be saved by the law or sect which he professeth, so that he be diligent to frame his life according to that law, and the light of nature. For holy Scripture doth set out

с

unto us only the Name of Jesus Christ, whereby men must be saved.

sin. Ver. 23. All have sinned and come short of the glory of God.-Ver. 20. By the deeds of the law shall no flesh be justified.

c Acts iv. 12. Neither is there salvation in any other; for there is none other name given among men whereby we must be saved.

This Article is to be considered as directed against those who maintained that it was a matter of indifference whether men embraced the Gospel or not; that all religions were equally acceptable to God; and that all men. would obtain salvation, although they rejected the Gospel, provided they observed the rules of the religion they professed, and acted in conformity to the dictates of reason.

It is important to observe the exact words here used, that "every man shall be saved by the law or sect which he professeth;" that is, by virtue of his religion, whatever it may be, without the merits of Christ. Let it not therefore be supposed, that this Article confines salvation to one sect of Christianity, for it has no reference whatever to the unhappy di

visions which have always subsisted, and still do subsist, among Christians. Nor let it be supposed that it excludes from the benefit of Christ's redemption all to whom the Gospel has not been made known. Concerning such it is silent and it only declares those men to deserve being anathematized, who hold all religions to be indifferent matters, as if God regarded them all alike; whereas the religion of Christ is still the only way God has instituted to salvation. The impiety that the Article thus condemns, was first broached by some of the Heathen orators and philosophers in the fourth century, in their addresses to the Christian Emperors for the tolerance of Paganism.

ARTICLE XIX.

Of the Church.

THE visible church of Christ is a congregation of faithful men, in the which

a The Latin word is Ecclesia, but our word Church is derived from the Greek word Kugiann, from whence the Scots call it Kirk. There seems to be this difference between the words ̓Εκκλησία and Κυριακὴ, (or οἶκος Κυριακός,) that Ἐκκλησία (from ἐκκαλειν, evocare) in the first place signifies the congregation met together in a place, and then the place where they meet. Kugan, in the first place, signifies the place where the congregation meets, and then the congregation that meets in that place.

b 1 Cor. i. 2. Unto the church of God which is at

d

the pure word of God is preached, and the Sacraments be duly administered according to Christ's ordinance, in all those things that of necessity are requisite to the

same.

As the Church of Hierusalem, 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.

Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours. -Col. i. 2. To the saints and faithful brethren in Christ. c Rom. x. 17. Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

d Acts viii. 12. When they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women. Acts ii. 42. They continued stedfastly in the Apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.-1 Cor. xi. 26.

We now come to the fourth and last division of the Articles; those which relate to Christians as members of a religious society: and the first point to be settled on this subject is the meaning of the word "Church."

This Article, together with some that follow it, relates to the fundamental difference be

F

tween us and the Roman Catholics. They teaching us that we are to judge of doctrines by the authority and decisions of the Church; whereas we affirm, that we are first to examine the doctrine, and according to that to judge of the purity of the Church.

The expression visible Church seems to be here used in contradistinction to the invisible Church of Christ, that is, the saints in hea

ven.

It is well known that the Church of Rome considers itself as the only Christian Church; but by this excellent definition here given of a Church, (viz. a congregation, &c.) we extend the name to all that profess the Christian religion, and believe in the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, baptizing its members in their name, and celebrating the Lord's Supper as Christ hath appointed.

The latter part of this Article relates to the pretended claim of infallibility in the Church of Rome: and the compilers of our Articles have very wisely taken the first opportunity which the plan of their arrangement allowed, to deny this claim; since, if it were admitted, all the other doctrines of popery would at once be established: an infallible Church could not maintain an untrue doctrine.

The Churches of Jerusalem, Alexandria, and Antioch, are here mentioned, because they were the most famous ones, and were advanced to the dignity of being patriarchal

Churches, as well as that of Rome. Jerusalem was governed by two of our Saviour's apostles successively. Alexandria and Antioch are said to have been founded by St. Peter, either in person or by proxy.

Here note, that the words of our Saviour given at Matt. xvi. 18, "Upon this rock will I build my Church, &c." are to be understood only of the catholic or universal Church, and not of any particular Church, much less of the Roman Church, as the papists vainly argue.

a

ARTICLE XX.

Of the Authority of the Church.

THE Church hath power to decree rites or ceremonies, and authority in contro

a 1 Cor. xiv. 40. in order. Tit. i. 5. that thou shouldest wanting.

b

Let all things be done decently and For this cause I left thee in Crete, set in order the things that are

b Acts xv. 5, 6. But there rose up certain of the sect of the Pharisees which believed, saying, That it was needful to circumcise them, and to command them to keep the law of Moses. And the apostles and elders came together, for to consider of this matter.-Ver. 22. Then pleased it the apostles and elders, with the whole church, to send chosen men of their own company to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas, &c.-Ver. 23, 24, 25. And wrote letters by them after this manner: The apostles, and elders, and brethren, send greeting unto the brethren which are of the Gentiles in Antioch, and Syria,