Anonymous on Article XIX: Of the Church

covenant to pay him all Duty and Allegiance, as their Sovereign Lord, and engage to be governed and judg’d by his Gospel. This Admwission, Covenant, and Profession is sufficient to constitute a Mem- ber of the Visible Church, which is Militant here upon Earth; and that particular Congregation, that is made up of Evangelical Go-

ver-

54 Thirty Nine ARTICLES.

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vernors and Pastors, and professing Christians, is a Particular Visible Church or Congregation; and all the Particular Congregations, that are scattered through the whole World, in different Nations and Kingdoms, consider d as one Body, with their several Governors, Pastors, and People, make up that one Visible Catholick Church, which began at Jerusalem, and is now scattered through all the World; which we acknowledge in our Creed, and whereof Christ is the Head, which is his Body; and for this Reason it is as imper- tinent for any single Church, National, Provincial, or Congregatio- nal, to call it self the Catholick Church, as it would be for us in this Place to call our selves all England, or for the Hand or Foot to call it {elf the whole Body: For Particular Churches, whether National, Provincial, or Congregational , are but particular Parts and Limbs of this Catholick Church. As the Church at Corinth was but one Part, at Colossus was but another Part, at Jerusalem

Article XIX. Va

another Part; and fo the rest, whereever situated or dispersed, were

but Parts of Christ’s Body. And ‘tis full as reasonable for Ferusa- lem to pretend, that it contains all the Cities of the World ; or for Corinth to boast, that it is the only Habitation for Men; as for Rome to challenge the Name of. Catholick, or to glory in being the Uni- versal Church. The Church of England is one Part of this Visible Catholick Church; the Church of Ireland is another; and fo all the World over, the Churches of several Nations and Dominions are but several Parts of this Catholick Church. And let Rome boast as much as she pleases, that Church is but a Part, and perhaps a ver small one too , in Comparison of the vast Multitudes of faithful Men, that profess their Belief in the Lord Jesus : Nay, it is an un- sound Part at present, whatever it was formerly, and cannot be safe- ly trusted with the Souls of Men. When therefore we read of = Church of Christ in Cities or Families, we are to look upon them as particular and distinct Parts of the Visible Congregation of Christ, vr Members of his Body : And it would be as improper for any distinct Part to challenge the Privilege of being the whole Bo- dy, or Church of Christ, as for the Eye, or the Ear, or the Hand, to monopolize to it self the whole Body; whereas the Christians over all the World, in different Climates and Nations, are but this one Visible Congregation , or Church of Christ. For as the Bo- dy is one, and hath many Members, and all the Members of that one Body, being many are one Body , so also is Christ : For by one Spirit we are all baptiæ’d into one Body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free, and have been all made to drink into one Spirit, and one Church. 5

1 Cor. 12. 12, 13.

II. In this Congregation the pure Word of God is preached, and the Sacraments be duly administer’d according to Christ’s Ordi-

Dane, in all those Things, that of Necessity are requisite to the ame. | |

1. The pure Word of God is to be preached or declar’d to Chri- stians: And that this may be done, it is necessary, that there be lau- ful Pastors in it, commissioned to preach ; That the Word be par,

| suffi-

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An EXPOSITION of the

Article XIX. > nd

in the Promotion of new Teachers. And admitting this, there

sufficient, without Traditions to build it up; and that when such

Pastors preach the pure Word, it constitutes the best Visible Church in the World.

First, This supposes it necessary, that there be lawful Pastors,

commission’d from above, to preach this Word: For © how shall .

« they preach, except they be sent” > Or with what Face can they take upon them the Ministry, unless they receive Power from above? *Tis not the Pretence that they are Gifted will serve their Turn ; for then every conceited Bigot may set up to be a Teacher ;

and a good Memory and quick Invention must be infallible Creden- tials of the Ministry : Nor may the People offer to Commission any

to instru& them; for then every humoursome Club of conceited

Zealots may heap up Teachers of their own, having itching Ears,

and they may vainly divide, and subdivide, as the Fit takes them,

could be no Unity in the World, for in a little Time there might

Eph. 4. 11,12.

Church ought to be compos d of, who sincerely design to please

be as many different Religions, or Ways of Worship, as there may be Congregations. But these Pastors must be sent by God, called to

the Ministry by his Son, or set a-part by the Apostles and their Successors, for that solemn Work, that they may be able to divide the Word of Truth aright, to give to every one their Spiritual Food

in due Season, and to build up the _ - Christ. R And as he y him, the Bishops, and

was sent by the Father, and the Apostles Presbyters, and Deacons, by the Apostles ; I cannot see how an

other can challenge any Authority to preach the pure Word of God, or how such Congregations can be undoubted Members of Christ’s

Body, that have not those Teachers, which originally receiv’d or deriv’d their ministerial Powers from Christ or his Apostles. I am sure what St. Paul says is true, and that those who are sent in the same Manner, are the true Ministers of the Gospel in the Church

of Christ. And he gave some Apostles, and some Prophets, and some

Evanegelists, and some Pastors and Teachers, for the perfecti

ng 0 the Saints, for the Work of the Ministry, fer the edifying of the 55% of Christ.

Secondly, The pure Word of God, without Traditions, is to build

up this Church; and let but that be taught as it ought, and ob- tain in the Estimation of Men; and all the Inventions of Super- stition, which are recommended by the venerable Name of Tra-

ditions, will fink in their Credit, and in a little Time become use- less. For to what Purpose should honest faithful Men, such as the

God in Christ, seek for any other Instruction, when they have the pure Word of God before them, and faithful Pastors that explain it to them ? Can they have any clearer Guide than the pure Word of God ? Or can any human Invention stand in Competition with it?

How can any upright Man desire any surer Guide, or better Rule?

They may know very well, that what 1s reveal’d, is true, and must be necessary: But they can never be certain, that the Principles which are not contain’d in the Word, nor can be prov’d by an

plain Consequence from it, can be the Will and Pleasure o God, though

I

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A Thirty Nins AR TIc LES.

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though urgedas necessary to be believ d and practis d, and urg’d as the Vice uf the Church, and recommended by a pretended infallible Guide. Whilst we kerp tothe pure and unmix d Word of God, explain’d ta us by his Mmistry, we cannot mistake; but if we recede from it; and give heed to Fables, we cannot tell whither we go: It is ne-

Article XIX. A

8 that in the Church of Christ, the pure Word of God

be preach’d, that Men may be guided into the plain and direct Way to Heaven : Whether Men or Children, they are then directed with Safety. From 4 Child thou hast known the holy Seriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto Salvation, _ «» Thirdly, Ihe pure Word of God thus preach’d by faithful Pa- stors, makes the best Visible Church of Christ upon Earth ; or the

2 Tim, 3-15:

more any Member of the Catholick Church is fo guided and in-

structed, the better Particular Church it must needs be. For no Rule can be safer or more edifying than the pure Word of God, and

vo Pastors can be better trusted, than those that succeed the Apostles,

and explain the Word as the Primitive Christians did. For this Reason, those Particular Churches, that do not admit the pure Word of Gad for their Rule, nor allow the Successors of the Apo- stles to be their Pastors, are so far started aside from the Pri- mitive Simplicity, and degenerated from the Truth. And whate- ver Church closes and seals up the pure Word of God, and will not

permit it to be read by the People, and obtrudes Traditions in the

Room of it, that Church corrupts it self ; and though it may retain

4 Name to live, and value it self for the swelling Titles of Catho-

lick and Infallible, it is so far gone off from the Principles of the Catholick Church: And whatever Particular Congregation refuses

to be taught and govern’d by the Successors of the Apostles, though

it pretends to submit to the pure Word of God, deceives it self, beaps up Teachers. without: Authority, and disobeys the Commission which was entrusted to the Pastors of the Catholick Church: And therefare to make up the Visible Church of Christ, the pure Word of God is to be preach’d by those that are sent, and authoriz’d by Christ. How fbatt they preach, except they be sent 2 Have they not heard? Yes, werily their found went into all the Earth, and their

Wirds unto the ends of the World. :

2. The Sacraments also are to be administer’d according to Christ’s Ordinance in all Things, that of Neceslity are requisite to the same. Thus Baptism is to be administer’d with Water, without Spittle, and the fulsome Ceremonies of Rome, in the Name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost. The Sacrament of the Body and Blood of Christ is to be administer’d with Bread and Wine, which *© the Lord hath commanded to be received“: And the Laity is to partake of the Cup as well as others; because it is written, Drink ye alt of this. For thus much is ng and requisite

for the due Administration of these Sacraments, according to Christ’s

Ordmance. What then shall be said to those, who deny the Use of the Sacraments, as necessary to a Christian Church, and call them carnal Ordinances ? Or by what Means do they become Members of Christ’s Visible Flock, who separate, and allow a Covenant to oy

. rae

Rom. 10. 14, the first Part.

128 An EXPOSITION of the

Article the Bond of Unity, and not the Sacrament of Baptism 2 However XIX. they may stand or fall before our Common Master, we are sure that s the Sacraments are to be duly administer’d in Christ’s Visible | Church, so they are administer’d in our Church according to Christ’s Ordinance, in all those Things that are requisite and necessary to

the same, by proper Pastors in an Apostolical Manner, for the Uni-

on and Edification of the Flock of Christ. I speak as to wise men,

: OY 5 15. Judge ye what I say; the Cup of Blessmg which we bless, is it not the Communion of the Blood of Christ e the Bread which we break, is

it not the Communion of the Body of Christ * For we being many ars

one Bread, and one Body ;, for we are all Partakers of that one

Bread. Me fo hn 5 FL

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III. As the Churches of J7erusalem, Alexandria, and Antioch, have erred, so also the Church of Rome hath erred, not only in their Living, and Manner of Ceremonies, but also in Matters of Faith.

1. The Churches of Ferusalem, Alexandria, and Antioch have

crred, in denying the Divinity of our Saviour, and admitting other Errors; and yet if their being founded by Apostles, and built up in the Faith, could have fecur’d them from Error, they might have vy’d with Rome it self, and pretended to as much Infallibility, and more also. For Ferusalem was founded by our Saviour, and if that had been a Privilege for Infallibility, she might have challeng’d it from Christ. Antioch was really founded by St. Peter ; he liv’d there for {ome Years; and the Followers of Jesus were first called Christians there: And if his pretended Residence at Rome gives the Pope a Right to Infallibility, the Patriarch of Antioch hath the pri- or Right, and the better Claim. But notwithstanding these Advan- tages, these Churches have erred ; for particular Churches hold their Integrity, upon their Obedience; and if they fail in Duty, God may permit them to err from the Truth ; and ‘tis only the Catho- lick Church which shall never fail. For by Virtue of the Divine Promise, somewhere or other the Gospel shall obtain, and the Truth shall be receiv’d, till the Coming of Christ ; and no Policy or Force of Men or Hell shall prevail against it: For it is built upon the Truth of the Gospel, which Peter acknowledg’d, when he said to our Lord, Thou art Christ, the Son of the Living God. And this is that Rock which is the Foundation, and which shall remain un- shaken to the End of the World. And I say also unto thee, Thou art Peter, and upon this Rock I will build my Church, and the Gates * of 8 never prevail against it. e 1 2. The Church of Rome hath erred also, not only in their Li- ving, for in all Churches there are too many, that walk not accord- ing to the Gospel ; or in their Ceremonies ; for they command such a Multitude, which are neither proper nor decent, which cloy the Service of God, and are made a Burthen to the People; but also in Matters of Faith, or in their Principles concerning the Faith of Christ, either as a Church, or as the Popes are reputed the Heads of their Church. As a Church, Rome hath erred in Faith, by decreeing at Trent a new Creed: Tradition by them is equall’d to * 5 nvo-

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Thirty Nine AR TI 8 L E &

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Invocation of Saints is enjoin’d, as well as calling upon God; Wor- shipping of Images is establish’d for divine Worship ; Transubstantia- tion,or the turning the Bread and Wine into the very Body and Blood of Christ, is asserted in the Sacrament ; Communion in one Kind is commanded for the Laity ; the Propitiatory Sacrifice of the Mass is made a current Doctrine; Veneration of Relicks, Indulgences, and Purgatory, with many other Fancies, are Proof sufficient, that Rome hath err’d as a Church in Matters of Faith. And if it be objected that these are only the Sentiments of Doctors and Councils, 1 reply, that the Pope their Head warrants these as Articles of Faith, which must be {worn to by those that are entrusted with the Care of Souls. But there is no Credit in alledging the Authority of Popes,

for many of them have err’d in a shameful Manner: For Marcelli-

nus burn’d Incense to Idols, in the Time of Diocletian : Liberius sub-

scrib’d to the Arian Heresy: And Czlefline decreed contrary to St. Paul, that Marriage is dissolv’d, when either Party falls into

must

Article XIX. 99 —WAsrö

Heresy. So that take the Church of Rome in any Sense, either in

Pope or Council, sne hath erred from the Faith, and must be esteem’d

as fallen from Christ, and not fit to be trusted with our Souls. So that what St. Paul said once of her, cannot now be applied to her

with so much Truth j To all that be in Rome, Beloved of God, and cal-

led to be Saints, Grace to you, and Peace from God our Father, and

the Lord Fesus Christ. „„ WES. By this time ye may see how necessary it is for you, to stand up

for the Honour and Safety of our Church ; How proper to vindi-

cate her from favouring Rome; And how much it will be our Glo- ry to be Faithful, as she teaches us to be. Fs

1. By this time ye may see how necessary it is for you to stand

up for the Honour and Safety of our Church, which is by Profession a Congregation of Faithful People, enjoying the pure Word of God, and the Sacraments in a pure Manner. For who among us, owning this Apostolical Church, and taught by the Ministry of Jesus, can refuse to speak in her Behalf, and to vindicate her from Contempt? We see how zealous others can be, who differ from the Truth, and

how earnestly they contend for their own Inventions ; and shall we

be lukewarm in the Defence of our Excellent Church? Shall we be silent when Truth is concern’d ; or slothful, when our Industr

may contribute to our Safety? Or shall we own our Church here, and deny it elsewhere ; Shall we hold Communion with it, and give Sentence against it? Or can we be so blind, as not to see and promote her Interest, or so unfaithful, as to join with her Enemies against her 2 ls it possible that those who oppose her, should under- {tand her Safety best 2 That such as have sought to undermine her, can instru& you in that which 1s for her Good ; or that her very

Enemies can tell better than her Friends, better than her Governors, and better than her Ministers , what will tend to her Advantage 2

Are we grown so soft, so unwise, so inconsiderate, that we cannot mind our own Good, our particular Interest, or our common Safe- ty ? And can the Meanest of the People, nay, our profess’d Ene- mies, inform us much better, what we are to do? Shall I say, that

I am

Rom, 1. 7,

” 2 n 9 “I 4

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in EXPOSITION of the

Artie XIX. TN

Psal. 41. 9+

1 Tim. 3. 15.

Lam asham’d, that any in our Communion thould be so deceiv d and misled ? That any that are Members of the best Church in the World, should not be sensible of the Honour of it? Or that they should fo far forget themselves, as to act against her in Conjun&ion with her Enemies? She may then say with the Psalmist; Tea mine own fa- miliar Friend, in whom I trusted, which did eat of my Bread, bath lift up bis heel against mm. 1 2. We may now vindicate her from favouring Rome, when fhe plainly declares, That that Church hath err’d in Matters of Faith. or how can we be Friends to Popery, when we solemnly declare that it is dangerous? Or how can we be accessory in bringing of it in again, when we show you the Errors, and warn you against the Superstition of it? Are we fit to be believed? Or is our Church of any Authority with you? How can it be then imagin’d, much less publish’d, even by some amongst us, that we are hasting to Rome 2 What will not some Men invent and suggest ; and what will not some believe and report? If Slander may be allow’d to travel thus at Noon-Day, and Calumny blacken the best of Churches; we must be the freer with you, and tell you plainly, whether you will believe or not, that as this Article is against Rome, so is our Church, and fo we shall be to our last Breath. And this I speak, that thou mayest know how to behave thy self in the House of God, which is the Church of the Living God, the Pillar and Ground (or Stay) of Truth. 3. It will be our Praise and Glory to be Faithful, as our Church teaches us: That we may shew that we are faithful to Christ and

her, to the Word, and therein to her Interest, to our Governors

ats 20. 29.

among you, not sparing the Flock.

and Pastors, and to our Souls; that we may not profess one Thing here, and the contrary elsewhere ; or pretend to be her Friends, and act as her Enemies; or which is the fame Thing, count our selves wiser than our Church, and join with her Enemies to fave her. For

I know this, that after my departure shall grievous Wolves enter in

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z Thirty Nine AR TIC LES. 131