Knots Untied - Ryle - IV - Chapter 4

Required reading
Knots Untied by JC Ryle (Available from Amazon or free here) - Read Chapter 4 (The thirty-nine articles).

My summary
Today's chapter is full of praise for the Thirty-nine Articles of the Anglican church.

Firstly Ryle discusses what the Articles are: 'the church of England's Confession of faith'.

Secondly Ryle attempts to establish that the Articles are the chief, foremost, primary and principal test of true Churchmanship - primarily by citing ecclesiastical laws.

Thirdly Ryle looks at the grand features of the Articles:
(i) the strong and decided language which they use in speaking of things which are essential to salvation;
(ii) their studied moderation about things non-essential to salvation;
(iii) their wise, discreet and well-balanced statements about the Sacraments;
(iv) the thoroughly Protestant spirit which runs throughout them, and the boldness of their language about Romish error;
(v) the unvarying reverence with which they always speak of Holy Scripture.

What grabbed me
As a Baptist, this chapter was a bit ho-hum for me.  But it was encouraging to see someone who actually cares about their confession and stands by it.

Thus I liked how Ryle pointed out that many articles speak with definite language: 'Concerning the nature of God and the Holy Trinity, concerning the sufficiency and authority of Scripture, concerning the sinfulness and helplessness of natural man, concerning justification by faith alone, concerning the place and value of good works, concerning salvation only by the name of Christ; concerning all these grand foundations of the Christian religion, it is hard to conceive language more decided, clear, distinct, ringing, and trumpet-toned than that of the Thirty-nine Articles. There is no doubtfulness, or hesitancy, or faltering, or timidity, or uncertainty, or compromise about their statements. There is no attempt to gratify undecided theologians by saying, "It is probably so," or, "Perhaps it may be so," or, "There are some grounds for thinking so," and all that sort of language which is so pleasing to what are called "broad" Christians. Nothing of the kind! On all the points I have named the Articles speak out boldly, roundly, frankly, and honestly, in a most unmistakable tone.'

While we can speak with some uncertainty about some doctrines, many doctrines must be held unashamedly.

Next week's reading
Read Chapter 5 (Baptism).

Now it's your turn
Please post your own notes and thoughts in the comments section below.