ARTICLES
446
ARTICLES
(lain anv tiling that is contrary to God's Word written, nei- ther may it so expound one place of Scripture that it be re- pugnant to another. Wherefore, although the church tie a wit- in-- and a keeper of Holy Writ, yet, as it ought not to decree any thing against the same, so, besides the same, ought it not to enforce anv thing to be believed for necessity of salvation.
XXI. or the Authority <>/ General Councils. —General councils may not he gathered together without the command- ment and will of princes. And when they be gathered to- gether (forasmuch as thev be an assembly of men, whereof all be no! govc rued with the Spirit and Word of God) they may err. and sometimes have erred, even in things pertaining unto God. Wherefore things ordained by them as necessary to salvation have neither strength nor authority, unless it mav be declared that they be taken out of Holy scripture.
XXII. 0/ Purgatory. — The Romish doctrine concerning purgatory .'pardons, worshipping and adoration, as well of
of rel'iipics, and also invocation of saints, is a fond thing vainly invented, and grounded upon no warranty of Scripture, but rather repugnant to the Word of God.
XXIII. Of Ministerial) til the Conyreaalion.— It is not law- ful for anv person to take upon him the office of public preach- ing, or ministering the sacraments in the congregation, before lie be lawfnlly called, and sent to execute the same. And those we ought to judge lawfully called and sent which be chosen and called to this work by men who have public au- thority given unto them in the congregation to call and send ministers into the Lord's vineyard.
XXIV. Of speaking in the Cnnnreaation in such a tongue. as the people anderstandeth — It is a thing plainly repugnant to the Word of God and the custom of the primitive church to have public prayer in the church, or to minister the sacra- ments, in a tongue' not understanded of the people.
XXV. Of the Sacraments. — Sacraments ordained of Christ be not only badges or tokens of Christian men's profession, but rather they be certain sure witnesses, and effectual signs of grace and God's good will toward us, by the which he doth work invisibly in ns, and doth not only quicken, but also strengthen and confirm our faith in him.
There are two sacraments ordained of Christ our Lord in the Gospel, that is to say, Baptism and the Supper of the Lord.
Those five commonly called sacraments, that is to say, Con- firmation, reliance, < 'rders, Matrimony, and Extreme Unction, are not to be counted for sacraments of the Gospel, being such as have grown partly of the corrupt following of the apos'les, partly are states of life allowed in the Scriptures, but yet have not like nature of sacraments with Baptism and the I ord's Supper, for that they have not any visible sign or ceremony ordained of God.
The sacraments were not o darned of Christ to be gazed upon, or to be carried about, but that we should duly use them. Aud in such only as worthily receive the same they have a wholesome effect or operation; but they that receive tin in unworthily purchase to themselves damnation, as St. Paul saith.
XXVI. Of the Vnvortldness of the Ministers, which hin- ders not the effect of the Sacrament.— Although in the visible church the evil be cv, r mingled with the good, and sometimes the evil have chief authority in the ministration of the word and sacraments, yet fora-mueh as they do not the same in their own name, but in Christ's, and do minister by his com- mission aud authority, we may use their ministry, both in hearing the Word of God and in receiving the sacraments. Neither is the effect of Christ's ordinance taken away by their wickedness, nor the grace of God's gifts diminished from such as by faith and rightly do receive the sacraments ministered onto them ; which be effectual, because of ( 'host's institution and promi.-e, although they he ministered by evil men.
Ne\ ortholoss, it appertaincth to the discipline of the church that inquiry be made of evil ministers, and that they be ac- cuse 1 by those that have knowledge of their offenses; and iieing found guilty, by just judgment be deposed.
X.W'II. Of Baptism. — Baptism is not only a sign of profes- sion, and mark of difference, whereby Christian men are dis- cerned from others that be not christened, but it is also a sign of regeneration or new birth, whereby, as by an instrument, tin % thai receive baptism rightly are grafted into the church ; the pnuiii-eJ ..f forgiveness of sin, aud of our adoption to be t t.od by the Holy Ghost, are visibly signed and scaled; faith is continued, and grace increased by virtue of
prayer unto God. The baptism of young children is in any
wi-o to I, ■ retained iii the church, as most agreeable with the institution of Christ.
X.Will. Oftlie Lorffa Supper.— The Supper of the Lord i- nol onlj a Bign of the love that Christians ought to have among them- Ives one to another, but rather is a sacrament of our redemption by Christ's death; insomuch that to such
at rightly, worthily, and with faith receive the same, the bread which we break i- a partaking oftlie body of Christ, and likewise the cup of ble.-sing i- a partaking of the blood of Christ.