312. Que.'lion.r, andCafes ofConfctence Chap.3ò' 111. Thirdly, Sometimes the Church abuungpeace, and profperiry makes the Lord to(hip her naked an-1 bare, andto fend her into the wilderneflë, yea to makeher as awildernefle, Hof.2.3. IV. Fourthly the Church provides for her fafety fometimes by flying into the wildernefle : the is like a Dove in the rocks, Canr._.io. V. 51y,The Churches Militant condition fuffcrs her not alwaies CO be vifible,being not tyed ro anyone abate or place : therefore the is compared to the Moon being fometi 1 es in the full, and fometimes hid. Clue(£. what conclulions may be laid dawn concerning the vifibility of the Church ? Anfv. Firli, By the Church which we hold invifible, we mean the Catholick Church, even the multitude ofall the Ele& which have been, are , or thall be, which Church is holy, andnowickedperfons belong to it : Its a communion of Saints only, to whichbelongs remiflion of fins, and life everlaf ing, and this is inviLb'e to the world, and that r. Becaufe the ground , and foundation of it ( Gods Eleéiion ) is in- vifible. 2. The greate(i part of the Ele& arenot fubje& to fence : not the Saints in Heaven , nor many on Earth , fome being not born , others but new born. 3. Vifible things are not believed, but things invifible : Faith is of things not f.cn,and ifwe believe the holy C atholick Church, we cannot fee it. II, Secondly, concerning the Militant Church, we hold r: That God will alwaies have a part ofhis Catholick Church here on. Earth that (ball hold, and maintain the true Faith in the feveral Ages ro the Worlds end , and thiscannotfaile upon Earth. 2. This part of the Catholick Church confifis of men that are vifible, and exercifevifible Ordinances, as the Word, Sacraments, &c. and often inpeaceable times appears glorious inmanyparticular, and vifible Congregations. 3. That thefevifible, and particularChurches, are not alwayes vifible after the fame - manner : neither is any.part of the vifible Church ahvayes fo neceffarily vifible, but that it may difappear, as the Church in the Old and New Tefiaments have fome time done. 4. This number ofmen in whom this part of the Church contfieth, maycome to bea few, andby TyrannyandHerefie, their profeflion may be fo fecret a- mongfi themfelves, that theworld cannot fee them. Though like the Sun, fhe (nines in her felf, yet the maybe obfcured from the fight of others. ç. Though the Church cannot fail upon Earth, yet the external government of it may faile for a time : her Paflors may be interrupted, her (beep fcattered, her Difcipline hindered, the extern al-exercifeofReligion may be fufpended, and the finceriry of Religion exceedingly corrupted : fo that the members of the Church are onlyvifible amongfi themfelves. III. Thirdly, Though the ChurchofGod be not alwaies feen, yet the is alwayes I fafe, and that a. Becaufe if the cannot be fafe in theCity , the fhall be fafe in the Wilder- neffe, whereGodwill provide her a place, as Rev.Iz. t 4. z. Godspurpofe for the fafety ofhis Church cannot be altered by any enter- prifes ofher Enemies. Though Pharaoh flay all the infants, yet c. cafes (hall be preferved by his own daughter in hisown bofome tobe a deliverer. Though He- rod flay the infants, he thall miffe of him whom he feeks. 3. Godmakes high account of his Church, as theJigoet of his right hand , the apple ofh; f eye,therefore he will provide for her fafety. 4. Gods wifdommakes it healthful for his Church fometimes to be hid, chat fhe may alwaysbe fafe:otherwife the worldwould de(iroyher. Dr. Tailor on Rev. Q,uea.
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