# Personal Succession.

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As a great building, house, or castle, can be considered,
firstly, with regard to it as a whole, and,
secondly, with respect to its different parts, so also
the whole church of Christ can properly be considered:
firstly, in the whole or in general, as comprising
all the congregations in the whole world,
which have in common the most holy faith, and the
practice, which, according to God’s holy Word,
must follow therefrom; secondly, in any particular
part of the same, as, this or that church which is in
accord with it, as for instance, the church at Amsterdam,
Harlem, Dort, etc.

Likewise there is also (or, certainly can be) a twofold
personal succession; 1. a general, 2. a particular
one. By the general is understood that succession,
which has been, in general, throughout the
whole world, through a succession of true teachers,
whether few or many, according to the opportunity
of the times; who have rightly taught the truth, and
propagated it according to their ability; concerning
which (touching their doctrine, especially in regard
to holy baptism, etc.) we have shown, which the
true succession is, which, together with the observance
of all the other commandments of Jesus Christ,
is recognized by us, according to the promise of the
Lord given to the true teachers, Matt. 28:20.

By the particular succession is understood the
succession of teachers, from person to person, in a
particular church, at a separate place, and sitting on
a throne prepared for this purpose, as for instance,
at Constantinople, of which the Greeks boast; but
principally at Rome, about which the Latins, that
is, the papists, make a great ado. But concerning
this there is no promise, law, or commandment to
be found in the whole Gospel, and we, therefore,
pass on.[42](/en/stories/mm-footnotes/part-5/#Footnote_42)



## Original source

[Read this passage on Project Gutenberg](https://www.gutenberg.org/cache/epub/65855/pg65855-images.html#FNanchor_42)

[Edition details](https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/65855)

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