C A P. 3. ewlation of tl'e Apocalypfe. 157 Luojti- doores,all paffage being in a manner flint up againff him. The Church the Ordinance of Godwas in vigour ofolc6 vain g;o-. and is fo at this day in the Counterpaine ofit, hath an unlocked and riouSLa opened doore, all reliques ofAntichrifl being thrufk óut by the head odicea. and fhoulders; bat moil ofall, becaufe the true ufe of Excommuni- catio,s is reffored, whereby the gates of heaven areboth that and ope- ned, as alto the doores of every mans confcience are unfealed,that fo Chrift may come eafily in without any flay : For where there is a watch kept over the manners of every man, andmen are admonifh- ,ed, reproved, cut off, received in, as occafìon is offered, and other things are faithfully and diligently performed, which the regard of the falvation ofevery one requireth; there all the bars and bolts of the heart are plucked away, and then indeed do the gates lift stp their heads, that the Icing ofglory may come in. But Peeing England is luke- warme, by reafon ofthe contagion ofthe R mifb regiment (as Laodi- cea was ofold for fome temperature like to this) neither hath it any adminiffring of thecenfures permitted to the lawful Paffors,as Chrift 'lath appointed ; as oft therefore as the Word is preached, Chriif flandeth knocking,as it were,at the doores being fhut,aud can get no other paffage into the heart thenfee can win with words ; the force whreofwe reade indeed to have beengreat of old, when three thou- fand fonles Were converted by one Sermon, A. 2.41. Neither is it leffepowerful! at this day in regard of it felfe : yet there is another regard to be had of the Church when it is tobe gathered, then when it is once gathered; God fheweth himfelfe extraordinarily bountiful) when fiat he inviteth a people, the which after heehath once gathe- red into one flocke, he will have to be increafed in the ordinary man- ner that is appointed. In regard therefore of the fruit ofthe Gofpei, the people feelethno leaè the loffe of fo notable an Ordinance, than theefingellflìould acknowledge himfelfe to bemaimed and lsme,bè- ing bereaved ofhis lawful) power and authority. This kel is wanting to our Church, neither is it marvell,that Chrift lhould beRayed from entring in readily,while the doores be (hut againft him. But what, are we therefore left de/Unite of all maner of good things ? Nothing fo, but we do enjoy a double benefit that maketh for the falvation of the Elect; thehric whereofis the entrance in of Chrift among thofe that open untohim : the fecond is the molt fweet fitting of thefe menat ChriflsSupper ; That is, the moil deleaable folace which the Saints enjoyby receivingChriff,as often as they perceive that at the preachh -, ing ofthe Word their hearts are opened through faith,by the help of Y 2 the
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