The Acts of Famous National Councils of the Reformed Churches in France, Introduction 2 · Section 9
Sect. 9. The Confeſſion of Faith, held and profeſſed by the Reformed Churches of France, received and enacted by their firſt National Synod, Celebrated in the City of Paris, and Year of our Lord, 1559.
ARTICLE I. WE believe and confeſs, That there is but one God only, whoſe Being only is ſimple, ſpiritual, eternal, inviſible, immutable, infinite, incomprehenſible, ineffable, who can do all things, who is all-wiſe, all-good, moſt juſt, and moſt merciful.
ARTICLE II. This one God hath revealed himſelf to be ſuch a one unto Men, firſt in the Creation, preſervation, and governing of his works: ſecondly, far more plainly in his word, which from the beginning he revealed to the Fathers by certain Viſions and Oracles, and then cauſed it to be put in writing in thoſe Books, which we call the Holy Scripture.
ARTICLE III. All this holy Scipture is contained in the Canonical Books of the Old and New Teſtament, the Catalogue whereof followeth. The five Books of Moſes, namely Geneſis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy. Item Joſhua, Judges, Ruth, the firſt and ſecond Book of Samuel, the firſt and ſecond Book of Kings, the firſt and ſecond Book of Chronicles, otherwiſe called the Paralipomena, one Book of Eſdras, Nehemiah, Heſter, Job, the Pſalms, Solomon's Proverbs or Sentences, Eccleſiastes, the Song of Songs, Eſaiah, Jeremiah, with the Lamentations, Ezekiel, Daniel, Hoſea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonas, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zachariah, Malachi. Item, the Holy Goſpel according to St. Matthew, according to St. Mark, according to St. Luke, and according to St. John, as alſo the ſecond Book of St. Luke, otherwiſe called The Acts of the Apoſtles. Item, the Epiſtles of St. Paul the Apoſtle, to the Romans one, to the Corinthians two, to the Galatians one, to the Epheſians one, to the Philippians one, to the Coloſſians one, to the Theſſalonians two, to Timothy two, to Titus one, to Philemon one. Item, the Epiſtle to the Hebrews, the Epiſtle of St. James, the firſt and ſecond Epiſtle of St. Peter, the firſt, ſecond, and third Epiſtle of St. John, the Epiſtle of St. Jude, and the Apocalypſe or Revelations of St. John.
ARTICLE IV. We acknowledge theſe Books to be Canonical, that is, we account them as the moſt certain Rule of our Faith, and that not ſo much becauſe of the common conſent of the Church, but becauſe of the Teſtimony and Perſwaſion of the Holy Ghoſt, by which we are taught to diſtinguiſh betwixt them, and other Eccleſiaſtical Books, upon which, although they may be uſeful, yet we cannot ground any Article of Faith.
ARTICLE V. We believe, That the Doctrine contained in theſe Books is proceeded from God, from whom only and not from men it deriveth its authority. And foraſmuch as it is the Rule of all Truth, containing all Matters neceſſarily required for the Worſhip of God, and our Salvation, it is in no wiſe lawful for Men nor Angels to add unto, or to take from this Doctrine, or to change it. And hereupon it followeth, That it is not lawful to oppoſe either Antiquity, or Cuſtom, or Multitude, or Humane Wiſdom, Judgments, Edicts, or any Decrees, or Councils, or Viſions, or Miracles unto this Holy Scripture; but rather, that all things ought to be examined and tried by the Rule and Square thereof. Wherefore we do for this cauſe alſo allow of thoſe three Creeds, namely, the Apoſtles, the Nicene, and Athanaſius his Creed, becauſe they be agreeable to the Word of God.
ARTICLE VI. The Holy Scripture teacheth us, That in that one and ſimple Divine Being there be three Perſons ſubſiſting, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghoſt. The Father, to wit, the firſt Cauſe in order, and the Beginning of all things; The Son, his Wiſdom and Everlaſting Word; The Holy Ghoſt, his Vertue, Power, and Efficacy: The Son begotten of the Father from everlaſting, the Holy Ghoſt from everlaſting proceeding from the Father and the Son; theſe three Perſons are not confounded, but diſtinct, and yet not divided, but of one and the ſame Eſſence, Eternity, Power, and Equality. And to conclude in this Myſtery, we allow of that which thoſe four ancient Councils have determined; and we deteſt all Sects and Hereſies condemned by thoſe holy ancient Doctors, St. Athanaſius, St. Hilary, St. Cyril, and St. Ambroſe.
ARTICLE VII. We believe that God in Three Perſons working together by his Power, Wiſdom and incomprehenſible Goodneſs hath made all things, not only Heaven and Earth, and all things in them contained, but alſo the inviſible Spirits, of which ſome fell head-long into Deſtruction, and ſome continued in Obedience. That the fallen Angels, being corrupted by their Malice, are become Enemies of all good, and conſequently of the whole Church. That the holy Angels having perſevered by the Grace of God, are Miniſters to glorifie his Name, and ſerve his Elect in order to Salvation.
ARTICLE VIII. We believe that God hath not only made all things, but alſo ruleth and governeth them, as he who according to his will diſpoſeth and ordaineth whatſoever cometh to paſs in the World. Yet we deny that he is the Author of Sin, or that the blame of things done amiſs can be laid upon him, ſeeing his Will is the ſoveraign and infallible Rule of all Righteouſneſs and Equity; but this we confeſs, That he hath thoſe admirable Means, as whereby he maketh the Devils and the Ungodly, as his Inſtruments, to ſerve him, and to turn the Evil which they do, and whereof they are guilty, into good. So that when we acknowledge that nothing can be done without the Providence of God, we do moſt humbly adore his Secrets, which he hath hidden from us, nor do we enquire into thoſe which are above our reach and Capacity. Nay, rather we apply unto our own uſe that which the Holy Scripture teacheth us for our Peace and Comfort; to wit, that God, to whom all things are ſubject, doth watch over us with a Fatherly Care; ſo that not ſo much as an Hair of our Head falleth to the ground without his Will, and that he hath the Devils and all our Adverſaries faſt bound in Chains, that they cannot, without leave firſt given them, do us any harm.
ARTICLE IX. We believe that Man being created pure and upright, and conformable to the Image of God, through his own fault fell from that Grace, which he had received, and thereby did ſo eſtrange himſelf from God the Fountain of all Righteouſneſs and of all good things, that his Nature is become altogether defiled; and being blind in his Underſtanding, and corrupt in his Heart, he hath utterly loſt that Integrity: and although he can ſomewhat diſcern between Good and Evil, yet we do affirm, That whatſoever Light he hath, it ſtraightway becometh Darkneſs, when the Queſtion is of ſeeking after God; ſo that by his Underſtanding and Reaſon he can never come to God. And although he be indued with Will, whereby he is moved to do this or that, yet foraſmuch as that alſo is in bondage to Sin, that he hath no freedom to deſire that which is good; but if he have any, 'tis the gracious Gift of God.
ARTICLE X. We believe that all the Off-ſpring of Adam are infected with the Contagion of Original Sin; which is a Vice hereditary to us by Propagation, and not only by Imitation, as the Pelagians aſſerted, whoſe Errors are deteſted by us. Nor do we think it neceſſary to inquire how this Sin cometh to be derived from one unto another: For it is ſufficient that thoſe things which God gave to Adam were not given to him alone, but alſo to all his Poſterity; and therefore we, in his Perſon, being deprived of all thoſe good Gifts, are fallen into this Poverty and Malediction.
ARTICLE XI. We believe that this ſtain of Original Sin, is Sin indeed; for it hath that miſchievous Power in it as to condemn all Mankind, even Infants that are unborn, as yet in their Mothers Womb, and God himſelf doth account it ſuch; yea, and that even after Baptiſm, as to the Filth thereof, it is always Sin. Howbeit, they who are the Children of God ſhall never be condemned for it, becauſe that God, of his rich Grace and ſoveraign Mercy, doth not impute it to them. Moreover, we ſay, that it is ſuch a Depravedneſs as doth continually produce the Fruits of Malice and Rebellion againſt God; ſo that even the choiceſt of God's Saints, although they do reſiſt it, yet are they defiled with very many Infirmities and Offences, ſo long as they live in this World.
ARTICLE XII. We believe, That out of this general Corruption and Condemnation, in which all Men are plunged, God doth deliver them, whom he hath in his eternal and unchangeable Counſel choſen, of his meer Goodneſs and Mercy, through our Lord Jeſus Chriſt, without any conſideration of their Works, leaving the reſt in their Sins and damnable Eſtate, that he may ſhow forth in them his Juſtice, as in the elect he doth moſt illuſtriouſly declare the Riches of his Mercy. For One is not better than another, until ſuch time as God doth make the difference, according to his unchangeable purpoſe, which he hath determin'd in Jeſus Chriſt before the Creation of the World. Nor can any one, by his own power, procure unto himſelf ſo great a Bleſſing; becauſe we cannot, by Nature nor of our ſelves, excite in our ſelves any one good Motion, Thought or Affection, until ſuch time as God does prevent, and incline us to it by his Grace.
ARTICLE XIII. We believe, That whatſoever is requiſite to our Salvation, is offer'd and communicated to us now in the Lord Jeſus Chriſt, who is made of God unto us Wiſdom, Righteouſneſs, Sanctification and Redemption; ſo that whoſoever leaveth Chriſt, doth renounce all intereſt in, and title to the Mercy of God the Father, to which, as to our only Sanctuary, we are bound to have Recourſe.
ARTICLE XIV. We believe, That Jeſus Chriſt, being the Wiſdom and eternal Son of the Father, took upon him our Nature, ſo that he is one Perſon God and Man. Man, that he might be able to ſuffer both in Soul and Body, made like unto us in all things, Sin only excepted; ſo that as to his Humane Nature, he was in truth the very Seed of Abraham and of David, conceived in due time in the Womb of the moſt Bleſſed Virgin, by the ſecret and incomprehenſible Power of the Holy God. And therefore we deteſt, as contrary to that Truth, all thoſe Hereſies with which the Churches were troubled in times paſt, and particularly we deteſt thoſe diabolical Imaginations of Servetus, who aſcribed to our Lord Jeſus Chriſt an imaginary Deity, whom he aſſerted to be the Idea and Pattern of all things, and the counterfeit or figurative Son of God. In ſhort, he framed him a Body, compacted of three Elements uncreated, and ſo did mingle and overthrow his Nature.
ARTICLE XV. We believe, That in one and the ſame Perſon, to wit, the Lord Jeſus Chriſt, his two Natures are truly and inſeparably conjoined and united; yet nevertheleſs in ſuch a manner, that each Nature doth retain its diſtinct Properties. So that even as in this Divine Conjunction the Divine Nature retaining its Properties doth ſtill abide uncreated, infinite, and filling all places; ſo alſo the Humane Nature remaineth finite, having its form, meaſure, and property. And altho' the Lord Jeſus Chriſt, when he roſe from the dead, did give Immortality unto his Body, yet he never deprived it of the Verity of its Nature. Therefore we do ſo conſider Chriſt in his Deity, that we do not ſpoil him of his Humanity.
ARTICLE XVI. We do believe, That God, by ſending his Son into the World, did declare his infinite Love and ineſtimable Goodneſs to us; delivering him over unto death, and raiſing him again from the dead, that he might fulfil all Righteouſneſs, and purchaſe Everlaſting Life for us.
ARTICLE XVII. We believe, That by that only Sacrifice which Jeſus Chriſt offered upon the Croſs, we are reconciled unto God, that ſo we may be held and accounted Righteous in his ſight; becauſe we can never pleaſe him, nor be partakers of his Adoption, but ſo far only as he forgiveth us our ſins, and burieth them in his grave. Therefore we affirm, That Jeſus Chriſt is our intire and perfect Waſhing, and that by his Death we obtain full ſatisfaction, whereby we are delivered from all thoſe ſins of which we are guilty, and from which we could never be abſolved by any other means or remedy.
ARTICLE XVIII. We believe, That our whole Righteouſneſs is founded in the Remiſſion of our Sins, which is, as David calleth it, our only Happineſs. Wherefore we do utterly reject all other means by which men do think they may be juſtified before God, and caſting away all conceits of our own Vertues and Merits, we do altogether reſt upon the ſole Obedience of Jeſus Chriſt, which is imputed to us, as well for the covering of our Offences, as that we may find Grace and Favour with God. And indeed, we believe, that ſhould we in the leaſt forſake this Foundation, we could not find elſewhere any repoſe, but muſt needs be agitated with Inquietudes in our Conſciences, becauſe we are never at peace with God, till we be perſwaded upon good grounds, that we are beloved in Jeſus Chriſt. For that in our ſelves we have deſerved to be hated by him.
ARTICLE XIX. We believe, That by this means we have liberty and priviledge of calling upon God, with full confidence, that he will ſhew himſelf a Father to us, for we have no acceſs unto the Father, but in and through Chriſt the Mediator; And that we may be heard in his Name, it is meet, that we ſhould hold and derive our Life from him as from our Head.
ARTICLE XX. We believe, That we are made partakers of this Righteouſneſs by Faith only; as it is written, He ſuffered to purchaſe Salvation for us, That whoſoever believeth in him ſhould not periſh. And this is therefore done, becauſe the Promiſes of Life offered to us in him are then applied to our uſe, and made effectual to us, when we do accept of them, and in no wiſe doubt, but that we ſhall enjoy thoſe things, which the Lord by his own mouth hath aſſured us of. So that the Righteouſneſs which we obtain by Faith, dependeth upon the free gracious Promiſes of God, by which God doth declare and teſtifie unto us, that we are beloved of him.
ARTICLE XXI. We do believe, That by the ſecret Grace of the Holy Ghoſt, the light of Faith is …inded up in us, ſo that it is a gracious and ſpecial Gift, which God beſtoweth upon whom he pleaſeth; and the Faithful have nothing whereof they may boaſt, becauſe they are doubly obliged unto God, for having preferred them before others, and for that he never gave Faith unto the Elect once only to bring them into the good way, but alſo to cauſe them to continue in it unto the end. For as God doth begin Faith, ſo doth he alſo finiſh and perfect it.
ARTICLE XXII. We believe, That by this Faith we are regenerated unto newneſs of Life, we being naturally imbondaged under Sin. And we do by Faith receive that Grace to live holily, and in the fear of God, in our receiving of the Promiſe which is given us through the Goſpel, to wit, that God will give us his Holy Spirit. So that Faith is ſo far from freezing our Affections to Godlineſs and Holy Living, that contrariwiſe it doth engender and excite it in us, neceſſarily producing all manner of good Works. Finally, Altho' God, to accompliſh our ſalvation, doth regenerate, and reform us, that we may do thoſe things which are well-pleaſing; yet notwithſtanding we do confeſs, that the good Works which we do by his Spirit, are never accounted to us for Righteouſneſs, nor can we merit by them, that God ſhould take us for his Children, becauſe we ſhould be always toſſed with doubts and diſquiets, if our Conſciences did not repoſe themſelves upon that ſatisfaction, by which Jeſus Chriſt hath purchaſed us for himſelf.
ARTICLE XXIII. We believe, That all the Types of the Law ended when as Chriſt came in the fleſh. But altho' the Ceremonies are no longer in uſe, yet nevertheleſs the Subſtance and Truth of them abideth always in his Perſon, who fulfilled them. Moreover, we muſt be holpen by the Law and the Prophets for the right ordering of our Lives, and that the Promiſes of the Goſpel may be confirmed to us.
ARTICLE XXIV. We believe, That foraſmuch as Jeſus Chriſt is conferr'd upon us to be our alone Advocate, and that he commandeth us even in our private Prayers to preſent our ſelves before the Father in his Name; and that it is in no wiſe lawful for us to call upon God in any other way than he hath taught us by his Word; that therefore all thoſe Imaginations of Men about the Interceſſion of Saints departed, is none other than an abuſe and impoſture of Satan, whereby he may turn Men aſide from the right method of Prayer. We do alſo reject thoſe Means, which Men preſumed they had, whereby they might be redeemed before God; for they derogate from the Satisfaction of the Death and Paſſion of Jeſus Chriſt. Finally, We hold Purgatory to be none other than a Cheat, which came out of the ſame Shop: from which alſo proceeded Monaſtical Vows, Pilgrimages, Prohibitions of Marriage, and the Uſe of Meats, a Ceremonious Obſervation of Days, Auricular Confeſſion, Indulgences, and all other ſuch like Matters, by which Grace and Salvation may be ſuppoſed to be deſerved. Which things we reject, not only for the falſe Opinion of Merit, which was affixed to them, but alſo becauſe they are the Inventions of Men, and are a Yoke laid by their ſole Authority upon Conſcience.
ARTICLE XXV. And foraſmuch as we are not made partakers of Chriſt, but by the Goſpel, we believe that that good order in the Church, which was eſtabliſhed by his Authority, ought to be kept ſacred and inviolable: and therefore that the Church cannot ſubſiſt unleſs there be Paſtors, whoſe office it is to inſtruct their Flocks, and who having been duly called, and diſcharging their office faithfully are to be honoured and heard with reverence. Not as if God were tied unto ſuch Ordinances, or inferiour means, but becauſe it is his good pleaſure in this ſort to govern us. So that for theſe reaſons we deteſt all thoſe Fanatical Perſons, who as much as in them lieth, would totally aboliſh the preaching of the word, and adminiſtration of the Sacraments.
ARTICLE XXVI. Therefore we believe that it is not lawful for any Man to withdraw himſelf from the Congregations of God's Saints, and to content himſelf with his private Devotions, but all of us jointly are bound to keep and maintain the Unity of the Church, ſubmitting themſelves unto the common inſtruction, and to the Yoke of Jeſus Chriſt, and this in all places whereſoever he ſhall have eſtabliſhed the true Diſcipline, although the Edicts of earthly Magiſtrates be contrary thereunto: and whoſoever do ſeparate from this Order, do reſiſt the Ordinance of God, and in caſe they draw others aſide with them, they do act very perverſly, and are to be accounted as mortal plagues.
ARTICLE XXVII. However we do believe that we ought to diſtinguiſh carefully and prudently betwixt the true and falſe Church, becauſe the Word Church is very much abuſed. We ſay then, according to the word of God, That the Church is an Aſſembly of Believers who agree among themſelves to follow God's word, and the pure Religion which dependeth on it, and who profit by it during their whole Life, increaſing and confirming themſelves in the fear of God, as being perſons who do daily need a farther progreſs and advancement in godlineſs. Yet notwithſtanding all their indeavours, they muſt have continual recourſe to the grace of God for the forgiveneſs of their ſins. Nor do we deny but that among the Faithful there be ſome Hypocrites, or deſpiſers of God, or Ill-Livers: whoſe wickedneſs however cannot blot out the name of the Church.
ARTICLE XXVIII. In this Belief we proteſt that where the word of God is not received, and where there is no profeſſed ſubjection to it, and where there is no uſe of the Sacraments, if we will ſpeak properly, we cannot judge that there is any Church. Wherefore we condemn thoſe Aſſemblies in the Papacy, becauſe the pure word of God is baniſhed out of them, and for that in them the Sacraments are corrupted, counterfeited, falſified, or utterly aboliſhed, and for that among them all kinds of Superſtitions and Idolatries are in full vogue. We hold then that all thoſe who meddle with ſuch actions, and Communicate with them, do ſeparate and cut themſelves off from the Body of Chriſt Jeſus. Yet nevertheleſs, becauſe there is yet ſome ſmall track of a Church in the Papacy, and that Baptiſm, as to its ſubſtance, hath been ſtill continued, and becauſe the efficacy of Baptiſm doth not depend upon him who doth adminiſter it, we confeſs, that they which are there baptized do not need a ſecond Baptiſm. In the mean while becauſe of thoſe corruptions which are mingled with the adminiſtration of that Sacrament, no Man can preſent his Children to be baptized in that Church without polluting of his Conſcience.
ARTICLE XXIX. We believe that this true Church ought to be governed by that Diſcipline which our Lord Jeſus hath eſtabliſhed; ſo that there ſhould be in the Church Paſtors, Elders, and Deacons, that the pure Doctrine may have its courſe, and Vices may be reformed and ſuppreſſed, that the poor and other afflicted Perſons may be ſuccoured in their neceſſities, and that in the name of God there may be holy Aſſemblies, in which both great and ſmall may be edified.
ARTICLE XXX. We believe that all true Paſtors in whatever places they may be diſpoſed, have all the ſame authority, and equal power among themſelves under Jeſus Chriſt the only Head, the only Soveraign, and only Univerſal Biſhop; and that therefore it is unlawful for any Church to challenge unto it ſelf Dominion or Soveraignty over another, however it is requiſite that all care ſhould be taken for the keeping up of mutual Concord and Brotherly Love.
ARTICLE XXXI. We believe that it is not lawful for any Man of his own authority to take upon himſelf the Government of the Church, but that every one ought to be admitted thereunto by a lawful Election, if it may poſſibly be done, and that the Lord do ſo permit it. Which exception we have expreſly added, becauſe that ſometime (as it hath fallen out in our days) the ſtate of the Church being interrupted, God hath raiſed up ſome perſons in an extraordinary manner for to repair the ruins of the decayed Church. But let it be what it will, we believe that this Rule is always to be followed, that all Paſtors, Elders and Deacons, ſhould have a Teſtimony of their being called unto their reſpective Offices.
ARTICLE XXXII. We believe that it is expedient, that they who be choſen Superintendents in the Church, ſhould wiſely conſult among themſelves, by what means the whole Body may conveniently be ruled, yet ſo as they do not ſwerve from that which our Lord Jeſus Chriſt hath inſtituted. And this doth not hinder but that in ſome Churches there may be thoſe particular Conſtitutions, which will be more convenient for them than for others.
ARTICLE XXXIII. But we exclude all humane Inventions, and all thoſe Laws which are introduced to bind the Conſcience under pretence of God's ſervice. And we do only receive ſuch as ſerve to keep up Concord, and to retain every one from the higheſt unto the loweſt in due obedience. In which we conceive that we are to obſerve that which our Lord Jeſus Chriſt appointed concerning Excommunication, which we do very well approve, and acknowledge the neceſſity thereof, and of its Appendages.
ARTICLE XXXIV. We believe that the Sacraments are adjoined unto the word for its more ample confirmation, to wit, that they may be pledges and tokens of the grace of God, and that by theſe means our Faith, which is very weak and ignorant, may be ſupported and comforted. For we confeſs that theſe outward ſigns be ſuch, that God by the power of his holy Spirit, doth work by them, that nothing may be there repreſented to us in vain. Yet nevertheleſs we hold, that all their ſubſtance and vertue is in Jeſus Chriſt, from whom if they be ſeparated, they be nothing elſe but ſhadows and ſmoak.
ARTICLE XXXV. We acknowledge, That there be two Sacraments only, which are common to the whole Church; whereof Baptiſm is the firſt, which is adminiſtred to us to teſtifie our Adoption, becauſe we are by it ingraffed into the Body of Chriſt, that we may be waſhed and cleanſed by his Blood, and afterwards renewed in Holineſs of Life by his Spirit. We hold alſo, That altho' we be baptized but once, yet the Benefits which are ſignified to us therein, do extend themſelves during the whole courſe of our life, even unto death; that ſo we may have a laſting Signature with us, that Jeſus Chriſt will always be our Righteouſneſs and Sanctification. And altho' Baptiſm be a Sacrament of Faith and Repentance, yet foraſmuch as God doth, together with the Parents, account their Children and Poſterity to be Church-Members, we affirm, That Infants born of believing Parents, are by the Authority of Chriſt to be baptized.
ARTICLE XXXVI. We affirm, That the Holy Supper of our Lord, to wit, the other Sacrament, is a witneſs to us of our Union with the Lord Jeſus Chriſt: becauſe that he is not only once dead, and raiſed up again from the dead for us, but alſo he doth indeed ſeed us, and nouriſh us with his Fleſh and Blood, that we being made one with him, may have our life in common with him. And although he be now in Heaven, and ſhall remain there, till he come to judge the World; yet we believe, that by the ſecret and incomprehenſible vertue of his Spirit, he doth nouriſh and quicken us with the ſubſtance of his Body and Blood. But we ſay, that this is done in a ſpiritual manner; nor do we hereby ſubſtitute in the place of the effect and truth an idle fancy and conceit of our own; but rather, becauſe this Myſtery of our Union with Chriſt is ſo high a thing, that it ſurmounteth all our Senſes, yea and the whole order of Nature, and in ſhort, becauſe it is coeleſtial, therefore it cannot be apprehended but by Faith.
ARTICLE XXXVII. We believe, as was ſaid before, That both in Baptiſm and the Lord's Supper, God doth indeed truly and effectually give whatſoever he doth there ſacramentally exhibit; and therefore we conjoyn with the Signs the true poſſeſſion and injoyment of what is offer'd to us in them. Therefore we affirm, That they which do bring pure Faith, as a clean Veſſel, unto the Holy Supper of the Lord, they do indeed receive that which the Signs do there witneſs, that is, That the Body and Blood of Jeſus Chriſt are no leſs the Meat and Drink of the Soul, than Bread and Wine are the Meat of the Body.
ARTICLE XXXVIII. We ſay therefore, That let the Element of Water be never ſo deſpicable, yet notwithſtanding it doth truly witneſs unto us the inward waſhing of our Souls with the Blood of Jeſus Chriſt, by the vertue and efficacy of his Spirit, and that the Bread and Wine being given us in the Lord's Supper, do ſerve in very deed unto our ſpiritual nouriſhment, becauſe they do as it were point out unto us with the finger, that the Fleſh of Jeſus Chriſt is our Meat, and his Blood our Drink. And we reject thoſe Fanaticks who will not receive ſuch Signs and Marks, although Jeſus Chriſt doth ſpeak plainly, This is my Body, and this Cup is my Blood.
ARTICLE XXXIX. We believe, That God will have the World to be ruled by Laws, and Civil Government, that there may be ſome ſort of Bridles by which the unruly Luſts of the World may be reſtrained; and that therefore he appointed Kingdoms, Commonwealths, and other kinds of Principalities, whether hereditary or otherwiſe. And not that alone, but alſo whatſoever pertaineth to the Miniſtration of Juſtice, whereof he avoucheth himſelf the Author: therefore hath he even delivered the Sword into the Magiſtrates hand, that ſo Sins committed againſt both the Tables of God's Law, not only againſt the Second but the Firſt alſo, may be ſuppreſſed. And therefore, becauſe God is the Author of this Order, we muſt not only ſuffer Magiſtrates, whom he hath ſet over us, but we muſt alſo give them all Honour and Reverence, as unto his Officers and Lieutenants, which have received their Commiſſion from him to exerciſe ſo lawful and Sacred a Function.
ARTICLE XL. Therefore we affirm that Obedience muſt be yielded unto their Laws and Statutes, that Tribute muſt be paid them, Taxes and all other Duties, and that we muſt bear the Yoke of Subjection with a free and willing mind, although the Magiſtrates be Infidels; ſo that the ſoveraign Government of God be preſerved entire. Wherefore we deteſt all thoſe who do reject the Higher Powers, and would bring in a Community and Confuſion of Goods, and ſubvert the Courſe of Juſtice.