Headship in Marriage and the Church

EPHES. 5. 23. For the husband is the head of the wife, euen as Chriſt is the head of the Church: and he is the Sauiour of the body.

THe place of an husband intimated in the laſt clauſe of the former verſe, is more plainly expreſſed, and fully explained in this verſe. His place is expreſſed vnder the metaphor of an head: and amplified by his reſemblance therein vnto Chriſt.

The particle of connexion (FOR) ſheweth that this verſe is added as a reaſon: which may fitly be referred both to the duty it ſelfe: and to the manner of performing it.

The metaphor of an head enforceth the duty.

The amplification thereof by the reſemblance that is made to Chriſt, enforceth the manner of performing the duty.

A wife muſt ſubmit her ſelfe to an husband, becauſe he is her head: and ſhe muſt doe it as to the Lord, becauſe her husband is to her, as Chriſt is to the Church.

The metaphor of an head declareth two points:

1. The dignitie of an husband.

2. The duty

p. 30 1. As an head is more eminent and excellent than the body, and placed aboue it, ſo is an husband to his wife.

2. As an head, by the vnderſtanding which is in it, gouerneth, protecteth, preſerueth, prouideth for the body, ſo doth the husband his wife: at leaſt he ought ſo to doe: for this is his office and duty: this is here noted to ſhew the benefit which a wife receiueth by her husband: ſo as two motiues are included vnder this metaphor.

The firſt is taken from the husbands prerogatiue, whence note that

Subiection muſt be yeelded to ſuch as are ouer vs. For this is a maine end of the difference betweene partie and partie.²¹³ To what end is the head ſet aboue the body, if the body be not ſubiect to it?

1. 213. Obſer.

The ſecond is taken from the benefit which a wife reapeth by her husbands ſuperiority: and it ſheweth that

They who will not ſubmit themſelues to their ſuperiours are²¹⁴ iniurious to themſelues: as the body were iniurious to it ſelfe, if it would not be ſubiect to the head.

1. 214. Obſer. See Treat. 3. §. 73.

The more to enforce the forenamed reaſon, the Apoſtle addeth the reſemblance that is betwixt an husband and Chriſt, as this note of compariſon (²¹⁵ euen as) ſheweth: whence it followeth that

1. 215. ὡς. [moved in the edition]

It is as meet for a wife to ſubmit her ſelfe to her husband, as²¹⁶ for the Church to ſubmit it ſelfe to Chriſt. This amplification is eſpecially added for Chriſtians. Heathens may be moued to ſubiect themſelues to their gouernours, by the reſemblance taken from a naturall body. How much more ought Chriſtians to be moued by the reſemblance taken from the myſticall body of Chriſt?

1. 216. Obſer.

Theſe words (and he is the Sauiour of the body) as they doe declare the office of Chriſt, and the benefit which the Church reapeth, ſo they note the end why an husband is appointed to be the head of his wife, namely that by his prouident care he may be as a ſauiour to her. It is here noted rather to ſhew the benefit which a wife reapeth by her p. 31 husband, then the dutie which he oweth: for that the Apoſtle declareth afterwards, verſ. 25, &c. The meaning then is, That as Chriſt was giuen to be an head of the Church which is his body, that he might protect it, and prouide all needfull things for it, and ſo be a Sauiour to it, euen ſo²¹⁷ for that very end are husbands appointed to be the head of their wiues.

1. 217. How an huſband is a Sauiour to his wife See Treat. 3. §. 73.

Vpon this ground the Apoſtle inferreth the concluſion in the next verſe.

EPHES. 5. 24 Therefore as the Church is ſubiect to Chriſt, ſo let wiues be to their owne husbands in euery thing.

THis concluſion ſetteth forth not only the dutie it ſelfe, but alſo another Reaſon, and another Rule to prouoke and direct wiues to performe their dutie: and that vnder the patterne of the Church.

The reaſon may be thus framed, That which the Church doth to Chriſt, a wife muſt doe to her husband. But the Church is ſubiect to Chriſt. Therefore a wife muſt be ſubiect to her husband.

The propoſition is grounded on that reſemblance which is betwixt the Church in relation to Chriſt, and a wife in relation to her husband: for an husband is that to his wife, which Chriſt is to the Church; therefore a wife muſt be ſo to her husband, as the Church is to Chriſt.

The rule noteth both the Manner (²¹⁸ as) and alſo the Extent of a wiues ſubiection (²¹⁹ in euery thing.)²²⁰

1. 218. ὥσπερ. [moved in the edition]
2. 219. ἐν παντί. [moved in the edition]
3. 220. See more of the manner and extent of a wiues obedience, Treat. 3. §. 51. & 63.

Anſw. This extent is to be reſtrained to the generalitie of the things in queſtion. As in other places, where the p. 32 Apoſtle ſaith, all things are lawfull for me, he meaneth all²²¹ indifferent things, for of them his ſpeech was in that place. And where againe he ſaith, Whatſoeuer is ſet before you, eat,²²² he meaneth, whatſoeuer good and wholſome meat: for of that he ſpake.

1. 221. 1 Cor. 10. 23. [moved in the edition]
2. 222. Vers. 27.

Thus much of the maine drift of the Apoſtle in ſetting before wiues the example of Chriſt, to whom husbands are like in dignitie, and the example of the Church, to whom wiues ought to be like in dutie.

I will further conſider theſe examples of Chriſt and the Church more diſtinctly by themſelues, without any relation to man and wife: and out of them note ſuch generall inſtructions as concerne all Chriſtians.

EPHES. 5. 23, 24. 23. Chriſt is the head of the Church: and he is the Sauiour of the body. 24. The Church is ſubiect vnto Chriſt in euery thing.

BEhold here the mutuall relation betwixt Chriſt,

the Church.

Wherein note concerning Chriſt,

• 1. His preheminence ouer the Church, (he is her head.)
• 2. His goodneſſe to her, (he is her Sauiour.)

Note alſo concerning the Church,

• 1. Her prerogatiue, (ſhe is the body of Chriſt.)
• 2. Her dutie. In laying downe whereof there is noted,
  • 1. Wherin it conſiſteth (The Church is ſubiect to Chriſt)
  • 2. How farre it extendeth, (in euery thing.)

The title Head, is giuen to Chriſt in two reſpects.

1. In regard of his²²³ dignitie and dominion ouer the Church.

2. In regard of the²²⁴ neere vnion betwixt him and the Church.

1. 223. Col. 1. 18.
2. 224. Epheſ. 4. 15, 16.

p. 33 This vnion is more fully expreſſed afterwards, verſ. 30.

The dignitie of Chriſt is here principally intended: ſo as Chriſt is the higheſt in authoritie ouer the Church: the titles²²⁵²²⁶ Lord,²²⁷ Father, Maſter, Doctor,²²⁸ Prophet,²²⁹ Firſt-borne, with the like, being by a kinde of excellencie and proprietie attributed to him, proue as much.

1. 225. Doctr.
2. 226. 1 Cor. 8. 6. [moved in the edition]
3. 227. Mat. 23. 7, 8, 9. [moved in the edition]
4. 228. Deut. 18. 15. [moved in the edition]
5. 229. Col. 1. 18. [moved in the edition]

The cauſes hereof are

• 1. The good pleaſure of God his Father.
• 2. The dignitie of his perſon being God-Man.
• 3. The merit of his ſacrifice whereby he hath redeemed and purchaſed his Church vnto himſelfe.
• 4. The omnipotencie of his power whereby he is able to protect it.
• 5. The all-ſufficiencie of ſpirit, whereby he is able to giue to euery member all needfull grace.

Till the Pope of Rome can ſhew ſo good reaſon for this²³⁰ title (Supreme head of the whole Church) we will account him a blaſphemous vſurper thereof.

1. 230. 1 Vse.

Object. He is not accounted an Imperiall head as Chriſt is,²³¹ but only a Miniſteriall head.

1. 231. The diſtinction betwixt imperiall and miniſteriall head diſcuſſed.

Anſw.

1. This diſtinction is without all ground or warrant of Scripture.

2. It implieth plaine contradiction. For to be a miniſteriall head, is to be an head and a miniſter, which is all one as an head and a member in relation to the ſame thing.

3. Though in theſe two words (Imperiall, Miniſteriall) they may ſeeme to aduance Chriſt aboue the Pope, yet in their owne interpretation of theſe words they make the Pope equall²³² to Chriſt, if not aduance him aboue Chriſt. For they ſay that Chriſt is an imperiall head to quicken the Church inwardly: and the Pope a miniſteriall head to gouerne it outwardly. Firſt let it be noted, how little congruitie this expoſition hath with the words expounded. Doth this word (imperiall) intimate a quickning vertue? Doth this word (miniſteriall) implie a gouerning power? Nay, is there not great incongruitie in this, that Chriſt ſhould be the Imperiall head, and yet the Pope an head to gouerne? Beſides, doth not this rend aſunder two of Chriſts offices, and leauing one to Chriſt, giue another to the p. 34 Pope, and ſo make him equall with Chriſt? If the particular branches of this gouernment which is giuen by papiſts vnto the Pope by vertue of his headſhip be obſerued, we ſhall finde that to be verified in him, which the Apoſtle hath foretold concerning Antichriſt, that as God he ſitteth in the temple of²³³ God, ſhewing himſelfe that he is God. For they giue to him the keyes of heauen and hell, to ſhut or open the one or other as²³⁴ pleaſeth him: they giue him power to diſpenſe with Gods lawes, to coine articles of faith, to make lawes to binde mens conſciences directly and immediatly, to giue pardon for ſinne, to free ſubiects from allegeance to their Soueraignes, to canonize Saints, and what not? But to let theſe impious blaſpliemies paſſe, beſide that this prerogatiue of Chriſt (to be head of²³⁵ the Church) is incommunicable (for thereby the Apoſtle proueth Chriſt to be aduanced farre aboue all principalitie, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name, &c.) Chriſt needeth not for the execution of his office therein any Vicar, or Deputie: for as head he filleth all in all things: and by his eternall ſpirit is he in heauen, earth, and euery place where any of his members are, according to his²³⁶ promiſes made vnto his Church.

1. 232. Staplet. lib. 6. cap. 16. de princip. doct.
2. 233. 2 Theſſ. 2. 4.
3. 234. In Decretal.
4. 235. Eph. 1. 21, 22, 23
5. 236. Mat. 18. 20. & 28. 20.

Much comfort and great confidence muſt this needs miniſter²³⁷ to all ſuch as haue aſſurance that they are of this bodie: for hauing ſo mightie, ſo wiſe, ſo mercifull an head, an head ſo ſufficient euery way, who can inſtruct, direct, guide, gouerne, protect, and helpe them in all their needs whatſoeuer, what need they feare? When we are aſſaulted by Satan, or any way ſet vpon by any of his inſtruments, or are in any diſtreſſe or need, let vs lift vp the eies of our faith higher then we can the eies of our bodie, and in heauen behold this our head, who is inuiſible, and we cannot but receiue from thence much comfort, and incouragement.

1. 237. Vſe.

The Goodneſſe of Chriſt is ſet downe in theſe words (and he is the Sauiour of the bodie) Euery word almoſt hath his emphaſis.

1. The copulatiue particle (AND) ſheweth that

The goodneſſe which Chriſt doth for his Church, he doth becauſe²³⁸ he is the head thereof.

1. 238. καί 1. Obſer.

p. 35 O how happie a thing is it for the Church that it hath ſuch an head! an head that doth not tyrannize ouer it, nor trample it vnder foot: an head that doth not pole, or peele the Church: but procureth peace and ſafetie to it. When Naomi ſought to make a match betwixt Boaz and Ruth, that he might be her²³⁹ head, what ſaith ſhe? Shall I not ſeeke reſt for thee that it may be well with thee? It is therefore the office of an head to be a Sauiour, to procure reſt and proſperitie to the bodie whoſe head it is.

1. 239. Ruth 3. 1. [moved in the edition]

Happie were it for Kingdomes, Common-wealths, Cities, Churches, Families, wiues, and all that haue heads, if they were ſuch heads: that, becauſe they are heads, they would endeuour to be Sauiours.

In laying forth the goodneſſe of Chriſt three things are noted.

• 1. The Kinde of goodneſſe, which is Saluation (the Sauiour)
• 2. The perſon that performeth it (he himſelfe.)
• 3. The parties for whom he performeth it (the body.)

1. The Greeke word tranſlated²⁴⁰ Sauiour is ſo emphaticall that other tongues can hardly finde a fit word to expreſſe the emphaſis thereof: it being attributed to Chriſt, implieth that

1. 240. σωτήρ. Sotera inſtrip tum vidi Syracuſis. hoc quantum eſt? Ita magnum, vt Latino vno verbo exprimi non poſſit. Is eſt nimirum ſoter, qui ſalutem dedit. Cicer. in Ver. act 4.

Chriſt is a moſt abſolute and perfect Sauiour, he is euery way a ſufficient Sauiour:²⁴¹ able perfectly to ſaue euen to the very vttermoſt. He ſaueth Soule and Body: he ſaueth from all manner of miſerie: which is intimated by that particular from²⁴² which he ſaueth, namely ſinne: he ſhall ſaue his people from their ſinnes. Sinne is the greateſt, and moſt grieuous euill; yea, the cauſe of all miſerie: they who are ſaued from it, are ſaued from all euill: for there is nothing hurtfull to man, but that which is cauſed by ſinne, or poiſoned by it.

1. 241. Heb. 7. 25. σῴζειν εἰς τὸ παντελὲς δύναται. Mat. 1. 21.
2. 242. Doct.

Before ſinne ſeazed on man he was moſt happie, free from all miſerie: and ſo ſhall he be after the contagion, guilt, puniſhment, dominion, and remainder of ſinne is remoued. But he that remaineth in the bondage of ſinne is in a moſt wofull plight. In that Chriſt ſaueth from ſinne, he ſaueth from the wrath of God, the curſe of the law, the venome of all outward p. 36 croſſes, the tyranie of Satan, the ſting of Death, the power of the graue, the torments of hell, and what not?

The puritie of Chriſts nature, and excellencie of his perſon²⁴³ is it that maketh him ſo ſufficient a Sauiour: which reaſon the Apoſtle himſelfe noteth: for where he ſaith that Chriſt is able to ſaue to the vttermoſt, he addeth, for proofe thereof, that he²⁴⁴ is Holy, harmleſſe, vndefiled, ſeparate from ſinners, and made higher then the heauens.

1. 243. Reaſon.
2. 244. Heb. 7. 25, 26.

Great matter of reioycing, and of confidence doth this miniſter²⁴⁵ vnto vs. When the Angell firſt brought this newes, To you is borne a Sauiour, he ſaith, Behold I bring you good tidings of great ioy. This made the Virgin Mary ſay, My ſpirit hath reioyced in God my Sauiour, and for this did Zacharias bleſſe God that redeemed his people, and raiſed vp an horne of ſaluation.²⁴⁶ When the eies of old Simeon had ſeene this Saluation, he deſired no longer to liue, but ſaid, Lord now letteſt thou thy ſeruant²⁴⁷ depart in peace.

1. 245. Vſes. Conſolation. Luk. 2. 10, 11. Luk 1. 47.
2. 246. Verſ. 68, 69.
3. 247. Luk. 2. 29, 30.

They who beleeue in this Sauiour will be of like minde: and as they reioyce in him, ſo they will truſt vnto him, and ſay with the Apoſtle, we are more then conquerors through him²⁴⁸ that loued vs, &c.

1. 248. Rom. 8. 37.

This being ſo, to what end ſerueth the ſuppoſed treaſure of²⁴⁹ the Church, wherein are ſaid to be ſtored vp indulgences, pardons, merits, workes of ſupererogation, and I know not what traſh, to adde to the ſatisfaction of this Sauiour? either Chriſt is not a ſufficient Sauiour, or theſe are (to ſpeake the leaſt) vaine. But vaine they are: & an emptie, filthie, deteſtable treaſure that is, which God will deſtroy with all that truſt therein.

1. 249. Refut.

This relatiue particle (²⁵⁰ HEE) hath alſo his emphaſis; for as it pointeth out Chriſt the head of the Church, ſo it reſtraineth this great worke to him: it may thus be tranſlated, he himſelfe: that is, he in his owne perſon, he by himſelfe, he and none but he. So as to ſpeak properly,

1. 250. αὐτός. [moved in the edition]

Chriſt is the only Sauiour of men: in which reſpect he is²⁵¹ called²⁵² the horne of ſaluation, yea²⁵³ Saluation it ſelfe: which titles are giuen to him by an excellency and propriety: and in the ſame reſpect the name²⁵⁴ Ieſus was giuen vnto him.

1. 251. Doct.
2. 252. Luk. 1. 69. [moved in the edition]
3. 253. & 2. 30. [moved in the edition]
4. 254. Mat. 1. 21. [moved in the edition]

p. 37 Here by the way note the blaſphemous arrogancie of thoſe great ſectaries among the Papiſts, who ſtile themſelues Ieſuits: aſſuming that name which is proper to this great office of Ieſus Chriſt.

Anſw. One of their owne religion doth thus reſolue that Obiection: We are called Chriſtians of Chriſt, not Ieſuits of Ieſus, becauſe we partake of the thing ſignified by the name Chriſt, that is anointing: for (as the Apoſtle ſaith) we all receiue of his fulneſſe. But he hath not communicated to vs the thing ſignified by the name Ieſus; for it belongeth to him alone to ſaue, as ſaith the ſcripture, he ſhall ſaue his people: as if he ſhould ſay, he alone, and no other. A Chriſto dicimur²⁵⁵ Chriſtiani, non autem à Ieſu Ieſuani, ſeu Ieſuitae: quia rem ſignatam nomine Chriſtus, ſcil. vnctionem nobis communicauit. Nam, ut ait Apoſtolus, omnes nos de plenitudine eius accepimus: ſed rem ſignificatam nomine Ieſus²⁵⁶ non communicauit: nam ſaluare ipſi ſoli conuenit: ipſe enim (vt dicitur in ſcriptura) ſaluum faciet²⁵⁷ populum ſuum: ac ſi diceret, ipſe ſolus, & non alius. Guil. Lindwood in Prouinc. ſiue Conſtitut. Angl. lib. de Conſuetud.

1. 255. Ieſuit a blaſphemous title.
2. 256. Why we may be called Chriſtians and not Ieſuits.
3. 257. Chriſtus commune dignitatis eſt nomen. Ieſus proprium vocabulum ſaluatoris. Hier. in Mat. 16.

But to returne to our matter, Saint Peter doth moſt plainly and fully proue the forenamed doctrine in theſe words ſpoken of Ieſus Chriſt,²⁵⁸ There is not ſaluation in any other: for there is none other name vnder heauen giuen among men whereby we muſt be ſaued. None is able,²⁵⁹ none is worthy to worke ſo great²⁶⁰ a worke: he muſt doe it, or it can not be done. But²⁶¹ he is ſo²⁶² able, and ſo worthy as he can doe it of himſelfe, and needeth none to aſſiſt him.

1. 258. Act. 4. 12. [moved in the edition]
2. 259. Reu. 5. 4, 5.
3. 260. 1. Vſe.
4. 261. Iſa. 63. 3.
5. 262. See The whole Armour of God, Treat. 1. part 1 §. 5.

What a dotage is it to truſt to other Sauiours? Legions of²⁶³ Sauiours haue Papiſts to whom they flie in their need. All the Angels in heauen, and all, whom at any time their Popes haue canonized for Saints (which are many millions) are made Sauiours by them.²⁶⁴ Be aſtoniſhed, O ye heauens, at this: for they haue committed two euils: they haue forſaken Chriſt the fountaine of liuing waters, and hewed them out ciſternes, broken ciſterns that can hold no water.

1. 263. Virum multi ſalutares dici poſſint non facile audendum eſt. Solus enim ipſe ſaluator corporis eſt. Aug. in Ioſ. lib. 6. quaeſt. 23.
2. 264. Ier. 2. 12, 13. [moved in the edition]

p. 38 Let vs for our parts flie vnto this Sauiour only, and wholly²⁶⁵ rely vpon him, as we deſire to be ſaued. Thus ſhall we honour him by preferring him before all: yea by reiecting all but him: and thus ſhall we be ſure to bring helpe, eaſe and comfort to our owne ſoules.

1. 265. 2. Vſe.

The perſons who receiue any benefit by this Sauiour, are all compriſed vnder this metaphor the bodie: whereby the ſamething is meant that was meant before by the Church.

Church according to the notation of the Greeke word ſignifieth²⁶⁶ an aſſembly called together. It is in Scripture by a propriety attributed to them who are called to God.

1. 266. ἐκκλησία. Eccleſia ex vocatione appellata eſt. Aug. in Epiſt. ad Rom.

This calling is twofold:

1. Outward, which is common to all that make profeſſion²⁶⁷ of the Goſpell: in this reſpect it is ſaid, many are called and few choſen.

1. 267. Mat. 20. 16.

2. Inward, which is proper to the elect, none but they, and all they in their time ſhall both outwardly be called by the word to a profeſſion of Chriſt, and alſo inwardly and effectually by the ſpirit to beleeue in Chriſt, and obey his Goſpell. This is ſtiled²⁶⁸ an heauenly calling, which is²⁶⁹ proper to the Saints. Theſe make that Church, whereof Chriſt is properly the head: and therefore in relation to that metaphor of an head, they are called the Bodie: and that in theſe reſpects;

1. 268. Heb. 3. 1. [moved in the edition]
2. 269. 1 Cor. 1. 2.

• 1. They are vnder Chriſt, as a body vnder the head.
• 2. They receiue ſpirituall life and grace from Chriſt, as a body naturall receiueth ſenſe, and vigour from the head.
• 3. Chriſt gouerneth them, as an head the body.
• 4. They are ſubiect to Chriſt, as a body to the head.

This metaphor, by which the perſons that reape the benefit of Chriſts office are ſet forth, noteth two points.

1. All that are once incorporated into Chriſt ſhall be ſaued. The bodie compriſeth all the parts and members vnder it: not only armes, ſhoulders, breaſt, backe, and ſuch like: but p. 39 alſo hands, fingers, feet, toes, and all. Chriſt their head being their Sauiour, who can doubt of their ſaluation?

2. None but thoſe that are incorporated into Chriſt ſhall be ſaued. For this priuiledge is appropriated to the bodie.

The former point is clearely ſet forth by a reſemblance, which the Apoſtle maketh betwixt Adam and Chriſt, thus: As by the offence of one, iudgement came on all men to condemnation,²⁷⁰ euen ſo by the righteouſneſſe of one, the free gift came on all men vnto iuſtification of life. Here are noted two roots, one is Adam, the other is Chriſt: both of them haue their number of branches, to all which they conuey that which is in them, as the root conueyeth the ſap that is in it, into all the branches that ſprout from it. The firſt root, which is Adam, conueyeth ſinne and death to all that come from him: and the other root, which is Chriſt, conueyeth grace and life to euerie one that is giuen to him: for ſaith he, All that the Father²⁷¹ giueth me, ſhall come to me: and him that commeth to me, I will in no wiſe caſt out: and a little after, he rendreth this reaſon, This is the Fathers will, that of all which he hath giuen me²⁷² I ſhould loſe nothing, but ſhould raiſe it vp againe at the laſt day.

1. 270. Rom. 5. 18.
2. 271. Ioh. 6. 37.
3. 272. Verſ. 39.

Anſw. That phraſe ſonne of perdition, ſheweth that Iudas was neuer of this body: for can we imagine that Chriſt is a Sauiour of a ſonne of perdition?

1. 273. Ioh. 17. 12.

Anſw. By reaſon of his office and calling he ſeemed to be of this body, and till he was made knowne, none could otherwiſe iudge of him, in which reſpect Saint Peter ſaith, he was²⁷⁴ numbred with vs.

1. 274. Act. 1. 17.

2. Anſw. Chriſt there ſpeaketh in particular of the twelue Apoſtles, and to be an Apoſtle of Chriſt was in it ſelfe but an outward calling.

This is a point of admirable comfort to ſuch as haue aſſurance²⁷⁵ of their incorporation into Chriſt, they may reſt vpon the benefit of this office of Chriſt, that he is a Sauiour. We need not thinke of climing vp to heauen, and ſearching Gods records to ſee if our names be written in the booke of Life. p. 40 Let vs only make triall whether we be of this body or no.²⁷⁶ For our helpe herein, know we that this metaphor of a body implieth two things.

• 1. A myſticall vnion with Chriſt.
• 2. A ſpirituall communion with the Saints.
  • 1. By vertue of that vnion they who are of Chriſts body,
    • 1.²⁷⁷ Receiue grace, and life from him.
    • 2.²⁷⁸ Are guided and gouerned according to his will.
    • 3.²⁷⁹ Seeke to honour him in all things they doe.
    • 4.²⁸⁰ Are offended and grieued when he is diſhonoured by others.
  • 2. By reaſon of their communion with the Saints being fellow members,
    • 1.²⁸¹ They loue the brethren.
    • 2.²⁸² They are ready to ſuccour ſuch as are in diſtreſſe.
    • 3.²⁸³ They will edifie one another.
    • 4.²⁸⁴ They retaine a mutuall ſympathy: reioycing, and mourning one with another.

1. 275. Vſe.
2. 276. How we may know whethe we be of Chriſts body or no.
3. 277. Eph. 4. 15, 16. [moved in the edition]
4. 278. Ioh. 17. 6. [moved in the edition]
5. 279. Joh. 17. 10 [moved in the edition]
6. 280. Gal. 3. 1. Pſal. 116. 136. [moved in the edition]
7. 281. 1 Ioh. 4. 11. [moved in the edition]
8. 282. Mat. 25. 40. [moved in the edition]
9. 283. Eph. 4. 16. [moved in the edition]
10. 284. 1 Cor. 12. 26. [moved in the edition]

That none but thoſe who are of Chriſts body, ſhall partake of the benefit of his office, is cleare by other like titles of reſtraint, as²⁸⁵ his people, and²⁸⁶ his ſheepe: but eſpecially by denying to the world the benefit of his interceſſion.²⁸⁷ I pray not for the world, ſaith he. In this reſpect this poſition (out of the Church no ſaluation) is without exception true: for the body is the true, Catholike, inuiſible Church: he that is not a member of this Church, but is out of it, hath not Chriſt to be his head²⁸⁸ and Sauiour, whence then can he haue ſaluation?

1. 285. Mat. 1. 21. [moved in the edition]
2. 286. Ioh. 10. 15. [moved in the edition]
3. 287. Ioh. 17. 9. [moved in the edition]
4. 288. Eccleſia corpus Chriſti eſt: vnde manifeſtum eſt, eum qui non eſt in membris Chriſti Chriſtianam ſalutem habere non poſſe. Aug. de Vnit. Ec l. c. 2.

The former point is not more comfortable to thoſe that haue aſſurance that they are members of this body, then this is terrible to thoſe that giue too great euidence they are no members thereof; as all they doe that haue not the ſpirit of Chriſt ruling in them, but rather rebell againſt him: and beare no loue to the Saints, but rather hate them, and doe them all the ſpight they can.

EPHES. 5. 24. The Church is ſubiect vnto Chriſt in euery thing.

THe duty which the Church in way of thankfulneſſe performeth to Chriſt her head for this great benefit, that he is her Sauiour, is Subiection: Vnder which word is compriſed all that obedience and duty, which in any kinde Chriſt requireth of the Church, in and by the word.

Anſw. It will faithfully endeuour to doe what it can: and that honeſt and vtmoſt endeuour Chriſt graciouſly accepteth for a perfect performance of all.

In that it is here taken for grant, that the Church is ſubiect to Chriſt; I may, as from a generall to particular, infer that

Whoſoeuer is of the true Catholike Church is ſubiect to Chriſt, and yeeldeth obedience to his word. We will runne after thee,²⁸⁹ ſaith the Church to Chriſt. My ſheepe heare my voice and follow²⁹⁰ me, ſaith Chriſt of that flocke, which is his Church.²⁹¹

1. 289. Doctr.
2. 290. Cant. 1. 3. [moved in the edition]
3. 291. Iohn 10. 27. [moved in the edition]

For Chriſt conueyeth his owne ſpirit into his myſticall body the Church, and into every member thereof: which ſpirit is²⁹² much more operatiue, and liuely then the ſoule of man. If therefore mans ſoule quickning euery part of the naturall body, make them ſubiect to the head, much more will the ſpirit of Chriſt bring the members of his myſticall body in ſubiection to himſelfe. If the ſpirit of him that raiſed vp Ieſus from the dead dwell in you, he that raiſed vp Chriſt from the dead,²⁹³ ſhall alſo quicken your mortall bodies, by the ſpirit that dwelleth in you.

1. 292. Reaſon.
2. 293. Rom. 8. 11.

Hereby let triall be made of particular viſible Churches and of particular perſons, whether they are in deed of this true Catholike²⁹⁴ Church or no. Thoſe viſible Churches which refuſe to be gouerned by Chriſts word, and are wholly gouerned by humane traditions, which riſe againſt Chriſt and play the adultereſſes p. 42 by committing Idolatry, are not of this Catholike Church which is ſubiect to Chriſt. No more are Infidels that defie Chriſt, Heretiques that deny him, ignorant perſons that know not his will, profane perſons that deſpiſe him, wordlings that lightly eſteeme him, nor any that perſecute or ſcorne him in his members. By this we may ſee that many haue a name that they are of the Church, who in deed are not.

1. 294. Uſe. Triall of true Churches.

Obiect. Many ſuch perſons may belong to Gods election, and ſo be of that body whereof Chriſt is a Sauiour.

Anſw. Election in deed giueth them a title to Chriſt, but they cannot reape any benefit by that title till they haue a poſſeſſion of Chriſt by vertue of their ſpirituall vnion with him. Neither can they haue any aſſurance of their election, till they finde by the quickning vertue of the ſpirit, that they are vnited vnto Chriſt. Wherefore ſo long as men remaine deſtitute of the Spirit of Chriſt, and are poſſeſſed with a contrary ſpirit, they may well be iudged for the preſent to be none of this body, nor to haue any part in Chriſt, their future eſtate being referred to him who only knoweth what it ſhall be.

The extent of the Churches ſubiection to Chriſt is without any reſtraint at all, in every thing. For there is nothing which Chriſt requireth of her, but ſhe may with a good conſcience, and muſt in obedience yeeld unto. Iuſt, and pure, and perfect are all his commandements, there is no error in any of them: no miſchiefe or inconuenience can follow vpon the keeping of them. This extent being here taken for grant, I may further inferre that

They who are of the true Catholike Church will yeeld vniuerſall²⁹⁵ obedience to Chriſt: they will obey him in all and euery of his commandements. Dauid turned not aſide from any thing that²⁹⁶ the Lord commanded him. Ioſiah turned to the Lord with all his²⁹⁷ heart according to all the law: and Zacharias, and Elizabeth, walked in all the commandements of God. All theſe were of this Church: and of their minde are all others that are of this Church.

1. 295. Doctr.
2. 296. 1 Kings 15. 5.
3. 297. 2 Kings 23. 25. Luke 1. 6.

For the ſpirit of Chriſt which is in them worketh a thorow²⁹⁸ p. 43 reformation: euen as the fleſh leadeth a naturall man on to euery ſinne, ſo the ſpirit of Chriſt ſtirreth him vp to euery good duty. In which reſpect it is ſaid, that whoſoeuer is borne of God²⁹⁹ doth not commit ſinne.

1. 298. Reaſon.
2. 299. 1 John 3. 9.

Anſw. Their ſinnes though grieuous, haue not wilfully in open rebellion againſt Chriſt beene committed, but they haue ſlipped from them partly through their owne weakneſſe, and partly through the violence of ſome temptation. So as that which the Apoſtle ſaith of himſelfe, may be applied to all that are of the body of Chriſt, That which I doe I allow not: Now then³⁰¹ is it no more I that doe it, but the ſinne that dwelleth in me.

1. 300. Iam. 3. 2.
2. 301. Rom. 7. 15. 17.

This extent is a good proofe of the truth of ſubiection, for³⁰² herein lieth a maine difference betwixt the vpright, and the hypocrite; yea betwixt reſtraining and renewing grace. That reſtraining grace which is in many hypocrites ſtirreth them to doe many things which Chriſt commandeth, if at leaſt they croſſe not their honour, profit, eaſe, and the like. Herod that notorious hypocrite did many things. None that beareth the³⁰³ name of the Church, but will be ſubiect in ſomethings. But none but the vpright, who are indeed renewed by the ſanctifying ſpirit of Chriſt, will in all things make Chriſts will their rule, and in euery thing hold cloſe to it, preferring it before their pleaſure, profit, preferment, or any other outward allurement. They who ſo doe, giue good euidence that they are of the body of Chriſt, and may reſt vpon it, that Chriſt is their Sauiour.

1. 302. Vſe. Triall of integrity.
2. 303. Mark. 6. 20. [moved in the edition]