A55299:218
An answer to the discourse of Mr. William Sherlock, touching the knowledge of Christ,…
An answer to the discourse of Mr. William Sherlock, touching the knowledge of Christ, and our union and communion with him by Edward Polhill ..., Esquire.
London: printed for Ben. Foster, 1675
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.
Schismatics are in the Church, 1just as Rebels are in a Kingdom, not as parts of it, but enemies: The Apostle tells us, wherein the unity of the Church consists: In Eph. 4.16. Christ is the Head; from whom the whole body fitly joined together, and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, making increase of the body to the edifying it self in love: That is, The supreme power is invested in Christ, as Head, to whom the Church is obedient and subject; but to make this union firm and lasting, there must be a regular subordination of the several members, and a mutual discharge of Christian offices, which advances their growth in Grace, and especially in love; ⟨p. 200⟩this supposes a visible society of Christians, professing the Faith, and living in communion with each other, if there be no such visible Society, as in persecution, or degeneracy of the Church: Our union to Christ consists in an acknowledgement of his Authority and Subjection to his Laws, which makes us members of the universal Church, but when there is a visible Church, we are under an obligation of communion; because herein our Subjection to the Authority of Christ, and our Union to him consists.
Schismaticks are in the Church, 1just as Rebels are in a Kingdom, not as parts of it, but enemies: The Apostle tells us, wherein the unity of the Church consists: In Eph. 4.16. Christ is the Head; from whom the whole body fitly joined together, and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, making increase of the body to the edifying it self in love: That is, The supreme power is invested in Christ, as Head, to whom the Church is obedient and subject; but to make this union firm and lasting, there must be a regular subordination of the several members, and a mutual discharge of Christian offices, which advances their growth in Grace, and especially in love; ⟨p. 200⟩