A09453:406
A Reformed Catholic
A reformed Catholic: or, A declaration showing how near we may come to the present Church of Rome in sundry points of religion: and wherein we must for ever depart from them with an advertisement to all favourers of the Roman religion, showing that the said religion is against the Catholic principles and grounds of the catechism.A reformed Catholike: or, A declaration shewing how neere we may come to the present Church of Rome in sundrie points of religion: and vvherein we must for euer depart from them with an advertisment to all fauourers of the Romane religion, shewing that the said religion is against the Catholike principles and grounds of the catechisme.
Cambridge: printed by John Legat, 1598Cambridge: printed by Iohn Legat, 1598
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
Thus likewise the church of God in cutting off any member by excommunication, is no more but an instrument performing a ministry in the name of Christ, and that is to testify and pronounce whom Christ himself hath cut off from the kingdom of heaven: whom he also will have for this cause, to be severed from the company of his own people till he repent. And so it is in all ecclesiastical actions: Christ hath no deputy, but only instruments: the whole entire action being personal in respect of Christ. This one conclusion over throws not only the Popes supremacy, but also many other points of popery.
Thus likewise the church of God in cutting off any member by excommunication, is no more but an instrument performing a ministerie in the name of Christ, and that is to testifie and pronounce whome Christ himselfe hath cut off from the kingdome of heauen: whome he also will haue for this cause, to be seuered from the company of his own people till he repent. And so it is in all ecclesiasticall actions: Christ hath no deputie, but onely instruments: the whole intire actiō being personal in respect of Christ. This one conclusion ouer throwes not onely the Popes supremacy, but also many other points of popery.
Reason II. All the Apostles in regard ⟨p. 289⟩of power and authority were equal: for the commission apostolical both for right and execution was given equally to them all, as the very words import: Math. 28. v. 19. Go teach all nations baptizing them, &c. and the promise, I will give to thee the k••es of the kingdom of heaven, is not private to Peter, but is made in his person to the rest, according as his confession was in the name of1 the rest. Thus saith Theophylact. They have the power of committing & binding that receive 2