What the Church Is

1] Although the Church properly is the congregation of saints and true believers,

nevertheless, since in this life many hypocrites and evil persons are mingled therewith, it is

lawful to use Sacraments administered by evil men, according to the saying of Christ: The

Scribes and 2] the Pharisees sit in Moses' seat, etc. Matt. 23, 2. Both the Sacraments and

Word are effectual by reason of the institution and commandment of Christ, notwithstanding

they be administered by evil men.

3] They condemn the Donatists, and such like, who denied it to be lawful to use the ministry

of evil men in the Church, and who thought the ministry of evil men to be unprofitable and of

none effect.