The Book of Common Prayer Part 129

Transubstantiation (or the change of the substance of bread and wine) in the Supper of the Lord, cannot be proved by holy Writ; but is repugnant to the plain words of Scripture, overthroweth the nature of a Sacrament, and hath given occasion to many superst.i.tions.

The Body of Christ is given, taken, and eaten, in the Supper, only after an heavenly and spiritual manner. And the mean whereby the Body of Christ is received and eaten in the Supper is faith.

The Sacrament of the Lord's Supper was not by Christ's ordinance reserved, carried about, lifted up, or wors.h.i.+pped.

XXIX. _Of the Wicked which eat not the Body of Christ in the use of the Lord's Supper_.

The wicked, and such as be void of a lively faith, although they do carnally and visibly press with their teeth (as Saint Augustine saith) the Sacrament of the Body and Blood of Christ, yet in no wise are they partakers of Christ: but rather to their condemnation do eat and drink the sign or Sacrament of so great a thing.

x.x.x. _Of both kinds_.

The Cup of the Lord is not to be denied to the Lay-people: for both the parts of the Lord's Sacrament, by Christ's ordinance and commandment, ought to be ministered to all Christian men alike.

x.x.xI. _Of the one Oblation of Christ finished upon the Cross_.

The Offering of Christ once made is that perfect redemption, propitiation, and satisfaction, for all the sins of the whole world, both original and actual; and there is none other satisfaction for sin, but that alone. Wherefore the sacrifices of Ma.s.ses, in the which it was commonly said, that the Priests did offer Christ for the quick and the dead, to have remission of pain or guilt, were blasphemous fables, and dangerous deceits.

x.x.xII. _Of the Marriage of Priests_.

Bishops, Priests, and Deacons, are not commanded by G.o.d's Law, either to vow the estate of single life, or to abstain from marriage. Therefore it is lawful for them, as for all other Christian men, to marry at their own discretion, as they shall judge the same to serve better to G.o.dliness.

x.x.xIII. _Of excommunicate Persons, how they are to be avoided_.

That person which by open denunciation of the Church is rightly cut off from the unity of the Church, and excommunicated, ought to be taken of the whole mult.i.tude of the faithful, as an Heathen and Publican, until he be openly reconciled by penance, and received into the Church by a judge that hath authority thereunto.

x.x.xIV. _Of the Traditions of 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 G.o.d's Word.

Whosoever through his private judgement, willingly and purposely, doth openly break the Traditions and Ceremonies of the Church, which be not repugnant to the Word of G.o.d, 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.

x.x.xV. _Of the Homilies_.

The second Book of Homilies, the several t.i.tles whereof we have joined under this Article, doth contain a G.o.dly 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_.

1 Of the right Use of the Church. 10 Of the reverend estimation of 2 Against peril of Idolatry. G.o.d's Word.

3 Of repairing and keeping clean 11 Of Alms-doing.

of Churches. 12 Of the Nativity of Christ.

4 Of good works: first of 13 Of the Pa.s.sion of Christ.

Fasting. 14 Of the Resurrection of Christ.

5 Against gluttony and 15 Of the worthy receiving of the drunkenness. Sacrament of the Body and 6 Against excess of apparel. Blood of Christ.

7 Of Prayer. 16 Of the Gifts of the Holy Ghost.

8 Of the place and time of 17 For the Rogation-days.

Prayer. 18 Of the State of Matrimony.

9 That Common Prayers and 19 Of Repentance.

Sacraments ought to be 20 Against idleness, ministered in a known tongue. 21 Against rebellion.

x.x.xVI. _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 Ordering: neither hath it any thing, that of itself is superst.i.tious and unG.o.dly. 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.

x.x.xVII. _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 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.

Where we attribute to the King's Majesty the chief government, by which t.i.tles we understand the minds of some slanderous folks to be offended; we give not to our Princes the ministering either of G.o.d'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 G.o.dly Princes in holy Scriptures by G.o.d himself; that is, that they should rule all estates and degrees committed to their charge by G.o.d, 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 offences.

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

x.x.xVIII. _Of Christian men's Goods, which are not common_.

The riches and goods of Christians are not common, as touching the right, t.i.tle, 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.

x.x.xIX. _Of a Christian man's Oath_.

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, judgement, and truth.