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Word A Word B Word C Word D Occurrence Frequency Band MI MI Band Prominent
authority_n believe_v faith_n scripture_n 10,448 5 6.7135 4 true
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ID Title Author Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication) STC Words Pages
A59819 A discourse concerning the nature, unity, and communion of the Catholick Church wherein most of the controversies relating to the church are briefly and plainly stated / by William Sherlock. Sherlock, William, 1641?-1707. 1688 (1688) Wing S3291; ESTC R25626 35,974 70

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spirit_n which_o be_v a_o state_n of_o perfect_a and_o absolute_a subjection_n to_o he_o and_o therefore_o can_v have_v no_o authority_n to_o alter_v the_o faith_n to_o make_v a_o new_a creed_n or_o a_o new_a gospel_n which_o will_v be_v to_o have_v power_n over_o christ_n not_o to_o be_v subject_a to_o he_o to_o be_v sure_a unless_o we_o will_v grant_v this_o authority_n to_o every_o particular_a christian_a the_o catholic_n church_n can_v have_v it_o which_o be_v only_o the_o whole_a multitude_n of_o particular_a christian_n who_o be_v unite_v single_o to_o christ_n and_o make_v one_o body_n in_o he_o and_o therefore_o be_v not_o such_o a_o body_n as_o can_v make_v a_o new_a faith_n and_o new_a law_n but_o be_v make_v one_o body_n by_o embrace_v the_o same_o faith_n which_o they_o must_v receive_v from_o christ_n but_o have_v no_o authority_n to_o make_v because_o their_o receive_v this_o faith_n unite_v they_o into_o one_o body_n in_o christ_n and_o they_o continue_v one_o body_n in_o christ_n no_o long_o than_o they_o profess_v this_o faith_n and_o therefore_o never_o can_v have_v authority_n to_o change_v it_o where_o a_o multitude_n of_o man_n unite_v themselves_o into_o one_o body_n or_o civil_a society_n to_o form_n and_o model_n their_o own_o government_n and_o to_o make_v law_n for_o themselves_o there_o the_o whole_a authority_n be_v in_o the_o community_n and_o they_o may_v make_v and_o alter_v and_o repeal_v law_n as_o they_o please_v but_o where_o a_o society_n be_v form_v by_o a_o voluntary_a submission_n of_o single_a and_o particular_a person_n to_o know_a and_o state_v law_n and_o no_o man_n can_v be_v of_o this_o society_n without_o submission_n to_o these_o law_n nor_o continue_v long_o in_o it_o than_o he_o do_v submit_v to_o they_o it_o be_v a_o contradiction_n to_o say_v that_o such_o a_o body_n of_o man_n have_v any_o power_n over_o the_o law_n because_o it_o be_v only_o their_o submission_n to_o such_o law_n which_o make_v they_o such_o a_o society_n the_o whole_a society_n in_o this_o case_n have_v no_o more_o authority_n than_o a_o single_a man_n for_o they_o be_v not_o a_o society_n for_o government_n but_o for_o obedience_n and_o subjection_n christ_n indeed_o have_v place_v a_o authority_n in_o his_o church_n for_o the_o instruction_n and_o government_n of_o it_o but_o a_o authority_n in_o the_o church_n and_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o church_n be_v two_o very_a different_a thing_n the_o first_o signify_v the_o authority_n of_o christ_n who_o be_v the_o head_n the_o second_o be_v the_o authority_n of_o the_o body_n which_o be_v the_o church_n the_o head_n have_v authority_n over_o his_o church_n and_o may_v appoint_v what_o minister_n he_o please_v to_o exercise_v this_o authority_n but_o the_o church_n have_v no_o authority_n at_o all_o no_o more_o than_o the_o body_n have_v which_o be_v subject_a to_o the_o head._n this_o may_v be_v think_v a_o very_a nice_a distinction_n between_o the_o authority_n in_o the_o church_n and_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o church_n but_o it_o be_v as_o useful_a as_o it_o be_v true_a for_o tho'_o the_o authority_n of_o christ_n must_v be_v much_o more_o sacred_a and_o venerable_a than_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o church_n whatever_o authority_n it_o be_v suppose_v to_o have_v yet_o the_o name_n of_o the_o catholic_n church_n be_v think_v much_o more_o venerable_a than_o the_o name_n of_o bishop_n tho'_o they_o be_v the_o minister_n of_o christ_n and_o therefore_o those_o who_o will_v impose_v upon_o the_o faith_n of_o christian_n talk_v of_o nothing_o less_o than_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o catholic_n church_n which_o sound_v very_o big_a and_o fright_v people_n into_o a_o submission_n while_o they_o pretend_v only_o the_o authority_n of_o christ_n minister_n private_a christian_n make_v bold_a to_o examine_v their_o commission_n and_o how_o far_o their_o authority_n reach_v ●d_a whether_o they_o do_v not_o prevaricate_v in_o the_o exercise_n of_o this_o authority_n as_o it_o be_v possible_a minister_n may_v do_v but_o the_o name_n of_o the_o catholic_n church_n strike_v all_o dead_a for_o who_o dare_v oppose_v the_o decree_n of_o the_o catholic_n church_n which_o be_v to_o condemn_v the_o whole_a catholic_n church_n of_o error_n or_o heresy_n who_o dare_v separate_v from_o the_o catholic_n church_n which_o must_v be_v a_o unpardonable_a schism_n and_o a_o state_n of_o damnation_n since_o it_o be_v universal_o agree_v that_o there_o be_v no_o salvation_n to_o be_v have_v out_o of_o the_o catholic_n church_n and_o thus_o when_o a_o pack_v conventicle_n of_o schismatic_n and_o heretic_n usurp_v to_o themselves_o the_o name_n of_o the_o catholic_n church_n they_o impose_v upon_o christian_n under_o so_o venerable_a a_o disguise_n and_o enslave_v they_o to_o their_o own_o dictate_v but_o now_o all_o these_o amusement_n vanish_v when_o we_o remember_v that_o the_o catholic_n church_n have_v no_o authority_n that_o whatever_o the_o authority_n of_o bishop_n in_o or_o out_o of_o council_n be_v it_o be_v not_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o church_n but_o the_o authority_n of_o christ_n and_o it_o be_v not_o his_o authority_n neither_o when_o they_o exceed_v their_o commission_n and_o teach_v such_o thing_n as_o he_o have_v give_v they_o no_o authority_n to_o teach_v and_o therefore_o we_o may_v reject_v such_o a_o council_n of_o bishop_n without_o condemn_v the_o catholic_n church_n and_o renounce_v their_o communion_n without_o separate_v from_o the_o catholic_n church_n and_o this_o very_a consideration_n that_o the_o catholic_n church_n have_v no_o authority_n and_o therefore_o can_v innovate_v in_o matter_n of_o faith_n nor_o alter_v the_o law_n and_o institution_n of_o our_o saviour_n be_v little_o less_o than_o a_o demonstration_n that_o there_o be_v no_o authority_n in_o the_o church_n neither_o to_o do_v it_o for_o the_o bishop_n and_o pastor_n of_o the_o church_n as_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d christ_n minister_n so_o they_o be_v themselves_o member_n of_o the_o catholic_n church_n now_o as_o they_o be_v member_n of_o the_o catholic_n church_n they_o must_v receive_v nothing_o but_o what_o christ_n have_v teach_v for_o the_o church_n be_v found_v on_o the_o faith_n of_o christ_n and_o have_v no_o authority_n to_o alter_v it_o now_o be_v it_o imaginable_a that_o bishop_n as_o private_a christian_n and_o member_n of_o the_o catholic_n church_n be_v oblige_v to_o believe_v nothing_o but_o what_o christ_n have_v teach_v and_o yet_o as_o bishop_n or_o christ_n minister_n have_v authority_n to_o teach_v what_o christ_n have_v not_o teach_v that_o be_v that_o as_o bishop_n they_o have_v authority_n to_o teach_v that_o which_o as_o private_a christian_n they_o themselves_o must_v not_o believe_v if_o they_o will_v continue_v member_n of_o the_o catholic_n church_n nay_o can_v we_o imagine_v that_o christ_n have_v give_v authority_n to_o his_o minister_n to_o teach_v that_o which_o the_o catholic_n church_n must_v not_o receive_v for_o if_o the_o catholic_n church_n have_v no_o authority_n it_o must_v no_o more_o receive_v new_a doctrine_n than_o make_v they_o i_o know_v indeed_o no_o body_n will_v pretend_v to_o a_o authority_n of_o make_v new_a article_n of_o faith_n but_o only_o of_o declare_v what_o the_o faith_n be_v but_o this_o be_v the_o very_a same_o thing_n if_o this_o authority_n of_o declare_v be_v such_o as_o to_o oblige_v all_o people_n to_o believe_v such_o declaration_n without_o any_o dispute_n or_o examination_n for_o than_o they_o may_v make_v a_o new_a faith_n under_o a_o pretence_n of_o declare_v the_o old_a as_o we_o see_v the_o council_n of_o trent_n have_v do_v which_o have_v declare_v such_o doctrine_n as_o the_o christian_a church_n be_v a_o stranger_n to_o before_o and_o there_o be_v no_o difference_n that_o i_o know_v of_o between_o declare_v and_o make_v a_o article_n of_o faith_n which_o be_v neither_o declare_v nor_o make_v before_o and_o therefore_o christian_a bishop_n and_o pastor_n have_v no_o such_o authority_n either_o to_o make_v or_o to_o declare_v article_n of_o faith_n as_o can_v oblige_v all_o christian_n to_o believe_v it_o mere_o upon_o their_o definition_n and_o declaration_n it_o be_v their_o office_n to_o preach_v the_o gospel_n to_o convince_v and_o persuade_v gainsayer_n by_o scripture_n and_o reason_n which_o oblige_v all_o christian_n diligent_o and_o impartial_o to_o attend_v to_o their_o instruction_n but_o yet_o leave_v every_o man_n at_o liberty_n to_o judge_v whether_o they_o preach_v the_o gospel_n of_o christ_n or_o their_o own_o invention_n 2_o that_o the_o catholic_n church_n have_v no_o authority_n be_v evident_a from_o this_o also_o that_o it_o have_v no_o visible_a tribunal_n wherein_o to_o exercise_v this_o authority_n for_o the_o catholic_n church_n be_v nothing_o else_o but_o the_o whole_a company_n or_o multitude_n of_o individual_a christian_n who_o be_v all_o single_o unite_v to_o christ_n
the_o suffering_n of_o his_o natural_a body_n extend_v no_o far_o than_o his_o mystical_a body_n and_o therefore_o christ_n be_v say_v to_o have_v reconcile_v both_o jew_n and_o gentile_n to_o god_n in_o one_o body_n by_o the_o cross_n 2._o ephes._n 16._o that_o be_v he_o have_v reconcile_v all_o both_o jew_n and_o gentile_n who_o by_o faith_n and_o baptism_n be_v unite_v in_o his_o one_o mystical_a body_n to_o god_n by_o his_o suffering_n on_o the_o cross._n so_o that_o we_o be_v not_o the_o body_n of_o christ_n and_o can_v be_v say_v to_o be_v the_o purchase_n of_o his_o blood_n till_o we_o be_v unite_v to_o he_o by_o covenant_n this_o we_o may_v learn_v from_o that_o analogy_n there_o be_v between_o the_o law_n and_o the_o gospel_n the_o legal_a sacrifice_n especial_o that_o great_a sacrifice_n on_o the_o day_n of_o expiation_n be_v typical_o of_o the_o sacrifice_n of_o christ_n and_o the_o carnal_a israel_n be_v a_o type_n of_o the_o spiritual_a israel_n or_o of_o the_o christian_a church_n now_o as_o the_o virtue_n and_o expiation_n of_o legal_a sacrifice_n be_v applicable_a only_o to_o the_o carnal_a israel_n so_o the_o expiation_n of_o christ_n death_n extend_v only_o to_o the_o spiritual_a israel_n the_o christian_a church_n which_o be_v christ_n mystical_a body_n which_o one_o thing_n if_o well_o consider_v will_v answer_v all_o the_o difficulty_n and_o silence_v those_o fierce_a dispute_n about_o universal_a redemption_n however_o this_o show_n what_o difference_n there_o be_v between_o bad_a christian_n and_o the_o world_n of_o infidel_n the_o first_o be_v visible_o in_o covenant_n with_o christ_n and_o be_v the_o purchase_n of_o his_o blood_n and_o have_v a_o covenant-right_a to_o the_o redemption_n of_o it_o and_o therefore_o be_v member_n of_o his_o mystical_a body_n for_o none_o else_o have_v any_o right_n to_o his_o sacrifice_n the_o other_o have_v no_o interest_n in_o he_o nor_o relation_n to_o he_o and_o if_o we_o will_v not_o allow_v of_o this_o i_o desire_v to_o know_v who_o those_o child_n of_o the_o kingdom_n be_v that_o at_o the_o last_o day_n shall_v be_v shut_v out_o but_o be_v not_o our_o mystical_a union_n to_o christ_n then_o a_o union_n of_o spirit_n a_o participation_n of_o his_o nature_n and_o life_n have_v his_o spirit_n dwell_v in_o we_o be_v lead_v by_o the_o spirit_n and_o walk_v in_o the_o spirit_n i_o answer_v this_o be_v our_o spiritual_a union_n to_o christ_n this_o be_v to_o live_v in_o he_o to_o be_v quicken_v by_o he_o but_o it_o be_v not_o our_o mystical_a union_n as_o that_o signify_v such_o a_o union_n as_o make_v we_o member_n of_o his_o mystical_a body_n for_o that_o in_o a_o strict_a proper_a sense_n be_v only_o a_o covenant-relation_n every_o member_n of_o christ_n mystical_a body_n ought_v to_o partake_v of_o his_o life_n and_o spirit_n or_o else_o they_o be_v only_o dead_a and_o rot_a member_n which_o shall_v be_v cut_v off_o and_o shall_v never_o inherit_v eternal_a life_n but_o such_o dead_a 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do_v not_o reckon_v they_o as_o he_o and_o therefore_o the_o description_n and_o character_n of_o the_o church_n in_o scripture_n be_v such_o as_o belong_v only_o to_o live_a member_n to_o those_o who_o be_v renew_v and_o sanctify_a and_o quicken_v by_o the_o divine_a spirit_n but_o yet_o they_o do_v belong_v to_o christ_n mystical_a body_n though_o they_o be_v in_o it_o only_o as_o a_o dead_a branch_n be_v in_o the_o vine_n but_o how_o can_v the_o church_n on_o earth_n and_o the_o church_n in_o heaven_n be_v one_o church_n and_o one_o body_n if_o the_o church_n on_o earth_n have_v such_o corrupt_a and_o rot_a member_n in_o it_o for_o the_o church_n in_o heaven_n have_v none_o but_o live_v and_o holy_a member_n i_o answer_v the_o same_o covenant_n make_v they_o the_o same_o church_n and_o the_o same_o body_n of_o christ_n and_o that_o there_o be_v bad_a man_n in_o the_o church_n on_o earth_n and_o none_o but_o saint_n in_o heaven_n do_v not_o prove_v that_o they_o be_v two_o church_n 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from_o christ_n and_o the_o communication_n of_o his_o grace_n which_o he_o can_v receive_v from_o christ_n till_o he_o be_v unite_v to_o he_o and_o therefore_o the_o apostle_n require_v no_o other_o qualification_n for_o baptism_n but_o only_a faith_n the_o very_o worst_a of_o man_n who_o believe_v in_o christ_n and_o profess_a obedience_n to_o he_o be_v receive_v into_o the_o church_n by_o baptism_n and_o put_v under_o the_o influence_n of_o grace_n without_o expect_v till_o they_o have_v first_o reform_v their_o life_n which_o beside_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o apostle_n seem_v to_o i_o much_o more_o agreeable_a to_o the_o gospel-dispensation_n than_o that_o discipline_n which_o be_v afterward_o use_v in_o the_o church_n when_o they_o do_v not_o immediate_o baptize_v those_o who_o profess_v to_o believe_v in_o christ_n
and_o make_v one_o body_n in_o he_o and_o consider_v as_o the_o catholic_n church_n be_v not_o the_o one_o body_n of_o christ_n nor_o can_v be_v under_o any_o other_o notion_n so_o that_o have_v the_o catholic_n church_n any_o authority_n it_o can_v be_v exercise_v only_o by_o the_o whole_a multitude_n of_o christian_n for_o nothing_o else_o be_v the_o catholic_n church_n and_o this_o be_v as_o impossible_a as_o it_o be_v for_o the_o whole_a multitude_n of_o christian_n to_o meet_v together_o in_o one_o place_n but_o can_v the_o catholic_n church_n meet_v and_o act_v by_o its_o representative_n as_o kingdom_n and_o commonwealth_n do_v i_o answer_v i_o have_v already_o prove_v that_o all_o the_o bishop_n of_o the_o church_n much_o less_o any_o one_o bishop_n can_v represent_v the_o catholic_n church_n for_o as_o bishop_n they_o be_v not_o the_o church_n but_o the_o governor_n of_o it_o under_o christ_n and_o no_o man_n ever_o yet_o think_v of_o any_o other_o representatives_n for_o the_o church_n and_o it_o be_v evident_a de_fw-fr facto_fw-la that_o there_o be_v no_o other_o representative_n for_o the_o whole_a multitude_n of_o christian_n never_o do_v make_v choice_n of_o any_o such_o representative_n and_o no_o man_n can_v be_v represent_v but_o by_o his_o own_o consent_n and_o if_o there_o can_v be_v any_o such_o representative_n make_v by_o the_o unanimous_a vote_n of_o all_o the_o christian_n in_o the_o world_n which_o i_o think_v be_v moral_o impossible_a yet_o then_o the_o high_a and_o most_o sovereign_a authority_n in_o the_o church_n will_v be_v derive_v from_o the_o people_n which_o i_o suppose_v the_o church_n of_o rome_n will_v not_o very_o well_o like_a nay_o indeed_o it_o be_v absolute_o impossible_a that_o the_o catholic_n church_n shall_v be_v represent_v for_o the_o catholic_n church_n be_v the_o whole_a multitude_n of_o christian_n consider_v as_o the_o whole_a company_n or_o multitude_n now_o a_o multitude_n as_o a_o multitude_n can_v never_o be_v represent_v by_o any_o thing_n but_o itself_o there_o can_v be_v no_o formal_a nor_o virtual_a multitude_n but_o the_o whole_a entire_a number_n the_o catholic_n church_n signify_v all_o christian_n and_o if_o you_o leave_v out_o any_o of_o the_o number_n it_o be_v not_o all_o and_o therefore_o be_v not_o the_o catholic_n church_n now_o if_o the_o catholic_n church_n have_v any_o authority_n it_o must_v have_v it_o as_o it_o be_v the_o catholic_n church_n that_o be_v as_o it_o be_v the_o whole_a company_n of_o christian_n for_o particular_a christian_n have_v no_o such_o authority_n as_o all_o man_n grant_v and_o therefore_o that_o which_o destroy_v the_o catholic_n church_n must_v destroy_v its_o authority_n too_o and_o any_o thing_n less_o than_o all_o make_v it_o cease_v to_o be_v catholic_n and_o therefore_o the_o catholic_n church_n can_v be_v represent_v by_o a_o few_o of_o the_o whole_a number_n because_o a_o few_o be_v not_o all_o and_o therefore_o not_o the_o catholic_n church_n it_o be_v a_o different_a case_n indeed_o when_o every_o particular_a man_n have_v a_o original_n right_a and_o share_v in_o the_o power_n and_o the_o whole_a power_n be_v not_o formal_o seat_v in_o the_o whole_a body_n for_o than_o it_o may_v by_o common_a consent_n be_v contract_v into_o one_o or_o more_o hand_n by_o particular_a man_n give_v up_o their_o share_n in_o the_o government_n as_o some_o fancy_n that_o civil_a society_n be_v first_o form_v but_o where_o the_o power_n be_v formal_o seat_v in_o the_o whole_a and_o not_o in_o particular_a member_n as_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o catholic_n church_n must_v be_v if_o it_o be_v the_o authority_n of_o the_o church_n consider_v as_o catholic_n there_o it_o be_v evident_a the_o authority_n must_v continue_v in_o the_o whole_a and_o can_v by_o no_o consent_n be_v put_v into_o a_o few_o hand_n and_o than_o it_o be_v impossible_a that_o the_o catholic_n church_n can_v have_v any_o representative_n nor_o consequent_o any_o visible_a tribunal_n and_o yet_o that_o dispute_n between_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n and_o some_o protestant_a divine_n which_o be_v manage_v with_o so_o much_o warmth_n and_o zeal_n about_o the_o perpetual_a visibility_n of_o the_o church_n issue_v in_o this_o controversy_n about_o a_o visible_a tribunal_n of_o the_o catholic_n church_n for_o nothing_o else_o will_v do_v the_o protestant_a cause_n any_o hurt_n or_o the_o popish_a cause_n any_o good_a we_o do_v say_v and_o we_o may_v safe_o say_v that_o there_o always_o have_v be_v and_o ever_o will_v be_v a_o visible_a church_n for_o while_o there_o be_v any_o man_n who_o visible_o profess_v christianity_n there_o will_v be_v a_o visible_a church_n and_o what_o then_o what_o then_o why_o then_o you_o must_v hear_v the_o church_n than_o you_o must_v submit_v to_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o church_n than_o you_o must_v believe_v as_o the_o church_n believe_v and_o receive_v your_o faith_n from_o the_o decree_n and_o definition_n of_o the_o church_n but_o pray_v why_o so_o have_v every_o visible_a church_n this_o authority_n no_o but_o the_o catholic_n church_n have_v suppose_v that_o but_o how_o shall_v i_o speak_v with_o the_o catholic_n church_n which_o be_v disperse_v over_o all_o the_o world_n and_o be_v nothing_o else_o but_o the_o whole_a number_n of_o christian_n all_o the_o world_n over_o now_o it_o seem_v impossible_a for_o i_o to_o speak_v with_o all_o the_o christian_n in_o the_o world_n and_o to_o know_v what_o their_o belief_n be_v in_o all_o matter_n of_o controversy_n and_o though_o the_o catholic_n church_n be_v visible_a and_o part_n of_o it_o be_v to_o be_v see_v in_o england_n and_o part_n in_o holland_n and_o part_n in_o france_n etc._n etc._n yet_o no_o man_n can_v see_v it_o all_o together_o nor_o speak_v with_o all_o the_o christian_n in_o the_o world_n together_o and_o therefore_o though_o the_o catholic_n church_n be_v visible_a it_o can_v determine_v any_o one_o controversy_n unless_o there_o be_v some_o visible_a catholic_n tribunal_n from_o which_o we_o must_v receive_v the_o faith_n of_o the_o whole_a church_n this_o the_o papist_n assert_v and_o make_v the_o church_n of_o rome_n to_o be_v that_o visible_a catholic_n church_n or_o visible_a tribunal_n of_o the_o catholic_n church_n to_o which_o all_o christian_n be_v bind_v to_o submit_v now_o beside_o what_o i_o have_v already_o prove_v that_o the_o catholic_n church_n neither_o have_v nor_o can_v have_v any_o such_o visible_a tribunal_n suppose_v such_o a_o thing_n may_v be_v yet_o this_o dispute_n about_o the_o visibility_n of_o the_o church_n be_v nothing_o to_o the_o purpose_n for_o though_o the_o church_n be_v visible_a it_o do_v not_o hence_o follow_v that_o the_o catholic_n church_n have_v such_o a_o visible_a tribunal_n to_o which_o all_o christian_n must_v submit_v and_o if_o the_o visibility_n of_o the_o church_n do_v not_o prove_v one_o supreme_a catholic_n tribunal_n what_o do_v the_o papist_n get_v by_o the_o church_n visibility_n or_o what_o do_v the_o protestant_n lose_v by_o it_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n be_v a_o visible_a church_n and_o so_o be_v the_o church_n of_o england_n and_o if_o mere_a visibility_n give_v this_o authority_n to_o a_o church_n the_o church_n of_o england_n have_v as_o good_a authority_n as_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n because_o it_o be_v as_o visible_a a_o church_n 4._o in_o the_o next_o place_n i_o observe_v that_o the_o essential_a unity_n of_o the_o catholic_n church_n be_v not_o a_o external_a and_o visible_a union_n of_o a_o organise_v body_n because_o the_o catholic_n church_n itself_o be_v not_o a_o organise_v body_n there_o be_v and_o can_v be_v but_o one_o catholic_n church_n because_o the_o whole_a company_n of_o christian_n be_v this_o catholic_n church_n but_o then_o the_o essential_a unity_n of_o the_o catholic_n church_n do_v not_o consist_v in_o a_o external_a and_o visible_a union_n of_o all_o christian_n which_o be_v the_o unity_n of_o civil_a society_n of_o kingdom_n and_o commonwealth_n and_o other_o inferior_a corporation_n which_o be_v unite_v under_o one_o visible_a government_n which_o knit_v and_o tie_v they_o together_o as_o nerve_n and_o sinew_n do_v the_o member_n of_o the_o natural_a body_n but_o though_o there_o be_v a_o external_a and_o visible_a union_n in_o and_o between_o particular_a church_n of_o which_o more_o present_o yet_o the_o unity_n of_o the_o catholic_n church_n consist_v only_o in_o the_o union_n of_o all_o christian_n to_o christ_n which_o make_v they_o his_o one_o mystical_a body_n this_o be_v a_o very_a material_a point_n in_o opposition_n to_o the_o pretension_n of_o the_o bishop_n of_o rome_n who_o will_v needs_o be_v the_o supreme_a and_o ecumenical_a pastor_n and_o head_n of_o unity_n to_o the_o catholic_n church_n and_o though_o the_o christian_a world_n never_o own_v he_o so_o as_o have_v be_v abundant_o prove_v by_o
church_n in_o heaven_n into_o one_o body_n unless_o this_o visible_a head_n on_o earth_n be_v the_o head_n of_o the_o invisible_a church_n in_o heaven_n too_o for_o if_o the_o unity_n of_o the_o church_n consist_v in_o be_v unite_v under_o one_o head_n that_o head_n must_v be_v the_o head_n of_o the_o whole_a church_n or_o else_o the_o church_n be_v not_o unite_v in_o the_o head_n if_o the_o head_n which_o be_v the_o principle_n of_o union_n be_v not_o the_o head_n of_o the_o whole_a now_o i_o suppose_v no_o papist_n will_v say_v that_o the_o bishop_n of_o rome_n be_v the_o head_n of_o the_o invisible_a as_o well_o as_o of_o the_o visible_a church_n and_o then_o the_o church_n be_v not_o one_o by_o be_v unite_v under_o the_o bishop_n of_o rome_n though_o there_o be_v some_o thing_n which_o will_v make_v one_o suspect_v that_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n do_v believe_v the_o pope_n to_o be_v the_o head_n of_o the_o invisible_a as_o well_o as_o of_o the_o visible_a church_n for_o if_o his_o authority_n be_v confine_v to_o the_o church_n on_o earth_n one_o will_v wonder_v whence_o he_o shall_v pretend_v to_o canozie_n saint_n in_o heaven_n or_o to_o release_v soul_n out_o of_o purgatory_n unless_o his_o be_v christ_n vicar_n on_o earth_n make_v he_o his_o vicar_n in_o heaven_n and_o in_o purgatory_n also_o but_o this_o by_o the_o way_n if_o they_o say_v that_o when_o they_o speak_v of_o the_o unity_n of_o the_o church_n they_o mean_v only_o the_o unity_n of_o the_o church_n on_o earth_n and_o that_o the_o pope_n be_v the_o visible_a head_n of_o this_o unity_n i_o answer_v 1._o that_o they_o must_v grant_v then_o that_o they_o speak_v very_o improper_o for_o the_o church_n on_o earth_n be_v not_o that_o one_o church_n which_o be_v the_o one_o body_n of_o christ_n and_o therefore_o the_o unity_n of_o the_o church_n do_v not_o consist_v in_o the_o headship_n of_o the_o pope_n but_o they_o ought_v only_o to_o say_v that_o the_o unity_n of_o the_o church_n on_o earth_n consist_v in_o its_o union_n to_o the_o pope_n 2._o and_o therefore_o they_o must_v quit_v all_o their_o argument_n for_o the_o pope_n headship_n take_v from_o the_o church_n be_v one_o the_o one_o body_n of_o christ_n for_o the_o church_n on_o earth_n be_v not_o this_o one_o body_n of_o christ_n and_o therefore_o it_o do_v not_o follow_v that_o because_o christ_n have_v but_o one_o body_n therefore_o the_o church_n on_o earth_n must_v have_v one_o visible_a head._n 3._o nay_o they_o must_v confess_v that_o the_o formal_a and_o essential_a unity_n of_o the_o church_n on_o earth_n do_v not_o consist_v in_o its_o union_n to_o the_o pope_n for_o the_o church_n on_o earth_n be_v one_o with_o the_o church_n in_o heaven_n they_o be_v both_o but_o one_o church_n and_o therefore_o must_v have_v the_o same_o essential_a unity_n for_o how_o they_o shall_v be_v one_o by_o two_o sort_n of_o unity_n that_o be_v be_v one_o without_o the_o same_o formal_a unity_n be_v very_o mysterious_a and_o near_o a_o kin_n to_o a_o contradiction_n and_o therefore_o since_o the_o unity_n of_o the_o church_n in_o heaven_n do_v not_o consist_v in_o its_o union_n to_o the_o pope_n no_o more_o do_v the_o unity_n of_o the_o church_n on_o earth_n the_o unity_n be_v the_o same_o in_o both_o and_o thus_o all_o their_o argument_n from_o the_o unity_n of_o the_o church_n on_o earth_n to_o prove_v a_o universal_a visible_a head_n of_o the_o church_n be_v lose_v too_o 2_o nor_o do_v the_o unity_n of_o the_o church_n consist_v in_o join_v together_o in_o the_o external_a and_o visible_a act_n of_o worship_n or_o in_o maintain_v mutual_a intercourse_n and_o correspondence_n with_o each_o other_o these_o be_v duty_n which_o result_n from_o church-unity_n when_o they_o be_v practicable_a as_o i_o shall_v show_v more_o hereafter_o but_o the_o unity_n of_o the_o church_n can_v consist_v in_o they_o for_o the_o church_n in_o heaven_n and_o earth_n be_v one_o without_o they_o and_o so_o may_v distant_a church_n on_o earth_n be_v one_o church_n without_o any_o such_o visible_a correspondence_n 3_o nor_o can_v the_o unity_n of_o the_o church_n consist_v in_o such_o article_n of_o faith_n as_o have_v not_o always_o be_v the_o faith_n of_o the_o christian_a church_n for_o since_o the_o whole_a church_n in_o all_o age_n be_v but_o one_o it_o can_v have_v but_o one_o faith_n and_o that_o can_v be_v the_o one_o faith_n which_o have_v not_o be_v the_o faith_n of_o the_o whole_a church_n and_o therefore_o it_o be_v ridiculous_a to_o talk_v of_o such_o a_o power_n in_o the_o church_n of_o every_o age_n as_o to_o make_v or_o declare_v new_a article_n of_o faith_n unless_o there_o be_v authority_n to_o make_v a_o new_a church_n too_o in_o every_o age_n but_o then_o how_o the_o church_n shall_v change_v its_o faith_n in_o every_o age_n and_o yet_o continue_v one_o and_o the_o same_o church_n be_v worth_a inquiry_n as_o far_o as_o any_o church_n have_v alter_v the_o faith_n of_o the_o apostle_n and_o primitive_a christian_n it_o be_v become_v a_o new_a church_n and_o a_o new_a church_n i_o think_v be_v not_o the_o same_o with_o the_o old_a the_o unity_n of_o the_o present_a church_n consider_v as_o a_o church_n do_v not_o consist_v only_o in_o its_o unity_n with_o itself_o but_o with_o the_o church_n also_o of_o former_a age_n for_o unless_o it_o be_v one_o with_o the_o apostolic_a church_n it_o can_v be_v the_o one_o church_n of_o christ_n and_o therefore_o tho'_o all_o the_o christian_a world_n shall_v at_o this_o day_n unite_v in_o the_o faith_n and_o worship_n of_o the_o council_n of_o trent_n it_o will_v be_v as_o much_o divide_v from_o the_o one_o church_n of_o christ_n as_o it_o differ_v from_o the_o faith_n and_o worship_n of_o the_o primitive_a church_n i_o shall_v only_o observe_v here_o by_o the_o way_n what_o a_o contradiction_n the_o worship_n of_o saint_n and_o the_o virgin_n mary_n be_v to_o the_o belief_n of_o one_o church_n for_o if_o the_o church_n in_o heaven_n and_o in_o earth_n be_v but_o one_o church_n than_o the_o most_o glorious_a saint_n in_o heaven_n not_o except_v the_o bless_a virgin_n herself_o be_v but_o member_n of_o the_o same_o body_n with_o we_o which_o make_v it_o as_o absurd_a to_o worship_v they_o in_o heaven_n as_o it_o be_v for_o one_o member_n of_o the_o same_o body_n on_o earth_n to_o worship_n another_o for_o they_o be_v the_o same_o body_n still_o and_o tho'_o there_o be_v a_o great_a difference_n in_o honour_n between_o the_o member_n of_o the_o same_o body_n yet_o that_o relation_n that_o be_v between_o they_o will_v not_o admit_v of_o the_o worship_n of_o any_o member_n for_o it_o be_v no_o act_n of_o communion_n in_o the_o same_o body_n for_o one_o member_n to_o worship_n another_o to_o pay_v divine_a honour_n to_o erect_v temple_n and_o altar_n to_o the_o great_a saint_n advance_v they_o above_o the_o degree_n of_o fellow-member_n and_o if_o they_o be_v not_o fellow-member_n of_o the_o same_o body_n than_o the_o church_n in_o heaven_n and_o in_o earth_n be_v not_o one_o church_n from_o whence_o we_o may_v learn_v who_o they_o be_v who_o divide_v the_o unity_n of_o the_o church_n they_o who_o command_v the_o worship_n of_o saint_n and_o the_o virgin_n or_o those_o who_o refuse_v it_o we_o believe_v the_o church_n in_o heaven_n and_o earth_n to_o be_v the_o one_o body_n of_o christ_n and_o that_o the_o most_o glorious_a saint_n be_v but_o member_n of_o the_o same_o body_n with_o we_o and_o therefore_o not_o the_o object_n of_o our_o worship_n but_o of_o our_o brotherly_a love_n and_o honour_n but_o those_o who_o worship_n saint_n destroy_v the_o unity_n of_o christ_n body_n by_o divide_v the_o church_n on_o earth_n and_o the_o church_n in_o heaven_n for_o nothing_o be_v more_o contrary_a to_o the_o sense_n of_o mankind_n than_o to_o worship_n those_o of_o our_o own_o communion_n and_o therefore_o the_o natural_a interpretation_n of_o that_o worship_n they_o pay_v to_o saint_n be_v that_o they_o be_v not_o member_n of_o the_o same_o body_n with_o we_o but_o be_v as_o much_o above_o we_o as_o the_o object_n of_o our_o worship_n be_v and_o aught_o to_o be_v 2_o this_o notion_n of_o church-unity_n that_o it_o must_v include_v the_o whole_a church_n from_o the_o begin_n of_o christianity_n to_o the_o end_n of_o the_o world_n as_o well_o that_o part_n of_o it_o which_o be_v already_o transplant_v into_o heaven_n as_o that_o which_o still_o sojourn_v on_o earth_n which_o be_v all_o but_o one_o body_n may_v direct_v we_o wherein_o to_o place_v this_o unity_n of_o the_o church_n which_o to_o be_v sure_o can_v consist_v in_o nothing_o but_o what_o belong_v to_o the_o whole_a church_n any_o notion_n of_o unity_n which_o do_v