L 408 DISCOURSE ON THE UNITY OF THE CHURCH. Augustine, Vincentius Lirinensis, which plainly countenance our interpretation. Ans. 6. It is not reasonable to interpret the article so as will not consist with the state of the church in the apostolical and most primitive ages, when evidently there was no such a political con- junction of Christians. Arg. III. The apostles delivered one rule of faith to all churches, the embracing and professingwhereof, celebrated in baptism, was a necessary condition to the admission into the church, and to continu- ance therein ; therefore, Christians are combined together in one political body. Ep., p. 40; Lat., p. 144, 151. Ans. 1. The consequence is very weak; for from the antecedent it can only be inferred that, according to the sentiment of the an- cients, all Christians should consent in one faith: which unity we avow, and who denies? Ans. 2. By like reason all mankind must be united in one politi- cal body; because all men are bound to agree in what the light of nature discovers to be true and good, or because the principles of natural religion, justice, and humanity, are common to all. Arg. IV. God has granted to the church certain powers and rights, as jura majestatis,namely, the power of the keys (toadmit into, to exclude from, the kingdom of heaven) ; a power to enact laws, for maintenance of its order and peace, for its edification and welfare; a power to correct and excommunicate offenders; a power to hold assemblies for God's service; a power to ordain governors and pastors. Ep., p. 37, 49; Lat., p. 153, 118; Leges ferre; Lat., p. 171, 54. Ans. 1. These powers are granted to the church because granted to each particular church or distinct society of Christians; not to the whole as such, or as distinct from the parts. Ans. 2. It is evident that by virtue of such grants particular churches exercise those powers; and it is impossible to infer more from them than a justification of their practice. Ans. 3. St Cyprian often from that commongrant infers the right of exercising discipline in each particular church; which inference would not be good but upon our supposition; nor, indeed, otherwise would any particular church have ground for its authority. Ans. 4. God hasgranted the like rightsto all princes and states; but does it thence follow that all kingdoms and states must beunited in one single regiment? The consequence is just the same as in our case. Arg. V. All churches were tied to observe the same laws or rules of practice, the same orders of discipline and customs; therefore, all make one corporation. Ep., p. 42, 49; Lat., p. 151, 219.
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