a more pure; from Christianitie polluted, to Christianitie unpolluted. Christians they were who inhabited this Land, baptized into the true faith of Jesus Christ, but Christians defiled with manifold superstitions, led aside into manifold errors, which errors and superstitions removed, they become sound and true Christians indeed. The true hChurch lay hid in Popery, as a little oare in a great lump of drosse, not refined, not purified, not coyned, but true gold for substance, yea, that very same for substance which being purified and stamped, is currant coyne. When the invocation of Saints, worshipping of Images, the Latine Service, and fabulous Legends, the sacrifice of the Masse, and adoration of the Sacrament, with such like abhominations, were taken away; and in the roome thereof, the true worship of one true God in the mediation of Jesus Christ, and the right administration of the Sacraments, and the reading of the holy Scriptures in a knowne tongue established; ⟨p. 64⟩when the omnipotency of the Pope is abandoned, with all corrupt superstitions, which did undermine the foundation it selfe: and in stead thereof the intire faith of the Lord Jesus, in all points necessary to salvation, taught, professed, and received; then is the Church refined and separated from that drosse. To bring Infidells from the state of infidelitie to the faith, it is necessary that instruction goe before, either by reading, exhortation, preaching, or report of Christian faith, for faith commeth by hearing. But where men professe Christianitie, abuses may be reformed by the Edict of the Magigrate, without such particular instruction going before, as in the former case is requisite. Many times *heresie departeth from the Church, or Heretickes goe out from the Church: and sometimes the Church is compelled to goe out from heresie, the heresie still remaining. *Come out of her my people, saith the Lord: the godly then departing from Babylon, according to Gods commandement, & gathering themselves into Christian societies, the religious Magistrate, by his Edict or Proclamation going before them, are the true churches of Christ.
- hChaloner. Credo S: 2. part. sect. 2: It will soon appear that the Ch• of Rome for a thousand years after our Saviour, professed no other faith, nor published any other belief in points fundamental, either negative or affirmative, than we do, &c. After a thousand and some few years more were expired (Transubstantiation, and Adoration of the Host, with other dregs of Antichrist being established) though we cannot say that the Church of Rome was from thence forth absolutely our Church, yet we may boldly say, that our church was from that time until Luther, both within the Roman Church and without it.Chaloner. Credo S: 2. part. sect. 2: It will soone appeare that the Ch• of Rome for a thousand yeares after our Saviour, professed no other faith, nor published any other beliefe in points fundamentall, either negative or affirmative, than we doe, &c. After a thousand and some few yeares more were expired (Transubstantiation, and Adoration of the Host, with other dregs of Antichrist being established) though we cannot say that the Church of Rome was from thence forth absolutely our Church, yet we may boldly say, that our church was from that time untill Luther, both within the Romane Church and without it.
- *Jo. 2.19.
- *Revel. 18.4.
