But this is the meaning and substance of this addition:I believe that there is upon earth a little holy group and congregation of pure saints,under one head,even Christ,called together by the Holy Ghost in one faith,one mind,and understanding,with manifold gifts,yet agreeing in love,without sects or schisms.I am also a part and member of the same a sharer and joint owner of all the goods it possesses,brought to it and incorporated into it by the Holy Ghost by having heard and continuing to hear the Word of God,which is the beginning of entering it.For formerly,before we had attained to this,we were altogether of the devil,knowing nothing of God and of Christ.Thus,until the last day,the Holy Ghost abides with the holy congregation or Christendom,by means of which He fetches us to Christ and which He employs to teach and preach to us the Word,whereby He works and promotes sanctification,causing it [this community]daily to grow and become strong in the faith and its fruits which He produces.
We further believe that in this Christian Church we have forgiveness of sin,which is wrought through the holy Sacraments and Absolution,moreover,through all manner of consolatory promises of the entire Gospel.Therefore,whatever is to be preached concerning the Sacraments belongs here,and,in short,the whole Gospel and all the offices of Christianity,which also must be preached and taught without ceasing.
For although the grace of God is secured through Christ,and sanctification is wrought by the Holy Ghost through the Word of God in the unity of the Christian Church,yet on account of our flesh which we bear about with us we are never without sin.
Everything,therefore,in the Christian Church is ordered to the end that we shall daily obtain there nothing but the forgiveness of sin through the Word and signs,to comfort and encourage our consciences as long as we live here.Thus,although we have sins,the [grace of the]
Holy Ghost does not allow them to injure us,because we are in the Christian Church,where there is nothing but [continuous,uninterrupted]forgiveness of sin,both in that God forgives us,and in that we forgive,bear with,and help each other.
But outside of this Christian Church,where the Gospel is not,there is no forgiveness,as also there can be no holiness [sanctification].
Therefore all who seek and wish to merit holiness [sanctification],not through the Gospel and forgiveness of sin,but by their works,have expelled and severed themselves [from this Church].
Meanwhile,however,while sanctification has begun and is growing daily,we expect that our flesh will be destroyed and buried with all its uncleanness,and will come forth gloriously,and arise to entire and perfect holiness in a new eternal life.For now we are only half pure and holy,so that the Holy Ghost has ever [some reason why]to continue His work in us through the Word,and daily to dispense forgiveness,until we attain to that life where there will be no more forgiveness,but only perfectly pure and holy people,full of godliness and righteousness,removed and free from sin,death,and all evil,in a new,immortal,and glorified body.
Behold,all this is to be the office and work of the Holy Ghost,that He begin and daily increase holiness upon earth by means of these two things,the Christian Church and the forgiveness of sin.But in our dissolution He will accomplish it altogether in an instant,and will forever preserve us therein by the last two parts.
