First then let us mark, that our Saviour distinguisheth the branches in the Vine into two sorts; fruitful and unfruitful. Questionless we may conclude from hence, that Christ meant to teach us, that in his visible Church, there should be a mixture of true-hearted Christians and hypocrites. In the societies of men professing the true Christian religion; neither are all true, neither are all false: but some honest, sound-hearted, upright Christians; other-some, hollow, dissembling, hypocritical actors of Christianity. Some are in very deed and substance, that that they are called and taken for: others have a mere and bare name of Christianity, and nothing within them answerable to that name.1 This is the point which our Saviour teacheth also in the Parable of the Grounds, whereof among four kinds, one alone proved good. So in the Parable of the field which had Tares sowed in it, together with good Corn: in the Parable of the Draw-net, that gathered not good Fish alone, but much unprofitable filth withal. So much also doth Paul signify, when he telleth us, that all are not Israel,2 which are of Israel; and that he is not a Jew, which is one without, but he which is one within. And again, ⟨p. 6⟩of the Congregation in the wilderness, he affirmeth, that though all did eat of the same Spiritual meat,3 and drink of the same Spiritual drink, yet God was not well pleased with them all. And Saint John affirmeth in plain terms,4 that all are not of us (in truth of heart) which are amongst us, in show of profession. To this truth the continual experience of all Ages yieldeth a manifest and lamentable testimony. In Adams family (the mother Church of all the world) there was Cain as well as Abel, both offerers to God: but the former in a false semblance of piety; the latter, in the truth of faith and devotion. In the Ark were accursed Cam, and blessed Shem. In Abraham's house, scoffing, wild Ismael, and religious Isaac. In Isaacs house, plain-hearted Jacob, and the murdering-minded Esau. So in the wilderness, gain-saying Core, with his accomplices Dathan, Abiram and the rest, as well as Moses, Joshua and Caleb. In after-times, Eli's sons (a pair of prodigious dunces, ill living and dumb Ministers), as well as faithful Samuel, the Lords true Prophet. A Saul and a David; an Ahithophel and an Hushai;
FIrst then let vs marke, that our Sauior distinguisheth the branches in the Vine into two sorts; fruitfull and vnfruitfull. Questionlesse wee may conclude from hence, that Christ meant to teach vs, that in his visible Church, there should be a mixture of true-hearted Christians and hypocrits. In the societies of men professing the true Christiā religion; neither are al true, neither are al false: but some honest, sound-hearted, vpright Christians; other-some, hollow, dissembling, hypocriticall actors of Christianitie. Some are in very deed and substance, that that they are called and taken for: others haue a meere and bare name of Christianitie, and nothing within them answerable to that name.1 This is the point which our Sauiour teacheth also in the Parable of the Grounds, whereof among foure kinds, one alone prooued good. So in the Parable of the field which had Tares sowed in it, together with good Corne: in the Parable of the Draw-net, that gathered not good Fish alone, but much vnprofitable filth withall. So much also doth Paul signifie, when he telleth vs, that all are not Israel,2 which are of Israel; and that hee is not a Iew, which is one without, but he which is one within. And againe, ⟨p. 6⟩of the Congregation in the wildernesse, hee affirmeth, that though all did eate of the same Spirituall meate,3 and drinke of the same Spirituall drinke, yet God was not well pleased with them all. And Saint Iohn affirmeth in plaine tearmes,4 that all are not of vs (in truth of heart) which are amongst vs, in shew of profession. To this truth the continuall experience of all Ages yeeldeth a manifest and lamentable testimony. In Adams family (the mother Church of all the world) there was Caine as well as Abel, both offerers to God: but the former in a false semblance of pietie; the latter, in the truth of faith and deuotion. In the Arke were accursed Cam, and blessed Shem. In Abrahams house, scoffing, wilde Ismael, and religious Isaac. In Isaacs house, plaine-hearted Iacob, and the murdering-minded Esau. So in the wildernesse, gaine-saying Core, with his accomplices Dathan, Abiram and the rest, as well as Moses, Ioshua and Caleb. In after-times, Elies sons (a paire of prodigious dunces, ill liuing and dumb Ministers), as well as faithfull Samuel, the Lords true Prophet. A Saul and a Dauid; an Achitophel and an Hushai;
- 1Matth. 13.1.24.47.
- 2Rom. 9.6.2.28.
- 31. Cor. 10.5.
- 41.John 2.19.1.Iohn 2.19.
