I Believe in … the Holy Catholic Church
Wuat is the Holy Catholic Church? In the venerable minute-book of Rothwell Congregational Church, 250 years old, the following words of Dr. Francis Junius, Professor of Leyden, “of that choice University in Holland” (1595), are quoted by the first Pastor, written in an exquisitely neat and beautiful hand.
“The Holy Catholic Church is the Congregation of all them, who by the Election of God are called together in Christ Jesus to Eternall Life, Eph. ii. 21: of which part is in heaven as the Elect Angells and holy men and women made perfect; the other parts gathered to Christ here on earth. This Church in regard of God’s dwelling in and possessing itt is called the Temple, Court, Tabernacle, City, and Kingdom of God: in regard of that excellent communion with Christ, named his spouse, wife, etc., friend, beloved, because of their mutuall affection; for worth, a Queene most faire, for holiness a dove, virgin, etc.; for propagation of children the Mother of us all; for largeness,
the universall Church; for number “the only one,” of which argument the whole booke of the Canticles is a most plenteous word. This Church is not made by men for they are naturall, carnall, and weake, nor Angells for they are not authors of life, but ministering spirits for the Elect. God the Father alone begott itt in Christ by his Holy Spiritt, according to his good will for his own Glorie.”
The substance of this, most evangelical Christians to-day would heartily accept, demurring only at that clause which incorporates “the elect Angels” in the Church, which is the mystical Body and Bride of Christ. It may also be admitted that there is a considerable force in the objection of those who would exclude the Old Testament saints from this High and Lofty Organism, on the ground that the Church only came into existence at the Resurrection of Christ, and that her history dates from that golden moment in the past until that other golden moment in the distant future, when, at the consummation of the present age, the whole Church shall be presented to God, “‘a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing.”
Whilst admitting the truth of this, we would at least urge that the materials for any given Church or Temple must be excavated before they can be used, and that the lower courses of the spiritual Temple are said by the Apostle to consist of Apostles and Prophets. Why should we not believe that the elements of the Church were in solution before Jesus died, and suddenly crystallized when He rose? But if any adduce the Old Testament analogy that Eve was taken from Adam’s side, whilst he slept, and that Joseph’s brethren and his wife stood in different ranks of fellowship with himself, we will not argue the matter further, but wait until the light of another world discloses the whole mystery of Christ and His Church.
When our Lord told His vehement Apostle that He would build His Church on the bed-rock of his newly-uttered confession, it is surely legitimate to believe that he had already selected, prepared, and shaped the materials, in previous ages, even before the time when Enoch walked with God.
We distinguish therefore between any specific congregation of faithful men, who meet for the observance of the Sacraments, and the Preaching of the pure Word of God (according to the definition of the Church of England Article), and that great all-inclusive body, which is independent of century and territory, and includes all who are united with Christ by a living faith. It is to this that our Lord alludes, when He says, “I will build My Church.”
Christ is the great Master-Builder. “Behold,” said the Prophet, “‘ the Man whose name is the Branch, He shall grow up out of his place, and He shall build the temple of the Lord; even He shall build the temple of the Lord; and He shall bear the glory.” Surely it was to these words that the Lord referred when He said, “I will build My Church.” For the site He chose, not some sinless planet, but this sin-stained earth; for the materials, not unfallen angels, but weak and unworthy mortals; for the plan, not that which would redound to the glory of His Might, but of - His Grace. Amid the débris and ruins of the ages, He is building that which will stand for ever, the indestructible Temple and Palace of God, from the foundations laid in His Blood to the top-stone glistening in the dawn of eternity, on which will be the ascription of Glory to God in the highest.