Zerubbabels encouragement to finish the temple. A sermon preached before the honourable House of…

Thus much perhaps might more clearly have been discovered in the story of the Reformation; but I judged it would better and more briefly be done in this the Prophecy of it. Use.

Thus much perhaps might more clearly have been discovered in the story of the Reformation; but I judged it would better and more briefly be done in this the Prophecie of it. Use.

Let no Church therefore think it self perfect, and needing nothing, (as bragging Laodicea did) especially when it hath but that first foundation which it had when it came newly out of Babylon; and more especially in matters of worship and discipline. It is no dishonour unto those ⟨p. 17⟩Reformers, to say, that they fully finished not this work; as it was not unto Zerubbabel here, that he perfected not the Temple at first. Blessed men! It is evident they purposed more then they did or could effect, because the peoples hearts were not [as yet] prepared, as the phrase is, 2 Chron. 20. 33. In our very Common-Prayer book there is an [Until] the said discipline may be restored, which argueth they aimed at more. And besides, They were not Apostles, to whom nothing might be added, as Gal. 2. 6. And God raising up the Tabernacle that was fallen down, not by immediate inspiration, (as at first by the Apostles) but by his Spirit, renewing and begetting light in an ordinary way: Hence therefore the Churches coming out of the darkness of Popery, must needs recover that fullness and perfection of light (which the Apostolical times had) [Greek or Hebrew], by piece-meals and degrees. As for the great things of the Gospel, matters of Faith, or Doctrine, they had so happy a hand therein, that there is to be found little, if any Hay or stubble therein: But in matters of Order, which concern Worship and Discipline, (for so the Apostle distinguisheth, Colos. 2. 5