Ad omnes Germaniae ecclesias reformatas, piorum, qui sub Zvingliani et Calviniani nominis invidia, vim & iniuriam patiuntur, apologia

and the Son, is true and eternal God, by whose virtue all things are enlivened, preserved, and governed; he is likewise our comforter and advocate, promised and given to us by Christ, through whom he rules his Church here on earth, and acts efficaciously in the hearts of believers.

The Catholic Church. We believe that there is one Catholic Church of Christ, the communion and society of all believers, whom he sanctifies through the Holy Spirit in his blood and makes members of his body, of which he himself is the head. As this Church is generated from the Word of God, so it is ruled by this alone, and according to its norm it institutes all actions, both political and ecclesiastical, public and private. It is gathered, nourished, and preserved by the Sacraments received from its spouse and head: namely, Baptism and the holy Supper, in which it insists upon the primary institution, and admits nothing that dissents from its rule.

Remission of sins. We believe that the remission of sins was obtained for us by the merit of Christ, of which faith alone makes us participants. It is said to justify us because by it alone we apprehend Him who was given to us by the Father as justice, sanctification, and redemption. Therefore, we have nothing to do either with the Pelagians, those peddlers of their own works and merits, or with the stoker-priests of purgatorial fire, whose doctrine empties the merit of Christ and the grace of God.

2 Cor. 1.

Resurrection of the flesh. We believe in the resurrection of the flesh, that is, of our bodies