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The '''Thirty-Nine Articles of Religion''', drawn up in 1563, summarize the basic beliefs of the [[Church of England]]<ref>Kenneth Needham Ross, ''The Thirty-Nine Articles'', Morehouse-Goreham, 1957</ref>.  They were based on Archbishop [[Thomas Cranmer's]] fourty-two Articles of Religion, written in 1553, and included such important tenets as reading of the Bible in English instead of Latin and marriage of priests. The articles are:

The '''Thirty-Nine Articles of [[Religion]]''', drawn up in 1563, summarize the basic beliefs of the [[Church of England]]<ref>Kenneth Needham Ross, ''The Thirty-Nine Articles'', Morehouse-Goreham, 1957</ref>.  They were based on Archbishop [[Thomas Cranmer]]'s fourty-two Articles of Religion, written in 1553, and included such important tenets as reading of the [[Bible]] in English instead of Latin and marriage of priests. The articles are:

'''Article I: Of Faith in the Holy Trinity'''

'''Article I: Of Faith in the [[Holy Trinity]]'''

There is but one living and true God, everlasting, without body, parts, or passions; of infinite power, wisdom, and goodness; the Maker, and Preserver of all things both visible and invisible. And in unity of this Godhead there be three Persons, of one substance, power, and eternity; the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost.

There is but one living and true God, everlasting, without body, parts, or passions; of infinite power, wisdom, and goodness; the Maker, and Preserver of all things both visible and invisible. And in unity of this Godhead there be three Persons, of one substance, power, and eternity; the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost.

'''Article II: Of the Word or Son of God, which was made very Man'''

'''Article II: Of the Word or Son of [[God]], which was made very Man'''

The Son, which is the Word of the Father, begotten from everlasting of the Father, the very and eternal God, and of one substance with the Father, took Man's nature in the womb of the blessed Virgin, of her substance: so that two whole and perfect Natures, that is to say, the Godhead and Manhood, were joined together in one Person, never to be divided, whereof is one Christ, very God, and very Man; who truly suffered, was crucified, dead, and buried, to reconcile His Father to us, and to be a sacrifice, not only for original guilt, but also for all actual sins of men.

The Son, which is the Word of the Father, begotten from everlasting of the Father, the very and eternal God, and of one substance with the Father, took Man's nature in the womb of the blessed Virgin, of her substance: so that two whole and perfect Natures, that is to say, the Godhead and Manhood, were joined together in one Person, never to be divided, whereof is one Christ, very God, and very Man; who truly suffered, was crucified, dead, and buried, to reconcile His Father to us, and to be a sacrifice, not only for original guilt, but also for all actual sins of men.

'''Article III: Of the going down of Christ into Hell'''

'''Article III: Of the going down of [[Christ]] into [[Hell]]'''

As Christ died for us, and was buried, so also is it to be believed, that he went down into Hell.

As Christ died for us, and was buried, so also is it to be believed, that he went down into Hell.

'''Article IV: Of the Resurrection of Christ'''

'''Article IV: Of the [[Resurrection]] of Christ'''

Christ did truly rise again from death, and took again his body, with flesh, bones, and all things appertaining to the perfection of Man's nature; wherewith he ascended into Heaven, and there sitteth, until he return to judge all Men at the last day.

Christ did truly rise again from death, and took again his body, with flesh, bones, and all things appertaining to the perfection of Man's nature; wherewith he ascended into Heaven, and there sitteth, until he return to judge all Men at the last day.

'''Article V: Of the Holy Ghost'''

'''Article V: Of the [[Holy Ghost]]'''

The Holy Ghost, proceeding from the Father and the Son, is of one substance, majesty, and glory, with the Father and the Son, very and eternal God.

The Holy Ghost, proceeding from the Father and the Son, is of one substance, majesty, and glory, with the Father and the Son, very and eternal God.

'''Article VI: Of the Sufficiency of the holy Scriptures for salvation'''

'''Article VI: Of the Sufficiency of the holy [[Scriptures]] for salvation'''

Holy Scripture containeth all things necessary to salvation: so that whatsoever is not read therein, nor may be proved thereby, is not to be required of any man, that it should be believed as an article of the Faith, or be thought requisite or necessary to salvation. In the name of the holy Scripture, we do understand those Canonical books of the Old and New Testament, of whose authority was never any doubt in the Church.

Holy Scripture containeth all things necessary to salvation: so that whatsoever is not read therein, nor may be proved thereby, is not to be required of any man, that it should be believed as an article of the Faith, or be thought requisite or necessary to salvation. In the name of the holy Scripture, we do understand those Canonical books of the Old and New Testament, of whose authority was never any doubt in the Church.

Of the Names and Number of the Canonical Books

Of the Names and Number of the Canonical Books

Genesis

[[Genesis]]

Exodus

 

Leviticus

[[Exodus]]

Numbers

 

Deuteronomy

[[Leviticus]]

Joshua

 

Judges

[[Numbers]]

Ruth

 

The First Book of Samuel

[[Deuteronomy]]

The Second Book of Samuel

 

The First Book of Kings

[[Joshua]]

The Second Book of Kings The First Book of Chronicles

 

The Second Book of Chronicles

[[Judges]]

The First Book of Esdras

 

The Second Book of Esdras

[[Ruth]]

The Book of Esther

 

The Book of Job

[[The First Book of Samuel]]

The Psalms

 

The Proverbs

[[The Second Book of Samuel]]

Ecclesiastes or Preacher

 

Cantica, or Songs of Solomon

[[The First Book of Kings]]

 

[[The Second Book of Kings]]

 

[[The First Book of Chronicles]]

 

[[The Second Book of Chronicles]]

 

[[The First Book of Esdras]]

 

[[The Second Book of Esdras]]

 

[[The Book of Esther]]

 

[[The Book of Job]]

 

[[The Psalms]]

 

[[The Proverbs]]

 

[[Ecclesiastes]] or Preacher

 

Cantica, or [[Songs of Solomon]]

 

Four Prophets the greater

Four Prophets the greater

Twelve Prophets the less

Twelve Prophets the less

And the other Books (as Hierome saith) the Church doth read for example of life and instruction of manners; but yet doth it not apply them to establish any doctrine; such are these following:

And the other Books (as Hierome saith) the Church doth read for example of life and instruction of manners; but yet doth it not apply them to establish any doctrine; such are these following:

The Third Book of Esdras

[[The Third Book of Esdras]]

The Fourth Book of Esdras

 

The Book of Tobias

[[The Fourth Book of Esdras]]

The Book of Judith

 

The rest of the Book of Esther

[[The Book of Tobias]]

The Book of Wisdom

 

Jesus the Son of Sirach Baruch the Prophet

[[The Book of Judith]]

The Song of the Three Children

 

The Story of Susanna

The rest of [[The Book of Esther]]

Of Bel and the Dragon

 

The Prayer of Manasses

[[The Book of Wisdom]]

The First Book of Maccabees

 

The Second Book of Maccabees

[[Jesus the Son of Sirach]]

All the Books of the New Testament, as they are commonly received, we do receive, and account them Canonical.

 

[[Baruch the Prophet]]

 

[[The Song of the Three Children]]

 

[[The Story of Susanna]]

 

[[Of Bel and the Dragon]]

 

[[The Prayer of Manasses]]

 

[[The First Book of Maccabees]]

 

[[The Second Book of Maccabees]]

 

All the Books of the [[New Testament]], as they are commonly received, we do receive, and account them Canonical.

'''Article VII: Of the Old Testament'''

'''Article VII: Of the [[Old Testament]]'''

The Old Testament is not contrary to the New: for both in the Old and New Testament everlasting life is offered to Mankind by Christ, who is the only Mediator between God and Man, being both God and Man. Wherefore there are not to be heard, which feign that the old Fathers did look only for transitory promises. Although the Law given from God by Moses, as touching Ceremonies and Rites, do not bind Christian men, nor the Civil precepts thereof ought of necessity to be received in any commonwealth; yet, notwithstanding, no Christian man whatsoever is free from the obedience of the Commandments which are called Moral.

The Old Testament is not contrary to the New: for both in the Old and New Testament everlasting life is offered to Mankind by Christ, who is the only Mediator between God and Man, being both God and Man. Wherefore there are not to be heard, which feign that the old Fathers did look only for transitory promises. Although the Law given from God by [[Moses]], as touching Ceremonies and Rites, do not bind Christian men, nor the Civil precepts thereof ought of necessity to be received in any commonwealth; yet, notwithstanding, no Christian man whatsoever is free from the obedience of the Commandments which are called Moral.

'''Article VIII: Of the Three Creeds'''

'''Article VIII: Of the Three Creeds'''

The Three Creeds, Nicene Creed, Athanasius's Creed, and that which is commonly called the Apostles' Creed, ought thoroughly to be received and believed: for they may be proved by most certain warrants of holy Scripture.

The Three Creeds, [[Nicene Creed]], [[Athanasius's Creed]], and that which is commonly called the [[Apostles' Creed]], ought thoroughly to be received and believed: for they may be proved by most certain warrants of holy Scripture.

'''Article IX: Of Original or Birth-Sin'''

'''Article IX: Of Original or Birth-Sin'''

Original Sin standeth not in the following of Adam, (as the Pelagians do vainly talk), but it is the fault and corruption of the Nature of every man, that naturally is ingendered of the offspring of Adam; whereby man is very far gone from original righteousness, and is of his own nature inclined to evil, so that the flesh lusteth always contrary to the spirit; and therefore in every person born into this world, it deserveth God's wrath and damnation. And this infection of nature doth remain, yea, in them that are regenerated; whereby the lust of the flesh, called in Greek, phronema sarkos, which some do expound the wisdom, some sensuality, some the affection, some the desire, of the flesh, is not subject to the Law of God. And although there is no condemnation for them that believe and are baptized, yet the Apostle doth confess, that concupiscence and lust hath of itself the nature of sin.

[[Original Sin]] standeth not in the following of Adam, (as the Pelagians do vainly talk), but it is the fault and corruption of the Nature of every man, that naturally is ingendered of the offspring of Adam; whereby man is very far gone from original righteousness, and is of his own nature inclined to evil, so that the flesh lusteth always contrary to the spirit; and therefore in every person born into this world, it deserveth God's wrath and damnation. And this infection of nature doth remain, yea, in them that are regenerated; whereby the lust of the flesh, called in Greek, phronema sarkos, which some do expound the wisdom, some sensuality, some the affection, some the desire, of the flesh, is not subject to the Law of God. And although there is no condemnation for them that believe and are baptized, yet the Apostle doth confess, that concupiscence and lust hath of itself the nature of sin.

'''Article X: Of Free-Will'''

'''Article X: Of [[Free-Will]]'''

The condition of Man after the fall of Adam is such, that he cannot turn and prepare himself, by his own natural strength and good works, to faith, and calling upon God: Wherefore we have no power to do good works pleasant and acceptable to God, without the grace of God by Christ preventing us, that we may have a good will, and working with us, when we have that good will.

The condition of Man after the fall of Adam is such, that he cannot turn and prepare himself, by his own natural strength and good works, to faith, and calling upon God: Wherefore we have no power to do good works pleasant and acceptable to God, without the grace of God by Christ preventing us, that we may have a good will, and working with us, when we have that good will.

'''Article XII: Of Good Works'''

'''Article XII: Of Good Works'''

Albeit that Good Works, which are the fruits of Faith, and follow after Justification, cannot put away our sins, and endure the severity of God's Judgement; yet are they pleasing and acceptable to God in Christ, and do spring out necessarily of a true and lively Faith; insomuch that by them a lively Faith may be as evidently known as a tree discerned by the fruit.

Albeit that Good Works, which are the fruits of Faith, and follow after Justification, can put away our sins, and endure the severity of God's Judgement; yet are they pleasing and acceptable to God in Christ, and do spring out necessarily of a true and lively Faith; insomuch that by them a lively Faith may be as evidently known as a tree discerned by the fruit.

'''Article XIII: Of Works before Justification'''

'''Article XIII: Of Works before Justification'''

Works done before the grace of Christ, and the Inspiration of his Spirit, are not pleasant to God, forasmuch as they spring not of faith in Jesus Christ, neither do they make men meet to receive grace, or (as the School-authors say) deserve grace of congruity: yea, rather, for that they are not done as God hath willed and commanded them to be done, we doubt not but they have the nature of sin.

Works done before the grace of Christ, and the Inspiration of his Spirit, are pleasant to God, forasmuch as they spring of faith in Jesus Christ, they make men meet to receive grace, or (as the School-authors say) deserve grace of congruity: yea, rather, for that they are not done as God hath willed and commanded them to be done, we doubt not but they have the nature of sin.

'''Article XIV: Of Works of Supererogation'''

'''Article XIV: Of Works of Supererogation'''