A51837:241
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.
4. To maintain and defend his people in the exercise of these things, to preserve the verity of Doctrine and purity of Worship: Alas, many times where neither Worship nor Government is corrupted, yet the Church may be in danger to be dissipated by the violence of persecutions: Now therefore it is a part of Christs office as Head of the Church, to maintain verity of Doctrine, purity of Worship and a lawful order of Government, for all which he hath plenty of Spirit. The Papists think this cannot be without some universal visible head to supply Christs Office in his absence; and so are like the Israelites, Exod. 31.1. Make us Gods that shall go before us. They would have a visible head that should supply Christs room in his absence, an external infallible Head, but that is a vain conceit, for since the Pope hath his residence in ⟨p. 122⟩Rome, and cannot perform these functions but by the intervention of ordaining Pastors, why should it be more difficult for Christ in heaven to Govern the Church, than for the Pope in Rome? when he sitteth at the right hand of God, till he hath made his •oes his Footstool? Is he less powerful to Govern the Church, and to preserve and defend his People against the violence of those that would root out the memorial of Religion in the World? Who is more powerful than Jesus Christ, who hath all Judgement put into his hands, 1 Job. 4.4.
4. To maintain and defend his people in the exercise of these things, to preserve the verity of Doctrine and purity of Worship: Alass, many times where neither Worship nor Government is corrupted, yet the Church may be in danger to be dissipated by the violence of persecutions: Now therefore it is a part of Christs office as Head of the Church, to maintain verity of Doctrine, purity of Worship and a lawful order of Government, for all which he hath plenty of Spirit. The Papists think this cannot be without some universal visible head to supply Christs Office in his absence; and so are like the Israelites, Exod. 31.1. Make us Gods that shall go before us. They would have a visible head that should supply Christs room in his absence, an external infallible Head, but that is a vain conceit, for since the Pope hath his residence in