I came across this in " The Marrow of Theology" by William Ames(1576-1633) "32. The Church itself, is divided into the Church hidden and manifest.33. The manifest church is found where a greater number of saints exist and profession is freer and more public.34. The Hidden Church is found where the number is fewer and profession is less open . This is likely to occur in times of Heresies, persecutions or godless morality.." love,andy
_________________andy
Reminds me of this:Psa_83:3 They have taken crafty counsel against thy people, and consulted against thy hidden ones.