r.7G THE CHAMBER OF IMAGERY.
in the generality of its rulers, and tliem tliat are ruled ; and in its state cruel, oppressive, and dyed vvitli the blood of saints, and martjTS innumerable. This, I say, is that imago of the holy catholic church, the spouse of Christ, which they have set up. And it hath been as the image of Moloch, that hath devom-ed and consumed the children of the church; whose cries, when their cruel stepmother pitied them not, and when their pretended ghostly fathers cast them into the flames, came up unto the ears of the Lord of hosts ; and their blood still cries for vengeance on this idolatrous generation. Yet is this jjretence of the catholic church pressed, in the minds of many, with so many sophistical artifices, through the sleight of men and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive, proposed with the allurements of so many secular advantages, and imjoosed ofttimes on Christians with so much force and cruelty, that nothing can secure us from the admission of it, unto the utter overthrow of religion, but the means before insisted on. A spiritual light is necessary hereunto, to discern the internal spiritual beauty and glory of the true catholic church of Christ. Where this is in its power, all the paintings and dresses of their deformed image will fall off from it, and its abomi- nable filth will be made to appear. And this Avill be accompanied with an effectual experience of the glory and excellency of that grace in the souls of those that believe, derived from Christ, the sole head of this church, whereby they are changed " from glory to glory, as by the Spirit of the Lord." The power, life, and sweetness hereof, will give satisfaction unto their souls, to the contempt of the pretended order, or dependence on the pope as a head. By these means the true catholic church, — which is the body of Christ, the fulness of him tliat filleth all in all, — growing up unto him in all things who is the head, despiseth this image, and Dagon will fall to the ground when this Arlc is brought in; yea, though it be in his own temple.
III. In the farther opening of this Chamber of Imagery, we shall yet, if it be possible, see greater abominations; at least, that which doth next ensue is scarce inferior unto any of them that went before.
Sect. VIII. It is a principle in Christian religion, an acknowledged verity, that it is tJie clutg of the disciples of Christ, especially as united in churches, to propagate the faith of the gospel, and to make the doctrine of it known unto all as they have opportunity ; yea, this is one principal end of the constitution of churches, and officers in them. Matt. v. 13-1(); 1 Tim. iii. 15.
This our Lord Jesus Christ gave in special charge unto his apostles at the begimiing, Matt, xxviii. 19, 20; Mark xvi, 15, 16. Hereby tlicy were oljligod unto the work of propagating the faith of the gos])el, au'tl the knowledge of him therein, in all ])laces, and were justified in their so doing. And this they did with that efficacy and success,
THE CHAMBER OF IMAGERY, 577
that, in a short tune, Hke the Hght of the sun, " their sound went into all the earth, and their words unto the ends of the world," Rom. X. 18; and the gospel was said to be " preached to every creature which is under heaven," Col. i. 23. The way, therefore, whereby they propagated the faith, was by diligent, laborious preaching of the doc- trine of the gospel unto all persons in all places, with patience and magnanimity in undergoing all sorts of sufferings on the account of it, and a declaration of its power in all those virtues and graces which are useful and exemplaiy unto mankind. It is true, their office and the discharge of it is long since ceased; howbeit it cannot be denied but that the work itself is incumbent, in a way of duty, on all churches, yea, on all believers, as they have providential calls unto it, and opportunities for it. For it is the principal way whereby they may glorify God and benefit men in theu' chiefest good ; which, with- out doubt, they are obliged unto.
This notion of truth is retained in the Church of Kome : and the work itself is appropriated by them unto themselves alone. Unto them, and them only, as they suppose, it belongs to take care of the propagation of the faith of the gospel, with the conversion of infidels and heretics. Whatever is done unto this purpose by others, they condemn and abhor. What do they think of the primitive way of doing it, — by personal preaching, sufferings, and holiness? Will the pope, his cardinals and bishops, undertake this work or way of the discharge of it? Christ hath appointed no other; the apostles and their successors knew no other; — no other becomes the gospel, nor ever had sviccess. No ; they abhor and detest this way of it. What, then, is to be done? Shall the truth be denied? shall the work wholly and avowedly be laid aside ? Neither will this please them ; because it is not suited unto their honour: wherefore they have erected a dismal image of it, unto the horrible reproach of Christian religion. They have, indeed, provided a double painting for the image which they have set up. The first is the constant consult of some persons at Rome, which they call "Congregatio de Propaganda Fide," — a council for the propagation of the faith ; under the effect of whose consulta- tions Christendom hath long groaned : and the other is, the sending of missionaries, as they call them, or a surcharge of friars from their over-numerous fraternities, upon their errands into remote nations.