Article 27. Of the Catholic Christian Church

Article 27. Of the Catholic Christian Church

We believe and profess one catholic or universal church, which is an holy congregation of true Christian believers, all expecting their salvation in Jesus Christ, being washed by his blood, sanctified and sealed by the Holy Ghost. This church hath been from the beginning of the world, and will be to the end thereof; which is evident from this, that Christ is an eternal king, which, without subjects, cannot be. And this holy church is preserved or supported by God, against the rage of the whole world; though she sometimes (for a while) appear very small, and in the eyes of men, to be reduced to nothing: as during the perilous reign of Achab, the Lord reserved unto him seven thousand men, who had not bowed their knees to Baal. Furthermore this holy church is not confined, bound, or limited to a certain place, or to certain persons, but is spread and dispersed over the whole world; and yet is joined and united with heart and will, by the power of faith, in one and the same spirit.