XXXVII. Of Christian men's Goods, which are

not common.

The Riches and Goods of Christians are not common, as touching the right, title, and possession of the same, as certain Anabaptists do falsely boast. Notwith. standing, every man ought, of such things as he possesseth, liberally to give alms to the poor, according to his ability.

XXXVIII. Of Oaths.

As we confess that vain and rash swearing is forbidden Christian men by our Lord Jesus Christ and James His Apostle; so we judge, that the Christian Religion doth not prohibit, but that a man may swear when the Magistrate requireth, in a cause of faith and charity, so it be done according to the Prophet's teaching, in justice, judgment, and truth.

APPENDIX TO ARTICLE VIII.

The Creed (so called) of Athanasius.*

Whoever will be saved: before all things it is necesthat he hold the Catholic Faith.

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Which Faith except every one do keep whole and undefiled: without doubt he shall perish everlastingly. And the Catholick Faith is this: That we worship one God in Trinity, and Trinity in Unity:

Neither confounding the Persons: nor dividing the Substance.

For there is one Person of the Father, another of the Son and another of the Holy Ghost.

*See "Preliminary observations" (section ii.) on "The Decalogue and Symbols of Faith," at commencement of this Book.

But the Godhead of the Father, of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, is all one: the Glory equal, the Majesty co-eternal.

:

Such as the Father is, such is the Son and such is the Holy Ghost.

The Father uncreate, the Son uncreate and the Holy Ghost uncreate.

The Father incomprehensible, the Son incomprehensible and the Holy Ghost incomprehensible.

:

The Father eternal, the Son eternal: and the Holy Ghost eternal. ́

And yet there are not three eternals: but one eternal.

As also there are not three incomprehensibles, nor three uncreated: but one uncreated, and one incomprehensible.

So likewise the Father is Almighty, the son Almighty and the Holy Ghost Almighty.

And yet there are not three Almighties: but one Almighty.

So the Father is God, the Son is God: and the Holy Ghost is God.

And yet there are not three Gods: but one God. So likewise the Father is Lord, the Son Lord: and the Holy Ghost Lord.

And yet not three Lords: but one Lord.

For like as we are compelled by the Christian verity : to acknowledge every Person by Himself to be God and Lord;

So are we forbidden by the Catholick Religion: to say, There be three Gods, or three Lords.

The Father is made of none: neither created, nor begotten.

The Son is of the Father alone: not made, nor created, but begotten.

The Holy Ghost is of the Father and of the Son: neither made, nor created, nor begotten, but proceeding.

So there is one Father, not three Fathers: one Son, not three Sons: one Holy Ghost, not three Holy Ghosts.

And in this Trinity none is afore, or after other: none is greater, or less than another.

But the whole three Persons are co-eternal together: and co-equal.

So that in all things, as is aforesaid: the Unity in Trinity, and the Trinity in Unity is to be worshipped. He therefore that will be saved: must thus think of the Trinity.

Furthermore, it is necessary to everlasting salvation that he also believe rightly the Incarnation of our Lord Jesus Christ.

For the right Faith is, that we believe and confess : that our Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, is God and Man;

God, of the Substance of the Father, begotten before the worlds: and Man, of the Substance of His Mother, born in the world:

Perfect God, and perfect Man: of a reasonable soul and human flesh subsisting :

Equal to the Father, as touching His Godhead: and inferior to the Father, as touching His Manhood. Who although He be God and Man: yet He is not two, but one Christ:

One;

not by conversion of the Godhead into flesh : but by taking of the Manhood into God.

One altogether; not by confusion of substance: but by unity of Person.

For as the reasonable soul and flesh is one man: so God and Man is one Christ;

Who suffered for our salvation: descended into hell, rose again the third day from the dead.

He ascended into heaven, He sitteth on the right hand of the Father, God Almighty: from whence He shall come to judge the quick and the dead.

At Whose coming all men shall rise again with their bodies and shall give account for their own works.

And they that have done good shall go into life everlasting and they that have done evil into everlasting fire.

This is the Catholic Faith: which except a man believe faithfully, he cannot be saved.

GENERAL BASES OF THE CONSTITUTION OF THE REFORMED SPANISH CHURCH.*

1. The "Reformed Spanish Church," as a Branch of the Universal Church of Christ, follows the teaching of Holy Scriptures, and desires to be the faithful guardian and propagator of the same, rejecting all doctrine and practice contrary thereto, and holding fast the faith and order of primitive times.

2. The Reformed Spanish Church continues the ministry of the Word and Sacraments, and maintains the threefold order of Bishops, Presbyters, and Deacons, duly ordained, with all their respective duties and rights.

3. The Lay-Element shares in the conduct and management of the Reformed Spanish Church in accordance with the following Bases.

4. Each Congregation shall annually elect a Parish Board, composed of members of the Congregation, whose faith and life are of good Christian report.

5. In the election of the Parish Board those persons only shall have voice and vote who are communicants, and who contribute with their gifts to the support of the Church.

6. The Minister of each Congregation shall preside over the meetings of the Parish Board.

7. Each Congregation may frame for its guidance such by-laws as may be in harmony with these general Bases, and shall have the sanction of the Diocesan Synod.

* These "Bases" are inserted here as forming part of the Ecclesiastical law of the Spanish Reformed Church. They are not an integral part of the Prayer Book of that Church.