Answ.
1. The Gospel of Christ was preached and received in England ten years before it was i•. Rome (as may appear by Gildas, and may be inferred from Baronius also, Annal Anno Christi 35.5. & 45.1.) and that by the Ministry of Apostles and Apostolic men, who doubtless did at first institute Churches, not after the Pattern of Rome (which then was not a Church) but according to the Pattern of the Apostles.
2. Neither were they unchurched by the Antichristian Apostasy which afterwards ⟨p. 3⟩grew upon them (as a Leprosy) but were only corrupted and polluted, even in many fundamentals, both in Doctrine, Worship, & Government, which made them like unto the Israelites under the Apostasy of Jezebel, the generality being carried away by the Corruption of the times, but a Remnant reserved (through grace) which bowed not the knee to Baal.
3. Since the Beginning of the Reformation, many of the Church-members (by the power of the Gospel) reformed to a new estate of visible Saints, and the fundamental corruptions in Doctrine and worship were purged away, and both of them so renewed as that the presence and power of Christ was discerned in the face of the Ordinances. And for the Government, though it give not being (but well-being to Churches yet) it hath also been growing more and more into better order unto this day. In so much that Protestant Churches have renounced fellowship with Antichrist and his Churches, and have separated from them in Doctrine, Worship, and Government: which if it reach not to a new-churching, yet it is a renewal ⟨p. 4⟩of their Church estate, and a new moulding of them into a more holy way of Administration of Church-Ordinances; so that now they stand as Churches gathered out of the world both of Antichristians and of Pagans. The Israelites after their Return from under the Apostasy of Jezebel, did neither solemnly unchurch themselves of their former corrupt estate, nor Inchurch themselves into a better new estate; but being called to Repentance by the Kings Proclamation, and their hearts being bored of God to submit themselves thereto, though they fell short of a full Purification, yet they were received to the Lords Supper (the Passover) together with their Brethren of the purer Church of Judah. 2 Chro. 30.18, 19, 20.
Answ.
1. The Gospel of Christ was preached and received in England ten yeares before it was i•. Rome (as may appeare by Gildas, and may be inferred from Baronius also, Annal Anno Christi 35.5. & 45.1.) and that by the Ministry of Apostles and Apostolick men, who doubtlesse did at first institute Churches, not after the Pattern of Rome (which then was not a Church) but according to the Patterne of the Apostles.
2. Neither were they unchurched by the Antichristian Apostacy which afterwards ⟨p. 3⟩grew upon them (as a Leprosie) but were onely corrupted and polluted, even in many fundamentalls, both in Doctrine, Worship, & Government, which made them like unto the Israelites under the Apostacy of Jezabel, the generallity being carryed away by the Corruption of the times, but a Remnant reserved (through grace) which bowed not the knee to Baal.
3. Since the Beginning of the Reformation, many of the Church-members (by the power of the Gospel) reformed to a new estate of visible Saints, and the fundamentall corruptions in Doctrine and worship were purged away, and both of them so renued as that the presence and power of Christ was discerned in the face of the Ordinances. And for the Government, though it give not being (but wel-being to Churches yet) it hath also been growing more and more into better order unto this day. In so much that Protestant Churches have renounced fellowship with Antichrist and his Churches, and have separated from them in Doctrine, Worship, and Government: which if it reach not to a new-churching, yet it is a renuall ⟨p. 4⟩of their Church estate, and a new moulding of them into a more holy way of Administration of Church-Ordinances; so that now they stand as Churches gathered out of the world both of Antichristians and of Pagans. The Israelites after their Returne from under the Apostacy of Jezabel, did neither solemnely unchurch themselves of their former corrupt estate, nor Inchurch themselves into a better new estate; but being called to Repentance by the Kings Proclamation, and their hearts being bored of God to submit themselves thereto, though they fell short of a full Purification, yet they were received to the Lords Supper (the Passeover) together with their Brethren of the purer Church of Judah. 2 Chro. 30.18, 19, 20.
