Scripture

The Bible is not a book, but many books. Anglicans have a clear understanding of what those books are.

We sometimes refer to the Bible as the Canon of Scripture. We mean that the Bible is our rule of faith, and the things that we ought to believe are the things that can be found there. So when someone says Christians should "XYZ", then we may measure this claim against the canon (ruler) or scripture.

XX. Of the Authority of the Church.

The Church hath power to decree Rites or Ceremonies, and authority in Controversies of Faith: and yet it is not lawful for the Church to ordain anything 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 anything against the same, so besides the same ought it not to enforce anything to be believed for necessity of Salvation.

Anglicans believe in the Bible, and though the nature, character and shape of belief may vary, we take the Bible very seriously. The Church sees itself as having a great duty of care as both a witness and a keeper of the Holy Writ.

Holy Scripture contains all things necessary to salvation: so that whatever is not read therein, nor may be proved by them, is not to be required of anyone, that it should be believed as an article of faith, or be thought requisite or necessary to salvation.

In the name of the Holy Scripture, we do understand those canonical Books of the Old and New Testament, of whose authority was never any doubt in the Church.

Of the Names and Number of the Canonical Books.

Genesis, The First Book of Samuel, The Book of Esther,
Exodus, The Second Book of Samuel, The Book of Job,
Leviticus, The First Book of Kings, The Psalms,
Numbers, The Second Book of Kings, The Proverbs,
Deuteronomy, The First Book of Chronicles, Ecclesiastes or Preacher,
Joshua, The Second Book of Chronicles, Cantica, or Songs of Solomon,
Judges, The First Book of Esdras, Four Prophets the greater,
Ruth, The Second Book of Esdras, Twelve Prophets the less.

And the other Books (as Jerome says) the Church reads for example of life and instruction of manners; yet does not apply them to establish any doctrine; such are these following:

The Third Book of Esdras, The rest of the Book of Esther,
The Fourth Book of Esdras, The Book of Wisdom,
The Book of Tobias, Jesus the Son of Sirach,
The Book of Judith, Baruch the Prophet,
The Song of the Three Children, The Prayer of Manasses,
The Story of Susanna, The First Book of Maccabees,
Of Bel and the Dragon, The Second Book of Maccabees.

All the Books of the New Testament, as they are commonly received, we do receive as Canonical.

The Bible

XX. Of the Authority of the Church.

VI. Of the Sufficiency of the Holy Scriptures for Salvation.