Conference Between Rainolds and Hart, Conclusions 3
CONCLVSIONS HANDLED IN DIVINITIE SCHOOLE, THE III. OF NOVEMBER 1579.
1 The holy Catholike Church, which we beleeue, is the whole company of Gods elect and chosen.
HE, who the sea, the earth, the skyes made by his worde of nought,
Who by eternall power doth guide and rule all things he wrought:
Did choose from out the sonnes of men before the world was pight,
Such as with blessed angels aye should ioy his blisfull sight.
The Iewes are not the onelyonly men that make this holy band,
But they are souldiers chosen out of eueryevery toung, and land:
Where on the south the mightie prince of Abissines doth raigne;
Where on the north the coasts do lye that looke to Charles waine;
Where Phaebus with his glistring beames doth raise the dawning light,
And sinking in the westerne seas doth bring the darksome night.
The fle…h can not by natures light such hidden truthes pursue:
But Christian faith by light of grace this Catholike Church doth vew.
2 The Church of Rome is not the Catholike Church, nor a sound member of the catholike Church.
THey do not well who shut the world within the Roman boundes:
Christs Church is spred through al ye earth without restraint of mounds▪
Rome was (I grant) a faithfull branch of this renowned vine:
Rome was a myrrour that in grace, in zeale, in louelove, did shine:
Rome was commended farre and wide for faith in Christ his name:
For Peters doctrine taught and kept Rome was of worthy fame.
But where Rome was, now ruines are. The Capitoll is s…ooried:
The groūd is bathde in Christians blood, whō Romish woolues hauehave wooried.
Her Churches are with idoles stained, her guides with maners vile,
Whom lustfull traines, and wicked hearts, and beds vnchast defile.
O thrise vnhappie Babylon, that Sions spoyle doost woorke,
Under the noble name and hue of Sion wouldest thou lurke?
3 The reformed churches in England, Scotland, France, Germany, and other kingdomes & common wealthes hauehave seuered them selues lawfully from the church of Rome.
A Place of haunt for deuils and sprits is Babylon waxt, saith Iohn.
Art thou desirous to be saued? from Babylon be gon.
The names and trickes of Babylon Rome on it selfe doth take.
Then, if ye séeke eternall life, sée that ye Rome forsake.
This hauehave the noble Germanes done bidding the Pope a dieu:
England hath followed Germany, Romes thraldome to eschew.
Beholde the Lord hath called on the Flemish, French, and Dane:
And Scotland hath escaped eke the Papall deadly bane.
O that the remnant of the world by faith to Christ were knit,
And Princes to the Prince of all their scepters would submit.
Build vp O Lord, O father deare, the church and Sions fort:
That vntounto thée from Babylon thy people may resort.