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Whereas we attribute to the King's Majesty the chief government, by which titles we understand the minds of some slanderous folks to be offended; we give not our princes the ministering either of God's word, or of the sacraments; the which thing the Injunctions also lately set forth by Elizabeth our Queen do most plainly testify: but that only prerogative, which we see to have been given always to all godly princes in holy Scriptures by God himself; that is, that they should rule all states and degrees committed to their charge by God, whether they be ecclesiastical or temporal, and restrain with the civil sword the stubborn and evil-doers.

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

sentence to determinations of councils; and do all these things, not by any other man's commission, but in their own name, and that both uprightly and godly shall we say, it pertaineth not to such men to have to do with religion? Jewell. See Article XXI.

• For certainly her Majesty neither hath nor ever will challenge any authority, than that was challenged and lately used by the said noble kings of famous memory, K. Henry the VIII. and K. Edward the VI. which is and was of ancient time due to the imperial crown of this realm, that is, under God, to have the sovereignty, and over all manner of persons born within these her realms, dominions, and countries, of what estate, either ecclesiastical or temporal, soever they be, so as no other foreign power shall or ought to have any superiority over them. Injunctions by Queen Elizabeth, 1559. Sparrow's Coll.

And here let us take heed, that we understand not these or such other like places, which so straitly command obedience to

The king of Nineveh appoints a fast, which God approves. Jon. iii. 7-10. Josiah's care of the house of God. 2 Kings xxii. 3. He reads the law to the people, and takes an oath of the people to keep it, and reforms abuses in religion. xxiii. 2, 3.

d Ye know that the princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion over them, and they that are great exercise authority upon them. But it shall not be so among you. Matt. xx. 25, 26. Neither as being lords over God's heritage. 1 Pet. v. 3.

• The Laws of the realm may punish Christian men with death, for heinous and grievous offences.

superiors, and so straitly punished rebellion and disobedience to the same, to be meant in any condition of the pretenced or coloured power of the Bishop of Rome. For truly the Scripture of God alloweth no such usurped power, full of enormities, abusions, and blasphemies: but the true meaning of these and such places be to extol and set forth God's true ordinance, and the authority of God's anointed kings, and of their officers appointed under them. And concerning the usurped power of the bishop of Rome, which he most wrongfully challengeth as the successor of Christ and Peter, we may easily perceive how false, feigned, and forged it is not only in that it hath no sufficient ground in holy Scripture, but also by the fruits and doctrine thereof. For our Saviour Christ and St. Peter teach most earnestly and agreeably obedience to kings, as to the chief and supreme rulers in this world, next under God: but the bishop of Rome teacheth, that they that are under him are free from all burdens and charges of the commonwealth, and obedience to their princes, most clearly against Christ's doctrine and St. Peter's. Hom. x. 2.

We say that there neither is nor can be any one man which may have the whole superiority in this universal state (of the Church) for that Christ is ever present to assist his Church, and needeth not any man to supply his room, as his only heir to all his substance: and that there can be no one mortal creature which is able to comprehend or conceive in his mind the universal Church, that is, to wit, all the parts of the world, much less able rightly and duly to put them in order, and to govern them. Jewell.

* And such evil persons that be so great offenders to God and the commonweal, charity requireth to be cut from the body of the commonweal, lest they corrupt other good and honest persons; like as a good surgeon cutteth away a rotten and festered member, for love he hath to the whole body, lest it infect other members adjoining unto it. Hom. vi. 2.

He beareth not the sword in vain; for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil. Rom. xiii. 4. Whosoever will not do the law of thy God, and the law of the king, let judgment be executed speedily upon him, whether it be unto death, or to banishment, or to confiscation

of goods, or to imprisonment. Ezra vii. 26. A wise king scattereth the wicked, and bringeth the wheel over them. Prov. xx. 26. Whoso sheddeth man's blood, by man shall his blood be shed. Gen. ix. 6. They that take the sword shall perish with the sword, Mätt. xxvi. 52.

f It is lawful for Christian men, at the commandment of the magistrate, to wear weapons, and serve in the wars.

"Let

f And the places of Scripture which seem to remove from among all Christian men judgment, punishment, or killing, ought to be understood, that no man of his own private authority may be judge over others, may punish, or may kill. But we must refer all judgment to God, to kings and rulers, and judges under them, which be God's officers to execute justice; and by plain words of Scripture have their authority and use of the sword granted from God; as we are taught by St. Paul, that dear and chosen apostle of our Saviour Christ, whom we ought diligently to obey, even as we would obey our Saviour Christ, if he were present. Thus St. Paul writeth to the Romans; every soul submit himself unto the authority of the higher powers, for there is no power but of God. The powers that be, be ordained of God. Whosoever therefore withstandeth the power, withstandeth the ordinance of God: but they that resist, or are against it, shall receive to themselves damnation. For rulers are not fearful to them that do good, but to them that do evil. Wilt thou be without fear of the power? Do well then, and so shalt thou be praised of the same; for he is the minister of God for thy wealth. But and if thou do that which is evil, then fear; for he beareth not the sword for nought, for he is the minister of God, to take vengeance on him that doth evil. Wherefore ye must needs obey, not only for fear of vengeance, but also because of conscience; and even for this cause pay ye tribute, for they are God's ministers, serving for the same purpose." Rom. xiii. 1—6. Hom. x. 1.

There was a certain man in -Cesarea, called Cornelius, a centurion of the band called the Italian band, a devout man, and one that feared God with all his house, Acts x. 1, 2. And the soldiers

likewise demanded of him, saying, And what shall we do? and he said unto them, Do violence to no man, neither accuse any falsely; and be content with your wages. Luke iii. 14.

XXXVIII. Of Christian men's Goods, which are

not common.

a

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

b While we have time let us do good unto all men, and specially unto them that are of the household of faith. Gal. vi. 10. Godliness is great riches, if a man be content with that he hath : for we brought nothing into the world, neither may we carry any thing out. 1 Tim. vi. 6, 7. Charge them who are rich in this world, that they be ready to give, and glad to distribute; laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may attain eternal life. Ver. 17, 18, 19. God is not unrighteous, that he will forget your works, and labour that proceedeth of love; which love ye have shewed for his name's sake, who have ministered unto the saints, and yet do minister. Heb. vi. 10. To do good, and to distribute, forget not; for with such sacrifices God is well pleased. Heb. xiii. 16. Whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his compassion from him, how dwelleth the love

a All that believed were together, and had all things common; and sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need. Acts ii. 44, 45. The multitude of them that believed were of one heart, and of one soul: neither said any of them, that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common. Neither was there any among them that lacked: for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold, and laid them down at the Apostles' feet; and distribution was made unto every man according as he had need. Acts iv. 32, 34, 35. Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land? Whiles it remained was it not thine own? and after it was

sold, was it not in thine own power? Acts v. 3, 4.

b He that honoureth his Maker, hath mercy on the poor. Prov. xiv. Give alms of such things as ye have. Luke xi. 41. Upon the first day of the week, let every one of you lay by him in store as God hath prospered him. 1 Cor. xvi. 21. Support ye the weak, and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give, than to receive. Acts xx. 35. There is that scattereth, and yet increaseth; and there is that withholdeth more than is meet, but it tendeth to poverty. The liberal soul shall be made fat: and he that watereth shall be watered also himself. Prov. xi. 24, 25. The liberal deviseth liberal things, and by liberal things he shall stand. Is. xxxii. 8. Whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his D d

such things as he possesseth, liberally to give alms to the poor, according to his ability.

of God in him? 1 St. John iii. 17. Give alms of thy goods, and never turn thy face from any poor man, and then the face of the Lord shall not be turned away from thee. Tob. iv. 7. Be merciful after thy power: if thou hast much, give plenteously; if thou hast little, do thy diligence gladly to give of that little : for so gatherest thou thyself a good reward in the day of necessity. Ver. 8, 9. He that hath pity upon the poor, lendeth unto the Lord; and look, what he layeth out, it shall be paid him again. Prov. xix. 17. Blessed be the man that provideth for the sick and needy: the Lord shall deliver him in the time of trouble. Psal. xli. 1. Sentences in the Offertory.

bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him? 1 John iii. 17. The poor shall never cease out of the land; therefore I command thee, saying, Thou shalt open thine hand wide unto thy brother, to thy poor, and to thy needy, in thy land. Deut. xv. 11. As a matter of bounty, and not as of covetousness. But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully, shall

reap also bountifully. Every man, according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver. 2 Cor. ix. 5-7. &c. Charge them who are rich in this world, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate: laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come; that they may lay hold on eternal life. 1 Tim. vi. 17—19.

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