1. I confess that this union of the general visible Church was once comprehensive of all the Churches in the world;1 the Faith once delivered to the Saints being received amongst them. From this unity it is taken also for granted, that a separation is made, and it continues not as it was at the first institution of the Churches of Christ, though some small breaches were made upon it, immediately after their first planting. The Papists say, as to the European Churches ⟨p. 141⟩wherein their and our concernment principally lies) this breach was made in the days of our forefathers; by their departure from the common faith in those Ages, though begun by a few some Ages before. We are otherwise minded, and affirm, that this secession was made by them, and their Predecessors in Apostasy, in several generations by several degrees; which we manifest, by comparing the present profession and worship, with that in each kind, which we know was at first embraced, because we find it Instituted. At once then, we say this Schism lies at their doors, who not only have deviated from the common faith themselves, but do also actually cause, and attempt to destroy temporally and eternally all that will not join with them therein. For as the mystery of iniquity began to work in the Apostles days; so we have a testimony beyond exception in the complaint of those that lived in them, that not long after, the operation of it became more effectual, and the infection of it to be more diffused in the Church: This is that of Hegesyppus in Eusebius Eccles. Hist. lib. 3. cap. 26. who affirms that the Church remained a Virgin (whilst the Apostles lived) pure and ⟨p. 142⟩uncorrupted, but when that sacred Society had ended it's pilgrimage, and the generation that heard and received the word from them were fallen asleep, many false doctrines were preached and divulged therein.
1. I confesse that this union of the generall visible Church was once comprehensive of all the Churches in the world;1 the Faith once delivered to the Saints being received amongst them. From this unity it is taken also for granted, that a separation is made, and it continnes not as it was at the first institution of the Churches of Christ, though some small breaches were made upon it, immediately after their first planting. The Papists say, as to the Europaean Churches ⟨p. 141⟩wherein their and our concernment principally lyes) this breach was made in the dayes of our forefathers; by their departure from the common faith in those Ages, though begunne by a few some Ages before. We are otherwise minded, and affirme, that this secession was made by them, and their Predecessors in Apostacy, in severall generations by severall degrees; which we manifest, by comparing the present profession and worship, with that in each kind, which we know was at first embraced, because we find it Instituted. At once then, we say this Schisme lyes at their doors, who not only have deviated from the common faith themselves, but do also actually cause, and attempt to destroy temporally and eternally all that will not joyne with them therein. For as the mystery of iniquity began to worke in the Apostles dayes; so we have a testimony beyond exception in the complaint of those that lived in them, that not long after, the operation of it became more effectuall, and the infection of it to be more diffused in the Church: This is that of Hegesyppus in Eusebius Eccles. Hist. lib. 3. cap. 26. who affirmes that the Church remained a Virgin (whilst the Apostles lived) pure and ⟨p. 142⟩uncorrupted, but when that sacred Society had ended it's pilgrimage, and the generation that heard and received the word from them were fallen asleep, many false doctrines were preached and divulged therein.
- 1§. 34.
