1 Of fayth in the holy Trinitie .

THERE is but one lyuing and true GOD , euerlastyng , without bodye , partes , or passions , of infinite power , wysedome , & goodnesse , the maker and preseruer of al thyngs both visible and inuisible . And in vnitie of this Godhead there be three persons , of one substaunce , power , and eternitie , the father , the sonne , and the holy ghost .

2 Of the worde or sonne of God which was made very man .

THE Sonne , which is the worde of the Father , begotten from euerlastyng of the Father , the very and eternall GOD , of one substaunce with the father , tooke mans nature in the wombe of the blessed Virgin , of her substaunce : so that two whole and perfect natures , that is to say , the Godhead and manhood , were ioyned together in one person , neuer to be diuided , whereof is one Christ , very GOD and very man , who truely suffered , was crucified , dead , and buried , to reconcile his father to vs , and to be a sacrifice , not onely for originall gylt , but also for all actuall sinnes of men .

3 Of the goyng downe of Christe into hell .

AS Christe dyed for vs , and was buryed : so also it is to be beleued that he went downe into hell .

4 Of the resurrection of Christe .

CHrist did truely arise agayne from death , and toke agayne his body , with fleshe , bones , and all thinges apparteyning to the perfection of mans nature , wherewith he ascended into heauen , and there sitteth , vntyl he returne to iudge al men at the last day .

5 Of the holy ghost .

THE holy ghost , proceedyng from the father and the sonne , is of one substaunce , maiestie , and glory , with the father and the sonne , bery and eternall God .

6 Of the sufficiencie of the holy Scriptures for saluation .

HOlye Scripture conteyneth all thinges necessarie to saluation : so that whatsoeuer is not read therein , nor may be proued therby , is not to be required of any man , that it shoulde be beleued as an article of the fayth , or be thought requisite necessarie to saluation . In the name of holy Scripture , we do vnderstande those Canonicall bookes of the olde and newe Testament , of whose aucthoritie was neuer anye doubt in the Churche .

Of the names and number of the Canonicall Bookes . Genesis . Exodus . Leuiticus . Numerie . Deuteronomium . Iosue . Iudges . Ruth . The . 1. booke of Samuel . The . 2. booke of Samuel . The . 1. booke of Kinges . The . 2. booke of Kinges . The . 1. booke of Chroni . The . 2. booke of Chroni . The . 1. booke of Esdras . The . 2. booke of Esdras . The booke of Hester . The booke of Iob . The Psalmes . The Prouerbes . Ecclesia . or preacher . Cantica , or songes of Sa . 4. Prophetes the greater . 12. Prophetes the lesse .

And the other bookes ( as Hierome sayth ) the Church doth reade for example of lyfe and instruction of maners : but yet doth it not applie them to establishe any doctrine . Suche are these folowyng .

The third boke of Esdras . The fourth boke of Esdras The booke of Tobias . The booke of Iudith . The rest of the booke of Hester . The booke of Wisdome . Iesus the sonne of Sirach . Baruch , the Prophet . The song of the three children . The storie of Susanna . Of Bel and the Dragon . The prayer of Manasses . The . 1. booke of Macha . The . 2. booke of Macha .

All the bookes of the new Testament , as they are commonly receaued , we do receaue and accompt them for Canonicall .

7 Of the olde Testament .

THE olde Testament is not contrarye to the newe , for both in the olde and newe Testament euerlastyng lyfe is offered to mankinde by Christe , who is the onlye mediatour betweene God and man , being both God and man . Wherefore they are not to be hearde whiche faigne that the olde fathers dyd looke onlye for transitorie promises . Although the lawe geuen from God by Moyses , as touchyng ceremonies and rites , do not bynde Christian men , nor the ciuile preceptes therof , ought of necessitie to be receaued in any common wealth : yet notwithstandyng , no Christian man whatsoeuer , is free from the obedience of the commaundementes , whiche are called morall .

8 Of the three Credes .

THE three Credes , Nicene Crede , Athanasius Crede , and that whiche is commonlye called the Apostles Crede , ought throughlye to be receaued and beleued : for they may be proued by most certayne warrauntes of holy scripture ,

9 Of origianll or birth sinne .

ORiginall sinne standeth not in the folowing of Adam ( as the Pelagians do vaynely talke ) but it is the fault and corruption of the nature of euery man , that naturally is engendred of the ofspryng of Adam , whereby man is very farre gone from originall ryghteousnesse , and is of his owne nature enclined to euyll , so that the fleshe lusteth alwayes contrarye to the spirite , and therefore in euery person borne into this worlde , it deserueth Gods wrath and damnation . And this infection of nature doth remayne , yea in them that are regenerated , wherby the lust of the fleshe , called in Greke {αβγδ} , whiche some do expounde the wysedome , some sensualitie , some the affection , some the desyre of the fleshe , is not subiect to the lawe of God . And although there is no condemnation for them that beleue and are baptized : yet the Apostle doth confesse that concupiscence and lust hath of it selfe the nature of synne .

10 Of free wyll .

THE condition of man after the fall of Adam is suche , that he can not turne and prepare hym selfe by his owne natural strength and good workes , to faith and calling vppon GOD : Wherfore we haue no power to do good workes pleasaunt and acceptable to GOD , without the grace of God by Christe preuentyng vs , that we may haue a good wyll , & workyng with vs , when we haue that good wyll .

11 Of the iustification of man .

WE are accompted ryghteous before God , only for the merite of our Lord & sauiour Iesus Christ , by faith , & not for ourowne workes or deseruinges . Wherefore , that we are iustified by fayth onlye , is a most wholesome doctrine , and very full of comfort , as more largely is expressed in the Homilie of iustification .

12 Of good workes .

ALbeit that good workes , whiche are the fruites of fayth , and folowe after iustification , can not put away our sinnes , and endure the seueritie of Gods iudgement : yet are they pleasing and acceptable to God in Christe , and do spring out necessaryly of a true and liuely faith , in so muche that by them , a lyuely fayth may be as euidently knowen , as a tree discerned by the fruit .

13 Of workes before iustification .

WOrkes done before the grace of Christe , and the inspiration of his spirite , are not pleasaunt to God , forasmuche as they spring not of fayth in Iesu Christ , neyther do they make men meete to receaue grace , or ( as the schole aucthours say ) deserue grace of congruitie : yea rather for that they are not done as GOD hath wylled and commaunded them to be done , we doubt not but they haue the nature of sinne .

14 Of workes of supererogation .

VOluntary workes , besydes , ouer and aboue Gods commaundementes , whiche they call workes of supererogation , can not be taught without arrogancie and impietie . For by them men do declare that they do not onely render vnto God as muche as they are bounde to do , but that they do more for his sake then of bounden duetie is required : Whereas Christ sayth playnely , When ye haue done all that are commaunded to you , say , We be vnprofitable seruauntes .

15 Of Christ alone without sinne .

CHriste in the trueth of our nature , was made lyke vnto vs in al thinges ( sinne only except ) from whiche he was clearly voyde , both in his fleshe , & in his spirite . He came to be the lambe without spot , who by sacrifice of hym selfe once made , shoulde take away the sinnes of the worlde : and sinne ( as S. Ihon sayth ) was not in hym . But all we the rest ( although baptized , and borne agayne in Christe ) yet offende in many thynges : and if we say we haue no sinne , we deceaue our selues , and the trueth is not in vs.

16 Of sinne after Baptisme .

NOT euery deadly sinne wyllyngly committed after baptisme , is sinne agaynst the holy ghost , and vnpardonable . Wherefore , the graunt of repentaunce is not to be denyed to such as fal into sinne after baptisme . After we haue receaued the holy ghost , we may depart from grace geuen , and fall into sinne , and by the grace of God ( we may ) arise againe and amende our liues . And therefore , they are to be condemned , whiche say they can no more sinne as long as they lyue here , or denye the place of forgeuenesse to such as truely repent .

17 Of predestination and election .

PRedestination to lyfe , is the euerlastyng purpose of God , whereby ( before the foundations of the worlde were layde ) he hath constantly decreed by his counsell secrete to vs , to deliuer from curse and damnation , those whom he hath chosen in Christe out of mankynde , and do bring them by Christe to euerlastyng saluation , as vessels made to honour . Wherefore they which be indued with so excellent a benefite of God , be called accordyng to Gods purpose by his spirite workyng in due season : they through grace obey the callyng : they be iustified freelye : they be made sonnes of GOD by adoption : they be made lyke the image of his onlye begotten sonne Iesus Christ : they walke religiously in good workes , and at length by Gods mercie , they attayne to euerlastyng felicitie .

As the godly consyderation of predestination , and our election in Christe , is full of sweete , pleasaunt , and vnspeakeable comfort to godlye persons , and such as feele in them selues the working of the spirite of Christe , mortifiyng the workes of the fleshe , & their earthly members , and drawyng vp their mynde to hygh and heauenly thinges , aswell because it doth greatly establishe and confirme their fayth of eternall saluation to be enioyed through Christ , as because it doth feruently kyndle their loue towardes God : So , for curious and carnall persons , lacking the spirite of Christe , to haue continually before their eyes the sentence of Gods predestination , is a moste daungerous downefall , whereby the deuyll doth thrust them eyther into desperation , or into rechlesnesse of most vncleane lyuyng , no lesse perilous then desperation .

Furthermore , we must receaue Gods promises in such wyse , as they be generally set foorth to vs in holy scripture : and in our doynges , that wyll of God is to be folowed , whiche we haue expresly declared vnto vs in the worde of God .

18 Of obtaynyng eternall saluation , only by the name of Christe .

THey also are to be had accursed , that presume to say , that euery man shal be saued by the lawe or sect which he professeth , so that he be diligent to frame his lyfe accordyng to that lawe , and the lyght of nature . For holye scripture doth set out vnto vs onlye the name of Iesus Christe , whereby men must be saued .

19 Of the Church .

THe visible Church of Christe , is a congregation of faythfull men , in the which the pure worde of GOD is preached , and the Sacramentes be duely ministred , accordyng to Christes ordinaunce in all those thynges that of necessitie are requisite to the same .

As the Church of Hierusalem , Alexandria , and Antioche haue erred : so also the Church of Rome hath erred , not only in their lyuing and maner of ceremonies , but also in matters of fayth .

20 Of the aucthoritie of the Churche .

IT is not lawfull for the Church to ordayne any thing that is contrary to GODS worde written , neyther may it so expounde one place of scripture , that it be repugnaunt to another . Wherfore , although the Churche be a witnesse and a keper of holy writ : yet , as it ought not to decree any thyng agaynst the same , so besides the same , ought it not to enforce any thing to be beleued for necessitie of saluation .

21 Of the aucthoritie of generall Counselles .

GEnerall Counselles may not be gathered together without the commaundement and wyll of princes . And when they be gathered together ( forasmuche as they be an assemblye of men , wherof all be not gouerned with the spirite and worde of God ) they may erre , and sometyme haue erred , euen in thinges parteining vnto God . Wherefore , thinges ordeined by them as necessary to saluation , haue neyther strength nor aucthoritie , vnlesse it may be declared that they be taken out of holy scripture .

22 Of Purgatorie .

THE Romishe doctrine concernyng purgatorie , pardons , worshipping and adoration aswell of images , as of reliques , and also inuocation of Saintes , is a fonde thing , vainly inuented , and grounded vpon no warrauntie of Scripture , but rather repugnaunt to the worde of God .

23 Of ministring in the congregation .

IT is not lawfull for any man to take vpon him the office of publique preachyng , or ministryng the Sacramentes in the congregation , before he be lawfully called and sent to execute the same . And those we ought to iudge lawfully called and sent , whiche be chosen and called to this worke by men who haue publique aucthoritie geuen vnto them in the congregation , to call and sende ministers into the Lordes vineyarde .

24 Of speakyng in the congregation , in suche a tongue as the people vnderstandeth .

IT is a thyng playnely repugnaunt to the worde of God , & the custome of the primatiue Churche , to haue publique prayer in the Churche , or to minister the Sacramentes , in a tongue not vnderstanded of the people .

25 Of the Sacramentes .

SAcramentes ordayned of Christe , be not onely badges or tokens of christian mens profession : but rather they be certayne sure witnesses and effectuall signes of grace and Gods good wyll towardes vs , by the whiche he doth worke inuisibly in vs , and doth not onely quicken , but also strengthen and confirme our fayth in hym .

There are two Sacramentes ordeyned of Christe our Lorde in the Gospell , that is to say , Baptisme , and the Supper of the Lorde .

Those fyue , commonly called Sacramentes , that is to say , Confirmation , Penaunce , Orders , Matrimonie , and extreme Vnction , are not to be compted for Sacramentes of the Gospel , being such as haue growen partly of the corrupt folowing of the Apostles , partly are states of life alowed in the scriptures : but yet haue not lyke nature of Sacramentes with Baptisme and the Lordes Supper , for that they haue not any visible signe or ceremonie ordayned of God .

The Sacramentes were not ordeyned of Christ to be gased vpon , or to be caryed about : but that we shoulde duely vse them . And in suche onlye , as worthyly receaue the same , they haue a wholesome effect or operation : But they that receaue them vnworthyly , purchase to them selues damnation , as S. Paul sayth .

26 Of the vnworthynesse of the ministers , which hinder not the effect of the Sacramentes .

ALthough in the visible Churche the euyll be euer myngled with the good , & sometime the euyll haue cheefe aucthoritie in the ministration of the worde & Sacramentes : yet forasmuch as they do not the same in theyr owne name , but in Christes , and do minister by his commission and aucthoritie , we may vse their ministerie , both in hearyng the word of God , & in the receauing of the Sacramentes . Neyther is the effect of Christes ordinaunce taken away by theyr wickednesse , nor the grace of Gods gyftes diminished from such as by fayth & ryghtlye do receaue the Sacramentes ministred vnto them , which be effectuall , because of Christes institution and promyse , although they be ministred by euyll men .

Neuerthelesse , it apparteyneth to the discipline of the Churche , that inquirie be made of euill ministers , and that they be accused by those that haue knowledge of theyr offences : and finally , beyng founde gyltie by iust iudgement , be deposed .

27 Of Baptisme .

BAptisme is not only a signe of profession , and marke of difference , whereby Christian men are discerned from other that be not Christened : but is also astgne of regeneration or ne we byrth , whereby , as by an instrument , they that receaue Baptisme ryghtly , are grafted into the Church : the promises of the forgeuenesse of sinne , & of our adoption to be the sonnes of God , by the holy ghost , are visibly signed and sealed : fayth is confirmed , and grace encreased by vertue of prayer vnto God . The baptisme of young chyldren , is in anye wyfe to be retayned in the Churche , as most agreeable with the institution of Christe .

28 Of the Lordes Supper .

THE Supper of the Lord , is not only a signe of the loue that Christians ought to haue among them selues one to another : but rather it is a Sacrament of our redemption by Christies death . Insomuch that to such as ryghtlye , worthylye , and with fayth receaue the same , the bread whiche we breake is a partakyng of the body of Christe , and likewise the cuppe of blessing , is a partaking of the blood of Christe .

Transubstantiation ( or the chaunge of the substaunce of bread and wine ) in the Supper of the Lorde , can not be proued by holy writ : but is repugnaunt to the playne wordes of Scripture , ouerthroweth the nature of a Sacrament , and hath geuen occasion to many superstitions .

The body of Christ is geuen , taken , and eaten in the Supper , only after an heauenly and spirituall maner : And the meane whereby the body of Christ is receaued and eaten in the Supper , is fayth .

The Sacrament of the Lordes Supper , was not by Christes ordinaunce reserued , caryed about , lyfted vp , or worshypped .

29 Of the wycked whiche do not eate the body of Christ in the vse of the Lordes Supper .

THe wicked , and suche as be voyde of a lyuelye fayth , although they do carnally and visibly presse with theyr teeth ( as Saint Augustine sayth ) the Sacrament of the bodye and blood of Christ : yet in no wyse are they partakers of Christe , but rather , to theyr condemnation , do eate and drynke the signe or Sacrament of so great a thyng .

30 Of both kyndes .

THe cuppe of the Lorde is not to be denyed to the laye people . For both the partes of the Lordes Sacrament , by Christes ordinance and commaundement , ought to be ministred to all christian men alyke .

31 Of the one oblation of Christe finished vpon the Crosse .

THe offeryng of Christ once made , is the perfect redemption , propiciation , and satisfaction for all the sinnes of the whole worlde , both originall and actuall , and there is none other satisfaction for sinne , but that alone . Wherfore the sacrifices of Masses , in the whiche it was commonly sayde that the Priestes did offer Christ for the quicke and the dead , to haue remission of paine or gilt , were blasphemous fables and daungerous deceiptes .

32 Of the mariage of Priestes .

Byshops , Priestes , and Deacons , are not commaunded by Gods lawe eyther to vowe the state of single lyfe , or to abstayne from mariage . Therefore it is lawfull also for them , as for all other christian men , to marye at theyr owne discretion , as they shall iudge the same to serue better to godlynesse .

33 Of excommunicate persons , howe they are to be auoyded .

THat person whiche by open denuntiation of the Churche , is ryghtly cut of from the vnitie of the Churche , and excommunicated , ought to be taken of the whole multitude of the faythfull as an Heathen and Publicane , vntyll he be openly reconciled by penaunce , and receaued into the Churche by a iudge that hath aucthoritie thereto .

34 Of the traditions of the Church .

IT is not necessarie that traditions and ceremonies be in all places one , or vtterly like , for at all times they haue ben diuerse , and may be chaunged accordyng to the diuersitie of countreyes , times , and mens maners , so that nothyng be ordeyned agaynst Gods worde . Whosoeuer through his priuate iudgement , wyllyngly and purposely doth openlye breake the traditions and ceremonies of the Church , which be not repugnaunt to the worde of God , and be ordayned and approued by common aucthoritie , ought to be rebuked openlye ( that other may feare to do the lyke ) as he that offendeth agaynst the common order of the Churche , and hurteth the aucthoritie of the Magistrate , and woundeth the consciences of the weake brethren .

Euery particuler and nationall Church , hath aucthoritie to ordayne , chaunge , and abolyshe ceremonies or rites of the Churche ordayned onlye by mans aucthoritie , so that all thynges be done to edifiyng .

35 Of Homilies .

THe seconde booke of Homilies , the seuerall titles whereof we haue ioyned vnder this article , doth conteyne a godly and wholesome doctrine , and necessary for these tymes , as doth the former booke of Homilies , whiche were set foorth in the time of Edwarde the sixt : and therefore we iudge them to be read 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 vse of the Churche . 2 Agaynst perill of Idolatrie . 3 Of repayring and keping cleane of Churches . 4 Of good workes , first of fastyng . 5 Agaynst gluttony and drunkennesse . 6 Against excesse of apparell . 7 Of prayer . 8 Of the place and time of prayer . 9 That common prayers and Sacramentes ought to be ministred in a knowen tongue . 10 Of the reuerente estimation of Gods worde . 11 Of almes doing . 12 Of the Natiuitie of Christe . 13 Of the passion of Christe . 14 Of the resurrection of Christe . 15 Of the worthie receauing of the Sacrament of the body and blood of Christe . 16 Of the gyftes of the holy ghost . 17 For the Rogation dayes . 18 Of the state of Matrimonie . 19 Of repentaunce . 20 Agaynst Idlenesse . 21 Agaynst rebellion .

36 Of consecration of Bishops and ministers .

THE booke of Consecration of Archbyshops , and Byshops , and orderyng of Priestes and Deacons , lately set foorth in the tyme of Edwarde the sixte , and confyrmed at the same tyme by aucthoritie of Parliament , doth conteyne all thynges necessary to suche consecration and orderyng : neyther hath it anye thyng , that of it selfe is superstitious or vngodly . And therefore , whosoeuer are consecrate or ordered accordyng to the rytes of that booke , sence the seconde yere of the aforenamed kyng Edwarde vnto this tyme , or hereafter shal be consecrated or ordered accordyng to the same rites , we decree all suche to be ryghtly , orderly , and lawfully consecrated and ordered .

37 Of Ciuill Magistrates .

THe Queenes Maiestie hath the cheefe power in this Realme of Englande , and other her dominions , vnto whom the cheefe gouernment of all estates of this Realme , whether they be Ecclesiasticall or Ciuile , in all causes doth apparteyne , and is not , nor ought to be subiect to any forraigne iurisdiction .

Where we attribute to the Queenes Maiestie the cheefe gouernment , by whiche titles we vnderstande the mindes of some slaunderous folkes to be offended : we geue not to our princes the ministring either of gods word , or of Sacramentes , the whiche thyng the Iniunctions also lately set forth by Elizabeth our Queene , doth most playnly testifie : But that only prerogatiue which we see to haue ben geuen alwayes to all godly Princes in holy Scriptures by God hym selfe , that is , that they should rule all estates and degrees committed to theyr charge by God , whether they be Ecclesiasticall or Temporall , and restrayne with the ciuill sworde the stubburne and euyll doers .

The Byshop of Rome hath no iurisdiction in this Realme of Englande .

The lawes of the Realme may punyshe Christian men with death , for heynous and greeuous offences .

It is lawfull for Christian men , at the commaundement of the Magistrate , to weare weapons , and serue in the warres .

38 Of Christian mens goodes , whiche are not common .

THe rychesse and goodes of Christians are not common , as touchyng the ryght , tytle , and possession of the same , as certayne Anabaptistes do falsely boast . Notwithstandyng , euery man ought of suche thinges as he possesseth , liberally to geue almes to the poore , accordyng to his habilitie .

39 Of a Christian mans othe .

AS we confesse that vayne and rashe swearing is forbidden Christian men by our lord Iesus Christe , and Iames his Apostle : So we iudge that Christian religion doth not prohibite , but that a man may sweare when the Magistrate requireth , in a cause of faith and charitie , so it be done accordyng to the prophetes teaching , in iustice , iudgement , and trueth .

40 The Ratification .

THIS Booke of Articles before rehearsed , is agayne approued , and allowed to be holden and executed within the Realme , by the assent and consent of our Soueraigne Ladye Elizabeth , by the grace of GOD , of Englande , Fraunce , and Irelande Queene , defender of the fayth . &c. Which Articles were deliberately read , and confirmed agayne by the subscription of the handes of the Archbyshop and Byshoppes of the vpper house , and by the subscription of the whole Cleargie in the neather house in their Conuocation , in the yere of our Lorde GOD . 1571.