The whole body of Christian religion, by Hieron. Zanchius. Translated out of Latine by D. Ralph Winterton.

DOCT. II. What we understand by the name of the Church, and the description thereof.

BY the name of Christs Church we understand a certain number and companie known unto God, both of Angells, and Men which are not one∣ly predestinated and elected to have perpetuall communion with Christ, and mutually one with another, as also to worship the true God perpe∣tually according to his will and com∣mandment, and to love one another with sincere and perpetuall love and charitie; but are also in time effe∣ctually called by the holy Spirit out of the number of others, and neerely united unto Christ, and so true Saints indeed: begun from the foun∣dation of the world, and by a con∣tinuall succession even unto these times gathered together and conti∣nued by the bond of the holy Spirit; and to be continued even unto the end of the world, yea to all eternitie: in part already triumphing with Christ in the heavens, and in part as yet militant on earth for Christ, with

sundry enemies, preaching and hear∣ing the word of the Gospell, admi∣nistring and receiving the holy Sacra∣ments, and in publike and private looking to the observing & keeping of Christs commandments.