BOOK IV.
ON THE EXTERNAL MEANS OR AIDS BY WHICH GOD CALLS US INTO COMMUNION WITH CHRIST, AND RETAINS US IN IT.
ARGUMENT.
Three parts of the Apostles’ Creed, respecting God the Creator, Redeemer, and Sanctifier, have been explained in the former books. This last book is an exposition of what remains, relating to the Holy Catholic Church, and the Communion of Saints.
The chapters contained in it may be conveniently arranged in three grand divisions:—
I. The Church.
II. The Sacraments.
III. Civil Government.
The First Division, extending to the end of the thirteenth chapter, contains many particulars, which, however, may all be referred to four principal heads:—
I. The marks of the Church, or the criteria by which it may be distinguished; since we must cultivate union with it—Chap. I. II.
II. The government of the church—Chap. III.-VII.