THere is an other question, whe∣ther * 1.1 the Church may erre. Which if ye vnderstand of the Pope and hys generation, it is verely as hard a que∣stion as to aske whether he which hath both hys eyes out be blynde or no, or whether it be possible for him that hath one legge shorter thē an other, to halt. But I sayd that Christes elect church * 1.2 is the whole multitude of all repen∣ting sinners that beleue in Christ, and put all their trust and confidēce in the mercy of God, feeling in their hartes, that God for Christes sake loueth thē, and will be or rather is mercifull vn∣to them, and forgeueth thē their sinnes of which they repent, and that he for∣geueth them also all the motions vnto sinne, of which they feare least they shoulde thereby be drawen into sinne agayne. And this faith they haue with out all respect of their owne deseruin∣ges, yea and for none other cause then that the mercifull truth of God the fa∣ther, which can not lie, hath so promi∣sed, and so sworne.
And this faith and knowledge is e∣uerlasting * 1.3 life, and by this we be borne a new and made the sonnes of God, and obtayne forgeuenes of sinnes, and * 1.4 are translated from death to life, & frō the wrath of God vnto his loue and fauour. And this faith is the mother of all truth, and bringeth with her ye spirite of all truth. Which spirite pur∣geth vs, as from all sinne, euen so frō all lies and errour noysome and hurt∣full. And this faith is the foundation layd of the Apostles and Prophetes whereon Paul sayth Ephes. ij. that we * 1.5 are built, and therby of the houshold of God. And this fayth is the rocke wheron Christ build his congregatiō. Christ asked the Apostles Math. xvj. * 1.6 whom they tooke him for. And Peter aunswered for them all saying I say that thou art Christ the sonne of the li∣uing God yt ar•• come into this world. That is, we beleue that thou art he that was promised vnto Abrahā, that should come blesse vs and deliuer vs. Howbeit Peter yet wist not by what meanes. But now it is opened thro∣roughout * 1.7 all the world, that through the offeryng of hys body & bloud, that offeryng is a satisfaction for the sinne of all that repent and a purchasyng of what soeuer they can aske, to keepe them in fauour. And that they sinne no more. And Christ aunswered vpō this rocke I will build my congregation: that is, vppon this fayth. And agaynst the rocke of this fayth can no synne, no hell, no deuill, no lyes nor errour preuayle.
For what soeuer any mā hath com∣mitted, if he repent and come to this rocke, he is safe. And that this fayth is the onely way by which the Church of Christ goeth vnto God and vnto the inheritaunce of all his riches, testifie all the Apostles and Prophetes & all the Scripture, with signes and mira∣cles, and all yt bloud of Martyrs. And * 1.8 who soeuer goeth vnto God and vnto forgeuenesse of sinnes or saluation, by any other way then this, the same is an hereticke out of the rightway & not of Christes Church.
For this knowledge maketh a man of ye Church. And the Church is Chri∣stes body Collos. i. and euery person * 1.9 of the Church is a member of Christ. Ephes. 5. Now it is no mēber of Christ * 1.10 that hath not Christs spirit in it. Rom. viij. as it is no part of me or member of my body wherein my soule is not present and quickeneth it. And then if a man be none of Christes, he is not of his Church.