But is there any visible Church, seeing we say in the Creed, I be∣leeue the Church, and faith is of things which are not seene. Heb. 11.2. 2. Cor. 5.7. and Augustine saith, it is an action of faith to beleeue what thou seest not: for if thou seest it is not faith?
That which is said in the Creede, is not meant of any one Church this or that; but of the Catholicke Church, that is of the whole bodie of the Church, at what time soeuer it hath beene on the earth: which, for that it consisteth of the godly & Elect, which haue beene heeretofore from the beginning of the world, which are at this present, and which shall be heereafter vntill the worlds end, being gathered together at once, whom no man in this life can euer behold with his eies, surely there is a Church beleeued, and not seene, because it is not of the fashion, that it may be here wholy seene, but onely in part. 1 Because the glorie of the Ca∣tholike Church is inward. Psal. 45.13. The Kings daughter is all glorious within. 2 Because it commeth not, with obseruation.b 1.1. 3 Because it worshippeth God in spirit and truthc 1.2. 4 Because the sense cannot iudge surely, who they be that belong to the Catholicke Church. 5 Because the principallest and grea∣test part thereof is in Heauen. 6 Because it is a spirituall house.d 1.3.
But the Church taken Synecdochically, that is, The particuler Churches are visible. 1 Because the men, whereof they consist, are visible. 2 Because the outward forme of them is visible: and concerning the particuler Church, or the Pastors thereof it is said. Math. 5. Vers. 14. A Citie that is set on a hill, cannot be hid, but it ought to be well knowne, and excellent for pietie and life, least it be an offence, but at length after the resurrection, all the whole Church shall be seene in heauen, where she shall be knit together with her head, Reuel. 14.4.