A51837:224
Christs eternal existence, and the dignity of his person asserted and proved in opposition…
Christs eternal existence, and the dignity of his person asserted and proved in opposition to the doctrine of the Socinians : in several sermons on Col. I, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21 verses / by the Reverend Tho. Manton.
London printed : s.n., 1685
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.
Thirdly, This part which is the Military comes in the 2d. place, to be called by the name of the universal Church; because being scattered & dispersed throughout the whole World, it comprehendeth all and every one that belongeth to Christs flock, which are found in several Folds: known to God they are, and to themselves, and do indeed belong to Christs Body and his Kingdom, ⟨p. 112⟩this is often and not undeservedly called the invisible Church: because so far as it is the Church of God their reality and sincerity is rather believed by Faith, then seen by the eyes of the body. This Church, This Kingdom of God, though it be yet in this World, yet it is not of the World, neither doth it come with observation: for the Faithful have this Kingdom of God within them; Luke 17.20. The World knows them not, other believers know them not, but God knoweth those that are his, 2 Tim. 2.19.
Fourthly, The universal visible Church, While they are in the way, and in the midst of their conflicts it is possible many hypocrites may take up the profession; as in the great house are many vessels, some to honour, some to dishonour; from these ariseth an external promiscuous multitude, who also are called the Catholic Church for the sake, and with respect to those Holy ones among them who truly belong to Christs Mystical Body. We read often the Kingdom is like to a net wherein are good and bad Fishes, Matth. 13. To a Threshing floor wherein is chaff and Wheat. To a Field wherein groweth good Corn and also Tares, Matth. 13.24, 25. Now all these ways is the universal Church taken.
Fourthly, The universal visible Church, While they are in the way, and in the midst of their conflicts it is possible many hypocrites may take up the profession; as in the great house are many vessels, some to honour, some to dishonour; from these ariseth an external promiscuous multitude, who also are called the Catholick Church for the sake, and with respect to those Holy ones among them who truly belong to Christs Mystical Body. We read often the Kingdom is like to a net wherein are good and bad Fishes,