Section A
The Church of England
A 1 Of the Church of
England
The Church of England, established according to the
laws of this realm under the Queen's Majesty, belongs to the true
and apostolic Church of Christ; and, as our duty to the said Church
of England requires, we do constitute and ordain that no member
thereof shall be at liberty to maintain or hold the contrary.
A 2 Of the
Thirty-nine Articles of Religion
The Thirty-nine Articles are agreeable to the Word
of God and may be assented unto with a good conscience by all
members of the Church of England.
A 3 Of The
Book of Common Prayer
1. The doctrine contained in The Book of Common
Prayer and Administration of the Sacraments and other Rites
and Ceremonies of the Church according to the Use of the Church of
England is agreeable to the Word of God.
2. The form of God's worship contained in the said
Book, forasmuch as it is not repugnant to the Word of God, may be
used by all members of the Church of England with a good
conscience.
A 4 Of the Form
and Manner of Making, Ordaining, and Consecrating of Bishops,
Priests, and Deacons
The Form and Manner of Making, Ordaining, and
Consecrating of Bishops, Priests, and Deacons, annexed to The
Book of Common Prayer and commonly known as the Ordinal, is
not repugnant to the Word of God; and those who are so made,
ordained, or consecrated bishops, priests, or deacons, according to
the said Ordinal, are lawfully made, ordained, or consecrated, and
ought to be accounted, both by themselves and others, to be truly
bishops, priests, or deacons.
A 5 Of the
doctrine of the Church of England
The doctrine of the Church of England is grounded
in the Holy Scriptures, and in such teachings of the ancient
Fathers and Councils of the Church as are agreeable to the said
Scriptures.
In particular such doctrine is to be found in the
Thirty-nine Articles of Religion, The Book of Common
Prayer, and the Ordinal.
A 6 Of the
government of the Church of England
The government of the Church of England under the
Queen's Majesty, by archbishops, bishops, deans, provosts,
archdeacons, and the rest of the clergy and of the laity that bear
office in the same, is not repugnant to the Word of God.
A 7 Of the Royal
Supremacy
We acknowledge that the Queen's excellent Majesty,
acting according to the laws of the realm, is the highest power
under God in this kingdom, and has supreme authority over all
persons in all causes, as well ecclesiastical as civil.
A 8 Of
schisms
Forasmuch as the Church of Christ has for a long
time past been distressed by separations and schisms among
Christian men, so that the unity for which our Lord prayed is
impaired and the witness to his gospel is grievously hindered, it
is the duty of clergy and people to do their utmost not only to
avoid occasions of strife but also to seek in penitence and
brotherly charity to heal such divisions.