Jackson on Article XXXVII: Of the Civil Magistrates

The first section of this Article defines and limits the authority of the Sovereign in matters ecclesiastical. It is to rule and, where need be, to punish, but not to minister God’s Word and Sacraments. The second section repudiates the jurisdiction of the Bishop of Rome in this realm of England. The Papal claims in England have been for temporal suzerainty and spiritual au- thority. The latter has been the most tenacious. It is based on the promise of St. Peter (Matt. xvi., 18) and on the assumption that he became the Bishop of Rome, and transmitted his authority to all his successors in that office. But, in the first place, our Lord’s promise was made to St. Peter ‘ as confessing his faith and also as confessing

it on behalf of the twelve.’’* It was no ques- tion of an authority given to St. Peter… . still less of an authority which should be transmitted by St. Peter to others.’’} While most of the Fathers interpret the text of St. Peter’s faith, none of them interpret it of Peter considered as the head and representative of a string of ‘‘ suc- cessors.”® It was the firm rock-like character, revealed by St. Peter’s confession, which our Lord commended; on men of that character He could rely as the very foundation of His Church; and to them He could entrust the stewardship of the Kingdom of Heaven. Then, in the second place, there is no proof that St. Peter became Bishop of Rome ; and, in the third place, whatever _ authority the Roman Church undoubtedly gained ’ in the early centuries was due to the prestige of Rome itself as the then capital of the world and can therefore no longer be claimed since the break up of the Empire.

The third section declares that capital punish- ment is lawful in a Christian state (cf. Gen. ix., 6), and the fourth section that it is lawful for Christian men to serve in the wars. The English translation of the Article omits the word ‘‘ just,’’ which is in the Latin.

ARTICLE XXXVIII. Or CuristiAN Men’s Goops, WHICH ARE NoT Common,