Every particular and 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."

THE CEREMONIES OF THE CHURCH NOT TO BE IMPOSED UPON OTHERS AGAINST THEIR WILL.

f The second branch of this article is against the unalterableness of laws made in matters indifferent; and it asserts the right of every national church to take care of itself. That the laws of any one age of the church cannot bind another is very evident from this, that all legislature is still entire in the hands of those who have it. The laws of God do bind all men at all times; but the laws of the church, as well as the laws of every state, are only provisions made upon the present state of things, from the fitness or unfitness that appears to be in them, for the great ends of religion, or for the good of mankind. All these things are subject to alteration; therefore the power of the church is in every age entire, and is as great as it was in any one age, since the days in which she was under the conduct of men immediately inspired.

For such churches are equal in authority, so that they have no power over each other: but Christ is the King and Lord of them all and therefore in such things as he hath neither commanded nor forbidden, every church may use its own liberty, as occasion shall require, provided it does as St. Paul directs. Rom. xiv. 19. "Let us, therefore, follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another."

ARTICLE XXXV.

Of Homilies.

THE second book of homilies, the several titles

a The word "homily" is derived from duxía, which sig

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."

Of the right of the

Church.

Against Peril of Idolatry.

nifies conference, or conversation. At the time of the Reformation, principally in consequence of the ignorance of the clergy, two books of homilies were prepared: the first was published in King Edward's reign: the second was not finished till after his death; so it was not published before Queen Elizabeth's time.

The first book of homilies was published in 1547, and was supposed to be written chiefly by Cranmer: the second in 1560, and was probably written by Jewel.

In this article, the doctrine contained in the book of homilies is asserted in opposition to the Romanists, who have condemned them as heretical; and the reading them in churches is approved of, in opposition to the puritans, who have contended, that nothing ought to be publicly read in churches besides the Scriptures.

But the truth and reasonableness of this article will best appear by perusing the homilies themselves. And, indeed, it concerns all persons, especially those who are to subscribe to these articles, seriously to read over the homilies also. They are certainly very useful treatises; in perusing of which, they will have no occasion to think their labour lost. They abundantly prove the doctrine they lay down; and whenever it is requisite, they confirm it also by the testimonies of the fathers.

It is remarkable, that the titles of the homilies as enume

Of repairing and keeping

clean of Churches.

Of Alms-doing.

Of the Nativity of Christ.

Of Good Works: first of Of the Passion of Christ.

Fasting.
Against Gluttony and
Drunkenness.
Against Excess of Apparel.
Of Prayer.

Of the Place and Time of
Prayer.

That Common Prayers and
Sacraments ought to be
ministered in a known
tongue.

Of the reverent Estimation of God's Word.

Of the Resurrection of

Christ.

Of the worthy receiving of
the Sacraments of the
Body and Blood of
Christ.

Of the Gifts of the Holy
Ghost.

For the Rogation Days.
Ofthe State of Matrimony.
Of Repentance.

Against Idleness.

Against Rebellion.

rated in this article, are not precisely the same as the titles prefixed in the book of homilies.

ARTICLE XXXVI.

Of Consecration of Bishops and Ministers." THE book of consecration of archbishops and bishops,

If any thing be wanting in the ordinations of the Church of England, the form of which is prescribed in the book here referred to, it must be either with respect to the ordainers ; but these are bishops: or to the manner of ordaining; but this is the imposition of hands, with proper prayers: or to the persons who are to be ordained; but these are examined and

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 any thing that of itself is superstitious and ungodly. And therefore whosoever are consecrated or ordered according to the rites of that book, since the second year of the forenamed 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 and ordered.

approved as to their faith, manners, and knowledge; and on these is conferred the power of doing all things which belong to their offices. There is, therefore, nothing wanting to make these ordinations just and complete.

Acts vi. 6. "Whom they set before the apostles. And when they had prayed, they laid their hands on them." Acts xiii. 3. "And when they had fasted and prayed, and laid their hands on them, they sent them away." 1 Tim. iv. 14. "Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery." 2 Tim. i. 6. "Wherefore I put thee in remembrance, that thou stir up the gift of God which is in thee by the putting on of my hands."

The forms which the primitive churches made use of in consecrating the clergy, are not now extant. But if the reader consults the most ancient ones that are now to be met with, he will find nothing omitted by our church, which was formerly required to make an ordination complete.

ARTICLE XXVII.

Of the Civil Magistrates.

THE king's majesty hath the chief power in this realm of England, and other his dominions, unto whom the chief government of all the 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."

Whereas we attribute to the king's majesty the chief government, by which titles we understand the minds of some slanderous folks to be offended: We give not

a Since kings are by their office the keepers of both tables, it must necessarily follow, that ecclesiastical persons, as well as laymen, are subject to their government, and that they have power to take cognizance in all causes, as well those which concern piety towards God, as those which relate to justice towards man. Both pious princes among the Jews, and Christian emperors in the primitive church, were invested with this authority. Now whosoever shall affirm that the kings of this realm have not the same authority, are ordered by Can. 2. to be ipso facto excommunicated.

THE KING NOT SUBJECT TO ANY FOREIGN JURISDICTION.

Rom, xiii. 1. "Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers." 1 Pet. ii. 13, 14. "Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake, whether it be to the king, as supreme; or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evil-doers, and for the praise of them that do well."

c This refers to "the Puritans," who denied the civil magistrate's right to interfere in any ecclesiastical matters.