Selected quad for the lemma: spirit_n

Word A Word B Word C Word D Occurrence Frequency Band MI MI Band Prominent
spirit_n life_n live_v sin_n 7,486 5 4.8306 4 false
View all documents for the selected quad

Text snippets containing the quad

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

There are 3 snippets containing the selected quad. | View original text

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 on_o earth_n be_v such_o that_o there_o may_v be_v very_o bad_a man_n in_o it_o unless_o all_o who_o be_v baptize_v shall_v infallible_o prove_v good_a man_n for_o bad_a man_n who_o profess_v the_o faith_n of_o christ_n and_o repentance_n of_o their_o sin_n have_v a_o right_n to_o baptism_n where_o they_o must_v receive_v grace_n to_o mortify_v and_o subdue_v their_o lust_n and_o renew_v their_o nature_n and_o yet_o if_o after_o baptism_n they_o resist_v the_o grace_n and_o spirit_n of_o god_n they_o will_v continue_v bad_a man_n still_o and_o this_o the_o minister_n of_o the_o church_n can_v never_o know_v whether_o they_o will_v or_o not_o nay_o the_o gospel-covenant_n admit_v the_o child_n of_o christian-parent_n to_o baptism_n and_o it_o be_v impossible_a to_o know_v how_o those_o who_o be_v baptize_v in_o their_o infancy_n will_v prove_v when_o they_o be_v man_n and_o yet_o these_o be_v all_o member_n of_o the_o church_n and_o the_o mystical_a body_n of_o christ_n at_o least_o till_o they_o be_v cut_v off_o by_o the_o censure_n of_o the_o church_n and_o there_o be_v no_o inconvenience_n in_o this_o if_o the_o governor_n of_o the_o church_n be_v but_o so_o strict_a in_o their_o discipline_n as_o to_o prevent_v all_o public_a scandal_n for_o since_o the_o church_n on_o earth_n be_v the_o school_n and_o nursery_n of_o virtue_n where_o bad_a man_n may_v be_v reform_v and_o become_v saint_n since_o christ_n be_v that_o spiritual_a vine_n from_o who_o alone_o we_o can_v receive_v the_o communication_n of_o a_o divine_a life_n it_o be_v very_o fit_v that_o all_o believer_n shall_v be_v receive_v into_o the_o church_n and_o incorporate_v into_o christ_n body_n for_o it_o can_v be_v know_v whether_o they_o will_v prove_v good_a or_o bad_a man_n fruitful_a or_o barren_a branch_n till_o they_o partake_v of_o the_o sap_n and_o fatness_n of_o the_o root_n till_o they_o receive_v such_o communication_n of_o grace_n as_o my_o renew_v they_o into_o a_o divine_a nature_n and_o therefore_o to_o say_v that_o none_o but_o real_a saint_n be_v member_n of_o the_o church_n on_o earth_n be_v to_o make_v no_o difference_n between_o a_o school_n of_o trial_n exercise_n and_o discipline_n and_o the_o state_n of_o perfect_a and_o consummate_a soul_n between_o a_o state_n of_o warfare_n where_o the_o victory_n be_v doubtful_a and_o the_o triumphant_a company_n of_o conqueror_n between_o those_o who_o run_v in_o a_o race_n and_o those_o who_o have_v win_v the_o prize_n for_o such_o a_o difference_n there_o be_v between_o the_o state_n of_o the_o church_n on_o earth_n and_o in_o heaven_n we_o can_v run_v this_o spiritual_a race_n unless_o we_o be_v in_o the_o church_n for_o there_o be_v no_o prize_n no_o crown_n to_o run_v for_o out_o of_o it_o and_o therefore_o those_o who_o lose_v as_o well_o as_o those_o who_o win_v the_o prize_n must_v be_v in_o the_o church_n and_o member_n of_o it_o they_o be_v all_o in_o the_o same_o covenant_n that_o if_o they_o overcome_v they_o shall_v receive_v the_o crown_n good_a man_n conquer_v in_o this_o world_n and_o triumph_v in_o heaven_n bad_a man_n be_v conquer_v and_o they_o lose_v their_o crown_n and_o this_o make_v the_o separation_n and_o difference_n between_o the_o church_n in_o heaven_n and_o earth_n in_o heaven_n there_o be_v none_o but_o those_o who_o have_v conquer_v on_o earth_n all_o who_o run_v in_o the_o same_o race_n and_o be_v engage_v in_o the_o same_o warfare_n be_v mix_v together_o in_o the_o same_o body_n and_o society_n those_o who_o conquer_v and_o those_o who_o be_v conquer_v be_v of_o the_o same_o company_n on_o earth_n but_o none_o but_o conqueror_n be_v crown_v in_o heaven_n thus_o i_o have_v show_v wherein_o the_o unity_n of_o the_o church_n consist_v that_o the_o whole_a church_n both_o in_o heaven_n and_o earth_n be_v unite_v to_o christ_n in_o the_o same_o covenant_n which_o make_v it_o his_o one_o mystical_a body_n and_o it_o be_v necessary_a to_o lay_v the_o foundation_n here_o for_o without_o this_o it_o be_v impossible_a to_o understand_v what_o the_o unity_n of_o the_o church_n on_o earth_n mean_v most_o of_o the_o mistake_v in_o this_o matter_n be_v plain_o owe_v to_o that_o first_o and_o fundamental_a mistake_n about_o the_o true_a notion_n of_o catholic_n unity_n as_o that_o include_v the_o unity_n of_o the_o universal_a church_n part_n of_o which_o be_v translate_v to_o heaven_n and_o part_v still_o militant_a on_o earth_n those_o who_o have_v be_v aware_a of_o this_o that_o the_o church_n in_o heaven_n and_o earth_n be_v but_o one_o church_n have_v hence_o conclude_v that_o the_o catholic_n church_n be_v only_o the_o number_n of_o the_o elect_n that_o none_o but_o true_o good_a man_n who_o be_v renew_v and_o sanctify_v by_o the_o holy_a spirit_n be_v member_n of_o christ_n mystical_a body_n which_o make_v the_o church_n on_o earth_n as_o invisible_a to_o we_o as_o the_o church_n in_o heaven_n other_o when_o they_o talk_v of_o the_o unity_n of_o the_o church_n never_o think_v of_o the_o church_n in_o heaven_n and_o therefore_o advance_v such_o a_o notion_n of_o church-unity_n as_o exclude_v the_o church_n in_o heaven_n as_o if_o the_o church_n on_o earth_n be_v the_o whole_a church_n of_o christ_n or_o that_o the_o church_n in_o heaven_n and_o earth_n be_v not_o one_o church_n or_o that_o the_o notion_n of_o church-unity_n must_v not_o relate_v to_o the_o whole_a church_n but_o only_o to_o one_o part_n of_o it_o thus_o as_o i_o observe_v before_o the_o romanist_n do_v who_o place_n the_o unity_n of_o the_o church_n in_o its_o union_n and_o subjection_n to_o the_o bishop_n of_o rome_n which_o can_v concern_v only_o that_o part_n of_o the_o church_n which_o be_v on_o earth_n for_o the_o church_n in_o heaven_n be_v not_o under_o his_o government_n other_o consider_v that_o the_o unity_n of_o the_o church_n consist_v in_o the_o union_n of_o all_o the_o part_n and_o member_n of_o it_o to_o christ_n have_v no_o regard_n at_o all_o to_o the_o unity_n of_o the_o church_n on_o earth_n as_o that_o also_o be_v one_o body_n and_o communion_n and_o therefore_o it_o will_v be_v time_n now_o to_o apply_v this_o notion_n of_o church-unity_n to_o the_o unity_n of_o the_o church_n on_o earth_n chap._n ii_o concern_v the_o unity_n of_o the_o catholic_n church_n on_o earth_n if_o the_o whole_a church_n be_v one_o to_o be_v sure_o every_o part_n of_o it_o must_v be_v one_o with_o the_o whole_a and_o therefore_o one_o with_o itself_o with_o that_o same_o kind_n of_o unity_n which_o belong_v to_o the_o whole_a so_o that_o the_o essential_a unity_n of_o the_o church_n on_o earth_n that_o which_o make_v a_o church_n and_o make_v it_o one_o be_v that_o all_o true_a church_n be_v member_n of_o the_o one_o mystical_a body_n of_o christ_n as_o be_v all_o unite_a to_o he_o as_o to_o their_o head_n by_o the_o same_o covenant_n so_o that_o whatever_o make_v a_o church_n a_o true_a church_n make_v it_o a_o member_n of_o the_o one_o catholic_n church_n or_o of_o the_o one_o body_n of_o christ._n and_o here_o come_v in_o what_o the_o apostle_n make_v essential_a to_o this_o one_o body_n one_o lord_n one_o faith_n one_o baptism_n 4_o eph._n 5._o which_o signify_v what_o i_o say_v before_o be_v unite_v to_o christ_n in_o the_o same_o covenant_n for_o christ_n be_v the_o one_o lord_n to_o who_o we_o be_v unite_v the_o one_o faith_n be_v the_o condition_n of_o this_o covenant_n and_o the_o one_o baptism_n be_v the_o faederal_a rite_n of_o it_o or_o the_o sacrament_n of_o our_o union_n to_o christ._n where_o this_o be_v not_o there_o be_v no_o church_n and_o where_o this_o be_v there_o be_v but_o one_o church_n how_o many_o particular_a church_n or_o distinct_a communion_n soever_o this_o church_n be_v divide_v into_o from_o whence_o
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 the_o live_a member_n of_o christ_n body_n i_o can_v possible_o see_v how_o there_o can_v be_v a_o visible_a church_n on_o earth_n for_o this_o internal_a grace_n which_o make_v a_o church-member_n be_v invisible_a and_o therefore_o church-member_n be_v invisible_a too_o and_o then_o i_o fear_v the_o church_n itself_o must_v be_v invisible_a if_o all_o the_o member_n of_o it_o be_v invisible_a for_o invisible_a member_n can_v make_v a_o visible_a society_n and_o to_o say_v that_o the_o field_n in_o which_o the_o corn_n and_o the_o tare_n grow_v together_o be_v visible_a will_v not_o make_v the_o church_n visible_a unless_o this_o visible_a field_n as_o visible_a be_v the_o church_n and_o then_o the_o tare_n as_o well_o as_o the_o corn_n must_v be_v church-member_n for_o to_o see_v where_o the_o corn_n grow_v if_o we_o can_v see_v the_o corn_n do_v not_o make_v the_o corn_n visible_a and_o if_o the_o corn_n only_o be_v the_o church_n invisible_a corn_n can_v make_v a_o visible_a church_n which_o have_v make_v i_o often_o wonder_v that_o some_o learned_a protestant_n and_o that_o of_o late_a too_o have_v so_o much_o insist_v on_o this_o notion_n which_o give_v manifest_a advantage_n to_o their_o adversary_n and_o serve_v no_o end_n that_o i_o know_v of_o but_o what_o may_v better_a be_v serve_v without_o it_o but_o the_o union_n of_o the_o church_n to_o christ_n which_o i_o have_v now_o explain_v be_v a_o visible_a union_n for_o we_o be_v unite_v to_o christ_n by_o the_o gospel-covenant_n and_o the_o covenant_n be_v visible_a the_o sacrament_n of_o the_o covenant_n baptism_n and_o the_o lord_n supper_n be_v visible_a the_o profession_n of_o faith_n and_o obedience_n to_o christ_n make_v by_o these_o visible_a sacrament_n be_v visible_a also_o and_o therefore_o the_o church_n which_o be_v unite_v to_o christ_n by_o a_o visible_a covenant_n visible_a sacrament_n and_o a_o visible_a profession_n be_v visible_a also_o but_o you_o will_v say_v can_v wicked_a man_n than_o be_v member_n of_o christ_n mystical_a body_n yes_o no_o doubt_n but_o they_o may_v in_o this_o world_n if_o they_o can_v be_v in_o covenant_n with_o he_o we_o be_v unite_v by_o covenant_n and_o those_o who_o be_v thus_o unite_v be_v member_n of_o his_o body_n and_o christ_n have_v but_o one_o body_n which_o be_v his_o church_n and_o mystical_a spouse_n and_o what_o absurdity_n be_v there_o in_o say_v that_o man_n may_v be_v in_o covenant_n with_o christ_n and_o not_o perform_v the_o condition_n of_o the_o covenant_n nor_o obtain_v the_o reward_n of_o it_o this_o no_o man_n will_v deny_v but_o that_o bad_a man_n who_o live_v in_o visible_a communion_n with_o the_o church_n who_o be_v baptize_v in_o the_o name_n of_o christ_n and_o feast_v at_o his_o table_n be_v visible_o in_o covenant_n with_o he_o for_o if_o the_o sacrament_n of_o the_o covenant_n do_v not_o prove_v that_o we_o be_v in_o covenant_n no_o man_n can_v tell_v whether_o he_o be_v in_o covenant_n or_o not_o now_o all_o that_o be_v in_o covenant_n with_o christ_n be_v his_o body_n and_o unless_o we_o can_v find_v two_o covenant_n and_o two_o body_n for_o christ_n we_o must_v grant_v that_o good_a and_o bad_a man_n in_o this_o world_n be_v in_o the_o same_o covenant_n and_o member_n of_o the_o same_o body_n our_o saviour_n tell_v we_o that_o there_o be_v some_o branch_n in_o he_o which_o bear_v no_o fruit_n but_o they_o be_v in_o he_o for_o all_o that_o though_o they_o shall_v be_v take_v away_o and_o separate_v from_o he_o 15_o john_n 2._o st._n paul_n dissuade_v the_o corinthian_n from_o fornication_n by_o this_o argument_n that_o they_o be_v the_o member_n of_o christ_n know_v you_o not_o that_o your_o body_n be_v the_o member_n of_o christ_n shall_v i_o then_o take_v the_o member_n of_o christ_n and_o make_v they_o member_n of_o a_o harlot_n god_n forbid_v 1_o cor._n 6._o 15._o which_o suppose_v that_o such_o a_o thing_n may_v be_v do_v that_o the_o member_n of_o christ_n may_v be_v make_v member_n of_o a_o harlot_n and_o that_o suppose_v that_o very_o bad_a man_n may_v be_v member_n of_o christ_n body_n but_o be_v not_o all_o the_o member_n of_o christ_n mystical_o unite_v to_o he_o and_o can_v there_o be_v such_o a_o mystical_a union_n between_o christ_n and_o bad_a man_n i_o answer_v if_o by_o mystical_a union_n be_v mean_v be_v unite_v in_o the_o same_o life_n and_o spirit_n it_o be_v plain_a that_o bad_a man_n be_v not_o thus_o mystical_o unite_v to_o christ_n for_o they_o be_v not_o live_v but_o dead_a member_n of_o his_o body_n they_o be_v branch_n that_o be_v in_o the_o vine_n but_o bear_v no_o fruit_n and_o yet_o may_v be_v member_n of_o his_o mystical_a body_n which_o be_v so_o call_v not_o upon_o account_n of_o any_o mystical_a union_n which_o some_o man_n ●alk_v of_o of_o but_o no_o man_n can_v ever_o explain_v but_o for_o mystical_a reason_n as_o i_o have_v already_o show_v you_o now_o if_o those_o mystical_a reason_n for_o which_o the_o church_n be_v call_v the_o body_n of_o christ_n include_v wicked_a professor_n and_o conceal_v hypocrite_n as_o well_o as_o true_o good_a man_n than_o i_o hope_v bad_a man_n may_v be_v say_v to_o be_v the_o member_n of_o christ_n mystical_a body_n without_o such_o a_o mystical_a union_n to_o he_o now_o i_o observe_v before_o the_o mystical_a reason_n why_o the_o church_n be_v call_v the_o body_n of_o christ_n flesh_n of_o his_o flesh_n and_o bone_n of_o his_o bone_n be_v because_o he_o purchase_v the_o church_n with_o his_o own_o blood_n the_o church_n be_v form_v out_o of_o his_o break_a body_n as_o eve_n be_v form_v out_o of_o the_o body_n of_o adam_n and_o therefore_o if_o bad_a man_n who_o be_v in_o covenant_n with_o christ_n 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 expiation_n of_o it_o and_o all_o the_o benefit_n procure_v by_o it_o than_o they_o be_v the_o member_n of_o his_o mystical_a body_n flesh_n of_o his_o flesh_n and_o bone_n of_o his_o bone._n and_o methinks_v no_o man_n shall_v deny_v that_o those_o who_o be_v in_o covenant_n with_o christ_n shall_v have_v a_o covenant_n right_n to_o the_o expiation_n of_o his_o death_n and_o all_o the_o blessing_n purchase_v by_o his_o blood_n for_o otherwise_o we_o can_v tell_v what_o it_o be_v to_o be_v in_o covenant_n if_o it_o confer_v no_o right_n to_o the_o privilege_n of_o it_o and_o yet_o no_o man_n have_v a_o right_a to_o the_o purchase_n of_o christ_n blood_n but_o those_o who_o be_v his_o body_n and_o therefore_o if_o bad_a man_n may_v have_v such_o a_o covenant-right_a as_o certain_o they_o have_v if_o they_o be_v in_o covenant_n than_o they_o be_v by_o covenant_n unite_v to_o his_o mystical_a body_n if_o you_o object_n that_o by_o this_o reason_n all_o mankind_n be_v christ_n mystical_a body_n for_o he_o die_v for_o all_o man_n and_o therefore_o they_o be_v all_o the_o purchase_n of_o his_o blood_n and_o consequent_o they_o be_v his_o mystical_a body_n which_o be_v form_v out_o of_o his_o break_a body_n i_o answer_v it_o be_v true_a indeed_o that_o in_o some_o sense_n christ_n die_v for_o all_o because_o none_o be_v exclude_v from_o the_o benefit_n of_o his_o death_n who_o unite_v themselves_o to_o his_o body_n by_o faith_n and_o baptism_n but_o yet_o he_o die_v for_o none_o so_o as_o to_o give_v they_o a_o immediate_a right_n and_o title_n to_o the_o purchase_n of_o his_o blood_n for_o his_o purchase_n be_v confine_v to_o his_o church_n which_o be_v his_o body_n he_o be_v the_o saviour_n of_o the_o body_n he_o love_v his_o church_n and_o give_v himself_o for_o it_o and_o therefore_o his_o church_n only_o be_v his_o mystical_a body_n flesh_n of_o his_o flesh_n and_o bone_n of_o his_o bone_n and_o
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 member_n be_v member_n still_o till_o they_o be_v cut_v off_o either_o by_o church_n censure_n in_o this_o world_n or_o by_o the_o sentence_n of_o christ_n in_o the_o next_o this_o participation_n of_o the_o life_n and_o spirit_n of_o christ_n be_v not_o our_o mystical_a union_n to_o christ_n but_o the_o effect_n of_o it_o we_o can_v receive_v the_o influence_n of_o life_n and_o grace_n from_o christ_n till_o we_o be_v unite_v to_o he_o and_o make_v the_o member_n of_o his_o body_n for_o his_o spirit_n only_o quicken_v and_o animate_v his_o own_o body_n and_o we_o be_v unite_v to_o his_o body_n by_o covenant_n and_o by_o the_o sacrament_n of_o it_o which_o convey_v this_o divine_a life_n and_o spirit_n to_o we_o and_o therefore_o baptism_n be_v our_o regeneration_n or_o new_a birth_n the_o beginning_n of_o a_o new_a life_n because_o it_o incorporate_v we_o into_o christ_n mystical_a body_n which_o put_v we_o under_o the_o influence_n and_o communication_n of_o his_o life_n and_o spirit_n as_o when_o a_o branch_n be_v engraft_v into_o a_o stock_n it_o receive_v nourishment_n and_o life_n from_o it_o so_o that_o these_o divine_a and_o supernatural_a influence_n be_v consequent_a upon_o our_o union_n to_o christ_n and_o though_o all_o who_o be_v unite_v to_o christ_n have_v these_o influence_n of_o grace_n as_o the_o root_n natural_o communicate_v its_o sap_n and_o juice_n to_o all_o its_o branch_n yet_o all_o do_v not_o improve_v it_o do_v not_o digest_v it_o into_o principle_n of_o life_n and_o action_n do_v not_o bring_v forth_o fruit_n worthy_a of_o it_o like_o dead_a and_o wither_a branch_n who_o can_v receive_v the_o sap_n and_o nourishment_n which_o ascend_v from_o the_o root_n and_o will_v quicken_v they_o be_v not_o its_o entrance_n stop_v and_o hinder_v but_o notwithstanding_o this_o they_o be_v member_n and_o branch_n still_o though_o dead_a and_o fruitless_a there_o be_v no_o account_n indeed_o have_v of_o they_o christ_n know_v they_o not_o and_o 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 but_o that_o they_o be_v in_o two_o very_a different_a state_n of_o right_n none_o but_o sincere_a believer_n and_o true_o pious_a man_n aught_o to_o be_v member_n of_o the_o church_n on_o earth_n as_o well_o as_o in_o heaven_n but_o the_o government_n of_o the_o church_n the_o receive_n in_o and_o cast_v out_o of_o the_o church_n be_v entrust_v with_o man_n who_o can_v see_v the_o heart_n or_o who_o be_v not_o careful_a in_o the_o exercise_n of_o discipline_n to_o preserve_v the_o purity_n of_o the_o church_n secret_a hypocrite_n may_v be_v receive_v into_o the_o church_n and_o those_o who_o be_v open_o profane_a may_v not_o be_v cast_v out_o of_o it_o but_o in_o the_o other_o world_n christ_n make_v the_o distinction_n and_o separate_v the_o chaff_n from_o the_o wheat_n and_o therefore_o the_o church_n in_o heaven_n can_v consist_v only_o of_o good_a man_n because_o bad_a man_n can_v find_v no_o admission_n there_o and_o beside_o this_o it_o be_v agreeable_a enough_o to_o the_o state_n of_o the_o church_n on_o earth_n and_o indeed_o can_v well_o be_v otherwise_o that_o good_a and_o bad_a man_n shall_v be_v intermix_v in_o it_o because_o it_o be_v a_o state_n of_o trial_n and_o discipline_n of_o growth_n and_o improvement_n though_o bad_a man_n as_o that_o signify_v hypocrite_n and_o unbeliever_n if_o they_o be_v know_v ought_v not_o to_o be_v receive_v into_o the_o church_n yet_o if_o they_o be_v by_o the_o influence_n of_o grace_n and_o the_o instruction_n of_o the_o word_n and_o the_o prayer_n of_o the_o church_n and_o the_o example_n and_o conversation_n of_o good_a man_n and_o the_o prudent_a exercise_n of_o discipline_n they_o may_v be_v reclaim_v to_o virtue_n and_o become_v live_a member_n of_o christ_n body_n those_o who_o be_v dead_a before_o may_v recover_v a_o new_a life_n by_o be_v engrat_v into_o this_o heavenly_a vine_n nay_o indeed_o though_o all_o man_n be_v not_o equal_o wicked_a yet_o no_o man_n have_v this_o divine_a life_n but_o only_o 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