Jones on Article XIX: Of the Church

” I confess there is a Catholic Church, to the determination of which I will stand ; hut not the church which you call catholic, which sooner might he termed diaholic.” — Before the Commissioners.

” I confess my lord, a Catholic Church spread throughout all the world, in the which no man may err, without the which unity no man can he saved : hut I know perfectly hy God’s word, that this church is in all the world, and hath not his

foundation in Rome only, as you say.” The hishops of

Rome have turned regere secundum verhum Dei into regere secundum voluntatem suam ; they have turned the rule accord- ing to the word of God into the rule according to their own pleasures, and as it pleaseth them hest.” — Ibid.

” Christ hath always had a church here on earth : it was begun in paradise ; sithence it hath remained and continued even unto this day. And as Christ hath his boat, so hath

antichrist also his. Wherefore it bchoveth us to know and

discern the one from the other Where nothing is taught

but according to the written word, where the sacraments are sincerely ministered, where the rod and sceptre of government is used, there is Christ, there is the Church.” — Sermons.

“But we must consider which is true unity. For every agreement is not that concord whereunto we are in this place exhorted. Lucifer with other angels consented together ; Eve

and Adam and the serpent were all of one mind But it is

unity of the Sj>irit, unity in the truth, unity in Christ and in his gospel, whereunto our apostle here exhorteth us. (1 Cor. i. 10.) ’ Nor is he joined to the Church,’ saith Cyprian, ’ who

is severed and sundered from the gospel.’ And here we

have to praise our God, that in public doctrine touching the substance of religion, we all agree in one truth ; we all build upon one foundation — Christ Jesus slain and offered up for our full redemption according to the doctrine of the Scriptures. So much the greater pity is it that there should be such dissent

in matters of small importance, in rites and ceremonies

Be it granted that some rites upon some consideration might be bettered or omitted ; yet, can I not say, neither any man, I suppose can prove, that any thing is set down to be observed in

the church, wicked or contrary to the word In this mystical

body of Christ, in this spiritual society of the faithful, if any part be cut off, the whole is defaced and deformed The mem- bers rejoice and suffer together; that member which hat li

not this sympathy, this mutual suffering, this feeling of other men’s hurts, is dead and rotten.” — Ibid.

” Let us go to the definition of the church. What is it ? it is a congregation of people dispersed through the world, agreeing together in the word of God, using the sacraments,

and all other things according to the same.” The church

” is both visible and invisible. The invisible church is of the elect of God only ; the visible consists both of good and bad

\ising all things in faith, according to God’s word The

Church was catholic in the apostles’ time, yet was it not universally received of the world. But, because their doctrine which they had received of Christ, was perfect, and appointed to be preached and received of the whole world, therefore, it is called the catholic faith, and all persons receiving the same, to be counted the catholic church. And St. Augustine in another place writeth, ’ that the catholic church is that which believeth

aright.’ 1 deny, my lord, that succession of bishops, is an

infallible point to know the church by ; for there may be a succession of bishops known in a place, and yet there be no church, as at Antioch and Jerusalem, and in other places where the apostles abode, as well as at Rome. But if you put to the succession of bishops, succession of doctrine withal, (as St. Augustine doth,) 1 will grant it to be a good proof for the catholic church.” — Examination.

” But lest we may be deceived, here of the church, we must make a distinction, that we may understand how it may be said

that it may err, either not err The universal Church

which dwclleth upon the earth may be divided into three sorts or kinds. So that the one kind be of those whom the scripture

calls the elects this is thilk only spouse of Christ, which he

hath cleansed for himself. Unto this also there is one other, adversary and contrary, whom men clepe ” (call) ” the church of the reproved rant ; of all such, which, with Christ and his

saints bear a continual hatred Betwixt these two kinds,

there is a third intermeddled ; or rather out of these two sorts

is become the third church, mixed of either kind To err in

this place, is to forsake the faith for so St. Paul, (2 Tim.

ii. 18.) that second church, and always false, of the re- proved sort, continually erreth of a truth the first church

of the elects, may err, truly, but not continually ; and that

Christ himself witnesseth ’ So that the very elects also (if

it were possible) might be brought into error.’ But let us

come to that third church, whereof is all the controversy

It is clear among all men, that this church, as touching the

I I !

outward administration and worship, doth consist together of good and evil. Already, before we have said that both these may err.” — Translation of Curio’s Defence.

“Where these four things be, there is Christ’s church. First, the church of Christ, which is the fellowship of all saints and faithful believers, endureth, abideth, and continueth ■ in

the doctrine of the apostles.’ The doctrine of the apostles is

nothing else but the holy gospel “What gospel was preached

by the apostles, it is easy to perceive by the aforesaid sermon

of Peter and of others in the Acts.” It is “comprehended

in certain articles, which we call the creed The second thing

that must be constantly and inviolably kept in the church of

God, is the communion of fellowship.’ All faithful believers

are one body The third thing is the breaking of bread, the

token of the new and everlasting covenant which Christ upon the cross confirmed with his body and blood. The fourth thing now in the church is prayer ; namely as Christ taught them to

pray unto the Father of heaven This is the necessariest

thing of all, and if we lack this, in vain are all our good works

no oblation is sanctified, all is impurity that we either do

or think.” — Fruitful Lessons.

BISHOP RIDLEY. (

” “We believe an holy catholic or general church, which is

the fellowship of saints To this church pertain all they that

since the beginning of the world have been saved, and that shall be saved unto the end thereof.” — Coverdale’s Defence of a certain poor Christian Man.

” The holy catholic or universal church, which is the com- munion of saints, the house of God, the city of God the

body of Christ the pillar and stay of the truth ; this church

I believe according to the creed The guide of this church is

the Holy Ghost. The marks whereby this church is known unto me in this dark world, and in the midst of this crooked

and f reward generation, arc these — the sincere preaching of God’s word; the due administration of the sacraments; charity; and faithful ohserving of ecclesiastical discipline according to

the word of God Forth of this (I grant) there is no salva-

vation ‘From that time,’ (saith Chrysostom) that heresies

did take hold of the churches, it is only known by the Scriptures, which is the true church.’ And in the end con- cludeth, ’ “Wherefore only by the Scriptures do we know which

is the true church.’ The church which I have described is

visible ; it hath members which may be seen ; and also, I have

before declared by what marks and tokens it may be known

I grant that the name of the church is taken after three divers manners in the Scripture. Sometimes for the whole multitude of them which profess the name of Christ. But as St. Paul saith of the Jew, ’ Not every one is a Jew that is a Jew out- wardly,’ even so not every one which is a Christian

outwardly is a Christian indeed Therefore that church

which is his body, and of which Christ is the head, standeth

only of living stones and true Christians But, forasmuch as

this church, which is the second taking of the church, as touching the outward fellowship, is contained within that great house, and hath with the same, outward society of the sacra- ments and ministry of the word ; many things are spoken of that universal church, (which St. Augustine calleth the min- gled church) which cannot truly be understood, but only of that purer part of the church that is, either for the multi- tude of good men, which is the church indeed ; or for the evil men which is the malignant church and synagogue of Satan. And this is also the third taking of the church, of the which although these be seldomer mentioned in the scriptures, in that signification, yet in the world, even in the most famous assem- blies of Christendom, this church hath borne the greatest swing. This distinction prc-supposed, of the three sorts of churches, it is an easy matter, by a figure called synecdoche, to give to the mingled and universal church that which cannot truly be understood, but only of the one part thereof.” — Conferences.

” This is that which we defend, that the church is gathered by Christ and the apostles first, and continues, not in the papistical, but in the apostolical faith, under Christ our head, who rules his church still by his Holy Spirit and word, and has not put it into the hands of any one only general vicar in the earth.” — Questions and Answers.

” Think which was the most pure church and free from heresies ; the church before the doctors wrote, that only was taught by the simple text and words of the apostles, or the church that hath been taught this many years by the blind

doctrine of men? God hath bound his church and all men

that be of the church, to be obedient unto the word of God. It is bound unto no title or name of men, nor unto any ordinary succession of bishops, or priests, longer than they

teach the doctrine contained in the Scripture God hath

preserved in all captivities and persecution of the church, miraculously one book — the holy bible ; delivered the same

unto the church ; and bound the church unto this book

They only be the church that embrace this holy book — the bible ; heareth it, learneth it, and followeth the judgment of it.” — Answer to Winchester’s Book.

” There are two manner of churches ; one true, perfect, and holy in the sight of God ; another false, imperfect, and un- godly. Truth it is, that the true church of God being grounded and set upon bis holy word, (I mean the gospel of grace) cannot err unto damnation. But the other, how shining and glorious soever it appear, if it wander abroad, and be not contained within the compass and limits of the word written, is no true, but a feigned and forged church. That church, as it is without the compass of God’s promises made in truth, not only may, but also doth, commonly, yea, continually, err and go

astray ; for they are not coupled to the head Christ, which is

the life, the way, and the truth Such gross ignorance. ..is

entered their heads, and such arrogant boldness, possesseth their hearts, that they are bold to affirm no church to be the true church of God, but that which standeth by ordinary suc- cession of bishops, in such pompous and glorious sort as now is seen. For if there be, say they, no such outward and visible Church, how shall any man know whether he be of the church of Christ, and in the light belief, or no ? To this I answer, that if our faith should be stayed upon the outward, glistering, and pompous church, not ruled nor governed by the determinate counsel of God, in his word written, we should never be certain thereof, but ever wavering and […] to Unwritten Verities.

” If we shall allow them for the true church of God that appear to be the visible and outward church, then shall we make Christ, which is an innocent lamb, without spot, and in whom is found no guile, to be the head of ungodly and disobe- client members.” — Pre/.

” Wherefore,” saith Chrysostom, ” he that will know which is the true church of Christ in this so great a confusion of things so like, how shall he know it but only by the Scriptures 2 — Confutation, §c.

” I know this to be true, that Christ is present with his holy church, which is his holy elected people ; and shall be with them to the world’s end, leading and governing them with his Holy Spirit, and teaching them all truth necessary for their salvation. And whensoever such be gathered together in his name, there is he among them ; and he shall not suffer the gates of hell to prevail against them. For although he may suffer them by their own frailness for a time to err, fall, and to die ; yet, finally, neither Salan, hell, sin, nor eternal death, shall prevail against them.” — Answer to Smith’s Preface.

” I both believe and confess, that there is but one holy universal church or congregation of the faithful, albeit they be dispersed and scattered abroad throughout the world, in divers and sundry places, which are gathered and knit together through the operation of the Holy Ghost, in the unity of the Spirit ; and joined together in one faith, as members of one body, whereof Jesus Christ is the head. This holy church or congregation, linked together in the fellowship of the Holy Ghost, is ’ a spiritual house builded of living stones, a chosen

generation,’ &c This church is the congregation of the

living God, the pillar and ground of truth And because no

man shall doubt of what church I speak, I confess that to be the holy catholic and apostolic church, which is the company and fellowship of the saints, that is to say, of the faithful, which are sanctilied and made holy by the Spirit of God, and by the blood of Christ our Saviour ; which have the pure word of God truly and sincerely preached, and the sacraments duly and faithfully ministered among them ; which excommunicate all disobedient notable sinners, and receive into their fellowship such as unfcignedly repent^ and turn from their wickedness ; which study in all things to please the Lord, and to live ’ in all

godliness and honesty.’ Whosoever is in this church and

congregation, he may” be sure to be saved. But whosoever is not in it, he is without all doubt damned.” — Sick Man’s Salve.

“Now remaineth that thou speak of the holy church

The apostles and the ancient fathers that wrote in Greek, called it EK/c\»;cria, in English, a congregation or assembly, into the which he hath admitted an infinite number of men, that should all be subject to one king as their sovereign, and only

one head: him we call Christ To the furnishing of this

commonwealth belong all they, as many as do truly fear, honor, and call upon God, wholly applying their mind to holy and godly living But as many as are in this faith steadfast.

Ill,

were fore-chosen, predestinated and appointed out, to everlast- ing life before the world was made Your pleasure is,

master, as I take it, that I point you out some certain

congregation that may be seen That congregation is nothing

else but a certain multitude of men, which, wheresoever they be, profess the pure and upright learning of Christ ; and that, in such sort as it is faithfully set forth in the holy Testament by the evangelists and apostles : which in all points are governed and ruled by the laws and statutes of their king and high bishop Christ, in the bond of charity : which use his holy mysteries, that ai-e commonly called sacraments, with such pureness and simplicity (as touching their nature and sub- stance) as the apostles of Christ used, and left behind in

writing To this church belong the keys wherewith heaven

is locked and unlocked : for that is done by the ministration of the word.” — Catechism.

” The church is the body of the Christian commonweal, that is, the universal number and fellowship of all the faithful, whom God, through Christ, hath before all beginning of time ap- pointed to everlasting life The company or assembly of the

godly is not pent up in any certain place or time, but it con- taineth and compriseth the universal number of the faithful that have lived, and shall live, in all places and ages, since the beginning of the world, that there may be one body of the

church, as there is one Christ, the only head of the body

Because this communion of saints cannot be perceived by our

senses therefore it is here rightly placed among those things

that lie in belief Yet there is a church of God visible, or

that may be seen, the tokens or marks whereof, he doth shew

and open unto us In whatsoever assembly the word of

God, the calling upon him, and his sacraments are purely and sincerely retained, it is no doubt that there is also the Church

of Christ Are not then all they that be in this visible

Church of the number of the elect to everlasting life ? Many

by hypocrisy and counterfeiting of godliness, do join themselves to this fellowship, which are nothing less than true members of the church. But, forasmuch as wheresoever the word of God is sincerely taught, and his sacraments rightly ministered, there are ever some appointed to salvation by Christ, we count all that whole company to be the church of God, seeing that Christ also promiseth that himself will be present with two or three that be gathered together in his name.” — Catechism.

” It is true that God hath always a church invisible, and a number of elect known only to himself alone. Neither is this our only saying. St. Paul also saith the same. ’ This founda- tion standeth sound and firm, having this seal, the Lord

knoweth who be his own.5 (2 Tim. ii.) Therefore St.

Augustine, ’ according to God’s secret predestination, there be many sheep without the church, and many wolves within the church, for he knoweth them, and hath them marked, that know neither themselves nor God neither.’ As for the whole body and company of all them that be called Christians, reckoned universally together, which you call the church catholic ; Cardinal Cusanus calleth it ‘a church conjectural;’ for that we know it not by certainty, bat by conjecture. For in this church, thus largely taken, they that seem predestinate before men, are oftentimes wicked and reprobate before God ; and they that before men seem the members of Christ, are

oftentimes before God the members of antichrist Thus the

general outward church of God is visible and may be seen, but the very true church of God’s elect is invisible and cannot be seen or discerned by man.” — Defence of the Apology.

” We have departed from a church whose errors are attested and manifest, and which has apparently departed from the word

of God for the church of God is not of that nature that it

cannot possibly be darkened with any spots, or sometimes not need a reformation ; for if it were so why are they ”

LIS

A “NT EXPOSITION OF THE

(Bishops) ” called watchmen, if there be no city that can be

betrayed? Where was she when Isaiah (2 Kings xix.)

said, the silver of the people of God, that is, the church, was

become dross, and the once faithful city ivas become an harlot

St. Paul hath found the same errors and defects under the

gospel so that he was forced to write thus to the Galatians.

‘I am afraid of you lest I have bestowed upon you labour

in vain, and that you have to no purpose heard the gospel.’

There is no need of speaking how fearfully the church of Corinth was corrupted. And now could the churches of Galatia and Corinth fall, and is the church of Rome the only church that can neither fall nor err ?” — Apology of tin Church.

” You must of necessity admit this distinction ; some be of the church, and some be only in the church, else can you not make any visible church, for we only know who be in the church ; but who be of the church is known to him alone, who knoweth those that be his. If they communicate with us in hearing the woi-d and receiving the sacraments, though other- wise they be drunkards, superstitious, or infected with errors in doctrine, yet must we count them in the church until they

be cut off from it by excommunication The incestuous

Corinthian was in the church until he was excommunicated. And the Apostle there speaking of whoremongers, idolators, &c. saith, ” If any which is called a brother be a fornicator,” &c. By the name of brethren were those only then called which did profess themselves to be Christians, and were so accounted to be.” — Defence of the Answer, §c.

Compare also Article XX.