Question 54

THE ARGVMENT.

Of the Catholike Church, and the notes thereof, of the Communion of Saints, and the forgiuenes of sinnes.

What beleeuest thou of the Catholike Church of Christ?

I beleeue that the son of God, doth by his holie Spirit and by the^a word, gather vnto himselfe out of al^b mankind, from the^c beginning of the world vnto the^d end, a congregation^e chosen to euerlasting life, agreeing in true faith, and dooth maintaine and^f preserue the same, and that I am a liuely^g member of that congregation, and shal so,^h for euer abide.ⁱ

The vse.

The vse of this article consisteth in this, that I beleeue, my selfe also to be a liuely member of that congregation, and that I shall so for euer abide: which every man shall by this meanes profitablie knowe, namely, if he consider, that even at this day also, the Sonne of God dooth gather vnto himselfe a Church, while he prouideth, that his Gospell be publikely preached by ministers lawfully therevnto called, and the Sacraments by them administred, according to that rule which he hath left.