An Inquiry into the History and Theology of the Ancient Vallenses and Albigenses

governor, to suppose that Christ has never ceased to be spiritually present is, so far as I can perceive, a direct contradiction in terms. For, what fellowship has righteousness with unrighteousness? And what communion has light with darkness? And what concord has Christ with Belial? And what agreement has the temple of God with idols? 2 Corinthians 6:14-16. And how can Christ come to destroy in his anger that which he has incessantly preserved from all doctrinal and practical obliquity by the direct influence of his spiritual presence?

Matters having been brought to this point, we may now turn to the Bishop’s argument, which, with parental fondness, he pronounces to be so clear that no Protestant can controvert it.

1. With all respect for the very superior talents of Bossuet Jacques-Bénigne Bossuet, a prominent 17th-century French bishop and theologian., his argument, on two several grounds, I cannot but deem sophistical.

(1.) When he speaks of the Church being always visible, and always existent, and always professing the truth of the Gospel, and always incapable of departing from sound doctrine: it is clear, from the immediate context, that he exhibits himself as speaking of the Catholic Church.

But what is it that he would have us to under...