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A. It certainly is: inasmuch as it professes the true catholic faith, delivered in the Holy Scriptures, and drawn up in the Creeds of the church; and, by the most ancient councils, acknowledged to be sufficient to denominate those, who professed according thereunto, to be truly catholic Christians: and also holds communion with all such churches as profess the same faith; and as far forth as they do so.

12. Q. What is your opinion of the church of Rome in this particular?

A. That she is both schismatical and heretical: schismatical, in cutting off all others from her communion, who will not profess her errors, and submit to her usurped authority: heretical, in professing such doctrines as quite destroy the foundations of Christianity; and are inconsistent with that truth which she herself pretends to maintain.

13. Q. In what respect do you believe the catholic church to be holy?

A. As both the end of Christ in gathering of it; the rules he has given to it; the *promises he has made it; its sacraments, * ministry, all its ordinances, were designed to make it holy. But especially, as * all those, who are indeed the faithful members of it, are actually sanctified by the grace of the Holy Spirit; and so are truly, though imperfectly, holy now; and shall be made altogether holy, and without spot, hereafter.

PROOFS SUBJOINED.-Eph. i. 4. According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love. iv. 1, 2, 3. I, therefore, (the prisoner of the Lord,) beseech you that walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, with all low

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liness and meekness, with long suffering, forbearing one another in love; endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. v. 26, 27. That he might sanctify and cleanse it (the church) with the washing of water by the word, that he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish. Col. i. 21, 22. And you, that were some time alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled, in the body of his flesh, through death, to present you holy, and unblameable, and unreprovable in his sight. 2 Tim. i. 9. Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus, before the world began. ii. 19. Nevertheless, the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, the Lord knoweth them that are his. And, let every one that nameth the name of Christ, depart from iniquity. Tit. ii. 14. Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works. 1 Pet. i. 15, 16. As he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; because it is written, Be ye holy, for I am holy.

SECT. XVII.

Of the Communion of Saints; Living,— Departing. 1. Q. What is the first duty, or privilege, belonging to those who are members of Christ's church? A. The communion of saints.

2. Q. What do you mean by saints?

A. Though the word, in our language, be more

restrained; yet in that, in which this Creed was composed, it may indifferently denote either holy persons or holy things: and this article may very well be extended to both of them.

3. Q. Whom do you mean by holy persons?

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A. Though all Christians,† in general, are so called in Scripture; and we are charitably to presume, that all such are holy persons: yet, by saints, we are most properly to understand such as answer the end of their calling by a lively faith and a holy conversation, in which two, the Gospel-saintship does consist. Eph. iii. 17, 18. That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend, with all saints, what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height, and to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge. v. 3. But fornication and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints. Col. iii. 12. Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, long suffering.

PROOFS SUBJOINED.-† Rom. i. 7. To all that be in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: grace to you, and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ. xv. 25, 26, 31. But now I go unto Jerusalem, to minister unto the saints. For it hath pleased them of Macedonia and Achaia to make a certain contribution for the poor saints which are at Jerusalem. That I may be delivered from them that do not believe in Judea; and that my service, which I have for Jerusalem, may be accepted of the saints. Eph. i. 1. Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ, by the will of God, to the saints which are at Ephesus, and to the

faithful in Jesus Christ. Phil. i. 1. Paul and Timotheus, the servants of Jesus Christ, to all the saints in Christ Jesus which are at Philippi, with the bishops and deacons; grace be unto you. Col. i. 4. Since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus, and of the love which ye have to all the saints.

a1 Thess. iii. 13. To the end he may stablish your hearts unblameable in holiness before God, even our Father, at the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ, with all his saints. Rev. xi. 18. And the nations were angry, and thy wrath is come, and the time of the dead, that they should be judged, and that thou shouldest give reward unto thy servants the prophets, and to the saints, and them that fear thy name, small and great.

4. Q. With whom, and in what things, do you believe such persons to have communion ?

A. I believe that all the true members of Christ's church have a right of fellowship, or communion, with God the Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ; as they are received into covenant by the one, through the death and passion of the other.

I believe that they have a fellowship with the Holy Ghost, by his dwelling in them, and sanctifying

of them.

I believe that they have fellowship with the holy angels; who both minister unto them in their exigencies, and have a most tender, affectionate concern for them.

I believe that they all have a fellowship with one another, as *members of the same mystical body of Christ; *professors of the same faith; * heirs of the same promises; *Guided by the same Spirit; and *governed by the same laws: and I believe that they

ought, as living members, to have a fellowship of love and charity also towards each other.

And, lastly, I believe that they have a right of communicating in all the ordinances of the Gospel: in the prayers of the church; in the ministry of the word and sacraments; and whatsoever else hath been appointed by Christ, or established in the church, for the common good and benefit of all the members of it.

PROOFS SUBJOINED.- 1 Cor. i. 9. God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord. Eph. iii. 9, 11, 12. To make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which, from the beginning of the world, hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ: according to the eternal purpose, which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord: in whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of him. 1 John, i. 3. Truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son, Jesus Christ.

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1 Cor. xii. 7. But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal. 2 Cor. xiii. 13, 14. All the saints salute you. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen. Gal. iv. 6. And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father. Phil. ii. 1. If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the spirit, if any bowels and mercies, fulfil ye my joy.

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Luke, xv. 10. Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth. xvi. 22. And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into

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