Clarke - BV4500_C46_1659_v1

318 ( Qne(fions,andCafs ofConrcience I. H. Iv. II. H. Chap. 3o thedignityof this mytlical Head, that it communicates life, and grace, not prin- cipally from its feif, but by reafon of the Divinity dwelling in it, Chritl therefore notwuhflanding theft objc&ions,,istheheadof his Church, according toboth his natures. tell. Wha: may we l.arnfron the canfderation hereof? Anfw. Firll, In that God isthe head of the Church, we maÿ thence conclude that fire 'hall be perpetual, and that thegates of Hell (hall not prevaile againfi her : For ifGod be withus, what (hall be aoainfl rms ?' and truly , if the head of the Church were lefs then God, the wouldñevcr be fafe , having all the Devils ofHell, andall thewicked of the world againll her. `Secondly, If Godbe the head of theChurch, then all the Members ofit ought to obey this their head in all things with reverence, andgodly feat : For there is an infinite obligation upon every Creature toobey God : but ( if it could be ) there is more thenan inïinue obligation upon the Church that is redeemed, and fanelified toobey her God, her mitlïcal, and life giving head. Thirdly, If Godbe the head ofthe Church, then Chrifts afcention intoheaven, bath not deprived her of het head, yea he is prefent , and ever will` be prefent withhis Carholick Church, by the prefence,and power of his Divinity , though he be not prefent to the eyes ofour flefh, accordingto his promife , Mitch. 28. ult. Lee I amwith you alwaics , evento the end of the world, therefore the Pope is a fuperfluous head. Fourthly, Is our head man alfo ? thenby vertueof his kindred to our nature, . we may attireour felves that he loves us dearly, that he is very fenfible of our miferies, and ready to relieve us, Heb. a. t 7,t 8. Fifthly, is our head man? this may comfort us, in that the Divel hath no caufe of triumphing over us Indeed' heovercame the firf'Adam, who was the head and fountain ofall mankind : but the fecond Adam,thehead ofhis Church, bath overcome him : yea in Chrift, wé overcomehim , being his members equally as we were overcome in Adam: the conquellof our head , bath made us con- querors. %eft. Wherein confifts thefsenilitude'betwixt Ckrill anda head ? and betwixt the Church and a body? Anfw. Thenatural headMuff be confidered in a double refpe& to its member: t. Of difference. z. Ofagreement : and fo muff this mytlicall head alto. Quea. Wherein confifis the difcrepancy betwixt the head and members ? Anfw. Firll,irt refpe& of itseminency and dignity : For the head doth more fully, and perfe&ly enjoy all the fences, then the members which are under it So Chritl our myflical Head, doth poffeffe all fpirititual grace, much more abundantly then all men, andAngels oyned in one, ?'oh.3.14. Secondly, in refpe& of its Government : For thehead dire&s, and governs, and all themembers are dire&ed, and governed in their operations by it : So Chritl doth rule and governhis Church, and flee hearkens co' his commands, and fubmits to them, Epef.5. 22.23. Thirdly, In refpec4 of its caufality, and influence : For the head imparts , and communicates fence, and motion to all the members, fo that they would want fence, and morion ifthey fhouldbe feparatedfrom the head : So Chritl infufeth fpititual life, and motion into his members, otherwifethey would be'upid and dead, and deflitute of all fpititual'motion eh. i . y. 1 once Pd il.d,r Queil. wherein confikl-s the agreement between the head and members? Anfw. Firfl, In thatthe natural headbath conformity of nature with the mem- bers: For it would be a monfirous thing ifa mans body thould have a horfeshead; So between the Churchand her myflical'head, there is an agreement of nature, fich. t. 16. Secondly,The head, and-members ha'e'an' agreement in order to the fame end,

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