The sum of sacred divinity briefly & methodically propoundedThe summe of sacred diuinitie briefly & methodically propounded

The third thing is, it sufficeth for the making of a Church, if they be Professors only, this being but a bare outward calling common to the Reprobate.

The third thing is, it sufficeth for the making of a Church, if they bee Professors onely, this being but a bare outward calling common to the Reprobate.

Fourthly, They must be Professors of Christ, professing that in words, the having whereof indeed maketh men truly Christians. So the Apostle defineth it, Ephes. 1. 1. where, in stead of naming the Church of Ephesus (for to the outward Church he writeth) he useth this Periphrasis to the Saints that are in Ephesus, and to the faithful in Christ Jesus: and 1. Cor. 1. 2. To the Church of God which is in Corinth, sanctified in Christ Jesus, Saints by calling. In regard whereof, the same Apostle calleth Christ, The foundation even of the visible Church, ⟨p. 351⟩1. Co. 3. 11. And this is the right Touchstone to examine all Churches by, for what¹ Church soever in such sort professeth Christ, as the members truly holding that they do profess, are thereby made members of the Mystical Body of Christ, the same, what imperfections soever it have beside, and how unsound soever it may be in many parts, yet it hath the heart and life of a Church: otherwise it cannot be said a Church. For albeit the Church of God be not subject to fundamental errors, that take away the life and being of a Church; for then how could it be any Church at all? yet in other points, not of manners only, but of Truth and Opinion, it doth and may err, both particular Congregations & the whole Church Universal ⟨p. 352⟩did not the whole Church of the Jews err. And even they that heard our Saviour, Christ so long, when they dreamed of the Kingdom of the Messiah, to be an earthly