XVI - Of the Church

AS we believe in one God, the Father, Son, and holy Ghost, so do we most earnestly believe, Mat. 28.20. That from the beginning there hath beene, now is, Ephes. 1.4. Col. 1.18. and to the end of the world shall be, A Church; that is to say, A Company and Multitude of men chosen of God, who rightly worship and embrace him by true faith in Christ Jesus, Ephes. 5.23, 24, 25, 26. who is the onely Head of the same Church, which also is the Body & Spouse of Christ Jesus, which Church is catholike, that is, Universal, because it containeth the elect of all Ages, all Realms, Nations and Tongues, be they of the Jews, or be they of the Gentiles, who have Communion or Society with God the Father, and with his Son Christ Jesus, Apoc. 7.8. through the Sanctification of his holy Spirit; and therefore it is called, Communion (not of profane persons) but of Saints, Ephes. 2.19. who as Citizens of the heavenly Ierusalem, have the fruition of the most inestimable benefits; to wit, of one God, one Lord Jesus, one Faith, and one Baptisme; without the which Church there is neither life nor eternall felicity: And therefore we utterly abhorre the blasphemy of those that affirm, That men that live according to equity and justice shall be saved, what Religion soever they have professed: For as without Christ Jesus there is neither life nor salvation: so shall there none bee participant thereof, but such as the Father hath given unto his Sonne Christ Jesus, and those that in time come to him, avow his doctrine, Iohn 5.24. Iohn 17.6. 2 Tim. 2.19 Iohn 13.14. Ephes. 1.10. Col. 1.10. Heb. 12.4. and beleeve in him (we comprehend the Children, with the faithfull Parents) This Church is invisible, known onely to God, who alone knoweth whom hee hath chosen, and comprehendeth as well (as is said) the Elect that be departed (commonly called the Church triumphant) as those that yet live, and fight against sin and Sathan, as shall live hereafter.