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venting us, that we may have a good will, and were laid) he hath constantly decreed, by his counworking with us, when we have that good will.

ART. XI. Of the Justification of Man. We are accounted righteous before God, only for the Merit of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ by Faith; and not for our own Works or Deservings. Wherefore, that we are justified by Faith only, is a most wholesome doctrine, and very full of comfort, as more largely is expressed in the Homily of

Justification.

sel, secret to us, to deliver from curse and damnation, those whom he hath chosen in Christ out of mankind, and to bring them by Christ to everlasting salvation, as vessels made to honour. Wherefore they, which he endued with so excellent a benefit of God, be called according to God's purpose by his Spirit working in due season: they through grace obey the calling: they be justified freely: they be made sons of God by adoption: they be made like the image of his only begotten Son Jesus Christ: they walk religiously in good works; and at length by God's mercy they attain to everlasting felicity. Albeit that good Works, which are the Fruits of our Election in Christ, is full of sweet, pleasant, and As the godly consideration of Predestination, and Faith, and follow after Justification, cannot put unspeakable comfort to godly persons, and such as away our sins, and endure the severity of God's feel in themselves the working of the Spirit of Christ, Judgment; yet are they pleasing and acceptable mortifying the works of the flesh and their earthly to God in Christ, and do spring out necessarily of members, and drawing up their mind to high and a true and lively Faith; insomuch that by them a heavenly things, as well because it doth greatly es lively Faith may be as evidently known, as a tree tablish and confirm their faith of eternal salvation, discerned by the fruit.

ART. XII. Of good Works.

ART. XIII. Of Works before Justification. Works done before the grace of Christ, and the inspiration of his Spirit, are not pleasant to God, forasmuch as they spring not of faith in Jesus Christ, neither do they make men meet to receive grace, or (as the School-Authors say) deserve grace of congruity: yea rather, for that they are not done as God hath willed and commanded them to be done, we doubt not but they have the nature of sin.

to be enjoyed through Christ, as because it doth fervently kindle their love towards God: so, for curious and carnal persons, lacking the Spirit of Christ, to have continually before their eyes the Sentence of God's Predestination, is a most dangerous downfall, whereby the Devil doth thrust them either into desperation, or into wretchlessness of most unclean living, no less perilous than desperation.

Furthermore, we must receive God's Promises in such wise as they be generally set forth to us in holy Scripture: And in our doings, that will of God is to be followed, which we have expressly declared unto us in the Word of God.

ART. XVIII. Of obtaining Eternal Salvation only by the Name of Christ.

ART. XIV. Of Works of Supererogation. Voluntary Works, besides over and above God's Commandments, which they call Works of Supererogation, cannot be taught without arrogancy and impiety. For by them men do declare, That they They also are to be had accursed, that presume do not only render unto God as much as they are to say, that every man shall be saved by the Law bound to do, but that they do more for his sake than or Sect which he professeth, so that he be diligent of bounden duty is required: Whereas Christ saith to frame his life according to that Law, and the plainly, When ye have done all that is commanded to you, say, We are unprofitable servants.

ART. XV. Of Christ alone without sin. Christ in the truth of our nature, was made like

light of nature. For holy Scripture doth set out unto us only the Name of Jesus Christ, whereby men must be saved.

ART. XIX. Of the Church.

The visible Church of Christ is a Congregation unto us in all things, sin only except, from which of faithful men, in the which the pure Word of God he was clearly void, both in his flesh, and in his is preached, and the Sacraments be duly ministerspirit. He came to be a Lamb without spot, who ed according to Christ's Ordinance, in all those by sacrifice of himself once made, should take away things that of necessity are requisite to the same. the sins of the world; and sin (as St. John saith) As the Church of Hierusalem, Alexandria, and was not in him. But all we the rest (although Antioch, have erred; so also the Church of Rome Baptized and born again in Christ) yet offend in hath erred, not only in their living and manner of many things; and if we say we have no sin, we Ceremonies, but also in matters of faith. deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.

ART. XX. Of the Authority of the Church.

ART. XVI. Of Sin after Baptism. The Church hath power to decree Rites or CereNot every deadly sin, willingly committed after monies, and Authority in controversies of Faith: Baptism, is sin against the Holy Ghost, and unpar- And yet it is not lawful for the Church to ordain any donable. Wherefore the grant of repentance is thing that is contrary to God's Word written; neinot to be denied to such as fall into sin after Bap- ther may it so expound one place of Scripture, that tism. After we have received the Holy Ghost, we it be repugnant to another. Wherefore, although the may depart from grace given, and fall into sin, and Church be a Witness and a Keeper of Holy Writ, by the grace of God (we may) arise again, and yet as it ought not to decree any thing against the amend our lives. And therefore they are to be same, so besides the same ought it not to enforce condemned, which say, they can no more sin as any thing to be believed for necessity of salvation. long as they live here, or deny the place of forgiveness to such as truly repent.

ART. XXI. Of the Authority of General Councils.*

ART. XVII. Of Predestination and Election.
ART. XXII. Of Purgatory.
Predestination to life is the everlasting purpose of The Romish doctrine concerning Purgatory, Par-
God, whereby (before the foundations of the world dons, Worshipping, and Adoration, as well of Ima-

*The 21st of the former articles is omitted, because it is partly of a local and civil nature, and is provided for, as to the remaining parts of it, in other articles.

ges, as of Reliques, 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.

ART. XXIII. Of Ministering in the Congrega

tion.

ART. XXVII. Of Baptism.

Baptism is not only a sign of Profession, and mark of Difference, whereby Christian men are discerned

from others that be not christened: but it is also a an instrument, they that receive Baptism rightly are sign of Regeneration, or new Birth, whereby, as by grafted into the Church: the promises of the forgiveIt is not lawful for any man to take upon him the ness of sin, and of our adoption to be the sons of Office of public Preaching, or Ministering the Sa- God by the Holy Ghost, are visibly signed and sealcraments in the Congregation, before he be lawfully ed: faith is confirmed, and grace increased by vircalled, and sent to execute the same. And those tue of Prayer unto God. The Baptism of young we ought to judge lawfully called and sent, which children is in any wise to be retained in the Church be chosen and called to this Work by men who as most agreeable with the institution of Christ. have public Authority given unto them in the Congregation, to call and send Ministers into the Lord's Vineyard.

ART. XXIV. Of Speaking in the Congregation
in such a tongue as the People understandeth.
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 Sacraments in a tongue not understanded of the
people.

ART. 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 towards us, by the which he doth work invisibly in us, and doth not only quicken, but also strengthen and confirm our

faith in him.

ART. XXVIII. Of the Lord's Supper.

The Supper of the Lord is not only a sign of the Love that Christians ought to have among themselves one to another; but rather it is a Sacrament of our Redemption by Christ's death: insomuch that to such as rightly, worthily, and with faith receive the same, the Bread which we break is a partaking of the Body of Christ; and likewise the Cup of Blessing is a partaking of the Blood of

Christ.

Transubstantiation (or the change of the Substance of Bread and Wine) in the Supper of the Lord, cannot be proved by Holy Writ; but it is repugnant to the plain words of Scripture, overthroweth the nature of a Sacrament, and hath given occasion to many Superstitions.

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.

There are two Sacraments ordained of Christ our Lord in the Gospel, that is to say, Baptism, The Sacrament of the Lord's Supper was not by and the Supper of the Lord. Christ's Ordinance reserved, carried about, lifted

ART. XXIX. Of the Wicked, which eat not of the
Body of Christ in the Use of the Lord's Supper.

Those five commonly called Sacraments, that is ny, and Extreme Unction, are not to be counted for to say, Confirmation, Penance, Orders, Matrimo- up, or worshipped. Sacraments of the Gospel, being such as have grown, partly of the corrupt following of the Apostles, partly are states of life allowed by the Scrip- The wicked, and such as be void of a lively faith, tures; but yet have not like nature of Sacraments although they do carnally and visibly press with with Baptism and the Lord's Supper, for that they their teeth (as St. Augustine saith) the Sacrament have not any visible Sign or Ceremony ordained of the Body and Blood of Christ; yet in no wise are they partakers of Christ; but rather to their The Sacraments were not ordained of Christ to Condemnation do eat and drink the Sign or Sacrabe gazed upon, or to be carried about, but that we ment of so great a thing. should duly use them. And in such only as worthily receive the same, they have a wholesome effect or operation: but they that receive them unworthily, purchase to themselves damnation, as St.

of God.

Paul saith.

ART. XXX. 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. ART. XXXI. Of the one Oblation of Christ finish; ed 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; alone. Wherefore the Sacrifice of Masses, in which and there is none other satisfaction for sin, but that

ART. XXVI. Of the Unworthiness of the Ministers, which hinders not the Effect of the Sacraments. Although in the visible Church the evil be ever mingled with the good, and sometime the evil have chief authority in the ministration of the Word and Sacraments: yet, forasmuch as they do not the same in their own name, but in Christ's, and do minister by his Commission and Authority, we may use their Ministry, both in hearing the Word of God, and in receiving the Sacraments. Neither is it was commonly said, that the Priest did offer the effect of Christ's Ordinance taken away by their Christ for the quick and the dead, to have remission wickedness, nor the grace of God's gifts diminished of pain or guilt, were blasphemous fables, and danfrom such, as by faith, and rightly, do receive the gerous deceits. Sacraments ministered unto them, which be effectual, because of Christ's institution and promise, ART. XXXII. Of the Marriage of Priests. although they be ministered by evil men. Bishops, Priests, and Deacons, are not comNevertheless, it appertaineth to the Discipline of manded by God's Law, either to vow the estate of the Church, that inquiry be made of evil Ministers, single life, or to abstain from Marriage: therefore and that they be accused by those that have know-it is lawful for them, as for all other Christian men, ledge of their offences: and finally being found to marry at their own discretion, as they shall judge guilty, by just judgment, be deposed the same to serve better to godliness.

ART. XXXIII. Of excommunicate Persons, how they are to be avoided.

That which by open denunciation of the person Church is rightly cut off from the Unity of the Church, and excommunicated, ought to be taken of the whole multitude 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.

16. Of the Gifts of the Holy Ghost,
17. For the Rogation-days.
18. Of the State of Matrimony.
19. Of Repentance.
20. Against Idleness.
21. Against Rebellion.

[This Article is received in this Church, so far as it declares the Books of Homilies to be an explication of Christian doctrine, and instructive in pieART. XXXIV. Of the Traditions of the Church. ty and morals. But all references to the constitution and laws of England are considered as inapIt is not necessary that Traditions and Ceremonies be in all places one, or utterly like; for at all plicable to the circumstances of this Church, which times they have been divers, and may be changed milies in Churches until a revision of them may be also suspends the order for the reading of said Hoaccording to the diversity of countries, times, and men's manners, so that nothing be ordained against well from obsolete words and phrases, as from the conveniently made, for the clearing of them, as God's word. Whosoever, through his private judg local references.] ment, willingly and purposely doth openly break the Traditions and Ceremonies of the Church, which be not repugnant to the word of God, and be ordained and approved by common authority, ought to be rebuked openly (that other may fear The Book of Consecration of Bishops, and Orto do the like) as he that offendeth against the com-dering of Priests and Deacons, as set forth by the mon Order of the Church, and hurteth the Autho- General Convention of this Church in 1792, doth rity of the Magistrate, and woundeth the Con- contain all things necessary to such consecration sciences of the weak Brethren. and ordering; neither hath it any thing that, of it

ART. XXXVI. Of Consecration of Bishops and

Ministers.

Every Particular or National Church hath Au- self, is superstitious and ungodly: and, therefore, thority to ordain, change, and abolish Ceremonies whosoever are consecrated or ordered according or Rites of the Church, ordained only by man's to said form, we decree all such to be rightly, orauthority, so that all things be done to edifying.derly, and lawfully consecrated and ordered.

ART. XXXV. Of Homilies.

ART. XXXVII. Of the Power of the Civil Magistrates.

The second Book of Homilies, the several titles whereof we have joined, under this Article, doth The power of the Civil Magistrate extendeth to contain a godly and wholesome Doctrine, and ne- all men, as well Clergy as Laity, in all things temcessary for these Times, as doth the former Book poral; but hath no authority in things purely spiof Homilies, which were set forth in the time of Ed-ritual. And we hold it to be the duty of all men ward the Sixth; and therefore we judge them to who are professors of the Gospel, to pay respectful be read in Churches by the Ministers diligently and obedience to the civil authority, regularly and ledistinctly, that they may be understanded of the gitimately constituted. people.

Of the Names of the Homilies.

1. Of the right use of the Church.

2. Against Peril of Idolatry.

ART. XXXVIII. Of Christian Men's Goods, which are not common.

The Riches and Goods of Christians are not com

3. Of Repairing and keeping clean of Churches.mon, as touching the right, title, and possession of

4. Of good Works: first of Fasting.

5. Against Gluttony and Drunkenness. 6. Against Excess of Apparel.

7. Of Prayer.

8. Of the Place and Time of Prayer.

9. That Common Prayers and Sacraments
ought to be ministered in a known Tongue.
10. Of the reverent Estimation of God's Word.
11. Of Alms-Doing.

12. Of the Nativity of Christ.
13. Of the Passion of Christ.
14. Of the Resurrection of Christ.

15. Of the worthy receiving of the Sacrament
of the Body and Blood of Christ.

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.

ART. XXXIX. Of a Christian Man's Oath.

As we confess that vain and rash swearing is for bidden 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 Prophets teaching in Justice, Judgment, and Truth.

THE

Form and Manner of Making, Ordaining, and Consecrating

BISHOPS, PRIESTS, AND DEACONS,

According to the Order of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the United States of America, as established by the Bishops, the Clergy, and Laity of said Church, in General Convention, in the month of September, A. D. 1792.

THE PREFACE.

It is evident unto all men, diligently reading holy Scripture and ancient Authors, that from the Apostles' time there have been these Orders of Ministers in Christ's Church,-Bishops, Priests, and Deacons. Which Offices were evermore had in such reverend estimation, that no man might presume to execute any of them, except he were first called, tried, examined, and known to have such qualities as are requisite for the same; and also by public Prayer, with imposition of hands, were approved and admitted thereunto by lawful Authority. And therefore, to the intent that these Orders may be continued, and reverently used and esteemed in this Church, no man shall be accounted or taken to be a lawful Bishop, Priest, or Deacon, in this Church, or suffered to execute any of the said Functions, except he be called, tried, examined, and admitted thereunto, according to the Form hereafter following, or hath had Episcopal Consecration or Ordination.

And none shall be admitted a Deacon, Priest, or Bishop, except he be of the age which the Canon in that case provided may require.

And the Bishop knowing, either by himself, or by sufficient testimony, any Person to be a man of virtuous conversation, and without crime; and, after examination and trial, finding him sufficiently instructed in the holy Scripture, and otherwise learned as the Canons require, may, at the times appointed, or else, on urgent occasion, upon some other day, in the face of the Church, admit him a Deacon, in such Manner and Form as followeth.

The Form and Manner of Making Deacons.

When the day appointed by the Bishop is come, after Morning Prayer is ended, there shall be a Sermon, or Exhortation, declaring the Duty and Office of such as come to be admitted Deacons ; how necessary that Order is in the Church of Christ, and also how the People ought to esteem them in their Office.

¶ A Priest shall present unto the Bishop, sitting in

his Chair near to the holy Table, such as desire to be ordained Deacons, each of them being decently habited, saying these words:

EVEREND Father in God,

present unto

sons present, to be admitted Dea

cons.

¶ The Bishop.

AKE heed that the persons TAR whom ye present unto us, be apt and meet for their learning and godly conversation, to exercise their Ministry duly to the

Office, let him come forth in the name of God, and show what the crime or impediment is.

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And if any great Crime or Impediment be ob

Person, until such time as the Party accused shall be found clear of that Crime.

Then the Bishop (commending such as shall be found meet to be Ordered, to the Prayers of the Congregation) shall, with the Clergy and People present, say the Litany.

Then shall be said the Service for the Communion, with the Collect, Epistle, and Gospel, as

followeth.

The Collect.

honour of God, and the edifying ALMIGHTY God, who by

of his Church.

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T The Priest shall answer:

thy Divine Providence hast appointed divers orders of MinisHAVE inquired concerning ters in thy Church, and didst inthem, and also examined them, spire thine Apostles to choose inand think them so to be. to the Order of Deacons the first ¶ Then the Bishop shall say unto the People: Martyr Saint Stephen, with others; RETHREN, if there be any mercifully behold these thy serof you, who knoweth any im- vants now called to the like Ofpediment, or notable crime in any fice and Administration; so reof these persons presented to be plenish them with the truth of thy ordered Deacons, for the which Doctrine, and adorn them with he ought not to be admitted to that innocency of life, that both br

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word and good example they may increased, and the number of the faithfully serve thee in this Office, disciples multiplied in Jerusalem to the glory of thy name, and the greatly, and a great company of edification of thy Church, through the Priests were obedient to the the merits of our Saviour Jesus faith. Christ, who liveth and reigneth¶ with thee and the Holy Ghost, now and for ever. Amen.

Then shall the Bishop examine every one of those who are to be Ordered, in the presence of the People, after this manner following:

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you trust that you are inThe Epistle. 1 Tim. iii. 8. wardly moved by the Holy IKEWISE must the Deacons Ghost to take upon you this Ofbe grave, not double-tongued, fice and Ministration, to serve God not given to much wine, not gree-for the promoting of his glory, and dy of filthy lucre; holding the mys- the edifying of his people? tery of the faith in a pure conscience. And let these also first

use the

Answer. I trust so.

The Bishop.

O you think that you are truly

be proved; then let them found D called, according to the will

Office of a Deacon, being blameless. Even so must their of our Lord Jesus Christ, and acwives be grave, not slanderers, so-cording to the Canons of this ber, faithful in all things. Let the Church, to the Ministry of the same? Deacons be the husbands of one Answer. I think so. wife, ruling their Children and

The Bishop.

their own Houses well. For they the Canonical Scriptures of

that have used the Office of a Dea

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con well, purchase to themselves the Old and New Testament?
a good degree, and great boldness
in the faith which is in Christ Jesus.
Or else this, out of the sixth Chapter of the Acts

TH

of the Apostles.

Acts vi. 2.

Answer. I do believe them.
The Bishop.

WILL

WILL you diligently read the same unto the people assembled in the Church where you shall be appointed to serve? Answer. I will. The Bishop.

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THEN the Twelve called the multitude of the disciples unto them, and said, It is not reason that we should leave the Word of TT appertaineth to the Office of God, and serve tables. Where- a Deacon, in the Church where fore, brethren, look ye out among he shall be appointed to serve, to you seven men of honest report, assist the Priest in Divine service, full of the Holy Ghost and wis-and specially when he ministereth dom, whom we may appoint over the Holy Communion, and to help this business. But we will give him in the distribution thereof; ourselves continually to prayer, and to read holy Scriptures and and to the ministry of the Word. Homilies in the Church; and to inAnd the saying pleased the whole struct the Youth in the Catechism; multitude. And they chose Ste- in the absence of the Priest to bapphen, a man full of faith and of the tize Infants; and to preach, if he Holy Ghost, and Philip, and Pro-be admitted thereto by the Bishop. chorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, And furthermore, it is his Office, and Parmenas, and Nicolas a pro-where provision is so made, to selyte of Antioch: whom they set search for the sick, poor, and imbefore the Apostles; and when they potent people of the Parish, to inhad prayed, they laid their hands timate their estates, names, and on them. And the word of God places where they dwell, unto the

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