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b.
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The Ecclesiastical Appeals Act (1533) (Mats., p. VIII–2)--its basis in Marsilius of Padua:
“An act that the appeals in such cases as have been used to be pursued
to the see of Rome
shall not be from henceforth had nor used but within this realm. Where, by divers sundry old authentic
histories and chronicles, it is manifestly declared and expressed that this
realm of England is an empire, and so hath been accepted in the world,
governed by one supreme head and king having the dignity and royal estate
of the imperial crown of the same, unto whom a body politic, compact of all
sorts and degrees of people divided in terms and by names of spiritualty
and temporalty be bounden and owe to bear next to God a natural and humble
obedience (he being also institute and furnished by the goodness and
sufferance of Almighty God with plenary, whole, and entire power,
pre-eminence, authority, prerogative, and jurisdiction to render and yield
justice and final determination to all manner of folk residents or subjects
within this his realm, in all causes, matters, debates, and contentions
happening to occur, insurge, or begin within the limits thereof, without
restraint or provocation to any foreign princes or potentates of the world
...)--and whereas the king his most noble progenitors, and the nobility and
commons of this said realm, at divers and sundry parliaments as well in the
time of King Edward I, Edward III, Richard II, Henry IV, and other noble
kings of this realm, made sundry ordinances, laws, statutes, and provisions
for the entire and sure conservation of the prerogatives, liberties, and
pre-eminences of the said imperial crown of this realm, and of the
jurisdictions spiritual and temporal of the same, to keep it from the
annoyance as well of the see of Rome as from the authority of other foreign
potentates attempting the diminution or violation thereof, as often and
from time to time as any such annoyance or attempt might be known or
espied; and [whereas,] notwithstanding the said good statutes and
ordinances ... , divers and sundry inconveniences and dangers not provided
for plainly by the said former acts ... have risen and sprung by reason of
appeals sued out of this realm to the see of Rome, in causes testamentary,
causes of matrimony and divorces, right of tithes, oblations, and
obventions ... : in consideration whereof, the king’s highness, his nobles,
and commons, considering the great enormities, dangers, long delays, and
hurts that as well to his highness as to his said nobles. subjects,
commons, and residents of this his realm in the said causes ... do daily
ensue, doth therefore by his royal assent, and by the assent of the lords
spiritual and temporal and the commons in this present parliament assembled
and by authority of the same, enact, establish, and ordain that all causes
testamentary, causes of matrimony and divorces, rights of tithes,
oblations, and obventions ..., whether they concern the king our sovereign
lord, his heirs, or successors, or any other subjects or residents within
the same of what degree soever they be, shall be from henceforth heard ...
and definitively adjudged and determined within the king’s jurisdiction and
authority and not elsewhere. ...”
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10.
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Elizabeth
(1558–1603). Calvinism becomes the official religion. The 39 articles.
Article XI. Of the Justification of Man. We are accounted righteous before
God, only for the merit of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ by Faith, and
not for our own works or deservings. Wherefore, that we are justified by
Faith only, is a most wholesome Doctrine, and very full of comfort, as more
largely expressed in the Homily of Justification.
Article XVII. Of Predestination and Election. Predestination to Life is
the everlasting purpose of God, whereby (before the foundations of the
world were laid) he hath constantly decreed by his counsel secret to us, to
deliver from curse and damnation those whom he hath chosen in Christ out of
mankind, and to bring them by Christ to everlasting salvation, as vessels
made to honour. Wherefore, they which be endued with so excellent a benefit
of God, be called according to God’s purpose by his Spirit working in due
season: they through Grace obey the calling: they be justified freely: they
be made sons of God by adoption: they be made like the image of his
only-begotten Son Jesus Christ: they walk religiously in good works, and at
length, by God’s mercy, they attain to everlasting felicity. …
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