Every Roman Catholic Member of Parliament takes the following oath, upon being admitted into the House of Commons:- I do swear that I will defend to the utmost of my power the settlement of property within this realm, as established by the laws, and I do hereby disclaim, disavow, and solemnly abjure any intention to subvert the present Church Establishment, as settled by law, within this realm. And I do solemnly swear, that I will never exercise any privilege to which I am, or may become, entitled, to disturb or weaken the Protestant Religion or Protestant Government in this kingdom. And I do solemnly, in the presence of God, profess, testify, and declare, that I do make the declaration, and every part thereof, in the plain and ordinary sense of the words of the oath, without any evasion, equivocation, or mental reservation whatsoever.' Whether they have kept this oath, the last day will show. This fancied safeguard seems to me at least, to be broken by these disciples of the Pope with as much apparent ease as if it had no existence.

XXXIV.

OF THE TRADITIONS OF THE CHURCH.

It is not necessary that traditions and ceremonies be in all places one, or utterly like; for at all times they have been diverse, and may be changed according to the diversities of countries, times, and men's manners, so that nothing be ordained against God's word. Whosoever through his private judgment, willingly and purposely doth openly break the traditions and ceremonies of the church, which be not repugnant to the word of God, and be ordained and approved by common authority, ought to be rebuked openly (that others may fear to do the like) as he that offendeth against the common order of the church, aad hurteth the authority of the mugistrate, and woundeth the consciences of the weak brethren.

Every particular or national church hath authority to ordain, change, and abolish ceremonies or rites of the church, ordained only by man's authority, so that all things be done to edifying.

Q. Is it necessary that traditions and ceremonies be in all places one?

A. No, for at all times they have been diverse,

and may be changed according to the diversities of countries, times, and men's manners, so that nothing be ordained against God's word.

Q. How should he be treated, who, by his private judgment, willingly and purposely doth openly break the traditions and ceremonies of the church, which be not repugnant to the word of God, and be ordained and approved by common authority.

A. He ought to be rebuked openly, that others may fear to do the like.

Q. In what manner?

A. As one that offendeth against the common order of the church, and hurteth the authority of the magistrate, and woundeth the consciences of the weak brethren.

Q. What authority hath every particular or national church?

A. To ordain, change, and abolish ceremonies or rites of the church, ordained only by man's authority, so that all things be done to edifying.

Scripture Proofs.

Acts v. 29. Obey God rather than man.

Hebrews xiii. 17. Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves.

1 Timothy v. 20. Them that sin rebuke before all, that others also may fear.

1 Corinthians viii. 12. But when you sin so against the brethren, and wound their weak conscience, ye sin against Christ.

Romans xiv. 19. Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another.

6

It is sometimes objected to the discipline of our church,' says the late Bishop of Lincoln, that several of its ceremonies are still the same as those of the Romish church: but to this it may be answered, that we have retained none which are not authorized by the practice of the early Christians, or suited to the important purposes of religious worship.' Such was the moderation of our Reformers, that they did not think it necessary to abolish rites merely because they were used by the church of Rome. The ceremonies of our public offices are grave, simple, and significant, calculated to excite devotion in the mind, while all things are done decently and in order.'

XXXV.

OF THE HOMILIES.

The second book of homilies, the several titles whereof we have joined under this article, doth contain a godly and wholesome doctrine, and necessary for these times, as doth the former book of homilies, which were set forth in the time of Edward the VIth.; and therefore we judge them to be read in churches by the ministers, diligently and distinctly, that they may be understanded of the people.

Q. What doth the second book of homilies contain?

A. A godly and wholesome doctrine, and necessary for these times.

Q. What doth the former book of homilies set forth in the reign of Edward the VIth, contain? A. The same godly and wholesome doctrine. Q. What is therefore judged ?

A. That they be read in churches by the ministers, diligently and distinctly, that they may be understanded of the people.

Q. Repeat the names of the homilies.