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Word A Word B Word C Word D Occurrence Frequency Band MI MI Band Prominent
church_n according_a scripture_n time_n 2,768 5 3.3859 3 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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object_v against_o this_o that_o this_o confine_n the_o church_n to_o the_o company_n of_o the_o elect_n who_o be_v the_o mystical_a body_n of_o christ_n that_o according_a to_o this_o notion_n there_o can_v be_v no_o visible_a church_n upon_o earth_n for_o no_o man_n can_v tell_v who_o belong_v to_o the_o mystical_a body_n of_o christ_n which_o be_v make_v up_o only_o of_o true_a and_o sincere_a christian_n and_o no_o man_n can_v see_v who_o they_o be_v without_o see_v their_o heart_n now_o this_o be_v a_o mighty_a prejudice_n against_o any_o notion_n if_o it_o destroy_v the_o visibility_n of_o the_o church_n which_o be_v so_o plain_o teach_v in_o scripture_n and_o do_v for_o aught_o we_o know_v unchurch_n the_o great_a member_n of_o visible_a church-member_n if_o the_o church_n consist_v only_o of_o those_o who_o be_v elect_v from_o all_o eternity_n and_o be_v in_o time_n call_v by_o the_o grace_n of_o god_n to_o a_o state_n of_o real_a holiness_n and_o sanctification_n and_o make_v 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but_o keep_v they_o in_o the_o state_n of_o catechuman_n a_o great_a while_n till_o they_o be_v instruct_v in_o the_o principle_n of_o christian_a faith_n and_o have_v give_v proof_n of_o a_o holy_a and_o virtuous_a life_n which_o be_v to_o expect_v that_o man_n shall_v become_v new_a creature_n before_o they_o be_v bear_v again_o that_o they_o shall_v walk_v in_o the_o spirit_n before_o they_o have_v receive_v the_o spirit_n in_o baptism_n that_o they_o shall_v bring_v forth_o fruit_n before_o they_o be_v implant_v into_o this_o spiritual_a vine_n now_o if_o man_n who_o have_v live_v very_o wicked_a life_n may_v be_v admit_v to_o baptism_n upon_o their_o profession_n of_o faith_n and_o repentance_n that_o in_o this_o laver_n of_o regeneration_n they_o may_v wash_v away_o all_o their_o sin_n and_o become_v new_a creature_n and_o receive_v the_o spirit_n of_o grace_n and_o sanctification_n to_o reform_v their_o life_n this_o show_v that_o the_o very_a constitution_n of_o the_o church_n 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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
sure_a that_o church_n which_o at_o that_o time_n be_v visible_a be_v not_o the_o indefectible_a church_n and_o thus_o i_o be_o sure_a it_o may_v be_v whether_o it_o have_v be_v or_o not_o but_o if_o it_o may_v be_v the_o argument_n be_v naught_o 2._o and_o so_o be_v that_o argument_n to_o prove_v the_o church_n to_o be_v infallible_a because_o it_o be_v indefectible_a that_o it_o can_v err_v because_o it_o never_o shall_v so_o grievous_o err_v as_o to_o cease_v to_o be_v a_o church_n the_o indefectibilty_a of_o the_o church_n as_o you_o have_v already_o hear_v do_v not_o necessary_o prove_v that_o there_o shall_v be_v any_o one_o visible_a organise_v church_n which_o shall_v never_o fail_v for_o the_o church_n do_v not_o fail_v while_o there_o be_v any_o true_a christian_n in_o the_o world_n it_o may_v be_v preserve_v in_o a_o number_n of_o single_a and_o conceal_a christian_n who_o be_v neither_o know_v to_o one_o another_o nor_o much_o less_o to_o the_o world._n and_o therefore_o if_o indefectibility_n prove_v infallibility_n it_o prove_v only_o that_o there_o shall_v be_v some_o private_a infallible_a christian_n not_o that_o there_o be_v any_o visible_a infallible_a church_n for_o it_o can_v prove_v only_o those_o to_o be_v infallible_a who_o be_v indefectible_a and_o therefore_o since_o it_o do_v not_o necessary_o prove_v that_o any_o visible_a organise_v church_n shall_v be_v indefectible_a it_o can_v prove_v any_o such_o church_n to_o be_v infallible_a neither_o the_o infallibility_n of_o private_a christian_n the_o church_n of_o rome_n will_v not_o allow_v and_o yet_o if_o indefectibility_n prove_v infallibility_n this_o be_v all_o the_o infallibility_n which_o the_o indefectibility_n of_o the_o church_n can_v prove_v that_o there_o shall_v always_o in_o the_o great_a degeneracy_n of_o the_o church_n be_v a_o number_n of_o private_a infallible_a christian_n who_o shall_v continue_v in_o the_o true_a faith_n and_o worship_n of_o christ._n when_o our_o saviour_n say_v that_o the_o gate_n of_o hell_n shall_v not_o prevail_v against_o his_o church_n we_o may_v consider_v it_o either_o as_o a_o promise_n or_o a_o prophecy_n or_o both_o that_o there_o always_o shall_v be_v some_o sound_n and_o orthodox_n believer_n in_o the_o world_n who_o in_o the_o great_a degeneracy_n of_o the_o church_n shall_v be_v the_o seed_n of_o a_o reformation_n and_o a_o new_a visible_a resurrection_n of_o it_o now_o i_o hope_v christ_n can_v make_v good_a such_o a_o promise_n if_o we_o consider_v it_o as_o a_o promise_n without_o bestow_v infallibility_n upon_o any_o christian_n for_o man_n may_v be_v orthodox_n christian_n without_o be_v infallible_a and_o if_o we_o consider_v it_o as_o a_o prophecy_n i_o hope_v christ_n can_v certain_o foretell_v thing_n which_o have_v no_o necessary_a cause_n and_o then_o he_o can_v foretell_v that_o there_o shall_v never_o want_v true_a believer_n though_o it_o be_v possible_a there_o may_v be_v none_o that_o all_o christian_n shall_v not_o err_v though_o they_o be_v all_o fallible_a and_o therefore_o may_v err_v and_o then_o neither_o the_o promise_n nor_o the_o prophecy_n can_v prove_v the_o infallibility_n of_o any_o christian_n and_o this_o be_v all_o that_o protestant_n can_v mean_v when_o they_o say_v that_o the_o catholic_n church_n can_v err_v in_o fundamental_o not_o that_o there_o be_v any_o visible_a society_n of_o christian_n which_o be_v infallible_a in_o its_o definition_n of_o fundamental_a doctrine_n but_o that_o the_o catholic_n church_n or_o the_o whole_a number_n of_o christian_n shall_v never_o err_v fundamental_o that_o be_v that_o there_o shall_v always_o be_v some_o true_a and_o orthodox_n believer_n in_o the_o church_n 3._o nor_o be_v it_o a_o good_a argument_n to_o prove_v any_o church_n to_o be_v a_o new_a upstart_n church_n because_o after_o some_o time_n of_o concealment_n it_o reassume_v its_o visibility_n and_o appear_v open_o in_o the_o world._n the_o stab_a question_n as_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n think_v to_o the_o reform_a church_n be_v where_o be_v your_o church_n before_o luther_n those_o who_o own_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n with_o all_o her_o corruption_n to_o be_v a_o true_a church_n have_v a_o plain_a and_o easy_a answer_n to_o this_o that_o the_o church_n be_v before_o luther_n where_o it_o be_v afterward_o for_o they_o do_v not_o make_v a_o new_a church_n but_o only_o reform_v that_o part_n of_o the_o old_a which_o consent_v to_o such_o a_o reformation_n they_o profess_v the_o same_o faith_n still_o have_v the_o same_o sacrament_n and_o the_o same_o christian_a worship_n but_o purge_v from_o those_o innovation_n and_o corruption_n which_o have_v deform_v the_o visible_a communion_n of_o the_o roman_a church_n which_o can_v no_o more_o make_v a_o new_a church_n than_o a_o man_n wash_v off_o the_o dirt_n make_v a_o new-face_n and_o i_o confess_v i_o think_v those_o who_o deny_v the_o visible_a organise_v church_n of_o rome_n to_o be_v a_o true_a church_n do_v not_o want_v a_o good_a answer_n neither_o for_o during_o the_o degeneracy_n of_o that_o church_n the_o church_n may_v subsist_v in_o those_o private_a christian_n who_o preserve_v themselves_o in_o a_o great_a measure_n from_o the_o corruption_n of_o that_o church_n which_o may_v more_o easy_o be_v do_v before_o the_o reformation_n than_o since_o for_o many_o of_o their_o doctrine_n and_o practice_n be_v not_o then_o so_o peremptory_o decree_v by_o their_o council_n nor_o so_o strict_o impose_v upon_o the_o conscience_n of_o man_n as_o the_o council_n of_o trent_n have_v since_o do_v and_o there_o be_v evidence_n enough_o that_o there_o never_o want_v some_o in_o all_o age_n who_o have_v condemn_v their_o innovation_n and_o that_o profound_a ignorance_n wherein_o that_o church_n bring_v up_o honest_a and_o devout_a man_n be_v the_o true_a reason_n why_o there_o be_v not_o more_o now_o all_o these_o man_n may_v be_v reckon_v the_o seed_n of_o the_o reformation_n out_o of_o which_o a_o visible_a church_n will_v spring_v as_o soon_o as_o a_o new_a light_n break_v in_o upon_o the_o world._n there_o be_v no_o failure_n of_o the_o church_n though_o it_o be_v obscure_v and_o conceal_v we_o may_v as_o well_o say_v that_o it_o be_v a_o new_a sun_n which_o rise_v every_o morning_n not_o that_o which_o set_v at_o night_n as_o make_v a_o new_a church_n of_o the_o visible_a resurrection_n of_o old_a and_o primitive_a christianity_n the_o profession_n of_o which_o be_v never_o lose_v tho'_o the_o professor_n of_o it_o be_v not_o so_o visible_a if_o the_o true_a church_n be_v indefectible_a and_o never_o fail_v it_o can_v never_o be_v new_a again_o and_o if_o the_o indefectibility_n of_o the_o church_n may_v be_v preserve_v in_o some_o private_a and_o unknown_a christian_n the_o want_n of_o a_o visible_a society_n of_o such_o pure_a and_o orthodox_n christian_n can_v prove_v that_o the_o church_n have_v fail_v and_o then_o when_o the_o old_a christian_a church_n appear_v again_o with_o a_o new_a glory_n it_o be_v ridiculous_a to_o call_v it_o new_a only_o because_o for_o some_o year_n it_o have_v be_v conceal_v thus_o i_o have_v consider_v the_o true_a notion_n of_o the_o catholic_n church_n on_o earth_n which_o there_o be_v so_o much_o talk_v of_o in_o our_o dispute_n with_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n and_o i_o hope_v have_v make_v it_o appear_v how_o little_a service_n this_o can_v do_v they_o finis_fw-la book_n print_v for_o and_o be_v to_o be_v sell_v by_o w._n roger._n bp_o wilkins_n his_o fifteen_o sermon_n octavo_fw-la dr._n wallis_n of_o the_o necessity_n of_o regeneration_n in_o two_o sermon_n to_o the_o university_n of_o oxford_n quarto_fw-la his_o defence_n of_o the_o royal_a society_n and_o the_o philosophical_a transaction_n particular_o those_o of_o july_n 1670._o in_o answer_n to_o the_o cavil_n of_o dr._n william_n holder_n quarto_fw-la the_o necessity_n dignity_n and_o duty_n of_o gospel-minister_n discourse_v of_o before_o the_o university_n of_o cambridge_n by_o tho._n hodges_n b._n d._n quarto_fw-la the_o peaceable_a christian._n a_o sermon_n quarto_fw-la price_n 3_o d._n a_o treatise_n of_o marriage_n with_o a_o defence_n of_o the_o 32d_o article_n of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n viz._n bishop_n priest_n and_o deacon_n be_v not_o command_v by_o god_n law_n either_o to_o vow_v the_o state_n of_o single_a life_n or_o to_o abstain_v from_o marriage_n etc._n etc._n by_o though_o hodges_n b._n d._n octaus_n history_n of_o the_o affair_n of_o europe_n in_o this_o present_a age_n but_o more_o particular_o of_o the_o republic_n of_o venice_n by_o battista_n nani_n cavalier_n of_o st._n mark._n fol._n sterry_n freedom_n of_o the_o will._n folio_n light_n in_o the_o way_n to_o paradise_n with_o other_o occasionals_n by_o dudley_n the_o second_o late_a lord_n north._n octavo_fw-la molin_n of_o the_o muscle_n with_o sir_n charles_n scarborough_n scarborough_n s_z syllabus_n musculorum_fw-la