Question 26

Who is the King of the Church?

Christ.

Doth Christ execute his Kingly office towards his people?

Yes.

And towards his enemies?

Yes.

How towards his people?

First in subduing them to himself, and then in ruling, and defending them.

Do we submit to Christ of our own accord?

No.

Are we by nature enemies to him?

Yes.

Is he fain to subdue us by his Kingly power, before we become his peculiar people?

Yes.

To whom doth Christ subdue us?

To himself.

Are all true believers then Christs subjects, and he their King?

Yes.

And is the Church Christs Kingdome in an especial manner?

Yes.

Doth Christ leave us to our own care after he hath once subdued us?

No.

Doth he rule, and govern his people as a King doth his subjects?

Yes.

Doth he rule them by his Laws, and Spirit, and Officers, and Discipline?

Yes.

Doth it then belong to Christs Kingly Office, to ordain Laws, wake Officers, and appoint the use of censures for his Church?

Yes.

What doth Christ do as a King with reference to his enemies?

Restrain them, and conquer them.

Are his enemies ours, and ours his?

Yes.

Whom of our enemies doth Christ restrain and conquer?

All.

What Sin, Satan, Death, wicked men, the world, and all?

Yes.

Will he suffer his, and our enemies to do what they list with us?

No, he will restrain them.

Will he leave us to shift for our selves?

No.

Will he suffer any of our enemies finally to prevail against us?

No.

Will he conquer them all at last?

Yes.

To which of Christs Offices doth it belong to subdue, and govern us, and to restrain, and conquer our enemies?

To his Kingly Office.