The Christian's manual in three parts ... / by L. Addison ...

ARTICLE IX. I believe the Holy Catholick Church, the Communion of Saints.

After this plain Account given by me of the Articles which con∣cern the Blessed Trinity, I will now give the like Account of those that follow; which respect such only as truly believe in, and obey and Worship the Trinity in Unity; and who are here called the Church. Which I plainly take to signifie all those whom Christ hath called out of the World, to be his peculiar People: Over whom he hath a Sovereign Au∣thority, in regard of which they willingly and chearfully pay him Homage, and obey his Law and Ordinances.

For by Church I have been taught to understand the Corporation and General Family of all true Belie∣vers, which Family truly deserves

to be called Holy, in respect of its Head, which is Christ, who is Holy in himself, and whose Holi∣ness is imputed to all sincere Be∣lievers: And who through the Grace given to them, do la∣bour, study, and endeavour to be Holy.

And the Church, in this famili∣ar acception, I believe is Univer∣sal, as well as Holy; and that there are in all the Quarters of the World those who by Baptism are admitted into it, and so made Members of Christ's Mystical Bo∣dy, who are guided by his Spi∣rit, nourished by the Word and Sacrament; and who are obedi∣ent to the Rule and Government of the Bishops and Pastors, law∣fully called to their Offices.

And of this Society of Believers, which constitute the Church, some are in a state of War, continually fighting against their own and Christ's Enemies; but yet in daily expectation of Triumph, and a

Crown: And these are called the Church Militant, which is on Earth. And some are in a state of Peace; for having fought the good Fight of Faith, and finished their Warfare, they are entred into their Master's Joy: And these make the Church Triumphant, which is crowned in Heaven. Now, these I hold are not two divers Churches, but the same Church under a dif∣ferent State and Condition: For I believe the Church to be essentially but one.

And as Christ's Mystical Body the Church has an Ʋnion with Him, as being the Head of it; so I believe there is a Common Ʋnion among the Members; both those that are glorified in Heaven, and those that in some degree are san∣ctified on Earth. And this is cal∣led the Communion of Saints; and is the first Priviledge of the Christian Church. And by ver∣tue of this all true Christians com∣municate in all Offices of Piety

and Charity; in doing good to one anothers Bodies and Souls. And this they do upon the account that they have in common One God, one Christ, one Spirit, one Lord, one Faith, one Baptism, one Hope.