On the Phrase, ‘There is No Salvation Outside the Church’

“Christ is the head of the Church: and He is the savior of the body… Christ also loved the Church, and gave Himself for it.”

Eph. 5:23, 25

“The church that is at Babylon, elected together with you…”

1 Pet. 5:13

“And the Lord added to the Church daily such as should be saved.”

Acts 2:47

Subsections

Visible Church: Outwardly in Covenant of Grace
Ordinarily No Salvation Apart from Gospel

Order of Contents

Articles 6+
Book 1
Quote 1
Westminster 2
Includes Visible Church 10+
Includes Invisible Church 5+

Articles

300’s

Lactantius – end of ch. 30 in The Divine Institutes, bk. 4 in ANF 7.133-34

400’s

Augustine – Of Baptism, Against the Donatists, bk. 1, ch. 17 in NPNF1, vol. 4, p. 422

“Therefore, whether they seem to abide within [the Church], or are openly outside [of it], whatsoever is flesh is flesh, and what is chaff is chaff, whether they persevere in remaining in their barrenness on the threshing-floor, or, when temptation befalls them, are carried out as it were by the blast of some wind. And even that man is always severed from the unity of the Church which is without spot or wrinkle, who associates with the congregation of the saints in carnal obstinacy. Yet we ought to despair of no man, whether he be one who shows himself to be of this nature within the pale of the Church, or whether he more openly opposes it from without.

But the spiritual, or those who are steadily advancing with pious exertion towards this end, do not stray without the pale [of salvation]; since even when, by some perversity or necessity among men, they seem to be driven forth, they are more approved than if they had remained within [the Church], since they are in no degree roused to contend against the Church, but remain rooted in the strongest foundation of Christian charity on the solid rock of unity. For hereunto belongs what is said in the sacrifice of Abraham: “But the birds divided he not.” [Gen. 15]”

1500’s

Bullinger, Henry – 2^nd Sermon, ‘That there is One catholic Church; that without the Church there is no light or salvation; against schismatics; wherefore we depart from the upstart Church of Rome; that the Church of God is the house, vineyard and Kingdom of God; and the body, sheepfold and spouse of Christ; a mother and a virgin’ in The Decades ed. Thomas Harding (1549; Cambridge: Parker Society, 1850), vol. 4, 5^th Decade, pp. 49-92

“…we must not imagine that there are many Churches in the world, neither is that body to be separated which can bear or suffer no kind of division. Writers call the Church catholic, which undoubtedly signifies universal, because it is but one, neither can there be any more…

And particular or several churches are as towns or cities in a kingdom: the multitude of cities divides not a kingdom. Of particular churches† dispersed throughout all the world, as a body of many members, is gathered and compacted together the catholic and universal church, which is the fellowship of all the saints. Therefore most certain it is that there is but one only Church of God, not many, whereof the only monarch is Jesus Christ; to whom be glory.

† [Bullinger likely has in mind national or regional Churches (as numerous on this webpage); see sermon 1, p. 10 (top) where he speaks “of all the particular churches throughout the whole world, and of all the visible parts and members thereof.” The “visible parts” of such particular churches, in distinction from members, likely referred to lower levels of the Church under national Churches. Bullinger also speaks in that place of discipline being brought on the obstinate, likely referring to excommunication (Bullinger, Questions of Religion Cast Abroad (1572), ch. 14, pp. 119-20), which for him likely would have been carried out regionally.]

The unity and united society of this Church of God is so great that out of her fellowship is there no people found acceptable unto God, any true salvation or safety, any light or truth; for without the pale of God’s church are no wholesome pastures found, all are infected with poison. No religion pleases God out of the Church of God…

Lactantius therefore most truly says: “It is only the catholic Church, which retains true religion. Here is the fountain of truth: this is the household of faith: this is the Temple of God; into which if one enter not, or out of which if any depart, he is excluded from the hope of salvation and life everlasting.” [Institutes, bk. 4, ch. 30 (Leiden, 1660), p. 450] For our Saviour first said, that out of the sheepfold life is not found.” – pp. 50-52

Beza, Theodore – Ch. 5, 1. That there has always been and ever shall be a Church, out of the which there is no salvation in A Brief & Pithy Sum of the Christian Faith made in Form of a Confession (London, 1565)

Ursinus, Zachary – The Sum of Christian Religion: Delivered… in his Lectures upon the Catechism… tr. Henrie Parrie (Oxford, 1587)

Of the Church, 7. Whether anyone may be saved out of the Church
Of Predestination, 8. Whether the Elect may fall from the Church, and the Reprobate abide always in the Church

Zanchi, Jerome – Doctrine 22, ‘That there is no salvation out of the catholic Church’, The Whole Body of Christian Religion (d. 1590; London: Redmayne, 1659), ch. 24, ‘Concerning the Church Militant’, pp. 302-3

1600’s

Du Moulin, Pierre – ch. 7, ‘How this Proposition must be understood: That out of the Church there is no Salvation’ in The Novelty of Popery, Opposed to the Antiquity of True Christianity… (London: White, 1662), pp.

Book

2000’s

McGraw, Ryan – The Ark of Safety: Is There Salvation Outside of the Church? in Explorations in Reformed Confessional Theology Buy (RHB, 2018)

“This book explores the Westminster Confession of Faith’s claim that ‘there is no ordinary possibility of salvation’ outside of the Church by asking what it means, whether it is biblical, and why it is important. The author concludes that the Westminster Confession rightly stresses the role of the Church in bringing people to salvation without making this claim absolute.”

Quote

1600’s

John Brown of Wamphray

Quakerism the Pathway to Paganism... (Edinburgh: John Cairns, 1678), ch. 16, pp. 360-61

“As also there is a greater company of persons, called out of the world, to profess the name of Jesus and to worship Him outwardly, according to his Word, and to own Him for their King, by submitting to his laws, ordinances and officers by an outward profession. And this is that company, which is called the visible Church, because both their exercise, and their bond of union with this King, and with one another, is outward, and obvious to the eye; to wit, an open profession of the true religion and outward submission to and following of the ordinances and institutions of Christ:

But as to this visible Church, in his [a Quaker’s] following words, he seems to take no notice thereof; for he describes to us the Church Invisible; and then tells us, that without this Church there is no salvation. But this is impertinently spoken; for that Church is made up only of the elect; And if we should speak of the Invisible Church, as now existing in this world, we could not say that any elect belonged to it, but such as were effectually called; for the rest were not yet called out of the world, or out of their state of nature; and he told us, that a church is a company of persons called out of the world. To say then that there is no salvation out of that company, that are already effectually called, is neither pertinent, nor truth; for there are many, who are not yet called, whom God, will in due time call and bring home; and these whom He has elected, He does bring into the visible Church where they may enjoy the ordinances, which God hath appointed for conversion: And therefore we say, that out of this visible Church there is ordinarily no salvation:

But all this is said by him to make way for his Church, that will take in heathens, pagans, Turks and Tartars, that never heard, nor never shall hear a word of Jesus Christ; which Church, as he would delineate it to us, has not the least relation to Christ, as Head and King; nor any advantage of, or interest in the institutions of Jesus Christ.”

Westminster

Confession

10.3

“3. Elect infants, dying in infancy, are regenerated and saved by Christ through the Spirit,[m] who worketh when, and where, and how He pleaseth.[n] So also are all other elect persons, who are incapable of being outwardly called by the ministry of the word.[o]

[m] Luke 18:15,16 and Acts 2:38,39 and John 3:3,5 and 1 John 5:12 and Rom. 8:9. (Compared together)
[n] John 3:8.
[o] 1 John 5:12. Acts 4:12.”

25.2

“2. The visible church, which is also catholic or universal under the gospel (not confined to one nation, as before under the law), consists of all those throughout the world that profess the true religion,[b] together with their children;[c] and is the kingdom of the Lord Jesus Christ,[d] the house and family of God,[e] out of which there is no ordinary possibility of salvation.[f]

[b] 1 Cor. 1:2. 1 Cor. 12:12,13. Ps. 2:8. Rev. 7:9. Rom. 15:9-12.
[c] 1 Cor. 7:14. Acts 2:39. Ezek. 16:20,21. Rom. 11:16. Gen. 3:15. Gen. 17:7.
[d] Matt. 13:47. Isa. 9:7.
[e] Eph. 2:19. Eph. 3:15.
[f] Acts 2:47.”

The Phrase as Including the Universal Visible Church

Order of Quotes

Bullinger
Marbeck
Zanchi
Perkins
Adams
Welch
Attersoll
Rutherford
Baxter
Du Moulin
S. Mather
Walker
Drelincourt

1500’s

Henry Bullinger

The Decades ed. Thomas Harding (Cambridge: Parker Society, 1850), vol. 4, 5^th Decade, 2^nd Sermon, ‘That there is One catholic Church; that without the Church there is no light or salvation…’, pp. 50-52

John Marbeck

A Book of Notes & Common Places… (London: East, 1581), ‘Salvation’, ‘How without the Church is no light or salvation’, p. 959

” [Margin note:] No salvation out of the Church.

St. Cyprian, De simplicitate praelatorum, says, ‘He cannot now have God his Father who has not the Church his mother. If he may scape that was out of the ark of Noah, he may also escape that is abroad out of the Church….

Lactantius therefore most truly said: It is only the catholic Church which receives true religion. Here is the fountain of truth: This is the household of faith. This is the temple of God: into the which if one enter not, or out of the which if any depart, he is excluded from the hope of saluation and life everlasting: for our Savior said that out of the sheepfold, life is not to be found.”

Jerome Zanchi

The Whole Body of Christian Religion (d. 1590; London: Redmayne, 1659), ch. 24, ‘Concerning the Church Militant’, Doctrine 22, pp. 302-3

“Doctrine 22, That there is no salvation out of the catholic Church

From hence also by consequence we understand and believe this catholick Church so to be the only holy one, and to be saved, that out of it there is no holiness, no salvation: and since the truth so shines in her alone, without which salvation belongs to no man, that there is none out of her; and lastly since none besides the body of Christ can be saved, ‘For no man has ascended up to heaven, but He that came down from heaven, even the son of man which is in heaven,’ viz. the whole son of man, with his whole body, which is the Church; so that St. Peter has not unfitly compared the Church to the ark of Noah, in which alone mankind was saved, and as many as were found out of it perished in the waters.

But what we confess to be most true of the whole Church, we cannot grant the same of every particular Church, namely to affirm that only in this or that Church, in the Roman or Constantinopolitan, truth and salvation are to be had, so as there is none without it, and consequently that it cannot be departed from, but truth and salvation and Christ must be forsaken too. For some Church may be so qualified, that unless you renounce communion with it, you cannot have part or communion with the catholic, and the head thereof.”

William Perkins

An Exposition of the Symbol or Creed of the Apostles... (Cambridge: Legatt, 1595), An Exposition of the Creed, pp. 486-87

“The seconde rule is, that there is no salvation out of the Church, and that therefore every one which is to be saved must become a member and a citizen of the catholic and apostolic Church: and such as remain forever out of the same perish eternally. Therefore St. John says, ‘They went out of us, they were not of us, for if they had been of us,’ they would have remained with us: but this comes to pass that it might appear that they are not all of us.’ And again, that such as be holy are in the city of God, but without, that is, forth of the Church are dogs, enchanters,whoremongers, adulterers, etc. And the ark out of which all perished, figured the Church, out of which all are condemned. And for this cause St. Luke says that ‘the Lord added to the Church from day to day such as should be saved.’ [Acts 2] And the reason hereof is plain: for without Christ there is no salvation, but out of the militant Church there is no Christ nor faith in Christ: and therefore no salvation. Again, forth of the militant Church there are no means of salvation, no preaching of the word, no invocation of God’s name, no sacraments, and therefore no salvation. For this cause every man must be admonished evermore to join himself to some particular Church† being a sound member of the catholic Church.

† [A “particular Church”, as seen by many quotes on this webpage, often referred in that era to some national or regional Church, such as that of England, Germany, Constantinople, etc., not necessarily a local church, especially when the Anglican Church in that era (which Perkins was a part of) often did not have local sessions of elders with local church membership in any proper sense.]

The third rule is that the Church which here we believe is only one, as Christ Himself speaks, ‘My dove is alone, and my undefiled is the only daughter of her mother.’ [Song 6:8] And as there is only one God and one Redeemer, one faith, one baptism and one way of salvation by Christ only, so there is but one Church alone.”

1600’s

Thomas Adams

The Happiness of the Church… together with certain other Meditations… (London: Grismand, 1619), ‘The Happiness of the Church’, ‘To the General Assembly…’, pp. 56-58

“3. We must know that there is no salvation out of this Church; such as never become members of it, must eternally perish: they that are true members, shall be saved. If they had been of us, they would haue continued with us: but they went out from us, that it might be manifest they were not of us. Without are dogs and scorners, etc. All out of the ark perished in the waters. ‘The Lord added to the Church daily such as should bee saved.’ First, because there is no means of salvation out of it; no word to teach, no sacraments to confirm. And especially because out of the Church there is no Christ, and out of Christ no salvation. Who have not the Church their mother, cannot have God their Father…

‘The general assembly’ [Heb. 12:23]: this is the property of the Church; ‘General’. It is catholic in three respects; of Time, of Persons, of Place:

1. Of Time, because the Church had a being in all ages, ever since the promise was given to our first parents in Paradise…

2. Of persons; for it consists of all degrees and sorts of men… There is no order nor state excluded, if they exclude not themselves…

3. Of Place, it is gathered from all parts of the earth; especially under the New Testament… When Christ gave his apostles their commissi∣on, He gave also the whole world for their parish…

Thus we see the property of this Church, catholic or general. It is one, but not tied to one time, nor one place, nor one person: it is catholic to all times, to all places, to all persons…”

John Welch

Popery Anatomized... (d. 1622; Glasgow: Sanders, 1672), Section 2, ‘Whether the Church of Rome is the Catholic Church?’, p. 9

“What now will you say to these things, that your Church is not the catholic Church, but a part of it only; and is only catholic, because of the catholic doctrine that she professes? But if this be true, wherefore then did your general council condemn it in John Hus, and burn him for that doctrine, which both yourself must confess to be true, and is agreeable to Scripture, Fathers, and your own Popes?

…yet for all this, not only call ye [Romanists] your Church Catholic, because of the soundness of doctrine which ye suppose she professes, but also and specially to make the simple believe that there is no salvation out of her… Therefore ye call it the only true Church, and the Catholic Church: for out of the particular Church there is salvation, but out of the catholic Church there is no salvation.”

William Attersoll

A Commentary upon the Fourth book of Moses, called Numbers... (London: Iaggard, 1618), ch. 8, p. 465

“Thirdly, there is no light of truth to be found anywhere else able to guide unto faith and salvation, than in the true Church of God… As no light was to be found in all Egypt, but in the land of Goshen and among the Israelites only: so no saving doctrine that gives light to the eyes of the mind is to be found out of the Church; they that are [not] in this state, live in palpable darkeness… as John teaches, ‘We know that we are of God, and the whole world lyeth in wickedness.’…

Therefore to be out of the Church, is to be in the state of damnation, yea to be in the very dungeon of Hell, and the kingdom of darkeness, and to be under the power of Satan, the prince of darkness; as there was no salvation out of the Church. Let every man therefore seek and endeavor with all care to join himself to the true Church of God, and to be a member of the body of Christ, that so we may attain to the light of knowledge, and the light of the eternal life.”

Three Treatises… (London: Cotes, 1632), Physic Against Famine, pp. 42-44

“Secondly, the Church being but one, this point and principle is to be holden, that there is no salvation out of the Church, as there is no condemnation to them that are of the Church, and consequently every one that looks to be saved by Christ, must necessarily range himself in that number, that so he may become a member and citizen of this one catholic Church. For as out of the sheepfold are goats, dogs, swine, wolves, and such like, so out of the Church are sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loves and makes lies, Rev. 22. Such albeit they may be in the Church for a season, yet are not of the Church, for they remain not in it. They that were not in the ark of Noah, perished in the waters: so out of the Church, and out of this flock and sheepfold all are condemned. Hence it is that Luke teaches, ‘The Lord added to the Church from day to day such as should be saved.’ [Acts 2] So Solomon, Cant. 4, ‘A garden enclosed is my Sister, my Spouse, a Spring shut up, a Fountain sealed.’

This is plain in these four respects. First, because Christ Jesus is the only head of the Church, by whom all parts as by certain joints and sinews are knit and coupled together: but out of the militant Church there is no Christ, for He always walks in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks…

Thirdly, out of the Church there are no ordinary means to come to salvation. Now what are the means to attain salvation? They are these, hearing, faith, prayer, the sacraments, and such like. But out of the bosom of the Church there is no sound preaching of the Word, no true believing in Christ, no devout calling upon God, no right partaking of the sacraments, no sincere holinesse of life, no brotherly communion of saints, no pure worshipping of God according to his Word. These are the privileges of the Church, and the marks whereby it is known, Acts 2, ‘They continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine, and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.’ Where these are not, there can be no Church, nor salvation.

Fourthly, the Church and the world are quite contrary the one to the other. Christ prays not for the world, as he does for the Church, and for all the parts and members of it, Jn. 17:9, 14, ‘the whole world lyeth in wickedness,’ only the Church is an holy company which follows the ways and practices the works of godliness.”

Samuel Rutherford

The Divine Right of Church Government (London, 1646), ch. 9, p. 327

“Without the visible Church altogether as heathens are, there is no salvation;”

Richard Baxter

The Successive Visibility of the Church of which the Protestants are the Soundest Members Defended... (London: 1660), ‘The Answer to the First Paper’, p. 11

“Either you [a Romanist] mean that ‘there is no salvation to be had out of that universal Church, whose part (a minor corrupt part) acknowledges the Pope’s sovereignty’ or else ‘that there is no salvation to be had out of that universal Church which wholly acknowledges it’ or else ‘that there is no salvation to be had out of that part of the universal Church which acknowledges it’.

In the first sense I grant your conclusion (if really you [Romanists] are part of the Church), There is no salvation to be had out of Christ’s universal Church, of which you are [a] small corrupted part.”

Pierre Du Moulin

The Novelty of Popery, Opposed to the Antiquity of True Christianity… (London: White, 1662), ch. 7, How this Proposition must be understood: That out of the Church there is no Salvation, p. 13

“The Cardinal is continually urging this proposition, that there is no salvation out of the Church; And that he has not God for his Father that has not the Church for his mother. It imports then to know in what sense, and how far that proposition is true.

I say then, that if by the word ‘Church’, you understand the Church or Assembly of the elect, or predestinated unto salvation, it is clear and questionless that out of the Church so understood there is no salvation: For whosoever is none of the elect, is of necessity a reprobate.

If by the ‘Church’, you understand some particular Church, as the Greek, the Roman, the English, it is certain that out of such a Church a man may be saved. For example, if the Roman Church were as pure in the faith as it is corrupt, yet a faithful man could be saved in any other particular Church of the like purity.

But if by the ‘Church’, one understands the whole body of those that profess themselves to be Christians, or the whole body of the orthodox Churches united in communion; it is certain that out of the communion of the Church taken in that sense a man may be saved. For if one were unjustly excommunicated from that Church, and should die during that excommunication, he should not be therefore excluded from salvation. For God is not subject to men’s vices, nor obliged to comply with the unjust passions of pastors handling the keys unrighteously, or abusing them ignorantly. Such a man having the Church for his step-mother, shall nevertheless have God for his Father.

It may also happen that a pagan or a Jew being prisoner, or living in a country where there is no Christians, will come by reading, or conference, or inspiration from God, to acknowledge the truth of Christian religion, and make a resolution to profess it at the next opportunity, and as soon as he shall have his freedom: if death prevent such a man before he can openly join with the communion of the Church, I make no doubt but that he may be saved, believing in Jesus Christ, though he never did aggregate himself to the communion of the Church. For our Savior’s words can never be false, ‘Whosoever believeth in Jesus Christ, hath eternal life,’ Jn. 6. The thief crucified with Jesus, and converted when he was near death, was a pagan before, or of no religion; we cannot tell that ever he was a member of the visible Church, yet he was saved.

In this sense then that proposition may be true, That out of the visible Church there is no salvation. Who so by profaneness or error in the foundation of the faith does separate himself from the communion of the universal visible Church, and renounces the communion of the faithful, to live according to his fancy, and to be no more a member of the Church, that man cannot be saved. Of such men the apostle Jude speaks, verses 18-19, where he calls those mockers and sensual men that separate themselves; And the apostle to the Hebrews, ch. 10, v. 25, forbids us to forsake the assembling of ourselves together. In this sense Cyprian in his book of the Unity of the Church, says, ‘He hath not God for his Father, that has not the Church for his Mother.’ For he speaks of schismatics, who out of pride despise the communion of the orthodox Church, and are authors of disension and division in the Church.”

Samuel Mather

The Figures or Types of the Old Testament by which Christ & the Heavenly things of the Gospel were Preached… (Dublin, 1683), The Types or Figures of the Old Testament, Sermon 3, p. 95

“8. They in the ark were safe, and there was no safety but in the ark: so in the Church there is salvation; but no salvation out of the Church: Salvation is of the Jews, Jn. 4, extra Ecclesiam non est Salus [There is no salvation outside the Church]. It is always true of the mystical Church; and it is ordinarily true concerning the visible Church.”

Obadiah Walker

‘Of the Danger of Schism’, pp. 4-7 in Of Faith Necessary to Salvation & of the Necessary Ground of Faith Salvifical whether this, alway, in every man, must be infallibility… (Oxford, 1688), Concerning Salvation possible to be had in a Schismatical Communion and Concerning the danger of living in, and the necessity of departing from, a Known-Schismatical Communion

“2. Be it granted: That there is no salvation to any that are out of the communion (i.e.) internal of the Church (For certainly none are saved that are not the members of Christ, the Head; and then tis impossible that any should be one of the members of Christ and not have those of the church for his fellow-members, unless Christ have two distinct bodies). Of this St. Augustine, Against the Donatists, Of the Unity of the Church, ch. 2, speaks very fully:

‘Quaestio certe inter nos versatur, ubi sit Ecclesia; utrum apud nos, an apud illos? Quae utique una est; quam majores nostri Catholicam nominarunt. Haec autem Ecclesia corpus Christi est. Unde utique manifestum est, eum, qui non est in membris Christi, Christianam salutem habere non posse. Membra vero Christi per unitatis charitatem sibi copulantur, et per eandem capiti suo cohaerent, quod est Jesus Christus.’

He continues afterward, ch. 4:

‘Quicunque de ipso Capite Scripturis sanctis consentiunt [i.e. are never so orthodox in their belief] et unitati Ecclesiae non communicant, non sunt in Ecclesia; quia de Christi corpore (quod est Ecclesia) dissentiunt ab ipsius Christi testificatione [i.e. that she is toto orbe diffusa, and shall never perish, etc.] et apertissimis ac notissimis Scripturarum testimoniis contradicunt.’

Again:

‘Quicunque credunt quod Christus Jesus in carne vener it etc. sed tamen ab ejus corpore, quod est Ecclesia, ita dissentiunt, ut eorum communio non sit cum toto quacunque diffunditur, sed in aliqua parte separata inveniatur; manifestum est eos non esse in Ecclesia Catholica. In aliqua parte separata, for the reason given by him above; because they want charity: Membra vero Christi per unitatis charitatem sibi copulantur, et capiti suo; and because notissimis Scripturis contradicunt.’

3. But, all this being granted, yet 3rdly, if any happen to be extra Ecclesiam [outside the Church], out of the Church’s external communion, or also in parte separata [in a part separated]; so he be not guilty of that fault which makes such separation damnable, but still retains the necessary bond of charity; such a one (once joined unto it by baptism), though amongst other separatists, seems to remain himself still unseparated (though not from the external, yet) from the internal communion of the Church. And if any be so strict, as, besides this internal (effected by the same Spirit of Christ in all the faithful, and always seen to God) always to exact an external also, such assertion will in many instances prove false, even in St. Augustine’s Confessions; who freely acknowledges both many that are in the external communion of the Church, no true members thereof; and many to be true members of the Church who are out of the external communion thereof. See Of the Unity of the Church, ch. 20:

‘Multi tales sunt in Sacramentorum communione cum Ecclesia, et tamen jam non sunt in Ecclesia: Alioquin et tunc quisque praeciditur, cum excommunicatur. Consequens erit, ut tunc rursus inseratur, cum visibiliter communioni restituitur. Quid si ergo sictus accedat, atque adversus veritatem et Ecclesiam •or inimicissimum gerat? Quamvis peragatur in eo illa solemnitas, nunquid reconciliatur? nunquid inseritur? absit. Sicut ergo, jam denuo communicans nondum insertus est; sic et antequam visibiliter excommunicatur, quisquis contra veritatem, qua convincitur et arguitur, inimicum gest at animum, jam praecisus est.’

Again; Of Baptism, bk. 1, ch. 17:

‘Semper ab illius Ecclesiae, quae sine macula et ruga est, unitate divisus est, etiam qui, in carnali obduratione, congregationi Sanctorum miscetur.—Spirituales autem sive ad hoc ipsum pro studio proficientes, non eunt for as [i.e. when they are excommunicated]: quia et quum aliqua vel perversitate, vel necessitate hominum, videntur expelli; ibi magis probantur quam si intus permaneant; cum adversus Ecclesiam nullatenus eriguntur, sed in solida unitatis petra fortissimo charitatis robore radicantur.’

Add to this the place quoted below, §13, and that discourse of his Of the Unity of the Church, ch. 20, of the several degrees of their culpableness who may live in a schismatical communion, set down §7: Where the father affirms, God has some good corn amongst those tares: ubi radice viva herbae vigor atteritur, etc.

Several instances therefore there may be given wherein such assertion will prove false. For example: It is granted to be false in those who are unjustly excommunicated (as some, tis by all conceded, may be); and in penitents, after a just excommunication, who are not yet actually reconciled, of whom Bellarmine, De Ecclesia, bk. 3, ch. 6, says: ‘Tales esse in Ecclesia animo sive desiderio, quod sufficit illis ad salutem:’ bringing in St. Augustine’s saying, Of the True Religion, ch. 6, of such like; Hos coronat in occulto Pater in occulto videns. (See below §)

Again: false, at least, in those dying after baptism, before the use of reason, in a schismatical Church. Again, false in catechumeni [catechumens] that die before they receive baptism, or are entered into the Church…

I add that some of the catechumeni were such, as, for secular reasons, etc, deferred baptism long after they might have been admitted to, and received, it: and amongst such, I suppose was Valentinian; who dying before baptism received, after baptism willingly deferred, yet St. Ambrose doubted not of his salvation…

But we must put some difference between the committing of a fault (in the want [lack] thereof), and the incurring of certain damnation…

I say therefore, in such cases, the position above, being meant of external communion, is false: and then why may it not also be so in some other cases? As namely in one, whose ill hap it is to be born in a schismatical communion, yet where he partakes the true sacraments; when it is supposed, that such a one may be guiltless of that crime, for which the schismatical are damned.”

Charles Drelincourt

A Catechism, or, Familiar Instructions on the Principal Points of the Christian Religion... (London: Castle, 1698), pt. 1, Of the Fourth Part of the Apostles Creed, p. 31

“Q. May one be saved out of the Church’s communion?

A. There is no salvation out of the universal Church; but there is no particular church out of which one may not be saved, and there is such particular church, the communion whereof must one renounce than to be saved.

Q. What difference is there between the particular churches?

A. Some are pure and true in their doctrine, and others are impure and untrue.”

The Phrase as Including the Invisible Church

Order of Quotes

Adams
Gouge
Rutherford
Du Moulin
Lightfoot
S. Mather
Turretin

1600’s

Thomas Adams

The Happiness of the Church… together with certain other Meditations… (London: Grismand, 1619), ‘The Happiness of the Church’, ‘To the General Assembly…’, pp. 56-58

“3. We must know that there is no salvation out of this Church; such as never become members of it, must eternally perish: they that are true members, shall be saved. If they had been of us, they would have continued with us: but they went out from us, that it might be manifest they were not of us. Without are dogs and scorners, etc. All out of the ark perished in the waters. ‘The Lord added to the Church daily such as should bee saved.’ First, because there is no means of salvation out of it; no word to teach, no sacraments to confirm. And especially because out of the Church there is no Christ, and out of Christ no salvation. Who have not the Church their mother, cannot have God their Father…

‘The general assembly’ [Heb. 12:23]: this is the property of the Church; ‘General’. It is catholic in three respects; of Time, of Persons, of Place… Thus we see the property of this Church, catholic or general. It is one, but not tied to one time, nor one place, nor one person: it is catholic to all times, to all places, to all persons…

…I desire to express two things: one for distinction, the other for instruction. First for distinction betwixt this Generall assembly and particular churches: then for instruction, to show who be true members of this catholic Church.

1. The main difference between them consists in this: that the catholic Church is always invisible, the members thereof only known to God: particular churches are sometimes invisible, and lying hid; other times manifest in the open profession of Christ’s name.”

William Gouge

Of Domestical Duties… (London: Haviland, 1622), 1st Treatise, §23

“§.23. Of the restraint of the benefit of Christ’s headship to them only that are of his body.

That none but those who are of Christ’s body shall partake of the benefit of his office is clear by other like titles of restraint, as ‘his people’, and ‘his sheep’: but especially by denying to the world the benefit of his intercession, ‘I pray not for the world,’ says He. In this respect this position (out of the Church no salvation) is without exception true: for the body is the true, catholic, invisible Church: he that is not a member of this Church, but is out of it, has not Christ to be his head and Savior, whence then can he have salvation?

The former point is not more comfortable to those that have assurance that they are members of this body, then this is terrible to those that give too great evidence they are no members thereof; as all they do that have not the spirit of Christ ruling in them, but rather rebel against Him: and bear no love to the saints, but rather hate them, and do them all the spight they can.”

Samuel Rutherford

The Due Right of Presbyteries... (London: 1644), pt. 1, p. 79

“1st Conclusion. An adjoining to a visible Church either formally to be a member thereof, or materially, confessing the Faith of the true visible Church, God offering occasion, is necessary to all:

1. Because we are to be ready to give a confession of the hope that is in us, to every one who asks, 1 Pet. 3:15.

2 Because he who denies Christ before men, him also will Christ deny before the Father and before the holy angels, Mt. 10:33.

3. Yet if some die without the Church, having faith in Christ, and want opportunity to confess Him before men, as repenting in the hour of death, their salvation is sure, and they are within the invisible Church: so is that to be taken, extra Ecclesiam nulla salus, none can be saved who are every way without the Church, both visible and invisible; as all perished who were not in Noah’s Ark.

2nd Conclusion. When God offers opportunity, all are obliged to join themselves to a true visible Church:

1. Because God has promised his presence to the Churches as his Son walks in the midst of the golden candlesticks, Rev. 2:2.

2. Because faith comes by hearing a sent preacher, Rom. 10:4.

3. Separation from the true visible Church is condemned, Heb. 10:24; Jude v. 19; 1 Jn. 2:19.

4. Good men esteem it a rich favour of God to lay hold on the skirt of a Jew, Zech. 8:23, and to have any communion, even as a door keeper in God’s House, and have desired it exceedingly and complained of the want thereof, Ps. 84:10. v. 1-2; Ps. 27:4; Ps. 42:1-4; Ps. 63:1-2.”

Pierre Du Moulin

The Novelty of Popery, Opposed to the Antiquity of True Christianity… (London: White, 1662), ch. 7, How this Proposition must be understood: That out of the Church there is no Salvation, pp. 13-14

John Lightfoot

Some Genuine Remains of… John Lightfoot... (d. 1675; London: R.J., 1700), Tract 3, ‘An Exposition of Two Select Articles of the Apostles’ Creed’, I. ‘I believe the Holy Catholick Church’, pp. 241-42

“Secondly, There is no salvation out of the Church, but there may be salvation out of the visible Church. As multitudes that are in the visible Church are not saved, so some out of it may be saved. I speak not this to encourage any to neglect being of the visible Church…

Is not the greatest company in any visible Church either such open profane, or careless Christians, or downright hypocrites? Are there not ten, an hundred of such for one that truly fears God? Well, when we speak of the Holy Catholic Church, can we only think of that which is visible, as to an outward profession, in which millions perish and go to Hell forever? No, we are to think of the Church invisible; the number known to God of his faithful ones.”

Samuel Mather

The Figures or Types of the Old Testament by which Christ & the Heavenly things of the Gospel were Preached… (Dublin, 1683), The Types or Figures of the Old Testament, Sermon 3, p. 95

Yea the ark was safest when the waters were highest. Seamen have an expression; in a storm they use to wish for sea-room enough: Or we may apply it higher to Christ Himself, and to his mystical Body; Without Christ there is no salvation; but as they were safe in the ark: so whosoever is in Christ, and a member of that invisible society, he is safe, and shall never perish.”

Francis Turretin

Institutes (P&R), vol. 3, 18th Topic, question 4, sections 3-4, pp. 23-24

“…the church can be regarded in two ways; either as to external state and visible form, or as to internal and invisible form. Catechumens and the unbaptized are said to belong to the church not in the former sense and as to the external state, but in the latter only. Thus they are of the mystical body of Christ, although they have not yet been called externally to the external and visible communion, nor have a right to sacred things.

…unbaptized catechumens can be saved in that state, therefore, they are of the church and in it. For out of the church there is no salvation, as the adversaries [Romanists] do not deny.”

“And the Lord said unto Noah, ‘Come thou and all thy house into the ark…’… And Noah went in, and his sons, and his wife, and his sons’ wives with him, into the ark, because of the waters of the flood… And the flood was forty days upon the earth; and the waters increased, and bare up the ark, and it was lift up above the earth…

And all flesh died that moved upon the earth, both of fowl, and of cattle, and of beast, and of every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth, and every man… and they were destroyed from the earth: and Noah only remained alive, and they that were with him in the ark.”

Gen. 7:1, 7, 17, 21, 23

Local Church Membership: Not Necessary to be in Visible Church

Local Church Membership: Not Necessary for Sacraments

On the Head of Church

On the Visible Church

On the Invisible Church

On the catholic (Universal) Church

On the Marks of the Church

3 Kinds of Church Communion

The Reformation Distinction of True & False Churches

Church Membership

Abstaining from Public Worship