Chapter 16 - The Kirk (Church)
As we believe in one God, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, so we firmly believe that from
the beginning there has been, now is, and to the end of the world shall be, one Kirk, that
is to say, one company and multitude of men chosen by God, who rightly worship and embrace
him by true faith in Jesus Christ, who is the only Head of the Kirk, even as it is the
body and spouse of Christ Jesus. This Kirk is catholic, that is, universal, because it
contains the chosen of all ages, of all realms, nations, and tongues, be they of the Jews
or be they of the Gentiles, who have communion and society with God the Father, and with
his Son, Christ Jesus, through the sanctification of his Holy Spirit. It is therefore
called the communion, not of profane persons, but of saints, who, as citizens of the
heavenly Jerusalem, have the fruit of inestimable benefits, one God, one Lord Jesus, one
faith, and one baptism. Out of this Kirk there is neither life nor eternal felicity.
Therefore we utterly abhor the blasphemy of those who hold that men who live according to
equity and justice shall be saved, no matter what religion they profess. For since there
is neither life nor salvation without Christ Jesus; so shall none have part therein but
those whom the Father has given unto his Son Christ Jesus, and those who in time come to
him, avow his doctrine, and believe in him. (We include the children with the believing
parents.) This Kirk is invisible, known only to God, who alone knows whom he has chosen,
and includes both the chosen who are departed, the Kirk triumphant, those who yet live and
fight against sin and Satan, and those who shall live hereafter.
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