XII. FROM THE CONFESSION OF SURVELAND.

Article 15. Of the Church.

Furthermore we will shew what is taught among us, both touching the Christian Church, and also touching the holy Sacraments. And touching the Church, this is it that we teach. The Church, or congregation of Christ, (which as yet is in this world, as a stranger from God,) is the fellowship and company of those, which addict themselves to Christ, and do altogether trust and rest in his protection: among whom notwithstanding many shall be mingled, even to the end of the world, who, although they profess the Christian faith, yet they have it not indeed. This hath our Lord taught sufficiently, by the parable both of the cockle, and of the net cast into the sea, in the which the bad fishes are caught with the good. Matt. xiii. 4-7. Also, by the parable of the king, inviting all men to the marriage of his son, and afterward casting him out, bound hand and foot, into utter darkness, which had not a wedding garment. Matt. xxii. 13. Now, those places of Scripture, wherein the congregation of Christ is commended to be "the spouse of Christ, for the which he hath given himself;" Eph. v. 25. "the house of God, the pillar and ground of truth;" 1 Tim. iii. 15. also, "the holy hill of Sion, the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and congregation of the first-born, which are written in heaven;" Heb. xii. 22, 23. I say, all these places of Scripture do properly pertain to them, who for their sincere faith are truly, and in the sight of God, reckoned among the children of God. For seeing that in these alone the Lord doth fully reign, these only, if we will speak properly, are called the Church of Christ, and the communion of saints. In which sense also the name of the Church is expounded in the common Articles of faith; those false Christians being excluded, which are mingled amongst them. Furthermore, the Holy Ghost himself doth govern this Church or congregation; and Christ also remaineth with it, even to the end of the world, and doth sanctify it, that at the length "he may present it unto himself without spot or wrinkle;" as it is said, Ephes. v. 26, 27. Also this is that Church which all men are commanded to hear, and he that will not hear her, is to be counted as an heathen and publican.

And although that, whereby this Congregation hath obtained to be called the Church and company of Christ, (to wit, faith itself,) cannot be seen; yet the fruits of that faith may be seen and known, and of them a certain Christian conjecture be taken. These fruits be

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chiefly, a bold profession of faith, a true love offering itself to do humble service to all men, and a contempt of all things. Seeing, therefore, that these be the proper fruits, wheresoever the holy Gospel and the Sacraments be exercised, thereupon it may easily be known, where and who be the Christian Church; so much as is necessary for us to preserve among us the Christian communion, and that in the same we may be instructed, admonished, and help one another, according to the commandment of Christ

Furthermore, seeing this congregation is the very kingdom of God, wherein all things ought to be appointed in the best order, she hath all kind of offices and ministers. For she is the body of Christ himself, compacted of many members, whereof every one hath its proper work. Therefore whosoever do faithfully discharge such functions, and do earnestly labour in the word and doctrine, they do represent the Church, and may do all things in the name thereof; so that whosoever shall either despise them, or refuse to hear them, he may worthily be said to despise the Church itself.

Now with what spirit, or with what spiritual authority, we do believe that they are furnished, we have declared before out of most firm foundation of the Scripture; where we shewed, what we thought of the spiritual, or ecclesiastical, offices and dignity. For they cannot by any means represent the Church of Christ, or do any thing in the name thereof, which are not Christ's; and who therefore propound no Christian things, but whatsoever is contrary to the doctrine of Christ. For although it may be, that even the wicked may teach some good thing, and may also prophesy in the name of Christ; (after their example, to whom the Lord himself doth witness that he will once in time to come say, that he never knew them: Matt. vii. 23.) yet it cannot be that they discharge the duties of the Church of Christ, and are to be heard in his stead, which do not propound the voice of their husband Christ, although otherwise they should think aright of faith, and be counted amongst the members of the Church; as it doth oftentimes fall out, when as the very children of God are wrapped in errors, and do also publish the same. For the Church of Christ is wholly addicted to Christ himself. Therefore that cannot be counted a doctrine, precept, or commandment of the true Church, except it be the same with the doctrine, precept, and commandment of Christ himself. And whosoever propoundeth any other thing in her name, (although he were an Angel from heaven,) he is not to be heard: as also the Church in those things doth represent nothing less than the Church of Christ.

This is our doctrine* concerning the Church of Christ, and these are the passages cited of the testimonies of Scripture, on which the doctrine of the Church depends.

THE ELEVENTH SECTION.

OF THE MINISTERS OF THE CHURCH, AND OF THEIR CALLING AND OFFICE.

I. FROM THE LATTER CONFESSION OF HELVETIA.

Chapter 18. Of the Ministers of the Church, their Institution, and Offices.

God hath always used his Ministers, for the gathering or erecting of a Church to himself, and for the governing and preservation of the same; and still he doth, and always will, use them, so long as the Church remaineth on the earth. Therefore the first beginning, institution, and office of the Ministers, is a most ancient ordinance of God himself, not a new device appointed by men. True it is, that God can, by his power, without any means, take unto himself a Church from amongst men; but he had rather deal with men by the ministry of men. Therefore Ministers are to be considered, not as Ministers by themselves alone, but as the Ministers of God, even such as by whose means God doth work the salvation of mankind. For which cause we give counsel to beware, that we do not so attribute the things that appertain to our conversion and instruction unto the secret virtue of the Holy Ghost, that we make frustate the Ecclesiastical Ministry. For it behoveth us always to have in mind the words of the Apostle, "How shall they believe in him, of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? Therefore faith is by hearing, and hearing by the word of God." Rom. x. 14; 17. And that also which the Lord saith, in the Gospel, "Verily, verily, I say unto you, he that receiveth those that I shall send, receiveth me; and he that receiveth me, receiveth him that sent me." John xiii. 20. Likewise what a man of Macedonia, appearing in a vision to Paul being then in Asia, said unto him;

The concluding paragraph is omitted in both editions of the Translation, but is here restored from the Latin Harmony.-EDITOR,

Come into Macedonia, and help us." Acts xvi. 9. And in another place the same Apostle saith, We together are God's labourers; and ye are his husbandry, and his building." 1 Cor. iii. 9. Yet, on the other side, we must take heed, that we do not attribute too much to the Ministers and Ministry: herein remembering also the words of our Lord in the Gospel, "No man cometh to me, except the Father, which hath sent me, draw him :" John vi. 44. and the words of the Apostle, "Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but the Ministers by whom ye believed; and as the Lord gave unto every one? Therefore neither is he that planteth any thing, nor he that watereth, but God that giveth the increase." 1 Cor. iii. 5; 7. Therefore let us believe that God doth teach us by his word, outwardly, through his Ministers, and doth inwardly move and persuade the hearts of his elect unto belief by his Holy Spirit: and that therefore we ought to render all the glory of this whole benefit unto God. But we have spoken of this matter in the First Chapter of this our Declaration.

God hath used for his Ministers, even from the beginning of the world, the best and most eminent men in the world; (for howsoever divers of them were but simple for worldly wisdom or philosophy, yet surely in true divinity they were most excellent;) namely, the Patriarchs, to whom he spake very often by his Angels. For the Patriarchs were the Prophets or Teachers of their age, whom God for this purpose would have to live many years, that they might be as it were Fathers, and lights of the world. After them followed Moses, together with the Prophets, that were most famous throughout the whole world. Then, after all these, our heavenly Father sent his only-begotten Son, the most absolute and perfect Teacher of the world; in whom is hidden the wisdom of God, and from him derived unto us by that most holy, perfect, and pure of all doctrine. For he chose unto himself disciples, whom he made Apostles: and they, going out into the whole world, gathered together Churches in all places by the preaching of the Gospel. And afterward they ordained Pastors and Teachers in all Churches, by the commandment of Christ; who, by such as succeeded them, hath taught and governed the Church unto this day. Therefore, as God gave unto his ancient people the Patriarchs, together with Moses and the Prophets: so also to his people under the new covenant he hath sent his onlybegotten Son, and, with him, the Apostles and Teachers of this Church.

Furthermore, the Ministers of the new covenant are termed by

divers names; for they are called Apostles, Prophets, Evangelists, Bishops, Elders, Pastors, and Teachers. 1 Cor. xii. 28. Ephes. iv. 11. The Apostles remained in no certain place, but gathered together divers Churches throughout the whole world: which Churches when they were once established, there ceased to be any more Apostles, and in their places were particular Pastors appointed in every Church. The Prophets in old time did foresee and foretell things to come; and besides did interpret the Scriptures: and such are found some amongst us at this day.* They were called Evangelists, which were the penners of the history of the Gospel, and were also preachers of the Gospel of Christ:† as the Apostle Paul giveth in charge unto Timothy, "to fulfil the work of an Evangelist." 2 Tim. iv. 5. Bishops are the overseers and the watchmen of the Church, which distribute food and other necessities to the Church. The Elders are the ancients, and as it were the Senators and Fathers of the Church, governing it with wholesome counsel. The Pastors both keep the Lord's flock, and also provide things necessary for it. The Teachers do instruct, and teach the true faith and godliness.

Therefore the Church Ministers that now are, may be called Bishops, Elders, Pastors, and Teachers. But in process of times there were many more names of Ministers brought into the Church. For some were created Patriarchs, others Archbishops, others Suffragans; also, Metropolitans, Archdeacons, Deacons, Subdeacons, Acolytes, Exorcists, Choristers, Porters, and I know not what a

• To wit, interpreters of the Scriptures, that are endued with a special gift of the Spirit thereunto. For as touching the visions of Prophets, and those extraordinary motions and inspirations of the Holy Spirit, this gift, as also the gift of tongues and of healings, being fitted for the confirmation of the Church when it was beginning, is now long since ceased, after that the whole counsel of God, touching our salvation, was plainly revealed: howbeit God yet can, when he will, raise it up again.

Such as the Apostles did join unto themselves as helpers, and sent them now to this place, now to that: and these also are no more in use, since the Churches were settled in good order: of which sort, divers are mentioned in the Acts, and in the Epistles of the Apostles.

Taking this name for those, which, in a more strict signification, are called Deacons, and are distinguished from them which attend upon the preaching of the word.

To wit, spiritual things; by teaching, reproving, correcting, instructing both all in general, and man by man particularly, yet tied to their special flocks and charges.