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Thofe five commonly called Sacraments, that is to fay, Confirmation. Perance, Orders, Matrimony and extreme Unction, are not be counted for Sacraments of the Gospel, being fuch as have grown, partly of the corrupt following of the Apoftles, partly are fta:es of life allowed by the Scriptures: but yet have not like nature of Sacraments with Baptifm and the Lords Supper, for that they have not any visible Sign or Ceremony ordained of God.

The Sacraments were not ordained of Chrift to be gazed upon, or to be carried about, but that we should duly ufe then. And in fuch only as worthily receive the fame, they have a wholefome effect or operation : but they that receive them unworthily, purchase to themselves damnation, as St. Paul faith.

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XXVI. Of the Unworthiness of the Minifters, which binders not the effect of the Sacraments.

chief authority in the miniftration of the Word and Sacraments: yet forafmuch as they do notthe fame in their own name, but in Chrifts, and do minifter by his Commiffion and Authority, we may ufe their Mini ary, both in hearing the Word of God, and in the receiving of the Sacraments. Neither is the effect of Chrifts ordinance taken away by their wickedness, nor the grace of Gods gifts diminished from fuch, as by faith, and rightly do receive the Sacraments ministered unto them, which be effectual, becaufe of Christs inftitu. tion and promife, although they be ministered by evil men.

Nevertheless, it appertaineth to the Difcipline of the Church, that enquiry be made of evil Ministers, and that they be accufed by thofe that have knowledge of their offences: and finally being found guilty, by jutt Judgment be depofed.

XXVII. Of Baptifm.

BAPTISM is not only not chriftened, but it is also a ligu of Regeneration, or new Birth, whereby, as by

APTISM is not only a fign of Profeflion, and mark of Difference, whereby Chriftian men are difcerned

an inftrument, they that receive Baptifm rightly are grafted into the Church: the promifes of the forgiveness of fin, and of our adoption to be the Sons of God by the Holy Gholt, are vifiby figned and fealed: faith is confirmed, and grace increased by virtue of prayer unto God. The Baptifm of young children is in any wife to be retained in the Church, as most agreeable with the institution of Christ.

T

XXVIII. Of the Lords Supper.

HE Supper of the Lord is not only a fign of the Love that Chriftians ought to have among themselves one to another: but rather it is a Sacrament of our redemption by Christs death: Infomuch that to fuch as rightly, worthily, and with faith receive the fame, the Bread which we break, is a partaking of the body of Chrift; and likewife the Cup of Bleffing is a partaking of the Blood of Chrift.

Tranfubftantiation (or the change of the fubflance of Bread and Wine) in the Supper of the Lord, cannot be proved by holy Writ; but it is repugnant to the plain words of Scripture, overthroweth the nature of a Sa crament, and hath given occafion to many Superftitions.

The Body of Chrift is given, taken, and eaten in the Supper, only after an heavenly and spiritual manner. And the mean whereby the Bcdy of Christ is received and eaten in the Supper, is Faith.

The Sacrament of the Lords Supper was not by Chrifts ordinance referved, carried about, lifted up, or worshipped.

TH

XXIX. Of the wicked, which cat not the Body of Chrift in the use of the Lords Supper.

HE wicked and fuch as be void of a lively faith, although they do carnaly and visibly prefs with their Teeth (as St. Auguftine faith) the Sacrament of the Body and Blood of Chrift: yet in no wife are they partakers of Chrift; but rather to their condemnation do eat and drink the Sign or Sacrament of fo great a thing. XXX Of both Kinds.

TH

HE Cup of the Lord is not to be denied to the lay-people; for both the parts of the Lords Sacrament,
by Christs ordinance and commandment, ought to be ministered to all Chriftian men alike.
XXXI. Of the one oblation of Chrift finished upon the Cross.

THE of world both original and actual, and there is none other fatisfaction for fin, but that

HE Offering of Chrift once made, is that perfect redemption, propitiation, and fatisfaction for all the

alone. Wherefore the facrifice of Maffes, in the which it was commonly said, that the Priest did offer Chrift for the quick and the dead, to bave emiffion of pain or guilt, were blafphemous fables, and dangerous deceits. XXXII. Of the Marriage of Prufis.

BISHOPS, Pricfts, and Deacons, are for commanded by Goes Law, either to vow the state of fingle life,

or to abstain from marriage: therefore it is lawful for them, as for all other Christian men, to marry at their own difcretion, as they fhall judge the fame to ferve better to godliness.

XXXIII. Of excommunicate perfons, how they are to be avoided.

HAT perfon, which by open denunciation of the Church is rightly cut off from the unity of the Church, and excommunicated, ought to be taken of the whole multitude of the faithful, as an Heathen and Pub. lican, until he be openly reconciled by penance, and received into the Church by a Judge that hath authority

thereunto.

I

XXXIV. Of the Traditions of the Church.

Tis not neceffary that Traditions and Ceremonies be in all places one, or utterly like; for at all times they have been divers, and may be changed according to the diverfity of Countries, Times, and Mens manners,

fo that nothing be ordained against Gods Word. Whofocver through his private judgment, willingly and purpofely doth openly break the Traditions and Ceremonies of the Church, which be not repugnant to the word of God, and he ordained and approved by common Authority, ought to be rebuked openly (that other may fear to do the like) as he that offendeth against the common crder of the Church, and hurteth the authority of the Magiftrate, and woundeth the confciences of the weak Brethren.

Every particular or National Church hath Authority to ordain, change and abolish Ceremonies or Rites of the Church, ordained only by mans Authority, fo that all things be done to edying.

TE

XXXV. Of Homilies.

HE fecond Book of Homilies, the feveral titles whereof we have joined under this Article, doth contain a godly and wholesome Doctrine, and neceffary for thefe times, as doth the former Book of Homilies, which were fet forth in the time of Edward the Sixth; and therefore we judge them to be read in Churches by the Minifters, diligently and diftin&ly, that they may be understanded of the people.

Of the Names of the Homilies.

OF the right ufe of the Church. Against Peril of Idolatry. Of repairing and keeping clean of Churches. Of good Works: Firft of Fafting. Again Gluttony and Drunkenness. Again Excess of Apparrel. Of Prayer. Of the Place and Time of Prayer. That Common Pryers and Sacraments ought to be Miniftered in a known tongue. Of the Reverent Eflimation of Gods Word. Of Alms-doing, Of the Nativity of Christ. Of the Pafion of Christ. Of the Refurrection of Chrift. Of the worthy receiving of the Sacrament of the Body and Blood of Corift. Of the gifts of the Halv-Ghoft. For the Regation-days. Of the State of Matrimony. Of Repentance. Again Idleness." Against Rebellion.

TH

XXXVI. Of confecration of Bishops and Minifters.

HE Beck of Confecration of Archbishops and Bishops andof ordering Priests and Deacons, lately fet fortir in the time of Edward the fixth, and confirmed at the fame time by Authority of Parliament, doth con tain all things neceffary to fuch Confecration and Ordering neither hath it any thing that of itself is fuperfti tious and ungodly. And therefore whofoever are confecrated or ordered, according to the Rites of that Book, fince the fecond year of the forenamed King Edward, unto this time, or hereafter shall be confecrated or ordered according to the fame Rites, we decree all fuch to be rightly, orderly, and lawfully confecrated and ordered.

XXXVII. Of the Civil Magiftrates.

HE Queens Majefty hath the chief power in this realin of England, and other her Dominions, unto whom

doth appertain, and is not nor ought to be fubject to any foreign jurifdiction.

Where we attribute to the Queens Majefly the chief Government, by which Titles we understand the minds of fome flanderous folks to be offended: we give not to our Princes the Ministering either of Gods Word, or of the Sacraments, the which thing the injunctions alfo lately fet forth by Elizabeth our Queen do meft plainly testify: but that only prerogative which we fee to have been given always to all godly Princes in holy Scriptures by God himself; that is, that they fhould rule all eftates and degrees committed to their charge by God, whe. ther they be Ecclefiaftical or temporal, and restrain with the civil fword the ftubborn and evil doers. The Bishop of Rome hath no Jurifdiation in this Realm of England.

The laws of this Realm may panish Chriftian men with death for heinous and grievous offences.

It is lawful for Chriftian men at the Commandment of the Magiftrate, to wear weapons, and serve in the wars XXXVIII Of Christian mens Goods which are not common.

TH

HE Riches and Goods of Chriftians are not common, as touching the right, title, and poffeffion of the fame, as certain Anabaptifs do falfly boaft. Notwithstanding, every man ought, of fuch things as he poffeffeth, liberally to give alms to the poor, according to his ability.

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XXXIX. Of a Chriftian mans Oath.

As
AS
S we confess that vain and rath Swearing is forbidden Chriftian men by our Lord Jefus Chrift, and James
his Apofle fo we judge that Chriftian Religion doth not prohibit, but that a man may fware when the
Magistrate requireth, in a Caufe of Faith and Charity, fo it be done according to the Prophets, teaching, in
Juftice, Judgement, and Truth.

THE RATIFICATION.

THis Book of Articles before rehearsed, is again approved, and allowed to be bolden and executed within the Realm, by the affent and confent of our Sovereign Lady ELIZABETH, by the Grace of God, of England, France and Ireland, Queen Defender of the Faith, &c. Which Articles were deliberately read, and confirmed again by the fubfcription of the Hands of the Archbishops and Bishops of the upperhouse, and by the fubfcription of the whole Clergy of the nether house in their convocation, in the Year of our Lord, 1571.

in whosoever are related, are forbidden in Scripture, and Laws to marry together.

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