A14239:32
A sermon preached before the Commons-House [sic] of Parliament, in Saint Margarets Church at…A sermon preached before the Commos-House [sic] of Parliament, in Saint Margarets Church at…
A sermon preached before the Commons-House [sic] of Parliament, in Saint Margarets Church at Westminster, the 18. of February. 1620. By James Usher. Professor of Divinity in the University of Dublin, in IrelandA sermon preached before the Commos-House [sic] of Parliament, in Saint Margarets Church at Westminster, the 18. of February. 1620. By Iames Vssher. Professor of Diuinitie in the Vniuersitie of Dublin, in Ireland
London: printed by I.Dawson for John Bartlett, 1624London: printed by I.Dawson for Iohn Bartlett, 1624
Title page typeset from the transcription.
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.
Nay, if we mark it well, we shall find it to be thus in every of our own bodies: that the formal reason of the union of the members consisteth not in the continuity of the parts (though that also be requisite to the unity of a natural body:) but in the animation thereof by one and the same spirit. If we should suppose a body to be as high as the heavens, that the head thereof should be where Christ our Head is, and the feet where we his members are: no sooner could that head think of moving one of the toes, but instantly the thing would be done, without any impediment given by that huge distance of the one from the other. And why? because the same soul that is in the head, as in the fountain of sense and motion, is present likewise in the lowest member of the body. But if it should so fall out, that this, or any other member proved to be mortified, it presently would cease to be a member of that body; the corporal conjunction and continuity with the other parts notwithstanding. And even thus is it in Christ; although in regard of his corporal presence,1 the heaven must receive him, until the times of the restitution of all things: yet is he here with us alway, even unto the end of the world, in respect of the presence of his Spirit;2 by the vital influence whereof from him, as from the Head, the whole body is fitly joined together, ⟨p. 22⟩3and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part. Which quickening Spirit if it be wanting in any, no external communion with Christ or his Church, can make him a true member of this mystical body: this being a most sure principle, that He which hath not the Spirit of Christ, is none of his, Rom. 8.9.
Nay, if we marke it well, we shall finde it to be thus in euery of our owne bodies: that the formall reason of the vnion of the members consisteth not in the continuity of the parts (though that also be requisite to the vnity of a naturall body:) but in the animation thereof by one and the same spirit. If we should suppose a body to be as high as the heauens, that the head thereof should be where Christ our Head is, and the feet where we his members are: no sooner could that head thinke of mouing one of the toes, but instantly the thing would be done, without any impediment giuen by that huge distance of the one from the other. And why? because the same soule that is in the head, as in the fountaine of sence and motion, is present likewise in the lowest member of the body. But if it should so fall out, that this, or any other member proued to be mortified, it presently would cease to bee a member of that body; the corporall coniunction and continuity with the other parts notwithstanding. And euen thus is it in Christ; although in regard of his corporall presence,