Book fet forth in the Time of King Edward the Sixth, mentioned in the faid Six and thirtieth Article; any thing in the faid Article, or in any Statute, A&t, or Canon beretofore had or made to the contrary thereof, in any wife notwithstanding.

This being premifed, the Thirty Sixth Article contains Three Propofitions.

1. The Book of Confecration of Arch-bishops and Bishops, and ordering of Priests and Deacons, lately fet forth in the Time of Edward the Sixth, and confirmed at the same time by Authority of Parliament (and afterwards altered in the Fourteenth Year of King Charles the Second) doth contain all things neceffary to fuch Confecrating and Ordering.

2. The Book of Confecration of Arch-bishops and Bifhops, and ordering of Priefts and Deacons, lately fet forth in the Time of Edward the Sixth, and confirmed at the fame time by Authority of Parliament (and afterwards altered in the Fourteenth Year of King Charles the Second) hath not any thing that of it felf is fuperftitious and ungodly.

3. Whofoever are confecrated or ordered according to the Rites of that Book, fince the Second Year of the aforenam'd King Edward, unto this Time, or hereafter fhall be confecrated or ordered according to the fame Rites, we decree all fuch to be rightly, orderly, and lawfully confecrated and ordered.

The First and Second Propofitions fuppofe, according to the Doctrin of the Twenty third Article, that the Perfons who confecrate or ordain, have Authority so to do. The only Queftion therefore

is

is concerning the Form prescribed in that Book for fuch Confecration or Ordination. And the Church affirms that that Book doth contain all things neceffary to the fame. This being obferv'd, the Truth of both Propofitions will appear at first fight to fuch as peruse the Book.

The Third Propofition is the neceffary Confequence of the First and Second. But fee the Fourth Chapter of the Third Part of the Confutation of Popery.

Here it will be proper to give some account of a Difficulty arifing from the Interpretation of the Subscription to this Article, which was before recited from the Fourteenth of King Charles the Second. Since by that Act our Subfcription to this Article must be understood of the Book of Confecration, &c. as it was then altered: therefore the Third Propofition, when expreffed at full length, muft run thus,

"Whofoever is Confecrated or Ordered accor"ding to the Rites of that Book, which was fet "forth and confirmed by Parliament in King Ed"ward the Sixth's Days, and was afterwards al"tered and confirmed again in the Fourteenth of "King Charles the Second; I fay, whofoever has "been Confecrated or Ordered by that Book fince "the Second Year of King Edward unto this time, " or hereafter fhall be confecrated or ordered ac"cording to the fame Rites, we decree all fuch to "be rightly, orderly, and lawfully confecrated "and ordered.

But is it not then ftrange, that our Church fhould now be supposed to speak of Perfons Confecrated or Ordered fince the Second of King Edward, according to the Rites of the Book as it ftood altered in the Reign of King Charles the Second? And

wou'd

wou'd our' Lawgivers impofe on us a Subscription to the Propofition above rehearfed? I conceive therefore. that our Subfcription does at prefent oblige us to acknowledge the Validity of thofe Ordinations only, which have been and fhall be made according to that Book fince the above-mentioned Alteration of it. But then, because the Validity of our Succeffion depends upon the Validity of the prior Ordinations; therefore we ought to fatisfy our felves concerning them, tho' our Church does not bind us to an explicit Confirmation of them. And whoever will compare the Forms of Confecration and Ordination confirm'd in King Edward's Time, with the Book as 'twas altered in the Fourteenth of King Charles the Second, will be foon convinced, that this Propofition has no real Difficulty in it, either as it was understood formerly, or as 'tis now to be understood by reafon of the Parliamentary Interpretation.

I will add (to prevent fome Scruples which may poffibly arife) Dr. Burges's Interpretation of the Subfcription to this Article, which is in the Paper before mentioned; and is therefore warranted by unexceptionable Authority. His Words are thefe:

IX. Of the Book of Ordination of Bishops, Priests and Deacons.

I conceive that Subfcription to this Book does not intend an Approbation of every Phrafe, or Application of every Place of Scripture therein alledged, as fitly applied: but only that the Calling of Bishops to govern the Church, and the Ordination of Inferior Minifters by them to the Ufes there affigned, are not contrary to the Word of God, and fo I fubfcribe to that Book.

The

The THIRTY SEVENTH ARTICLE.

THE

Of the Civil Magiftrates.

HE Queen's Majesty bath the chief Power in this realm of England, and other her Dominions, unto whom the chief government of all eftates of this realm, whether they be Ecclefiaftical or Civil, in all Caufes doth appertain, and is not, nor ought to be fubject to any foreign jurifdiction.

Where we attribute to the Queen's Majesty the chief government, by which titles we understand the minds of fome flanderous folks to be offended: we give not to our Princes the miniftring either of God's word, or of the facraments, the which thing the injunctions also lately fet forth by Elizabeth our Queen do most plainly testify but that only prerogative which we fee to have been given always to all godly Princes in holy fcriptures by God himself; that is, that they should rule all eftates and degrees committed to their charge by God, whether they be Ecclefiaftical or Temporal, and reftrain with the Civil fword the ftubborn and evil doers.

The Bishop of Rome hath no jurifdiction in this realm of England.

The laws of the realm may punish Chriftian men with death for beinous and grievous offences.

It is lawful for Chriftian men, at the commandment of the Magiftrate, to wear weapons, and ferve in the Wars.

This Article contains Six Propofitions. 1. The Queen's Majefty has the chief Power in this Realm of England, and other her Dominions, unto whom the chief Government of all Eftates of this Realm, whether they be Ecclefiaftical

M

fiaftical or Civil, in all Caufes, doth apper-
tain.

2. The Queen's Majefty is not, nor ought to
be fubject to any Forein Jurifdiction.
3. Where we attribute to the Queen's Majefty
the chief Government, by which Titles we
understand the Minds of fome flanderous Folks
to be offended; we give not to our Princes
the Ministring either of God's Word, or of the
Sacraments, the which thing the Injunctions
also set forth by Elizabeth our Queen do moft
plainly teftify but that only Prerogative,
which we fee to have been given always to all
godly Princes in the Holy Scriptures by God
himself, that is, that they should rule all Estates
and Degrees, committed to their Charge by
God, whether they be Ecclefiaftical or Tem-
poral, and restrain with the Civil Sword the
ftubborn and evil Doers.

4. The Bishop of Rome has no Jurisdiction in this
Realm of England.

5. The Laws of the Realm may punish Chriftian Men with Death for heinous and grievous Offences.

6. It is lawful for Chriftian Men, at the Commandment of the Magiftrate, to wear Wespons, and ferve in the Wars.

The First Propofition. See the Difcourfe of the Independency of the Church on the State, Chap.

The Second Propofition. There is no Plea for any Forein Jurifdiction, but what is made in favor of the Pope's ufurp'd Authority; of which fee the Fourth Propofition.

The