Chapter 6: The Church's Authority in Doctrine

Article XX

OF THE AUTHORITY OF THE CHURCH^[1]

The Church hath the power to decree Rites or Ceremonies, and authority in Controversies of Faith: And yet it is not lawful for the Church to ordain any thing that is contrary to God’s Word written, neither may it so expound one place of Scripture, that it be repugnant to another. Wherefore, although the Church be a witness and a keeper of holy Writ, yet, as it ought not to decree any thing against the same, so besides the same ought it not to enforce any thing to be believed for necessity of Salvation.

This most important Article asserts the authority of the Church (against those, particularly Puritans, who minimized it), and indicates the limits of such authority (against the Roman Church which exaggerated it). The Latin text indicates an important distinction between tile Church’s authority in matters of Ceremonial, and her authority in matters of Doctrine: In general, authority is of three kinds: (1) legislative, making laws, (2) judicial, applying and interpreting laws and (3) executive, enforcing laws. The Church can exercise all three types of authority, subject to certain limitations:

The Church has legislative power to decree (ius statuendi) Rites and Ceremonies,^[2] which includes revision of her forms of Worship, etc. For instance, she could abolish the use of the ring in the Marriage Service, or make regulations concerning the vestments to be worn by the clergy. Only Scripture limits this authority. The Church may not ‘ordain anything that is contrary to God’s word written.’^[3] Such authority wa given to the Church by our Lord,^[4] who recognized the authority of the Jewish Church.^[5] The Apostles exercised such authority, e.g., by making regulations for the conduct of worship.^[6]

^[1]When first drawn up by the English Reformers, this Article lacked the most important first clause, and commenced, ‘It is not lawful ...’ Archbishop Laud was once accused of forging the clause, but he was able to refute the charge by producing four editions published in Elizabeth’s reign which contained it. The clause was probably inserted on the Queen’s authority, and was ratified by Convocation in 1571.

^[2]A Rite is a Service, a Ceremony is any act accompanying it. But the distinction is not always strictly observed; sometimes the two words are used synonymously.

^[3]E.g., the Church may not introduce the worship of Angels, or abolish the use of water in Baptism or wine in Holy Communion.

^[4]Matt. 18:18 (cp. 16:19). In Jewish usage ‘to bind’ = to declare forbidden; ‘to loose’ = to declare allowed.

^[5]Matt. 28:2 f.; Luke 17:14; Matt. 8:4.

^[6]1 Cor. 11:4 f., 14:26 ff; Cf. Article XXIV.


	The Church's Authority in Doctrine
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Title Contents Preface Introduction Chapter 1 Chapter 2 Chapter 3 Chapter 4 Chapter 5 Chapter 6 Chapter 7 Chapter 8 Chapter 9 Chapter 10 Appendix A Appendix B Appendix C Site Search: powered by FreeFind Copyright & Credit	Article XX OF THE AUTHORITY OF THE CHURCH^[1] The Church hath the power to decree Rites or Ceremonies, and authority in Controversies of Faith: And yet it is not lawful for the Church to ordain any thing that is contrary to God’s Word written, neither may it so expound one place of Scripture, that it be repugnant to another. Wherefore, although the Church be a witness and a keeper of holy Writ, yet, as it ought not to decree any thing against the same, so besides the same ought it not to enforce any thing to be believed for necessity of Salvation. This most important Article asserts the authority of the Church (against those, particularly Puritans, who minimized it), and indicates the limits of such authority (against the Roman Church which exaggerated it). The Latin text indicates an important distinction between tile Church’s authority in matters of Ceremonial, and her authority in matters of Doctrine: In general, authority is of three kinds: (1) legislative, making laws, (2) judicial, applying and interpreting laws and (3) executive, enforcing laws. The Church can exercise all three types of authority, subject to certain limitations: The Church has legislative power to decree (ius statuendi) Rites and Ceremonies,^[2] which includes revision of her forms of Worship, etc. For instance, she could abolish the use of the ring in the Marriage Service, or make regulations concerning the vestments to be worn by the clergy. Only Scripture limits this authority. The Church may not ‘ordain anything that is contrary to God’s word written.’^[3] Such authority wa given to the Church by our Lord,^[4] who recognized the authority of the Jewish Church.^[5] The Apostles exercised such authority, e.g., by making regulations for the conduct of worship.^[6] ^[1]When first drawn up by the English Reformers, this Article lacked the most important first clause, and commenced, ‘It is not lawful ...’ Archbishop Laud was once accused of forging the clause, but he was able to refute the charge by producing four editions published in Elizabeth’s reign which contained it. The clause was probably inserted on the Queen’s authority, and was ratified by Convocation in 1571. ^[2]A Rite is a Service, a Ceremony is any act accompanying it. But the distinction is not always strictly observed; sometimes the two words are used synonymously. ^[3]E.g., the Church may not introduce the worship of Angels, or abolish the use of water in Baptism or wine in Holy Communion. ^[4]Matt. 18:18 (cp. 16:19). In Jewish usage ‘to bind’ = to declare forbidden; ‘to loose’ = to declare allowed. ^[5]Matt. 28:2 f.; Luke 17:14; Matt. 8:4. ^[6]1 Cor. 11:4 f., 14:26 ff; Cf. Article XXIV.
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