10 I VERSE 3. Briertvood of Religion. Afanifcfla fe tam Dei virt ;es contra odiabu- manaporrexit : cum tantomagic Chrifittsprxcii. careur, quanta magis prxchcari inhibtrctur. Haar. contra luxeaL Multitudes borne unto 11... 01=amy dy,but yet confider it comparativelywith the othermore prevailing &malignant part ofthe world, & fo it is but a littleflockas many grainesand meafuresofeorne may lie hid under a greater heape ofchaffe. Secondly , the Church now is many,comparatively with the old church of the lewes,more are the Childrenofthedefolatethanef themarriedwife,Efai.54.I.But nor comparatively with the adverfaries of the Church in general!. Wee feeof thirtieparts ofthe world, nineteeneare either idolatrous or Mahumetan and the othereleven ferving Chrift in fo different a manner as ifthere were many Chrifts or many Golpels,or many wayes to thefame end. Thirdly, thoughChrifi al wayes havea numerew effifrring, yet in- feverall ages there is olifervable a different purity and confpicuoufneffe according to the different aidminifira- tions and breathings of the Spirit upon his garden. In force ages the Do6frine more uncorrupt, the profeffion and acceptation more univerfall than in others. In the Apoilles times there were many borne unto Chrifi , by reafon of the more abundant meafure of Spirit which was fhed abroad upon them,rst.3.6. In the times ofthe Primitive perfecutions there were many likewifc born, becaufe God would glorifie the foundations of his Church , and the power ofhis Spirit above the prideof men. In the firli countenancing ofit by Imperial! Laws and favors,it was very general! andconfpicuous,becaufe profeffed by the obedience , and introduced by the po. wer ofthofe great emperors whom the world followed. But after that longpeace and great dignities hadcorrup. ted the miudes ofthe chide in the Church , and made them looke more after the porripe than the purity thereof the myfiery ofiniquity,likea weeci,grew apace) and overfpread the Come , firif abufing , and after that lubje&ing the power of princes, and bewitching the. Kings ofthe earth with its fornications. Hence likewife wee may !carne to' Gods j,
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