Q. 83. What is the communion in glory with Christ which the members of the invisible church enjoy in this life?
A. The members of the invisible church have communicated to them in this life the firstfruits of glory with Christ, as they are members of him their head, and so in him are interested in that glory which he is fully possessed of;^[360] and, as an earnest thereof, enjoy the sense of God’s love,^[361] peace of conscience, joy in the Holy Ghost, and hope of glory;^[362] as, on the contrary, sense of God’s revenging wrath, horror of conscience, and a fearful expectation of judgment, are to the wicked the beginning of their torments which they shall endure after death.^[363]

Westminster Shorter Catechism

Q. 36. What are the benefits which in this life do accompany or flow from justification, adoption, and sanctification?
A. The benefits which in this life do accompany or flow from justification, adoption, and sanctification, are, assurance of God’s love,^[100] peace of conscience,^[101] joy in the Holy Ghost,^[102] increase of grace,^[103] and perseverance therein to the end.^[104]

Q. 82. What is the communion in glory which the members of the invisible church have with Christ?
A. The communion in glory which the members of the invisible church have with Christ, is in this life,^[357] immediately after death,^[358] and at last perfected at the resurrection and day of judgment.^[359]

Q. 69. What is the communion in grace which the members of the invisible church have with Christ?
A. The communion in grace which the members of the invisible church have with Christ, is their partaking of the virtue of his mediation, in their justification,^[283] adoption,^[284] sanctification, and whatever else, in this life, manifests their union with him.^[285]

Chapter 26: Of the Communion of Saints

3: This communion which the saints have with Christ, does not make them in any wise partakers of the substance of His Godhead; or to be equal with Christ in any respect: either of which to affirm is impious and blasphemous.^[508] Nor does their communion one with another, as saints, take away, or infringe the title or propriety which each man has in his goods and possessions.^[509]

Chapter 26: Of the Communion of Saints

2: Saints by profession are bound to maintain an holy fellowship and communion in the worship of God, and in performing such other spiritual services as tend to their mutual edification;^[506] as also in relieving each other in outward things, according to their several abilities and necessities. Which communion, as God offers opportunity, is to be extended unto all those who, in every place, call upon the name of the Lord Jesus.^[507]

Chapter 26: Of the Communion of Saints

1: All saints, that are united to Jesus Christ their Head, by His Spirit, and by faith, have fellowship with Him in His grace, sufferings, death, resurrection, and glory:^[503] and, being united to one another in love, they have communion in each other’s gifts and graces,^[504] and are obliged to the performance of such duties, public and private, as do conduce to their mutual good, both in the inward and outward man.^[505]

Westminster Larger Catechism

Q. 66. What is that union which the elect have with Christ?
A. The union which the elect have with Christ is the work of God’s grace,^[270] whereby they are spiritually and mystically, yet really and inseparably, joined to Christ as their head and husband;^[271] which is done in their effectual calling.^[272]

Chapter 25: Of the Church

6: There is no other head of the Church but the Lord Jesus Christ.^[501] Nor can the Pope of Rome, in any sense, be head thereof.

Chapter 25: Of the Church

5: The purest Churches under heaven are subject both to mixture and error;^[498] and some have so degenerated, as to become no Churches of Christ, but synagogues of Satan.^[499] Nevertheless, there shall be always a Church on earth to worship God according to His will.^[500]

Westminster Larger Catechism

Q. 61. Are all they saved who hear the gospel, and live in the church?
A. All that hear the gospel, and live in the visible church, are not saved; but they only who are true members of the church invisible.^[260]

Chapter 25: Of the Church

4: This catholic Church has been sometimes more, sometimes less visible.^[496] And particular Churches, which are members thereof, are more or less pure, according as the doctrine of the Gospel is taught and embraced, ordinances administered, and public worship performed more or less purely in them.^[497]

Chapter 25: Of the Church

3: Unto this catholic visible Church Christ has given the ministry, oracles, and ordinances of God, for the gathering and perfecting of the saints, in this life, to the end of the world: and does, by His own presence and Spirit, according to His promise, make them effectual thereunto.^[495]

Westminster Larger Catechism

Q. 63. What are the special privileges of the visible church?
A. The visible church hath the privilege of being under God’s special care and government;^[263] of being protected and preserved in all ages, notwithstanding the opposition of all enemies;^[264] and of enjoying the communion of saints, the ordinary means of salvation,^[265] and offers of grace by Christ to all the members of it in the ministry of the gospel, testifying, that whosoever believes in him shall be saved,^[266] and excluding none that will come unto him.^[267]

Chapter 25: Of the Church

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;^[490] and of their children:^[491] and is the kingdom of the Lord Jesus Christ,^[492] the house and family of God,^[493] out of which there is no ordinary possibility of salvation.^[494]

Westminster Larger Catechism

Q. 62. What is the visible church?
A. The visible church is a society made up of all such as in all ages and places of the world do profess the true religion,^[261] and of their children.^[262]

Q. 65. What special benefits do the members of the invisible church enjoy by Christ?
A. The members of the invisible church by Christ enjoy union and communion with him in grace and glory.^[269]

Chapter 25: Of the Church

1: The catholic or universal Church, which is invisible, consists of the whole number of the elect, that have been, are, or shall be gathered into one, under Christ the Head thereof; and is the spouse, the body, the fulness of Him that fills all in all.^[489]

Westminster Larger Catechism

Q. 64. What is the invisible church?
A. The invisible church is the whole number of the elect, that have been, are, or shall be gathered into one under Christ the head.^[268]

Chapter 24: Of Marriage and Divorce

6: Although the corruption of man be such as is apt to study arguments unduly to put asunder those whom God has joined together in marriage: yet, nothing but adultery, or such wilful desertion as can no way be remedied by the Church, or civil magistrate, is cause sufficient of dissolving the bond of marriage:^[487] wherein, a public and orderly course of proceeding is to be observed; and the persons concerned in it not left to their own wills, and discretion, in their own case.^[488]