Questions of religion cast abroad in Helvetia by the adversaries of the sameQuestions of religion cast abroad in Helvetia by the aduersaries of the same

The Answer.

The Answere.

Let us make some difference¹ between these questions: whether there be any salvation or remission of sins without the church of Rome? Or again: whether there be any salvation or remission of sins without the Christian church? For thus truly we suppose & say, that there is no more salvation to be looked for, without the christian church, than there was health to be looked for in the flood without the ark of Noah. For our saviour Christ Jesus, the remission of sins, and all other good gifts of God, that are declared unto us by the preaching of the gospel, & are written in our hearts by the holy ghost, unto eternal life, are only to be found in the communion or fellowship of saints. For without the Church there are ⟨p. 21⟩many errors in this world, as of the Gentiles, Jews, Mahomets, & divers other Heresies, yea the laws and superstitious constitutions and Ceremonies of the Popes, which all are unknown and repugnant to the church of Christ. Wherefore, we say that salvation² and remission of sins, may very well be had without the church of Rome. For the faithful which believe Christs word, and feel the power of faith and redemption of Christ, and in the mean while behold what is done in the church of Rome, wherein Heaven, remission of sins, and all other holy things are set out to sale, and are bid to be redeemed with our unrighteous riches, as by the shameful mart of their indulgences it appeareth: do not long abide in such a church, nor study not to be partakers of these knacks: but flee with a quiet and faithful heart, without money, to the only grace of God, because Isaiah in his. 55. Chapter, showeth that even for this cause, the Lord speaketh unto, and reproveth men, for that they come not to ⟨image 33⟩