Articles whereupon it was agreed by the Archbishoppes and bishops of both provinces and the whole clergy, in the convocation holden at London in the year of our lord GOD. 1562. according to the computation of the church of england, for the avoiding of the diversities of opinions, and for the stablishyng of consent touching true religion. Put forth by the queens authority. decorative border or compartment, the printer's device of Richard Jugge (McKerrow 134) 1 Of faith in the holy trinity. THERE is but one living and true GOD, everlasting, without body, partes, or passions, of infinite power, wisdom,& goodness, the maker and preserver of al things both visible and invisible. And in unity of this Godhead there be three persons, of one substance, power, and eternity, the father, the son, and the holy ghost. 2 Of the word or son of God which was made very man. THE son, which is the word of the Father, begotten from everlasting of the Father, the very and eternal GOD, of one substance with the father, took mans nature in the womb of the blessed Virgin, of her substance: so that two whole and perfect natures, that is to say, the Godhead and manhood, were joined together in one person, never to be divided, whereof is one Christ, very GOD and very man, who truly suffered, was crucified, dead, and butted, to reconcile his father to us, and to be a sacrifice, not onely for original gylt, but also for all actual sins of men. 3 Of the going down of christ into hell. AS christ dyed for us, and was buried: so also it is to be believed that he went down into hell. 4 Of the resurrection of christ. CHrist did truly arise again from death, and took again his body, with flesh, bones, and all things apparteyning to the perfection of mans nature, wherewith he ascended into heaven, and there sitteth, until he return to judge al men at the last day. 5 Of the holy ghost. THE holy ghost, proceedyng from the father and the son, is of one substance, majesty, and glory, with the father and the son, berry and eternal God. 6 Of the sufficiency of the holy Scriptures for salvation. holy Scripture containeth all things necessary to salvation: so that whatsoever is not red therein, nor may be proved thereby, is not to be required of any man, that it should be believed as an article of the faith, or be thought requisite necessary to salvation. In the name of holy Scripture, we do understand those canonical books of the old and new Testament, of whose authority was never any doubt in the church. Of the names and number of the canonical books. Genesis. Exodus. Leuiticus. Numerie. Deuteronomium. Iosue. Iudges. Ruth. The. 1. book of Samuel. The. 2. book of Samuel. The. 1. book of kings. The. 2. book of kings. The. 1. book of Chroni. The. 2. book of Chroni. The. 1. book of Esdras. The. 2. book of Esdras. The book of Hester. The book of job. The psalms. The proverbs. Ecclesia. or preacher. Cantica, or songs of Sa. 4. Prophetes the greater. 12. Prophetes the less. And the other books( as jerome saith) the Church doth read for example of life and instruction of manners: but yet doth it not apply them to establish any doctrine. such are these following. The third book of Esdras. The fourth book of Esdras The book of Tobias. The book of judith. The rest of the book of Hester. The book of wisdom. Iesus the son of mirach. Baruch, the Prophet. The song of the three children. The story of Susanna. Of Bel and the Dragon. The prayer of Manasses. The. 1. book of Macha. The. 2. book of Macha. All the books of the new Testament, as they are commonly received, we do receive and account them for canonical. 7 Of the old Testament. THE old Testament is not contrary to the new, for both in the old and new Testament everlasting life is offered to mankind by christ, who is the only mediator between God and man, being both God and man. Wherefore they are not to be heard which feign that the old fathers did look only for transitory promises. Although the lawe given from God by Moyses, as touching ceremonies and rites, do not bind Christian men, nor the civil precepts therof, ought of necessity to be received in any common wealth: yet notwithstanding, no Christian man whatsoever, is free from the obedience of the commandments, which are called moral. 8 Of the three creeds. THE three creeds, Nicene creed, Athanasius creed, and that which is commonly called the Apostles creed, ought throughly to be received and believed: for they may be proved by most certain warrauntes of holy scripture, 9 Of origianll or birth sin. original sin standeth not in the following of Adam( as the Pelagians do vainly talk) but it is the fault and corruption of the nature of every man, that naturally is engendered of the ofspryng of Adam, whereby man is very far gone from original righteousness, and is of his own nature inclined to evil, so that the flesh lusteth always contrary to the spirit, and therefore in every person born into this world, it deserveth Gods wrath and damnation. And this infection of nature doth remain, yea in them that are regenerated, whereby the lust of the flesh, called in greek {αβγδ}, which some do expound the wisdom, some sensuality, some the affection, some the desire of the flesh, is not subject to the lawe of God. And although there is no condemnation for them that believe and are baptized: yet the Apostle doth confess that concupiscence and lust hath of itself the nature of sin. 10 Of free will. THE condition of man after the fall of Adam is such, that he can not turn and prepare himself by his own natural strength and good works, to faith and calling upon GOD: wherefore we haue no power to do good works pleasant and acceptable to GOD, without the grace of God by christ preuentyng us, that we may haue a good will,& working with us, when we haue that good will. 11 Of the justification of man. WE are accounted righteous before God, only for the merit of our Lord& saviour Iesus Christ, by faith,& not for ourowne works or deservings. Wherefore, that we are justified by faith only, is a most wholesome doctrine, and very full of comfort, as more largely is expressed in the homily of justification. 12 Of good works. ALbeit that good works, which are the fruits of faith, and follow after justification, can not put away our sins, and endure the severity of Gods iudgement: yet are they pleasing and acceptable to God in christ, and do spring out necessarily of a true and lively faith, in so much that by them, a lively faith may be as evidently known, as a three discerned by the fruit. 13 Of works before justification. works done before the grace of christ, and the inspiration of his spirit, are not pleasant to God, forasmuch as they spring not of faith in Iesu Christ, neither do they make men meet to receive grace, or( as the school authors say) deserve grace of congruity: yea rather for that they are not done as GOD hath willed and commanded them to be done, we doubt not but they haue the nature of sin. 14 Of works of supererogation. VOluntary works, besides, over and above Gods commandments, which they call works of supererogation, can not be taught without arrogancy and impiety. For by them men do declare that they do not onely render unto God as much as they are bound to do, but that they do more for his sake then of bound duty is required: Whereas Christ saith plainly, When ye haue done all that are commanded to you, say, We be unprofitable servants. 15 Of Christ alone without sin. christ in the truth of our nature, was made like unto us in al things( sin only except) from which he was clearly void, both in his flesh,& in his spirit. He came to be the lamb without spot, who by sacrifice of himself once made, should take away the sins of the world: and sin( as S. john saith) was not in him. But all we the rest( although baptized, and born again in christ) yet offend in many things: and if we say we haue no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in vs. 16 Of sin after baptism. NOT every deadly sin willingly committed after baptism, is sin against the holy ghost, and unpardonable. Wherefore, the grant of repentance is not to be denied to such as fall into sin after baptism. After we haue received the holy ghost, we may depart from grace given, and fall into sin, and by the grace of God( we may) arise again and amend our lives. And therefore, they are to be condemned, which say they can no more sin as long as they live here, or deny the place of forgiveness to such as truly repent. 17 Of predestination and election. PRedestination to life, is the everlasting purpose of God, whereby( before the foundations of the world were laid) he hath constantly decreed by his counsel secret to us, to deliver from curse and damnation, those whom he hath chosen in christ out of mankind, and do bring them by christ to everlasting salvation, as vessels made to honour. Wherefore they which be endued with so excellent a benefit of God, be called according to Gods purpose by his spirit working in due season: they through grace obey the calling: they be justified freely: they be made sons of GOD by adoption: they be made like the image of his only begotten son Iesus Christ: they walk religiously in good works, and at length by Gods mercy, they attain to everlasting felicity. As the godly consideration of predestination, and our election in christ, is full of sweet, pleasant, and unspeakable comfort to godly persons, and such as feel in themselves the working of the spirit of christ, mortifiyng the works of the flesh,& their earthly members, and drawing up their mind to high and heavenly things, as well because it doth greatly establish and confirm their faith of eternal salvation to be enjoyed through Christ, as because it doth fervently kindle their love towards God: So, for curious and carnal persons, lacking the spirit of christ, to haue continually before their eyes the sentence of Gods predestination, is a most daungerous downfall, whereby the devil doth thrust them either into desperation, or into rechlesnesse of most unclean living, no less perilous then desperation. Furthermore, we must receive Gods promises in such wise, as they be generally set forth to us in holy scripture: and in our doings, that will of God is to be followed, which we haue expressly declared unto us in the word of God. 18 Of obtaynyng eternal salvation, only by the name of christ. THey also are to be had accursed, that presume to say, that every man shalbe saved by the lawe or sect which he professeth, so that he be diligent to frame his life according to that lawe, and the light of nature. For holy scripture doth set out unto us only the name of Iesus christ, whereby men must be saved. 19 Of the Church. THe visible Church of christ, is a congregation of faithful men, in the which the pure word of GOD is preached, and the Sacramentes be duly ministered, according to Christes ordinance in all those things that of necessity are requisite to the same. As the Church of jerusalem, Alexandria, and antioch haue erred: so also the Church of Rome hath erred, not only in their living and maner of ceremonies, but also in matters of faith. 20 Of the authority of the church. IT is not lawful for the Church to ordain any thing that is contrary to GODS word written, neither may it so expound one place of scripture, that it be repugnant to another. wherefore, although the church be a witness and a keeper of holy writ: yet, as it ought not to decree any thing against the same, so besides the same, ought it not to enforce any thing to be believed for necessity of salvation. 21 Of the authority of general counsels. general counsels may not be gathered together without the commandment and will of princes. And when they be gathered together( forasmuch as they be an assembly of men, whereof all be not governed with the spirit and word of God) they may err, and sometime haue erred, even in things parteining unto God. Wherefore, things ordained by them as necessary to salvation, haue neither strength nor authority, unless it may be declared that they be taken out of holy scripture. 22 Of purgatory. THE romish doctrine concerning purgatory, pardons, worshipping and adoration as well of images, as of relics, and also invocation of saints, is a fonde thing, vainly invented, and grounded vpon no warrauntie of Scripture, but rather repugnant to the word of God. 23 Of ministering in the congregation. IT is not lawful for any man to take vpon him the office of public preaching, or ministering the Sacramentes in the congregation, before he be lawfully called and sent to execute the same. And those we ought to judge lawfully called and sent, which be chosen and called to this work by men who haue public authority given unto them in the congregation, to call and send ministers into the lords betide. 24 Of speaking in the congregation, in such a tongue as the people understandeth. IT is a thing plainly repugnant to the word of God,& the custom of the primitive church, to haue public prayer in the church, or to minister the Sacramentes, in a tongue not vnderstanded of the people. 25 Of the Sacramentes. SAcramentes ordained of christ, be not onely badges or tokens of christian mens profession: but rather they be certain sure witnesses and effectual signs of grace and Gods good will towards us, by the which he doth work invisibly in us, and doth not onely quicken, but also strengthen and confirm our faith in him. There are two Sacramentes ordained of christ our lord in the gospel, that is to say, baptism, and the Supper of the lord. Those five, commonly called Sacramentes, that is to say, Confirmation, penance, Orders, matrimony, and extreme unction, are not to be counted for Sacramentes of the Gospel, being such as haue grown partly of the corrupt following of the Apostles, partly are states of life allowed in the scriptures: but yet haue not like nature of Sacramentes with baptism and the lords Supper, for that they haue not any visible sign or ceremony ordained of God. The Sacramentes were not ordained of Christ to be gased vpon, or to be carried about: but that we should duly use them. And in such only, as worthily receive the same, they haue a wholesome effect or operation: But they that receive them vnworthyly, purchase to themselves damnation, as S. Paul saith. 26 Of the vnworthynesse of the ministers, which hinder not the effect of the Sacramentes. ALthough in the visible church the evil be ever mingled with the good,& sometime the evil haue chief authority in the ministration of the word& Sacramentes: yet forasmuch as they do not the same in their own name, but in Christes, and do minister by his commission and authority, we may use their ministery, both in hearing the word of God,& in the receiving of the Sacramentes. neither is the effect of Christes ordinance taken away by their wickedness, nor the grace of Gods gifts diminished from such as by faith& ryghtlye do receive the Sacramentes ministered unto them, which be effectual, because of Christes institution and promise, although they be ministered by evil men. nevertheless, it appertaineth to the discipline of the church, that inquiry be made of evil ministers, and that they be accused by those that haue knowledge of their offences: and finally, being found guilty by just iudgement, be deposed. 27 Of baptism. baptism is not only a sign of profession, and mark of difference, whereby Christian men are discerned from other that be not Christened: but is also astgne of regeneration or ne we birth, whereby, as by an instrument, they that receive baptism rightly, are grafted into the Church: the promises of the forgiveness of sin,& of our adoption to be the sons of God, by the holy ghost, are visibly signed and sealed: faith is confirmed, and grace increased by virtue of prayer unto God. The baptism of young children, is in any wife to be retained in the church, as most agreeable with the institution of christ. 28 Of the lords Supper. THE Supper of the Lord, is not only a sign of the love that Christians ought to haue among themselves one to another: but rather it is a Sacrament of our redemption by Christies death. Insomuch that to such as ryghtlye, worthylye, and with faith receive the same, the bread which we break is a partaking of the body of christ, and likewise the cup of blessing, is a partaking of the blood of christ. Transubstantiation( or the change of the substance of bread and wine) in the Supper of the lord, can not be proved by holy writ: but is repugnant to the plain words of Scripture, overthroweth the nature of a Sacrament, and hath given occasion to many superstitions. The body of Christ is given, taken, and eaten in the Supper, only after an heavenly and spiritual maner: And the mean whereby the body of Christ is received and eaten in the Supper, is faith. The Sacrament of the lords Supper, was not by Christes ordinance reserved, carried about, lifted up, or worshipped. 29 Of the wicked which do not eat the body of Christ in the use of the lords Supper. THe wicked, and such as be void of a lyuelye faith, although they do carnally and visibly press with their teeth( as Saint Augustine saith) the Sacrament of the body and blood of Christ: yet in no wise are they partakers of christ, but rather, to their condemnation, do eat and drink the sign or Sacrament of so great a thing. 30 Of both kinds. THe cup of the lord is not to be denied to the lay people. For both the partes of the lords Sacrament, by Christes ordinance and commandment, ought to be ministered to all christian men alike. 31 Of the one oblation of christ finished vpon the cross. THe offering of Christ once made, is the perfect redemption, propitiation, and satisfaction for all the sins of the whole world, both original and actual, and there is none other satisfaction for sin, but that alone. wherefore the sacrifices of Masses, in the which it was commonly said that the Priestes did offer Christ for the quick and the dead, to haue remission of pain or gilded, were blasphemous fables and daungerous deceipts. 32 Of the marriage of Priestes. Byshops, Priestes, and Deacons, are not commanded by Gods lawe either to vow the state of single life, or to abstain from marriage. Therefore it is lawful also for them, as for all other christian men, to marye at their own discretion, as they shall judge the same to serve better to godliness. 33 Of excommunicate persons, howe they are to be avoyded. THat person which by open denunciation of the church, is rightly cut of from the unity of the church, and excommunicated, ought to be taken of the whole multitude of the faithful as an Heathen and publican, until he be openly reconciled by penance, and received into the church by a judge that hath authority thereto. 34 Of the traditions of the Church. IT is not necessary that traditions and ceremonies be in all places one, or utterly like, for at all times they haue ben diverse, and may be changed according to the diversity of countreyes, times, and mens manners, so that nothing be ordained against Gods word. whosoever through his private iudgement, willingly and purposely doth openly break the traditions and ceremonies of the Church, which be not repugnant to the word of God, and be 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 order of the church, and hurteth the authority of the Magistrate, and woundeth the consciences of the weak brethren. every particular and national Church, hath authority to ordain, change, and abolyshe ceremonies or rites of the church ordained only by mans authority, so that all things be done to edifiyng. 35 Of Homilies. THe second book of Homilies, the several titles whereof we haue joined under this article, doth contain a godly and wholesome doctrine, and necessary for these times, as doth the former book of Homilies, which were set forth in the time of Edwarde the sixth: and therefore we judge them to be red in Churches by the Ministers diligently, and distinctlye, that they may be vnderstanded of the people. Of the names of the Homilies. 1 Of the right use of the church. 2 against peril of idolatry. 3 Of repairing and keeping clean of Churches. 4 Of good works, first of fasting. 5 against gluttony and drunkenness. 6 Against excess of apparel. 7 Of prayer. 8 Of the place and time of prayer. 9 That common prayers and Sacramentes ought to be ministered in a known tongue. 10 Of the reverent estimation of Gods word. 11 Of alms doing. 12 Of the nativity of christ. 13 Of the passion of christ. 14 Of the resurrection of christ. 15 Of the worthy receiving of the Sacrament of the body and blood of christ. 16 Of the gifts of the holy ghost. 17 For the Rogation dayes. 18 Of the state of matrimony. 19 Of repentance. 20 against idleness. 21 against rebellion. 36 Of consecration of Bishops and ministers. THE book of Consecration of Archbyshops, and Byshops, and ordering of Priestes and Deacons, lately set forth in the time of Edwarde the sixte, and confirmed at the same time by authority of Parliament, doth contain all things necessary to such consecration and ordering: neither hath it any thing, that of itself is superstitious or ungodly. And therefore, whosoever are consecrate or ordered according to the rites of that book, sense the second year of the aforenamed king Edwarde unto this time, or hereafter shal be consecrated or ordered according to the same rites, we decree all such to be rightly, orderly, and lawfully consecrated and ordered. 37 Of civil Magistrates. THe queens majesty hath the chief power in this realm of england, and other her dominions, unto whom the chief government of all estates of this realm, whether they be ecclesiastical or civil, in all causes doth appertain, and is not, nor ought to be subject to any foreign jurisdiction. Where we attribute to the queens majesty the chief government, by which titles we understand the mindes of some slanderous folkes to be offended: we give not to our princes the ministering either of gods word, or of Sacramentes, the which thing the injunctions also lately set forth by Elizabeth our queen, doth most plainly testify: But that only prerogative which we see to haue ben given always to all godly Princes in holy Scriptures by God himself, that is, that they should rule all estates and degrees committed to their charge by God, whether they be ecclesiastical or temporal, and restrain with the civil sword the stubborn and evil doers. The bishop of Rome hath no jurisdiction in this realm of england. The laws of the realm may punish Christian men with death, for heinous and grievous offences. It is lawful for Christian men, at the commandment of the Magistrate, to wear weapons, and serve in the warres. 38 Of Christian mens goods, which are not common. THe richesse and goods of Christians are not common, as touching the right, title, and possession of the same, as certain Anabaptistes do falsely boast. notwithstanding, every man ought of such things as he possesseth, liberally to give alms to the poor, according to his habilitie. 39 Of a Christian mans oath. AS we confess that vain and rash swearing is forbidden Christian men by our lord Iesus christ, and james his Apostle: So we judge that Christian religion doth not prohibit, but that a man may swear when the Magistrate requireth, in a cause of faith and charity, so it be done according to the prophetes teaching, in iustice, iudgement, and truth. 40 The Ratification. THIS book of Articles before rehearsed, is again approved, and allowed to be holden and executed within the realm, by the assent and consent 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 red, and confirmed again by the subscription of the hands of the archbishop and Byshoppes of the vpper house, and by the subscription of the whole clergy in the neather house in their convocation, in the year of our lord GOD. 1571. The Table. 1 Of faith in the trinity. 2 Of christ the son of GOD. 3 Of his going down into hell. 4 Of his Resurrection. 5 Of the holy ghost. 6 Of the sufficiency of the Scripture. 7 Of the old Testament. 8 Of the three creeds. 9 Of original sin. 10 Of free will, 11 Of justification. 12 Of good works. 13 Of works before justification. 14 Of works of supererogation. 15 Of christ alone without sin. 16 Of sin after baptism. 17 Of predestination and election. 18 Of obtaining salvation by christ. 19 Of the church. 20 Of the authority of the church. 21 Of the authority of general Counsels. 22 Of purgatory. 23 Of ministering in the congregation. 24 Of speaking in the congregation. 25 Of the Sacramentes. 26 Of the vnworthynesse of the Ministers. 27 Of baptism. 28 Of the lords supper. 29 Of the wicked which eat not the body of christ. 30 Of both kinds. 31 Of Christes one oblation. 32 Of the marriage of Priestes. 33 Of excommunicate persons. 34 Of traditions of the church. 35 Of Homilies. 36 Of consecration of Ministers. 37 Of civil Magistrates. 38 Of christian mens goods. 39 Of a christian mans oath. 40 Of the ratification. ¶ Imprinted at London in Poules Churchyard, by richard jug and John Cawood, Printers to the queens majesty, in Anno Domini. 1571. * Cum privilegio Regiae maiestatis.