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city_n church_n great_a time_n 5,546 4 3.4499 3 false
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ID Title Author Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication) STC Words Pages
A59866 A resolution of some cases of conscience which respect church-communion viz. I. whether to communicate with some church, especially in such a divided state of the church, be a necessary duty incumbent on all Christians, II. whether constant communion be a necessary duty where occasional communion is lawful, III. whether it be lawful to communicate with two churches, which are in a state of separation from each other. Sherlock, William, 1641?-1707. 1683 (1683) Wing S3336; ESTC R18449 30,364 54

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to_o their_o own_o select_a company_n and_o exclude_v the_o whole_a body_n of_o christian_n all_o the_o world_n over_o out_o of_o it_o their_o communion_n be_v no_o large_a than_o their_o gather_a church_n for_o if_o it_o be_v than_o they_o must_v still_o communicate_v with_o those_o church_n which_o have_v corrupt_a member_n as_o all_o visible_a church_n on_o earth_n have_v unless_o we_o will_v except_v independent_o because_o they_o have_v the_o confidence_n to_o except_v themselves_o and_o then_o their_o separation_n do_v not_o answer_v its_o end_n which_o be_v to_o avoid_v such_o corrupt_a communion_n and_o yet_o if_o they_o do_v confine_v their_o communion_n to_o their_o own_o gather_a church_n they_o be_v schismatic_n in_o divide_v themselves_o from_o the_o body_n of_o christian_n and_o all_o their_o prayer_n and_o sacrament_n be_v not_o act_n of_o christian_a communion_n but_o a_o schismatical_a combination_n this_o do_v not_o prove_v indeed_o that_o particular_a church_n be_v not_o bind_v to_o reform_v themselves_o and_o to_o preserve_v their_o own_o communion_n pure_a from_o corrupt_a member_n unless_o all_o the_o church_n in_o the_o world_n will_v do_v so_o too_o because_o every_o particular_a church_n whether_o diocesan_n or_o national_a have_v power_n to_o reform_v its_o own_o member_n and_o be_v accountable_a to_o god_n for_o such_o neglect_v of_o discipline_n but_o it_o do_v prove_v that_o no_o church_n without_o the_o guilt_n of_o schism_n can_v renounce_v communion_n with_o other_o christian_a church_n or_o set_v up_o a_o distinct_a and_o separate_a communion_n of_o its_o own_o for_o the_o sake_n of_o such_o corrupt_a member_n which_o be_v the_o pretence_n of_o the_o novatian_a and_o danatist_n schism_n of_o old_a and_o be_v so_o of_o the_o independent_a schism_n at_o this_o day_n 3._o i_o observe_v further_o that_o our_o obligation_n to_o maintain_v communion_n with_o a_o particular_a church_n whole_o result_v from_o our_o obligation_n to_o catholic_n communion_n the_o only_a reason_n why_o i_o be_o bind_v to_o live_v in_o communion_n with_o any_o particular_a church_n be_v because_o i_o be_o a_o member_n of_o the_o whole_a christian_a church_n which_o be_v the_o body_n of_o christ_n and_o therefore_o must_v live_v in_o communion_n with_o the_o christian_a church_n and_o yet_o it_o be_v impossible_a to_o live_v in_o communion_n with_o the_o whole_a christian_a church_n without_o actual_a communion_n with_o some_o part_n of_o it_o when_o i_o be_o in_o such_o a_o place_n where_o there_o be_v a_o visible_a christian_a church_n as_o no_o member_n can_v be_v unite_v to_o the_o natural_a body_n without_o its_o be_v unite_v to_o some_o part_n of_o the_o body_n for_o the_o union_n and_o communion_n of_o the_o whole_a body_n consist_v in_o the_o union_n of_o all_o its_o part_n to_o each_o other_o every_o act_n of_o christian_a communion_n though_o perform_v in_o a_o particular_a church_n or_o congregation_n be_v not_o proper_o a_o act_n of_o particular_a church-communion_n but_o be_v the_o exercise_n of_o communion_n with_o the_o whole_a church_n and_o body_n of_o christ_n as_o i_o have_v already_o prove_v but_o it_o can_v be_v no_o act_n of_o communion_n at_o all_o if_o it_o be_v not_o perform_v in_o the_o communion_n of_o the_o church_n which_o it_o can_v be_v unless_o it_o be_v perform_v in_o the_o communion_n of_o some_o particular_a church_n and_o this_o be_v the_o only_a obligation_n i_o know_v of_o to_o communion_n with_o any_o particular_a church_n that_o as_o i_o be_o a_o christian_n i_o be_o a_o member_n of_o the_o body_n and_o church_n of_o christ_n and_o in_o a_o state_n of_o communion_n and_o therefore_o be_o bind_v to_o maintain_v actual_a communion_n with_o the_o christian_a church_n wherever_o i_o find_v it_o and_o by_o communicate_v with_o the_o church_n wherein_o i_o live_v if_o it_o be_v a_o find_v and_o orthodox_n member_n of_o the_o christian_a church_n i_o maintain_v communion_n with_o the_o whole_a catholic_n church_n which_o be_v but_o one_o body_n so_o that_o here_o be_v no_o choice_n what_o church_n we_o will_v communicate_v with_o for_o there_o be_v but_o one_o church_n all_o the_o world_n over_o with_o which_o we_o must_v communicate_v and_o therefore_o we_o have_v nothing_o else_o to_o do_v but_o to_o judge_v whether_o that_o part_n of_o the_o church_n wherein_o we_o live_v be_v so_o sound_a and_o orthodox_n that_o we_o may_v communicate_v with_o it_o according_a to_o the_o principle_n of_o catholic_n communion_n and_o if_o it_o be_v we_o be_v bind_v to_o communicate_v with_o it_o under_o peril_n of_o schism_n from_o the_o catholic_n church_n if_o we_o do_v not_o 4._o from_o hence_o we_o may_v plain_o learn_v the_o true_a notion_n of_o a_o separate_a communion_n and_o separate_a church_n for_o some_o man_n seem_v to_o be_v great_o sensible_a of_o the_o sin_n and_o mischief_n of_o schism_n and_o separation_n but_o then_o they_o use_v great_a art_n so_o to_o confound_v the_o notion_n of_o separation_n as_o that_o neither_o they_o themselves_o nor_o any_o one_o else_o shall_v ever_o be_v able_a to_o understand_v what_o it_o be_v whereas_o if_o they_o will_v allow_v that_o there_o be_v or_o ever_o can_v be_v any_o such_o thing_n as_o separation_n from_o the_o church_n it_o be_v as_o easy_a to_o understand_v what_o separation_n be_v as_o what_o it_o be_v for_o a_o member_n to_o be_v divide_v from_o the_o body_n for_o if_o there_o be_v but_o one_o church_n and_o one_o communion_n of_o which_o all_o true_a christian_n and_o christian_a church_n be_v or_o aught_o to_o be_v member_n than_o those_o church_n which_o be_v not_o member_n of_o each_o other_o be_v separate_a church_n it_o be_v not_o enough_o indeed_o to_o prove_v a_o separation_n that_o two_o congregation_n meet_v in_o several_a place_n for_o worship_n for_o this_o be_v do_v by_o all_o the_o parish-church_n of_o england_n who_o be_v in_o the_o same_o communion_n but_o yet_o hold_v distinct_a and_o separate_a assembly_n as_o to_o local_a separation_n nor_o be_v it_o sufficient_a to_o prove_v that_o there_o be_v no_o separation_n because_o these_o differ_a church_n agree_v in_o all_o the_o article_n of_o faith_n and_o essential_o of_o worship_n for_o thus_o the_o novatian_o and_o donatist_n do_v who_o yet_o be_v schismatic_n from_o the_o catholic_n church_n but_o where_o there_o be_v two_o church_n which_o be_v not_o member_n of_o each_o other_o there_o be_v a_o schism_n though_o they_o agree_v in_o every_o thing_n else_o but_o in_o one_o communion_n and_o where_o church_n own_o each_o other_o communion_n as_o member_n of_o the_o same_o body_n there_o be_v no_o schism_n though_o they_o be_v as_o distant_a from_o each_o other_o in_o place_n as_o east_n and_o west_n and_o it_o be_v as_o easy_a to_o understand_v what_o it_o be_v for_o two_o church_n to_o be_v member_n of_o each_o other_o but_o to_o make_v this_o as_o plain_a as_o i_o can_v and_o as_o far_o as_o it_o be_v possible_a to_o prevent_v all_o evasion_n and_o subterfuges_n i_o shall_v lay_v down_o some_o few_o rule_n according_a to_o the_o principle_n of_o catholic_n communion_n whereby_o we_o may_v certain_o know_v what_o church_n be_v in_o communion_n with_o each_o other_o and_o which_o be_v separate_a and_o schismatical_a conventicle_n 1._o there_o must_v be_v but_o one_o church_n in_o one_o place_n according_a to_o that_o ancient_a rule_n of_o the_o catholic_n church_n that_o there_o must_v be_v but_o one_o bishop_n in_o a_o city_n and_o this_o be_v observe_v in_o the_o apostolical_a time_n that_o in_o the_o great_a and_o most_o populous_a city_n and_o where_o there_o be_v the_o great_a number_n of_o convert_v yet_o there_o be_v but_o one_o church_n such_o as_o jerusalem_n antioch_n ephesus_n etc._n etc._n this_o be_v acknowledge_v by_o the_o independent_o themselves_o who_o endeavour_n hence_o to_o prove_v that_o there_o be_v no_o more_o christian_n in_o any_o of_o those_o city_n 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people_n and_o give_v he_o circumcision_n for_o a_o sign_n and_o seal_n of_o this_o covenant_n and_o under_o the_o gospel_n god_n have_v make_v a_o new_a covenant_n with_o mankind_n in_o and_o by_o his_o son_n jesus_n christ_n who_o be_v the_o mediator_n of_o a_o better_a covenant_n found_v upon_o better_a promise_n and_o this_o gospel_n covenant_n be_v the_o foundation_n of_o the_o christian_a church_n for_o the_o christian_a church_n be_v nothing_o else_o but_o such_o a_o society_n of_o man_n as_o be_v in_o covenant_n with_o god_n through_o christ._n i_o suppose_v all_o man_n will_v grant_v that_o god_n only_o can_v make_v or_o constitute_v a_o church_n for_o such_o person_n if_o there_o be_v any_o so_o absurd_a be_v not_o worth_a dispute_v with_o who_o dare_v affirm_v the_o church_n to_o be_v a_o human_a creature_n or_o the_o invention_n of_o men._n and_o i_o think_v it_o be_v as_o plain_a that_o the_o only_a visible_a way_n god_n have_v of_o form_v a_o church_n for_o i_o do_v not_o 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of_o no_o value_n till_o it_o be_v confirm_v and_o ratify_v by_o a_o human_a independent_a covenant_n 6._o i_o observe_v that_o if_o the_o christian_a church_n be_v found_v on_o a_o divine_a covenant_n on_o that_o new_a covenant_n which_o god_n have_v make_v with_o mankind_n in_o christ_n then_o there_o be_v but_o one_o church_n of_o which_o all_o christian_n be_v member_n as_o there_o be_v but_o one_o covenant_n into_o which_o we_o be_v all_o admit_v by_o baptism_n for_o the_o church_n and_o the_o covenant_n must_v be_v of_o a_o equal_a extent_n there_o can_v be_v but_o one_o church_n found_v upon_o one_o covenant_n and_o all_o who_o have_v a_o interest_n in_o the_o same_o covenant_n be_v member_n of_o the_o same_o church_n and_o therefore_o though_o the_o distance_n of_o place_n and_o the_o necessity_n and_o convenience_n of_o worship_n and_o discipline_n may_v and_o have_v divide_v the_o church_n into_o several_a part_n and_o member_n and_o particular_a church_n yet_o the_o church_n can_v be_v divide_v into_o two_o or_o more_o distinct_a and_o separate_a church_n for_o that_o destroy_v the_o unity_n of_o the_o church_n and_o unless_o they_o can_v divide_v the_o covenant_n also_o two_o church_n which_o be_v not_o member_n of_o each_o other_o can_v partake_v in_o the_o same_o covenant_n but_o the_o guilty_a divider_n forfeit_v his_o interest_n in_o the_o covenant_n without_o a_o new_a grant_n a_o prince_n indeed_o may_v grant_v the_o same_o charter_n to_o several_a distinct_a city_n and_o corporation_n but_o than_o though_o the_o matter_n of_o the_o charter_n be_v the_o same_o their_o right_n to_o it_o depend_v upon_o distinct_a grant_n but_o if_o he_o grant_v a_o charter_n for_o the_o erect_v of_o such_o a_o corporation_n and_o confine_v his_o charter_n to_o the_o member_n of_o that_o corporation_n those_o who_o wilful_o separate_v themselves_o from_o this_o corporation_n
to_o which_o this_o charter_n be_v grant_v forfeit_v their_o interest_n in_o the_o charter_n and_o must_v not_o think_v to_o erect_v a_o new_a distinct_a corporation_n by_o the_o same_o charter_n thus_o it_o be_v here_o god_n have_v make_v a_o covenant_n of_o grace_n with_o mankind_n in_o christ_n and_o declare_v that_o by_o this_o one_o covenant_n he_o unite_v all_o the_o disciple_n of_o christ_n into_o one_o body_n and_o christian_a church_n who_o shall_v all_o partake_v of_o the_o blessing_n of_o this_o covenant_n by_o baptism_n we_o be_v all_o receive_v into_o this_o covenant_n and_o admit_v member_n of_o this_o one_o church_n now_o while_o we_o continue_v in_o the_o unity_n of_o this_o body_n it_o be_v evident_a that_o we_o have_v a_o right_n to_o all_o the_o blessing_n of_o the_o covenant_n which_o be_v promise_v to_o this_o body_n and_o to_o every_o member_n of_o it_o but_o if_o we_o divide_v ourselves_o from_o this_o body_n and_o set_v up_o distinct_a and_o separate_a society_n which_o we_o call_v church_n but_o which_o be_v not_o member_n nor_o live_v in_o communion_n with_o the_o one_o catholic_n church_n we_o can_v carry_v our_o right_n and_o title_n to_o the_o covenant_n out_o of_o the_o church_n with_o we_o the_o gospel-covenant_n be_v the_o common_a charter_n of_o the_o christian-church_n and_o if_o we_o be_v not_o content_v to_o enjoy_v these_o blessing_n in_o common_a with_o other_o christian_n we_o must_v be_v content_v to_o go_v without_o they_o for_o it_o be_v not_o a_o particular_a covenant_n which_o god_n make_v with_o particular_a separate_a church_n but_o a_o general_a covenant_n make_v with_o the_o whole_a body_n of_o christian_n as_o unite_v in_o one_o communion_n and_o therefore_o that_o which_o no_o particular_a church_n have_v any_o interest_n in_o but_o as_o it_o be_v a_o member_n of_o the_o universal_a church_n god_n have_v not_o make_v any_o covenant_n in_o particular_a with_o the_o church_n of_o geneva_n of_o france_n or_o england_n but_o with_o the_o one_o body_n and_o church_n of_o christ_n all_o the_o world_n over_o and_o therefore_o the_o only_a thing_n that_o can_v give_v we_o in_o particular_a a_o right_n to_o the_o blessing_n of_o the_o covenant_n be_v that_o we_o observe_v the_o condition_n of_o this_o covenant_n and_o live_v in_o unity_n and_o communion_n with_o all_o true_a christian_a church_n in_o the_o world_n which_o make_v we_o member_n of_o the_o catholic_n church_n to_o who_o the_o promise_n be_v make_v second_o the_o next_o thing_n to_o be_v explain_v be_v what_o be_v mean_v by_o church-communion_n now_o church-communion_n signify_v no_o more_o than_o church-fellowship_n and_o society_n and_o to_o be_v in_o communion_n with_o the_o church_n be_v to_o be_v a_o member_n of_o the_o church_n and_o this_o be_v call_v communion_n because_o all_o church_n member_n have_v a_o common_a right_n to_o church_n privilege_n and_o a_o common_a obligation_n to_o all_o those_o duty_n and_o office_n which_o a_o church_n relation_n exact_v from_o they_o i_o know_v this_o word_n communion_n be_v common_o use_v to_o signify_v a_o personal_a and_o presential_a communion_n in_o religious_a office_n as_o when_o man_n pray_v and_o hear_v and_o receive_v the_o sacrament_n of_o the_o lord_n supper_n together_o they_o be_v say_v to_o be_v in_o communion_n with_o one_o another_o and_o to_o live_v in_o communion_n with_o that_o church_n with_o which_o they_o join_v in_o all_o act_n of_o worship_n now_o we_o must_v acknowledge_v that_o public_a act_n of_o worship_n perform_v in_o the_o communion_n of_o the_o church_n be_v a_o exercise_n of_o christian_a communion_n but_o church-communion_n be_v something_o antecedent_n to_o all_o the_o act_n and_o office_n of_o communion_n for_o no_o man_n have_v a_o right_a to_o any_o act_n of_o christian_a communion_n but_o he_o who_o be_v in_o a_o state_n of_o communion_n with_o the_o christian_a church_n what_o natural_a union_n be_v in_o natural_a body_n that_o communion_n be_v in_o body_n politic_a whether_o civil_a or_o religious_a society_n a_o member_n must_v be_v vital_o unite_v to_o the_o body_n before_o it_o can_v perform_v any_o natural_a action_n or_o office_n of_o a_o member_n before_o the_o eye_n can_v see_v or_o the_o foot_n can_v walk_v or_o the_o ear_n can_v hear_v and_o the_o union_n of_o the_o eye_n or_o foot_n to_o the_o body_n do_v not_o consist_v in_o see_v or_o walk_v but_o see_v and_o walk_v be_v the_o effect_n of_o this_o union_n thus_o in_o a_o body_n politic_a when_o man_n by_o any_o common_a charter_n be_v unite_v into_o one_o society_n they_o become_v one_o common_a body_n or_o one_o communion_n and_o this_o give_v they_o right_o to_o all_o the_o privilege_n of_o that_o body_n and_o oblige_v they_o to_o all_o the_o duty_n and_o office_n which_o their_o charter_n require_v of_o they_o but_o shall_v any_o man_n who_o be_v not_o regular_o admit_v into_o this_o society_n pretend_v to_o the_o same_o privilege_n or_o do_v such_o thing_n as_o be_v require_v of_o those_o who_o be_v member_n of_o this_o body_n this_o will_v be_v so_o far_o from_o be_v think_v a_o act_n of_o communion_n with_o they_o that_o it_o will_v be_v censure_v as_o a_o unjust_a usurpation_n shall_v a_o man_n who_o be_v no_o citizen_n of_o london_n open_v his_o shop_n and_o drive_v a_o trade_n as_o other_o citizen_n do_v or_o give_v his_o vote_n at_o a_o common-hall_n and_o in_o all_o other_o case_n act_n like_o a_o citizen_n this_o will_v not_o make_v he_o a_o citizen_n but_o a_o intruder_n he_o be_v a_o foreigner_n still_o and_o his_o presume_v to_o act_n like_o a_o citizen_n when_o he_o be_v none_o be_v no_o act_n of_o communion_n with_o that_o body_n of_o which_o he_o be_v no_o member_n but_o just_o expose_v he_o to_o censure_v and_o punishment_n thus_o it_o be_v in_o the_o christian_a church_n which_o be_v one_o body_n and_o society_n unite_v by_o a_o divine_a covenant_n our_o communion_n with_o the_o church_n consist_v in_o be_v member_n of_o the_o church_n which_o we_o be_v make_v by_o baptism_n the_o exercise_n of_o this_o communion_n consist_v in_o all_o those_o office_n and_o duty_n which_o all_o the_o member_n of_o the_o church_n be_v oblige_v to_o and_o which_o none_o have_v any_o right_a to_o perform_v but_o they_o such_o as_o pray_v and_o receive_v the_o lord_n supper_n together_o etc._n etc._n now_o shall_v any_o man_n who_o be_v no_o member_n of_o the_o church_n nor_o own_v himself_o to_o be_v so_o intrude_v into_o the_o church_n and_o communicate_v in_o all_o holy_a office_n this_o can_v be_v no_o more_o call_v a_o act_n of_o communion_n than_o it_o can_v be_v say_v to_o make_v he_o a_o member_n of_o the_o church_n of_o which_o he_o be_v no_o member_n and_o resolve_v not_o to_o be_v prayer_n and_o receive_v the_o sacrament_n etc._n etc._n be_v act_n of_o communion_n when_o perform_v by_o church-member_n in_o the_o communion_n of_o the_o church_n but_o they_o be_v no_o act_n of_o communion_n when_o perform_v by_o those_o who_o be_v no_o church-member_n though_o to_o serve_v a_o turn_n they_o thrust_v themselves_o into_o the_o society_n of_o the_o church_n as_o for_o instance_n suppose_v a_o member_n of_o a_o presbyterian_a or_o independent_a conventicle_n shall_v for_o reason_n best_o know_v to_o himself_o at_o some_o critical_a time_n come_v to_o his_o parish_n church_n and_o there_o hear_v the_o common-prayer_n and_o sermon_n and_o receive_v the_o lord_n supper_n according_a to_o the_o order_n of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n do_v this_o make_v this_o man_n a_o member_n of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n with_o which_o he_o never_o communicate_v before_o and_o it_o be_v likely_a will_v never_o do_v again_o if_o it_o do_v not_o all_o this_o be_v no_o act_n of_o communion_n which_o can_v be_v only_o between_o the_o member_n of_o the_o same_o body_n so_o that_o to_o be_v in_o church-communion_n do_v not_o signify_v mere_o to_o perform_v some_o such_o act_n which_o be_v act_n of_o communion_n in_o the_o member_n of_o the_o church_n but_o since_o the_o decay_n of_o church_n discipline_n may_v sometime_o be_v perform_v by_o those_o who_o be_v not_o member_n which_o be_v such_o a_o abuse_n as_o will_v not_o have_v be_v allow_v in_o the_o primitive_a church_n who_o deny_v their_o communion_n to_o schismatic_n as_o well_o as_o to_o the_o excommunicate_a upon_o other_o account_n but_o to_o be_v in_o church-communion_n signify_v to_o be_v a_o member_n of_o the_o church_n to_o be_v embody_v and_o incorporate_v with_o it_o and_o i_o suppose_v what_o that_o mean_n every_o one_o know_v who_o understand_v what_o it_o be_v to_o be_v a_o member_n of_o any_o society_n of_o a_o city_n or_o any_o inferior_a corporation_n which_o consist_v of_o privilege_n and_o duty_n and_o require_v all_o those_o who_o will_v