Articles of Religion.
XX. It is mournful to think how many recent writers have criminated our Church in consequence of their ignorance and inadvertence in not knowing, or not noticing, the contradistinction here meant between power and authority. Rites and ceremonies the Church may ordain jure proprio: on matters of faith her judgment is to be received with reverence, and not gainsayed but after repeated inquiries, and on weighty grounds.
XXXVII. It is lawful for Christian men, at the commandment of the magistrate, to wear weapons, and to serve in wars.
This is a very good instance of an unseemly matter neatly wrapped up. The good men recoiled from the plain words—“It is lawful for Christian men at the Command of a king to slaughter as many Christians as they can!”
Well! I could most sincerely subscribe to all these articles. September, 1831.