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The Thirty-Nine Articles of Religion were originally promulgated by Archbishop Thomas Cranmer in 1553, and accepted in 1571 by the Church of England. Written originally in Latin, these later formed the basis of the 39 Articles of Religion of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the United States America in 1801, and the 25 Articles of Religion produced by John Wesley for the Methodists.Appended to this list of Thirty-Nine Articles are four
additional Articles promulgated by Archbishop
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Genesis | The First Book of Samuel | The Book of Esther |
Exodus | The Second Book of Samuel | The Book of Job |
Leviticus | The First Book of Kings | The Psalms |
Numbers | The Second Book of Kings | The Proverbs |
Deuteronomy | The First Book of Chronicles | Ecclesiastes, of the Preacher |
Joshua | The Second Book of Chronicles | Cantica, or Songs of Solomon |
Judges | The First Book of Esdras | Four Prophets the Greater |
Ruth | The Second Book of Esdras | Twelve Prophets the Less |
And the other books (as Hierome 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 Book of Wisdom | Of Bel and the Dragon |
The Fourth Book of Esdras | Jesus the Son of Sirach | The Prayer of Manasses |
The Book of Tobias | Baruch the Prophet | The First Book of Maccabees |
The Book of Judith | The Song of the Three Children | The Second Book of Maccabees |
The rest of the Book of Esther | The Story of Susanna |
De divinis Scripturis, quod sufficiant ad salutem
Scriptura sacra continet omnia, quae ad salutem sunt necessaria, ita, ut
quicquid
in ea nec legitur, neque inde probari potest, non sit a quoquam exigendum, ut
tanquam articulus fidei credatur, aut ad salutis necessitatem requiri putetur.
Sacrae Scripturae nomine, eos Canonicos libros Veteris et Novi
Testamenti
intelligimus, de quorum authoritate in Ecclesia nunquam dubitatum est.
De nominibus et numero librorum sacrae Canonicae Scripturae
veteris
Testamenti.
Genesis | Prior liber Samuelis | Liber Hester |
Exodus | Secundus liber Samuelis | Liber Job |
Leviticus | Prior liber Regum | Psalmi |
Numeri | Secundus liber Regum | Proverbia |
Deuteronium | Prior liber Paralipomenon | Ecclesiastes vel Concionator |
Iosuae | Secundus liber Paralipomenon | Cantica Solomonis |
Iudicum | Primus liber Esdrae | IV Prophetae maiores |
Ruth | Sedundus liber Esdrae | XII Propheta minores |
Novi Testamenti omnes libros (ut vulgo recepti sunt) recipimus,
et habemus
pro Canonicis.
Alios autem libros (ut ait Hieronymus) legit quidem Ecclesia
ad exempla vitae
et formandos mores; illos tamen ad dogmata confirmanda non adhibet: ut sunt:
Tertius liber Esdrae | Liber Sapientiae | De Bel et Dracone |
Quartus liber Esdrae | Liber Iesu filii Sirach | Oration Manassis |
Liber Tobiae | Baruch Propheta | Prior liber Machabaeorum |
Liber Iudith | Canticum trium puerorum | Secundus liber Machabaeorum |
Reliquum libri Hester | Historia Susannae |
Article VII
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 there are not to be heard which feign
that the old fathers did look only for transitory promises. Although the law
given from
God by Moses, as touching ceremonies and rites, do not bind Christian men, nor
the
civil precepts thereof ought of necessity to be received in any commonwealth;
yet,
notwithstanding, no Christian man whatsoever is free from the obedience of the
commandments which are called moral.
De Veteri Testamento
Testamentum Vetus Novo contrarium non est, quandoquidem tam in Veteri
quam in
Novo per Christum, qui unicus est Mediator Dei et hominum, Deus et Homo, aeterna
vita humano generi est proposita. Quare male sentiunt, qui veteres tantum in
promissiones temporarias sperasse confingunt. Quanquam lex a Deo data per Mosen,
quoad ceremonias et ritus, Christianos non astringat, neque civilia eius
praecepta in
aliqua republica necessario recipi debeant: nihilominus tamen ab obendientia
mandatorum quae moralia vocantur nullus quantumvis Christianus est solutus.
Article VIII
Of the Three Creeds
The three Creeds, Nicene Creed, Athanasius' Creed, and that which is
commonly called
the Apostles' Creed, ought thoroughly to be received and believed; for they may
be
proved by most certain warrants of Holy Scripture.
De Tribus Symbolis
Symbola tria, Nicaenum, Athanasii, et quod vulgo Apostolorum appellatur
omnino
recipienda sunt et credenda; turarum testimoniis probari possunt.
Article IX
Of Original 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 offspring 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 God's 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 phronema sarkos (which some do expound the
wisdom, some sensuality, some the affection, some the desire of the flesh), is
not subject to the law 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 itself the nature of sin.
De Peccato Originali
Article X
Of Free Will
The condition of man after the fall of Adam is such, that he cannot turn and
prepare himself, by his own natural strength and good works, to faith and
calling upon God. Wherefore we have no power to do good works pleasant and
acceptable to God, without the grace of God by Christ preventing us that we may
have a good will, and working with us when we have that good will.
De Libero Arbitrio
Article XI
Of the Justification of Man
We are accounted righteous before God, only for the merit of our Lord and
Saviour Jesus Christ by faith, and not for our own 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.
De Hominis Iustificatione
Tantum propter meritum Domini ac Servatoris nostri Jesu Christi, per
fidem, non propter opera et merita nostra, iusti coram Deo reputamur. Quare sola
fide nos iustificari, doctrina est saluberrima, ac consolationis plenissima; ut
in Homilia de Iustificatione hominis Fusius explicatur.
Article XII
Of Good Works
Albeit that good works, which are the fruits of faith and follow after
justification, cannot put away our sins and endure the severity of God's
judgement, yet are they pleasing and acceptable to God in Christ, and do spring
out necessarily of a true and lively faith, insomuch that by them a lively faith
may be as evidently known as a tree discerned by the fruit.
De Bonis Operibus
Article XIII
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 Jesus 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 have the nature of sin.
De Operibus ante Iustificationem
Article XIV
Of Works of Supererogation
Voluntary works besides, over and above, God's commandments which they call
Works of Supererogation, cannot be taught without arrogancy and impiety. For by
them men do declare that they do not only render unto God as much as they are
bound to do, but that they do more for His sake than of bounden duty is
required: Whereas Christ saith plainly, When ye have done all that are commanded
to you, say, We be unprofitable servants.
De Operibus Supererogationis
Article XV
Of Christ alone without Sin
Christ in the truth of our nature was made like unto us in all things, sin only
except, from which He was clearly void, both in His flesh and 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 have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not
in us.
Nemo pręter Christum sine peccato
Christus in nostrae naturae veritate per omnia similis factus est nobis,
excepto peccato, a quo prorsus est immunis, tum in carne tum in spiritu. Venit
ut agnus absque macula esset, qui mundi peccata per immolationem sui semel
factam tolleret: et peccatum, ut inquit Iohannes, in eo non erat. Sed nos
reliqui, etiam baptizati et in Christo regenerati, in multis tamen offendimus
omnes: et, si dixerimus quia peccatum non habemus, nos ipsos seducimus, et
veritas in nobis non est.
Article XVI
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 have 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.
De Peccato post Baptismum
Article XVII
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 to 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 God's 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 Jesus Christ; they walk religiously in good works; and at length by God's
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, mortifying the works of the flesh and 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 have continually before their eyes the sentence of God's Predestination is a most dangerous downfall, whereby the devil doth thrust them either into desperation or into wretchlessness of most unclean living no less perilous than desperation.
Furthermore, we must receive God's promises in such wise as they be generally
set forth in Holy Scripture; and in our doings that will of God is to be
followed which we have expressly declared unto us in the word of God.
De Praedestinatione
Quemadmodum Praedestinationis et Electionis nostrae in Christo pia consideratio dulcis, suavis, et ineffabilis consolationis plena est vere piis et his qui sentiunt in se vim Spiritus Christi, facta carnis et membra quae adhuc sunt super terram mortificantem, animumque ad coelestia et superna rapientem, tum quia fidem nostram de aeterna salute consequenda per Christum plurimum stabilit atque confirmat, tum quia amorem nostrum in Deum vehementer accendit: ita hominibus, curiosis carnalibus et Spiritu Christi destitutis, ob oculos perpetuo versari Praedestinationis Dei sententiam perniciosissimum est praecipitium, unde illos diabolus protrudit vel in desperationem vel in aeque pernitiosam impurissimae vitae securitatem.
Deinde promissiones divinas sic amplecti oportet, ut nobis in sacris literis generaliter propositae sunt; et Dei voluntas in nostris actionibus ea sequenda est quam in verbo Dei habemus deserte revelatam.
Article XVIII
Of obtaining eternal salvation only by the name of Christ
They also are to be had accursed that presume to say that every man shall be
saved by the law or sect which he professeth, so that he be diligent to frame
his life according to that law and the light of nature. For Holy Scripture doth
set out to us only the name of Jesus Christ, whereby men must be saved.
De speranda aeterna salute tantum in nomine Christi
Sunt et illi anathematizandi qui dicere audent unumquemque in lege aut secta
quam profitetur esse servandum, modo iuxta illam et lumen naturae accurate
vixerit: eum sacrae literae tantum Iesu Christi nomen praedicent in quo salvos
fieri homines oporteat.
Article XIX
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 sacraments be duly ministered according to Christ's
ordinance
in all those things that of necessity are requisite to the same. As the Church
of Jerusalem,
Alexandria, and Antioch have erred: so also the Church of Rome hath erred, not
only in
their living and manner of ceremonies, but also in matters of faith.
De Ecclesia
Ecclesia Christi visibilis est coetus fidelium, in quo verbum Dei purum
praedicatur et
sacramenta, quoad ea quae necessario exiguntur, iuxta Christi institutum recte
administrantur. Sicut erravit Ecclesia Hierosolymitana, Alexandrina, et
Antiochena:
ita et erravit Ecclesia Romana, non solum quoad agenda et caeremoniarum ritus,
verum
in his etiam quae credenda sunt.
Article XX
Of the Authority of the Church
The Church hath power to decree rites or ceremonies and authority in
controversies of faith;
and yet it is not lawful for the Church to ordain anything contrary to God's
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
anything against the same, so besides the same ought it not to enforce anything
to be believed
for necessity of salvation.
De Ecclesiae Auctoritate
Habet Ecclesia ritus statuendi ius et in fidei controversiis auctoritatem;
quamvis Ecclesiae non
licet quicquam instituere quod verbo Dei scripto adversetur, neque unum
Scripturae locum sic
exponere potest, ut alteri contradicat. Quare licet Ecclesia sit divinorum
librorum testis et conservatrix; attamen, ut adversus eos nihil decernere, ita praeter illos nihil
credendum de
necessitate salutis debet obtrudere.
Article XXI
Of the authority of General Councils
General Councils 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 have
erred,
even in things pertaining to God. Wherefore things ordained by them as necessary
to salvation
have neither strength nor authority, unless it may be declared that they be
taken out of Holy
Scripture.
De auctoritate Conciliorum Generalium
Generalia Concilia sine iussu et voluntate principum congregari non
possunt. Et ubi convenerint,
quia ex hominibus constant, qui non omnes Spiritu et verbo Dei reguntur, et
errare possunt, et
interdum errarunt, etiam in his quae ad normam pietatis pertinent. Ideoque quae
ab illis constituuntur, ut ad salutem necessaria, neque robur habent neque auctoritatem
nisi ostendi
possint e sacris literis esse desumpta.
Article XXII
Of Purgatory
The Romish doctrine concerning Pugatory, Pardons, worshipping and adoration
as well of Images
as of Relics, and also Invocation of Saint, is a fond thing vainly invented, and
grounded upon no
warranty of Scripture; but rather repugnant to the word of God.
De Purgatorio
Doctrina Romanensium de Purgatorio, de Indulgentiis, de veneratione tum
Imaginum tum Reliquiarum, nec non de Invocatione Sanctorum, res est futilis, inaniter
conflicta, et nullis
Scripturarum testimoniis innititur; imo verbo Dei contradicit.
Article XXIII
Of Ministering in the Congregation
It is not lawful for any man to take upon him the office of public preaching
or ministering the
sacraments 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 have public authority given unto them in the congregation to call and send
ministers into the
Lord's vineyard.
De vocatione Ministrorum
Non licet cuiquam sumere sibi munus publice praedicandi aut administrandi
sacramenta in ecclesia,
nisi prius fuerit ad haec obeunda legitime vocatus et missus. Atque illos
legitime vocatos et missos
existimare debemus, qui per homines, quibus potestas vocandi ministros atque
mittendi in vineam
Domini publice concessa est in ecclesia, co-optati fuerint et asciti in hoc
opus.
Article XXIV
Of speaking in the Congregation in such a tongue as the people understandeth
It is a thing plainly repugnant to the word of God and the custom of the
primitive Church, to have
public prayer in the Church, or to minister the sacraments in a tongue not
understanded of the
people.
De precibus publicis dicendis in lingua vulgari
Lingua populo non intellecta publicas in Ecclesia preces peragere aut
sacramenta administrare,
verbo Dei et primitivae Ecclesiae consuetudine plane repugnat.
Article XXV
Of the Sacraments
Sacraments ordained of Christ be not only badges or tokens of Christian
men's profession, but
rather they be certain sure witnesses and effectual signs of grace and God's
good will towards
us, by the which He doth work invisibly in us, and doth not only quicken, but
also strengthen and
confirm, our faith in Him.
There are two Sacraments ordained of Christ our Lord in the Gospel, that is to say, Baptism and the Supper of the Lord.
Those five, commonly called Sacraments, that is to say,
Confirmation, Penance, Orders,
Matrimony, and Extreme Unction, are not to be counted for Sacraments of the
Gospel, being
such as have grown partly of the corrupt following of the Apostles, partly are
states of life allowed
in the Scriptures; but yet have not the like nature of Sacraments with Baptism
and the Lord's
Supper, for that they have not any visible sign or ceremony ordained of God.
The Sacraments were not ordained of Christ to be gazed upon or to be carried about, but that we should duly use them. And in such only as worthily receive the same, have they a wholesome effect or operation: but they that receive them unworthily, purchase to themselves damnation, as S. Paul saith.
De Sacramentis
Sacramenta a Christo instituta non tantum sunt notae professionis
Christianorum, sed certa
quaedam potius testimonia et efficacia signa gratiae atque bonae in nos
voluntatis Dei, per quae
invisibiliter ipse in nobis operatur, nostramque fidem in se, non solum excitat
verum etiam confirmat.
Duo a Christo Domino nostro in Evangelio instituta sunt Sacramenta, scilicet, Baptismus et Coena Domini.
Quinque illa vulgo nominata Sacramenta, scilicet, Confirmatio, Poenitentia, Ordo, Matrimonium, et Extrema Unctio, pro Sacramentis Evangelicis habenda non sunt, ut quae partim a prava Apostolorum imitatione profluxerunt, partim vitae status sunt in Scripturis quidem probati, sed Sacramentorum eandem cum Baptismo et Coena Domini rationem non habentes, ut quae signum aliquod visibile seu ceremoniam a Deo institutam non habeant.
Sacramenta non in hoc instituta sunt a Christo ut spectarentur aut circumferrentur sed ut rite illis uteremur. Et in his duntaxat qui digne percipiunt, salutarem habent effectum: qui vero indigne perci piunt, damnationem, ut inquit Paulus, sibi ipsis acquirunt.
Article XXVI
Of the unworthiness of the Ministers, which hinders not the effect of the
Sacraments
Although in the visible Church the evil be ever mingled with the good, and
sometime the evil have
chief authority in the ministration of the word and sacraments; yet forasmuch as
they do not the
same in their own name, but in Christ's, and do minister by His commission and
authority, we may
use their ministry both in hearing the word of God and in the receiving of the
sacraments. Neither
is the effect of Christ's ordinance taken away by their wickedness, nor the
grace of God's gifts
diminished from such as by faith and rightly do receive the sacraments
ministered unto them, which
be effectual because of Christ's 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 have knowledge of their offences; and finally, being found guilty by just judgement, be deposed.
De vi institutionum divinarum, quod eam non tollat malitia
Ministrorum
Quamvis in Ecclesia visibili bonis mali semper sunt admixti, atque
interdum ministerio verbi et
sacramentorum administrationi praesint ; tamen cum non suo sed Christi nomine
agant, eiusque
mandato et auctoritate ministrent, illorum ministerio uti licet cum in verbo Dei
audiendo tum in
sacramentis percipiendis. Neque per illorum malitiam effectus institutorum
Christi tollitur aut
gratia donorum Dei minuitur quoad eos qui fide et rite sibi oblata percipiunt,
quae propter
institutionem Christi et promissionem efficacia sunt, licet per malos
administrentur.
Ad Ecclesiae tamen disciplinam pertinet, ut in malos ministros inquiratur, accusenturque ab his qui eorum flagitia noverint; atque tandem, iusto convicti iudicio, deponantur.
Article XXVII
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 a sign of regeneration
or new birth,
whereby, as by an instrument, they that receive baptism rightly are grafted into
the Church;
the promises of the forgiveness of sin, and 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 wise to be retained in the
Church as most
agreeable with the institution of Christ.
De Baptismo
Baptismus non est tantum professionis signum ac discriminis nota qua
Christiani a non Christianis discernantur, sed etiam est signum regenerationis, per quod, tanquam per
instrumentum, recte
baptismum suscipientes Ecclesiae inseruntur; promissiones de remissione
peccatorum atque
adoptione nostra in filios Dei per Spiritum Sanctum visibiliter obsignantur;
fides confirmatur, et vi
divinae invocationis gratia augetur. Baptismus parvulorum omnino in Ecclesia
retinendus est, ut
qui cum Christi institutione optime congruat.
Article XXVIII
Of the Lord's Supper
The Supper of the Lord is not only a sign of the love that Christians ought
to have among themselves,
one to another, but rather it is a sacrament of our redemption by Christ's
death: insomuch that to such
as rightly, worthily, 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, cannot 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 manner. And the mean whereby the body of Christ is received and eaten in the Supper is faith.
The Sacrament of the Lord's Supper was not by Christ's ordinance reserved, carried about, lifted up, or worshipped.
De Coena Domini
Coena Domini non est tantum signum mutae benevolentiae Christianorum
inter sese, verum potius est
sacramentum nostrae per mortem Christi redemptionis. Atque ideo rite digne et
cum fide sumentibus, panis quem frangimus est communicatio corporis Christi: similiter poculum
benedictionis est communicatio
sanguinis Christi.
Panis et vini transubstantiatio in Eucharistia ex sacris literis probari non potest, sed apertis Scripturae verbis adversatur, sacramenti naturam evertit, et multarum superstitionum dedit occasionem.
Corpus Christi datur, acciptur, et manducatur in Coena, tantum coelestis et spirituali ratione. Medium autem quo corpus Christi accipitur et manducatur in Coena, fides est.
Sacramentum Eucharistiae ex institutione Christi non servabatur, circumferebatur, elevabatur, nec adorabatur.
Article XXIX
Of the wicked which do not eat the body of Christ, in the use of the Lord's
Supper
The wicked and such as be void of a lively faith, although they do carnally
and visibly press with their
teeth (as S. 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.
De manducatione corporis Christi, et impios illud non
manducare
Impii et viva fide destituti, licer carnaliter et visibilitur (ut
Augustinus loquitur) corporis et sanguinis
Christi sacramentum dentibus premant, nullo tamen modo Christi participes
efficiuntur; sed potius
tantae rei sacramentum seu symbolum ad iudicium sibi manducant et bibunt.
Article XXX
Of Both Kinds
The Cup of the Lord is not to be denied to the lay people; for both parts of
the Lord's sacrament, by
Christ's ordinance and commandment, ought to be ministered to all Christian men
alike.
De Utraque Specie
Calix Domini laicis non est denegandus, utraque enim pars Dominici
sacramenti, ex Christi institutione
et praecepto, omnibus Christianis ex aequo administrari debet.
Article XXXI
Of the one oblation of Christ finished upon 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 priests did offer
Christ for the quick and the dead to have remission of pain or guilt, were
blasphemous fables and
dangerous deceits.
De unica Christi oblatione in Cruce perfecta
Oblatio Christi, semel facta, perfecta est redemptio, propitiatio, et
satisfactio pro omnibus peccatis
totius mundi, tam originalibus quam actualibus; neque praeter illam unicam est
ulla alia prop peccatis expiatio. Unde missarum sacrificia, quibus vulgo dicebatur sacerdotem offerre
Christum in remissionem
poenae aut culpae pro vivis defunctis, blasphema figmenta sunt et pernitiosae
imposturae.
Article XXXII
Of the Marriage of Priests
Bishops, Priests, and Deacons are not commanded by God's laws either to vow
the estate of single life or
to abstain from marriage. Therefore it is lawful also for them, as for all other
Christian men, to marry at
their own discretion, as they shall judge the same to serve better to godliness.
De Conjugio Sacerdotum
Episcopis, Prebyteris et Diaconis nullo mandato divino praeceptum est, ut
aut coelibatum voveant aut a
matrimonio absteneant. Licet igitur etiam illis, ut caeteris omnibus Christianis,
ubi hoc ad pietatem
magis facere iudicaverint, pro suo arbitratu matrimonium contrahere.
Article XXXIII
Of Excommunicated Persons, how they are to be avoided
That persons 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
publican, until he be openly reconciled by penance and received into the Church
by a judge that hath
authority thereto.
De Excommunicatis Vitandis
Qui per publicam Ecclesiae denunciationem rite ab unitate Ecclesiae
praecisus est et excommunicatus,
is ab universa fidelium multitudine, donec per poenitentiam publice
reconciliatus fuerit arbitrio iudicis competentis, habendus est tanquam ethnicus et publicanus.
Article XXXIV
Of the Traditions of the Church
It is not necessary that traditions and ceremonies be in all places one or
utterly alike; for at all times
they have been diverse, and may be changed according to the diversity of
countries, times, and men's
manners, so that nothing be ordained against God's word.
Whosoever through his private judgement 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 common order of the Church, and hurteth the authority of the magistrate, and woundeth the conscience 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 man's authority, so that all things be done to edifying.
De Traditionibus Ecclesiasticis
Traditiones atque caeremonias easdem non omnino necessarium est esse
ubique, aut prorsus consimiles; nam et variae semper fuerunt et mutari possunt, pro regionum
temporum et morum diversitate, modo nihil contra verbum Dei instituatur.
Traditiones et caeremonias ecclesiasticas quae cum verbo Dei non pugnant et sunt autoritate publica institutae atque probatae, quisquis privato consilio volens et data opera publice violaverat, is ut qui peccat in publicum ordinem Ecclesiae, quique laedit autoritatem magistratus, et qui infirmorum fratrum conscientias vulnerat, publice, ut caeteri timeant, arguendus est.
Quaelibet Ecclesia particularis sive nationalis autoritatem habet instituendi mutandi aut abrogandi caeremonias aut ritus ecclesiasticos, humana tantum autoritate institutos, modo omnia ad aedificationem fiant.
Article XXXV
Of Homilies
The second Book of Homilies, the several titles whereof we have 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 Edward the Sixth: and therefore we
judge them to be
read in Churches by the ministers diligently and distinctly, that they may be
understanded of the
people.
Of the Names of the Homilies
1. Of the Right Use of the Church | 12. Of the Nativity of Christ |
2. Against peril of Idolatry | 13. Of the Passion of Christ |
3. Of the repairing and keeping clean of Chruches | 14. Of the Resurrection of Christ |
4. Of good Works: first of Fasting | 15. Of the worthy receiving of the Sacrament of the Body and Blood of Christ |
5. Against Gluttony and Drunkenness | 16. Of the Gifts of the Holy Ghost |
6. Against Excess of Apparel | 17. For the Rogation-days |
7. Of Prayer | 18. Of the state of Matrimony |
8. Of the Place and Time of Prayer | 19. Of repentance |
9. That Common Prayers and Sacraments ought to be ministered in a known tongue | 20. Against Idleness |
10. Of the reverend estimation of God's Word | 21. Against Rebellion |
11. Of Alms-doing |
De Homiliis
Tomus secundus Homiliarum, quarum singulos titulos huic Articulo
subiunximus,
continet piam et salutarem doctrinam et his temporibus necessarium, non minus
quam prior tomus Homiliarum, quae editae sunt tempore Edwardi Sexti: itaque
eas in Ecclesiis per ministros diligenter et clare, ut a populo intelligi
possint,
recitandas esse iudicamus.
Catalogus Homiliarum
1. De recto Ecclesiae | 12. De eleemosyna |
2. Adversus idolarariae pericula | 13. De Christi nativitate |
3. De reparandis ac purgandis Ecclesii | 14. De Dominica passione |
4. De bonis operibus | 15. De resurrectione Domini |
5. De ieiunio | 16. De digna corporis et sanguinis Dominici in coena Domini participatione |
6. In gulae atque ebrietatis vitia | 17. De donis Spiritus Sancti |
7. In nimis sumptuosos vestium apparatus | 18. In diebus, qui vulgo Ratationum dicti sunt, concio |
8. De oratione sive precatione | 19. De martimonii statu |
9. De loco et tempore orationi destinatis | 20. De otio seu socordia |
10. De publicis precibus ac sacramentis, idiomate vulgari omnibusque noto habendis | 21. De poenitantia |
11. De sacrocamcta verbi divini auctoritate |
Article XXXVI
Of Consecration of Bishops and Ministers
The Book of Consecration of Archbishops and Bishops and ordering of Priests
and Deacons, lately set forth in the time of Edward the Sixth and confirmed
at the same time by authority of Parliament, doth contain all things necessary
to such consecration and ordering; neither hath it anything that of itself is
superstitious or ungodly.
And therefore whosoever are consecrate or ordered according to
the rites of
that book, since the second year of King Edward unto this time, or hereafter
shall be consecrated or ordered according to the same rites, we decree all such
to be rightly, orderly, and lawfully consecrated or ordered.
De Episcoporum et Ministrorum Consecratione
Libellus de Consecratione Archiepiscoporum et Episcoporum et de
ordinatione
Presbyterorum et Diaconorum, editus nuper temporibus Edwardi Sexti et
auctoritate
Parliamenti illis ipsis temporibus confirmatus, omnia ad eiusmodi consecrationem
et ordinationem necessaria continet; et nihil habet quod ex se sit aut
supersitiosum
aut impium.
Itaque quicunque iuxta ritus illius libri consecrati aut
ordinati sunt, ab anno secundo
praedicti Regis Edwardi usque ad hoc tempus aut in posterum iuxta eosdem ritus
consecrabuntur aut ordinabuntur, rite, atque ordine, atque legitime statuimus
esse
et fore consecratos et ordinatos.
Article XXXVII
Of the Civil Magistrates
The Queen's 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 Queen's Majesty the chief government,
by which titles we
understand the minds of some slanderous folks to be offended, we give not to our
princes the ministering either of God's word or of sacraments, the which thing the
Injunctions also
lately set forth by Elizabeth our Queen doth most plainly testify: but only that
prerogative
which we see to have been 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 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 wars.
De Civilibus Magistratibus
Regia Maiestas in hoc Angliae regno ac caeteris eius dominiis summam
habet potestatem, ad
quam omnium statuum huius regni, sive illi ecclesiastici sive civiles, in
omnibus causis suprema
gubernatio pertinet, et nulli externae iurisdictioni est subiecta, necesse debet.
Cum Regiae Maiestati summam gubernationem tribuimus, quibus titulis intelligimus animos quorundam calumniatorum offendi, non damus regibus nostris aut verbi Dei aut sacramentorum administrationem, quod etiam Iniunctiones ab Elizabetha Regina nostra nuper editae apertissime testantur: sed eam tantum prerogativam quam in Sacris Scripturis a Deo ipso omnibus piis principibus videmus semper fuisse attributam, hoc est, ut omnes status atque ordines fidei suae a Deo commissos, sive illi ecclesiastici sint sive civiles, in officio contineant, et contumaces ac delinquentes gladio civili coerceant.
Romanus Pontifex nullam habet iurisdictionem in hoc regno Angliae.
Leges regni possunt Christianos propter capitalia et gravia crimina morte punire.
Christianis licet ex mandato Magistratus arma portare et iusta bella administrare.
Article XXXVIII
Of Christian men's good which are not common
The riches and goods of Christians are not common, as touching the right,
title, and
possession of the same, as certain Anabaptists do falsely boast; notwithstanding
every man
ought of such things as he possesseth liberally to give alms to the poor,
according to his ability.
De illicita bonorum communicatione
Facultates et bona Christianorum non sunt communia quoad ius et
possessionem, ut quidam
Anabaptistae falso iactant; debet tamen quisque de his quae possidet, pro
facultatum ratione,
pauperibus eleemosynas benigne distribuere.
Article XXXIX
Of a Christian man's Oath
As we confess that vain and rash swearing is forbidden Christian men by our
Lord Jesus
Christ, 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 Prophet's
teaching in justice, judgement, and truth.
De Iureiurando
Quemadmodum iuramentum vanum et temerarium a Domino nostro Iesu Christo
et Apostolo
eius Iacobo Christianis hominibus interdictum esse fatemur, ita Christianorum
religionem
minime prohibere censemus quin, iubente magistratu in causa fidei et caritatis
iurare liceat,
modo id fiat iuxta Prophetae doctrinam in iustitia, in iudicio, et veritate.
Additional Articles published in 1553:
The Resurrection of the Dead is not yet brought to pass
The Resurrection of the dead is not yet brought to pass, as though it only
belonged to the soul,
which by the grace of Christ is raised from the death of sin, but it is to be
looked for at the
last day: for then (as Scripture does most manifestly testify) to all that be
dead their own
bodies, flesh, and bone shall be restored, that the whole man may (according to
his works)
have other reward, or punishment, as he has lived virtuously, or wickedly.
Ressurrectio mortuorum nondum est facta
Resurrectio mortuorum non adhuc facta est, quasi tantum ad animum
pertineat qui per
Christi gratiam a mote peccatorum excitetur, sed extremo die quoad omnes qui
obierunt,
expectanda est; tunc enim vita defuntis (ut Scripturae manifestissime testantur)
propria corpra, carnes & ossa restituentur, ut homo integer, prout vel recte vel
perdite vixerit, juxta
sua opera, sive praemia sive poenas reportet.
The Souls of them that depart this life do neither die with the
bodies, nor sleep idle.
They which say, that the souls of such as depart hence do sleep, being without
all sense,
feeling, or perceiving until the day of judgment, or affirm that the souls die
with the bodies,
and that at the last day shall be raised up with the same, do verily dissent
from the right belief
declared to us in Holy Scripture.
Defunctorium animae neque cum corporibus intereunt, neque
otiose dormiunt
Qui animas defunctorum praedicant usque ad diem judicii absque omni sensu
dormire, aut
illas asserunt una cum corporibus mori, & extrema die cum illis excitandas,
ab orthodoxa fide,
quae nobis in sacris literas traditur, prorsus dissentiunt.
Heretics called "Millennarians"
They that go about to renew the fable of heretics called
"Millennialism" be repugnant to Holy
Scripture, and cast themselves headlong into a Jewish dotage.
Millenarii
Qui Millenariorum fabulam reviocare conantur, sacris literis ad versantur,
& in Judaica
deliramenta sese praecipitant.
All men shall not be saved at the length
They also are worthy of condemnation, who endeavor at this time to restore
the dangerous
opinion, that all men be they never so ungodly, shall at length be saved, when
they have
suffered pains for their sins a certain time appointed by God's justice.
Non omnes tandem servandi sunt
Hi quoque damnatione digni sunt, qui conantur hodie perniciosam opinionem
instaurare, quod omnes, quantumvis impii, servandi sunt tandem, cum definito tempore a justitia
divina oenas
de admissis flagitiis luerunt.
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