¶ Of faith in the holie Trinitie

THere is but one liuing , and true God , and he is everlasting with out bodie , partes , or passions , of infinite power , wisedome , and goodnesse , the maker , and preseruer of all thinges bothe visible , and inuisible , and in vnitie of this Godhead there bee three persones of one substaunce , power , and eternitie , the Father , the Soonne , and the holie Ghoste .

¶ That the woorde , or Sonne of God , was made a very man .

THe sonne whiche is the woorde of the father , tooke mannes nature in the wombe of the blessed virgine Marie of her Substaunce , so that two whole , and perfeict natures , that is to saie , the Godhead , and manhode were ioigned together into one persone , neuer to be diuided , wherof is one Christe very God , and very manne , who truely suffred , was crucified , dead , and buried , to reconcile his father to vs , and to be a Sacrifice for all sinne of manne , bothe originall , and actuall .

¶ Of the goyng doune of Christe into Helle .

AS Christ died , and was buried for vs : so also it is to be beleued , that he went downe in to hell . For the bodie laie in the Sepulchre , vntill the resurrection : but his Ghoste departing from him , was with the Ghostes that were in prison , or in Helle , and didde preache to the same , as the place of . S. Peter dooeth testifie .

¶ The Resurrection of Christe .

CHriste didde truelie rise againe from deathe , and tooke again his bodie with flesh , bones , and all thinges apperteining to the perfection of mannes nature , where with he ascended into Heauen , and there sitteth , vntill he retourne to iudge men at the last daie .

The doctrine of holie Scripture is sufficient to Saluation

HOlie Scripture conteineth all thinges necessarie to Saluation : So that whatsoeuer is neither read therin , nor maie be proued therby , although it be sometime receiued of the faithful , as Godlie , and profitable for an ordre , and comelinesse : Yeat no manne ought to bee constreigned to beleue it as an article of faith , or repute it requisite to the necessitie of Saluation .

The olde Testamente is not to be refused .

THe olde Testament is not to bee put awaie as though it were contrarie to the newe , but to be kept still : for bothe in the olde , and newe Testamentes , euerlasting life is offred to mankinde by Christ , who is the onelie mediatour betwene Godde , and manne , being bothe Godde , and manne . Wherefore thei are not to be hearde , whiche feigne that olde Fathers did looke onely for transitorie promises .

The three Credes

THE three Credes , Nicene Crede , Athanasius Crede , and that whiche is commonlie called the Apostles Crede , ought throughly to be receiued : for thei maie be proued by most certeine warrauntes of holie Scripture .

Of originall , or birthe sinne

ORIginall Sinne standeth not in the folowing of Adam , as the Pellagianes doe vainelie talke , whiche also the Anabaptistes doe now a daies renue , but it is the fault , & corruption of the nature of euery manne that naturallie is engendred of the ofspring of Adam , whereby manne is very farre gone from his former righteousnesse whiche he had at his creation and is of his owne nature geuen to eiuill , so that the fleshe desireth alwaies contrarie to the spirit , and therefore in euery persone borne into this world , it deserueth Goddes wrath & damnation : And this infection of nature doeth remaine , yea in theim that are baptized , wherby the lust of the fleshe called in Greke 〈◇〉 ( whiche some dooe expoune , the Wisedome , some sensualitie , some the affection , some the desire of the flesh ) is not subiect to the lawe of GOD . And although there is no condemnation for theim that beleue , and are baptized , yeat Thapostle doeth confesse , that concupiscence , and lust hath of it self the nature of sinne .

¶ Of free wille .

WE haue no power to dooe good woorkes pleasaunte , and acceptable to God , with out the Grace of God by Christ , preuenting vs that wee maie haue a good wille , and woorke in vs , when we haue that wille .

¶ Of Grace .

THe Grace of Christ , or the holie Ghost by him geuen dooeth take awaie the stonie harte , and geueth an harte of fleshe . And although , those that haue no will to good thinges , he maketh them to wil , and those that would eiuill thinges , he maketh them not to wille the same : Yeat neuerthelesse he enforceth not the wil And therfore no man when he sinneth , can excuse himself , as not worthie to be blamed , or condemned , by alleging that he sinned vnwillinglie , or by compulsion .

¶ Of the Iustification of manne .

IUstification by onely faith in Iesus Christ in that sece , as it is declared in the homelie of Iustification , is a moste certeine , and holesome doctrine for Christien menne .

¶ Woorkes before Iustification .

WOorkes doen before the Grace of Christ and the inspiratione of his spirite are not pleasaunt to GOD , forasmoche as thei spring not of Faithe in Iesu Christe , neither doe thei make menne mete to receiue Grace , or as the Schole aucthoures saie , deserue Grace of congruitie : but because thei are not doen as god hath willed , and commaunded theim to be dooen , we doubt not but thei haue the nature of sinne .

¶ Woorkes of Supererogation .

VOluntarie woorkes besides , ouer , and aboue Goddes commaundementes , whiche thei cal woorkes of Supererogation , cannot be taught without arrogancie , and iniquitie . For by theim menne dooe declare , that thei dooe not onely rendre to GOD , asmoche as thei are bounde to dooe , but that thei dooe more for his sake , then of bounden duetie is required : Whereas Christe saieth plainelie : when you haue dooen al that are commaunded you , saie , we be vnprofitable seruauntes .

¶ No man is without sinne , but Christe alone .

CHriste in the trueth of our nature was made like vnto vs in al thinges , sinne onely except , from whiche he was clearelie voide bothe in his Fleshe , and in his Spirite . He came to be the lambe without spotte , who by Sacrifice of himself made ones for euer , should take away the sinnes of the worlde : and sinne ( as Saint Ihon saieth ) was not in him . But the rest , yea , althoughe we be baptized , and borne againe in Christe , yeat we all offende in many thinges : and if we saie , we haue no Sinne , wee deceiue our selues , and the trueth is not in vs.

¶ Of sinne against the holie Ghoste .

EUery deadlie sinne willinglie committed after Baptisme , is not Sinne against the holie Ghost , and vnpard onable : wherfore the place for penitence , is not to bee denighed to soche as fall into sinne after Baptisme . After we haue receiued the holie Ghoste , wee maie departe from grace geuen , and fall into sinne , and by the grace of GOD wee maie rise again , and amende our liues . And therfore thei are to be condemned , whiche saie , thei can nomore Sinne as long as thei liue here , or denigh the place for penitence to soche as truelie repent , and amende their liues .

¶ Blasphemie against the holie Ghoste .

BLasphemie against the holie Ghost is , when a man of malice , and stubburnesse of minde doeth raile vpon the trueth of goddes word manifestlie perceiued , and being enemie therunto persecuteth the same . And because soche be guilty of Goddes curse , thei entangle themselues with a moste grieuous , and hainous crime , wherupon this kinde of sinne is called , and affirmed of the Lorde , vnpardonable .

¶ Of predestination , and Election .

PREdestination to life , is the euerlasting purpose of God , wherby ( before the foundacions of the worlde were laied ) he hath constantlie decreed by his owne Iudgemente secrete to vs , to delruer from curse , and damnation those whom he hath chosen out of mankinde , and to bring them to euerlasting saluation by Christ , as besselles made to honour : wherupon , soche as haue so excellent a benefite of GOD geuen vnto theim be called , according to Goddes purpose , by his spirite woorking in due seasone , thei through grace obeie the calling , thei be iustified frely , thei be made sonnes by adoptione , thei bee made like the image of Goddes onely begotten sonne Iesu Christe , thei walke religiouslie in good woorkes , and at length by Goddes mercie , thei atteine to euerlasting felicitie .

As the Godlie consideration of Predestination , and our election in Christe is ful of swete , pleasaunte , and vnspeakable coumfort to Godlie persones , and soche as feele in themselues the woorking of the spirite of Christ , mortifiyng the workes of the flesh , and their earthlie membres , and drawing vp their minde to high , and heauenly thinges , aswel because it doeth greatly stablish and confirme their faith of eternal Saluation to bee enioied through Christe , as because it dooeth seruentlie kindle their loue towardes Godde : So for curious , and carnall persones lacking the spirite of Christ , to haue continuallie before their yies the sentence of Goddes predestination , is a moste daungerous dounefall , whereby , the Deuill mate thrust them either into desperation , or into a rechielesnesse of most vncleane liuing , no lesse perilous then desperation .

Furthermore although the Decrees of predestination are vnknowen vnto vs , year we must receiue Goddes promises , in soche wise , as thei bee generallie set foorth to vs in holie Scripture , and in our doinges that wille of Godde is to be folowed , whiche we haue expresselie declared vnto vs in the woorde of Godde .

¶ Wee must truste to obteine eternal Saluation onely by the name of Christe .

THei , also are to be had accursed , & abhorred that presume to saie , that euery man shal be saued by the Lawe , or secte whiche he professeth , so that he bee diligente to frame his life according to that Lawe , and the lighte of Nature : For holie Scripture doeth sette our vnto vs onely the name of Iesu Christ whereby menne must be saned

¶ All men are bounde to Repe the moral commaundementes of the Lawe ,

THe Lawe , whiche was geuen of GOD by Moses , although it binde not Christian menne , as concerning the Ceremonies , and Rites of the same : Neither is it required that the Ciuile Preceptes , and Ordres of it shoulde of necessitie bee receiued in any commune weale : Yeat no Manne , bee he neuer so perfeicte a Christian , is exempte , and lose from the Obedience of those Commaundementes , whiche are called Moral : wherfore thei are not to be harkened vnto , who affirme that holie Scripture is geuen onlie to the weake , and dooe boast the imselues continually of the spirit of whom ( thei sate ) thei haue learned soche thinges , as thei teache , although the same be most euidently repugnaunt to the holie Scripture .

¶ Of the Churche .

THe visible Churche of Christ , is a Congregation of faiethfull Menne , in the whiche the pure worde of GOD is preached , and the sacramentes be duelie ministed , according to Christes ordinaunce , in all those thinges that of necessitie are requisite to the same .

As the Churche of Ierusalem , of Alexandria , and of Antioche hath erred : So also the Churche of Rome hath erred not onely in their liuing , but also in matiers of their faith .

¶ Of the aucthoritie of the Churche .

IT is not lawefulle for the Churche to ordem any thing that is contrarie to Goddes worde writen , neither maie it so expoune one place of scripture , that it be repugnaunt to an other . wherfore although the churche be a witnesse and a keper of holie writte , yeat as it ought not to decree any thing against the same : So besides the same , ought it not to enforce any thing to bee beleued for necessitie of Saluation .

¶ Of the aucthoritie of general Counsailes

GEnerall counsailes maie not be gathered together , without the commaundemente , and will of Princes : and when thei be gathered ( forasmoche as thei be an assemblie of men , wherof all be not gouerned with the spirite , and woorde of GOD ) thei maie erre , and sometime haue erred , not onely in worldlie matiers , but also in thinges perteining vnto God . Wherefore thinges ordeined by theim , as necessarie to Saluation , haue neither strength , nor auctoritie , onlesse it maie be declared , that thei be taken out of holie scripture .

¶ Of Purgatorie

THE doctrine of Scholeaucthoures concerning purgatorie , Pardones , Worshipping , and adoration aswell of Images , as of reliques , and also inuocation of Sainctes , is a fonde thing vainlie fetgned , and grounded vpon no warraunt of scripture , but rather repugnant to the woorde of God .

¶ No manne maie minister in the Congregation , except he be called .

IT is not lawf●● for any man to take vpon him the office of Publique preaching , or ministring the sacramentes in the congregation , before he be lawfullie called , and sent to execute the same . And those we ought to iudge lawfullie called , and sent , whiche be chosen , and called to this woorke by menne , who haue publique auctoritie geuen vnto them in the congregation , to cal , and sende ministres into the Lordes vineyarde .

¶ Menne must speake in the Congregation in soche toung , as the people vnderstandeth .

IT is moste semelie , and moste agreable to the woorde of God , that in the congregation nothing be openlie readde , or spoken in a toungue vnknowen to the people , the whiche thing S. Paule didde forbidde , except some were presente that should declare the same .

¶ Of the Sacramentes .

OUR LORDE Iesus Christe hathe knitte toguether a companie of newe people with Sacramentes , moste fewe in numbre , moste easie to bee kepte , moste excellent in significatione , as is Baptisme , and the Lordes Supper .

THE Sacramentes were not ordeined of Christe to be gased vpon , or to be caried about , but that we shoulde rightlie vse them . And in soche onely , as worthelie receiue the same , thei haue an wholesome effecte , and operacione , and yet notthat of the woorke wrought , as some men speake , whiche worde , as it is straunge , and vnknowen to holie Scripture : So it engendreth no Godlie , but a verie supersticious sense . But thei that receiue the Sacramentes vnwoorthelie , purchace to theimselues Damnatione , as Saincte Paule saieth .

SAcramentes ordeined by the Worde of God be not onely Badges , and tokens of Christien Mennes professione , but rather thei bee certeme sure witnesses , and effectuall signes of grace , and Goddes good will towarde vs , by the whiche he dooeth woorke inuisiblie in vs , and doeth not onlie quicken , but also strengthen , and confirme our faith in him .

¶ The wickednesse of the Ministres dooeth not take awaie the effectuall operation of Goddes ordinaunces

ALthough in the visible Churche the eiuill be euer mingled with the good , and sometime the eiuil haue chief aucthoritie in the ministration of the woorde , and Sacramentes : Year forasmoche as thei doe not the same in their owne name , but dooe minister by Christes commission , and auctoritie : we maie vse their ministerie bothe in hearing the worde of God , and in the receiuing the sacramentes , neither is the effecte of Goddes Ordinaunces taken awaie by their Wickednesse , or the grace of Goddes giftes diminished from soche , as by faieth , and righthe receiue the Sacramentes ministred vnto them , whiche bee effectuall , because of Christes institutione , and promise , although thei be ministred by eiuil men . Neuerthelesse it apperteineth to the discipline of the Churche , that enquirie be made of soche , and that thei bee accused by those that haue knowelege of their offences , and finally being founde guiltie by iust iudgement , be deposed .

¶ Of Baptisme .

BAptisme is not onelie a signe of profession , and marke of difference , whereby Christien menne are discerned from other that bee not Christened , but it is also a signe , and seale of our newe birth , whereby , as by an instrument thei that receiue Baptisme rightlie , are grafted in the Churche , the promises of forgeuenesse of Sinne , and our Adoption to bee the sonnes of God , are visiblie signed and sealed , faith is confirmed , and grace increased by vertue of praier vnto God . The custome of the Churche to Christen yonge children , is to bee commended , and in any wise to bee reteined in the Churche .

¶ Of the Lordes Supper .

THE Supper of the Lorde is not onely a signe of the loue that Christiens ought to haue among theim selues one to another , but rather it is a sacrament of our redemption by Christes death , insomoche that to soche as right : lie , woorthelie , and with faieth receiue the same , the breade whiche we breake , is a communion of the bodie of Christe . Likewise the Cuppe of blessing , is a Communion of the bloude of Christe .

TRansubstanciation , or the chaunge of the substaunce of breade , and wine into the substaunce of Christes bodie , and bloude cannot bee proued by holie writte , but is repugnaunt to the plaine woordes of Scripture , and hath geuen occasion to many supersticions .

FORasmoche as the trueth of mannes nature requireth , that the bodie of one , and theself same manne cannot be at one time in diuerse places , but must nedes be in some one certeine place : Therfore the bodie of Christe cannot bee presente at one time in many , and diuerse places . And because ( as holie Scripture doeth teache ) Christe was taken vp into heauen , and there shall continue vnto thende of the worlde , a faithful man ought not , either to beleue , or openlie to confesse the reall , and bodilie presence ( as thei terme it ) of Christes fleshe , and bloude , in the Sacramente of the Lordes supper .

THe Sacramente of the Lordes supper was not commaunded by Christes ordinaunce to be kepte , caried about , lifted vp , nor worshipped .

¶ Of the perfeicte oblacion of Christe made vpon the crosse .

THe offring of Christe made ones for euer , is the perfecte redemption , the pacifiyng of goddes displeasure , and satisfaction for al the sinnes of the whole worlde , bothe original and actuall : and there is none other satisfaction for sinne , but that alone . wherefore the sacrifices of masses in the whiche , it was commonlie saied , that the Prieste did offre Christe for the quicke , and the dead , to haue remission of peine or sinne , were forged fables , and daungerouse deceiptes .

¶ The state of single life is commaunded to no man by the worde of God .

BIshoppes , Priestes , and Deacons are not commaunded to vowe the state of single life without mariage , neither by Goddes lawe are thei compelled to absteine from matrimonie .

¶ Excommunicate persones are to bee auoided .

THat persone , whiche by open denunciacion of the Churche , is rightlie cut of from the vnitie of the Churche , and excommunicate , ought to be taken of the whole multitude of the faiethful , as an Heathen , and publicane , vntil he bee openlie reconciled by penaunce , and receiued into the Churche by a Iudge that hath auchtoritie thereto .

¶ Tradicions of the Churche .

IT is not necessarie that tradicions and ceremonies bee in all places one , or vtterlie like . For at al times thei haue been diuers , and maie bee chaunged , according to the diuersitie of countries , and mennes maners , so that nothing bee ordeined against goddes worde .

WHosoeuer through his priuate iudgement willinglie , and purposelie doeth openlie breake the tradicions , and Ceremonies of the Churche , whiche bee not repugnaunte to the worde of God , and bee ordeined , and approued by common aucthoritie , ought to be rebuked openlie ( that other maie feare to doe the like ) as one that offendeth against the common ordre of the churche , and hurteth thauctoritie of the Magistrate , and woundeth the consciences of the weake brethren .

¶ Homelies .

THomelies of late geuen , and set out by the Kinges aucthoritie , be godlie and holsome , conteming doctrine to bee receiued of all menne , and therefore are to be readde to the people diligentlie , distinctlie , and plainlie .

¶ Of the booke of Praiers , and Ceremonies of the Churche of Englande .

THe Booke whiche of very late time was geuen to the Churche of Englande by the Kinges aucthoritie , and the Parlamente , conteining the maner and fourme of praiyng , and ministring the Sacramentes in the Churche of Englande , likewise also the booke of ordring Ministers of the Churche , set foorth by the forsaied aucthoritie , are godlie , and in no poincte repugnaunt to the holsome doctrine of the Gospel but agreable thereunto , ferthering and beautifiyng the same not a litle , and therfore of al faithfull membres of the Churche of Englande , and chieflie of the ministers of the worde , thei ought to be receiued , and allowed with all readinesse of minde , and thankes geuing , and to bee commended to the people of God .

¶ Of Ciuile magistrates .

THe King of Englande is Supreme head in earth , nexte vnder Christe , of the Churche of Englande , and Irelande .

THe Bishoppe of Rome hath no iurisdiction in this Realme of Englande .

THe ciuile Magistrate is ordeined , and allowed of God : wherefore we must obeie him , not onely for feare of punishment , but also for conscience sake .

THe ciuile lawes maie punishe Christien men with death , for heinous , & grieuous offences .

IT is lawefull for Christians , at the commaundement of the Magistrate , to weare weapons , and to serue in laweful warres .

¶ Christien mennes gooddes are not commune .

THe richesse & gooddes of christians are not commune , as touching the right title , & possession of the same ( as certain anabaptistes dooe falslie boaste ) not withstanding euery man ought of such thinges , as he possesseth , liberallie to geue almes to the pore , according to his habilitie .

¶ Christien menne maie take an Othe .

IS we confesse that vaine , & rashe swearing is forbed Christien men by our Lorde Iesu Christ , and his Apostle Iames : so we iudge that christien religion doeth not prohibite , but that a man maie sweare , when the magistrate requireth in a cause of faith , and charitie , so it bee doen ( according to the Prophetes teaching ) in iustice , iudgemente , and trueth .

¶ The Resurrection of the dead is not yeat brought to passe .

THe Resurrection of the dead is not as yet brought to passe , as though it only belonged to the soulle , whiche by the grace of Christe is raised from the death of sinne , but it is to be loked for at the laste daie : for then ( as Scripture doeth moste manifestlie testifie ) to all that bee dead their awne bodies , fleshe , and bone shal be restored , that the whole man maie ( according to his workes ) haue other rewarde , or punishment , as he hath liued vertuoussie , or wickedlie .

¶ The soulles of them that departe this life doe neither die with the bodies , nor sleepe idlie .

THei which saie , that the soulles of suche as departe hens doe sleepe , being without al sence , fealing , or perceiuing , vntil the daie of iudgement , or affirme that the soulles die with the bodies , and at the laste daie shal be raised vp with the same , doe vtterlie dissent from the right beliefe declared to vs in holie Scripture .

¶ Heretickes called Millenarii .

THei that goe aboute to renewe the fable of heretickes called Millenarij , be repugnant to holie Scripture , and caste them selues headlong into a Iuishe dotage .

¶ All men shall not bee saued at the length .

THei also are worthie of condemnacion , who indeuoure at this time to restore the daungerouse opinion , that al menne , be thei neuer so vngodlie , shall at lenght bee saued , when thei haue suffered paines for their sinnes a certaine time appoincted by Goddes iustice .