glican and Protestant Episcopal Church, it is not acted upon in the spirit of its intention.

XXXIV. Of the Traditions of XXII. Of the Rites and Cere

the Church

It is not necessary that Traditions and Ceremonies be in all places one, and utterly like; for at all times they have been divers, and may be changed according to the diversities of countries, times, and men's manners, so that nothing be ordained against God's Word. Whosoever

through his private judgment, 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 others may fear to do the like), as he that offendeth against the common order of the Church, and hurteth the authority of the Magistrate and woundeth the consciences of the weak brethren.

Every particular 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.

monies of Churches

It is not necessary that rites and ceremonies should in all places be the same, or exactly alike; for they have been always different, 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 judgment, willingly and purposely doth openly break the rites and ceremonies of the Church to which he belongs, which are not repugnant to the Word of God, and are ordained and approved by common authority, ought to be rebuked openly (that others may fear to do the like), as one that offendeth against the common order of the Church, and woundeth the consciences of weak brethren.

Every particular Church may ordain, change, or abolish rites and ceremonies, SO that all things may be done to edification.

The title of this Article is changed from "Of the Traditions of the Church" to "Of the Rites and Ceremonies of Churches." In two places in the body of the Article the word "rites" is used instead of "traditions." The "traditions" of the Church as a foundation for Christian doctrine having been discarded at the Reformation, Wesley had no place for the word in the Articles of Religion. The phrase "hurteth the authority of the magistrate” was omitted. In this land of religious liberty the civil magistrate has no authority over matters condemned in

this Article. The words "or national" are also omitted, because no Church in the United States bears that distinction.

XXXV. Of the 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. I Of the right use of the Church. 2 Against peril of Idolatry. 3 Of repairing and keeping clean of Churches.

4 Of good Works: first of Fasting.

5 Against Gluttony and Drunk

enness.

6 Against Excess of Apparel. 7 Of Prayer.

8 Of the Place and Time of Prayer.

9 That Common Prayers and Sacraments ought to be ministered in a known tongue. 10 Of the reverend estimation of God's Word.

II Of Alms-doing.

12 Of the Nativity of Christ.
13 Of the Passion of Christ.
14 Of the Resurrection of Christ.
15 Of the worthy receiving of
the Sacrament of the Body
and Blood of Christ.

16 Of the Gifts of the Holy
Ghost.

17 For the Rogation-days.

18 Of the state of Matrimony.

19 Of Repentance.

20 Against Idleness.

21 Against Rebellion.

There is no place for this Article in Methodism. The

conditions that called forth the Homilies do not exist in its communion (see Article XI).

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 Ördering: neither hath it anything, 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.

This Article belongs exclusively to the Church of England. Its forms and ceremonies were authorized by Parliament. Wesley provided for the consecration of bishops and the ordination of elders and deacons by an abridgment of the forms used in the Anglican Church. This abridgment was in the Sunday Service sent by him for use in American Methodism, was adopted by the Christmas Conference, and has been in continuous use to the present time.

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

XXIII. Of the Rulers of the

United States of America

The President, the Congress, the General Assemblies, the Governors, and the Councils of State, as the Delegates of the People, are the Rulers of the United States of America, according to the division of power made to them by the Constitu

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 the Sacraments, the which thing the Injunctions also lately set forth by Elizabeth our Queen do most plainly testify; but that only 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 states and degrees committed to their charge by God, whether they be Ecclesiastical or Temporal, and restrain with the civil sword the stubborn and evildoers.

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 offenses.

It is lawful for Christian men, at the commandment of the Magistrate, to wear weapons, and serve in the wars.

tion of the United States, and by the Constitutions of their respective States. And the said States are a sovereign and independent Nation, and ought not to be subject to any foreign jurisdiction.1

1 As far as it respects civil affairs we believe it the duty of Christians, and especially of all Christian Ministers, to be subject to the supreme authority of the country where they may reside, and to use all laudable means to enjoin obedience to the powers that be; and therefore it is expected that all our Preachers and People, who may be under the British or any other Government, will behave themselves as peaceable and orderly subjects.

Article XXIII of the Methodist Episcopal Church takes the place of Article XXXVII of the Anglican Church. Each is suited to the government, laws, and condition of the country in whose interests it was framed.

XXXVIII. Of Christian Men's
Goods, 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.

XXIV. Of Christian Men's Goods

The riches and goods of Christians are not common, as touching the right, title, and possession of the same, as some do falsely boast. Notwithstanding, every man ought, of such things as he possesseth, liberally to give alms to the poor, according to his ability.

XXXIX. Of a Christian Man's XXV. Of a Christian Man's Oath