Becon

Thomas Becon, 1512-1567, Chaplain to Archbishop Thomas Cranmer, Church of England.
Four marks: pure preaching of God's Word, right administration of sacraments, prayer and church discipline.

This book is free and downloadable at the URL. Again, every Anglican Church ought use this for high school Sunday School and catechesis work for covenant children. Same for converts to Christ.

In context, Rome, Islam and Anabaptists are excluded from true churches.

http://books।google.com/books?id=-8t6T7EhnXoC&pg=PA38&dq=thomas+becon+catechism&output=text#c_top

Becon is below.
--------------------

Father. There is at this present day great contention concerning the church, every sect swearing to prove that they are the church of God, and that all other, which dissent from them, are synagogues of Satan: come off, tell me therefore, how the true church of Christ may be known from the malignant and wicked churches, which are led with the spirit, not of God, but of the devil.

Son. Albeit many signs, tokens, and marks might here be rehearsed, whereby we may easily discern the church of Christ from the synagogue of antichrist, the people of God from the bond-slaves of Satan, the vessels of mercy from the vessels of wrath; yet will I recite at this present only four tokens, or marks, whereby we may truly and undeceivably know the true catholic and apostolic church.

Father. Which are those four?

Son. The first is, the sincere, true, and uncorrupt preaching of God's word, without the intermixtion or mingling of man's doctrine, in the which God, that mighty Lord, hath opened himself, his will, his mercy, and favour to his faithful congregation, as it is written: " He that is of God heareth the words of God." Again: "My sheep hear my voice;" "as for a stranger, they follow him not, but fly from him; for they know not the voice of strangers."

The second is, the true administration of the sacraments according to the institution and ordinance of Christ, as wo read of St Paul entreating of the supper of the Lord: " That which I delivered unto you received I of the Lord. For the Lord Jesus, the same night in the which he was betrayed, took the bread," &c.

The third is, fervent prayer and the diligent invocation of God in the name of our alone Mediator Jesus Christ, with continual thanksgiving for his benefits.

The fourth is, ecclesiastical discipline according to the prescript and appointment of God's word.

Although many other signs, notes, tokens, and marks, might here be rehearsed, whereby also the church of Christ may easily be discerned from the synagogue of antichrist, yet these be the principal and chief; so that, in whatsoever congregation these aforesaid signs be found, there may we well affirm and say the true church of Christ to be, and the faithful people of God.