The whole body of Christian religion, by Hieron. Zanchius. Translated out of Latine by D. Ralph Winterton.

DOCT. VIII. That there is but one Head of the Church, to wit, Iesus Christ.

FRom hence are we confirmed in the faith, that, seeing the Church of Christ, which is his body, is but one, therefore the Head thereof is and alwayes was but one. Now by the name of Head we understand him, who from the beginning of the world was by God given unto the Church to this end, that he should be at length made partaker of the same nature with it, and redeem it, and closely unite it unto himself, and quicken it, and illuminate it with the splendour of his wisdome, and inflame it with the ardent heat of divine love, and effectually move it unto all good desires and good works, and perpetually guide, governe, and preserve it. For be∣sides dayly experience in nature, we are caught it out of the holy Scri∣pture, that these are the proper ope∣rations of the Head in respect of the body. But we acknowledge none that doth or can perform these for

the Church besides Iesus Christ: not denying in the mean time, but there may be one head of all the hypo∣crites which are in the Church, and consequently of a hypocriticall Church it self; forasmuch as the Prophets did foretell thus much, and the Apostles also have confirmed it. But we believe and confesse with the holy Apostles that thea 1.1 Head of the true Church is but one onely, to wit, Iesus Christ.

Notes

• a 1.1

  Eph. 1.22.4.15.5.23. Col 1.18.