Imatges de pàgina
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ARTICLE XVIII.—“ Of obtaining Eternal Salvation only by the Name of Christ."

'Though we or an angel from heaven preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. As we said before, so say I now again, if any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed." "For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord." "For there is none other name given among men whereby we must be saved."

Our Church but follows as usual the very words of Scripture in declaring condemnation to those who teach for doctrines the commandments of men instead of Christ crucified.

In the Apostolic Church those members were reproved by St. Paul who declared themselves to be one of Paul, one of Apollos, one of Cephas, and one of Christ, thus putting the Head of the Church on a level with His servants. The Apostles were not to, and did not, preach themselves, but Him their Lord.

And though it is perfectly right, and even necessary for the corporate life of Christianity, that there should be various communions and sects with which each individual soul may join himself as he judges it to be the purest and best, yet none may say that only in such church or community is salvation to be found.

Let us, Church members as we are, stand firm to our chosen Creed allowing no attacks or arguments to turn us from it, for the same reason that we chose it, because we believe it to be as near the Divine model as any Church on earth can be, and let us see clearly and detect the errors of other Creeds, but never deny their adherents as our fellow Christians and members of Christ's Catholic Church. So long as any Church or individual believe in and confess that "Name which is above every name," be his Creed in detail what it may, he is nominally at least, one of Christ's people, whether in reality or not is between him and his God, and not for us to judge. The most perfect Creed ever framed,this very code of Articles, cannot profit to salvation, however strictly we hold and abide by it, if we have not with our whole heart accepted the Lord Jesus, and do not rely on His saving Name by faith; while, among the members of the most corrupt Church, surrounded by the darkest errors, there may be those who as far as their light allows, are trusting for salvation in Him who alone is exalted to give it. Shall we say of such that they are not His people?

"The Church's one Foundation,
Is Jesus Christ her Lord,"

whatever superstructure may be built upon it; whether the "gold, silver, precious stones," of a pure Creed, or "wood, hay, stubble," of superstition

and error, those who beneath all are resting upon that Foundation, are of "the Church of the living God." At the last day every superstructure will fall, and all who have relied on even the best, will fall with it, and be crushed under its ruins; while those who have been founded on the Rock beneath, will stand, free from all which hindered the full light of Christ's gospel reaching them in this world, and for ever dwell in the radiance of the Sun of Righteousness.

But let us not mistake. The spirit of the Article is not latitudinarianism but charity. For ourselves, let us "" hold fast the form of sound words" which we possess, and denounce and expose the errors of other Creeds, while refraining from judgment or condemnation of those who profess them, else we shall be among those whom our own Church and the Word of God unite in declaring "accursed."

ARTICLE XIX.-" Of the Church."

With this Article we enter on that class which, leaving the subject of immediate personal religion, deals with corporate Christianity in the outward life of the Church, and more especially that reformed branch of it established in this land.

"The visible Church of Christ" is the kingdom of God on earth, set up in the world, yet not of it, governed by separate laws, maintaining divine ordi

nances, and testifying for her Lord to the outer world.

The truest Church is that which is the "pillar and ground of the truth," in which Christ's faith is kept freest from error, His Word most faithfully preached, His Sacraments administered according to His ordinance. Such an one is our own Church.

In the early days of Christianity, the Church was more literally a "congregation of faithful men " than is possible in this age. It is now a "mixed multitude," the wheat and the tares growing together, often indistinguishable but by the eye of God. "The holy Catholick Church" is a different Article from "the Communion of Saints." It is possible to be a strict member of the one, in all outward observances, and not belong to the other at all. The "outward and visible sign" may exist where the "inward and spiritual grace" is lacking.

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Having thus declared the true definition of the Church," which it need hardly be said, is in direct opposition to that false one set forth by the Papacy, our Article proceeds to point out how that various national Churches have fallen from their first estate in embracing erroneous doctrines in place of the truth of God; but at the same time owns them still as branches with us of Christ's Holy Catholick Church. Though they err not only in practices and ceremonials, "but also in matters of faith," we are not for this to refuse them as sister Churches, though that word is interpreted by us as "a congrega

tion of faithful men," but must admit them to their place in the great body of professing Christianity.

As being called after the Divine Name, as administrators of the Sacraments of Christ, as believers in Him and His Holy Word they are Churches; as having overlaid the truth with error, as not administrating the Sacraments according to Christ's institution, as not serving Him, with true and spiritual worship, they are "erring," and that grievously.

ARTICLE XX.—“ Of the Authority of the Church.”

The whole tenor of this Article stands in decided contrast to the imperious decrees and dictates issued by the Church of Rome; which contrast arises from the different ground taken on this subject; the Romish Church proceeding on that of her own infallibility, the Church of England on that of the infallibility of the Scriptures. This again proceeds from the respective positions the Bible holds in these Churches; that of Rome is thus defined by herself; "It is false, scandalous, impious, and blasphemous, to affirm that the reading of Holy Scripture was intended for all persons." That of our own Church is expressed as follows; "Although the Church be a witness and a keeper of Holy Writ, yet, as it ought not to decree anything against the same, so besides the same ought it not to enforce anything to be believed for necessity of salvation."

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