Jackson on Articles XXXVIII, XXXIX: Of Christian men's Goods, which are not common; Of a Christian man's Oath

Bernard C. Jackson, 1900

This page treats Articles XXXVIII, XXXIX together. Commentaries on Article XXXVIII: Rogers (1607)Ellis (1660)Burnet (1699)Beveridge (d. 1708)Welchman (1713)Practical Exposition (1716)Veneer (1725)Madan (1772)Hey (1796)Tomline (1799)Wilson (1821)Jones (1849)Trollope (1850)Browne (1850)Forbes (1867)Boultbee (1871)Maclear & Williams (1895)Green (1896)Gibson (1896)Jackson (1900)Bicknell (1919) · Article 38: text, context and Study

Article XXXVIII. Of Christian men's Goods, which are not common
The Riches and Goods of Christians are not common, as touching the right, title, and possession of 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.
Text: Book of Common Prayer (1662)

Article XXXIX. Of a Christian man's Oath
As we confess that vain and rash Swearing is forbidden 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 Prophet's teaching, in justice, judgement, and truth.
Text: Book of Common Prayer (1662)

Cleaned OCR; [...] marks passages cut for illegibility. See the scan. Text: The Thirty-nine Articles: a short exposition, by Bernard C. Jackson (London: Church Book Room, 1900). Short notes on each Article. Cleaned OCR from the Internet Archive scan; passages too garbled to recover are marked [...]. Public domain.

ee ae me This Article denies the Communism which was advocated by some Anabaptists, and enjoins t ‘Christian duty of Almsgiving. The two passag in Acts (ii., 44, and iv., 32), where it is said thi believers ‘‘ had all things common ?” cannot be urged as an argument for communism. It is |

quite clear from the context that what is referred ol

‘to is not ‘‘ the right, title and possession”? of the things, but only their use; and that even this — was quite voluntary, and propably due to the

Article XXXIX. Or A Curistian Man’s ee As we confess that vain and rash Swearing is forb Christian men by our Lord Jesus Christ, and Jam Apostle, so we judge, that Christian Religion doth no hibit, but that a man may swear when the Magistr: -quireth, 2 5 hae “9 pe he charles i oe d- ing to the rophet’s teaching, in ustice, ju a trath. : . juice ae This Article distinguishes between the u oaths in conversation—‘‘ vain and rash § ing ’’—and the formal taking of an oath court of law. The former is forbidden in Scripture (St. Matt. v., 33-37, and James v. The latter is legitimate and has the highest Serip- — tural authority (St. Matt. xxvi., 62-64, and 2 Cor. — j., 23). But it must be “‘ according to the P phet’s teaching in justice, judgement and trut (Jer. iv., 2).

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