XXIII. The catholicke church is not tyed to certaine persons or places.

Moreouer we confesse this catholick church because it is catholick, therefore to be tied to no certaine places, persons, or people: so, that who so would be of the church, hee should needs get him to Rome, or to Wittemberge, or he must depend vpon the authoritie of their churches, by shops or ministers: Seing Christ is in all places, and euerie where may the word be heard, the seale of Baptisme receiued, the commaundements of Christ kept, and a com∣munion with the Saintes had. And wheresoe∣uer these things haue place, ther is the church: that not without good cause, were the Dona∣tists condemned, who shutt vp the church, in Africa onely, and not in al Africa neither, but in certaine parcells of it, where they thēselues dwelt, and taught that it was onely there: Nor lesse worthily are they to be condemned which accompt the churches of no forraine countries for true churches, but onely such as consist of men of their owne nation.