ARTICLES OF RELIGION; OR, The Fourteen Pillars of the Church of ENGLAND, presented to our late King CHARLS at the Isle of WIGHT, and now humbly tendred to the Mature Consideration of the Supreme Authority of this Nation.
Compendiously extracted, and drawn up in these ensuing Heads.
- I. Of Faith in the Holy Trinity.
- II. Of the Word, or Son of God, which was made very Man.
- III. Of Christs descending down into Hell.
- IV. Of the Resurrection of Christ.
- V. Of the Holy Ghost.
- VI. Of the sufficiency of the Holy Scriptures for Salvation.
- VII. Of the Old Testament.
- VIII. Of Original, or Birth-sin.
- IX. Of Free-will.
- X. Of the Justification of Man before God.
- XI. Of Good Works.
- XII. Of Works before Justification.
- XIII. Of Works of Supererogation.
- XIV. Of Christ alone without Sin.
LONDON, Printed for John Tompkins, 1654.
ARTICLES OF RELIGION, OR The fourteen Pillars of the Church of ENGLAND, presented to our late King CHARLS at the Isle of Wight, &c.
ARTICLE I. Of Faith in the holy Trinity.
THere is but one Isal 46.9. 1 Cor. 8.4, 6 living and true God Jer. 10.10. 1 Thes. 1.9. everlasting Psal. 90.2. Rom. 16.26. without body, parts Deu. 4 15, 16 Joh 4 24. with Luke 24.39., or passions Acts 14.15. Jam 1.17.; of infinite power Jer. 32.17, 27. wisdom Psal. 147.5. Rom. 11.33., and goodness Psal. 119.68. with Mat. 19.17.; the maker and preserver of all things both visible and invisible Neh. 9.6. Col. 1.16, 17.. And in unity of this Godhead there be three Persons of one substance, power, and eternity; the Father, the Son, and the holy Ghost Matth. 3.16, 17. Matth. 28.19. 1 Ioh. 4.7. 2 Cor. 13 14..
ART. II. Of the Word, or Son of God, which was made very Man.
The Son, which is the Word of the Father, begotten from everlasting of the Father Pro. 8 22, to 31. Joh. 1 1, 2, 14., the very 1 Joh. 5 20. Rom. 9.5. and eternal God Joh. 17.5. Heb. 1.8. with Psal. 45.6., of [Page 2]one substance with the Father John 10.30, Heb. 1.3., took Mans nature in the womb of the blessed Virgin, of her substance Joh. 1.14. Isa. 7.14. Luke 1.35. Gal. 4.4.: So that two whole and perfect natures, that is to say the Godhead and the Manhood, were joyned together in one person, never to be divided, whereof is one Christ, very God and very Man Isa. 7.14. with Matth. 1.23. Rom. 1.3, 4. Heb. 13.8, who for our sakes truly suffered most grievous torments in his soul from God Isa. 53.10, 11 Mark 14.33, 34., was crucified, dead, and buried 1 Pet. 2.24. Phil. 2.8. 1 Cor. 15.3, 4., to reconcile his Father to us Ezek. 16.63. Rom. 3.25. 2 Cor. 5.19., and to be a Sacrifice, not onely for original guilt, but also for actual sins of men Isa. 53.10. Eph. 5.2. 1 Joh. 1.7. Heb. 9.26..
ART. III.
As Christ died for us, and was buried, so it is to be believed, that he continued in the state of the dead, and under the power and dominion of death Psal. 16.10. with Acts 2.24, 25, 26, 27, 31., from the time of his death and Burial until his resurrection Rom. 6.9 Matth. 12.40.: which hath been otherwise expressed thus, He went down into Hell.
ART. IIII. Of the Resurrection of Christ.
Christ did truly rise again from death 1 Cor. 15.4. Rom. 8.34. Psal. 16.10. with Acts 2.31. Luk. 24.34, and took again his Body, with Flesh, Bones, and all things appertaining to the perfection of Mans nature Luk. 24 39. with Joh. 20.25, 27., wherewith he ascended into Heaven, and there sitteth Psal. 68.18. with Eph. 4.8. Psal. 110.1. with Acts 2.34.35. Mar. 16.19. Rom. 8.34., untill he return to judge Act 3.21. Psal. 110.1. with 1 Cor. 15.25, 26. Acts 1.11. all Men 2 Cor. 5.10. Acts 17.31. at the general resurrection of the Body at the last day Exod. 3.6. with Luk. 20.37, 38. Acts 24.14, 15. 1 Cor. 15.12. to the end. Joh. 5.28, 29..
ART. V. Of the Holy Ghost.
The Holy Ghost is very and eternal God, of one substance 2 Sam. 23.2. with vers. 3. Isa. 6.5, 8. with Acts 28.25. Acts 5.3, 4. 1 Cor. 3.16. 1 Cor. 6.19., Majesty Iob 26.13. Job 33.4. 1 Cor. 12. chap. Mat. 28.19. 2 Cor. 13.14., and glory with the Father and the Son 1 Cor. 12.11. Eph. 1.17. and 1 Cor. 2.8. with 1 Pet. 4.14., proceeding from the Father and the Son Joh. 15.26. Matth 10.20. and 1 Cor. 2.11, 12. with Gal. 4.6. and Rom. 8.9. and Phil. 1.9. Joh. 16.14. Isai. 11, 2. Isai. 61.1. Gen. 1.2. 2 Chron. 15.1..
ART. VI. Of the sufficiency of the holy Scriptures for Salvation.
Holy Scripture Rom. 1.2. 2 Tim. 3.15. 2 Pet. 1.20, 21. containeth all things necessary to salvation Psal. 19.7. 2 Tim. 3.15.16, 17. Jam. 1.21, 25. Acts 20.32.; so that whatsoever is not read therein, nor may be proved thereby, is not to be believed as an Article of Faith, or necessary to salvation Prov. 30.5, 6. Isa. 8.20. Acts 26.22. with ver. 20, 27. Gal. 1.8, 9. Joh. 5.39..
By the name of holy Scripture, we understand all the Canonical Books of the Old and New Testament; which follow.
- Of the Old Testament, Genesis, Exodus, &c.
- Of the New Testament, The Gospel according to Matthew, &c.
All which Books, as they are commonly received, vve do receive, and acknowledge them to be given by the inspiration of God, and in that regard to be of most certain credit, and highest authority.
ART. VII. Of the Old Testament.
The Old Testament is not contrary to the New, in the doctrine contained in them Acts 26.22, 23. 2 Pet. 3.2. Luk. 24.44, Rom. 3.31. Gal. 3.21.23, 24.; for both in the Old and New Testament everlasting life is offered to mankind by Christ Gen. 3.15. Gen. 22.18. with Gal. 3.8, 14. 1 Cor. 10.2, 3, 4. Luke 1.69.70. Acts 3.24. Isa. 53. Chap., who is the onely Mediatour between God and Man Dan. 9.17. Rom. 8.34. 1 Joh. 2.1. Heb. 7.25. 1 Tim. 2.5 Ioh. 14.6., being both God and Man Gol. 4.4.5. Acts 20.28. Phil. 2.7, 8.. Wherefore they are not to be heard, which feign, that the old Fathers did look onely for temporary promises Acts 26.6, 7 Rom. 4.11. Gal. 3.9. Heb. 11.10, 16, 35..
Although the Lavv given from God by Moses, as touching Ceremonies and Rites, do not bind Christians Gal. 4.9, 10. Col. 2.14, 16, 17. Heb. 9.9, 10.; nor the Civil precepts given by Moses, such as were peculiarly [Page 4]fitted to the Common-wealth of the Jews, are of necessity to be received in any Common-wealth Acts 25.9, 10, 25. with Deut. 17.8, to 13. Rom 13 1, 5. [...]i [...]. 3.1. 1 Pet. 2.13, 14.: yet notwithstanding no Christian man whatsoever is free from the obedience of the Commandements which are called Moral Matth. 5.17, to the end. Rom. 13.8, 9, 10. Eph. 6.1, 2, 3. Iam. 2.8, 9, 10, 11, 12. Rom. 7.25. Rom. 3.31. Matth. 7.12.. By the Moral Law we understand all the ten Commandements taken in their full extent.
ART. IX. Of Original, or Birth-sin.
Original sin Psal. 51.5. Ioh. 3.5, 6. standeth not in the following of Adam, as the Pelagians do vainly talk Iob 14.4. Iob 15.14. Rom. 6.6. Iohn 3.3, 5, 7.: But, together with his first sin imputed Rom. 5.12, to 19. Gen. 2.17. with 1 Cor. 15.22., it is the fault and corruption of the nature of every Man, that naturally is propagated from Adam; whereby Man is wholly deprived of Original righteousness Col. 2.13. Rom. 7.18. Eccles. 7.29., and is of his own nature inclined onely to evil Gen. 6.5. Gen. 8.21. Ier. 17.9. Rom. 7.8. Iames 1.14.. So that the lust of the flesh, called in Greek [...], which some do expound the Wisdom, some Sensuality, some the Affection, some the Desire of the flesh, is not subject to the Law of God Rom. 8.7. 1 Cor. 2.14 Col. 1.2., and therefore in every person Born into this world, it deserveth Gods wrath and damnation Ephes. 2.3. Rom. 8.6, 7.. And this infection of nature doth remain, yea in them that are regenerate Prov. 20.9. Rom. 7.17, 20, 23, 25., whereby the flesh lusteth alwaies contrary to the Spirit Gal. 5.17.. And although there is no condemnation for them that are regenerate and do believe Rom. 8.1, 13. Ioh. 3.18., yet the Apostle doth confess that concupiscence and lust is truly and properly sin Rom. 7.17, 20..
ART. X. Of Free-will.
The condition of Man after the fall of Adam is such, that he cannot turn or prepare himself, by his own natural strength and good works, to faith and calling upon God Ephes. 2.1, 5. 1 Cor. 2.14. Eph. 2.8, 9, 10. John 6.44, 65.; wherefore we have no power to do good work pleasing and acceptable to God Rom. 8.8. Heb. 11.6., without the grace of God by Christ, both preventing us, that we may have a good [Page 5]Will, and working so effectually in us, as that it determineth our Will to that which is good Ezek. 11.19.20. Ezek. 36.26, 27. Jer. 31, 32 33. with Heb [...].10, 11. Phil. 2.12, 13. Joh. 6.45. Eph. 1.19 20. 1 Cor. 4.7., and also working with us when we have that will unto good Heb. 13.21. Phil. 1.6. Heb. 122.2. 1 Pet. 5.10. 1 Thess. 5.23, 24. 1 Kings 8.57, 58..
ART. XI. Of the Justification of man before God.
We are justified, that is, we are accounted Righteous before God, and have remission of sins Rom. 4.5, 6, 7. Psal. 32.1, 2., not for nor by our own works or deservings Rom. 3.20. Gal. 2.16. Gal. 3.10, 11. Phil. 3. [...]., but freely by his grace Rom. 3.24. Tit. 3.7., only for our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christs sake Rom. 3.24, 25. Rom. 5.1. 2 Cor. 5.18, 19., his whole obedience and satisfaction being by God imputed unto us Rom. 5.9, 17, 18, 19. Rom. 3.25, 26. Rom. 4.6, 24. 2 Cor. 5.21., and Christ with his Righteousness, being apprehended and rested on by faith only Rom. 3.22, 25, 26, 28. Gal. 2.16. Isa. 28.16. with Rom. 9.33. and 1 Pet. 2.6. Phil. 3.9.. The doctrine of Justification by Faith only, is an wholsom Doctrine, and very full of comfort 2 Tim. 1.13. Rom. 5.1, 2, 8, 11. Rom. 15.13. 1 Pet. 1.8.: notwithstanding God doth not forgive them that are impenitent, and go on still in their trespasses Psal. 68.20, 21. Exod. 34.6, 7. Luke 13.3, 5..
ART. XII. Of good Works.
Good works, which are the Fruits of Faith Gal. 5.6. Jam. 2.17, 18, 22., and follow after Justification Tit. 2.14. Tit 3.7, 8. Eph. 2.8, 9, 10., cannot put away our sins Rom. 3.20, 21. Rom. 4.4, to 9. Dan. 9.18, 19., and endure the severity of Gods Judgment Neh. 13.22. Psal. 143.2. Job 9.14.15, 19, 20.; yet are they, notwithstanding their imperfections Exod. 28.38. Rev. 8.3, 4., in the sight of God pleasing and acceptable unto him in and for Christ 1 Pet. 2.5. Heb. 13.16, 20, 21. Col. 1.10. Phil. 4.18., and do spring out necessarily of a true and lively Faith Jam. 2.16. 1 John 1.4., in so much that by them a lively Faith may be evidently known, as a tree discerned by the fruits Jam. 2.18, 22, John 15.4, 5. 1 John 2.3.5. Matth. 12.33..
ART. XIII. Of Works before Justification.
Works done before Justification by Christ, and Regeneration by his Spirit, are not pleasing unto God Tit. 1.15, 16. Matth 7.18. Rom. 8.8. Prov. 15.8, 26. Prov. 21.27. Rom. 3.12., for as much as they spring not of Faith in Jesus Christ Hebr. 11.5.6. Gal. 5.6.; neither do they make men meet to receive grace, or (as the School-Authors say) deserve grace of Congruity 2 Tim. 1.9. John 1.13.; yea rather, for that they are not done as God hath willed and commanded them to be done, they are sinfull Rom. 8, 7, 8. Hagg. 2.14 Isa. 58.1, to 5. Isa. 66.2, 3..
ART. XIV. Of Works of Supererogation.
Voluntary Works, besides, over and above Gods Commandements, which they call Works of Supererogation, cannot be taught Matth. 5.48. Mar. 12.30, 31. Phil. 4.5, 9. without arrogancy and impiety Job 9.2, 3.20, 21. Psal. 143.2. Prov. 20.9. Phil. 3.8, to 15.: for by them men do declare that they do not only render unto God as much as they are bound to do; but that they do more for his sake than of bounden duty is required; whereas Christ saith plainly, When you have done all those things that are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants, we have done that which was our duty to do Luke 17.10. with ver. 7, 8, 9..
ART. XV. Of Christ alone without sin.
Christ in the truth of our nature, was made like unto us in all things, sin only excepted Isa. 53.3, 4, 5. Heb. 2.17. with Heb. 5.15., from which he was cleerly void both in his Flesh and in his Spirit Luke 1.35. with Act. 3.14. John 14.30. 2 Cor. 5.21. Heb. 7.26.: he came to be the Lamb without spot 1 Pet. 1.19., who by Sacrifice of Himself Ephes. 5.2. once made Heb. 9.26, 28. Heb. 10.10, 12., should take away the sins of the world John 1.29.; and sin (as Saint John saith) was not in him 1 John 3. [...].. But all we the rest, although baptized and regenerate, yet offend in many things; and if we say we have no sin, we deceive our selves, and the truth is not in us James 3.2. 1 John 1.8, 10..
Rules and Directions CONCERNING Suspension from the SACRAMENT OF THE LORDS SVPPER in case of Ignorance.
1. ALl such persons who shall be admitted to the Sacrament of the Lords Supper ought to know that there is a God, that there is but one ever-living and true God, maker of Heaven and Earth, and Governour of all things; That this onely true God, is the God whom we worship; that this God is but one, yet three distinct Persons, the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, all equally God.
2. That God created man after his own Image, in knowledge, righteousness, and true holiness; That by one man sin entred into the World, and death by sin, and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned; That thereby they are all dead in trespasses and sins, and are by nature the children of wrath, and so lyable to eternal death, the wages of every sin.
3. That there is but one Mediator between God and Man the Man Christ Jesus, who is also over all, God blessed for ever, neither is there salvation in any other; That he was conceived by the holy Ghost, and Born of the Virgin Mary; That he dyed upon the Cross to save his people from their Sins; That he rose again the third day from the dead, ascended into Heaven, sits at the right hand of God, and makes continual intercession for us, of whose fulness we receive all grace necessary to salvation.
4. That Christ and his benefits are applyed onely by faith; That faith is the gift of God, and that we have it not of our selves, but it is wrought in us by the Word and Spirit of God.
That faith is that grace whereby we believe and trust in Christ for remission of sins and life everlasting, according to the promise of the Gospel, that whosoever believes not on the Son of God, shall not see life, but shall perish eternally.
That they who truly repent of their sins do see them, sorrow for them, and turn from them to the Lord, and that except men repent they shall surely perish.
That a godly life is conscionably ordered according to the word of God, in Holiness and Righteousness, without which no man shall see God.
That the Sacraments are Seals of the Covenant of Grace in the blood of Christ: That the Sacraments of the new Testament are Baptism and the Lords Supper; that the outvvard Elements in the Lords Supper are Bread and Wine, and do signifie the Body and Blood of Christ Crucified, vvhich the vvorthy Receiver by Faith, doth partake of in this Sacrament, which Christ hath likewise Ordained for a remembrance of his death, that whosoever eats and drinks unworthily, is guilty of the Body and Blood of the Lord, and therefore that every one is to examine himself, lest he eat and drink Judgement to himself, not discerning the Lords Body.
That the Souls of the faithful after death do immediatly live with Christ in Blessedness, and that the Souls of the wicked do immediatly go into Hell torments. That there shall be a Resurrection of the Bodies both of the just and unjust at the last Day, at which time all shall appear before the Judgement Seat of Christ to receive according to what they have done in the Body, whether it be good or evil: And that the righteous shall go into life eternal and the wicked into everlasting punishment.
And it is further Ordained by the Lords and Commons, That those who have a competent measure of understanding concerning the matters contained in these Articles, shall not be kept back from the Sacrament of the Lords Supper for Ignorance; And that the Examination and Judgement of such Persons as shall for their ignorance of the aforesaid points of Religion not to be admitted to the Sacrament of the Lords Supper, is to be in the power of the Eldership of every Congregation.
15. That an Act or Acts of Parliament be passed, That the Deputy or chief Governor, or other Governours of Ireland, and the Presidents of the several Provinces of that Kingdom, be nominated and made in such way as by both Houses of the Parliament of England shall be appointed, or in the Interv [...] of Parliament by such Committees as shall be appointed by both Houses of Parliament, to continue during the pleasure of both Houses; And that the Chancellor, or Lord Keeper, Lord Treasurer, Commissioners of the Great Seal or Treasury, Lord High Admiral of England, Commissioners of the Admiralty, Lord Warden of the Cinque Ports, Chancellor of the Exchequer and Dutchy, Secretaries of State, Masters of the Rolls, Judges of both Benches, and Barons of the Exchequer of the Kingdoms of England and Ireland, the Constable and Lieutenant of the Tower of London, and the Vice-Treasurer, and Treasurer at Wars of the Kingdom of Ireland, Be nominated and made in such way as by both Houses of the Parliament of England shall be appointed to continue Quam diu se bene gesserint, and in the Intervals of Parliament, by the said Committee appointed by both Houses of Parliament as aforesaid, to be approved or disallowed by both Houses at their next meeting.
16. That for the more effectual disabling of Jesuits, Papists, and Popish Recusants, from disturbing the State, and deluding the Laws, and for the better discovering and speedy conviction of Popish Recusants an Oath be established by Act of Parliament to be administred to them, wherein they shall abjure and renounce the Popes Supremacy, the Doctrine of Transubstantiation, Purgatory, Worshipping of the Consecrated Host, Crucifixes and Images, and all other Popish Superstitions and Errors; and refusing the said Oath, being tendred in such manner as shall be appointed by the said Act, to be a sufficient conviction of Popish Recusancy.
17. An Act or Acts of Parliament for Education of the Children of Papists by Protestants, in the Protestant Religion.
18. An act or acts for the true Leavy of the Penalties against them; which Penalties to be Leavied and Disposed in such manner as both Houses shall agree on.
19. That an Act or Acts be passed in Parliament, wherby the practises of Papists against the State may be prevented, and the Laws against them duly executed, and a stricter course taken to prevent the saying or hearing of Mass in the Court, or any other part of this Kingdom, or the Kingdom of Ireland.
The like for the Kingdom of Ireland, concerning the four last preceding Propositions.
20. That the King do give his Royal Assent to an Act or Acts for the due Observation of the Lords-day.
21. And to the Bill for the suppression of Innovations in Churches and Chappels, in and about the Worship of God.
22. And for the better advancement of the Preaching of Gods Holy Word, in all parts of this Kingdom.
23. And to the Bill against the enjoying Pluralities of Benefices, by Spiritual persons and Non-residency.
They have also Commanded us to desire. That your Majesty give your Royal Assent to these Bills, by your Letters Parents under the Great Seal of England, and Signed by your Hand, and Declared and Notified to the Lords and Commons assembled together in the House of [Page 12]Peers, according to the Law declared in that behalf, it appearing unto them upon mature deliberation, that it stands not with the safety and security of the Kingdom and Parliament, to have your Majesties assent at this time given otherwise; They desire therefore, that your Majesty be pleased to grant your Warrant for the draught of a Bill for such your Letters Patents, to be presented to your Majesty, and then a Warrant to Edward Earl of Manchester, and William Lenthal Esquire, Speaker of the House of Commons, who have now the Custody of the Great Seal of England, to put the same to such your Majesties Letters Pateuts Signed as aforesaid, thereby authorizing Algernon Earl of Northumberland, Henry Earl of Kent, John Earl of Rutland, Philip Earl of Pembrook, William Earl of Salisbury, Robert Earl of Warwick, and Edmund Earl of Mulgrave, or any three of them, to give your Majesties Royal assent unto the said Bills, according to the Law in that behalf Declared: And for the other particulars contained in the aforementioned Propositions, the two Houses of Parliament will after such your Majesties assent given to the said Bills, send a Committee of both Houses to Treat with your Majesty in the Isle of Wight thereupon.