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A97309 The whole body of Christian religion, by Hieron. Zanchius. Translated out of Latine by D. Ralph Winterton. Zanchi, Giralamo, 1516-1590.; Winterton, Ralph, 1600-1636. 1659 (1659) Wing Z7; Thomason E1897_1; ESTC R209936 137,419 420

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of Asia because they dissented from him in some rites was deservedly reprooved by Irenaeus Bishop of Lyons For the Apostle would not have schismes caused in the Church or the Churches condemned because of building stubble or hay upon the foundation seeing the Church does not cease to be a Church and that holy and the beautifull spouse of Christ although she be black or have a few wrinkles and moles In brief Ca●t 1.5 and 2.10 Eph. 5.27 although errours and defects are not to be conniv'd at yet wheresoever the foundation and principles of the Apostolicall Doctrine are firmely held and so no manifest idolatry admitted we conceive that peace and communion is to be imbraced with those assemblies as with the true Churches of Christ so great is the regard we ought to have of the unitie of the Churches DOCT. XI That we ought to endeavour the unity of the Catholick Church THerefore forasmuch as that one whole and Catholick Church now Militant on earth is composed of severall particular Churches as of it's parts if we ought to seek unitie in the Lord with every particular then we cannot but acknowledge it much more our duty to endeavour the unity of the whole Catholick Church DOCT. XII What is to be understood by the unitie of the Catholick Church BY the unitie of the Catholick Church we understand the conjunction of all the elect and regenerate in what parts of the world soever with Christ their head and amongst themselves in one body wrought by the holy Ghost which in the Creed we call the communion of Saints DOCT. XIII What is meant by the unity of the Catholick Church BY the unitie of the Catholick Church we understand that conjunction made by the Holy Ghost of all the elect and regenerate in what parts of the world soever with Christ the Head and amongst themselves into one body which in the Creed we call the communion of Saints For the Apostle also describing this unity teacheth that the Church is a body Eph. 1.12 1 Cor. 12 12. Col. ● 18 Eph. 4.12 Eph. 2.15 Rom. 8.11 consisting of divers members whose head is Christ building up all believers into one man by his Spirit quickning acting and preserving them Therefore the unity of the body and all the members with the head and amongst themselves is the unitie of the Church as St. Augustin hath also defin'd it against the Donatists T. 7. de unitat Ecclesiae c. 2. DOCT. XIII That the unitie of the Church doth summarily consist in the same faith in Christ and in love toward the brethren BUt insomuch as God useth both our faith in Christ which is implanted in our souls by the word of the Gospel and by the Sacraments and also our charity with the duties thereof towards our neighbour as the means to preserve and cherish this conjunction yea further since these are the manifest testimonies of the communion of the Saints and their conjunction with Christ therefore we confesse in summe that the unity of the Catholick Church consists in the unity of faith and in the bond of brotherly love that is that we do all embrace with true faith the same doctrine which the Prophets and Apostles have deliver'd us in their writings and professe it in the purity thereof that we retain the same Sacraments which Christ hath instituted intirely and no other that we do not neglect the discipline appointed and commanded by Christ in which mutuall affection is exercised and the salvation of an offending brother is aimed at and lastly that we love one another and practise all the duties of charity DOCT. XIV A confirmation of the former doctrine FOr we conceive that by what meanes divers people are gathered into one body by the same also they are preserved in union and become more and more establish'd therein Wherefore since the gathering of the Church is neither effected nor preserved properly by ceremonies but by the holy Ghost by the word by faith charity and the observance of Gods commandments it can not be doubted but that the unity thereof is retained and cherished by the same Which is also attested by the Apostle to the Ephesians Eph. 4.2 c. where treating of the Churches unitie he teacheth it to consist in these things without making mention at all of ceremonies DOCT. XV. That although unitie in ceremonies be not requisite in all places and times yet whereever it is embraced it ought not to be disturbed NEverthelesse we deny not but that unity also in the ceremonies and rites of every Church ought to be retain'd and endeavourd as farre as possibly may be with safety of conscience For there are two kinds of things wherein the unity of the Church may be namely in some which are deliver'd in the word of God and in others which are not so of which last sort are many Ecclesiasticall ribes and ceremonies In which respect as we believe unitie in the former to be every where and alwayes necessary we conceive that although it be not absolutely necessary as to these latter but profitable to have severall distinct rites according to the diversity of places and various conjuncture of times yet where any of these particular matters is certainely ordain'd and admitted there unity ought to be retain'd in these kind of rites and Ecclesiasticall orders not to be disturbed according to the rule of the Apostle 1 Cor. 14.40 That all things be done in the Church decently in order and to edification Concerning which matters we likewise very much approve and commend two Epistles of St. Austin to Ianuarius Epist 118 and 119. DOCT. XVI The conclusion concerning the unitie of the Church THerefore seeing Ecclesiasticall unity is of two sorts one essentiall and so of it self alwayes and every where necessary and consequently proper to the Catholick Church the other accidentall and mutable according to the divers occasions of times and places and thence proper to particular Churches we believe it is not lawfull for any person to separate from the former at any time or for any cause it being no lesse then to depart from Christ and God to renounce the holy Ghost and divide himself from the whole body of Christ which is altogether a perfect and execrable Apostasie But we are of opinion that to desert that which is accidentall in consideration of returning to and maintaining that which is essentiall is not onely lawfull but necessary for every man and the rather if those rites and ceremonies wherein the unity was be corrupted with severall superstitions but especially if even the Sacraments instituted by Christ be perverted or wholly abolisht so that a good conscience cannot partake of them And how much more if the heavenly truth be banisht from them and the doctrines of devils preached and desended in stead of them and further when you shall not be allowed so much as to be silent but compell'd either to renounce God's truth and subscribe to diabolicall lies or