Item, That all poor parsons, vicars, and curates do endeavour themselves to conform their apparel in like sort so soon and as conveniently, as their ability will serve to the same. Provided that their ability be judged by the bishop of the diocese. And if their ability will not suffer to buy them long gowns of the form afore prescribed, that then they shall wear their short gowns agreeable to the form before expressed.

Item, That all such persons, as have been or be ecclesiastical, and serve not the ministry, or have not accepted, or shall refuse to accept, the oath of obedience to the queen's majesty, do from henceforth abroad wear none of the said apparel of the form and fashion aforesaid, but to go as mere laymen, till they be reconciled to obedience; and who shall obstinately refuse to do the same, that they be presented by the ordinary to the commissioners in causes ecclesiastical, and by them to be reformed accordingly.

Protestations to be made, promised, and subscribed by them that shall hereafter be admitted to any office, room, or cure in any church, or other place ecclesiastical.

Inprimis, I shall not preach or publicly interpret, but only read that, which is appointed by public authority, without special licence of the bishop under his seal.

I shall read the service appointed plainly, distinctly, and audibly, that all the people may hear and understand.

I shall keep the register book according to the queen's majesty's injunctions.

I shall use sobriety in apparel, and specially in the church at common prayers, according to order appointed.

I shall move the parishioners to quiet and concord, and not give them cause of offence, and shall help to reconcile them, which be at variance, to my uttermost power.

I shall read daily at the least one chapter of the Old Testament, and another of the New, with good advisement to the increase of my knowledge.

I do also faithfully promise in my person to use and exercise my office and place to the honour of God, to the quiet of the queen's subjects within my charge, in truth, concord, and unity. And also to observe, keep, and maintain such order and uniformity in all external policy, rites, and ceremonies of the Church, as by the laws, good usages, and orders are already well provided and established.

I shall not openly intermeddle with any artificers occupations, as covetously to seek a gain thereby, having in ecclesiastical living to the sum of twenty nobles or above by year.

Agreed upon, and subscribed by

Matthæus Cantuariensis,

Edmundus Londoniensis,

Richardus Eliensis,
Edmundus Roffensis,

When set forth.

First edition;

how compiled.

Of synodical authority.

The Articles of 1562, in Latin.

CHAPTER IV.

THE ARTICLES.

HE Articles of Religion were set forth on three principal occasions; once in the reign of Edward VI., and twice in that of Elizabeth. The edition of Edward VI. was compiled at the end of 1552 or beginning of 1553. This edition consisted of forty-two articles. They were published in Latin by R. Wolfe in or about the month of June, 1553. Immediately afterwards, but in the same month, or at latest before the death of Edward VI., which took place on the 6th of July in that year, were printed two editions in English by Day and Grafton respectively. The reprint below is from the text of Grafton.

This series of articles purport to have been agreed upon "in the synod at London in 1552." The accuracy of the recital is somewhat doubtful, (y) and has been denied by several competent authorities. But the indirect contemporary evidence is strong in favour of their synodical origin. They were generally, if not universally, admitted at the time to have been so sanctioned and issued; and when the preparations were being made in 1562 for the drawing up of the present Thirty-nine Articles, the copies of these put into the hands of the members of convocation were styled " Articuli in Synodo Londinensi editi."

The first edition of Elizabeth's reign is in Latin. They are commonly styled the Articles of 1562, and the introductory (y) Dr. Lamb's Articles, pp. 9 and 4.

edition.

clause thus recites: "Articuli de quibus in synodo Londinensi anno Domini juxta ecclesiæ Anglicanæ computationem MDLXII." &c. They were, however, not laid before the Queen till February, 1563, nor printed till late in the same year. They had originated with Archbishop Parker, who per- Arch. Parker's sonally recasted Edward the Sixth's articles, and submitted his draft to convocation in January, 1562. Here they were debated, and after various alterations were finally assented to by both houses. As agreed to, the number was reduced to thirty-eight. But though these articles are thus of full synodical authority, they do not bind legally, the copy sanctioned by the Queen next year being alone of full legal validity. (z)

This copy differs from Parker's draft in containing two remarkable alterations therein, viz.-first, the addition of the clause," Habet Ecclesia ritus statuendi jus et in fidei controversiis auctoritatem," at the commencement of the 20th article; and secondly, the entire omission of the 29th article, which had been included by Parker.

of 1562, in English.

In the same year appeared an English translation by Jugge The Articles and Cawood, which differs from the Latin in omitting the disputed clause in the 20th article, but follows it in not containing the 29th article.

The next issue of the articles which calls for notice was in 1571. As already put forth by Elizabeth, they had been ratified by her, and possessed whatever weight such ratification could give them, but they had not in any manner been confirmed or recognized by statute or the legislature. In this year (1571) the proceedings of the pope led to the passing of two important statutes, (a) and probably caused fresh attention to be directed

(z) Coke, Inst. P. 4, c. 74, p. 323.

(a) 13 Eliz. c. 2, "An Act against the bringing in and putting in execution of Bulls, Writings, or Instruments and other superstitious things. from the See of Rome;" 13 Eliz. c. 12, “An Act for the Ministers of the Church to be of sound Religion."

The Articles

of 1571.

To what extent the Articles are

to the articles. Hitherto but little attempt had been made to enforce a strict observance of them. Accordingly they were again considered in and subscribed by both houses of convocation, and Bishop Jewel was appointed editor to prepare a new edition, which he did, making a great many slight and verbal alterations, but none of serious importance.

The articles thus prepared and edited have not been formally legally binding. and expressly confirmed or made binding by the direct action of the legislature. Indirectly, however, this has been done. The Ist section of the statute 13 Eliz. c. 12, provides that every ecclesiastical person "shall, in the presence of the bishop and guardian of the spiritualities of some one diocese where he hath or shall have ecclesiastical living, declare his assent and subscribe to all the articles of religion which only concern the confession of the true Christian faith and the doctrine of the sacraments comprised in a book imprinted intituled Articles whereupon it was agreed by the archbishop and bishops of both provinces and the whole clergy in the Convocation holden at London in the year of our Lord God 1562,'" &c.

Value of the various editions.

With regard to the various editions in Latin and English of the Articles, and the relative weight and value of each, Dr. Waterland thus expresses himself:-" First, that the articles were passed, recorded, and ratified in the year 1562, and in Latin only. Secondly, that those Latin articles were revised and corrected by the convocation of 1571. Thirdly, that an authentic English translation was then made of the Latin articles by the same convocation, and the Latin and English adjusted as nearly as possible. Fourthly, that the articles thus perfected in both languages were published the same year, and by the royal authority. Fifthly, subscription was required the same year to the English articles, called the Articles of 1552 by the famous Act of the 13th of Elizabeth.

"These things considered, I might justly say, with Bishop Burnet, that the Latin and English are both equally authentical. Thus much, however, I may certainly infer, that if in