We believe, that we ought diligently and circumspectly to discern from the Word of God which is the true Church, since all sects which are in the world assume to themselves the name of the Church. But we speak not here of hypocrites, who are mixed in the Church with the good, yet are not of the Church, though externally in it; [1] but we say that the body and communion of the true Church must be distinguished from all sects, who call themselves the Church. The marks, by which the true Church is known, are these: if the pure doctrine of the gospel is preached therein; [2] if she maintains the pure administration of the sacraments as instituted by Christ; [3] if church discipline is exercised in punishing of sin: [4] in short, if all things are managed according to the pure Word of God, all things contrary thereto rejected, [5] and Jesus Christ acknowledged as the only Head of the Church. [6] Hereby the true Church may certainly be known, from which no man has a right to separate himself.

With respect to those, who are members of the Church, they may be known by the marks of Christians: namely, by faith; [7] and when they have received Jesus Christ the only Savior, [8] they avoid sin, follow after righteousness, [9] love the true God and their neighbor, neither turn aside to the right or left, and crucify the flesh with the works thereof. [10] But this is not to be understood, as if there did not remain in them great infirmities; but they fight against them through the Spirit, all the days of their life, [11] continually taking their refuge in the blood, death, passion and obedience of our Lord Jesus Christ, "in whom they have remission of sins, through faith in him." [12]

As for the false Church, she ascribes more power and authority to herself and her ordinances than to the Word of God, [13] and will not submit herself to the yoke of Christ. [14] Neither does she administer the sacraments as appointed by Christ in his Word, but adds to and takes from them, as she thinks proper; she relieth more upon men than upon Christ; and persecutes those, who live holily according to the Word of God, [15] and rebuke her for her errors, covetousness, and idolatry. [16]

These two Churches are easily known and distinguished from each other.

Introduction

1. That there is One Only God.
   
2. By what means God is made known unto us.
   
3. Of the written Word of God.
   
4. Canonical Books of the Holy Scripture.
   
5. From whence the Holy Scriptures derive their dignity and authority.
   
6. The difference between the canonical and apocryphal books.
   
7. The sufficiency of the Holy Scriptures, to be the only rule of faith.
   
8. That God is one in Essence, yet nevertheless distinguished in three Persons.
   
9. The proof of the foregoing article of the Trinity of persons in one God.
   
10. That Jesus Christ is true and eternal God.
    
11. That the Holy Ghost is true and eternal God.
    
12. Of the Creation.
    
13. Of Divine Providence.
    
14. Of the Creation and Fall of man, and his Incapacity to perform what is truly good.
    
15. Of Original Sin.
    
16. Of Eternal Election.
    
17. Of the Recovery of Fallen Man.
    
18. Of the Incarnation of Jesus Christ.
    
19. Of the union and distinction of the two Natures in the person of Christ.
    
20. That God hath manifested his justice and mercy in Christ Jesus.
    
21. Of the satisfaction of Christ, our only High Priest, for us.
    
22. Of Faith in Jesus Christ.
    
23. Of Justification.
    
24. Of man's Sanctification and Good Works.
    
25. Of the abolishing of the Ceremonial Law.
    
26. Of Christ's Intercession.
    
27. Of the Catholic Christian Church.
    
28. That every one is bound to join himself to the true Church.
    
29. Of the marks of the true Church, and wherein she differs from the false Church.
    
30. Concerning the Government of, and Offices in the Church.
    
31. Of the Ministers, Elders, and Deacons.
    
32. Of the Order and Discipline of the Church.
    
33. Of the Sacraments.
    
34. Of Holy Baptism.
    
35. Of the Holy Supper of our Lord Jesus Christ.
    
36. Of Magistrates.
    
37. Of the Last Judgment.
    
    

1. He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful. Matt. 13:22;
   
   Who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith of some. 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. But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour. 2 Tim. 2:18-20
   
   Not as though the word of God hath taken none effect. For they are not all Israel, which are of Israel Rom. 9:6.
   
   
2. My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: John 10:27;
   
   And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; Eph. 2:20;
   
   These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so. Therefore many of them believed; also of honourable women which were Greeks, and of men, not a few. Acts 17:11,12;
   
   If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven; whereof I Paul am made a minister; Col. 1:23;
   
   He that is of God heareth God's words: ye therefore hear them not, because ye are not of God. John 8:47.
   
   
3. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Matt. 28:19;
   
   And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me. ... Luke 22:19, &c.;
   
   For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, That the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread: 1 Cor 11:23, &c.
   
   
4. Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother. But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established. And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican. Matt. 18:15-18;
   
   And if any man obey not our word by this epistle, note that man, and have no company with him, that he may be ashamed. Yet count him not as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother. 2 Thess. 3:14,15.
   
   
5. And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. ... Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen. Matt. 28:18, 20;
   
   I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. Gal. 1:6-8.
   
   
6. And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all. Eph. 1:22,23;
   
   And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice. And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers. ... I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine. John 10:4,5,14.
   
   
7. In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, Eph. 1:13;
   
   Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word; John 17:20.
   
   
8. Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God: 1 John 4:2.
   
   
9. He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil. Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God. In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother. 1 John 3:8-10.
   
   
10. God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein? Rom. 6:2;
    
    And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. Gal. 5:24.
    
    
11. But now we are delivered from the law, that being dead wherein we were held; that we should serve in newness of spirit, and not in the oldness of the letter. ... Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. ... Rom. 7:6,17,&c;
    
    Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is. Gal. 5:17.
    
    
12. In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins: Col. 1:14.
    
    
13. Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility and worshipping of angels, intruding into those things which he hath not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind, And not holding the Head, from which all the body by joints and bands having nourishment ministered, and knit together, increaseth with the increase of God.Col. 2:18,19.
    
    
14. Let us break their bands asunder, and cast away their cords from us. Psa. 2:3.
    
    
15. And his tail drew the third part of the stars of heaven, and did cast them to the earth: and the dragon stood before the woman which was ready to be delivered, for to devour her child as soon as it was born. Rev. 12:4;
    
    They shall put you out of the synagogues: yea, the time cometh, that whosoever killeth you will think that he doeth God service. John 16:2.
    
    
16. So he carried me away in the spirit into the wilderness: and I saw a woman sit upon a scarlet coloured beast, full of names of blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns. And the woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet colour, and decked with gold and precious stones and pearls, having a golden cup in her hand full of abominations and filthiness of her fornication: And upon her forehead was a name written, MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH. And I saw the woman drunken with the blood of the saints, and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus: and when I saw her, I wondered with great admiration.Rev. 17:3-6.