Annotation CCCV

”But as the Church is subject to Christ.” — Ephesians 5:24

Whether sinners are members of the Church.

Jerome, [in] the third book on the epistle to the Ephesians, seems to think that no sinner is of the Church of Christ, while he says: “THE Church of Christ is glorious, not having spot, nor wrinkle, or any such thing. He, therefore, who is a sinner, and stained with some filth, cannot be called [a member] of the Church of Christ, nor be said [to be] subject to Christ. But it is possible, that, as the Church, which before had had wrinkle and spot, was afterward restored to youth and cleanness: so also the sinner may run to the physician, and his wounds be cured, and he be made [a member] of the Church, which is the body of Christ.” This passage is usurped by the Lutherans, hence building up that the true Church consists of the predestined and the elect of God alone, to whom sins are not imputed. But Jerome does not speak of this earthly and militant Church, which daily prays, “Forgive us our sins”; but of the heavenly Church, triumphant and glorious, which, free from all sins, has neither wrinkle nor spot.