The Thirty-Nine Articles · Earlier and related versions
Six Articles (1539)
Statute of the reaction under Henry VIII, re-affirming transubstantiation, clerical celibacy, private masses and auricular confession on pain of heavy penalties. Only the six resolutions are given here; titles are editorial.
Source: Act of Six Articles, 31 Henry VIII c. 14, in Henry Gee and W. J. Hardy, Documents Illustrative of English Church History (London, 1896), pp. 303–319; transcription by Project Canterbury. Public domain.
Preamble
First, whether in the most.blessed Sacrament of the altar remaineth, after the consecration, the substance of bread and wine, or no.
Secondly, whether it be necessary by God's law that all men should be communicate with both kinds, or no.
Thirdly, whether priests, that is to say, men dedicate to God by priesthood, may, by the law of God, marry after, or no.
Fourthly, whether vow of chastity or widowhood, made to God advisedly by man or woman, be, by the law of God, to be observed, or no.
Fifthly, whether private masses stand with the law of God, and be to be used and continued in the Church and congregation of England, as things whereby good Christian people may and do receive both godly consolation and wholesome benefits, or no.
Sixthly, whether auricular confession is necessary to be retained, continued, used, and frequented in the Church, or no.
I. Of the Sacrament of the altar
First, that in the most blessed Sacrament of the altar, by the strength and efficacy of Christ's mighty word (it being spoken by the priest), is present really, under the form of bread and wine, the natural body and blood of our Saviour Jesus Christ, conceived of the Virgin Mary; and that after the consecration there remaineth no substance of bread or wine, nor any other substance, but the substance of Christ, God and man.
Compare: Article XXVIII
II. Of communion in both kinds
Secondly, that communion in both kinds is not necessary ad salutem, by the law of God, to all persons; and that it is to be believed, and not doubted of, but that in the flesh, under the form of bread, is the very blood; and with the blood, under the form of wine, is the very flesh; as well apart, as though they were both together.
Compare: Article XXX
III. Of the marriage of priests
Thirdly, that priests after the order of priesthood received, as afore, may not marry, by the law of God.
Compare: Article XXXII
IV. Of vows of chastity
Fourthly, that vows of chastity or widowhood, by man or woman made to God advisedly, ought to be observed by the law of God; and that it exempts them from other liberties of Christian people, which without that they might enjoy.
Compare: Article XXXII
V. Of private masses
Fifthly, that it is meet and necessary that private masses be continued and admitted in this the king's English Church and congregation, as whereby good Christian people, ordering themselves accordingly, do receive both godly and goodly consolations and benefits; and it is agreeable also to God's law.
Compare: Article XXXI
VI. Of auricular confession
Sixthly, that auricular confession is expedient and necessary to be retained and continued, used and frequented in the Church of God.
Compare: Article XXV