A Golden Chain

The second estate of the Church is, when it flourisheth and is visible, not that the faith and secret election of men can be seen (for no man can discern these things but by outward signs) but because it is apparent in respect of the outward assemblies gathered to the preaching of the word and the administration of the Sacraments, for the praise and glory of God and their mutual edification. And the visible Church may be thus described: It is a mixed company of men professing the faith, assembled together by the preaching of the word. First of all I call it a mixed company,¹ because in it there be true believers and hypocrites, Elect and Reprobate, good and bad. The Church is the Lords field, in which the enemy soweth his tares: it is the corn floor, in which lieth wheat and chaff: it is a band of men, in which beside those that be of valour and courage, there be white livered soldiers. And it is called a Church of the better part, namely the Elect whereof it consisteth, though they be in nun ber few. As for the ungodly, though they be in the Church, yet they are no more parts of it indeed, then the superfluous humours in the veins, are parts of the body. But to proceed; how are the members of the visible Church qualified and discerned? the answer followeth in the definition, professing the faith. Whereby I mean the profession of that religion which hath bin taught from the beginning, and is now recorded in the writings of the Prophets and Apostles. And this profession is a sign and mark whereby a man is declared and made manifest to be a member of the Church.

The second estate of the Church is, when it flourisheth and is visible, not that the faith and secret election of men can be seene (for no man can discerne these things but by outward signes) but because it is apparant in respect of the outward assemblies gathered to the preaching of the word and the administration of the Sacraments, for the praise and glorie of God and their mutuall edification. And the visible Church may be thus described: It is a mixt companie of men professing the faith, assembled together by the preaching of the word. First of all I call it a mixt companie,¹ because in it there be true beleeuers and hypocrites, Elect and Reprobate, good and badde. The Church is the Lords field, in which the enemie soweth his tares: it is the corne flore, in which lieth wheate and chaffe: it is a band of men, in which beside those that be of valour and courage, there be white liuered souldiours. And it is called a Church of the better part, namely the Elect whereof it consisteth, though they be in nū ber fewe. As for the vngodly, though they be in the Church, yet they are no more parts of it indeede, then the superfluous humours in the vaines, are parts of the bodie. But to proceede; how are the members of the visible Church qualified and discerned? the answer followeth in the definition, professing the faith. Whereby I meane the profession of that religion which hath bin taught from the beginning, and is now recorded in the writings of the Prophets and Apostles. And this profession is a signe and marke whereby a man is declared and made manifest to be a member of the Church.