The peace of Jerusalem a sermon preached in the Parliament House, Jan. 9, 1656

It is true, the Catholic Church, and the lively members of his body shall never totally fail.¹ But particular Churches and Nations never had a Patent of perpetual preservation. Rome boasts of it, but the Apostle hath entered a caveat against that boast, Rom. 11.20, 21. But all Gods promises of not failing us, are made to those who keep covenant with him, otherwise he also will break with us. The Lord, saith the Prophet unto Asa, is with you, while you be with him, and if ye seek him, he will be found of you; but if ye forsake him, he will forsake you, 2 Chron. 15.2. I said, saith the Lord unto Eli, That thy house, and the house of thy Father, should walk before me for ever: but now the Lord saith, be it far from me; for them that honour me, I will honour, and they that despise me shall he lightly esteemed, 1 Sam. 2.30. The Lord married his Church for ever, Hos. 2.19. but when she committed adultery, he gave her a Bill of divorce, Jer. 3.8. He said he would dwell in his Temple for ever, Psal. 132.14. yet he threatened to forsake it, Jer. 6.8. and accordingly did so, Ezek. 10.18.

It is true, the Catholick Church, and the lively members of his body shall never totally fail.¹ But particular Churches and Nations never had a Patent of perpetual preservation. Rome boasts of it, but the Apostle hath entred a caveat against that boast, Rom. 11.20, 21. But all Gods promises of not failing us, are made to those who keep covenant with him, otherwise he also will break with us. The Lord, saith the Prophet unto Asa, is with you, while you be with him, and if ye seek him, he will be found of you; but if ye forsake him, he will forsake you,