The Thirty-Nine Articles, which were made a legal requirement by the English Parliament in 1571, were finally repealed in 1824. These articles codified the essential beliefs of the Anglican church and rejected Catholic beliefs such as the sacrifice of the Mass and transubstantiation with the ultimate aim of highlighting the difference between the Church of England and the Roman Catholic Church. Prior to their repeal, the Test Act of 1673 required that individuals holding civil office in England adhered to these articles. 

The repeal of these articles removed a potential roadblock in Mill’s election to Parliament in 1865, but he still avoided questions about religion in his campaign: “On one subject only, my religious opinions, I announced from the beginning that I would answer no questions; a determination which appeared to be completely approved by those who attended the meetings” (Mill 208). 

Sources:

Hanson, Marilee. “The 39 Articles of Religion.” English History, englishhistory.net/tudor/39-articles-religion/. 

Ross, David. “The 39 Articles of Religion.” Britain Express, www.britainexpress.com/History/tudor/39articles.htm. 

“Thirty-Nine Articles.” Encyclopædia Britannica, Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc., www.britannica.com/topic/Thirty-nine-Articles. 

“Thirty-Nine Articles.” New World Encyclopedia, www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/Thirty-nine_Articles.