A25467:1222
A Continuation of morning-exercise questions and cases of conscience practically resolvedA Continuation of morning-exercise questions and cases of conscience practicaly resolved
A Continuation of morning-exercise questions and cases of conscience practically resolved by sundry ministers in October, 1682.A Continuation of morning-exercise questions and cases of conscience practicaly resolved by sundry ministers in October, 1682.
London: printed by J.A. for John Dunton, 1683
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.
This Church even as unto that part of it which is in this world, as it is adorned with all the graces of the Holy Spirit, is the most beautiful and glorious effect, next unto the forming and production of its Head in the Incarnation of the Son of God, which Divine Wisdom, Power and Grace will extend themselves unto, here below: But these things, the glory of this State is visible only unto the eye of Faith; yea it is perfectly seen and known only to Christ himself. We see it obscurely in the light of Faith and Revelation, and are sensible of it, according unto our participating of the graces and privileges wherein it doth consist.
But that spiritual light which is necessary to the discerning of this Glory, was lost among those of whom we treat. They could see no reality nor beauty in these things, nor any thing that should be of advantage unto them. For upon their principle, of the utter uncertainty of mens spiritual estate and condition in this world, it is evident that they could have no satisfactory persuasion of any concernment in it.
But that spiritual light which is necessary to the discerning of this Glory, was lost among those of whom we treat. They could see no reality nor beauty in these things, nor any thing that should be of advantage unto them. For upon their principle, of the utter uncertainty of mens spiritual estate and condition in this world, it is evident that they could have no satisfactory perswasion of any concernment in it.
But they had possessed themselves of the notion of a Catholic Church, which with mysterious Artifices they have turned unto their own incredible secular Advantage. This is that whereof they boast, appropriating it unto themselves, and making it a pretence of destroying others, what lies in them both temporally and eternally. Unto this end they have formed the most deformed and detestable Image of it, that ever the world beheld. For the Catholic Church which they own, and which they boast that they are instead of that of Christ, is a company or society of men, unto whom in order unto the constitution of that whole society, there is no one real Christian grace required, nor spiritual Union unto Christ the Head, but only an outside profession of these things, as they expressly contend. A Society united unto the Pope of Rome, as its head by a subjection unto him, and his rule according to the Laws and Canons whereby he will grant them. This is the formal reason and cause constituting that Catholic Church which they are, which is compacted in it self by horrid Bonds and Ligaments, for the ends of Ambition, worldly Domination and Avarice. A Catholic Church openly wicked in the generality of its rulers, and them that are ruled; and in its State cruel oppressive, and died with the blood of Saints, and Martyrs innumerable.