Among the many Controversies which have disquieted and molested the Church of Christ, those concerning Ecclesiastical Government and Discipline are not the least, but among the chief, and often managed with the greatest animosity and eagerness of spirit, whence there have grown most dangerous divisions and breaches, such as this day there are, and for the future are to be expected, unless there shall be (through Gods mercy) some further composing and healing of these Church-consuming distractions: which if we shall be so happy as once to obtain, it will certainly contribute very much toward the accommodation of civill and State-shaking differences. And contrariwise, if no healing for the Church, no healing for the State. Let the Gallio's of this time (who care for no intrinsical evil in the Church) promise to themselves what they will, surely he that shall have cause to write with Nicolaus de Clemangis, a Book of lamentation de corrupto Ecclesiae statu, will find also cause to write with him de lapsu & reparatione Justitiae. ⟨image 5⟩As the thing is of high concernment to these so much disturbed and divided Churches, so the elevation is yet higher by many degrees; This controversy reacheth up to the Heavens, and the top of it is above the clouds. It doth highly concern Jesus Christ himself, in his glory, royal prerogative, and kingdom, which he hath and exerciseth as Mediator and Head of his Church. The Crown of Jesus Christ, or any part, privilege, or pendicle thereof must needs be a noble and excellent Subject. This truth that Jesus Christ is a King, and hath a Kingdom and government in his Church, distinct from the kingdoms of this World, and from the civill Government, hath this commendation and character above all other truths, that Christ himself suffered to the death for it, and sealed it with his blood. For it may be observed from the story of his Passion, athis was the only point of his accusation, which was confessed and avouched by himself, bwas most aggravated, prosecuted, and driven home by the Jews, cwas prevalent with Pilate as the cause of condemning him to die, andd was mentioned also in the superscription upon his cross.
Among the many Controversies which have disquieted and molested the Church of Christ, those concerning Ecclesiasticall Government and Discipline are not the least, but among the chiefe, and often mannaged with the greatest animosity and eagernesse of spirit, whence there have growne most dangerous divisions and breaches, such as this day there are, and for the future are to be expected, unlesse there shall be (through Gods mercy) some further composing and healing of these Church-consuming distractions: which if we shall be so happy as once to obtaine, it will certainely contribute very much toward the accommodation of civill and State-shaking differences. And contrariwise, if no healing for the Church, no healing for the State. Let the Gallio's of this time (who care for no intrinsecall evill in the Church) promise to themselves what they will, surely he that shall have cause to write with Nicolaus de Clemangis, a Booke of lamentation de corrupto Ecclesiae statu, will finde also cause to write with him de lapsu & reparatione Justitiae. ⟨image 5⟩As the thing is of high concernment to these so much disturbed and divided Churches, so the elevation is yet higher by many dègrees; This controversie reacheth up to the Heavens, and the top of it is above the clouds. It doth highly concerne Iesus Christ himselfe, in his glory, royall prerogative, and kingdome, which he hath and exerciseth as Mediator and Head of his Church. The Crowne of Iesus Christ, or any part, priviledge, or pendicle thereof must needs be a noble and excellent Subject. This truth that Iesus Christ is a King, and hath a Kingdome and government in his Church, distinct from the kingdomes of this World, and from the civill Government, hath this commendation and character above all other truths, that Christ himselfe suffered to the death for it, and sealed it with his blood. For it may be observed from the story of his Passion, athis was the onely point of his accusation, which was confessed and avouched by himselfe, bwas most aggravated, prosecuted, and driven home by the Iewes, cwas prevalent with Pilate as the cause of condemning him to die, andd was mentioned also in the superscription upon his crosse.
- aLuke 23. 3. John 18. 33, 36 37.
- bLuke 23. 2. John 19. 12, 15.
- cJoh. 19. 12, 13
- dd John 19. 19.
