THE XXXVI. Of Confecration of Bishops and Minifters. HE Book of Confecration of Archbishops and Bithops, and Ordering of Priests and Deacons, lately fet forth in the Time of Edward the Sixth, and confirmed at the fame Time by Authority of Parliament, doth contain all Things neceffary to fuch Confecration and Ordering: Neither hath it any Thing, that of itself is fuperftitious and ungodly. And therefore whofoever are Confecrated or Ordered according to the Rites of that Book, fince the Second Year of the forenamed King Edward, unto this Time, or hereafter shall be Confecrated or Ordered according to the fame Rites; we decree all fuch to be rightly, orderly, and lawfully Confecrated and Ordered XXXVII of the Civil Magiftrates. Τ' HE Queens Majefty hath the chief Power in this Realm of England, and other Her Dominions, unto whom the chief Government of all Eftates of this Realm, whether they be Ecclefiaftical or Civil, in all Caufes doth appertain; and is not, nor ought to be fubject to any foreign Jurifdiction. Where we attribute to the Queens Majefty the chief Government, by which Titles we understand the Minds of fome flanderous Folks to be offended; we give not to our Princes the Miniftering either of Gods Word, or of the Sacraments; the which Thing the Injunctions alfo lately fet forth by Elizabeth our Queen do molt plainly teftify; but that only Prerogative which we fee to have been given always to all godly Princes in holy Scriptures by God himfelf that is, that they fhould rule all Eftates and Degrees committed to their Charge by God, whether they be Ecclefiaftical or Temporal, and reftrain with the Civil Sword the ftubborn and evil Doers. The Bishop of Rome hath no Jurifdiction in this Realm of England. The Laws of this Realm may punish Chriftian Men with Death, for heinous and grievous Offences. It is lawful for Chriftian Men, at the Comman. Iment of the Magiftrate, to wear Weapons, and ferve in the Wars. THE XXXVIII. Of Chriftian Mens Goods, which are not common: HE Riches and Goods of Chriftians are not common, TH as touching the Right, Title, and Poffeffion of the fame, as certain Anabaptifts do falfely boast. Notwithftanding, every Man ought, of fuch Things as he poffeffeth, liberally to give Alms to the Poor, according to his Ability. XXXIX Of a Chriftian Mans Oath. A S we confefs, that vain and rafh Swearing is forbidden Chriftian Men by our Lord Jefus Chrift, and James his Apoftle; fo we judge, that Chriftian Religion doth not prohibit, but that a Man may fwear, when the Magistrate requireth, in a Caule of Faith and Charity; fo it be done according to the Prophets teaching, in Juftice, Judgment and Truth. The RATIFICATION. THIS Book of Articles, before rebearfed, is again approved, and allowed to be bolden and executed within the Realm, by the affent and confent of our Sovereign Lady LIZABETH, 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 Subfcription of the bands of the Archbishops and Bishops of the Upper Houfe, and by the Subfcription of the whole Clergy of the nether boufe in their Convocation in the Year of our Lord 1571. O |