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Word A Word B Word C Word D Occurrence Frequency Band MI MI Band Prominent
christian_n bind_v church_n communion_n 1,436 5 9.0889 5 false
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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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it_o as_o evident_a that_o there_o never_o can_v be_v more_o than_o one_o church_n in_o the_o world_n for_o those_o nominal_a church_n which_o have_v not_o the_o same_o lord_n the_o same_o faith_n the_o same_o baptism_n be_v no_o church_n and_o all_o that_o have_v be_v but_o one_o which_o make_v it_o a_o ridiculous_a triumph_n of_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n as_o if_o we_o protestant_n do_v not_o believe_v one_o catholic_n church_n or_o can_v not_o tell_v where_o to_o find_v it_o when_o we_o profess_v to_o believe_v but_o one_o church_n and_o that_o all_o true_a church_n be_v member_n of_o this_o one_o church_n for_o it_o be_v plain_a from_o this_o account_n that_o though_o all_o the_o church_n in_o the_o world_n be_v unite_v in_o one_o ecclesiastical_a body_n yet_o this_o external_a visible_a union_n be_v not_o the_o thing_n which_o make_v they_o the_o one_o body_n of_o christ_n they_o be_v one_o body_n by_o be_v all_o unite_a to_o one_o mystical_a head_n the_o lord_n jesus_n christ_n not_o by_o a_o external_a and_o visible_a union_n to_o each_o other_o this_o external_a union_n be_v a_o duty_n which_o all_o christian_n and_o christian_a church_n be_v bind_v to_o observe_v as_o far_o as_o possible_o they_o can_v but_o all_o true_a christian_n and_o christian_a church_n be_v the_o one_o body_n of_o christ_n whether_o they_o be_v thus_o visible_o unite_v or_o not_o but_o for_o the_o better_a understanding_n this_o matter_n we_o must_v consider_v i._o the_o true_a notion_n of_o the_o catholic_n church_n on_o earth_n ii_o what_o the_o nature_n and_o unity_n of_o a_o particular_a church_n be_v and_o how_o every_o particular_a church_n be_v a_o part_n of_o that_o universal_a catholic_n church_n which_o be_v the_o body_n of_o christ._n iii_o what_o that_o unity_n and_o communion_n be_v which_o all_o distinct_a particular_a church_n ought_v to_o maintain_v with_o each_o other_o and_o whence_o this_o obligation_n result_v i._o the_o true_a notion_n of_o the_o catholic_n 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learned_a man_n especial_o by_o the_o learned_a dr._n isaac_n barrow_n in_o his_o treatise_n of_o the_o pope_n supremacy_n which_o be_v a_o sufficient_a confutation_n of_o such_o a_o claim_n yet_o it_o will_v be_v of_o great_a use_n to_o show_v from_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o catholic_n church_n and_o the_o essential_a unity_n of_o it_o that_o it_o can_v be_v so_o and_o there_o be_v several_a consideration_n which_o will_v make_v this_o very_a evident_a 1._o that_o there_o be_v no_o other_o head_n for_o the_o whole_a catholic_n church_n on_o earth_n to_o be_v unite_v to_o but_o only_o christ_n for_o the_o catholic_n church_n be_v the_o whole_a company_n of_o christian_n and_o to_o who_o can_v the_o whole_a company_n of_o christian_n be_v unite_v but_o only_o to_o christ_n for_o the_o whole_a clergy_n as_o well_o as_o laiety_n be_v include_v in_o the_o notion_n of_o the_o catholic_n church_n in_o the_o whole_a company_n of_o christian_n and_o therefore_o unless_o you_o can_v find_v 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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
the_o church_n and_o reject_v a_o corrupt_a communion_n though_o we_o be_v christian_n still_o and_o we_o hope_v of_o a_o much_o pure_a communion_n than_o they_o be_v schism_n and_o separation_n be_v a_o breach_n of_o the_o external_a and_o visible_a communion_n of_o the_o church_n not_o of_o the_o essential_a unity_n of_o it_o the_o church_n be_v one_o church_n still_o whatever_o breach_n and_o schism_n there_o be_v in_o its_o external_a communion_n for_o the_o unity_n of_o the_o catholic_n church_n consist_v in_o the_o union_n of_o the_o whole_a to_o christ_n which_o make_v they_o one_o body_n in_o he_o not_o in_o the_o external_a communion_n of_o the_o several_a part_n of_o it_o to_o each_o other_o and_o therefore_o it_o be_v not_o a_o separation_n from_o one_o another_o but_o only_o a_o separation_n from_o christ_n which_o be_v a_o separation_n from_o the_o catholic_n church_n but_o what_o the_o true_a notion_n of_o schism_n be_v i_o shall_v discourse_v more_o at_o large_a hereafter_o 5._o i_o observe_v further_o that_o the_o indefectibility_n of_o the_o catholic_n church_n do_v not_o depend_v upon_o the_o indefectibility_n of_o any_o organise_v church_n for_o the_o catholic_n church_n do_v not_o consist_v of_o organise_v church_n as_o organise_v but_o be_v make_v up_o of_o particular_a christian_n and_o therefore_o while_o the_o whole_a race_n of_o christian_n do_v not_o fail_v in_o the_o world_n the_o catholic_n church_n can_v fail_v there_o be_v no_o promise_n that_o i_o know_v of_o to_o any_o particular_a church_n that_o it_o shall_v not_o fail_v and_o all_o organise_v church_n be_v particular_a several_a of_o they_o have_v total_o fail_v other_o have_v be_v very_o great_o corrupt_v both_o in_o faith_n and_o manner_n and_o worship_n but_o have_v these_o failure_n and_o corruption_n be_v much_o great_a and_o more_o general_a than_o ever_o they_o have_v be_v yet_o while_o there_o be_v a_o number_n of_o good_a christian_n preserve_v in_o the_o world_n though_o not_o unite_v in_o one_o visible_a body_n the_o catholic_n church_n do_v not_o fail_v for_o since_o the_o catholic_n church_n be_v not_o a_o organise_v church_n nor_o make_v up_o of_o organise_v church_n as_o such_o though_o all_o the_o particular_a organise_v church_n in_o the_o world_n be_v so_o corrupt_a as_o not_o to_o deserve_v the_o name_n of_o true_a church_n if_o there_o be_v a_o number_n of_o good_a christian_n preserve_v among_o they_o though_o unknown_a and_o conceal_v as_o it_o be_v in_o the_o time_n of_o elias_n the_o catholic_n church_n be_v safe_a amid_o all_o the_o corruption_n of_o particular_a church_n i_o be_o abundant_o satisfy_v that_o there_o always_o have_v be_v since_o the_o first_o plant_n of_o christianity_n in_o the_o world_n and_o i_o believe_v always_o will_v be_v to_o the_o end_n of_o the_o world_n a_o true_a visible_a church_n but_o yet_o i_o do_v not_o think_v the_o indefectibility_n of_o the_o church_n necessary_o require_v a_o perpetual_a visibility_n that_o the_o church_n must_v needs_o be_v own_v to_o fail_v if_o there_o shall_v be_v no_o visible_a organise_v church_n with_o who_o we_o can_v hold_v communion_n this_o indeed_o will_v mighty_o eclipse_v but_o not_o extinguish_v the_o church_n for_o it_o be_v certain_a the_o catholic_n church_n subsist_v in_o single_a and_o individual_a christian_n who_o may_v lie_v conceal_v from_o public_a not_o notice_n and_o therefore_o it_o be_v not_o sufficient_a to_o prove_v that_o the_o church_n have_v fail_v though_o there_o be_v no_o visible_a society_n of_o christian_n but_o what_o be_v corrupt_v with_o damnable_a practice_n and_o error_n it_o be_v very_o true_a be_v there_o no_o visible_a society_n of_o christian_n no_o administration_n of_o baptism_n by_o which_o man_n be_v make_v member_n of_o the_o christian_a church_n and_o this_o state_n shall_v continue_v so_o long_o till_o the_o whole_a race_n of_o baptize_v christian_n be_v lose_v in_o the_o world_n there_o will_v be_v too_o much_o reason_n then_o to_o say_v that_o the_o church_n have_v fail_v too_o for_o i_o can_v see_v how_o the_o church_n can_v subsist_v without_o a_o number_n of_o baptize_v christian_n but_o this_o never_o be_v the_o state_n of_o the_o church_n and_o i_o believe_v never_o will_v be_v for_o antichrist_n himself_o sit_v in_o the_o temple_n of_o god_n which_o suppose_v that_o even_o in_o his_o reign_n there_o be_v a_o visible_a society_n of_o christian_n now_o how_o corrupt_a and_o degenerate_a soever_o the_o external_n state_n of_o the_o visible_a church_n may_v be_v while_o there_o be_v a_o society_n of_o baptize_v christian_n though_o so_o corrupt_v in_o their_o external_n policy_n and_o government_n faith_n and_o worship_n that_o it_o may_v admit_v or_o a_o dispute_n whether_o they_o be_v a_o true_a christian_a church_n or_o not_o yet_o though_o the_o visible_a state_n of_o the_o church_n may_v be_v antichristian_a there_o may_v be_v a_o invisible_a number_n of_o christian_n among_o they_o who_o may_v preserve_v themselves_o from_o the_o corruption_n superstition_n heresy_n and_o idolatry_n of_o the_o visible_a church_n and_o in_o these_o man_n the_o catholic_n church_n be_v preserve_v from_o a_o to_o all_o failure_n indeed_o this_o be_v the_o only_a difference_n between_o protestant_a divine_n in_o this_o matter_n they_o all_o agree_v that_o the_o catholic_n church_n shall_v not_o fail_v because_o christ_n have_v promise_v it_o shall_v not_o fail_v that_o the_o gate_n of_o hell_n shall_v not_o prevail_v against_o it_o but_o some_o doubt_n whether_o there_o shall_v be_v always_o a_o true_a visible_a organise_v church_n in_o the_o world._n they_o agree_v that_o there_o shall_v be_v always_o a_o visible_a society_n of_o christian_n in_o the_o world_n who_o shall_v profess_v the_o whole_a christian_a faith_n and_o administer_v the_o true_a christian_a sacrament_n but_o they_o differ_v whether_o such_o a_o church_n may_v be_v call_v a_o true_a christian_a church_n if_o together_o with_o the_o true_a christian_a faith_n and_o sacrament_n they_o set_v up_o a_o antichristian_a hierarchy_n and_o impose_v a_o antichristian_a faith_n and_o worship_n those_o who_o affirm_v that_o such_o a_o church_n be_v a_o true_a christian_a church_n do_v consequent_o teach_v that_o the_o true_a church_n shall_v be_v always_o visible_a though_o it_o may_v be_v corrupt_a even_o to_o the_o degree_n of_o antichristianism_n those_o who_o affirm_v that_o such_o a_o corrupt_a church_n be_v not_o a_o true_a church_n do_v also_o consequent_o affirm_v that_o the_o true_a church_n may_v be_v sometime_o invisible_a and_o consist_v only_o of_o such_o private_a christian_n as_o preserve_v themselves_o from_o those_o corruption_n which_o unchurch_n the_o visible_a church_n i_o may_v have_v occasion_n to_o consider_v this_o more_o hereafter_o all_o that_o i_o observe_v at_o present_a be_v that_o this_o do_v not_o alter_v the_o case_n as_o to_o the_o indefectibility_n of_o the_o church_n for_o while_o there_o be_v a_o visible_a society_n profess_v the_o christian_a faith_n and_o administer_a the_o christian_a sacrament_n the_o catholic_n church_n may_v subsist_v in_o a_o invisible_a and_o unorganize_v number_n of_o christian_n who_o profess_v the_o true_a faith_n without_o such_o corrupt_a and_o antichristian_a mixture_n be_v the_o catholic_n church_n a_fw-mi organical_a body_n than_o indeed_o it_o must_v be_v always_o visible_a and_o the_o church_n will_v fail_v if_o ever_o it_o become_v invisible_a but_o if_o the_o catholic_n church_n be_v a_o unorganize_v body_n of_o christian_n who_o be_v unite_v only_o in_o christ_n it_o be_v possible_a that_o it_o may_v be_v unknown_a and_o invisible_a as_o great_a number_n of_o private_a christian_n may_v be_v and_o yet_o the_o church_n not_o fail_v now_o this_o show_v the_o weakness_n and_o fallacy_n of_o several_a argument_n use_v by_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n as_o 1._o that_o the_o perpetual_a visibility_n of_o the_o roman_a church_n prove_v it_o to_o be_v that_o indefectible_a church_n of_o which_o our_o saviour_n promise_v that_o the_o gate_n of_o hell_n shall_v not_o prevail_v against_o it_o a_o promise_n which_o all_o man_n grant_v our_o saviour_n make_v to_o the_o catholic_n church_n not_o to_o any_o particular_a church_n that_o be_v to_o the_o whole_a company_n of_o christian_n that_o there_o shall_v never_o want_v a_o succession_n of_o true_a believer_n in_o the_o world_n not_o to_o any_o particular_a organise_v church_n or_o body_n of_o christian_n such_o as_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n be_v and_o therefore_o the_o indefectibility_n of_o the_o church_n can_v prove_v that_o it_o shall_v be_v always_o visible_a and_o then_o the_o uninterrupted_a visibility_n of_o any_o church_n can_v prove_v that_o it_o be_v indefectible_a for_o if_o the_o indefectible_a church_n may_v be_v sometime_o invisible_a than_o that_o visible_a church_n may_v not_o be_v always_o indefectible_a when_o the_o indefectible_a church_n be_v invisible_a to_o be_v