What Church is here spoken of?
The whole visible Church and every branch of it.
In what two matters has the Church authority?
In rites and ceremonies, and in controversies of faith.
What is its authority in the first case?
It has power to decree them.
Show that this power is recognised in Holy Scripture.
1 Cor. xiv. 40. St. Paul recognised in the Church of Corinth the power to provide that "all things be done decently and in order;" which implies power to decree rites and ceremonies.
What limit is there to this power?
The Church "must not ordain any thing contrary to God's Word."
What is the power of the Church in controversies of faith?
To decide them, and "to enforce" the doctrines she decides upon "to be believed for necessity of Salvation."
On what other functions of the Church is this authority founded?
On her being "the witness and keeper of Holy Writ."
What do you mean by her being "a witness of Holy Writ?"
That she testifies what is to be received as Holy Writ and what not.
