Can you get penalised for using free articles on your website?
Does google frown upon this?

I have some free articles but Im wondering if I should just take them down.

Not penalised so to speak.
It is dupe content though, so you will have less weight put on that site by google, especially if alot of people are using the exact same article.
Original content is better

I never use rss or free articles.
I much prefer having completely ORIGINAL content. Its the only way to ensure your site wont get buried deep with the others.

maybe i should take them down.. i just thought it was an easy way to make a website, perhaps it is a waste of time though.

I dont see a point having copied or same content on your site.
Why would people want to read your site if its the same as any other site?

Because your site might look better, or might come up higher in the search engine results.
Look around the net, so many sites have duplicate content, its amazing.