The Answer which (upon occasio of this Point) the Examiner giveth to the Papists Question, (Where was your Church before Luther?) though it seem to him well and good: yet it gratifieth the Papists, and straiteneth the holy Counsel of God in Scripture. The Question, saith he, is thus well answered, to wit, That since the Apostasy of Antichrist, Truth, and the holy City, (according to the Prophecy, Rev. 11. & 13.) have been trodden under-foot, and the whole Earth hath wandered after the Beast; yet God hath stirred up witnesses to Prophecy in sackcloth against the Beast, during his 42 months Reign. Nevertheless, these witnesses have in their times more or less submitted to Antichrist, and his Church, Worship, Ministry, &c. And so consequently have been ignorant of the true Church, that is, Christ taken for the Church in the true Profession of that holy way of worship, which he himself at first appointed. This Answer giveth away the cause to the Papists. They demand, Where was your Church before Luther? This Answer giveth it for granted, that since the Apostasy there was no particular church extant in the world. This fully satisfieth their desire, and expectation: for if there were no Church of Christ in the world, for so many Centuries of years till Luther, then they readily conclude, That their Church of Rome was (before Luther) the only Church in the world. For they urge it, (and I know not how we can fairly deny it) that the Church of Christ, even that Church to which the keys of the kingdom are committed, (which is the visible Church) is that against which the Gates of Hell shall not be able to prevail, and so not all the Power of Antichrist. If then the visible Church of Christ shall never cease, and yet during all that time of the Apostasy of Antichrist, no Church was extant in the world, but the Church of Rome, then during all that time (which is not yet expired) the Church of Rome is, and hath been the only Church of Christ these many ages. Besides, as this Answerer gratifieth the Papist, and maketh the promise of Christ (Mat. 16.18, 19,) of none effect: so it ⟨p. 69⟩straiteneth the Counsel of God in the very Texts of Scripture alleged by himself. For in that Text (Rev. 11.) where the outward Court is given to the Gentiles, (that is, Ecclesiastical Courts, given to Antichrist & his Clergy) v. 2.
The Answer which (upon occasio of this Point) the Examiner giveth to the Papists Question, (Where was your Church before Luther?) though it seeme to him well and good: yet it gratifieth the Papists, and straitneth the holy Counsell of God in Scripture. The Question, saith he, is thus well answered, to wit, That since the Apostasie of Antichrist, Truth, and the holy Citie, (according to the Prophecy, Rev. 11. & 13.) have been troden under-foot, and the whole Earth hath wandered after the Beast; yet God hath stirred up witnesses to Prophecy in sackcloth against the Beast, during his 42 moneths Reigne. Neverthelesse, these witnesses have in their times more or lesse submitted to Antichrist, and his Church, Worship, Ministery, &c. And so consequently have been ignorant of the true Church, that is, Christ taken for the Church in the true Profession of that holy way of worship, which he himselfe at first appointed. This Answer giveth away the cause to the Papists. They demand, Where was your Church before Luther? This Answer giveth it for granted, that since the Apostasie there was no particular church extant in the world. This fully satisfieth their desire, and expectation: for if there were no Church of Christ in the world, for so many Centuries of yeares till Luther, then they readily conclude, That their Church of Rome was (before Luther) the onely Church in the world. For they urge it, (and I know not how we can fairely deny it) that the Church of Christ, even that Church to which the keys of the kingdome are committed, (which is the visible Church) is that against which the Gates of Hell shall not be able to prevaile, and so not all the Power of Antichrist. If then the visible Church of Christ shall never cease, and yet during all that time of the Apostasie of Antichrist, no Church was extant in the world, but the Church of Rome, then during all that time (which is not yet expired) the Church of Rome is, and hath been the onely Church of Christ these many ages. Besides, as this Answerer gratifieth the Papist, and maketh the promise of Christ (Mat. 16.18, 19,) of none effect: so it ⟨p. 69⟩straitneth the Counsell of God in the very Texts of Scripture alledged by himself. For in that Text (Rev. 11.) where the outward Court is given to the Gentiles, (that is, Ecclesiasticall Courts, given to Antichrist & his Clergy) v. 2.
