Paragraph 1

The catholic or universal church, which (with respect to the internal work of the Spirit and truth of grace) may be called invisible, consists of the whole number of the elect, that have been, are, or shall be gathered into one, under Christ, the head thereof; and is the spouse, the body, the fulness of him that fills all in all.1



1 Heb. 12:23 ; Col. 1:18 ; Eph. 1:10 ,22–23, 5:23 ,27,32

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Paragraph 2

All persons throughout the world, professing the faith of the gospel, and obedience unto God by Christ according unto it, not destroying their own profession by any errors everting the foundation, or unholiness of conversation, are and may be called visible saints;2 and of such ought all particular congregations to be constituted.3



2 1 Cor. 1:2; Acts 11:26
3 Rom. 1:7; Eph. 1:20 –22

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Paragraph 3

The purest churches under heaven are subject to mixture and error;4 and some have so degenerated as to become no churches of Christ, but synagogues of Satan;5 nevertheless Christ always has had, and ever shall have a kingdom in this world, to the end thereof, of such as believe in him, and make profession of his name.6



4 1 Cor. 5; Rev. 2–3
5 Rev. 18:2; 2 Thess. 2:11 –12
6 Matt. 16:18 ; Ps. 72:17 , 102:28 ; Rev. 12:17

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Paragraph 4

The Lord Jesus Christ is the Head of the church, in whom, by the appointment of the Father, all power for the calling, institution, order or government of the church, is invested in a supreme and sovereign manner;7 neither can the Pope of Rome in any sense be head thereof, but is that antichrist, that man of sin, and son of perdition, that exalts himself in the church against Christ, and all that is called God; whom the Lord shall destroy with the brightness of his coming.8



7 Col. 1:18 ; Matt. 28:18 –20; Eph. 4:11 –12
8 2 Thess. 2:2–9

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Paragraph 5

In the execution of this power wherewith he is so intrusted, the Lord Jesus calls out of the world unto himself, through the ministry of his word, by his Spirit, those that are given unto him by his Father,9 that they may walk before him in all the ways of obedience, which he prescribes to them in his word.10 Those thus called, he commands to walk together in particular societies, or churches, for their mutual edification, and the due performance of that public worship, which he requires of them in the world.11



9 John 10:16 ; John 12:32
10 Matt. 28:20
11 Matt. 18:15 –20