m.
The same Parish Clergy, in most cases, ministered as before, only
according to the new forms; the Churches were used by the same
worshippers; the same Creeds were repeated. For the Reformation
touched not the ancient Catholic Faith. It only removed the modern
ceremonies and superstitious beliefs which had been added to it.

Like all great human efforts, the Reformation was not unmixed with
evil; but, at the same time, the blessings gained by our country were
very great. And if other countries had succeeded in reforming abuses,
in a similar manner, no doubt the Church of Christ would have gained
great influence for good, not only in Europe, but also throughout the
world. But the power, which the Church of Rome had usurped to herself,
was too valuable to be parted with. The Pope denounced the
Reformation, and broke off all communion with our Church and nation.

What then became the position of the Church of England? We have seen
how the unity of the various branches of the Church was provided for
by our Lord, through the Apostles and Bishops, to whom He entrusted
His commission to extend His Kingdom. And by the Providence of God the
unity of the Church of England with the Holy Catholic Church has been
maintained, notwithstanding this unhappy schism between us and the
Church of Rome[28]. Our Archbishops and Bishops still exert as before
an indisputable authority, as the officers of the King of "The Kingdom
of Heaven;" and having fellowship with them, we know that we are in
the same position as the first members of the Church, who "continued
stedfastly in the Apostles' doctrine and fellowship" (Acts ii. 42).
Nothing but time separates us from the Apostles and the early Church
of Christ. What was necessary for the first subjects of "The Kingdom
of Heaven" we enjoy. What they were taught to believe, we believe.
What they were led to hope for, we hope for likewise. The promise of
our Lord to His Apostles, "Lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end
of the world" (S. Matt. xxviii. 20), includes our Bishops, with all
the other successors of the Apostles from that day until now.

To the question, What is the Holy Catholic Church[29]? the answer must
be given, It is "The Kingdom of Heaven"--the Kingdom of
Messiah--which, according to His own prediction, has spread from land
to land through all the world. And when we speak of the Church of
England, we speak of that branch of the one great spiritual Kingdom
which was founded,