A Reply to his 25. Chapter; Still discussing the meaning of the Tares.

CHAP. 25. A Reply to his 25. Chapter; Still discussing the meaning of the Tares.

Thirdly, The Tares cannot be hypocrites, is as clear as the Light, because they, when they are discovered, and seen to be Tares, are not to be let alone to the Angels in the end of the world, but are to be purged out by the Governors of the Church, with the whole Church.

THirdly, The Tares cannot be hypocrites, is as cleare as the Light, because they, when they are discovered, and seene to be Tares, are not to be let alone to the Angels in the end of the world, but are to be purged out by the Governours of the Church, with the whole Church.

Defender.

This objection hath been answered above, and let it be again denied (till the Discusser prove the contrary, which will never be) That hypocrites when they appear to be hypocrites, (and yet no worse then Tares) are to be purged out by the Government of the Church. It is true, if Hypocrites having a form of Godliness, and yet denying the power thereof, do break forth into such notorious scandalous Fruits of Hypocrisy, as tend to the leavening of the whole lump, they may then justly be proceeded against by the Government of the Church. But otherwise, if the Church proceed against an Hypocrite, as such, merely for his hypocrisy, for want of life and power of Godliness in his duties, they may soon root out, sometime or other, the best wheat in Gods Field, and the sweetest Flowers in his Garden, who sometimes loose their fatness and sweetness for a season.

This objection hath been answered above, and let it be againe denied (till the Discusser prove the contrary, which will never be) That hypocrites when they appeare to be hypocrites, (and yet no worse then Tares) are to be purged out by the Government of the Church. It is true, if Hypocrites having a forme of Godlinesse, and yet denying the power thereof, doe breake forth into such notorious scandalous Fruits of Hypocrisie, as tend to the leavening of the whole lumpe, they may then justly be proceeded against by the Government of the Church. But otherwise, if the Church proceed against an Hypocrite, as such, meerely for his hypocrisie, for want of life and power of Godlinesse in his duties, they may soone roote out, sometime or other, the best wheate in Gods Field, and the sweetest Flowers in his Garden, who sometimes loose their fatnesse and sweetnesse for a season.