The holly Church. / Who be of Christs churthe.
The Master's Invitation to Speak of the Church
Having completed the discussion on resurrection, the Master requests the Scholar to teach about the holy Church.
Master. You've said enough about the resurrection of the dead. Now it remains for you to speak of the holy Church, about which I'd very gladly hear your opinion.
The Holy Commonwealth and Its Members
The Scholar describes the Church as God's kingdom and commonwealth, with Christ as its head, comprising the faithful elect who are justified by faith alone.
Scholar. I'll set out shortly, in a few words, what the holy Scriptures set out at length and abundantly. After the Lord God had made heaven and earth, he determined to have for himself a most beautiful kingdom and holy commonwealth. The Apostles and the ancient fathers who wrote in Greek called it Ecclesia — in English, a congregation or assembly — into which he has admitted an infinite number of people, who are all to be subject to one king as their sovereign and only head. We call him Christ, which means "anointed." For the high priests and kings among the Jews (who prefigured Christ, whom the Lord anointed with his Holy Spirit) were accustomed, by God's appointment at their consecration, to have material oil poured on them. The people of this commonwealth are all who truly fear, honor, and call upon God, wholly applying their minds to holy and godly living; and all who, putting all their hope and trust in him, look with assurance for the bliss of everlasting life. But all who are steadfast in this faith were chosen beforehand, predestined, and appointed to everlasting life before the world was made. As a witness to this, they have within their hearts the Spirit of Christ, the author, earnest, and unfailing pledge of their faith. This faith alone can perceive the mysteries of God; alone brings peace to the heart; alone takes hold of the righteousness that is in Christ Jesus.
Read the original English
Master. Thou haste saide ynoughe of the agayn rising of the deade. Nowe remayneth, that thou speke of the holye churche: whearof I would very fayne hear thy opinion.
Scholer. I wil rehearse that in fewe words shortly: whiche the holye scryptures set out at large and plentifulli▪ Afroe that the Lorde God had made the heauen and erth: he determined to haue for himself a most beautiful kyngdome and holy comō wealth. The Apostles and the auncient fathers that wrote in Greeke, called it Ecclesia, in englyshe, a congregation or assemble: into the whych he hath admytted an infinite nōber of mē: that should all be subiect to one king as their souereign and only one head: hym we call Christe, whythe is as mutch to say as anoynted▪ For the hye byshoppes, and kinges among the Iewes, (who in fygure betokened Christ, whom the Lord annoynted with his holy spirite,) wear wont by Gods appointment at theyr consecration, to haue materyall oile poured on them. To the furnishyng of this common weale belonge all they, as many as do truly feare, honour & cal vpon God, whol ly applyeng theyr mynde to holy and godly lyuing: and all those that puttynge all theyr hope & trust in hym, do assuredlye looke for the blisse of euerlastig lyfe. But as many as ar in this faith stedfast▪ weare forechosen, predestinate, & apoynted out to euerlastig lyfe, before the world was made. Wytnesse hereof they haue wythin in theyr hartes the spirite of Christ, the author, earnest & vnfailable pledge of theyr fayth. Whych faith only is able to perceyue the misteries of God: only bryngeth peace vnto the hart: onli taketh hold on the righteousnes, that is in Christ Iesus
John Ponet's Short Catechisme (1553) companion
Rule yourself daily, not just on retreat
Chosen Portion turns the mirror into a daily practice — a short reading and examining question each morning before you lead anyone.
Chosen Portion makes the mirror daily: the ruler-formation questions this collection preserves become a two-minute morning examination in the app.
- A daily formation reading drawn from centuries of counsel to those in authority
- One pointed examination question a day — two minutes, before the meetings start
- Track your practice over weeks and watch the examined life become a habit