estates and degrees committed to their charge by God, whether they be ecclesiastical or temporal, and restrain with the civil sword the stubborn and evil-doers.

d 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.

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

nursing mothers.-Rom. xiii. 1. Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers-the powers that be are ordained of God.

d As the pretended jurisdiction of the Pope over this realm hath no foundation in Scripture, so it hath beeu justly renounced and banished by many kings and parliaments.

c Rom. xiii. 4. He is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil.

f Acts x. 1, 2. There was a certain man in Cæsarea, called Cornelius, a centurion of the band called the Italian band, a devout man, and one that feared God, with all his house, &c.-Luke iii. 14. And the soldiers likewise demanded of him, saying, And what shall we do? And he said unto them, Do violence to no man, neither accuse any falsely; and be content with your wages.

The doctrine contained in the former part of this Article may be confirmed by many

allusions to the Old Testament, and is exactly what our Saviour both practised himself, and exhorted his disciples to practise. The latter part scarce needs any proof.

ARTICLE XXXVIII.

Of Christian Men's Goods which are not

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.

a Acts v. 3, 4. Peter said, Ananias, &c. whiles it remained, was it not thine own? and after it was sold, was it not in thine own power?

b Luke xi. 41. Give alms of such things as ye have.-1 Tim. vi. 17, 18.

This Article consists of two parts; the former declares that private property is not inconsistent with the profession of the Gospel, and the latter asserts the Christian duty of charity to the poor.

ARTICLE XXXIX.

Of a Christian Man's Oath.

a AS we confess that vain and rash swearing is forbidden Christian men by our Lord Jesus Christ, and James his apostle;

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, judgment, and truth.

с

a Matt. v. 34-37. I say unto you, Swear not at all; neither by heaven, for it is God's throne; nor by the earth, for it his footstool; neither by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King; neither shalt thou swear by thy head, because thou canst not make one hair white or black: but let your communication be, Yea, yea: Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil.-Jam. v. 12. Exod. xx. 7.

b Heb. vi. 15. For men verily swear by the greater, and an oath for confirmation is to them an end of all strife. Deut. vi. 13. Thou shalt fear the Lord thy God, and serve him, and shalt swear by his name.-1 Sam. xxiv. 21.

Jer. iv. 2. And thou shalt swear, The Lord liveth, in truth, in judgment, and in righteousness.

Profane swearing is forbidden by the third Commandment; but that prohibition was evidently not designed to extend to every use

of oaths; for Moses expressly says, Thou shalt fear the Lord thy God, and serve him, and shalt swear by his name, Deut. vi. 13. And, under the Jewish dispensation, judges had a power to adjure in the name of God, either to draw a confession from an accused person, or a faithful testimony from a witness. See Levit. v. 1. And thus our Saviour himself, in obedience to this law of Moses, although he had before been silent, answered the high priest, when he adjured him by the living God; (Matt. xxvi. 63.) that is, when he called upon him to answer upon oath. The form of administering an oath among us is different from that formerly practised among the Jews; but the obligation they carry with them, and the principal upon which they rest, are precisely the same.

THE RATIFICATION.

THIS Book of Articles before rehearsed, is again approved and allowed to be holden and executed within the realm, and by the assent and consent of our sovereign Lady ELIZABETH, by the Grace of God of England, France, and Ireland, Queen, Defender of the Faith, &c. Which Articles were deliberately read and confirmed again by the subscription of the hands of the Archbishops and Bishops of the Upper House, and by the subscription of the whole Clergy of the Nether House in their Convocation, in the year of our Lord 1571.

Table of the Thirty-nine Articles.

1. Of Faith in the Holy Trinity.
2. Of Christ the Son of God.
3. Of his going down into Hell.
4. Of his Resurrection.

5. Of the Holy Ghost.

6. Of the Sufficiency of the Scripture. 7. Of the Old Testament.

8. Of the Three Creeds. 9. Of Original Sin. 10. Of Free Will.

11. Of Justification.

12. Of Good Works.

13. Of Works before Justification. 14. Of Works of Supererogation. 15. Of Christ alone without Sin. 16. Of Sin after Baptism.

17. Of Predestination and Election.
18. Of obtaining Salvation by Christ.
19. Of the Church.

20. Of the Authority of the Church.
21. Of the Authority of General Councils.
22. Of Purgatory.

23. Of Ministering in the Congregation.
24. Of Speaking in the Congregation.

25. Of the Sacraments.

26. Of the Unworthiness of Ministers. 27. Of Baptism.

28. Of the Lord's Supper.

29. Of the Wicked, which eat not the Body of Christ

30. Of both Kinds.

31. Of Christ's One Oblation.

32. Of the Marriage of Priests.

33. Of Excommunicate Persons.

34. Of the Traditions of the Church.

35. Of Homilies.

36. Of Consecration of Ministers.

37. Of Civil Magistrates.

38. Of Christian Men's Goods. 39. Of a Christian Man's Oath.

The Ratification.

BAXTER, PRINTER, OXFORD.