ARTICLES, THE of the Church of England, a statement of the particular points of doctrine, 39 in number, maintained by the English Church; first promulgated by a convo cation held in London in 1562-1563, and confirmed by royal authority; founded on and superseding an older code issued in the reign of Edward VI. The five first articles contain a profession of faith in the Trinity; the incarnation of Jesus Christ, His descent to Hell, and His resurrection; the divinity of the Holy Ghost. The three following relate to the canon of the Scripture. The 8th ar ticle declares a belief in the Apostles', Nicene, and Athanasian creeds. The 9th and following articles contain the doctrine of original sin, of justification by faith alone, of predestination, etc. The 19th, 20th, and 21st declare the Church to be the assembly of the faith ful; that it can decide nothing except by Scriptures. The 22d rejects the doc trine of purgatory, indulgences, the ado ration of images, and the invocation of saints. The 23d decides that only those lawfully called shall preach or administer the sacraments. The 24th requires the liturgy to be in English. The 25th and
26th declare the sacraments effectual signs of grace (though administered by evil men), by which God excites and con firms our faith. They are two: baptism and the Lord's Supper. Baptism, accord ing to the 27th article, is a sign of regen eration, the seal of our adoption, by which faith is confirmed and grace in creased. In the Lord's Supper, accord ing to article 28th, the bread is the com munion of the Body of Christ, the wine the communion of His Blood, but only through faith (article 29) ; and the com munion must be administered in both kinds (article 30). The 28th article con demns the doctrine of transubstantia tion, and the elevation and adoration of the Host; the 31st rejects the sacrifice of the mass as blasphemous; the 32d permits the marriage of the clergy; the 33d maintains the efficacy of excommuni cation. The remaining articles relate to the supremacy of the king, the condem nation of Anabaptists, etc. They were ratified anew in 1604 and 1628. All can didates for ordination must subscribe these articles.