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* THE 
 
 |' Gonfefslonof 'Suct/i, * 
 
 fr Ufed in the 4c 
 
 t-.Englijb Congregation % 
 
 Received and Approved by & 4 
 
 | Church of 'Scotland, | 
 
 It •* 
 
 4* In the Beginning of the \ 
 
 fr W/w !Pr^/jr /row rf t Scriptures -jc 
 
 * .<*■ 4c 
 
 * — — — . ^ 
 
 t i Co r. iii* ti # 4C 
 
 ?;« tor other ! ., idatton can no Ma ; • «JC 
 
 »i laidj which is Jefus Gv •& 
 
 £ E /> N B U R (. H, # 
 
 £ :IDC' K XV. 
 
& 
 
 H 
 
THE 
 
 Confession of Fait k^ 
 
 Ufed in the Englifh Congregation at GBNEV, 
 Received and Approved by the C h ■ 
 of SCOTLAND, &c. 
 
 I. 
 
 Be! and confefs a my 
 
 1 jrd GOD eternal, infi- 
 unmeafurable, incom- 
 prehenfible and invifibie b> 
 One in Subftance *, and 
 Three in Peri tther, 
 
 and H I hoft d : 
 
 Who by his Air Power and Wifdom 
 
 I th not only ot r :ig created Heaven^ 
 E;< and. all Things therein contained f y 
 ar Man after 1 .vn linage^, that he m 
 in him he glorified b y but alio bj Father- 
 ly Providence governeth, nuintaineth and 
 prelerveth the lame /, according to the Pur- 
 pofe of his Will k, 
 
 A 2 II. 
 
 I believe 
 inGod t 
 
 mi 
 
 Maker . 
 
 an 
 
 d Gzn 
 e Neb, 
 
 il. 
 h Ppm 
 
 h Go . ' 
 1 6, 17, 
 
 . 1. 
 
 tin. 1. 
 
 Epb. 
 
 I C 
 
 r. 
 
 JLUi 
 
 * «. ■ 
 
II. 
 
 4nd in T Believe alfo and con'fefe JESUS CHRIST 
 
 Jefus X the only Saviour and Meffias a> who, 
 
 Chrifl his being equal with God, made himfelf df no 
 
 only So Reputation, but took on him the Shape of a 
 
 tur Lord* Servant £, and became Man, in all Things 
 
 like unto us, Sin excepted c , to affure us of 
 
 Mercy and Forgivenefs d. For when through 
 
 our Father Adam's Tranfgreflion we were 
 
 become Children of Perdition e, there was 
 
 no Means to bring lis from that Yoke of Sin 
 
 and Damnation, but only Jefus Chrifl our 
 
 Lord f\ who giving us that by Grace which 
 
 'ho was was his by Nature £, made us through Faith 
 
 conceived the Children of God h. 
 
 by the Ho- Who, when the Fulnefs of Time was 
 
 ly Ghoflj come i, was conceived by the Power of the 
 
 born of Holy Ghoft, born of the Virgin Mary, ac- 
 
 tht Vlr- cording to the Flefli k> and preached in Earth 
 
 ^/V/Mary, the Gofpel of Salvation /, till at length, by 
 
 Suffered Tyranny of the Priefls, he was guiltlefs con- 
 
 urider demned under Pontius Pilate, then Prefident 
 
 Pontius otjury, and moft flanderoufly hanged on the 
 
 Pilate, Crofs between two Thieves, as a notorious 
 
 toas cru- Trefpafter /#, where taking upon him the 
 
 drifted, Pu- 
 
 a Mat. i. 21. ABs 4. 12. 1 Tim* 1. 15. b John 1. 
 
 Phil. 2. 6, 7- 1 Tim. 3. 16. 1 John 5. 20.- Rom. g. 5. 
 
 c Heb. 2. M> 16, 17. Phil. 2. 7, 8. 1 Pet. %. 22. 1 John 
 
 3. 5. d Rom. 8. 31, &c. 1 John 2. 1. e Gen. 3. Jfow. 
 
 t6, 17, iS. £/>£. 2. 3. Gd/. 3. 10, 13. f v4#y 4. 12. 
 
 Ptf^. 2. 6. 7/rf. 2S. 16. Rom. 9. 33. g ^A» U U 2. 
 Ht?£. 1. s« JR^#. 1. 4- P/*/- 2. 7. h G^/. 3. 26. Rom. 
 8. 14. j^A» 1. 12. Eph. 1. 5. i <7a/. 4. 4. Rom. 1.2,3.' 
 jftTj 2. 22. k If*. 7. 14. Xtfte 1. 31, 35. Kc/». 1*3. 
 1 Acts 10. 36. Heb'. 1. 1. m jfaitf 7. 32. & 11. 47, \iS, 
 & 12. 10, 11,42. Maf. 12. 14. & 27. Zuie^. 
 
 rfart T * l8. & I I 
 
Tlje Confeffwn t 
 Punifhment of our Sins, ' he c 
 from the Curfe of the Law n. 
 
 And for as much as he, being only God, 
 could not' feel Death *, neither, be 
 Man, could overcome Death ; He joined both Dea 
 together, and differed his Humai to be and bu- 
 puniflxed with mod cruel Deaths teeing in ried y 
 himielf the Anger and fevere 'gment of 
 ' od, even as if he had been in the extreme 
 Torments of Hell, and therefore cried with a He de- 
 loud voice, My God, n?j G.J. why baft thcu fcended 
 for fa me p to Hitt> 
 
 Thus o*i his free Merc} bout Compul- 
 
 flon, he offered up himielf as the only Sacri- 
 iice to purge the Sins of all the World q ; fo 
 1 at all other Sacrifices for Sin are blasphe- 
 mous, and derogat om the Sufficiency 
 hereof. 
 
 The which Death, ajbeit it did fufRciently 
 
 concile us to God r, yet the Scriptures do 
 commonly attribute our Regeneration to his Thz third 
 Refurre&ion s : For as by rifing agaii wti D&1 he 
 the Grave the third Day f, he conquered rofe ag<k 
 Death u\ even fo the Vi&ory ,,ur Faith fi ™ 
 ftandeth in his Refurreftion, and therefore Death^ 
 without the one we cannot feel the Benefit of 
 the other : For as by his Death Sin was taken 
 away, fo'our Righteoufnefs was rcftored by 
 his Refur re&ion vo. 
 
 And becaufe he would accomplifh all tilings, 
 and take Poffeifion fc in his Kingdom x, 
 
 v he 
 
 n Gal . 3. Jfa. 53. ' . . . f . 1 p € 
 
 %. 24. Jfa. 53. 4, 5, 7, • p Pfal. 
 q Jfa. . Heb. 9. 12, 1 
 Gal . \ R.m. 4. 2 '• 
 «- 20» Row. 6. 45. 1 Pet 
 : i Cor* : -. . ;. 1 C 
 
 tv Rom* 4. 25. x £/>/v. 4* 
 
He ascen- 
 ded into 
 Heaven^ 
 
 And fit- 
 teth at 
 the right 
 Hand cf 
 God the 
 Father 
 Altnigh- 
 
 From 
 
 thence 
 Jball he 
 come to 
 judge the 
 quick and 
 the dead. 
 
 The Confcjfion of Faith. 
 he afcended into Heaven^, to enlarge that, 
 fame Kingdom by the abundant' Power of 
 his Spirit ^ , by whom we are moil allured 
 of his continual Interceflion towards God the 
 Father for us a . And although he be in 
 Heaven, as touching his corporal Prefence b , 
 where the Father hath now let Jrim at his 
 Right Hand r, committing unto him the Ad- 
 miniftration of all Things, as well in Heaven 
 above, as in the Earth beneath d> yet is he 
 prefent with us his Members, even to the 
 End of the World e y in preserving and go- 
 verning us with his effe&ual Power and Grac 
 Who (when all Things are fulfilled which 
 God hath fpokenby the Mouth of all his Pro- 
 phets, fince the World began/) will come 
 in the fame vifible Form in the which he af- 
 cended g , with an, unfpeakable Majefty, 
 Power and Company, to feparate the Lambs 
 from the Goats, the Ele& from the Repro- 
 bate b ; {q that none, whether he be alive 
 then, or dead before, (hall efcape his Judg- 
 ment/. 
 
 III. 
 Jbeheve it MOREOVER, I believe and confefs the 
 in the j\j[ Holy Ghoft, God equal with the Fa- 
 K°ly ther and the Son, who regenerate^ and fan- 
 
 Ghofty difieth us, ruleth and guideth us into all 
 
 Truth, 
 
 2 Luke 
 
 w o^. 3. 1. x om . x< 34. Jtieb. 1. 3. <x 10. 11. <x 12. 2, 
 & £pb. 1. 20, 21, 22. Vhil. 2. 9. Col. 2. 10. e Mat. 28. 
 20. f Acls 3. 21. g Atts 1. 11. h Mat. 25. 3 1 46: 
 Tbil. 3. 20. i Mat. 24. 30, 31. Alts 10.42. & ' :• $U 
 1 Cor. 15. 51, 52, i Tbejf. 4, 16, 17, 2 Thejf. 1. 7— 10. 
 3 Tim, 4, i ? 8. 3 »-■ 
 
The Con feffion of Faith] 
 Truth <z,pfcrfwading us moil afluredly in our 
 Confidences, that we are the Children of God, 
 Brethrer Jefus Chrift, and Fellow-heirs 
 with him of Life everlafting b . 
 
 Yet notwithftanding it is not fufficient to 
 believe that God is Omnipotent and Merci- 
 ful, that Chrift hath made Satisfaction, or 
 that the Holy Ghoft hath this Power and 
 EfFeft, except we do apply the fame Benefits 
 to our felves c 3 who are God's Elect, d* 
 
 IV. 
 
 I Believe therefore and confefs one holy The holy 
 Church a, which (as Members of Jefus Catholi 
 C rift the only Head thereof A J confent in ck 
 Faith, Hope and Charit ufing the Gifts the \:k 
 I >d, whether they be temporal or fpiri- mun . 
 to the Profit and Furtherance oi the of faints* 
 fame d. Which Church is not Teen to Man's 
 Eyej but only known to God e> who of the 
 loft Sons of Adam hath ordained fome as Vef- 
 s of Wrath to Damnation/; and hathcho- 
 n others as Veffels of his Mercy to be fav- 
 ed £, the which alio in due Time he calleth 
 to Integrity of Life and Godly Converfati- 
 on, to make them a glorious Church to him- 
 
 But 
 
 17. 1 John <>. 7. 1 Pet. 1. 2, 22. 1 C . 
 11, . 7— 13. Epb.-;.i6. 2TheJf.2. 13. bRom. 
 
 . GaL±. 6, 7. c Habah. 2. 4. Rom. 1. nd 
 
 if 23. Jobni. 36. d fobn 
 
 VI. a. V, : 10. H, 15,16. Epb 
 
 Ij.R .... . &c. Cant. 2. b 1 Cor. 12. 1 
 , .■ -. . . • . 
 
 1 C 
 
 • • - 
 
the Confejfion of Faith. 
 But that Church which is vifible and feea 
 to the Eye i, hath three Tokens or Marks, 
 whereby it may be known. Firft, the Word 
 of God contained in the old and new Tefta- 
 iiient k y which as it is above the Authority of 
 the fame Church /, and only fufficient to in- 
 ftruft us in all things concerning Salvation m\ 
 {b is it left for all Degrees of Men to read, 
 and underftandtf : For without this Wrrd 
 neither Church, Council or Decree can efta- 
 blifh any Point touching Salvation o. 
 
 The Second is the holy Sacraments, to wit, 
 of Baptifm and the Lord's Supper, which 
 Sacraments Chrift hath left unto us, as holy 
 Signs and Seals of Gods Promifes p . For 
 as by Baptifm once received, is fignified, 
 that we (as well Infants, as others of Age 
 v and DifcreUon) beirig Strangers from God 
 by original "Sin, are received into his Family 
 and Congregation q ; with full AiTurancethat 
 although this Root of Sin ly hid in us, yet to 
 the Ele& it fhall not be imputed r: So the Sup- 
 per declareth that God, as a moft provident 
 Father, doth not only feed our Bodies, but 
 alio fpiritually nourifh our Souls with the 
 Graces and Benefit? of Jefus Qirift ; which 
 the Scripture calbth eating of his Flefh, 
 and drinking of his Blood s. Neither 
 ttiuft we in the Ad minift ration of thefe Sa- 
 craments follow Man's Fancy, but as Chriil 
 
 him- 
 
 i Mat. 18. 17. 1 Cor. 15. 9* k Mat. 28. 19, 20# Rom. 
 
 iO.14,17. Luke 16. 31. and 24. 27. Epb. 2. 20. John 10. 
 
 \6. 2 Tim. 3. 15, 16. 1 2 Pet. 1 . 20, 21. m John 20. 
 
 u iTtm. 3. 15, 16, 17'. n Deut. 6. 6, 7. Jof. 1. 8. 
 
 ah 78- 5. John 5. 39, o Mat. 15. 3, 6, 9. and 22. 29. 
 £$h. 5. 17, p Mat. 28. 19. and 26. 26 — 30. Rom. 4. 1 U 
 <q; Rom: 6: 3, 4, 5. Gal: 3: 27- Col: 2: II, 12. Tit: 3: 5. 
 r Rem* 4, ffaU 32; I, 2* 5 1 CfglU 23 — 29. Jitih 6. 
 

 s 
 
 T.ie Confeflion of faith. 
 bijnfelf hath ordained, to mud they be mini- 
 fired, and by* fuch as by. ordinary Vocation 
 are thereunto called**- : Therefore whofoever * 
 
 referveth and worfliippeth thefe Sacrarnenrs > I 
 
 or contrariwife contemneth them in Tin: 
 and Place,, procureth to himielf Damna- 
 tion. 
 
 The Third Mark of this Church is E 
 fiaflical Discipline, which ftandeth in Adm 
 nition and Correction or Faults u ; the fin 
 end whereof is Excommunication, by the 
 Confent of the Church determined, if the Of- 
 : nder be obftinate to . 
 
 And befides this Ecclefiafticil Difripline, \ 
 I acknowledge* to belong to the Church a po- , 
 litick Magiftrate, who miniilreth to every 
 Man JutUce, defending the Good, and pu- 
 nching the Evil, to whom we muft render 
 Honour and Obedience in all Things x, which / 
 are not c^ to the Word or God^. 
 
 And as Moles ^ , Hezechias a , Jolias b , 
 d other Godly Rulers purged the Church ] 
 God from Superftition and Idolatry : So J 
 j Dei of Chriit's Church appertaineth I 
 to the Chriflian Magiitrates, againft all Ido- 
 laters and Hereticks, as Papiils, Anabaptifts, J 
 with fuch like Lims or Antichrift ; to root / 
 
 all Doctrine of Devils and Men, as the 
 Mafs, Purgatory, I Vatrum^ Prayers j 
 
 to Sa d, Free-will, Diftin- i 
 
 leats, Apparel and Days, Vows of 
 ;it IdoWervice, Man's 
 
 Merirs J 
 
 • Dcatl :. Heb, bn i. 33. iCor^d* 1. 
 
 a Matt>. ■ 22. 3, 4. Lt 
 
 w 1 ► «}, 7. Jit. 3. I. 1 TV j, 
 
 29. 1 . 32. a 2 Kin^ 
 b 2 Kings 23. 
 
 # 
 
 
The For- 
 givenefs 
 of Sins, 
 
 The Re- 
 fur region 
 of the 
 Bodj y 
 
 t, 
 
 'the Confeffion of Fuith. 1 1 
 
 Merits, with fitch like c : Which draw us 
 from the Society of ChrifFs Church, wherein 
 ftandeth only RemiiIionof«Sins, purchafed by 
 Chrift's Blood to all them that believe, whe- 
 ther they be Jews or Gentiles d ; and lead 
 us to vain Confidence in Creatures,andTruftV 
 in our own Imaginations. The Punifhmqjnt J 
 whereof, although God oftentimes defer reth 
 in this Life e , yet, after the'general Refur- 
 re&ion, when our Souls and Bodies fhall rife 
 again to Immortality/, they fhall be damned 
 to unquenchcableFire^ : And then we, who 
 have fbrfaken all Mens Wifdom to cleave un- 
 to Chrift, fhall hear the joyful Voice, Come, 
 ye bleffed of my Father, inherit ye the King- 
 dom prepared for you from the Beginning of 
 the Worlds , and fo fhall go triumphing with 
 . him in Body and Soul, to remain everlafting- 
 ly in Glory z, where we fhall fee G O D Face 
 And Life to Face, and fhall no more need one to inftruft 
 everlaft- another ; for we fhall all know him, from the 
 ihg* higheft to the lowed k . To whom, with the 
 
 Father and the Holy Ghoft,be all Praife, Hor 
 nour and Glorv, now and ever. So be it. 
 
 c 2. Tim. 4. 2., 3, 4. Col. 2.* 8,16—43. Mat.i$. 1— p. Ifcig. 
 
 13. Heb.9. 12-, I4,2.ss2.£i2.8. 8c 10. 10, 12., 14. Acts 10.15;. 
 Tjobn 2.2,2.. Rom. 7- 6- Gal. 5*. 1. Col. 2.. 8, 16 — 2.3. Rom, 
 
 14. lTim.q.. 1—8. Mat.19. 19,11,12. 1 Cor.7.2.,5. i-C'or.8. 
 1 Cor .,10. 2.5. 2, Cor» 6. 16, 17. Luke 17. 2,3. Rom. 3. 1.9-- 2.9. 
 1 Cor. 3. 11. Ga/. 4. p, 10. d I/a. 33. 24. Mattb. 18. 18. 
 Jobmo. 23. 2,Cor.5-.i8. Rom.i>. 16. &: iq. 11,12.. Epka. 
 i i,8cc. e 2. Pcf . 2^ ^We. 2?oa«. p. 2.2. f .4#.r 2.4. 1 j. 1 Cor. 
 
 15. 12, 8cc. Pibf/. 3. 1 1, 2.1. 1 Tte/T 4. 13, &c. g 2 TfoJJI 
 1. 7,8.^9* Sc 2.. 12.. Ifa. 30. 2.7. 5°"te 3. 36. & $•. 28, 29. 
 Mat. 2.5-. 30, 41,45. h Mat.2.$. 2,1,2.3, 34, 46. i I 7*kjf f 
 16, 17.8c ^, £, 10. 7°^ 5"- 2 > Ifa-16. 1$/ ): 1 C$r. 13* 
 12.. 1 Jo^ 3,2* Jer. 31. 34. He£: 8. U. 
 
1& THE 
 
 ^CONFESSION 
 
 g F T H E g; 
 
 Faith and Do&riae, £ 
 
 * Believed and Profefled by the y£ 
 
 Protestants of Scotland, & 
 
 ^ Exhibited to the Eftates of the fame in ^. 
 ^5 Parliament, and by their pub lick Votes ^ 
 2* authorized, as a Doftrine grounded ^ 
 upon the infallible Word of God. 
 
 
 
 2^ ./%«/? 156c >r 
 
 ^5 And ^Ratified and Eftablifhed by Aft of^ 
 jS Parl'ament, 1567. as the publick and ^ 
 4^ avov I Confession of Faith of the 'Z 
 V CHURCH of SCO 7 LAND. £• 
 
 «^And afterwards further Eftablifhed and^ 
 ^ publickly Confirmed by fundry A&s 
 4i of Parliaments, and of lawful General^ 
 AfTemblies. >>- 
 
 * ;.: IF/f/j Proofs from the Scripture. & 
 
 !§ Matth. x.dv. 14. -An* this C f the KingJL 
 
 "r< . ill be In all tl {$ ¥? 
 
 *£s \ti ns y and tbtnjh- 
 
 *$ 1 Cor. 1 1 can n 
 
 ^ laj 1 /<;/</ iv Ai 
 
 3S EDINBURGH, 
 
 «*£$ rintcd by Tb*mas 
 
 *W /■;. MDCCX 
 
 
 HP 
 
The CONTENTS. 
 
 Art. The Preface. Page 
 
 i. Of GOD, 
 
 2. Of the Creation of Mm. 
 3 # Of original Sin. 
 
 4 . Of the Revelation of the Promife^ 
 ^ Of the Continuance, Increafe, and Prefer- 
 vation of his Church. 
 
 6. Of the Incarnation ofChrifi Jefus. 
 
 7. Why it behoved the Mediator to be very 
 
 God and very Man. 
 
 8. Of Eleftion. 
 
 9 \ OfChrifs Death, Pajfion, Burial, &C 
 10. OftheRefurreElion, 
 li. Of the Afcenfion. 
 
 12. Of Faith in the Holy Ghofi. 
 
 13. Of the Caufe of good Works. 
 
 14. What Works are reputed good before God. 
 
 1 5. Of the Perfeilion of the Law^ and the Im- 
 
 per f<. U ion of Man. 
 
 16. Of the Church. 
 
 17. Of the Immortality of the Soul. 
 
 l8« Of the Notes by the which the true Church 
 is difcerned from the falfe 7 and who 
 Jliall be Judge of the Dotlrine. 
 
 19. Of the Authority of the Scriptures. 
 
 20. Of General Councils, of their Power, A. 
 
 thority^ and Caufe of their Convention. 
 
 21. Of the Sacrarrients* 
 
 22. Of the right Admwiftration of the S&ramt 
 
 23. To whom Sacraments appertain. 
 24* Of the Civil Magifirate. 
 
 2$. Of the Gifts freely given to the Church* 
 

 \\ 
 
 Tl?e PREFACE. 
 
 he States of Scot laid y with the Inhabitants of 
 the .fame, profeffing Chrijt Jefpu his holy 
 Gofpel, To their natural Country-men, and 
 unto all other Realms and Nations profeffing 
 the fame Lord Jefa with them } Wilh Grace, 
 Mercy, and Peace, from God the Father of 
 our Lord Jcftts Carift, with the Spirit of righ- 
 teous Judgment, for Salvation. 
 
 Ong have we thirfled {dear Brethren) to have net:- 
 _j fied unto the World the Sum cf that Doctrine which 
 >e frcj'efty and for the which we have fuftained In- 
 imy and Danger : But fuch hath been the Rage of Sa- 
 in againfl m ifl Chrift Jelus his eternal Veri* 
 fj lately now again bom amengft ui y that to this Day nj 
 'ime hath been granted unto m, to clear our Confciences> 
 r m oft gladly we would have done: For now we ha 
 ten to (fed a whole Tearpaft, as the moft Part of Europe 
 ts we dofuppofe) doth underftand. But feeing that of th; 
 ifinite G. fs of our God (who never fuffereth his Af- 
 d utt to be 1 . unded) above Expectation , we 
 ave obtai mt Reft and Liberty. we could not but fet 
 ?rth this brief and pla. n f fuch Doctrine as is 
 fed unto us, and as we believe andprcfefs ; partly 
 itisfa :, whofe Hearts, we doubt 
 9t, have been, and yet are, wounded by the defpite- 
 il Railing vet have not learned tofpeak well ; 
 nd partly the Mouths of in Blafphem- 
 -s^who boldly condemn that which tfoy 
 
 Uh 
 
4 The PREFACE. 
 
 tcnderflood: Not that we judge that the cankredMLlice 
 
 fucb is able to be cured by this fempleConftJfion:Ni, ix\e knoi 
 
 that the fweet Savour of the Gofpel is and Jhall b&Deat 
 
 unto the Sons of Per dition.But we have chief Refpe cl to ou 
 
 weak and infirmBrethren,to whom we would comr.huhicat 
 
 the Bottom of our Hearts, left that they be' troubled c 
 
 carried away by Diverfity of Rumors, which Satan fbreaa 
 
 eth againft us, to the defeating of this *ur m ft godly h 
 
 terprife \ 2 rote fling, That if any Man will note in thi 
 
 our Confjeffion, any Article or Sentence repugning to God' 
 
 holy Wolfy 9 that it would pleafe him of his Gentlenef: 
 
 and for Chriflian Charity's fake, adm.nrp us of the J am 
 
 in writing \ and we, upon our Hsnours and Fidelity, d 
 
 promife unto him Satisfaction from the Muth vf Go* 
 
 (that is, from his holy Scriptures) or elfe Reformation c 
 
 that which he Jhall prcve to be amifs* Fcr God we tai 
 
 to Record in our Confciences, That from our Hearts w 
 
 abhor all Sells of Herefy, and all Teachers of erroneou 
 
 Doctrine ; and that with all Humiliy we imbrace the pu 
 
 rity ofChrift's Gofpel, which is the only Food of cur Svuh 
 
 and therefore fo precious unto us, that we are determine* 
 
 to fuffer the extremeft of worldly Danger, rather tha 
 
 that we will fuffer our felves to be defrauded oftbefami 
 
 For hereof we are mofl certainly perfwaded, 'ihat whoft 
 
 ever deny eth Chriji JeJus,or is afhamed of him inVrefent 
 
 of Men, Jhall be denied before the Father and befre hi 
 
 holy Angels* And therefore, by the Afftftance cf th 
 
 Mighty Spirit cf the fame our Lord Jefus Chrift, 
 
 firmly purpofe to abide to the End, in the Confeffion c 
 
 tbis cur Faith. 
 
 TIi 
 
the CONFESSION of the FAITH 
 and DOCTRINE believed and 
 profefs'd by the Proteftants of Scot- 
 land^ &c. 
 
 Vlatth. XXiv. 14. And this G off el of the Kingdom 
 JI14II be preached through the World^for a Witnefs 
 unto all Nations } and then Jh all the End come. 
 
 — ^— ^ — ^ — ^ — — — ^— — * 
 
 ARTICLE I. of God. 
 
 WE confefs, and acknowledge one only God, 
 to whom only we inuft cleave, whom on- 
 ly we muft ferve, whom only we mud 
 worfhip, and in whom only we muft put 
 >ur Truft a , who is Eternal, Infinite, Unmeafurable. 
 ncomprehenfible,Omnipotent, Inviiible b ; One in Sub- 
 lance, and yet in Three Perfons, the Father, the Son, 
 md the Holy Ghoft c \ by whom we confefs and believe 
 W Things in Heaven and Earth,as well viiible as inviii- 
 >le, to have been created, to be retained in their Being, 
 md to be ruled and guided by his infcrutable Providence, 
 ich Ends, as his eternal \frifdom, Goodnefs and Ju- 
 -e hath appointed them, to the Manifeflation of hisowa 
 
 3lor\ dm 
 
 Deut. 6. 4, i Cor. 3. 6. Deut. 4. 35. Ifai. 44. <. 
 > 1 Tim. 1. 17. 1 h .27- 2Cbrcn.6. iS. ffal.v^. 
 
 7, 1. 1 lim.6. 15, 16. Exod. 3. 14, 15. 
 lattb.2%. 19. I John 5*7. d Gtn. U U Keb: 11.3. 
 Afc 17.28. Prov: 16. 4, 
 
 ART. 
 
Tlje Confejfion ofFaithl Art. 2, 3, 
 
 '4 ART. II. Of the Creation of Man. 
 
 WE confefs and acknowledge this our Godtoha\f 
 created Man, to wit, our firfl Father Adam, t 
 his own Image and Similitude, to whom he gav^Wi; 
 dom, Lordfliip, Juftice, Free-will, and clear Knowledge 
 of himfelf ; fo that in the whole Nature of Man, then 
 could he noted no Imperfection e : From which Henoui 
 arid Perfection, Man and Woman did both fall. Thq 
 Woman being deceived by the Serpent, and Man obey 1 
 ing the Voice of the Woman, both confpiring againftii 
 the Sovereign Majefty of God, who in exprefs Words'* 
 had before threatned Death, if they prefumcd to eat 
 the forbidden Tree/. 
 
 eGen 1. 26, 27, 28, GV. Colojf. 3. 10. Ephef. 4. : . 
 fGen. 3.6. & 2. 17. 
 
 ART. III. Of original Sin; 
 
 BY which Tranfgreffion, commonly called original 
 Sin, was the Image of God utterly defaced in 
 Man, and he and his Poller it y of Nature becomes Ene- 
 mies to-.,God, Slaves to Satan, and Servants to Sin^; 
 infomirch that Death everlafting hath had and lhall 
 have Power, and Dominion over* all that, have not been, 
 are not, or fhall riot be regenerated from above; which 
 Regeneration is wrought by the Power of the Holy 
 Ghoft,workingin the Hearts of the E left of God an allu- 
 red Faith in the Promife of God, revealed to us in his 
 Word, by which Faith we apprehend Chrifl Jefus, with 
 the Graces and Benefits promifed in him h. 
 
 g Pfal. 51. 5. Rom. 5. 10. & 7. 5. 2 Tim. 2. 26. 
 Eph. 2. 1, 2, 3. h Rom. 5. 14,21. Rom. 6. 23. John 3.5.' 
 Rom. 5yi. Phil. 1.29. 
 
 A RT. IV. Of the Revelation of the Promife. 
 
 FOr this we conftantly believe, that God, after the 
 fearful and horrible Defection qf Man from his 
 Obedience, did feek Adam again, call upon him, rebuke 
 his Sin, convift him of the lame, and in the End made 
 
 unto 
 
Art. 5. Tlie Con fefficn of Faith < 
 
 tttaJtim a mod: joyful Promife, tu wit, That the S:r] 
 
 the Woman fhould break dcrvn the Serpent's I 
 • it is,he fhould deftroy the Work or* the Devil : 
 
 , as it was repeated, and made more clear I 
 !me to Time, io was it embraced with Joy, and n: 
 ^ftantly received of all the Faithful from Adam to 
 foe, from Noe to Abraham, from Abraham to Da 
 nd fo forth to the Incarnation of Chrift Jefus- 
 
 the feith ul Fathers under the Law) did iee the 
 : ul Day of Chrift Jeius, and did rejoice u 
 iC • ]. 9. 15. & 12. 3. & 15. 5,6. 2 Sam* 7. 14. lfa. 
 14. & 9. 6. Hag. 2. 7, 9. Ji.hu* 8. 5 
 
 T. V. Of the Continuance, hxreafe and Pre~ 
 
 tn f the Kir?,. 
 a 7E moft conftantly believe, that God JMt iy 
 
 V ted, multiplied, honoured, d d, ai 
 
 ath called to Li s Kirk in all \gfes, r<m\ 
 
 im till thdComing of Chriftjefus in the Fleih k : For 
 raham he called from his Father's Country, him 
 nftruefced, his Seed he multiplied .' ; th I me he mar- 
 
 preferved, and more marveloully deliver 
 I iagea mnyof Vharacb m ; to them 
 
 ( ^ monies n *, them 
 
 I led in th ; to thei 
 
 p,ai ' 7, hq gave Zto \. * J£ing r, t< ra 
 
 her -zonule, th lit of his Loins, ih 
 
 On: n his Regal Seat/; to this fame Peo- 
 
 ne to lime, he lent Prophets to reduce 
 ight Way of their God f, from the which 
 
 And albeit 
 tempt I uft ice, he w 
 m inl iands of t! : .nemi 
 
 <> as be b) the Mcu? . . 1 r, 
 
 "in 
 
 12, £V. mi 1, G 
 
 . 4. p Ju. 
 
 I 
 
 i4) 1 5j wf. * 
 
 ' ;tf. 2 
 
 
b vfFmtbm 
 
 g to due Piosnbe 6. 
 
 Of ti zim •/ d 
 
 > V rml WjIcibu the 
 
 C ::; :- :"-_c - ;. --/-r took :':.-: N_: 
 
 «,! 
 
 of fcts God-head, c: 
 cc ooGHKcacaod tbemu c 
 c <7 
 
 AUr.:. 1.2:. jrtfAs 
 
 ART. VU. R 
 
 \ \ i-_ ; . _ C - ^-j 7 :.-- vrvrr: t.f 
 
 ! J - - : 
 
 on -' sings 2nd :rp i. 
 
 * >4» 
 
 :- 
 
 . 
 
Art. 8. Hoe Confejfion of Faith: 
 
 ART. VIII. Of Election. 
 
 FO it fame;, eternal God and Father, oj 
 
 mere Grace, elefted us in Chrift Jefus his So bc# 
 t ■;.■ the Foundation of the World was laid e, ap, 
 cd him to be our Head /, our Brother g, our Paftor, 
 and great Biiliop of our Souls h : But becaufe that the 
 Enmity between the Juftice of God, and ou 4 * Sins, was 
 fiich,that»no Flefh by it felf could, or might ha in- 
 
 cd unto God / ; It behoved, that the Son o\ God Hiou'd 
 delcend unto us, and take to himfelf a Body of our Body* 
 Flefh of our Fleih, and Bone of our Bones, and fo be- 
 come the Mediator between God and Man k ; giving 
 Power to fo many, as beliere in him to be, the^Sons of 
 God /, as himielf doth witnefs, / pafs up to my lather 
 and unto your Father, to my God and y cur God m : By 
 Tvhich moil holy Fraternity, whatfoever we have loft in 
 Adam, is reftored unto us again n \ and for this Caufc 5 
 are we not afraid to call God oifr Father o : Not fo 
 much becaufe he hath created US', which we have co 
 mon with the Reprobates p, as for that he hath given 
 to us his only ^on, to be our Brother q, and given 
 untq us Grace to acknowledge and imbrace him for 
 our only Mediator, as before is fafd. It behoved fur- 
 ther the Meflias and Redeemer to be very God and 
 very Man, becaufe he was to underly the Puniihment 
 due for our Tranigreflions ; ar ro prefent himielf in t 
 Prefence of his Father's Judgment, as in our Per (7. 
 fuffer for our Tranfgreflion and Inobedi'^ ice r, I 
 D ath to overcome him that was the Author of 
 Death : But, becaufe the only God-head could not 1 
 
 Death /, neither yet could the on! 
 vercome the fame, he join-d both tOL in on. 
 
 B 2 ion, 
 
 t Eph. i. ii. Matth.l*). 34. f Epb. 1.22,2?. g Heb* 
 2. Pfal. 22. 22. h Heb. 13. 
 . . Pfal. 3.& 143. 2. k 1 T/w. 2. 5, 1 
 
 1. 12. m Jvbn 20. 17. n Rom. <,. 17, 18, 1 p o 
 ij.Gal.\\. 5, 6. p Acts 17. 25. q Htb, 2. ll, 12. r 1 fctt 
 
 
o lttc Conjc\\ion of taitb. Art. 9, 10. 
 
 on, that the Imbecillity of the one fhould fufFer, and 
 oe fubjecl: to Death ( which we had defervedj and the 
 infinite and invincible Power of the other, to v)it y 
 of the God-head, fhould triumph, and purchafe to us 
 Life,Liberty and perpetual Vi£ory t ; and fo we confefs, 
 and moft undoubtedly believe. 
 
 t i JoJbni. 2.. Ads 20. 28. 1 Tint* 3. 16. fyhn 9. 16. 
 
 A R T. IX. Of drift's Death y Faflion and Bu- 
 rial* 
 THat our Lord Jefus • offered himfelf a voluntary 
 Sacrifice unto his Father for us u ; that he fuiFered 
 Contradiction of Sinners; that he wa» wounded and 
 plagued for our Tranfgreilions to ; that he 'being the 
 clean innocent Lamb of God x, was condemned in tl 
 Prdence of an earthly Judge 7, that we fhould be ab- 
 folved before the Tribunal Seat of our God ^; that he 
 fuiFered not only the cruel Death of the Crofs 
 ( which was accuried by the Sentence of God tf, ) but 
 alfo, that he furfered for a Seafon the Wrath of his Fa- 
 ther b, which Sinners had deieryed : But yet we avow, 
 that he remained the only Welbeloved, and biefted Son 
 of his tather, even in the Midft of his Anguilh ' and 
 Torment, which he furfered in Body and Soul, to make 
 the Full Satisfaction for the Sins of the People c ; after 
 the which, we confefs and avow, that there remaineth 
 no other Sacrifice for Sin d \ which, if any affirm, we 
 nothing doubt to avow, that they are blafphemous a- 
 gainil Chrift's Death, and. the everlafting Purgation, 
 and Satisfaction purchafed to to us by the fame. 
 
 u Hcb. 10. 4. - 12. w Ifa. 53. 5. Heb. 12. ?. 
 
 x John 1. 29. y Matth. 27. 11,26. Mark 15. Lu\e 
 23. z Gal. 3. 13. a Veut. 21.2: b Matth. 26. 38, 
 39. c 2 Cor. 5. 21. d Heb. 9. 12. & 10. 14* 
 
 ART. X. Of bis. Refurrittion. 
 
 \4/"E undoubtedly believe^ that in lb much as it was 
 * * impoilible that the Dolours of Death fhould re- 
 tain in Bondage the Author of Lite c \ that eur Lord 
 
 e Acts 2. 24. J efu * 
 
Art. II. live Con feffion'cf Faith. 
 
 jefus crucified, dead and buried, who descended ir 
 Hell, did rife again for our ] unification/; and deftr 
 ing of him who was the Author of Death, brought Li 
 again to us, that were fubjeft to Death, and to the Bon- 
 dage of the fame g\ we know that his Refurreclion w 
 confirmed by the Teflimony of his very Enemies o, by 
 the R .ection of the Dead, whole Sepulchres did 
 ( j and they did rile, and appear to many without 
 the City of Jerufahm i\ it was alfo confirmed by tie 
 Tellimony of his Angels k, and by the Senfes and 
 Judgments of his Apoilies, and of others who had Con- 
 Lion, and did cat and drink with him, alter his Re- 
 furrecHon /. • 
 
 Rem. 6. 5, 9. Rem. 4. 25. g Heb. 2. 
 h Mattb. ;. i Mattb. 2js$2, ^3. k Alattb. 
 
 1 Jcbn 20. 27. & 21. ;.Cv 12. i . 1 .4, 
 41, 
 
 ART. XI. Of 
 
 WE nothing doubt, but the felf-i Body, which 
 
 as born e Virgin, was crucified, dead and 
 
 ried, and which did rife again, did aicend into the 
 Heavens, for the Aecomplifhment of all Things w, 
 ere, in our Names, and for our Comfort, he had re- 
 ved all Power in Heaven and Earth #, where he 
 fitteth at 'the Right-hand of the Father, inaugerate in 
 his Kir n, Ac and or tor for us ; 
 
 ich Glory, Honour and Prerogative, he alone, a- 
 ;ngft the Brethren, fhallpoffefs, till that all hisEne- 
 be made hi tftool />, as that we undoubtedly 
 
 \'e they fhall be in the final Judgment, to the 
 cution where certainly belwe, that the fame 
 
 our Lord us, ihall as vifibly return, as that he was 
 1 I q\ and. the n wc firmly bell hat t 
 
 reining and Reftitution of all Things fhall 
 come r, inlomuch that thefe, that from the Beginning 
 
 B 3 ha 
 
 m LuVe 24. < 1 . Ails 1. 9. n Mc o 1 7 bu 
 
 2.1. iT/w.2.«i, p Pfal. 11 . 1. Mattb. 22. 4.-. 
 12.36. Luke 20.42,43. q AEli L. Hi r Aftl 
 
%1 Tie Confejfion of Faith] Art. I2» 
 
 have fuffered Violence, Injury and Wrong for Righteouf- 
 pefe Sake, fhall inherit that blefTed Immortality pro* 
 xnifed from the Beginning s : But contrariwife, the 
 . ftubborn, inobedient, cruel OpprefTors, filthy Perfons, 
 Idolaters, and all fuch Sorts of Unfaithful, ioall be call 
 in the Dungeon of utter Darknefs, where the W*rm fhall 
 not die, neither yet ihall their Fire" be extinguifhed t : 
 The Remembrance of which Day, and of the Judgment 
 to be executed in the fame, is not only to us a Bridle, 
 whereby our carnal Lulls are refrained, but al Co fuch 
 ineftimable Comfort,, that neither may the Threatping 
 of worldly Princes, neither yet the F^ar of temporal- 
 Death, and prefent Danger, move us to renounce and 
 forlake that blefTed Society, which we the Mem: v 
 have with our Head and only Mediator Chrift Jefus 
 2*3 whom we confefs and avow to be the Meflias pro 
 jaifed, the only Head of his Kirk, our juft Law-giver, 
 our only High-Pried, Advocate, arfft Mediator rv. In 
 which Honours and Offices, if Man or Angel prefume 
 to intrude • themfelves, we utterly deteft and abhor 
 them, as blafphemous to our fovereign and fupreme 
 Governor, Chrift Jefus. 
 
 s ftfatth. 25. 34. 2 Thcjjl 1. 4, CSV. t Rev.2i. 27. Ifa* 
 <$6. 24- Matth. 25. 41. Mark 9. 44, 46, 48. Mattb. 22. 
 13. u 2 Tet.^.11. 2 Cor. 5.9, 10, 11. .Luke 21.27, 
 28. John 14. 1, &c* w Jfa.j. 14. Epb. 1. 22. Col. 1. 18* 
 ueb. 9. 11, 15. & 10. 21. 1 Jchn 2. 1. 1 Tim. 2. 5. 
 
 ART. XII. Of Faith in the Holy Ghoft. 
 
 71 His our Faith, and AfTurance of the fame, proceeds 
 not from Fiefh and Blood, that is to fay, from 
 110 natural Powers within us, but is the Infpiration of 
 the Holy Ghoft x : Whom we confefs God equal with 
 the Father, and with his Son y ; who fahftifieth us, 
 and bringeth us into all Verity, by his own Operation ; 
 without whom we fhould remain for ever Enemies to 
 God, and ignorant of his Son Chrift Jefus. For of 
 Nature we are fo dead, fo blind, and fo perverfe, that 
 
 neither 
 x Mattb. 16. 17, John 14* 26. % l<* 26. & l£. 1 
 
Art 13 The Confefion of Eiith. 
 
 ther can we feel when we are pricked, fee the L \ 
 it flunes, nor affent to the Will of God wh r 
 is i • except the Spirit of the Lord Jelus qui^ 
 
 ken Inch is dead, remove the Darknefs from oulk * 
 
 Minds, and bow our ftubborn Hearts to the Obedience 
 , his blelfed Will 7 - And lb, as we cor.fefs, that God 
 the Father created us, when we were not a ; as his Son 
 our Lord Jefus redeemed us, when we were Enemies Jo 
 him b : So alio do we confefs, that the Holy Ghoft doth 
 far • and regenerate us, withput all Rcfpeft of any 
 Merit proceeding from us, be it before, or be it after 
 our Regeneration c. To fpeak this one .Thing yet in 
 more plain Words ; As we willingly fpoil our ielves ot 
 , B our and Glory of our own Creation and Re- 
 demption d, fo do we alfe of our Regeneration and 
 Sanaification e: For of our felves we are not fefficient 
 to think a good Thought ; but he who hath begun the 
 Work in us, is only he that continues us in the lame, 
 to the Praife and Glory of his undeferved Grace /. 
 
 z Col. 2. 13- Lpb. 2. 1. John 9. 39. R J V ' \' %' 
 Mat. 17. 17. Mark 9. 19. Luke 9. 41- l obn 6 * °3» 
 M ic. 7. i&V 8. $7> ■>?• a r f al - 10 Z', 
 
 b Rom. <,. 10. c >to» 3- 5- ». 3- 5- «««• j- 8 - d P/J ' 
 . 9 . e JPii/. 1.6. 2 < • ■)• f JE >*- 1>6 - 
 
 ART. XIII. Of the Caufe of good Works. 
 
 SO that the Caufe of good Works we confefs to be, 
 11, but the Lord Jefus, who dwel- 
 ur Hearts by true Faith, bringeth lorth luch 
 ath prepared for us to walk in. or 
 this we moft boldlv affirm, that it is Blafphemy to 
 that Chrift abides 'in the Hearts of fuch, in whom tl 
 is no Spi: -anaification g : And therefore we fear 
 
 Faith, no; Port' on ot t 
 
 z Lord fefus, fo long as obftinately the 
 B 4 
 
 g 5^2.20. VblU 2. 13- &w.3. 9. 
 
FXAf The Con fcfflon of Faith ; Art. T4.' 
 
 finue in their Wickednefs ; for,fo Toon as the Spirit of the 
 Lord Jefus (which God's Ele& Children receive by true 
 Faith) taketh PofTefTion in the Heart of any Man, fo 
 foon doth he regenerate and renew the fame Man ; fo 
 that he beginneth to hate that which before he lovedy 
 find beginneth to love that which before he hated ; and 
 from thence cometh that continual Battel, which is be- 
 tween the Flefh and the Spirit in God's Children : Still 
 the Flefh and natural Man, according to their own Cor- 
 ruption, lulleth for Things pleafant and delegable unto 
 its fel£ and grudgeth in Adverfity, is lifted up in 
 Profperity, and at every Moment is prone and ready to 
 offend the Majefty of God b. But the Spirit of God, 
 which giveth Witneffing to our Spirit, .that we are the 
 Sons of God z, maketh us to refift filthy Pleafures, and 
 to.grone in God's Prefence for Deliverance rrom this 
 Bondage of Corruption k, and finally, to triumph over 
 Sin, that it reign not in our mortal Bodies /. This Bat- 
 tle hath not the carnal Man, being deftitute of God's 
 Spirit, but doth follow and obey Sin with Greedinefs, 
 and without "Repentance, even as the Devil and their 
 corrupt Lufts do prick them m : ' But the Sons of God, 
 as before is faid, do fight againft Sin, do fob and 
 mourn, when they perceive themfelves tempted to Ini- 
 quity ; and if they fall, they rife again, with earned and 
 unfeigned Repentance n \ ^nd thefe Things they do not 
 by their own Power^Jjut by the Power of the Lord, je- 
 fus, without whom they were able to do nothing 0. 
 
 h Rom. 7. 15. ad ult. Gal. $.17. i Rom. 8. 16. 
 k Rom. 7. 24. &' 8. 22. 1 Rem. 6. 12. m Eph. 4. 17, 
 &c. n iTim. 2.26* o John 15. 5. 
 
 ART. XIV. What*Worh are reputed gopd before 
 God, \ 
 
 \\fE confefs and acknowledge, that God hath given 
 
 Man his holy Law, in which not only* are forbid- 
 
 cn all fuch Works, as difpleafe and offend his godly Ma- 
 
 -fty, but alio are commanded all fuch as pleafe him, and 
 
 as 
 
- Art. 14. 7/tf Confejfion ofEiith. 
 
 is he hath promifed to reward f : And the fe Works 
 
 Sorts ; The one is<done to the Honour of Gqo\ t^ 
 1 her, to the" Profit of our Neighbours ; and botl ^ 
 
 Jed Will of God for their AfTurance ; to have 
 one »d, to worfaip and honour him, to call upon 1 
 in all our Troubles, to reverence his holy Nan: to 
 hear his Word, to believe the lame, to communicate 
 with hi*. hoi} "acraments ^, are the Works ofr firft 
 
 nour Father, > r, Princes* Rulers, 
 
 i fuperiour Powers, to»love them, to lupport them, 
 yea, to obey their Charges (not repugning to the Com- 
 ment of Cod ) to lave the Lives of lnnoce: j 
 i-eprefs Tyranny, to defend the Oppreffed, to keep 
 our Bodies clean and holy, to live in Soberoefs and Tem- 
 perance, to deal juftly with all Men, both in Word and 
 • jd ; and anally, to reprefs all Appetite of our Neigh- 
 ir's Hurt r ; arc the good Works of the fecond Table> 
 re moft pleafing and acceptable unto God. As 
 thele Works that are commanded by himfelf, the con- 
 in moft odious, which always difplea- 
 h him, and provoketh him to Anger ; as not to call 
 Upon him alone, when we have Need, nor to hear his 
 ord with Reverence, to contemn and defpife it ; to 
 or to woriiiip Idols; to maintain and defend Idc- 
 to efteem the Reverend Name of God ; to 
 , abu in the aments of Clrrift Je- 
 
 fus ; to difobey ( lift any that Cod hath placed in 
 \Authc vhile t pals not over th .* Bounds of their 
 
 Offic ) mu. r to confent thereto ; to b< 
 
 Hatred, or to fuffer innocent Blood to be fh.d, if we 
 .vithftar.d it t ; I finally, the Tranfgreflion of 
 
 an) in the firft or fecond Tal we 
 
 ;nd a Sin u, \yh reby God's An: 
 
 is kindled againft the proud, unt 
 
 srld : 
 
 • D tt. <$.6, &c. t . q '. 
 
 r Epb. 6. i, 7. E^ek. 
 
 , 1 Tbef. 4. 3 7. Jer. 
 
 f< 4, 6. R w. i> 2. t E\d. 2. 
 
J.6 The Confeffion of Faith] Art. r^ # 
 
 World : So that good Works we affirm to be thele only, 
 that are done in Faith w, and at God's Commandment x, 
 who in his Law hath expreffed, what the Things be that 
 pleafe him : And evil Works we affirm, not only*hefe 
 that expreQy are done againft God's Commandment y ; 
 but thele alio that in Matter of Religion, andworihip- 
 J)i»g of God, have no other Affurance, but the Inventi* 
 on and Opinion of Man j which God from the Begin* 
 Ming hath ever rejected, as by the Prophet 'ifaiab ^ and 
 by our Mailer Chriil Jefus, we are taught in thefe 
 Words, In vain do they worjbip me, teaching for Doc- 
 trine the Precepts of Men a. 
 
 W Rom. 14. 23. Heb. 11. 6. x 1 Sam. 15. 22. 1 Or. 
 10. 31. y 1 John 3. 4. z Jfa. 29. 13. a Mat. 15. 9. 
 & Mrak 7. 7. 
 
 ART. XV. Of the TerfcBion of the Law^ and 
 
 the ImperfeUion cf Man^m. 
 
 THE Law of God, we confefs and acknowledge, 
 moll jufc, mod equal, moil holy;, and mod per- 
 fect ; commanding thofe Things, which, being wrought 
 in Perfection, were able to give Life, and able to bring 
 Man to eternal Felicity b: But our Nature is ^o corrupt, 
 fo weak, and fo imperre&,lhat wl never able to fulfil 
 the Works of the Law in Perfe&ion /; yea, if we fay, we 
 have no Sin, even after we are regenerated^ we deceive 
 our felves 5 and the Verity of God is not in us d ; and 
 therefore, it behoveth us to apprehend Chriil Jefus, 
 with his Juftice and Satisfa&ion, who is the End and 
 Accomplifriment of the Law, by whom we are fet at this 
 Liberty, that the Curfe and Maledi&ion of God fall not 
 upon us ; albeit we fulfil not the fime in all Points e : 
 For God the Father, beholding us in the'Body of his 
 Son Chrift Jefus, accepteth our imperfe<Sl Obedien , 
 
 as 
 
 b Lev. 18. 5. Gal. 3. 12. 1 Tim. 1. 8. Rom. 7. L2. 
 Pfah 19. 7 — 11. c Deut. 5. 29. Rom. 10. 3. d 1 Kings 
 8. 46. and 2 Cbrcn. 6. 36. Prov. 20. 9. Ecclef. 7. 22. 
 I John 1. 8. e Rom* id 4* Gah 3* I3« Dcut* 27. 2(> 
 
Art. the Confcjfion of Faith. 
 
 it were perfect/ ; and covers our Works, whicWuH 
 are defiled with many Spots, £, with the Tuflice of hisV 
 Son : We do not mean, that we are fo fet at Liberty, that 
 we owe no Obedience to the Law, ( for that before \ 
 have plainU fed ) but this we affirm, That no 
 
 Man in Earth ift Jefus only excepted) hath give. 
 
 giv jr ihal! give in Work, that Obedience to the 
 Law, v c Law requires : But when we have 
 
 done all Things, we mufc rail down, and unfeignedly 
 , that we are unprofitable Servants *b ; and there- 
 , whofoever boafl tnemiclve^s of Merits of their own 
 or put their Truft in the Works of Supereroga- 
 ^mfelves in that which is Nought, and put 
 ill in damnable Idolatry. 
 2. 15. g If a. 64. 6. ' h Luke 17. 1 
 
 ART. XVI. Of the Kirl. 
 
 AS v. lievc in one God, Father, Son, and Holy 
 Ghofl: ; do v. oil conftantly believe, that 
 
 rom theBegi g there hath been, and now is, and to 
 a End o orld fhall be, o ne Kirk, th at is to fay, 
 
 one Company ar. iltitude of Men choien orGod, w? 
 woruiip and embrace him by true Faith in Chrift 
 ?ius /, \\ nly Head of the f ame Kirk , which 
 
 ") is the Body "and bpoufe or'Chnlt "fefus ; wTuch Kirk 
 
 rial, becaufe it containeth the 
 Ek Realms tions, and Tougues, 
 
 be , or be th* y of the Gentile \ \\ ho h 
 
 Society with God thj Father, and 
 ft Jefus, through the Sanctihcation of 
 jre it is called the Com- 
 rfons, but of Saints, 
 ( JerufaUm I, 
 
 mod Benefits, to 
 
 lis, one Faith, and one B. 
 re is : 
 e utt bhor 
 
 k ci. 1. 
 
 » 7.9* 1 Ff>h* 2. if* ;. ■;. 4. 
 
: 
 
 25 in* Lonjejjiort of taitto. Art. 17. 
 
 that affirm, That Men,' which live according to Equity 
 
 and juftice, fhall be faved, what Religion that ever 
 
 they have profeifed. For, as without Chrift Jefus there 
 
 is neither Life nor Salvation n ; fo fhall there none be 
 
 participant thereof, but fuch as the Father hath given 
 
 unto his Son Chrift Jefus, and thefe that in Time come 
 
 unto him, avow his Doctrine, and believe in him ; 
 
 we comprehend the Children with the faithful Parents/?. 
 
 This Kirk is inviiible, known only to God, who alone 
 
 knoweth whom he hath chofen ^, and comprehendeth as 
 
 well (as faid is) the Ele& that be departed, commonly 
 
 called. The Church triumphant , as thole that yet live, 
 
 and fight againft Sin and Satan, and ihall live hereafter r. 
 
 1 
 
 n John 3. 36. o John 6* 37, 39, 65. & 17.6. pA3s 
 2. 39. q 2Tim. 2. 19. John 13. 18. r Epb. 1. 10. Col. 
 1. 20. Heb. 12. 4. 
 
 ART. XVII. Of the Immortality of the Soul. 
 
 THe Ele& departed, are in Peace, and reft from their 
 Labours/; not that they deep, and come to 1 
 certain Oblivion, as fome Phantafticks do affirm, but 
 " that they are delivered from all Fear and Torment, and 
 all Temptation, to which we, and all God's Ele&, are 
 fubjeft in this Life t\ and therefore do bear the Name of 
 the Church militant : As contrariwife, the Reprobate 
 and Unfaithful departed, have Anguifti, Torment and 
 Pain, that cannot be exprefied u", (o that neither are the 
 one nor the other in fuch a Sleep, that they feel not their 
 Torment; as the Parable of Chrift jefus in the Sixteenth 
 of Luke tu, his Words to the Thief x, and fchefe Words 
 of the Souls crying under the Altar y, Lord, thou that 
 Art righteous and jufi> how long Jlyalt thou not revenge our 
 Blood upon thofe that dwell on the Earth ? do teftifie. 
 
 Art. 18. 
 
 {Rev. 14. 13. t Ifa. 25. 8. Rev. 7. 14 — 17. &21. 
 4. u Rev. 16. 10, n 4 . Ifa. 65. 24. Marl 9. 44, 46, 48. 
 w Luke 16. 23, 24, 2<5« x Luke 23. 43. y Rev. 6. 93 k -. 
 
Art. 1 8. The Covfeffon of Faith. 
 
 ART. XVIII. Of the Nates, whereby the t; 
 Kirk is decerned frem the falfe } and 
 judge of the DiElrine, 
 
 BEcaufe that Satan from the Beginning hath laboured 
 to deck his peftilent Synagogue, with the Title of 
 t ! Church of God, and hath inflamed the Hearts of 
 cruel Murderers, to perfecute, trouble and moleft the 
 true Kirk, and Members thereof as Cain did Abel a> 
 Jfhtnaely Ifaac b, Efau, Jacob f, and the whole Prieft- 
 hood of the Jews, Chrift Jefus himfelf, and his Apoftles 
 - er him d. It is one Thing moft requisite, that the 
 true Kirk be difcerned from the filthy Synagogues, by 
 clear and perfjft Notes, led we, being deceived, re- 
 and embrace, to our own Condemnation, the one 
 for the other. The Notes, Signs, and afliired Tokens, 
 whereby the immaculate Spou'.e of Chrift: Jefus is known 
 from the horrrble Harlot, fhe Kirk malignant, we affirm, 
 are neither Antiquir Title uiurped, lineal Defcent, 
 >ce appointed, nor Multitude of Men approving an 
 Error ; rbr Cain in Age and Title, was preferred to Abel 
 and Setl f erufale/n had Prerogative above all Places 
 
 the Earth f where alfo were the Priefts lineally de- 
 ied from Aaron, and greater Number followed the 
 S :ribes, Phari and Priefts, than unfeignedly be- 
 
 /ed and approved Chrift Jeius and his Do&rine^; and 
 :, as v ippofe, no Man of found Judgment will 
 grant, that any of the forenamed were the Church of 
 God. otes therefore of the true Church of God, 
 
 believe, cc , and avow to be, Firft, 1 he true 
 Pre ^.g of the Word of God, wherein God hath re- 
 ed Bimfelf unto us, as the Writings of the Prophets 
 \poftles do declare. Secondly, The right Admr 
 ftration ot the Sacraments of Chrift Jafus, which mull be 
 
 annexed 
 
 b Gm. 21. 9. c Gen. 27. 41. d Matt 
 
 - l c - 1 5, 19, 20, 24. & I ! s> 
 
 1 — ?. ft < -;. c Gen. 4. f ffld. 4S M4tH 
 
 bn 12. 42* 
 
go lhe/covjejjion oj taitn* ait. itf^ 
 
 annexed unto they "Word and Promife of God, to feal and 
 confirm the fame in our Hearts h. Laft, Ecclefiaftical 
 Difcipline uprightly miniftred as God's Word prefcri* 
 beth, whereby Vice is repreffed, and Virtue nouriihed 
 i. Wherefoever,then, thefe former Notes are feen,and 
 of any Time continue ( be the Number never fo few, 
 about Two or Three) there without all Doubt is the 
 True Church of Chrift, who, according to his Promife, 
 is in the Midfl: of them > : Not thatUniverfa!,of which we 
 have before fpoken; but particular,fuch as were in Corin- 
 tbus 1, Galatia m, Epbefus n, and other Places, where 
 in the Miniftry was planted by Paul-, and were of him- 
 felf named the Churches of God : And fuch Churches, 
 we the Inhabitants of the Realm of Scotland, ProfefTo 
 ofChrifl Jefus, profefs our felves to 1 n eur- Cities, 
 
 Towns, and Places reformed, for the Doctrine taug 
 in our Churches, contained in the written Word of God, 
 to wit, in the Books of Old and New Tcftarneirts ; in 
 thofe Books we mean, which of the Ancients have been 
 reputed Canonical, in the which we affirm, that all Things 
 necefTary to be believed for the Salvation of Mankind, 
 are fufficiently expreffed o. The Interpretation whereof^ 
 we confefs, neither appertaineth tb private nor prublick 
 Perfon ; neither yet to any Kirk for any Preheminence,or 
 Prerogative, perfonally or locally, which hath a- 
 
 bove another, but appertaineth to the Spirit God, 
 "by whom alio the Scripture was written p. W Con- 
 troverfie then happeneth, for the right Underitanding 
 of any Place or Sentence in Scripture, or for the Refor- 
 mation of any Abufe within the Church of God, we 
 ought not fo much to look what Men before us have 
 faid or done, as unto that which the Holy Ghoft. uni- 
 formly fpeaketh, within the Body^of the Scriptures \ 
 
 ar I 
 
 h Epb. 2. 20. u4tls 2.^2. Job) -% & 18. 37. 
 
 1 Cer. 1. '23,24. Mattb. 28. 19, 20. Mark 16. 15, 16, 
 1 Cor. 11. 23- 26. Rom. 4. 11. i Mat. 18. 15 — 18. 1 
 
 1 Cor. 5. 4, 5. k Mattb. 18. 10, 10. 1 1 C:r. 1. 2. & 
 
 2 Cor. i»2. m Gal. 1. 2. n Alls 20. 17. o John 20. 
 si* iT\m.£* i6 7 17. $2 Pet, 1*20,21. 
 
Art. 19, 20. Ihe Confeffion of Faith* 
 and unto that which Jems Chrift himfelf did, and 
 manded to be done q. For this is a Thing ur 
 
 anted, that the Spirit of God, which is th 
 tfnit}vs nothing contrarious unto himfelf r : n the 
 
 Interpretation, Determination, or Sentence, of 
 Do<5lor, I urch or % Council, repugnant to the plain 
 Word of God, written in any other Place of Scripture * 
 it is a Thing mod certain, that there is not the true 
 Underflanding and Meaning of the Holy Ghoft, al- 
 * jugh that Councils, Realms, and Nations have ap- 
 proved and received the fame- For we dare not admit 
 any Interpretation, which repugneth to any principal 
 Point of our Faith, or to any other plain Text of Scrip- 
 tu or yet unto the Rule of Charity. 
 Jibn 5-39. r Epb. 3. 4. 
 
 ART, XIX. Of the Authority of the Scriptures. 
 
 Ave believe and confefsthe Scriptures of God,fuffi- 
 cient to inftrua, and make the Man of God per- 
 fo do we affirm and avow the Authority of the 
 Tame to be of God, and neither to depend on Men nor 
 j. We affirm therefore, that fuch as alledge 
 have no other Authority, but that 
 :h r -d from the Church, to be blafp! 
 
 (t Gr 1 injurious to the true Church, which 
 ■eth and obeyeth the Voice of her ownSpoufe 
 but taketh not upon her to be Miilrefs over 
 the fam 
 
 s 2 Ti»: 16, 17. t John ic. 27. 
 
 AR1 \X. Of General Councils y of their Power ^ 
 
 V, <v mfe of their Co *ion. 
 A t raflily condemn that which godly Men, 
 
 *ether in general Councils lawfully 
 
 roponed unto us; fo, without jufl 
 
 nat we not receive whatsoever is obtru- 
 
 tfen, under the Name of general Councils 
 
 ror plain it i$,as they were Men,fo have ibme of tbemma- 
 
 ni- 
 
32 Ttoe Cmfcffion ofRilth. Art. . 
 
 ntteftly erred, and that in Matters of great Weight and 
 Importance u. So far then as the Council proveth the 
 Determination and Commandment that it giveth, by 
 the plain Word of God ; fo ibon do we reverence and 
 embrace the fame : But if Men, under the Name of a 
 Council, pretend to forge uuto us. new Articles of our 
 Faith, or to make Cohftitutions repugning to the Word 
 of God; then utterly we muft rei life the fame, as the 
 Do&rine of Devils, which draweth our Souls from the 
 Voice of our only God, to follow the Do&rines and 
 ConfKtutions of Men w. The Caufe, then, why that 
 general Councils conveened, were neither to make ai 
 perpetual Law. which God had not before madeyneither 
 yet to- forge new Articles of our Belief, nor to give»the 
 W T ord of God Authority ; much lefs to make that to be 
 his Word, or yet the true Interpretation of the lame, 
 which was not before, by his holy Will, expreffed in his 
 Word x : But the Caufe of Councils (we mean of fuch 
 as merit the Name of Councils) was partly for Confu- 
 tation of Herefies y, and for giving publick Confeffion 
 of their Faith, to the Pofterity following ; which both 
 they did by the Authority of God's written Word, and 
 not by any Opinion, or Prerogative, that they could 
 not err, by reafon of their general Aifembly : And this 
 we judge to have been the chief Caufe of general Coun- 
 cils. The other was for good Policy and Order, to be 
 conftitute and obferved in the Kirk, which (as in the 
 Houfe of God ^ ) it becometh all Things to be done 
 decently and in Order a. Not that we think, that any 
 Policy, and an Order in Ceremonies, can be appointed 
 for all Ages, Times and Places : For as Ceremonies, 
 fuch as Men have devifed, are but temporal ; Co may 
 and ought they to be changed, when they rather foller 
 Superftition, than edifie the Church, ufing the fame. 
 
 ART. 
 
 u Gal. 2. ii 14. w 1 IVw. 4. 1, 2, 3. x CoL. 
 
 2.16, 18 22. y Acls 15. z zT'wj, 3. 15* Heb* 3. 2. 
 
 a 1 Cor. 14. 40. 
 
Ait. 21. Tne Confiflim of 'Faith] & 
 
 || ART. *XXI. Of f fo" Sacraments. \\> 
 
 AS the Fathers under the Law, befides the Verity 
 of the Sacrifices, had two chief Sacraments, to 
 wit, Circumcifion and the Paflbver ; the Defpiiers and 
 Contemners whereof, were not reputed of God's People b ; 
 fo do we acknowledge and confcfs, that we now, in Time 
 of the Evangel, have two chief Sacraments only, infti- 
 tuted by the Lord Jefus, and commanded to be ufed of 
 all thofe, that will be reputed Members of his Body ; to 
 wit, Baptifm, and the Supper, or Table of the Lord 
 Jefus, called the Communion of his Body and Blood c i 
 And thcfe Sacraments, as well of the Old> as of thtNevr 
 Teflameut, now instituted of God, not only to make x 
 
 lible Difference. betwixt his People, and thefe th; 
 
 jre without his League, but alfo to exercife the Faith 
 
 his Children, and by Participation of the fame Sacra- 
 ments, to feal in their Hearts the AfTurance of hisPromife, 
 and of that moil bleffed Conjunction, Union, and So- 
 which the Ele<ft have with their Head Chrift Je- 
 fus : And thus we utterly condemn the 'Vanity of thefe* 
 that affirm Sacraments to be nothing elfe but naked and 
 bare Signs ; no, we affuredly believe, that by Baptifm 
 we are ingrafted in Chrift Jefus, to be made Partakers 
 of his Juftice, whereby our Sins are covered and remit- 
 ted : And alfo, that in the Supper, rightly ufed, Chrift 
 is is fo joined with us, that he becometh very 
 Nourifhmcnt and Food to our Souls d ; not that we ima- 
 gine any Tranfubfiantiation of Bread into Chrift's natu- 
 ral Body, and of Wine into his natural Blood, as the 
 P.ip ; fts have rnicioufly taught, and damnably 
 believed ; butthis Union and Conjun&ion, which we 
 
 tve with the Bod d Blood of Chrift Jefus, in the 
 right U'e of the Sacraments, wrought by Operation 
 of the Holy Ghoft, who by true Faith; carricth u» 
 
 C abo\ 
 
 b Gen. 17. 10, 1 1, 14. Excd. 21. Num. 9. 13. cMa. 
 l' '.. 1 9. Mark 16. 15, 16. Mat. 26. 26, 27, 28. Marl 
 22, 23, 2 L. Luk 22. 1 .1 Cor. 1 u 22—2^. d 1 C 
 
 ic. 16. Rom. 6. 3, 4, 5. Gal. 3. 27. 
 
:>t- 
 
 to 
 
 c Mark 16. 19. \ Luke 24. 51. ABs 1. 11. & 3. 21. 
 f 1 Ccr. ic 16. g £/>£. 5- 30. h Aftxf. 27. 56. Marfc 
 15. 37. Luke 23. 46. & y^ 19. 30. i jfo&#6. $i* &?• 
 
 ll?e Confejfion of Faith Art. 2 1 
 
 above all Things that are viiible, c arn al an^ earthly^ 
 and maketh us to feed upon the Body and Blood of Chrift 
 Jefus,. which was once broken and fhed for us, which 
 now is in Heaven, and appeareth in the Prefence of his 
 Father for us If: And yet, notwithstanding the far Diftance 
 of Place, which is between his Body now glorified in 
 Heaven, and us now mortal on this Earth ; yet v 
 moll; aiiuredly believe, that the Bread which we break, 
 is the Communion of Chrift's Body, and the Cup which 
 we blefs, is the Communion of his Blood/: So that we 
 confefs, and undoubtedly believe, that the Faithful, in 
 the right Ute of the Lord's Table, do fo eat the Body, 
 and drink the Blood of the Lord Jefus, that he remain- 
 eth in them, and they in him ; Yea, they, are fo made 
 Fleih of his Fleih, and Bone of his Bones g> that as the 
 Eternal God-head hath given to the Fleih of Chrift Jefus 
 (which of their own Nature was mortal and corrup- 
 tible h ) Life and Immortality; fo doth, Chrift Jefus his 
 Flefh and Blood, eaten and drunken by us, give unto us 
 the fame Prerogatives. Which,' albeit we confefs, are 
 neither given unto us at that Time only, neither yet by 
 the proper Power and Vertue of the Sacrament only ; 
 yet we affirm, that the Faithful, in the right Ufe of the 
 Lord's Table, have fuch Conjun&ion with Chrift Jefus /', 
 as the natural Man cannot apprehend : Yea, and further 
 we affirm, that albeit the Faithful, oppreffed by Neg'i- 
 gence, and manly Infirmity, do not profit fo much 
 as they would, in the very inftant Action of the Supper, 
 yet fhall it after bring Fruit forth, as lively Seed fown 
 in good Ground: For the holy Spirit, which can never be 
 divided from the right Tnftitution of the Lord Jefus, 
 will not fruftrate the Faithful of the Fruit of that my- 
 ftical Action \ but all thefe, we fay, come of true Faith, 
 which apprehendeth Chrift Jefus, who only maketh his 
 Sacraments effectual unto us : And therefore, whofoever 
 flandereth us, as that we affirm and believe Sacraments 
 
\rt. 2i« The CriofeJJion of Faith. 3 
 
 :o be naked and bare Signs, do Injury unto us, and fptaj 
 
 igainft the manifeft Truth. But this liberally and frank- 
 
 y we confefs, that we make a Diftin&ion between Chriil 
 
 fcfus in his Eternal Subftance, and between the Elements 
 
 n the Sacramental Signs. So that we will neither Wor- 
 
 hip the Signs, in Place of that which is iignified by 
 
 m ; neither yet do we defpife and interprets them, as 
 
 unprofitable & vain, but do ufe them with all Reverence, 
 
 rxamining our felves diligently before that we fo do ; 
 
 •aufe we areaflfured by the Mouth of the Apoftle, that 
 
 1 as eat of that Bread, and drifth of that Cup un* 
 
 Worthily, are guilty of the Body and Blood of ' Chr'ifi Je* 
 
 fus k. 
 
 4 k 1 Cor. 1 1. 2S, 29. 
 
 ART. XXII. Of the right Adminifvmion cf the 
 
 THat Sacraments be rightly miniftrate, we judge 
 two Things are requiiite ; The one, That they be 
 miniftrate by lawful Minifters, whom we affirm to be 
 only they, that are appointed to the Preaching of the 
 Word, into whofe Mouth God hath put Ion mon 
 
 of Exhortation, they being Men lawfully cholen thereto 
 
 }>y fome Church. The other, That they be* miniftrate in 
 uch Elements, and in fuch Sort, as God hath appointed ; 
 rfirm, that they ceafe to be the right Sacraments 
 1 Chrift Jefus. And therefore it is, that we flee the 
 Doctrine of the Papiftical Church, in Participation of 
 1 ir Sacraments: »>y?, Becaufe their Mi. rs, are no 
 - 'nillers of Chrift jefus ; yea, (which is more horrible) 
 fuffer Women, whom the Holy Ghoft will nor 
 furl ; Teach in the Congregation, to Baptize. And 
 ndljf, Becaufe they havefo adulterated both the one 
 crament and the other with their own 1 ions, that 
 
 of ChriiVs A&ion abides in ti u- 
 
 • Oil, Salt, Spittle, and fuch like ptifm,afe 
 
 ut Mens Inventions. Adoration, > ng 
 
 Ifoughout Streets and Towns, and id in 
 
 oxes or Buifts, are Pr uon 1 
 
 nd no Uic of the fame, lor Chrift 
 
 C 2 cat, * 
 
 ^ 
 
r 
 
 36 J »e conjejjion of tatw* Art. 22. 
 
 eat, &e. I?0^e *#/$■ /# remembrance of me /. By which 
 Words and Charge, he fan&ified Bread and Wine, to the 
 Sacrament of his holy Body and Blood, to the End 
 that the one fhould be eaten, and that all fhould drink 
 of the other ; and not that they fhould be keeped to be 
 worfhipped and honoured as God, as the Papitls have 
 done here before, who alfo have committed Sacrilege, 
 llealirig from the People the one Part of the Sacrament, 
 to wit, the blelTed Cup. Moreover, that the Sacra- 
 ments be rightly ufed, it is required, that the End and 
 Caufe, why the Sacraments were inftitute, be under- 
 ftood and cbfef ved, as well of the Minifies,, as by the 
 Receivers ; for if the Opinion be changed in the Re- 
 ceiver, the right Ufe ceafeth ; which is moll evident by the 
 Reje&ioivof the Sacrifices ; as alfo, if the Teacher plainly 
 teach falfe Do&rine,which were odious and abominable be- 
 fore God, (albeit they were his own Ordinances) becaufe 
 that Wicked Men ufe them to another End than God 
 hath ordained. The fame affirm we of the Sacraments 
 in the Papiftical Church, wherein we affirm the whole 
 Action of the Lord Jefus to be adulterated, as well in 
 the external Form, as in the End and Opinion. What 
 Chrift. Jefus did, and commanded to be done, is evident 
 by the Evangelifts, and by Saint Paul : What the Prieft 
 doth at his Altar, we need notrehearfe ; the End and Caufe 
 of Chrift's Inftitution, and why the fame fhould be ufed, 
 is exprefied in tbefe Words, Do ye this in Remembrance 
 of me \ fo oft asfejhall eat-of this Bread , and drink of 
 this Cup $ e Jhall fhero forth ,that is, extol,preach,magnifie, 
 and praife the Lords Death, till he come again m. But 
 to what End, and in what Opinion the Priefts fay their 
 Mafs, let the W 7 ords of the fame, their own Do&ors and 
 Writings witnefs ; to wit, that they, as Mediators be- 
 tween Chrift and his Church, do offer unto God the Fa- 
 ■ ther a Sacrifice propitiatory, for the Sins of the Quick 
 and Dead; which Doctrine, as blafphemous to* Chrift Je- 
 fus, and making Derogation to the Sufficiency of his on- 
 
 1 Mat. 26.26. M0rl\^ 22. £#jte 22. 19. I Or. ili 
 24. m 1 Cor. xi, 25, 26. 
 
 
Art. 23. 24. Tlje Confe(fion of Faith. 
 
 \y Sacrifice, once offered, for Purgation of all thefe tl 
 fhall be fancHfied n, we utterly abhor, deceit, and 
 ncunce. 
 d Heb. 9. 27, 2S. & 10, 14. 
 
 ART. XXIII. To whom Sacraments appertain. 
 
 WE confefs and acknowledge, that Baptifm app 
 taineth as well to the Infants of the Faithful, as 
 unto them that be of Age and Discretion ; and fo 
 condemn th~ Error of Anabaptifts> who deny Baptifm 
 to appertain to Children, before they have Faith and 
 Undemanding 0. But the Supper of the Lord, we 
 , confefs to appertain to fiich only as be oftheHoufho 
 of Faith, and can try and examine them- wives, as well in 
 tl aith, as in thrir Duty towards their Neighbours : 
 
 Such as eat and drink at the holy Table, without Fait! 
 or b at Detention or Divilion with their Brethren, 
 
 fUreat unworthily p ; and therefore it is, that in our 
 Kirk, 1 niters take publick and particular Exami- 
 
 nation,' of the Knowledge and Converfation of fuch as 
 are to be admitted to the Table of ths Lord Jtfus. 
 
 o CoU 2. 11, 12. Rom.±. 11. Gen. 17. 10. Mat. 28. 
 19, p 1 Or. 11. 28, 29. 
 
 ART. XXIV. Of the civil Migiftrate. 
 
 WE confefs and acknowledge Empires, Kingdoms, 
 Dominions,and Cities, to bediitinefced and ordain- 
 ed by God; the Power and Authority in the lame, be it of 
 1 :nperors in their Empires, of Kings in their Realms, 
 Dukes and Princes in their Dominions, and of othjr Ma- 
 giftrates in the Cities, to be God's holy Ordinan: 
 >rdained ror ManiiL-ilation of his own Glorv, and for 
 :lar Profit and Commodity of Mankind q\ So 
 hat whoioever goeth about to take aw or to con- 
 found the whole State of Civil Pplic now long efta- 
 hed, we affirm the lame Men, not only to be En 
 ies to MankincJ, but wickedly to right againft God's 
 
 C exprefs, 
 
 3 Rom. 13. If Tit. 3, 1. 1 Pet. 2. 13, 14. 
 
; 3 o inc Lonjejjion oj raitn* Art. 25, 
 
 exprefTed Will r. We further confefs and acknowledge, 
 that fuch Perfons, as are placed in Authority, are to be 
 loved, honoured, feared, and holden in moft reverend 
 Eftimation s> becaule that they are the Lieutenants of 
 God, in whofel>e1lro1isT3oa^ anct judge 
 
 t : Yea, even the Judges and Princes themfeves, to 
 whom by God is given the Sword, to the Praife and 
 Defence of good Men, and to revenge and punifh all 
 open Malefactors u. Moreover, to Kings, Princes, 
 Rulers, and Magiftrates, we affirm, that chiefly, and 
 inoft principally, the Confervation and Purgation of the 
 Religion appertain ; So that not only they are appoint- 
 ed for civil Policy, but alfo for Maintenance of the true^ 
 Religion, and for fupprefling of Idolatry and Superili- 
 tion wfyatfover : As in David w, Jebo(baphat x, He De- 
 lias y, jfofias z, and others highly commended tor 
 their Zeal in that Cafe, may be efpied. And there- 
 fore, we confefs and avow, that fuch as -refill the Su- 
 preme Power, doing that Thing which appertaineth 
 to his Charge, do refift God's Ordinance ; and there- 
 fore cannot be guiltlefs. And further we affirm, that 
 whofoever deny unto them Aid, their Counfel and 
 Comfort,whiles thePrinces and Rulers vigilanly travel in 
 Execution of their Office, that the fame Men deny their 
 Help, Support, and Counfel to God, who by the Pre- 
 fence of his Lieutenant doth crave it of them. 
 
 r Rom* 13. 2. s Rom. 13.7- 1 Pet. 2. 17. t Pfal. 
 82. 1. u 1 Pet. 2. 14, vr 1 Cbron. 22. 23, 24, 25, 26 
 Chapters, x 2 Cbron. 17.6, &c. & 19. 8, &c. y 2 
 Cbron. 29, 30, & 31 Chapters, z 2 Cbron. 34 & 35 
 Chapters. 
 
 ART. XXV. Of the Gifts freely given to the 
 
 Church. 
 
 ALbeit the Word of God truly preached, and the 
 Sacraments rightly miniilrated, and Difcipline 
 executed according to the Word of God, be the certain { 
 jind infallible Signs of the true Church ; we mean not, 1 
 that every particular Perfon joined with fuch Compa- 
 
 
Arf. 25. Tloe Confeffion of Faith. 39 
 
 ny, be an ele& Member of Chrift Jefus a : For we^B 
 acknowledge and confefs that Dornal, Cockle and ChafF 
 may be Town, grow and in great Abundance ly in the 
 Midft of the Wheat ; that is, the Reprobate may be 
 joined in the Society of the Elecl, and may externally 
 ufe with them the Benefits of the Word and Sacramer.- 
 But fuch being but temporal Profeffors in Mouthj 
 but not in Heart, do fall back, and continue not to the 
 End b 'j and therefore have they no Fruit of Chrift's 
 Death, Refurreclion, nor Afcenfion. But fuch as with 
 Heart unfeignedly believe, and with Mouth boldly 
 confefs the Lord jefus, as before we have faid, fhall 
 mod affuredly receive thefe Gifts c. Firfl. In this Life, 
 Remiflionof Sins, and that only by Faith in ChrifVs 
 Blood, in fo much, that albeit Sin remain, and conti- 
 nually abide in thefe our mortal Bodies, yet it is not 
 imputed to us, but is remitted, and covered with 
 Chrift's Juilice d. Stcmdly, In the general Judgment, 
 there fhall be given to every Man and Woman, Refur- 
 re&ionofthe Flefh e : For the Sea fhall give her Dead, 
 the* Earth thofe that therein be incloled : Yea, the E- 
 ternal, our God, fhall ftretch out his Hand on the Duft, 
 and the Dead fhall arife incorruptible /, and that in the 
 Subftance of the felf-fame Flefh that every Man now 
 beareth ^, to receive according to their W 7 orks, Glory 
 or Punifhment h ; for fuch as now delight in Vanity, 
 Cruelty, Filthinefs, Superftition, or Idolatry, fhall be 
 adjudged to the Fire unquenchable, wberein they fhail 
 be tormented for ever, as well in their own Bodies, as 
 in their Souls, which now they give to ferve the 
 Devil in all Abominations. But fuch as continue in 
 Well-doing to the End, boldly profeiling the Lord Jefus, 
 we cemftantly believe, that they fhall receive Glpry, 
 Honour and Immortality, to reign for ever in Life ever- 
 lafting with Chrift Jefus / •, to whofe glorified Body 
 
 all 
 a Matth. i>24, &c. b Matth. 1 21. c Rom. 
 
 10. 9, . d Rim* 7 Chapter. r. 5. 21. e fob 
 
 2S, 29. iRev. 1 Car. 15. 52, 53, 54. g 
 
 19.25,26,27. h Matth* 25. 31, RCV* 14.1 
 
 Rum* 2. 6 t 10. 
 
fs 
 
 his Ele& fhall be made like I, when h« fhall appeal- 
 again in Judgment, and fliall render up the Kingdom to 
 God his Father, who then fliall be, and ever fhall re- 
 jnain in all Things, God bleffed for ever I : To whom > 
 with the Son, and with the Holy Ghoft, be all Honour 
 and Glory tor now and ever. So be it. 
 
 k Phil* 3.21. 1 1 Dr. 15. 24, 2S. 
 
 Ar:fi C L:rd ) and let thy Enemies be confounded- 
 Jet them flee ficm thy Prefence, that hate thy godly 
 
 ime. Give thy Servants Strength to [peak thy J ford 
 in Boldnefsj and Jet all Nations cleave to thy true Knew- 
 fedee* Amer. Numb. *. 35. Pfal. 63. 15. A#s 4. 29. 
 
 Theie Acts and Articles were read in the Face or 
 Parliament, and ratified by the Three Eftates of this 
 Realm, at Edinburgh, the 17th Day of Auguft* in the 
 Year of our Lord 156c And again ratified, eftablilhed, 
 and repeated in the Fourth Aft of King James Sixth, 
 Tirft Parliament, at Edinburgh, December 15th 1567. 
 ( And in feveral other Acts. ) And all A /is againft the 
 Truth, in any Parliament before whatsoever, aboliihed. 
 See QjfcSti h N. u 2. 
 
 finis. 
 
<JV5 
 
 
 Tfo 
 
 FORM 
 
 F 
 
 EXAMINATION 
 
 Before the 
 
 Communion, 
 
 Appro by the ; 
 
 GENERAL A SSEMBLT 
 
 O F T H E 
 
 Kirk of Scotland : *§ 
 
 And appointed to be ufe*L in 
 
 Families and Schools. 
 
 With Proofs from the Scripture. 
 
 >8 
 
 
 
 x' 
 
 •L 
 
 V 
 
 E D 1 N B U K G i/> 
 
 £ Printed hyphemas Lumifden and Jcbn Rcbertfon, 
 
 MDCCXX\ SfiJ 
 
4 I 4i ; 
 
 * 
 
 AfTembly 1590. Sejf. 12. Auguft 10. 
 
 ANent the Examination before the Communion, it is 
 thought meet for the common Profite of the whole 
 People, that ane uniforme Order be keepit in Exami- 
 nation, and that an fchort Forme of Examination be fet 
 down, be their Breither, Mrs. John Craig, Robert Pont y 
 Thomas Buchanan, and Andrew Melvine> to be prefen- 
 tit to the next AfTembly. 
 
 AfTembly 1591. Sejf. 17. July 13. 
 
 ANent the Forme of Examination before the Commu- 
 nion, pennit be their Brother Mr. Craig, the Affem- 
 bly thought it meet to be imprintit, being be the Author 
 thairof contra&it in fome fchorter Bounds. 
 
 AfTembljfci592. Sejf. \o. May 30. 
 
 FOr fwa meikle as, at the fpecral Defire of the Kirk, 
 ane Forme of Examination bjfbre the Communion 
 was pennit and formit be their Brother Mr. John Crazg y 
 quhilk is now imprintit, and allowit be the Voyce of the 
 AfTembly. Therefore it is thought needful that every 
 Pallor travel with his Flock, that they may buy the fa- 
 men Buik, and read it in their Families, quhereby they 
 may be better inftru&it ; and that the famen be read and 
 learnit in Lectors Schools, in place of the little Cate- 
 chifm *• 
 
 \ ■ 
 
 * Thai is, The Manner to examine Children^ at the 
 End of Calvitis CatechiGn. 
 
££&£&& 
 
 A Form of Examination before the 
 
 Communion, 
 
 I. Of our mi fertile Bondage through Adam* 
 
 Q. i. Tjr7^^ T ^e we by Nature ? 
 
 1/1/ A* Th e Children of God's Wrath, 
 
 r r Epb. 2. 3. 
 
 •Q. 2. Were roe thus created of God ? 
 A. No, for he made us to his own Image, Gen. i. 26. 
 Q. 3. Hjvo came we to this Mifery ? 
 A. Through the Fall of Adam from God, Gen. 3. 
 Q. 4. What Things came to us by that Fall ? 
 A* Original Sin, and natural Corruption, Rom. 5^ 
 
 12, 18, 19. 
 
 Q. <. What Tower have r?B to turn to God? 
 
 A. None at all, for \ve3re dead in Sin, Epb.2. 1. 
 
 Qj 6. What is the Vumfbment of cur Sin ? 
 
 A* Death eternal, both in Body and Soul, Rom. 6. 2 
 
 II. Of our Redemption by Chrift. 
 
 Q. 7. Xlf Ho may deliver m ftcm this Bcndage ? 
 
 A. God only, who bringeth Lite out 
 Death. 
 
 Q. 8. How know we that he will do it ? 
 '• By his Promife, and fending his Son Chrift Jefus 
 
 our i Joh 16, 17. 
 
 Q; 5. What Ki Perfcn is Chrift ? 
 
 A. t God ard p. Man, without Sin, MaU 
 
 I. lid . ,1. 
 
 Q this r \ ? 
 
 A* Tfcu Irj m be a inc. - ;ator 1. 
 
 Q; II. H 
 

 44 L.raig / LatecJoijm. 
 
 Q. ii. How did he redeem us ? 
 A. Through his Obedience to the Law, and Death 
 of fhe Crofs, Phil. 2. 8. 
 
 Q. 12. Suffered he only natural Death ? 
 A. No., but he fuiFered alio the Curfe of God, in 
 Body and Soul, Gal. 3. 13. 
 Qj 13. How know we that his Death brought Life to us? 
 A. By his glorious Refurre&ion and Aicenflon. 
 Q. 14. Wherefore that ? 
 
 A. For if he hath not fatisfied for all our Sins perfect- 
 ly, he hath not rifen, nor we by him, 1 Cor. 15. 14, 17. 
 Q. 15. Is it needful that we believe thefe Myfieries ? 
 A* No doubt, but yet that is not enough,jfo/#.2.i7,2o. 
 Q. 16. What more is required ? 
 A. That we be made Partakers of Chrift and his Me- 
 rits, John 15. 4—7. 
 
 III. Of our Participation with Chrift. 
 (^17. TJOw is that wrought ? 
 
 A. Through his continual Interceffion for us in Hea- 
 ven, Heb. 7. 25. . 
 
 Qj 18. Declare how that is done. 
 
 A. Hereby the Holy Spirit is tent, John 14. 16, 26. 
 
 Q. 19. Whatdcth the Spirit in this Wcrk? 
 
 A. He ofFereth Chriil and his Graces to us, and mo- 
 veth us to receive him. 
 
 Q. 20. How doth he offer Chrifl to us ? 
 
 A. By.the Preaching of the Evangel, Rom. 10. 15 
 
 14* 15. 
 
 Q. 21. H:w doth he move us to receive him ? 
 
 A. Through Printing in our Hearts true Faith in 
 Chrifl:, A els 16. 14. 
 
 Q. 22. What Thing is Faith in Chrifl ? 
 A. A fure Perfwafion, that he is the only Saviour of the 
 World, but our in fpecial, who believe in him, John 6% 
 
 Q. 33. What doth this Faith wsrk? 
 
 A* Our infeparable Union with Chrifl: and his Graces, 
 
 Epb. 3. 16 - " 10. 
 
 Q.^.Wbat 
 
Q. 24. What is the firfl Fruit of this Union ?' 
 
 A. A Remiilion of our Sins, and Imputation of JuftI 
 'Rom. 6. 19. 
 
 Q; 25. Which is the next Fruit of our Union with him? 
 
 A. Our San&irlcation and Regeneration to the Image 
 of God, John 3. 3, $« 
 
 Q. 26. Jfjfo doth this, and how ? 
 
 A. The Holy Spirit through our Union with Chrift, 
 in his Death, Burial, and Reiiirrectfon, Rom. 6. 
 
 Q. 27. What are the chief Yarts of our Regeneration? 
 
 A* Mortification of Sin, and rifing to Righteoufnefs, 
 Rom. 6. 
 
 Q^ 28. How blow we Sin and Right eoufnefs ? 
 
 A. By the juft and perfeft Law or God, Rom. 7. 
 
 * 
 
 IV. Of the Word. 
 29- ft/Here Jball we find the Word of God ? 
 
 A. Only in the holy Scriptures, Rom. 15. 4. 
 
 Q. 30- Are the Scriptures J "ufficient for cur Inflru&icn ?* 
 
 A. No doubt, as the Apoftles do teftify, John 2c. 31. 
 Cat. 1. 8. 2 Tim. 3. 16. 
 
 Q. 3 1 . How fbould we receive and ufe the Word ? 
 
 A. We fhould read it privately and publickly with 
 all Reverence, Deut. 31. 21. 
 
 Q. 32. Is this fufficient for our InfiruBion? 
 
 A. No, if publick Teaching may be had, Epb. 4. 11, 
 12. 
 
 Q; 33. Wherefore that ? 
 
 A. For as God raifeth publick Teachers and Paftors, 
 fo he hath commanded us to hear them, Mai. 2. 7. 
 
 Q. 34. Hew longjhculd we continue in this School ? 
 
 A. All the Days or* our L ; ves, feeing we are ignorant, 
 forgetful, and ealy to be deceived^ Coh 3. 1 
 
 Q What then ferve the Sacramei r ? 
 
 A. They arc added tor our further Comrbrt and Ad- 
 monition, as a vilible Word, Gen. 17. g^io^iuExod. 1 
 
 1 V. Of 
 
\l 
 
 1 
 
 i 
 
 '45 Craig 5 / Catechifm. 
 
 V. Of our Liberty to ferve Ged. 
 
 Q. 36. 117 Hat good Things may we do new, being' thus 
 regenerated ? 
 A* We may ferve our God freely and uprightly, 
 Rom. 12. 
 
 Q. 37. May we do it perfectly according to the Law? 
 A. No truly, for our Regeneration is not perfect, 
 Gal. 5. 17. 'Ecclef. 7. 22. 
 
 (^38. What follow eth upon that ? 
 
 A* A certain Rebellion of the Flefh againft the Spirit, 
 
 "Rom. 7. 15 25. 
 
 Qj 39. Is net this Rebellion cur fed by the Law 1 ! 
 A* Yea truly, but yet it is not imputed to us, 2 Cor. 
 5.19. 
 
 Q. 40. Wherefore that, feeing it is Sin t and the Root 
 of aU our SinsT 
 
 A. Becaufe Chrift fatisfled all the Points of the Law 
 for us, Rom. 3. 21, $5c. 
 
 Q. 41. What are we then, who believe in Cbrifl ? 
 A* Juft in him, but Sinners in our felves, Rem. 8. 
 Q. 42. What craveth this Ccnfeffton of us ? 
 A* A conftarit Faith in Chrift, and continual Re 
 pentance. ^ 
 
 Qj 43. What then is our only foy in Life and Death ? 
 A* That all our Sins bypaft, prefent and to come, are 
 buried ; and Chrift only is made our Wifdom, Juftifica- 
 tion ? San&ification, and Redemption, 1 Cor. 1. 3c. 
 Q. 44. What Fruit cometb of this Faith ? 
 A. A Peace of Confcience, and Joy in the Spirit, in 
 all our Troubles within and without, Rom. 5.2. 2 C 
 6.4.* 
 
 Q. 4«>. What fmU we gather of this whole Difcourfe ? 
 A. How miferable we are through Adam, and how 
 bleffed through Chrift, Phil. 3. 8. 
 
 Q. 46. When Jhould we remember of this Doctrine ? 
 A~ At all Times, but chiefly when we are touched 
 with a proud Opinion of our own Worthincfs, or are 
 troubled in Confcience for Sin, Luke 18. 19- 
 
 Qj 47. Then 
 
Craig s Cattchijm. 47 
 
 Q. 47. Then this Meditation fervetb fcr a Preparation 
 
 the holy Sacrament ? 
 
 A. Yea truly, it they be rightly confldercd. 
 
 VI. Of the Sacrament:. 
 \ 3. f\Eclare that in Baft if m. 
 
 U We fee there the Seal of our fpiritual Fiithirefs 
 ugh our Communion with Adam y and our Purga- 
 bn by our Communion with Chrift. 
 Q^ Declare the fame in the Supper. 
 
 f. We fee, feel, and tafte there alio, the Seal ir 
 
 Kritual Wants, and Death through Adam, and 1 
 
 f our fpiritual Treafures and Lire through Chrift 
 
 Q- ^c. Hew contrail roe our fpiritual I iltbinefs from 
 
 A. Through our natural Communion with him, R:m. 
 . 12, Q 
 
 Q. 51. How came we to our fpiritual Purgation, end 
 Chrift 
 
 A> Through our fpiritual Communion with our ^e- 
 ond Adam, Head and Spoufe, Epb. 5. 
 
 Q. . Do Ford and the Sacraments wcrk 
 
 vmmunion 
 I A. No, for it is the Work of the Spirit only, Epb. 
 
 Q. 53. V/hereunto do the Word and Sacraments lead 
 
 A. Dire<ftly to th& Cro(s and j)eath of Chrift, 1 C.r. 
 
 23, 2 
 Q. 5 p. Wherefore that ? 
 
 Becaufc through his Crofs anaTkath, the Wrath 
 • as quenched, and all his Bleilings made ours, 
 
 Q hy was this high Myflery repref I by tbej _ 
 
 ea^ ^*~ 
 
 Bee :s moft lively our fpirk 
 
 ng and feeding, which wc have by Chrift, Jcbn 
 
48 Craig'* Catechifin. 
 
 Qj 56. When doth he thefe Things to us iri very Deed 
 A. When he is fo joined- with us, and we with Hit 
 
 that he abideth in us, and we in him fpiritually, Joh 
 
 Ql 57. How is this Union and Abiding exprejjed here 
 A. By natural Wafhing, Eatings Drinking, Digefting 
 Feeding, and Abiding in us. 
 
 Q. <$8. How may we- feel and know this foiritual Abi 
 ding in us ? 
 
 A. BytheTeftimony of the Spirit in us, and extei'ns 
 A&ions agreeable to Chrift in us, Matth. 7. 6. Rom; I 
 j 6. 
 
 Q. 59. Then Chrift is not an idle Gueft in us? 
 
 A. No truly ; for he came not only with Water an: 
 Blood, but alfo with the Spirit, to allure Us, in fb/h 
 Meafure, of hisPrefence in us, 1 John 5. 6. 
 
 VII. Of Baptifm. 
 Q. 60. 17/Hat fignifieth Baptifm unto us? 
 
 A. That we are filthy by Nature, and are purged! b 
 the Blood of Chrift, Tit. 3.5. 
 
 Q.61. What meaneth this our Union rbith the Water 
 
 A* Our fpiritual. Union with Jefus Chrift, Rem. t 
 3, 8. Gal. 3. 27. 
 
 Q. 62. What foUcweth upon this our Union with him 
 
 A> Remiflion of Sins and Regeneration, Rom. 6, 4 
 18, 22. 
 
 Q. 63. From whence ccmeth cur Regeneration ? 
 
 A. From the Communion with the Death, Burial, an 
 Refurre&ion of Chrift, Rem. 6. 4, 58. 
 
 Q. 64. How' long , and by what way doth Baptifi 
 toork in us ? 
 
 A. All the Days of our Life, through Faith and Re 
 pentance, 1 Cor. 6. 19, 20. 
 .Q. 65. How then are Infants baptised? 
 
 A. Upon the Promife made to the Faithful and thei 
 Seed, Gen, 17* 7, io« 
 
 Q. S6. Hoi 
 
Craig'/ Catechifa* 49 \ 
 
 tb Baptifm differ from the Supper ? 
 
 Q. 66. How doth Baptifm differ from the Supper 
 
 A. In the Elements, A&ion, Rites, Signification and 
 
 Ufe. 
 Q. 67. Wherefore is Baptifm but once miniflred ? 
 
 A. It is enough to be t eceived once in the Houfe of 
 God, Rom. 8. 16. 
 
 Q.68. Declare the Caufe cf that 4 
 
 A. For they are never caften out, who are once truly 
 received in his Society, John 6. 37. 
 
 Q. 69. Why is the Supper fo oft miniflred ? 
 
 A. We have need to be fed continually, John 6. </ )9 
 
 Q. 7c. Why U net the Supper minifired to Infants ? 
 
 A. Becaufe they cannot examine themfelyes, 1 Cor* 
 iu 18. 
 
 VIII. [Of the Supper. 
 3. 71. ll/Hat fegnifietb the Action of the Supper ? 
 
 A. That our Souls arc fed fpiritually, by the Body 
 tnd Blood of Jefus Chrift, *}chn 6. 54. 
 
 Q. 72. When is this done ? 
 
 A. When we feel the Efficacy of his Death in our 
 ^onfeience by the Spirit of Faith, John 6. 63. 
 
 Q. 73. Why is wis Sacrament given in Meat and 
 Drink ? 
 
 A. To feal tip our near Conjunction with Chrift. 
 
 < '. 74* Wherefore U both Meat and Drink given? 
 
 A. To teftify that Chrift is the whole Food of our 
 ouls, tyhn 6. 
 
 Q. 75. Is Cbrifis Body in the Elements ? 
 
 A* No, but it is in Heaven, Aits 1. 11. 
 
 Q: 76. Why then is the Element called bis Body ? 
 
 A. Becaufe it is a fure Seal of his Body given to our 
 Is. 
 
 Q.77. To vobom Jlwuld this Sacrament be given ? 
 
 A» To the Faithful only, who can examine themfelve>* 
 
 Q; 78. Wherein JJjould they examine tbemfelves ? 
 
 A* In Faith an4 Repentance, with their Fruits. 
 
50 Craig'/ Catechifm] 
 
 Q. 79. What JbouJd Pafiors do> when Men are neglU 
 gent) and abufe the Sacraments ? 
 
 A* They fhould ufe the Order of Difcipline eftablifhed 
 in the Word. 
 
 • IX. Of Difcipline. 
 Q. 80. fffHo Jhould ufe this Difcipline ? . 
 
 A* The Paftors and Elders by their mutual Confent 
 and Judgment. 
 
 Q. 81. What is the Office of the Elderjblp ? 
 
 A- To watch upon their Hock, and exercife the Dis- 
 cipline. 
 
 Q. 82. How is this done ? 
 
 A- By private and publick Admonition, and other 
 Cenfures of the Kirk , as Need requireth. 
 
 Q. 83. Who ought to be excluded from the Sacra* 
 wents ? 
 
 A. All Infidels, and publick Slanderers. 
 
 Q. 84. Wherefore are thefe excluded ? 
 
 A. Left they fhould hurt themfelves, flander the Kirk 
 and diflionour God. 
 
 • - X. Of the Magiftrate. 
 
 Q. 85. YZfHat is the Office of the Chrifilan Maglfirat 
 VK in the Kirk ? 
 A. He fhould defend the true Religion and Difci 
 pline, and punifh all Troublers and Contemners of th 
 fame. 
 
 XI. Of the Table in fpeciaU 
 
 Q. 86. IJt/Hy ufe we a Table htre+ and net an Att< 
 as the Fathers did at God his Comman( 
 ment? 
 
 A. Becaufe we convene,not to offer a Sacrifice for Sii 
 Jtut to eat and driuk of that Saciiiic^ which Chrift one 
 
 •iflferi 
 
Craig'* Catechifm. 51 
 
 fered upon theCrofs for us, Heb. 7. 23, 24, 27. & ic» 
 
 ,12, 14, 18. 
 
 Q. 87. Whatprofefs we when we come to tbeTabh ? 
 
 A* That we are dead in our felves, and feek our Lifit 
 
 \y in Chrift. 
 
 Q. SS. Shall this Confeffion of our Unworthinefs be * 
 
 ay to come to the Communion ? 
 
 A* No truly, but rather a Preparation to the fame, if 
 
 lith and Repentance be with it, Mark 2. 17. 
 
 Q. 89. Wherefore is there Mention made here ofChrifi 
 
 $ Body and Blood federally ? 
 
 A. To teftify his Death, by the which only he was 
 
 ade our fpiritual Meat and Drink, John 6. 51, 55. 
 
 Q. 90- For what Caufe is this Action called the Com* 
 
 union ? 
 
 A* Becaufe it is the true Caufe of our mutual Society 
 
 ith Chrift in all Things, good and evil. 
 
 Q. 91. Declare how that is performed. 
 
 A* Hereby he removeth all evil Things from us, which 
 
 e have by Nature ; and we receive of him all good 
 
 hings, which we want by Nature. 
 
 Q. 92. Declare thefe Things more plainly. 
 
 A. The Wrath of God and Sin is removed, which we 
 
 ive by Nature ; and the Favour of God, and Adopti- 
 
 1, with the Joy of Heaven, is reftored to us, the which 
 
 hings we have not by Nature, Rom. 8. 
 
 Q: 03. What Thing then may the faithful Soul fay ? 
 
 A. Now live I, not I, but Chrift liveth in me; it is 
 
 ! that juftifieth, who fhall condemn? 
 Qj 94. Let us therefore give Thanks, and pafs to this 
 tly A&ion, every one of us, faying andfmging in his 
 r*r*vThe Lord is the Portion of mine Inheritance 
 id of my Cup, thou lhalt maintain my Lot, the Lines 
 e fallen unto me in pleafant Places, yea, I have a fair 
 eritage, Tfal. 16.5,6. 
 
 A. Let it be done fo, with Heart and Mouth, to the 
 onfufio'n of all Idolaters, and Glory of our God. 
 
 t> 2 $11. I** 
 
52 Craig'* Catechifm. 
 
 XII. Tfte End of our Redemption] 
 
 Q. 9<). *~rO what End are we thus redeemed, am 
 "*" brought in Hope of that endlefs Joy to come 
 
 A. To move us effectually to deny all Ungodlinefs 
 'worldly Lufts, and Unrighteoufnefs, and fo live godly 
 foberly, and righteoufly in this prefent Worlds looking 
 for the Coming of Chrift, for our full Redemption 
 Tit. 2. ii, 12, 13. 
 
 Q. 96. What Jhatt be the final End of all tbefe Gra. 
 
 ces? 
 
 A. God fhall be glorified for 4 ever in Mercy, and w< 
 ihall enjoy that endlefs Life with Chrift: our Head, tc 
 whom with the Father, and the holy Spirit, be all Ho- 
 i>our and Glory for ever. Amen. 
 
 Affembly at Edinburgh, Augufl 30, 1639. Seff.il* 
 All anent Ministers Cateckifingy and Family 
 Exercife* 
 
 THe AflemWy confidering, that the long waited for 
 Fruits of the Gofpel, fo mercifully planted and 
 preferved in this Land, and the Reformation of our 
 felves and Families, (p folemnly vowed to God of late 
 in our Covenant, cannot take Erfe&, except the Know- 
 ledge and Worfhip of God be carried from the Pulpit 
 to every Family within each Parifh ; hath therefore ap- 
 
 Eointed, that every Minifler, befides his Pains on the 
 lord's Day, fhall have weekly Catechifihg of fome Part 
 of the Parifh, and not altogether caft over the Exami- 
 nation of the People, till a little before the Communion ; 
 alfo,tnat in every Family, the Worfhip of God be erected, 
 where it isjnbt, both Morning and Evening, and that? 
 the Children and Servants be Catechifed at home by 
 the Matters of the Families, .whereof Account fhall be 
 taken by the Minifter and Elders, affifting him in the 
 Vifitation of every Family : And left they fail, that 
 Vifitation of the feveral Kirks be feriouQy followed by 
 every Presbytery, for tliis'End among others. The Exe- 
 cution and Succefs whereof being tried by the Synods, 
 In it be zrprefenced te the nejt General Affembly. 
 
smrm^^^rmmm ' 35 
 
 THE 
 
 c, 
 
 WITH THE SHORTER 
 
 _ AT EC HIS 
 
 APPOINTED BYT ME 
 
 GENERAL ASSEMBLT. 
 
 
 b be a Directory for Catechifing fuch as are 
 of a weaker Capaciry. 
 
 To whicb are _dded, fome Forms of Prayers <■ 
 and Graces for Children. 5W 
 
 . *5 
 
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 rintedby T- & M. ROBERTSON, 1785. 
 
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The Roman ALPHABETS. 
 
 Aabcdef 
 
 ABCDEFGHIKL 1 N" O P^ 
 
 STJJVWX Y Z. ,. 
 abcdcf ghijklmnopq rwxjz&t 
 
 The Italic Alpho^ 
 
 JSCDEFGH1JKL OP 
 
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 a bcdefg hij klmnopqr fstuvw xy: 
 
 The Old Englifjy or Black Alpha i 
 
 abcticf glj t j fei m n o p q r f 1 uu to jpk 
 
 Double letters. 
 &{h-(Ufiffffffuffinflffl 
 
 ac cc. 
 
 Figures. 
 I 234567J0. 
 
 Vftvels* 
 
 a, c, i, 0, u. 
 
 Ab eb ib ob ub 
 
 Al 
 
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 el i! ol ul 
 
 ac ec ic oc uc 
 ad ed id cd ud 
 af ef if of uf 
 
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 ag eg ig og ug 
 
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 CS is 05 Iks j 
 
| THE % 
 
 % GnnfpfvnrLof ffnhh % 
 
 if 
 
 ifefsion of {Faith 
 
 ■& 
 
 % O F T H E J 
 
 fKirk of Scotland A 
 
 %' OR, THE * 
 
 * National Covenant. ± 
 
 ^ With a Defignation of fuch A&s of Par- % 
 •S- liament, as are expedient for juftifying -$* 
 r ; tlie Union after-mentioned. % 
 
 •$- And feveral A&s of the General AfTembly * 
 
 * of the Church of Scotland, Approving, ^ 
 
 * Explaining, and Injoining the Sublcribing -fr 
 l£ this Covenant. !|! 
 >& Together with an Ail of Parliament, Anno * 
 |£ J 640, Approving and Eftablifhing the ^ 
 r fame. -& 
 
 * ; * 
 
 •fy Jofh. xxiv. 2<;. 5*0 Jofhua made a C with -fr 
 
 ■£- 1 6* Pe^/e t bat Day, and fet them a Statute and «#• 
 
 £ aw Ordinance in Shechem. 
 
 Kings xi. 17. ^>i<i Jchoiada w<irff a Covenant a. 
 
 ■n- between the Lcrd y and the King and the Pecple, <f- 
 
 •£• that they Jhould be the Lord's People ; between •$• 
 
 the King alfo and the People. 
 
 [£ Ifa. xliv. 5. One Jhall fay, J am the Lcrfs ; and T 
 
 another fnall call bimfelf by the Name of Jacob; ]§. 
 
 'ubferibe with his Hand unto j> 
 ft* the Lord— - *v* 
 
 p EDINBURGH, + 
 
 £ Printed by Tbomu Lumifden and jMm Robert fai* j£ 
 £ . MDCCXXV. J 
 
( 54 ) 
 
 Ifhe King*s Mijefiies Charge to all Commisfionerz 
 and Ministers within this Realm. 
 
 SEing that we and our Houfhold have fubfcribed and 
 given this publick Confeifion of our Faith, to the 
 good Example of our Subjects : We command and charge 
 all Commiffioners and Minifters, to crave the fame Con- 
 feffion of their Parifhonars, and proceed agains the Re- 
 fufers according to pur Laws and Order of the Kirk, 
 delivering their Names and lawful Proceffe to the Mi- 
 sifters of our Houfe with all haift and diligence,under the 
 paine of fourtie pound to betaken from their (Upend, 
 that We, with the advife of our Counfell, maie take or-? 
 Her with fik proud contemners of God and our Lawes* 
 Subfcribed with our Hand at Halyrudhous * 1580^ 
 * the 2 date oj March, the 14. \zir of our r eigne \ 
 
 Ajfemblj, April 1581, SeJJl 9. 
 
 Act approving the Confejfion of Faith. 
 
 ANent the Confeffion laitlie fet furth be the King's 
 Majefties Proclamatione, and fubfcribit be his 
 Seines ; the Kirk, in ane Voyce, acknawledges the faid 
 iConfeffionj to be ane trew, Chriftian, and faithfull Con- 
 fcflion, to be agriet unto be fik as treulie profeffe Chrifl 
 ;and his trew Religion, and the tenor theirof to be fol- 
 lowit ovfi aefauldly, as the famen is laid out in the faid 
 3Proclamatione« 
 
 AJJembJj, OSober 1581, Sejf. <J. 
 
 Aft Injoining all P erf oris tofubfcribe the Confesfiqn 
 of Faith. 
 
 FOr fwameikle as the King's Majeftie, with advyfe of 
 his Counfell, hes fett out and proclaimit ane Godlic 
 
 Con- 
 
 * 1 $81, For they did not begin the Tear in Scotland, 
 4itbatT;mC) tilltb$2<tb of March until i6po. 
 
Confeffiene of Faith, to be imbraceit be all his trew Sub- 
 rs \ and be the fame expreflie giving^commandement 
 to the Miniftrie, to proceed againft qwhatfumever per- 
 ibns that will not acknawledge and fubfcry ve the fame, 
 qw herein great negligence hes been feen far by the dewtT 
 and office of trew paftors : Heirfoir the Kirk and Al- 
 fembly prefent hes enjoynit and concludit, that all Mi- 
 nifters and Paftors within their bounds, with all expe- 
 dient and pofHble diligence, execut the tenor of his Ma- 
 jefties proclamation betwixt and the nixt fynodal Af- 
 femblies of every Province, and prefent before the fy- 
 nodal Affemblies to the moderator theirof their dew- 
 tieful diligence in this behalf, to be reportit to the nixt 
 General AfTembly of the Kirk, under the paine of de- 
 privatione of the faids Minifters from the funiUon of the 
 Miniflrie that beis negligent herein. 
 
 Affemhly At Glafgow, Decern. 20. 1638. SefT. 16I 
 
 The Acl of the General Affemhly concerning the 
 J Confeffion of Faith>renerved in February 1638. 
 
 TH E Aflembly confidering, that for the Purging 
 and Prefervation of Religion, for the King's Ma- 
 efty's Honour, and for the publick Peace of the Kirk 
 and Kingdom, the Renewing of the National Covenant* 
 and Oath of this Kirk and Kingdom, in February 1638, 
 was moft neceflar, likeas tbe Lord hath bleflfed the fame 
 from Heaven with a wonderful Succefs for the Good of 
 Religion : That the faid Covenant fufpendeth the 
 Practice of Novations already introdue'd, and the Ap- 
 probation of the Corruptions of the prefent Government 
 Kirk, with the civil Places and Power of Kirk- 
 men, till they be tryed in a free General Ajjembly : And 
 that now, after long and ierions Examination, it is found, 
 that by the Confeffion of Faith *, the Five Articles of 
 
 P^rth, 
 
 * As it tom pnftjfcd, fawn, and fubferibed in tbs 
 Tr<*r 15S1, and 155^ 
 
( 5* ) 
 
 Perth, and Epipopal Government are abjured, and to 
 
 be removed out t)f this Kirk ; and the civil Places and 
 
 Tower df Kirkmen, are declared to be unlawful. The 
 
 Aflembly alloweth and approveth the fame in all theHeads 
 
 and Atticles thereof; and ordaineth that all Miniftersi 
 
 Mafiers of Universities, Colleges' and Schools, and all 
 
 others who have not already fubferibed the faid Confef- 
 
 fivn and Covenant; fhall fubferibe the fame, with thefe 
 
 Words prefixed to their Subfcription, viz. The Article 
 
 *f this Covenant ^which wm at thefirfi Subfcription refer* 
 
 red to the Determination of the General Aifembly, being 
 
 now determined at Glafgow in December 1638 : And 
 
 \ thereby the live Articles of Perth, and the Goverment 
 
 cf the Kirk by BiJbops> being declared to be abjured and 
 
 removed, and the civil Places and Power of Kirkmen 
 
 declared to be unlawful : We fubferive according to the 
 
 Determination of the faid free and lawful General 
 
 AiTertibly holden at Glafgow* And ordaineth, ad per- 
 
 petuam rei mernoriam, the faid Covenant, with this 
 
 Declaration, to be infert in the Regifters of the AfTem^ 
 
 blies "of this Kirk, General, Provincial, and Prfcsby- 
 
 teriaL 
 
 r <AJfembly at Edinburgh, Augufl: 30. 1639. Sefi. 23, 
 
 ^The Supplication of the AfTembly, conveened at 
 Edinburgh the 1 2th 0/ Auguft 1639, 'fa His 
 Jidajefiy^s High Commifftoner, and the Lords of 
 His Majefty's Honourable Privy Council. 
 
 WE the General Affembly confidering, with all hum-: 
 ble and thankful Acknowledgement, the many 
 -recent Favours beftowed upon us by His Majefty ; and 
 that there refleth nothing for crowning of His Majefty's 
 Incomparable 1 Goodnefs towards us, but that all th£ 
 Members of this Kirk and Kingdom be joined in one 
 and the fame Confeffion and Covenant with God, with 
 the King's Majefty a and amongft our iclves : And con*- 
 
 --.,--- ceiving 
 
C 57 ) 
 
 cciving the main Lett and Impediment to this fo good 
 a Work) and fo much wiflied by all, to have been the 
 Informations made to His Majeily, of our Intentions to 
 ftrake off civil and dutiful Obedience due to Sovereigni- 
 ty, and to diminifh the King's Greatnefs and Authority ; 
 and being moll willing and defirous to remove this and 
 all fuch Impediments, which may hinder and impede fo 
 full and perfect an Union ; and for clearing of our Loyal- 
 t : We, in our own Names, and in Name of all the reft 
 ef the Subjects and Congregations whom we reprefent, 
 80 now, in all Humility, reprefent to your Grace His 
 Majefty's CommilTioner, and the Lords of His Majefty's 
 moil honourable Privy Council ; and declare before 
 GOD and the World, that we never had, nor have 
 a^y Thought of withdrawing our felves from that humble 
 and dutiful Obedience to His Majefty and to his Go- 
 vernment, which by the Defcent, and under the Reign 
 or One hundred and [even Kings, is. moft chearfully ac- 
 knowledged by us and our Predeceffors : And that we 
 1 ver had, nor have any Intention or Delire, to at- 
 tempt any Thing that may tend to the Diihonour of 
 God, or the Diminution or the King's Greatnefs and 
 Authority. But on the contrary, acknowledging our 
 Quietnefs, Stability and.Happinefs, to depend upon the 
 S ; 7 of the Kirk's Ma jelly's Perfon, and Maintenance 
 .' his Greatnefs and Royal Authority, who is God's 
 \ cegerent fet over us, for the Maintenance of Religion, 
 iiniftration of Juftice : We have folemnly fworn, 
 and do fwear, not only our mutual Concurrence and 
 Aififtance for the Caufe of Religion, and, to the utter- 
 moft of cur Power, with our Means and Liv,es, to ftand 
 to the DetLnce of our Dread Sovereign, his Perfon and 
 Authority, in Preservation and Defence of the true 
 I igion, Liberties and Laws of this Kirk and King- 
 Bin; But alfo in every Cauie which may concern His 
 jetty's Honour, fhall, according to the Laws of this 
 ngdom, ^and the Duties of good Subje&s, concur 
 with our Friends and Followers, in quiet Manner, 
 in Arms, as we fhall be required of His Majefty, H 
 Council, or any having His Authoritv, And therefore, 
 
( 5» ) r 
 
 being mod deflrous to clear our felves of all Imputation 
 of this Kind, and following the laudable Example of 
 our PredecelTbrs, i«)8o, do moft humbly fupplicate your 
 Grace His Majefty's Commiflioner, and the Lords of 
 His Majefty's moft honourable Privy Council, to enjoin 
 by an-A6t. of Council, that this Ccnfejfton and Covenant y 
 which; as a- Teftimony of our Fidelity to God, and 
 Loyalty to our King, we have fubfcribed, be fubfcribed 
 by all His Majefty's Subje&s, of what Rank and Quali- 
 ty ibever. 
 
 The All of His Majefly's moft- Honourable Privy 
 Council , at Edinburgh, Auguft30. 1639, con- 
 taining the Anfwer of the Supplication above- 
 written. 
 
 TH E which Day, in Prefence of the Lord Commif- 
 fioner, and the Lords of Privy Council, compear- 
 ed perfonally John Earl of Rothes, James Earl of Mont- 
 rcfe, John Lord Lowdoun, Sir George Stirling of Keir 
 Knight, Sir William Douglafs of Cavers Knigfit, Sir 
 Henry Wood of Bonytoun Knight, John Smyth Burgefs 
 of Edinburgh, Mr. Robert Barclay Provoft of Irvine^ 
 Mr. Alexander Henderfon Minifler at Edinburgh, and 
 Mr. Archibald Johnfloun Clerk to the General Ajfcm- 
 bly\ and in the Name of the prefent fitting General Af- 
 fembly, gave in to the Lord Commiflioner, and Lords 
 of Privy Council, the Petition above-written : Which 
 being read,- heard, and confidered by the faids Lords, 
 they have ordained, and ordain the fame to be infert 
 and regiftrate in the Books of Privy Council •, and ac- 
 cording to the Defire thereof, ordain the faid Confejion 
 and Covenant to be fubfcribed, in Time coming, by all 
 His Majefty's Subjects of this Kingdom^ of what Rank 
 
 and Quality foever. 
 
 • 
 
 Atfiwbfy 
 
}* 
 
 Affemb]j at Edinburgh, Augufl 30. 1^9. Scff. 2> 
 jitt ordaining, by Ecclefiaftical Authority^ the Sub- 
 f&iftion of the Confeffion of Faith and Cove- 
 nant, with the AiTemblies Declaration. 
 
 TH E General Affetnbly confidering the great Hap- 
 pinefs which may flow from a full and perfect 
 I lion of this Kirk and Kingdom, by joining or all in 
 one and the fame Covenant with God, with the King's 
 Majefty, and amongft our felves ; having by our great 
 Oath declared the Upri&htnefs and Loyalty of our Inten- 
 tions in all our Proceedings ; and having withall fuppli- 
 c :ed His Ma jetty's High CommifTioner, and the Lords 
 of His y. a jetty's honourable Pri\ <ncil y to enjoyne by 
 Aft of Council, all the Lieges in Time coming to fub- 
 fcribe the Confejfion of Faith and Covenant ; which, as a 
 Tettimony of our Fidelity to God, and Loyalty to our 
 King, we have iubferibed : And feing His Ma jetties 
 High CommiiTioner, and the Lords or' His Majetties 
 -nourable Trivie Council^ ve granted the Delire of 
 
 our Supplication, ordaining, by Civil Authority, all His 
 . s Lieges in Time coming, to fubferibe the fore- 
 faid Covenant : That our Union may be the more full 
 and perfeft, We, by our Ad* and Conttitution Eccle- 
 fiaftical, do approve the forefaid Covenant in all the 
 Heads and Claules thereo:: And ordains of new, under 
 all Ecclefiaftical Cenfure,That all the Matters of Univer- 
 sities, Colleges and Schoolcs, all Schollers at the paffing 
 W their Degrees, all Perfons fufpeft of Papiftric, or any 
 other Errour, and finally, all the Members of this Kirk 
 and Kingdom, fubferibe the fame, with.thefe Words 
 prefixed to their Subicription, The Article of this Cove* 
 iant> which was at the firjj SubCcriptLn rej d to the 
 ^Determination of the General A± Ijf, being determi- 
 and thereby the Five Articles of Perth , the Go- 
 nt of the Kirk by Bifhopb, the civil Places and 
 uver of Kirkmen, upra tb&Reafcns and Grounds con- 
 I in the Acls f : ' General AJJembly, declared to 
 bi nvful within thii Kirk . ire fubferibe according 
 
 t$ 
 
( 6o ) 
 
 to the Determination forefaid * : And ordains the Co- 
 venant^ with this Declaration, to be infert in the Regi- 
 fters of the AfTcmblies of this Kirk, General, Provinci- 
 al, and Presbyterial, ad perpetuam ret memoriatn. And 
 in all Humility fupplicates His Majefty's High Com- 
 miflioner, and the honourable Eftates of Parliament, by 
 their Authority, to ratify and enjoin the fame, under 
 all civil Pains, which will tend to the Glory of God, 
 Prefervation of Religion, the King's Majefty's Honour, 
 and per feft Peace of this Kirk and Kingdom. 
 
 Charles I. Par. 2. Act <$. 
 
 A& anent the Ratification of the Covenant^ and of 
 the Affembiles Supplication^ Act of Councily and 
 Att of Affcmbly concerning the Covenant. 
 
 At Edinburgh, June nth, 1640. 
 
 THe Eftates of Parliament, prefently conveened by 
 his Majefty's fpecial Authority, confidering the 
 Supplication of the General AfTembly at Edinburgh, the 
 12th of Augufl, 1639, to his Majefty's high Commif- 
 floner, and the Lords of his Majefty's honourable Privy 
 Council, and the Aft of Council the 30 th otAnguft 1639, 
 containing the Anfwer of the faid Supplication, and the 
 Aft of the faid General AfTembly, ordaining, by their Ec- 
 clefiaftick Conftitution, 1 the Subfcription of the Con- 
 feflion of Faith and Covenant mentioned in their Suppli- 
 cation, and withall having fupplicated his Majefty, tq 
 
 ratiiie 
 
 * This Determination and Declaration of the General 
 AJfembly, is n:t only infert at the End of the National 
 Covenant, before the Sub fcript ions, Anno 1639, but alfo m 
 the Copies of the faid Covenant , infert in the Regifiers of 
 the fever al Judicatories, here fpectfed, as if yet to be 
 feen in many Original Records, "with the following Words, 
 written at the Head of every Page before the Subfcripti- 
 $ns, vi%. Subtcribers of the before written Gonfeflion, 
 ind Interpretation thereof. 
 
( 6i ) 
 
 •ratifie and enjoin the famen by his Royal Authority, 
 under all civil Pains, as tending to the Glory of Go d, 
 Prefervation of Religion, the King's Maj-fty's Honour, 
 and the per fed Peace of this Kir kand Kingdom, do ratifie 
 and approve the faid Supplication, Aft of Council, 
 and Aft of Affembly ; and, conform thereto, ordains and 
 commands, the faid Confefuon and Covenant to be fub- 
 fcribed by all his Majefty's Subjefts, of what Rank 
 and XJuality foever, under all civil Pains ; and ordains 
 the faid Supplication, Aft of Council, and Aft of the 
 AfFembly, with the whole Confeflion, and Covenant it 
 felf, to be infert and regiftrate in the Afts and Books of 
 Parliament ; and alfo ordains the famen to be prefented 
 at the Entry of every Parliament, and before they pro- 
 ceed to any other Aft, that the fame be publickly read, 
 and fworn by the whole Members of Parliament, 
 claiming Voice therein ; otherwife the Refiifers to fub- 
 fcribe and fwear the tame, fhall have no Place nor Voice 
 in Parliament: And fuch like ordains all Judges, Magi- 
 ftrates, or other Officers, ofwhatfoever Place, Rank or 
 duality, and Minifters at their Entry, to fwear and 
 fubferibe the iamen Covenant ; whereof, and of the faid 
 Supplication, Aft of Council, and Aft of the Af- 
 fembly, the Tenor follows. 
 
 The Tenor of the faid Supplication, Aft of ' Council y and 
 <Aft of Affembly, did follow , in the Afts of Parliament ; 
 but here they are infert before this Aft ; and the 
 C venanty rohicb they all refer to, and ratifie, imme- 
 diately follows* 
 
 The 
 
1 
 
 : 
 
 ( 61 ) 
 
 The NATIONAL COVENANT 5 
 
 OR, 
 
 The ConfeJJion of Faith } fubferibed at fir ft 
 by the Kings Majefly and his Houftold in 
 the Tear 1580 ; thereafter by Perfons of all 
 Ranks in the Tear i i$8i, by Ordinance of the 
 Lords of Secret Council, tndAfts of the Gene- i 
 ral Ajjembly • fubferibed again by all Sorts of ' 
 Perfons in the Tear 1590, by a new Ordinance 
 of Council, at the Defire of the General Af- 
 fembly ; mth a general Bond for the maintain- 
 ing of the true Chriftian Religion, and the 
 King's Perfon ; and,tOgether with a Refolution 
 and Promise for the Caufes after-exprejfed, to 
 maintain the true Religion, and the King's Ma- 
 jefly, according to the for ef aid Confefshn and 
 ABs of ^Parliament ^fubferibed byBarons , Nobles y 
 Gentlemen, Burgejfes, Alinifters and Commons, 
 in the Tear 16385 approvenby the General Af- 
 fembly 1638 and 1639, and fubferibed again 
 by Perfons of all R,anks and. Qualities in the 
 Tear 1639, by an Ordinance of Council, upon 
 the Supplication of the General Afiembly, and 
 Alt of the General Affembly ; ratified by ah 
 A3 of Parliament 1640 ^ and fubferibed by 
 King Charles II. at Spej% June 23^ i6?o, 
 and at Scoon, January 1. i6?i. 
 
 WE all, and every one of us underwritten, proteff, 
 That after long aud due Examination of our own 
 
 Con- 
 
Or y National Covenant'. 63 
 
 Confciences in Matters of true and falfe Religion,we are 
 now throughly refolved in the Truth by the Word and 
 Spirit of God: And therefore we believe with our Hearts, 
 confels with our Mouths, fubferibe with our Hands, and 
 eonftantly affirm before God and the whole World, That 
 this only is the true Chriftian Faith and Religion, '^lea- 
 fing Gcd. and bringing Salvation to Man, which now is, 
 by the Mercy of God, revealed to the World by the 
 Preaching of the bleflfed Evangel ; and is received, be- 
 lieved, and defended by many and lundry notable Kirks 
 and Realms, but chiefly by the Kirk of Scotland, the 
 King's Ma jefty and three Eftates of this Realm, as God's 
 eternal Truth, and only Ground of our Salvation ; as 
 more particularly is expreifed in the Conftfliori of our 
 Faith, eftabliftied and publickly confirmed by fundry 
 A&s of*Parliaments, and now of a long Time hath been 
 openly profefled by the King's Majefty, and whole Bo- 
 . dy 0^ this Realm both in Burgh and Land. To the 
 which Confeffion and Form of Religion we willingly a- 
 pjee in our Confcience in all Points, as unto God's un- 
 doubted Truth and Verity, grounded only upon his 
 itten Word. And therefore we abhor and deteft all 
 contrary Religion and Doctrine } but chiefly all Kind of 
 Tafiftery in general* and particular Heads, even as they 
 are now damned and confuted by the Word of God 
 i Kirk of Scotland, But in fpecial we deteft and re- 
 fute the ufurped Authority of that Roman Antichrift u- 
 pon the Scriptures of God, upon the Kirk, the Civil 
 Magiftrate, and Confciences of Men : All his tyrannous 
 Laws made upon indifferent Things againft our Chri- 
 ftian Liberty ; His erroneous Doctrine againft the Suf- 
 ficiency of the written Word, the Perfection of the Law, 
 the Office ofChrifl: and his blelFed Evangel: His cor- 
 rupted Doctrine concerning original Sin, our natural 
 Inability and Rebellion to God's Law, our J unification 
 by Faith only, our imperfect San&i Heat ion and Obedi- 
 ence to the Law ; the Nature, Numk nd Wle of the 
 holy Sacraments: His fivv 1 :<tlard Sacramt ith 
 
 all his Rites, Ceremonies and .rrine, added to 
 
 the Miniftratum of the true Sacraments without the 
 
 Word 
 
<?4 The Confeffion of Faith 7 
 
 Word of God : His cruel Judgment againft Infants d&\ 
 parting without the Sacrament : His abfolute Neceift-j 
 ty of Baptifm : His blafphemous Opinion of Tranfub- 
 flantiation, or real Prefence of ChrifFs Body in the-E- 
 lements, and Receiving of the fame by the Wicked, or 
 Bodies of Men : His Difpenfations with folemn Oaths, 
 Per juries,& Degrees of Marriage forbidden in the Word : 
 His Cruelty againft the Innocent- divorced : His devil- 
 liih Mafs : His blafphemous Priefthood : His prophane 
 Sacrifice for the Sins of the Dead and the Quick: His 
 Canonization of Men, Calling upon Angels or Saints 
 departed; Worfhipping of Imagery, Relics and CrofTes;! 
 Dedicating of Kirks, Altars, Days ; Vows to Crea- 
 tures : His Purgatory, Prayers for the Dead ; Praying 
 or Speaking in a ftrange Language ; with his ProcefTi- 
 ons and blafphemous Letany, and Multitude of Advo- 
 cates or Mediators : His manifold Orders, auricular 
 Confeflion : His * defperate and uncertain Repentance : 
 His general and "doubtfome .Faith : His Satisfactions 
 of Men for their Sins : His Juftification by. Works, o 
 pus operatum, Works of Supererogation, Merits, Par- 
 dons, Peregrinations, and Stations : His holy Water, 
 Baptifingof Bells, Conjuring of Spirits, Crofllng, Sayn- 
 Ing, Anointing, Conjuring, Hallowing of God's good 
 Creatures, with the fuperftitious Opinion joined there- 
 with: 
 
 * In the Copy which is in the Harmony of Confeflions, 
 printid 1586, it is defper fed and uncertain Repentance; 
 and in the Latin Tr (inflation, which is in the Syntagma 
 confeflionunv'f is difperfam & incertam poenitentiam : but 
 in the Copy which is in the College 0/ Edinburgh, written 
 jtf<>,and fubfcribed by the Graduates, till the Defection* 
 at the Reflauration of King Charles II. and in the Copies 
 which were fubfcribed 1638 and 1639, it /V, defperate : 
 And in the Original fubfcribed by the King, &rc. and 
 in the Copy printed by Robert Waldgrave 1581, itji 
 defpered : Which is the eld Scotiflt Word fir defperate.' 
 
Or\ National Covenant] €$ 
 
 with : His worldly Monarchy, and wicked Hierarchy + : 
 His three folemn Vows, with alibis Sha veilings of fund ry 
 Sorts: His erroneous and bloody Decrees made at Trent* 
 witb all the Subfcribers cr Approvers of that cruel and 
 bloodyBand,con jured againft theKirk of God. And final- 
 ly, we deteft all his vainAllegories,Rites, Signs 5 andTra- 
 ditions brought in theKirk,witbout or againft the Word 
 ©f God, and Dc&rine of this true reformed Kirk ; to 
 the which we join our ielves willingly, in Do&rine, 
 Faith,Religion, Difcipline, and Ufe or the Holy Sacra- 
 ments, as livelyMembers of the fame in Chrift our Head : 
 Promifing and lwearing by the Great Name of the 
 LORD our GOD, That we'lhall continue in the Obedi- 
 ence of the Do&rine and Difcipline of this Kirk, * and 
 fliall defend the fame, according to our Vocation and 
 Power, all the Days of our Lives ; under the Pairs con- 
 tained in the Law, and Danger both of Body and Soul 
 in the Day of God's fearful Judgment. 
 
 And feeing that many are ftirred up by Satan and 
 that Roman Antichrift, to promife, fwear, fubfcribe,and 
 for a Time ufe the holy Sacraments in the Kirk deceit- 
 fully, againft their own Confcience ; minding hereby, 
 firft, under the external Cloke of Religion, to corrupt 
 and fubvert fecretly God's true Religion within the 
 Kirk j and afterward, when Time may ierve,to become 
 open Enemies and Perfecutors of the fame, under win 
 rjope* of the Pope's Difpeniation, devifed againft the 
 Word ofGod, to his greater Confufion. and their double 
 Condemnation intheDav of the Lord Jefus:Vs T e therefore, 
 willing to take away all Suspicion ofHypocrify,& of fuch 
 double Dealing with God and his Kirk, proteft, and call 
 
 E the 
 
 + See the Explicaticn cf Hierarchy \ in <th Aft cf 
 JJfemllj) after the Form cf Presbyterian Government. 
 
 * The Ccnfefficn rchich waf fubferibed at Halyrud- 
 boufe the i^th cf February 1587-83 / y the King, Lennox, 
 Huntly, the Chancellor ^and about 95 aher Per fens, bath 
 here added , Agreeing to the >A ord. Sir John Maxwtl 
 «/ Pollock hath the original Parchment. 
 
66 "The Confeffion of Faith] 
 
 the Searcher of all Hearts for Witnefs, That our Mini 
 and Hearts do fully agree with this our Confeffion, Pr< 
 mife, Oath, and Subfcription ; fo that wc are not m 
 ved with any worldly Refpeft, but are perfwaded on 
 in our Confcience, through the Knowledge and Loi 
 of God's true Religion, imprinted in' our Hearts by tl 
 holy Spirit, as we fhall anfwer to him in the Day whj 
 the Secrets of all Hearts fhall be difclofed. 
 
 And becaufe we perceive, that the Quiet nefs ai 
 Stability of our Religion and Kirk, doth depend up 
 the Safety and good Behaviour of the King's Majeft 
 as upon a comfortable Inftrument, of God's Mercy gra 
 ted to this Country, for the maintaining of his Kirk ai 
 Miniftration of Juftice amongft us; We proteil at 
 promife with our Hearts, under the fame Oath, Ham 
 writ, and Pains, that we fhall defend his Perfon ai 
 Authority with our Goods, Bodies and Lives, in tl 
 Defence ofCbrift his Evangel, Liberties of our Countr 
 Miniftration of Juftice, and Punifhment of Iniquit 
 againft all Enemies within this Realm or without, as v 
 defire our God to be a ftrong & merciful Defender to 1 
 In the Day of our Death, and Coming of our Lord Jej 
 Chrift : To whom.with the Father and the holy Spiri 
 be all Honour and Glory eternally. 
 
 LIKE as many A&s of Parliament, not only in gen 
 ral do abrogate, anul, and refcind all Laws, St 
 tutes, A&s, Conftitutions, Canons civil or municips 
 with all other Ordinances, and * pra&ique Pen; 
 whatsoever, made in prejudice of the true Religior. 
 ProfelTors thereof ; Or, of the trueKirk-Dilcipfine, Ji 
 rifdicKon, and Freedom thereof; Or, in favours of 
 dolatry and Superftition ; Or,of the Papiftical Ki 
 A&i, Aft'iiy Pari, i, AS 23, Pari. 11, A& 114 ' 
 
 Fat 
 
 *7» the AH of Parliament, it is Tra&icks penal, j 
 + 116. The Aft s of Parliament are quoted accordh 
 t$ Sir John Skene'* Editun> in rohich the Acts are infer? 
 
Or^ National Covenant* c 
 
 Tart. 12 «f King James VI. That Papiftry and Sup 
 ftkion maybe utterly fuppreffed, according to the Inten- 
 tion of the A&s of Parliament, repeated in the 5 A 
 Pari. 20, King James VI. And to that end they ordain 
 all Papiils and Priefts to be punifhed by manifold Civil 
 and Ecelefiaftical Pains, as Adverfaries to God's true Re- 
 ligion, * preached, and by Law cftablifhed within this 
 Realm, Ait 24, Pari. 11. King Ja. VI. as common E- 
 nemies to all Chriftian Government, Ait iS. Pari. 16. 
 King Ja.Vl. asRebelleisand Gainftanders of our Sove-* 
 reign Lord's Authority, Alb 47, Varl. 3, King Ja. VI. 
 and as Idolaters, Act 104, Pari. 7. King jfo. VI. But 
 alfo in particularly and attour the Conreflion of Faith, 
 Ho aboliih and condemn the Pope's Authority and Jurif- 
 dicUon out of this Land, and ordains the Maintainers 
 thereof to be punifhed, Acl 2, Pari. 1, Ail <yi y Pari. 
 Ail 106, Pari. 7, Act 114 +, Pari. 12, K. Ja. VI. do 
 condemn the Pope's erroneous Doctrine, or any other er- 
 roneous Doctrine repugnant to any of the Articles of 
 • j true and Chriftian Religion pub!Lckly preached, 
 and by Law eftabliihed in this Realm ; And ordains the 
 Spreaders and Makers o? Books or Libels, or Letters 
 or Writs of that Nature* to be punifhed, . 5, ParL 
 I 106. Pari. 7, Ait 21, Pari. 11, K. Ja. VI. Do 
 Condi 11 Baptifm conform to the Pope's Kirk, and 
 
 the Idolatry oftheMafs; and ordains allSayers, wilful 
 Hearers, and Concealers of the Mafs, the Maintainers 
 ^B Refetters of the Priefts, Jefuits, trafliquing Papifts, 
 
 be punifhed without any Exception or Reflation, 
 All ^ParU 1 Acl 120*, Pari. 12, AB 164 +, Pari. \ 
 K.I93, * Pari. 14, Acl I, Pd>7. 19, yjtf 5, Pari. . 
 
 n S 3^* VI. do condemn all erroneous Books and 
 Writs, containing erroneous Doctrine againft the ft 
 
 ^on prefently profelied, or containing tuperilitious 
 
 E 2 Rites 
 
 Places wrong numbred ; M they are likerv 
 
 dock'i i the Numbc the margit* 
 
 are a lendock's Edit: * \i» 
 
 Profeffid* f 11 .22. \ lyS. 
 
#8 T%e Confeffion of Faith] 
 
 Rites arid Ceremonies papiftical, whereby the Peopl 
 are greatly abufed ; and ordains the Home-bringets <: 
 them t(j be punifhed. Aft 25. Pari. 1.1. K. Jam. V] 
 Do condemn the Monuments and. Dregs of bygon 
 Idolatry^ as going to CrofTes, obferving the Feftiva 
 Days of Saints, and fuch other fuperftitious and papi 
 flical Rites, to the difhonouf of God, contempt oftru 
 Religion, and foftering of great Error among the People 
 and ordains the Ufers of them to be punifhed for th< 
 fecond Fault, as Idolaters, All 104. Tar}. 7. K. Jam 
 VI. 
 
 Zike as many Afts of Parliament are conceived foi 
 Maintenance of God's true and Chriftian Religion,rf#<i th< 
 Purity thereof, in Do&rine and Sacraments; 0/the true 
 Church of God, the Liberty and Freedom thereof, 11 
 her National, Synodal Aifemblies, Presbyteries, Sefll 
 ons, Policy, Difcipline and Jurifdi&ion thereof : Ai 
 that Purity of Religion and Liberty of the Church wa* 
 ufed, profeffed, exercifed, preached, and confe/fed ac- 
 cording to the Reformation of Religion in this Realm. 
 As for Inflame, the 99 Aft> Pari. 7. Aft 23. Pari. 11. 
 Aft 114. ^ Pari. 12. AH 160. Pari. 13. of K. Jam. VI, 
 ratified by the 4 Ad of K. Charles. So that the 6 A3 
 t Tarl. 1. and 68 A&> Pari. 6. $f K. Ja. VI. in the Tear 
 cf God i$79> declares the Ministers of the blefled Evan- 
 gel, whom God of his Mercy had raifed up, or here- 
 after fhould raife, agreeing with them that then lived, 
 in Do&rine and Adminiilration of the Sacraments ; and 
 the People that profaned Chrift, as he was then offered 
 in the Evangel, and doth communicate with the hoi y 
 Sacraments ( as in the reformed Kirks of this Realm, 
 they were prefently adminiftr^te ) according to the Con* 
 feffion of Faith ; to be the true and holy Kirk of Chrift 
 tefus within this Realm. And decerns and declares all 
 £rid fundry, who either gaitffays the Word of the Evan- 
 gel received and approved, as the Heads of the Con- 
 feffion of Faith, profeiTed in Parliament, in the Year of 
 
 God 
 
 f ti5. 
 
Or^ National Covenant] 69 
 
 God i^<5o, fpecified alfo in the firft Parliament ofK. 
 Jam* VI. and ratified in this prefent Parliament, more 
 particularly # do exprefs ; or that refufes the Adminiftra- 
 tion of the holy Sacraments, as they were then mini- 
 ftrated : To be no Members of the laid Kirk within this 
 Realm,and trueReligion preiently profelTed 5 ib long as they 
 keep themfelves fo divided from the Society of Chrift's 
 Body. And the fubfequent Aft 6g, Pari. 6. of K. jam. VL 
 declares? That there is no other Face of Kirk, nor o- 
 ther Face of Religion, than was preiently at that Time, 
 by the Favour of God, eftabliihed within this Realm : 
 Which therefore pi ever flj> led God's true Religion, ChrilVs 
 true 'Religion, the true and Chrijiian Religion, and a per* 
 feft Religion \ which, by manifold Afts of Parliament, 
 all within this Realm are bound to proftfs, to fublcribo 
 the Articles thereof, the Conflifion of Faith, to recant 
 all Doctrine and Errors repugnant to any of the faid 
 Articles, Aft 4 and 9, far I. 1, Acts 4^, 46, 47, 
 Pari. 3, Aft 71, Pari. 6, Aft 106, Pari. 7, Aft 24, 
 Pari. 11, Aft 123. * Pari. 12, Aft 194. + and 197. * 
 Purl. 14. of K. Jam. VI. And all Magiftrates, She- 
 riffs, &c. on the cne Part, are ordained to iearch, ap- 
 prehend, and puniih all Contra vecners : For Inftancc 9 
 I ft 5, Pari, i, Aft 104. Pari. 1, Aft 25. Pari. 11. 
 K. Jam* VI. and that notwithstanding of the King's 
 
 V. tjefty's Licences orr the contrary, which ase difchar- 
 gtd, and declared to be of no Force, in fo far as they 
 
 d, in any ways, to the Prejudice and Hinder of the 
 i cecutionof the A&s of Parliament againft Papifts and 
 Adversaries of true Religion, Aft ic6. Pari. 7. %. Jam. 
 
 VI. On the ether Part, in the 47 Aft, Pari. 3. K. 
 Jam. VI. It is declared and ordained, feeing the Caufe 
 
 ( d's true Religion, and his Highnefs Authority are 
 fo joined, as the Hurt of the one is common to both ; 
 that none Ihall be reputed as loyal and faithful Subjects 
 to our Sovereign Lord or his Authority, but be pu- 
 niihable as Rebellers and Gainftanders of the fame, who 
 
 E 3 ihall 
 
 125* f 197. * 200t 
 
70 The Confejfion of Faith, 
 
 Jhall not give their Confeifion, and make their Profeflioiv 
 of the faid true Religion, and that they who after De- 
 feifcion fliall give the Confeilion of their Faith of new, 
 they fhall promife to continue therein in Time coming, 
 to maintain our Sovereign Lord's Authority : And at 
 the Utter moil of their Power, to fcrtifie, aflift, and' 
 maintain the true Preachers and Profeffors of Chrift's 
 Religion *, againfi whatfover Enemies and Gainftand- 
 ersofthe fame ; and namely, againft all iuch, of what- 
 soever Nation, Eftate^ or Degree they be of, that have 
 joined and bound themlelves> or have aiufted, or aflifts 
 to let forward and execute the cruel Decrees of the 
 Council of Trent, contrary to the true Preachers and 
 ProfefTors of the Word of God. Which is repeated 3 
 Word by Word, in the Articles of Pacification at Perth, 
 the 23d of February 1572, approved by Parliament 
 the Lait of April 1573, ratified in Parliament 1587, 
 and related Ail 123 +, Pari. 12. of R. Jam. VI. with 
 this Addition, That they are bound to refifl all treasonable 
 Uproars and Hofiilities raifed again/} the true Religi , 
 the King 's Majsjiy, and the true Profejfors. 
 
 - Like as all Lieges are bound to maintain the King's 
 Majefty's Royal Perfon and Authority; the Authority 
 of Parliaments, without the which, neither any Laws 
 or lawful Judicatories can be elfablifhed, Aft 130, and 
 131, Pari. 8. R. Jam. VI. and the Subjects Liberties, 
 who ought only to live and be governed by the Ring's 
 Laws, the common Laws of this Realm allenarly, Aft 
 48, Pari. 3. R. Jam. I. Act 79, Pari. 6. R. Jam. 
 IV. repeated in the Aft 131, Pari. 8. R. Jam. VI« 
 Which, if they be innovated or prejudged, the Com* 
 W?ijJion anent the Union of the two Kingdoms of Scotland 
 and England, which is the fole Aft of the 17. Pari, of 
 }£• Jam. VI. declares, fuch ConFufion would enfue, as 
 this Realm could be no more a free Monarchy : Becaule 
 by the fundamental Laws, ancient Privileges, Offices 
 
 and 
 
 * Some Copies havj true Religion, others have Evan- 
 
Or^ National CGvenanf. 71 
 
 and Liberties of this Kingdom, not only the Princely 
 Authority of His Majefty's Royal Defcent, hath been 
 thefe many Ages maintained ; but alfo the Peoples Se- 
 curity of their Lands, Livings, Rights, Offices, Li- 
 berties and Dignities preferved. And therefore, for 
 ' F refer -j at ion of the faid true Religion, Laws and 
 Liberties of this Kingdom, it is Jiatute by the 8 
 Act, Pari, 1, repeated in the 99 Act, Pari. 7, ratified 
 in the 23 Act, Pari, 11, and 114. * Act, Pari. 12. of 
 K.Jam. VI. and 4 Act, Pari. 1. of K.Cbar. I. That 
 all Kings and Princes, at their Coronation, and Recepti- 
 on of their Princely Authority, fhall make their faithful 
 Promiie by their folemn Oath, in the Prefence of the 
 eternal God, That, enduring the whole Time of their 
 Lives, they fhall fexve the lame eternal God, to the ut- 
 termoft of their Power, according as he hath required 
 in his mod holy Word, contained in the Old and New 
 Teftaments. And according to the fame Word, iliall 
 maintain the true Religion of Chrift ]efus, the Preach- 
 ot' his holy W T ord, the due and right Miniftratiort 
 or the Sacraments now received and preached within 
 this Realm (according to the ConfeJfton of Faith immedi- 
 ately preceeding ) and fliall abolilh and gainftand all falfe 
 Religion contrary to the fame ; and fhall rule the 
 People committed to their Charge, according to the 
 Will and Command of God revealed in his forefaid 
 \Vord ; and according to the * laudable Laws and Con- 
 stitutions received in this Realm, no ways repugnant 
 to the faid + Will of the eternal God : And mall pro- 
 cure, to the uttermofl: of their Power, to the Kirk of 
 God, and whole Christian People, true and perfedt 
 ice in all Time coming : And that they fliall be care- 
 ful to root out of their Empire, all Hereticks and Ene- 
 mies to the true Worihip of God, who fliall be con- 
 ted by the true Kirk of God of the torefaid Crimes. 
 ich tom alfo obferved by H# Majejiy *, at hit Coro- 
 
 nati. 
 
 * 11 * /* AcWf /V lovabil. f Word, * JL 
 Char. 1. 
 
*]1 T*he Confeffion of 'Faith , 
 
 nation in Edinburgh \ 1633, at may be feen in thd 
 
 Order of the Coronation. 
 
 In obedience to the Commandment of God, conform 
 to the Practice of the Godly in former times, and ac- 
 cording to the laudable Example of our worthy and re- 
 ligious Progenitors, and of many ^et living amongft us, 
 which was warranted alfo by A& of Council, command- 
 ing a general Band to be made and fubferibed by His 
 Ma jetty's Subje&s of all Ranks, for two Cauies : One 
 Was, for defending the true Religion as it was then re- 
 formed, and is expreiTed in the Confejfton of Faith above- 
 tvritten, and a former large Confellion * eitablifhed (by 
 ftindry A&s of lawful General Aftemblies and of Parlia- 
 ments, unto which it hath Relation, let down in publick 
 Catechifms ; and which had been for many Years, with 
 a Blefling from Heaven, 'preached and profeflfed in this 
 Kirk and Kingdom, as God's undoubted Truth, ground- 
 ed dnly Upon his written Word. The other Cauie was, 
 for maintaining the King's Ma jefty his Perfon and fi- 
 xate ; the true Worfhip of God and the King's Authority 
 being {q ftraitly joined, as that they had the fame Friends 
 and common Enemies, and did (land and fall together. 
 And finallie, beeing convinced in our Mindes, and con- 
 ftfling with our Mouths, that the prefent and fucceeding 
 Generations in this Land, are bound to keep the fore- 
 laid National Oath and Subfcription inviolable ; 
 
 We, Noblemen, Barons, Gentlemen, BurgefTes, Mini- 
 fters,and Commons under fubicribing, confidering divers 
 Times before, and efpecially ?t this Time, the Danger 
 of the true reformed Religion, of the King's Honour, 
 andofthe publick Peace of the Kingdom; by the mani- 
 fold Innovations and Evils generally contained, and par- 
 ticularly mentioned in our ]ate Supplications,Complaints, 
 and Protections ; Doe hereby profefs,and before God, his 
 Angels, and the World, folemnlie declare, That with our 
 %Vhole Hearts we agree, and refolve all the Days of our Life 
 (tonftantlie to adhere unto and to defend the forefaid true 
 
 Religion j 
 
 -\ June 1 8th. * See abov-e page 1 ; i» to 403 
 
Or^ National Covenant] 73 
 
 Religion : And forbearing the Pra&ice of all Novati- 
 ons alreadie introduced in the Matters of the Worihir, 
 of God ; or Approbation of the Corruptions of the pu- 
 blick Government of the Kirk, or civil Places and 
 Power of Rirkmen, till they be tryed and allowed 
 free Affemblies and in Parliaments •, to labour, by all 
 Means lawful, to recover the Puritie and Libertie of 
 the Gofpel, as it was eflablifhed and profeffed before the 
 forefaid Novations. And becaufe, after due Examina- 
 on, wee plainlie perceave and undoubtedlie believe, 
 that the Innovations and Evils contained in our Suppli- 
 cations, Complaints and Proteftations, have no Warrant 
 of the Word of God; are contrarie to the Articles of 
 the forefaid Confeffions, to the Intention and Meaning 
 of the bleffed Reformers of Religion in this Land, to the 
 above written Afts of Parliament ; and do fenfiblie tend 
 to the re-eitablifliing of the Popijh Religion and Tyran- 
 nie, and to the Subverfion and Ruine of the tru^ Re- 
 formed Religion, and of our Liberties, Lawes and fi- 
 liates : Wee alfo declare, That the forefaid ConfciTions 
 are to be interpreted, and ought to be underftood of the 
 forefaid Novations and Evils, no leile than if every 
 one of them had beene exprened in the foreiaid Confel- 
 fions \ and that wee are obliged to deteft and abhorre 
 I m, amongft other particular Heads of Papiftrie ab- 
 jured therein. And therefore, from the Knowledge and 
 *Confcience of our DutieTo God, to our King and Coun- 
 ut any worldly Refpe& or Inducement, fo 
 farre as humane lnfirmitie will fuffer, wifhing a further 
 Meafure of the Grace of God for this Effect : Wee promife 
 and fweare by the GREAT NAME OF THE LORD 
 OUR GOD, to continue in the Profeffion and Obe- 
 dience of the foreiaid Religion ; and that we lhall de- 
 fend the fame, and refill all thefe contrarie Errours and 
 Corruptions, according to our Vocation, and to the ut- 
 trrmoft of that Power that God hath put in our Hands, 
 all the Days of our Life. 
 
 And in like manner, with the fame Heart wee declare 
 before God and Men, That wee have no Intention, nor 
 ddlrc to attempt any Thing, that may turne to the Dis- 
 honour 
 
74 l ne Lonjejjion cj taitio. 
 
 honour of God, or to the Diminution of the Ring's! 
 Greatneffe and Authority :" But on the contrary, we 
 promife and iweare. That we ihall, to the uttermoft of 
 our Power, with our Means and Lives, (land to the De- 
 fence of our dread Sovereign the King's Majelly his! 
 Perfon and Authority, in the Defence and Preiervation 
 or the forefaid true Religion, Liberties and Lawes of the 
 Kingdome : Asalfo, to die mutual Defence and AfTiftance 
 every one of us of another, in the fame Caufe of main- 
 taining the true Religion and Ris Majefty's Authority, 
 with H)ur bed Counlel, our Bodies, Means and whole 
 Power againft all Sorts of Perfons whatfoever ; fo that 
 whatfoever ihall bee done to the lead of us for that Caufe, 
 fliall be taken as done to us all in general, and to every one 
 of us in particular.And that we' ihall neither directly nor 
 . indirectly fufFer our felves to be divided or withdrawen 
 by whatfoever Suggeftion, Combination, Allurement 
 or Terrour, from this bleifed and loyal Conjunction ; 
 nor ihall caft in any Let or Impediment that may (lay e 
 or hinder any fuch Resolution, as by common Confent 
 Ihall be found to conduce lor fo good Ends : But on the I 
 contrary, ihall by all lawful Meanes. labour to further and 
 promove the lame ; and if any fuch dangerous and di- 
 viiive Motion be made, to us by Wor.d or- Writ, We, and 
 every one of us, ihall either fupprefie it, or, if need bee, 
 fhall incontinent make the fame knowne, that it maybe 
 timeouOy obviated. Neither do wee feare the foule Af- 
 perfions of Rebellion, Combination, or what elle our Ad- 
 verfaries, from their Craft and Malice would put upon 
 us ; feeing what wee do is. fo well warranted, and arifeth 
 from an *unfained Deiire tp maintaine the true Werihip 
 of God, the Majefty of our King, and the Peace of the 
 Kingdome,- for the common Happinefs of our felves and 
 the Pofteriryv 
 
 And becaufe. wee cannotlooke for a Blefling from God 
 upon our Proceedings, except with our Profeflion and 
 Subfcription wee joyne fuch a Life and Converfation, as 
 befeemeth Chriftians, who have renewed their Covenant 
 with God : Wee therefore faithfully promife for our 
 felvesj our Followers and all others under us, both in 
 
 publike. 
 
nd 
 
 Or*) National Covenant* 75 
 
 publike, and in our particular Families and perfonal 
 Carriage, to endeavour to keepe our felves within the 
 Bounds of * Chriflian Liberty \ and to be good Examples 
 to Others of all GodlinefTe, Sobernelfe, and Righteoul- 
 ffe, and of every Deutie wee owe to God and Man. 
 And that this our Union and Conjunction may bee ob- 
 "erved without Violation, Wee call the LIVING GOD 
 JHE SEARCHER OF OUR HEARTS to witnes, 
 4 tvho knoweth this to be our fincere Defire and unfained 
 Reiblution, as wee fhall aniwere to JESUS CHRIST 
 in the Great Day ; and under the Paine of GOD's ever- 
 lading Wrath, and of Infamie and LofTe of all Honour 
 and Refpect. in this W T orld : Mod humblie befeeching the 
 LORD to ftrengthen us by his HOLY SPIRIT 
 for this End, and to bleffe our Defires and Proceedings • 
 *\\itb a happie SuccefTe ; that Religion and Righteouihels 
 mayflouriih in the Land, to the Glory of GOD, the 
 Honour of our King, and Peace and Comfort of us all. 
 In witnes whereof we have fubicribed with our Hands 
 *I1 the Premiiies. 
 
 >~rHE Article of this Covenant, rvbicb was at the fir ft 
 Subfcription referred to the Determination of the Ge- 
 neral AiTembly, being now determined • and thereby the 
 Five Articles of Perth, the Government of the Kirk by 
 Bifhops, and the civil Places and Power of Kirkmen, 
 on theReafons and Grounds contained in the Ads of the 
 General Aflcmbly, declared to be unlawful within this 
 Kirk ; we fubferibe according to the Determination f re- 
 faid. 
 
 How King Charles II. took this Covenant, fte Collecti- 
 cn of Acts, &r. No. 25. 
 
 There are alfo feveral. Copies cf this Covenant, on 
 
 Parchment, with the original Subfcriptions of feveral 
 
 rzgatiens, Minifters, Elders , and People, yet extant, 
 
 be feen in divers Handy. An 
 
 * In f t 7 fuhferibed Anno 1638, by Noble men, Sec. 
 there U here added our. James White Merchant ^Edin- 
 burgh, hath the original Parchment. 
 
\An Ordinance of the Lords and Commons ajfemblcd 
 in Parliament j for the calling of an Aftembly of 
 Learned and Godly Divines y md other s^ to be con-. A 
 fulted with by the Parliament^ for the fettlir.g of 
 the Government and Liturgy of the Church 0/ Eng* 
 land \ and for vindicating and clearing the 
 Dcttrine of the f aid Church fmfalfe Afverfons 
 *nd Interpretations. June n* 1643. 
 
 W'Hereas, among ft the infinite blefungs of Almigh-* 
 ty God upon this Nation, none is, or can be, 
 more d^ar unto us, than the Purity of our Religion', and 
 for that, as yet many Things remain in the Liturgy y 
 Difcipline and Government of the Church, which do ne- 
 ceflarily require a further and more perfect Reformat!?, 
 on, than as yet hath been attained : And whereas it hath 
 been declared and refolved by the Lords and Commons, 
 affembled in Parliament, That the prefent Church-Go- 
 vernment by Arch-bifhops, their Chancellors, Commif- 
 fars, Deans, Deans and Chapters, Arch-deacons, and 
 other Ecclefiaftical Officers, depending upon the Hie- 
 rarchy, is evil, and juftly ofrenfive and burdenfom 
 to the Kingdom, a great Impediment to Reformation 
 and Growth of Religion, and very prejudicial to the 
 State and Government of this Kingdom ; and therefore, 
 they are refolved, that the fame fhall be taken away, and 
 that fuch a Government fhall be fettled in the Church, as 
 may be moft agreeable to God's holy Word, and mofl 
 apt to procure and preferve the Peace of the Church at 
 homeland nearer Agreement with the Church of Scotland^ 
 and other Reformed Churches abroad: And for the bet- 
 ter effe&irg hereof, and for the vindicating and clearing 
 of the Do&rine of the Church of England, from all falfi 
 \ Calumnies and Afperiions ; it is thought" fit and necel- 
 ' fary, to call an Auembly of learned, godly and judi- 
 cious Divines^ whoj together with fome Members of 
 
 ~ * both 
 
( 77 ) 
 
 both the Houfes of Parliament,are to confultand advife of ' 
 fuch Matters and Things touching the PremifTes,as fhall / 
 be propofed unto them by both, or either of the Houfes of/ 
 Parliament, and to give their Advice and Couniel there- j 
 in to' both or e r ther of the faid Houfes, when, and asf 
 often as they fhall be thereunto required. Be it there-j 
 fore ordained, by the Lords and Commons in this pre-j 
 fent Parliament aifembled, That all and every the Per- 
 fons hereafter in this prefent Ordinance named, that is 
 
 to fay, 
 
 And fuch other Perfon and Perfons, as fhall be 
 nominated and appointed by both Houfes of Parlia- 
 ment, or fo many of them as fhall not be letted by Sick- 
 nefs, or other neceffary Impediment, lhail meet and 
 afTemble, and are hereby required and enjoined upon 
 Summons figned by the Clerks of both Houies of Parlia- 
 ment, left at their refpecYive Dwellings, to meet and 
 afTemble themfclves at W^'iminfl^r^ in the Chappel cal- 
 led King Henry the Vllth's Chappel, on the fir ft Day of 
 %uly> in the Year of our Lord, One thoufand fix hun- 
 dred and fburty three.; and after the firft Meeting, being 
 at lead the Number of Forty, fhall from Time to 
 Time fit, and be removed from Place to Place ; anr* 
 alfo, that the faid AfTembly fhall be dilfolved in fuch 
 Manner as by both Houfes of Parliament fhall be di- 
 rected ; and the faid Perfons, or fo many of them as fhall 
 be fo aflfembled, or fit, fhall have Power and Authority, 
 and are hereby likewife enjoined from Time to Time, 
 during this prefent Parliament, or until further Order 
 be taken by both the faid Houfes, to confer and treat 
 among themfclves, of fuch Matters and Things, touching 
 and concerning the Liturgy, Difcipline and Government 
 of the Church of Engl an a, or the vindicating and clear- 
 ing of the Do&rine of the lame from all talle Afperfions 
 and MifconftrucKons, as ihall be propoied unto them by 
 both, or either of the faid Houies of Parliament, ami 
 no other ; and deliver their Opinion, Advices of, or 
 touching the Matters aforefaid, as fhall be mod agreeable 
 to the Word of God, to both, or either of the Houfes, 
 from Time to Time, in fuch Manner aid Sort, as by 
 
 both, 
 
f 78 J 
 
 hot ii, of either of the faid Houfes of Parliament,fhall he re« 
 quired; and the fame not to devulge by Printings 
 Writing, or otherwife, without the Confent of both, 
 or either Houfe of Parliament. And be it further 
 ordained, by the Authority aforefaid, That William 
 Twijjl Do&or in Divinity, fhall fit in the Chair, 
 as Prolocutor of the faid Aflembly ; and if he happen to 
 die, or be letted by Sicknefs, or other neceffary Impedi- 
 ment, then fuch other Perfon to be appointed in his 
 Place, as fhall be agreed on by the faid Houfes of Par- 
 liament : And in Cafe/ any Difference in Opinion lhali 
 happen amongft: the faid Perfons fo affembled, touching 
 any the Matters that fhall be propofed to them as fore- 
 faid, that then they fhall reprefent the fame, together", 
 with the Reafons thereof, to both, or either the faid 
 Houfes refpe&ively, to the End fuch further Directi- 
 on may be given therein, as fhall be requifite to that 
 Behalf. And be it further Ordained by the Authority 
 forefaid, That for the Charges and Expences of the faid 
 Divines, and every one of them, in attending the faid 
 Service, there fhall be allowed every one of them that 
 fhall fo attend, during the Time of their faid At- 
 tendance, and for Ten Days before, and Ten Days after, 
 the Sum of Four Shillings for every Day, at the 
 Charges of the Common-wealth, at fuch Time, and in 
 fuch Manner, as by both Houfes of Parliament fhall be 
 appointed. And be it further Ordained, That all, and 
 every the faid Divines, fo, as aforefaid, required and 
 enjoined to meet and affemble, fhall be freed and acquit- 
 ted of, and from every Offence, Forfeiture, Penalty, 
 Lofs or Damage, which fhall, or may enfue, or grow by 
 Reafon oTany Non-refidence, or Abfence of them, or any 
 of them, from his, or their, or any of their Church, 
 •Churches or Cures, for or in Refpe& of their faid At- 
 tendance upon the faid Service ; any Law or Statute of 
 Mon-refidence, or other Law or Statute injoyning their 
 Attendance upon their refpective Miniftries, or Charges 
 to the contrary thereof, notwithstanding. And if any of 
 the Perfons above-named, fhall happen to die before the 
 faid Affembly fhall be diffolved by Order of both Houfes 
 
 •f 
 
( 79 ). 
 
 of Parliament, then fuch other Perfon or Perfons fhall be 
 nominated and placed in the Room and Rich 
 
 Perfon or Perfons lb dying, as by both the laid Hoir 
 fhall be thought fit, and agreed upon ; and every fuch 
 Perfon or Perfons, fo to be named, ftiall have the like 
 J>ower and Authority, Freedom, and Acquittal to all In- 
 tents and Purpofes, and alfo, all fuch Wages and Allow- 
 ances for the faid Service, during the Time of his or y 
 their Attendance, as to any other of the faid Perfons in 
 this Ordinance, is by this Ordinance limited and ap- 
 
 ?ointed. Provided always, that this Ordinance, or any 
 'hing therein contained, fhall not give unto the Perfons 
 aforefeid, or any of them, nor ftiall they in this AfTem- 
 bly, aflume to exercife any furifdiclion, Power or Au- 
 thority, Ecclefiafttcal whatfoever, or any other Power, 
 than is herein particularly expreflcd. 
 
 Affemby at Edinburgh, Auguft 19. 164.3. Sett*. 14. 
 
 Commijfion of the General AfTemby to feme Mi- 
 nifkers and Ruling~Eldcrs. for repairing to the 
 Kingdom 0/ England. 
 
 TH E General Affembly of the Church of Scotland 
 finding it necefTary, to lend fome Godly and 
 Learned of this Kirk to the Kingdom of England, to 
 the Erre& underwritten ; Therefore, gives full Power 
 Ihd CommuTion to Mr. Alexander H Mr.R 
 
 Djuglas> Mr. Samuel Rather fcrd, t Bail? 
 
 and Mr. Gc Gillej Minitfers, ? arl of CaJJils, 
 
 '.'» Lord Maltla and Sir Archibald J.hnj of 
 
 Warlfloun, Elders, or any Three O! hi, wbereor 
 o fhall be Minifters, to repair to the I o\n of 
 
 England, and there to deliver th 
 unto the Parliament of Englan \ and the L 
 unto the Affembly of Div t King- 
 
 dom ; and to propone, confult, tr th 
 
 that Aflembly,or a 
 
 anyC nmiffioners 1 by t 
 
 of Parliament, in all Matters which further the 
 
 Union 
 
Union of thislfland in one Form of Kirk-Go venment} 
 6ne Confeflion of Faith, one Catechifm, one Directory 
 for the Worfhip of God, according to the Inftru&ions 
 which they have received from the AfTembly, or fhall 
 receive from Time to Time hereafter, from the Com- 
 nuflioners of the AfTembly, deputed for that EflFe& : With 
 Power alfo to them,to convey to His Majefty,the humbh 
 Anfwer fent from this AfTeirbly to His Ma jelly's Let- 
 ter, by fuch Occasion as they fhall think convenient } and 
 fuch like, to deliver the AfTembly 's Anfwer to the Let-* 
 ter fent from fome Well-affe&ed Brethren of the Mi- 
 niftry there; and generally authorizes them to do all 
 Things, which may further the fo much defired Union, 
 and neareft Conjunction of the Two Churches of Scot- 
 land and England, conform to their Inftru&ions afore* 
 faid. * 
 f 
 
 * This Cotnmlffton was renewed Annis 1644, 1645, 1646, 
 1647, and- 1648. 
 
 MAny of the Perfdns who were called by the fore- 
 faid Ordinance of the Lords and Commons 
 ( in that broken State of the Church ) to attend ths 
 Affembly, appeared not ; whereupon the whole Work 
 lay on the Hands of the Perfons here-after mentioned. 
 
 "the Tromife and Vow taken by every Member a<L>\ 
 mined to fit in the Ajfefnbly. 
 
 I A. B. do ferioufly Promife and Vow, in the Pre- 
 fence of Almighty GOD, That in this Affembly, 
 whereof I am a Member, I will maintain nothing in 
 Point of Do&rine, but what I believe to be moft A- 
 greeable to the Word of GOD 5 nor in Point of Dif- 
 cipline, but what may make moft for GOD's Glory,. 
 and the Peace and Good of this Church. 
 
 The Uft 
 
( Si ) 
 
 ? 
 
 tie LIST oftheDi 
 bly at Weftminfter, 
 
 jNdrew Dem. 
 
 Anthony Burgefs. 
 Anthony Tuckngy. 
 Arthur Salway. 
 8en)amin Pickering* 
 ?barles Herle. 
 irijiopber Tefdale. 
 'orneliuA Burgejs. 
 Daniel Cawdrey. 
 Id mend Calamy. 
 zdmend Staunton* 
 idroard Corbet. 
 Edward Pflc. 
 Sdtvard Reynolds* 
 7 rancis Cbeynei. 
 •rancis Taylor, 
 rune is Woodcock* 
 afper Hickes. 
 ccrge Gipps. 
 George Walker. 
 Henry Hall. 
 Henry Fainter. 
 Henry Scudder. 
 fynry Wilkifcn fenior. 
 mfry Wilkifon junior. 
 
 hert V aimer. 
 Humphrey 'Chalmers. 
 Humphrey Hardrvick. 
 Jeremiah Burroughs. 
 Jeremiah Whitaker* 
 fobn Arrorvfmith. 
 John Bond. 
 
 i Conant. 
 toon De-la-march* 
 fobn Dury. 
 Uhn ¥ oxer eft % 
 
 Uhn Gretn* 
 
 vines who met in the Afcttl* 
 Alphabetically ftt dotcr, 
 
 John Guibcn. 
 John Jackfcn. 
 J:hn Langley. 
 John Ley. 
 John Light fact. 
 John Maynard4 
 Jchn Phillips. 
 John Strickland* 
 John Ward. 
 John Whinccp. 
 Jcbn White. 
 Jofepb Caryl. 
 Jofeph Hoyle. 
 Lazarus Seaman. 
 Mattheft Nexvccmen* 
 Nieb:las Prcffet. 
 Obadiah Sedgwick* 
 Oliver Bowhs* 
 Jeter Clark* 
 Peter Smith. 
 Peter Sterry. 
 Philip Delme. 
 Philip Nay. 
 Richard 'Byfieid. 
 Richard Clyton. 
 lticbard Heyrickem 
 Richard Twines. 
 Robert Harris. 
 Samuel De-la- Pic 
 Samuel Gibfn. 
 Sidrach Swiff 
 
 n Afhe. 
 Stanley Goroer. 
 Stephen Alarjku 
 TheaLre Backhurf}. 
 Tbcmas Bayly. 
 J? 
 
Thomas 
 Thomas 
 Thomas 
 Thomas 
 Thomas 
 Thomas 
 Thomas 
 Thomas 
 Thomas 
 Thomas 
 Thomas 
 Thomas 
 Thomas 
 
 Carter. 
 
 Cafe. 
 Coleman. 
 Foord. 
 Gattaker. 
 Goodwin* 
 
 mt 
 
 Hodges* 
 Micklethwaite. 
 Temple. 
 Thorowgood. 
 Valentine. 
 Wilfon. 
 
 %% ) 
 
 Thomas 
 
 William 
 William 
 William 
 William 
 William 
 William 
 William 
 William 
 William 
 William 
 William 
 
 Toung. 
 
 Bridge. 
 
 Carter. 
 
 Good. 
 
 Goupe. 
 
 GreenhiU. 
 
 Mew. 
 
 "Price. 
 
 Rathband. 
 
 Rej/nor. 
 
 Spurflow. 
 
 Twijfe. 
 
 Commijfioners from the General Affembly of tk 
 Church of Scotland. * 
 
 T AZexander Henderfon* 
 
 George Gillefpie. 
 Samuel Rutherfoord. 
 Robert Baillie. 
 "Robert Douglas* 
 
 Minifters. 
 
 John Earl of Caflils. 
 John Lord Maitland. 
 Sir Archibald Johnftoun of 
 Wariftoun. 
 
 Ruling-Elders. 
 Henry Roborough > 
 Adoniram By 'field f Scribe 
 John Wallis. * 
 
 t$A®A9Ji£Bil& 
 
 ■'■>- «&ifi&jjg 
 
 ffinffi 
 
THE 
 
 © 
 
 i 
 
 % 
 
 i 
 
 1 
 
 1 
 
 si 
 
 SI 
 31 
 31 
 
 & 
 
 ^ 
 
 Solemn League | 
 
 AND & 
 
 COVENANT 
 
 FOR H 
 
 REFORMATION and Defence of& 
 Religion, the Honour and Happinefs of 
 the King, and the Peace and Safety of 
 the Three Kingdoms of Scotland} Eng- 
 
 Undy and Ireland. 
 
 Taken and fubfcribed feveral Times by 
 King Charles II. and by all Ranks in the 
 faid Three Kingdoms. ^ 
 
 With an Aft of the General Affembly 1643, and 
 an Aft of Parliament 1644, Ratifying and' Ap- 
 proving the faid League and Covenant. 
 
 & 
 
 Jer. 1. 5. Come let us yin cur f elves to tbe Lord . 
 
 a perpetual Covenant, that jb all not be forgotten. ' 
 Prov. xxv. 5. Take away tbe Wicked frctn bef re 
 
 tbe King, and his Throne f»a II be ejlablijhed 
 
 Right eoufnef*. 
 2Chron. xv. is- And all Judah rejoiced at the 
 
 Oath ; for they had froirn with all their Heart. 
 Gal. ili. 15. Though it be but a j . •<?- 
 
 nant y yet if it be confirmed by an Oatb y no Alan 
 
 difanullethy or addeth thereto. 
 
 EDINBURGH, 
 Printed hy Thomas Lumifden and John Robert fin, 
 
 MDCCXXV. 
 
 MA 
 
* ( 84 ; 
 
 AffemUy at Edinburgh, Augufl ij. 1643. SefT. f$ 
 
 7^^ Xe/w/t of the Debates and Consultations of t\ 
 
 Committees of the Convention of Eftates an 
 
 General j4ffembly y appointed to meet with t\ 
 
 Commijjioners of the Parliament of England. 
 
 TH E Committees of the Convention of Eftates < 
 Scotland* and of the General AfTembly, beir 
 appointed to meet with the Commiffioners of the Tw 
 Houfes of the Parliament of England, upon the Pane; 
 delivered in by the faid Commiflioners unto the (Joi 
 vention of Eftates, and unto the General AfTemblj 
 upon the 12th and 15th of this Inftant 1643, conceri 
 ing the Defires of both Houfes, for a near and ftri< 
 Union, to be entred into by the Two Kingdoms ; an 
 it being declared at the faid Meeting, with what fer 
 iiblc Affections, the General AlTembly and Convent: 
 on did receive the Defires above-mentioned, and. ho^ 
 beneficial it would be for the more firm Settlemer 
 of the faid Union, that a Covenant fhould be entre 
 Into by both Nations ; and this Form thereof bein, 
 hy all the forefaid Perfons taken into moft ferious Dc 
 bate and Confideration, and agreed unto; it was there 
 upon refolved by them, that it fhould be prefented t 
 the General Aflembly, to the Convention of Eftates c 
 Scotland, and to the Two Houfes of the Parliament c 
 England, by their refpectf ve Committees and Commil 
 fioners, that it might with all Speed receive thei 
 refpeftive Refolutions* * 
 
 ^Subfcribed, T A. PRIMROSE 
 
 A. KER. 
 
 WILLIAM BOND. Sec. Com. 
 
 Affemblj 
 
 — - 
 
 * This Solemri League and Covenant was fent with tht 
 Commiffioners of the General Aflembly to England, where, 
 after it was there received, and approven by the Parlia* 
 tnent r and AJfembly of Divines in that Kingdom, it wto 
 printed dmd publijbed by an Ordinance of the Htufs *j 
 QmmenS) September 21. i*43* 
 
M5 ) 
 
 Affcmbly €t Edinburgh, Auguft 17. 1643. Sejf. 14. 
 
 \ht General j4ffemblie$ approbation of the SoUm 
 League and Covenant. 
 
 THE Affembly having recommended unto a. 
 Committee, appointed by them to join with 
 the Committee of the Honourable Conven- 
 tion of Eftates, and the Commissioners of 
 be Honourable Houfes of the Parliament of England* 
 or bringing the Kingdoms to a more near Conjunction 
 nd Union, received trom the aforefaid Committees, the 
 Covenant after-mentioned, as the Refult of their Confut- 
 ations : And having taken the fame, as a Matter of fa 
 >ublick Concernment and of fo deep Importance doth re- 
 [uire, unto their graved Confideration, did with all 
 heir Hearts, and with the Beginnings of the Feelings of 
 hacJoy,which they did find in fo great meaiure upon the 
 lenovation of the National Covenant of this Kirk and 
 kingdom, All with one voice approve and embrace the 
 3 me, as the moft powerful Mean, by the Blesfing of 
 jOD, for fettling and preferving the true Proteiia' 
 Leligion, with perfect Peace in his Majefty's Domini- 
 es, and propagating the fame to other Nations, and 
 or eftablifhing his Majefty's Throne to all Ages and 
 Jeneration6. And therefore with their bed Afre&ior 
 ecommend the fame to the Honourable Convention of 
 Lftates, that being examined and approved by them, it 
 
 y be fent with all diligence to the Kingdom of Ei: 
 tndy that being received aud approven there, the lame 
 lay be, with publickHiimiliation, and all Religious and 
 nlwerable Solemnity, fworn and fubferibed by all true 
 'roieflors of the reformed Religion, and all his Ma- 
 yfly's good Subjefts in both Kingdoms. 
 
 a. 3 hun* 
 
 
Q S6 ) 
 
 "The Att of the Convention ofEftates Approving 
 the League and Covenant 17. Auguft 1643. 
 
 TH E Ndblemen, Commisfioners of Shires a; 
 Burrows now conveened, having received the C 
 venant abovementioned from theirCommittee, as the R 
 fult of their Confultations with a Committee of the G 
 reral Aflembly, and the Commisfioners from bo 
 Houfes of the Parliament of England ; and havii 
 taken that Covenant unto their gravefl Conflderatic 
 did with all their Hearts, and great Expreflions of J< 
 and Unanimity, approve and embrace the fame, as t 
 tnoft powerful Jvlean, by the Blefting of God, for fettlij 
 and preferving the true Proteftant Religion, with a pt 
 ie& Peace in all his Majefty's Dominions, and prop 
 gating the fame to other Nations, and for eftabliihi] 
 his Majefty's Throne to all Ages, And being ve. 
 confident that their Brethren in the Kingdom ofEnglat 
 will heartily receive and aprove the famen ;. therefor 
 according to the earnefl Recommendation of that ver. 
 jrable Aflembly of this Kirk now met, thinks it moft n 
 ceffary for the good Ends aforefaid, that it be fent in 
 that Kingdom with all Diligence, that being receiv< 
 and approved by their Brethren there, the fame ms 
 be with all Religious Solemnities fworn, and fubferibe 
 "by all true ProfefTors of the reformed Religion, and a 
 his Majefty's good Subje&s in both K: ^doms. 
 
 Arch. Frimrofe> Cler. Con 
 
 *Jhe Aft of the Commijfion of the General AffembU 
 for the folemn receivings fwearing and lubfcril 
 ing of the folemn League and Covenant* 
 
 At Edinburgh, 11. O&ober 1643. 
 npH E Commisfioners of the General AfTembly, ha\ 
 ing received from their Bretheren fent unto tli 
 Kingdom of England^ the folemn League and Covenar 
 under-written, as it was ap proven by the Honourabl 
 Houfts of the Parliament of England, and the Affea 
 
. ( *7 ) 
 
 bly or Divines in that Kingdom, and folemnly 
 fworn and fubfcribed there * ; After due Examina* 
 cion thereof, did all in one Voice moil heartily re- 
 ceive and embrace the fame, as agreeing with the 
 Draught, unanimoufly and chearfully approven and em* 
 braced by the late General Affembly, and Convention 
 ;>fEft.ates,as the moft powerful Mean, by the Blesfing 
 :>fGod, for fettling and prefer ving the true Proteftant 
 ieIigion,with perfect Peace in his Majefty's Dominions, 
 md propagating the fame to other^ Nations, and for e- 
 labliihing his iWajefty's Throne to all Ages and Gene- 
 *at ions : And therefore, according to the power given to 
 :hem by the laid Affembly, Ordain this folemn League 
 md Covenant to be, with publick Humiliation, and 
 Religious Solemnities received, fworn, and fubfcfibed 
 \\ all Minifters and Profeffors within this Kirk ; And, 
 'hat this may be univerfally performed. It is alfo ordain- 
 ed, that this League and Covenant be forthwith printed, 
 md that the printed Copies, bound with fome clean 
 >h rets of Paper, be lent unto the Miniftry, and that 
 •very Minifter, upon the rirft T -d's Day after the fame 
 Ibali come to his Hands, re. d explain it, and by 
 
 Lxhortation prepare the Peopte to the Swearing and 
 mbferibing thereof folemnly, the Lord's Day next im-p 
 'nediatlv following-f-.And it is furtherOrdained,thatPref- 
 i)yteries tal count of the Performance hr^eof in their 
 
 ral Bou d th. recced the Cen- 
 
 urcs o: the K k, againft all : fr or finft 
 
 o Swear and Subfcribe this V> ^nt, as 
 
 £nemics to the Prcfcrvation . Q eli- 
 
 sion ; and that they notify their Fs ^ar- 
 
 icular Report of their own Diligence hereim 
 
 F4 
 
 25 September 1643. 
 + Accordingly there are fever al Copies of this Covenant 
 tinted in 4to, bound with clean Taper at the End thereof^ 
 \nd upon the Head cf every Page cf the fame, theft Wordy 
 in Print, viz. The Sub of the League and Co- 
 
 venant, under which are ial Subfr'tpthm cf manjf 
 tyndreds* 1^43 and 164 
 
C SO ) 
 
 Conjun&um betwixt them, for their mutual Defence 
 againfl the Papift and Prelatical Fa&ion, and their Ad- 
 herents in both Kingdoms ; and for Pursuance of the 
 Ends exprelfcd in the faid Covenant *. 
 
 * Thz reft of the Articles* having a relation to Civil 
 Affairs are here omitted* 
 
 Charles I. Far. 3d, Act 5. 
 Att anent the Ratification of the Callirjq- 
 of the Convention, Ratification of the 
 League and Covenant, Articles of Treaty be- 
 twixt the Kingdoms of Scotland and England, 
 and remanent Afts of the Convention of E- 
 fiates and Committee thereof. 
 
 ^Edinburgh July 15. 1644. 
 
 TH E Eftates of Parliament prefently conveened by 
 vertue of the laft Ail of the laft Parliament holden 
 by his Majefty, and the three Eftates, in Anno 1641. 
 Confidering, that the Lords of his Majefty J s Privy 
 Council, and Commiflioners for conferving the Articles 
 of the Treaty ; having, according to their Interefts and 
 Truft committed to them by his Majefty and Eftates 
 of Parliament, ufed all Means by Supplications, Re- 
 monftranceSj and fending of Commiflioners, 'for fe:uring 
 the Peace of this Kingdom, and removing the unhappy 
 Diftra&ions betwixt his Majefty and his Subje&s in 
 England, in fuch a Way as might ferve moil for his Ma- 
 jefty's Honour, and Good of both Kingdoms ; and their 
 humble and dutiful Endeavours for fo good Ends hav- 
 ing proven uneiFe&ua^ and-their Orrer of Mediation and 
 Intetceflion being refufed by his Majefty ; and thereby 
 finding the* Weight and Difficulty of Affairs and the 
 Charge lying on them, to be greater tha they could 
 tear \ did therefore, in the Month ol lay 1643, 
 nieet together with the Commisfloners for the common 
 Burdens, that by joint Advice fome Refolution might be 
 Une therein } and, in refpeft of the Danger imminent 
 
 to 
 
( 91 ) 
 
 to the true Proteftant Religion, his Majefty's Honour, 
 and Peace of thirKingdoms, by the Multitude of Papifts 
 and their Adherents in Arms in England and Ireland, 
 and of many other publick and important Affairs, which 
 • could not admit Delay, and did require the Advice of 
 the Reprefentative Body of the Kingdom ; appointed 
 and caufed indi& a Meeting of the Convention of Eilates 
 (his Majefty having formerly refufed their humble De- 
 fires for a Parliament) to be on the 22d of June follow- 
 ing, which Diet being frequently kept by the Noblemen* 
 Commislioners of Shires and Burghs, and they finding 
 thefe Dangers againft this Kirk and State ftill increafing, 
 refolved, after ierious Deliberation and Advice of the 
 General Aifembly, and joint Concurrence of the Com- 
 mislioners authorized by the Parliament of England, 
 that one of the chiefeft Remedies, for preventing or thefe 
 and the like Dangers, for Prelervation of Religion, and 
 both Kingdoms from Ruin and Deftru&ion, and for pro- 
 curing of Peace, That both Kingdoms fhould, for thefe 
 Knds, enter into Covenant ; which was accordingly 
 
 drawn up, and chearfully embraced, and allowed. 
 
 And at lad, a Treaty was agreed unto by both King- 
 doms^ concerning the faid Covenant, and Afliftance 
 craved from this Kingdom by the Kingdom of England, 
 
 in Purfuance of the Ends expreffed therein : And 
 
 the Eilates being ftill defirous to ufe all good Means, 
 that, without the Erfufion of more Blood, there may be 
 fuch a bleifed Pacification betwixt his Majefty and his 
 Subje&s, as may tend to the Good of Religion, his Ma- 
 jefty 's true Honour and Safety, and Happinefs of his 
 People, did therefore give Commisfion to John Earl of 
 London, Lord Chancellor, Lord Maitland, Lord 
 V/anftcun, and Mr. Robert Barclay, to repair to England, 
 and endeavour the Effectuating of thefe £nds contained 
 in the Covenant and Treaties, conform to their Inftru- 
 flions.. 
 
 And the faid Eftates having taken the Proceedings 
 above-written to their Coniideration, do find and de- 
 clare, That the Lords of Council, and Confervers of 
 
 •Wj did behave themic as faithful Counccllors, 
 
 layai 
 
r— • 
 
 loyal Subje&Sj and good Patriots, in tendring their 
 humble Endeavours for removing the Diftra&ions be- 
 twixt his Majefty and his Subje£s, and in calling the 
 Commisfioners for the Common Burdens, and by joynt 
 Advice appointing the late Meeting of Convention, 
 wherein they have approven themfelves anfwerable^o 
 the Duty of their Places, and that Truft committed to 
 them ; and therefore ratifies and approves their whole 
 Proceedings therein, and declares the faid Convention 
 ■was lawfully called, and als full and free in it felf, con- 
 lifting of all the Members thereof^ as any Convention 
 hath been at any Time bygone ; and ratifies and ap- 
 proves the feveral Acts made by them, or their Com- 
 mittee, for injoyning the Covenant- And alfo, The 
 
 faid Eftates of Parliament (but prejudice of the Premif- 
 fes, and of the General Ratification above-mentioned^ 
 ratifies, approves and confirms the forefaid mutual 
 League and Covenant, concerning the Reformation and 
 Defence of Religion, the Honour and Happinefs of the 
 King, and the Peace and Safety of the T hree Kingdoms 
 •of 'Scotland \Engl and and Ireland ; together with the A&s 
 of the Kirk and Eftate authorizing the lame League and 
 Covenant ; together alio with the forefaid Articles of 
 Treaty agreed upon betwixt the faid Commisfioners of 
 the Convention of Eftates ©f Scotland, and the Com- 
 misfioners of both the Houfes of Parliament of England, 
 
 concerning the faid Solemn League and Covenant ■ 
 
 And the faidEftates ordains the fameA&s,with theLeague 
 and Covenant above-fpecified, A£s authorizing the fame, 
 and the Articles of Treaty forefaid, to have the full Force 
 andStrength of perfeA Laws and A&s of Parliament, and 
 to be obferved by all hisMajefty's Leiges, conform to the 
 Tenors thereof refpeftive. Of the which League and 
 Covenant, A&s authorizing the fame, Treaties abovs- 
 written— — the Tenors follow *. 
 
 THE 
 
 * The Tenors of all follow in the Acts of Parliament y 
 but here the Covenant only follows ; The Alts Autho- 
 rising the fame, and relative Article of the Treaty be- 
 ing placed before this Aa* 
 
( 93 ) 
 THE 
 
 SOLEMN LEAGUE and COVENANT 
 
 " for Reformation y and Defence of Religion, the 
 Honour and Happinefs of the King, and the Peace 
 and Safety of the Three Kingdoms of Scotland, 
 England, and Ireland, agreed upon by Com* 
 mijfioners from the Parliament and Affemhly of 
 Divines in England, with Commljfioners of the 
 Convention of Efiates and General Affemhly in 
 Scotland \ approven by the General Affemhly of 
 the Church of Scotland, and by both Houfcs of 
 Parliament and Afembly of Divines in Eng- 
 land, and taken and fuhferihed by them. Anno 
 1643} and there aft er^by the faid Authority, taken 
 and fubferibed by all Ranks in Scotland and 
 England the fame Tear , and ratified by Act of 
 the Parliament of Scotland, Anno 1644 : d™ 
 again renewed in Scotland, with an Acknow- 
 ledgment of Sins^ and £ ement to Duties, 
 by all Ranks, Anno 1648, <znd by the Parlia- 
 ment 1649*, and taken and fubferibed by King 
 Charles II. *f Spey, June 23, 1650 } and at 
 Scoon, January 1. 1651. 
 
 WEE Noblemen, Barons, Knights,, Gentle- 
 men, Citizens, BurgefTes, M: the 
 Gofpel, and Commons of all Sorts in the 
 Kingdoms of :nd, and Ire- 
 lat: by th: Provide GOD, li\ 
 l^ing, and being of one reformed Religfon, having 1 
 
 l our Eyes the Glory of God, and 
 •f c-hc Kingdom of our Lord itdSavij.r Jc: 
 
p5 The Solemn League and Covenant] 
 
 ted unto us,and hath been lately coneluded,and fettled bj 
 both Parliaments ; We fhall each one of us, according tc 
 our Place and Ictereft, endeavour that they may remair 
 conjoined in a firm Peace and Union to all Pofterity 
 and that Juftice may be done upon the wilful Oppofer* 
 thereof, in manner exprcifed in the precedent Article. 
 
 VI. We fhall alfo, according to our Places and Cal- 
 lings, in this common Caule of Religion, Liberty and 
 Peace of the Kingdoms, aflifl: and defend all thofe that 
 enter into this League and Covenant, in the maintaining 
 and purluing thereof ; and fhall not fufFer our felves di« 
 re&ly or indke&ly, by whatsoever Combination, Per- 
 fwafion or Terror, to be divided and withdrawn from 
 this blefted Union and Conjun&ion, whether to make 
 Defection to the contrary Part, or to give our felves to a 
 deteflable IndiiFerency, or Neutrality in this Caufe^ 
 which fo much concerneth the Glory of GOD, the Good 
 of the Kingdoms, and Honour of the King ; but fhall all 
 the Days of our Lives zealoufly and conftantly continue 
 therein, againft all Oppofition, and promote the fame 
 according to our Power, againft all Lets and Impedi- 
 ments whatfoever ; and, what we are not able our felves 
 to fupprefs or overcome, we fhall reveal and mak< 
 known, that it may be timely prevented or removed 
 All which we fhall do as in the Sight of God. 
 
 And, becaufe thefe Kingdoms are guilty of many Sins, 
 and Provocations againft God, and his Son Jefus Chrifty 
 as is tqp manifeft, by our prefent Diftreffes and Dangers, 
 the Fruits thereof, we profefs and declare before GOD 
 and the World, our unfeigned Defiretobe humbled for 
 our own Sins, and for the Sins of thefe Kingdoms, efpe- 
 cially that we have not, as we ought, valued the in- 
 efteemable Benefit of the Gofpel, that we have not la- 
 boured for the Purity and Power thereof, and that we 
 have not endeavoured to receive Chrifl in our Hearts, 
 nor to walk worthy of him in our Lives ; which are the 
 Caufes of other Sins and TranfgreUions fo much abound- 
 ing amongfl: us •, and our true and unfeigned Purpofe, 
 Defire, and Endeavour for our felves, and all others un-v 
 der our Power and Charge, bo^th in publick and in pri- 
 vate* 
 
Tloe Solemn League and Covenant** P7 
 
 Vate, in all Duties we owe to God and Man, to aruerd 
 our Lives, and each one to go before another in the 
 Example of a real Reformation ; th*t the Lord may 
 turn away his Wrath, and heavy Indignation, and efta- 
 bli&thefe Churches and Kingdoms in Truth and Peace. 
 And this Covenant we make in the Preience of AL- 
 MIGHTY GOD, the Searcher of all Hearts, with 
 a true Intention to perforin the tame, as we fliall anlwfcr 
 at that great Day, when the Secrets of all Hearts lhall 
 be difclofed ; moft humbly befeeching the Lord, to 
 ftrengthen us by his Holy Spirit tor this End ; and to 
 bltfs our Defires and Proceedings with liich Succefs, as 
 may be Deliverance and Safety to his People, and En- 
 couragement to other Chriftian Churches, groning un- 
 der, or in Danger of the Yoke o Antiehriifcian Tyranny, 
 to join in the fame, or like Aiiociation and Covenant, 
 to the Glory of God, the Enlargement of the Kingam of 
 Jefus Chrifl, and the Peace and Tranquillity of Chri- 
 ftian Kingdoms, and Common-wealths. 
 
 How King Charles II. took this Covenant, fee Collisi- 
 on of A&s, &c. No. 25. There be alio Copies of this 
 Covenant, on Parchment, to be feen, with Oii£i::al 
 iubicriptions. 
 
 January 30. 1^43-4. 
 
 T^He Ordinance of the Lords and Commons, Autho- 
 rizing the Commifuoners of the Great Seal of iTtff- 
 land, To call before them all Officers, Minifters, and • 
 other Attendants on the Great Seal, or Court of Chance- 
 ry, King's-bench, Common-pleas, Exchequer and Court 
 Wards and Liveries, and to tender unto every of them, 
 the Solemn Leagut and Covenant, for Reformation, and 
 or making void as well the Places and Offices of fuch 
 is fhall rehkfe, or negh& to take the lame ; as alfo, for 
 •eftraining of all Lawyers, Attorneys, Clerks or Solici- 
 tors, to Pra£ttfe or Solicite in any of the (aid Courts, be* 
 bre they fliall have taken the laid Sokmm Leagut ar.d 
 Covenant . See the A#s of the Parliament of England* 
 
 G Aflcmbly 
 
5>S Inftruttims for taking 
 
 An Ordinance of the Lords and Comrmnons] in* 
 pining the taking of the late Solemn League 
 and Cevenant throughout theKingdom of 'England,' 
 md Dominion of Wales. 2 Febr. 1645, 4. 
 
 WHereas a Covenant for the Prefervation and Refor- 
 mation of Religion, the Maintenance and Defence 
 ©f Laws and Liberties, hath been thought a fit and ex- 
 cellent Means, to acquire the Favour of Almighty God 
 towards the three Kingdoms of England, Scotland and 
 Ireland ; and like wife to unite them, and by uniting, 
 to ftrengthen and fortifie them againfl the Commoi 
 Enemy of the true reformed Religion, Peace and Pro 
 fperity of thefe Kingdoms : And whereas both Houfe 
 of Parliament in England, the Cities of London an 
 Weftmirjfter, and the Kingdom of Scotland, have already 
 taken the fame; It is now Ordered and Ordained by 
 the Lords and Commons in Parliament, that the fam 
 Covenant be folemnly taken, in all Places throughout 
 the Kingdom of England, and Dominion of Wales* And 
 for the better and more orderly taking thereof thefe Di 
 recUons enfuing are appointed and enjoined ftricfcly to! 
 fee followed. 
 
 Jnftrutt ions for the taking of the Solemn League and 
 Covenant throughout the Kingdom. 
 
 U r I ^Hat the Speakers of both Houfes of Parlia- 
 r ment do fpeedily fend ( to the Lord General 
 and all other Commanders in Chief, and Governors o 
 Towns, Forts, Caftles, and Garifons ; as alfo to the Earfc 
 ©f Warwick, Lord High Admiral of England ) tru< 
 Copies of the {aid Solemn League and Covenant, to the 
 End it may be taken by all Officers and Soldiers under 
 their feveral Commands. 
 
 2. That all the Knights and Burgefles now in Parlia- 
 ment^ d© take fpecial Care, fpeedily to fend down into 
 
 their 
 
the Selemn League -and Covenant. 99 
 
 their feveral Counties ( which are, or lhall hereafter hi 
 under the- Power of the Parliament ) a competent 
 Number of true Copies of the laid League and Cov 
 nant, unto the Committees of Parliament, in their fe- 
 veral Counties; And that the laid Committees do with- 
 in fix Days at the moll ditperfe the faid Copies to every 
 Parifh-Church or Chappel in their feveral Counties, to 
 je delivered unto the Minifters, Church-wardens, or 
 Conftables of the feveral Pariihes. 
 
 3. That the faid Committees be required to return 
 a Certificate of the Day when they received the laid 
 Copies, as alio the Day they fent them forth, and to 
 what Pariihes they have lent them, which Certificate 
 they are to retain to the Clerk of the Parliament, ap- 
 pointed for the Commons Houle, that fo an Acccur.t 
 may be given of it, as there ilull be Occafion. 
 
 4. That the feveral Minifters be required to read the 
 faid Covenant publickly unto their People, the next 
 Lord's Day after they receive, it, and prepare their 
 People for it, againft the Time that . iftall be called 
 to take it. 
 
 5. That the faid League and Covenant be taken by 
 the Committees of Parliament, in the Place where thev 
 rcfide, and tendered alto to the Inhabitants of the 
 Town, within feven Days after it comes to the faid 
 Committees Hands. 
 
 6. That the faid Committees after they have taken it 
 tbemfelves, do fpeedily diiperfe themlelves through the 
 jfaid Counties, fo as Three or Four of them be together, 
 
 on Days appointed, at the chief Places of Meeting for 
 the feveral Divifions of the faid Counties : And ium- 
 mon all the Minifters, Church-wardens, Conftables, 
 and other Officers unto that Place, where, after a Ser- 
 mon preached by one appointed hy the Committee for 
 that rurpofc, they cauie the fame Minifter to tender 
 the League, and Covenant unto all fuch Minifters and 
 other Officers, to be taken and Subfcribed by them, ir» 
 the Prefcnce of tke laid Committees. 
 
 7. That the laid Committees do withal give the faid 
 Minifters in Charge, to TopUl it unco all the reft 
 
 G 2 
 
Too InftHtftions for taking 
 
 their Parifhioners the next Lord's Day, making then 
 unto their faid Parifhioners forne Solemn Exhortation* 
 concerning the Taking and Ohferving thereof : And 
 that the faid Committees do alfo return to the feveral 
 Parifhes^he Names of allfuch as have taken the Covenant { 
 before them, who yet fhall alfo fubfcribe their Names 
 in the Book or Roll with their Neighbours, in their fe- 
 veral Parifhes : And if any Minifter refufe or negle& to 
 appear at the faid Summons, or refufe to take the faid 
 Covenant before the Committee, or to tender it to his 
 Parifh, that then the Committees be careful to appoint 
 another Minifter to do it in his Place. 
 
 8. That this League and Covenant be tendered to all 
 Men, within the feveral Pariihes, above the Age of 
 Eighteen, as well Lodgers as Inhabitants. 
 
 9. That it be recommended to the Earl of Mancbefter y 
 to take fpecial Care, that it be tendered and taken in the 
 Univerfity of Cambridge. 
 
 10- That for the better Encouragement of all Sorts 
 of Perfons to take it ; it be recommended to the Af- 
 fembly of Divines, to make a brief Declaration, by way 
 of Exhortation to all Sorts of Perfons to take it, as that 
 which they judge not only lawful, but ( all Things 
 confideredj exceeding expedient and necefTary, for ail 
 that wifh well to Religion, the King and Kingdom to 
 join in, and to be a lingular Pledge of God's gracious 
 <joodnefs to all the Three Kingdoms. 
 
 11. That if any Minifter do refufe to take, or to 
 tender the Covenant, or any other Perfon or Perfons, o!o 
 not take it the Lord's Day that it is tendered, that then 
 it be tendered to them again the Lord's Day following, 
 and if they ftill continue to refufe it, that then their 
 Names he returned by the Minifter that tenders it, and 
 by th - Church-wardens or Conftables unto the Com- 
 mit* es, and by them to the Houfe of Commons, that 
 fuch further Courfe may be taken with them, as the 
 Houfes of Parliament fhall fee Caufe. 
 
 12. That all fuch Perfons as are within the feveral 
 Parifhes, when Notice is given of the taking of it, and 
 d« abfent themfelvcs fr©m the Church at the Time of 
 
 caking 
 
the Solemn League and Covenant. iei 
 
 ttking it, and come not in afterwards, to the Miniiter 
 md Church-wardens, or other Officers, to take it in 
 heir Prefence before the Return be made,be returned as 
 Lefufers. 
 
 13. The Manner of the taking it to be thus, The 
 Winifter to read the whole Covenant difiinclly and 
 udibli in the Pulpit, and during the lime of the 
 eading thereof , the whole Congregation to be un cover- 
 it and at the End of his Reading thereof y all to ^ 
 ike it /landing, lifting^ up their Right-Hands bare* 
 nd then afterwards to Subfcribe it fever ally by writ* 
 *g their Names ( or their Marks, to which their Names 
 re to be added ) in a Parchment Roll, or a Book, 
 ihereinto the Covenant U to be tnferted, purpofely pro- 
 'ided fcr that End, and kept m a Reccrd in the Parijb* 
 
 14. That the Aflembly of Divines do prepare an 
 ■xhortation for the better taking of the Covenant : 
 md that the faid Exhortation, and the Declaration of 
 be Kingdoms'of {England and Scotland, joined in the 
 irmies, for the Vindication and Defence of their Reli- 
 ion, Liberties and Laws, againfl the Pcpijh, Prelatical 
 nd Malignant Party, and pafled the ^cth of January 
 .ft, * be publickly read, when the Covenant is read, 
 pcording to the tourth and Sixth Articles : And that 
 
 fufficient Number of the Copies of the faid Declaration 
 :nt by the Perfons, appointed to fend the true Copies 
 the faid Covenant, in the iirft and fecond Articles. 
 
 * Which Declaration U printed by Order cf the Con- 
 Ynticn of Eftates, in Scotland, and cf the Parliament 
 1 l>gUnd 1644. 
 
 G 3 An 
 
ic2 The Affemhtys Exhort atiw to the 
 
 An Exhortation to the taking of the Solemn 
 League and Covenant, for Reformation, and 
 Defence of Religion, the Honour and Happinefs 
 of tkc King, and the Pesxe and Sefety of the 
 Three Kingdoms of England, Scotland and 
 Ireland. 
 
 IF the Power of Religion, or folidReafon, if Loyalty 
 to the King, and Piety to their Native Country, 
 or Love to themfelves, and natural Affe&ion to theii i 
 Pofterity, if the Example of Men touched with a deep j 
 Senfe of all thefe, or extraordinary Succefs from Goc 
 thereupon, can awaken an embroiled bleeding Remnant 
 to imbrace the Sovereign, arid only Means or their Re- 
 covery, there can be no Doubt, but this Solemn Leagm I 
 and Covenant will find, wherefoever it fhall be tendered 
 a People ready to entertain it with all Cheerfulnefs anc I 
 Duty. 
 
 And were it not commended to the Kingdom by thj 
 concurrent Encouragement of the Honourable Houfes 
 of Parliament, the Affembly of Divines, the renownef 
 City of London, multitudes of other Pcrfons of eminejj 
 Rank and Quality in this Nation, and the whole Boff 
 of Scotland, who have all willingly fworn and fubferibec 
 it, with rejoicing at the Oath, fo gracioufly fecondec 
 from Heaven already, by blafting the Couniels, anc 
 breaking the Power of the Enemy more than ever ; ye' 
 it goeth forth in its own Strength, with fuch con 
 vincing Evidence of Equity, Truth and Righteoufnefe 
 as may raife in all ( not wilfully Ignorant, or miferablj 
 feduced ) inflamed Affe&ions to join with their Brc 
 thren in this happy Bond, for putting an End to th 
 prefent Miieries, and for faving both of King and Kin: 
 dom from utter Ruin, now fo ftrongly and openl; 
 
 laboured by the Pofijh Fattiw, and fuch as have beei 
 
 ._ . . bewitch* 
 
t&fang of the Solemn League and Covenant. 103 
 bewitched and befotted by that viperous and bloody 
 Generation. 
 
 For what is there almoft in this Covenant, which 
 was not for Subftance, either expreffed, or manifeftly 
 included in that folemn ? rot eft at ion o£ May 5th, 164.1, 
 wherein the whole Kingdom (lands ingaged until this 
 Day ? The finful Neglect whereof, doth ( as we may 
 juftly fear ) open one Floodgate the more to let in all 
 thefe Calamities upon the Kingdom, and caft upon it 
 a Neceflity of renewing Covenant, and of entring into 
 this. 
 
 If it be faid, the Extirpation of Prelacy, to wit, the 
 whole Hierarchical Government ((landing, as yet, by 
 the known Laws of the Kingdom) is new, and Unwar- 
 rantable : This will appear to all impartial under- 
 ftandings, (though new) to be not only warrantable, 
 but neceflary ; if they confider (to omit what fomefay, 
 That this Government was never formally eftablifhed by 
 any Laws of this Kingdom at all) that the very Life 
 and Soul thereof is already taken from it by an A£t paf- 
 fed this prefent Parliament *, fo as (like JefabeVs 
 (CarcaiTe, of which no more was left but the Skull,* t' 
 Feet, and the Palms of her Hands) Nothing of jurif- 
 pdi&ion remains, but what is precarious in them, and vo- 
 luntary in thofe who iubmit unto them : That their 
 whole Government is at bed but a Human Conftitu- 
 tion, and fuch as is found and adjudged by both Houfes 
 of Parliament, (in which, the Judgement of the whole 
 [Kingdom is involved and declared)not only very pre- 
 judicial to the Civil State, but a great Hinderance alto 
 £0 the perfect Reformatio^ of Religion ; Yea, who know- 
 leth it not to bee too much an Enemy thereu and c 1 
 ftru&ive to the Power oi Godlinefs, and pure Admi- 
 hiflration of the Ordinances of Chrift f Which moved 
 the Well-arFe&ed., almoft throughout this Kingdom, 
 ong fince to petition this Parliament (as hath-been de- 
 Ired before, even in the Reign of Queen Elifabeth> and 
 
 *S:cC . .;» of Acts Num. if. ft 
 
104 djfemblies Exhortation to the taking 
 of King James) for a total Abolition of the lame. Nor 
 as any Man hereby bound to offer any Violence to their 
 Perfons, but only in his Place and Calling, to indeavour 
 their Extirpation in a lawful way. 
 
 And as for rhofe Clergy-men, who pretend, that they 
 C above all others ) cannot covenant to extirpate that 
 Crovernment, becaufe they have fas they fay) taken a 
 folemn Oath to obey the Bifhops, in Ileitis £J boncftis \ : 
 They can tell, if they pleafe, That they that have fworn 
 Obedience to the Laws of the Land, are not thereby 
 prohibited from indeavouring by all lawful Means the 
 Abolition of thofe Laws, when they prove inconvenient 
 or mifchievous. And if yet there fhould any Oath be 
 found, into which any Minifters or others have entred, 
 not warranted by the Laws of God #nd the Land, in 
 this Cafe they mull teach themfelves and others, that 
 fuch Oaths call for Repentance, not pertinacy in 
 them. 
 
 If it be pleadcd,ThatthisCovenant crofTeth the Oaths 
 of Supremacy and Alledgeance ', There can be Nothing 
 further from Truth; for, this Covenant binds all, and 
 mor% ftrongly engageth them to preferve and defend 
 the King's Majefty's ferfon, and Authority, in the Pre- 
 fervMion and Defence of the true Religion and Liberties^ 
 cfthe Kingdoms. 
 
 That Scruple, That this is done without the King's 
 Confent, will Toon be romoved, if it be remembred,That 
 the Vroteftation of the fifth of May, before mentioned,] 
 was in the fame Manner voteel and Executed by both 
 Houfes, and after (by Ord~r of one Houfe alone) fent a- 
 broadfto all the Kingdom, his Majefty not excepting 
 againft it, or giving any Stop to the Taking of it, albe- 
 it he was then refident in Perfon at Whitehall. 
 
 Thus H\ra and Nehemiah, (E^ra x. Neh. ix.) drew all, 
 the People into a Covenant, without any fpeciahCom- 
 miifion from the Terfian Monarchs (then their Sove 
 raigns) fo to do, albeit they were net free Subject 
 
 but 
 
 f i. e. In lawful and lUneft Things. 
 
of the Solemn League and Covenant* \6^ 
 
 >ut Vaffals, and one of them (Neb. i.) the menial Ser- 
 vant of Artaxerxes, then by Conqueft King of jfo- 
 iah alio. 
 
 Nor hath this Do&rine or Pra&ice been deemed fe- 
 litious or unwarrantable by the Princes, that have fate 
 ipon the Englijh Throne, but juftified and defended by 
 ^iieen Elizabeth of bleffed Memory, with the Expence 
 f much Treafure and noble Blood, in the united Pro- 
 r inces of the Netherlands combined not only without, 
 >ut againft the unjuft violence of Philip of Spain ; Ring 
 fames followed her Steps, fo far as to approve tht:ir 
 Jnion, and to enter into League with them as free 
 itates y which is continued, by his Majefty now reign- 
 ng, unto this Day ; who both by his Expedition rbr 
 lelief of Rochel in France , and his ftrict Confederacy 
 vith the Prince of Orange, and the States General, 
 lotwithftanding all the Importunity of Spain to the 
 ontrary, hath let to his Seal that all that had been 
 one by his Royal Anceflors, in Maintenance of thofe 
 *ho had fo engaged and combined themlelves, was juffc 
 .nd warrantable. 
 
 And what had become of the Religion, Laws, s*iA 
 liberties of our Sifter Nation of Scotland, had they 
 ot entred into fuch a folemn League and Covenant at 
 le beginning of the late Troubles there? Which 
 lourfe, however it was at firft, by the Popiih and 
 latick Proje&ors, reprefented to his Majellv, as an 
 
 I'fFence of the higheft Nature, juitly defer ving Chal- 
 nent by the Fury of a puifTant Army ; yet when the 
 letter came afterwards in cool Blood to be debated, 
 rft by Comiuiiftoners of both Kingdoms, and then in 
 pen Parliament lure, (when all thole of either Houfe, 
 ho arr now engaged at Oxford, were prelent in Par- 
 a merit, and gave their Votes therein) it was found, 
 Ijudged and declared by the King in Parliament, 
 hat our d- retheren o^ S.otland had dor ;, 
 
 it what became Loyal and Obedient Subj I 
 
 er reupon by Act of i ament publicklj ited 
 all the Churches oi this Kingdwm, whe: had 
 
 •en defamed* 
 
 There- 
 
io5 Affemblies Exhortation to the taking 
 
 Therefore however fome Men, hoodwink'd and blimfy 
 ed by the Artifices of thofe Jeiiiitical Engineers, who 
 have long confpired to facrifice our Religion to the Ido* 
 latry of Rome, our Laws, Liberties and Perfons to ar- 
 bitrary Slavery, and our Eftates to their infatiable A* 
 varice, may poilibly be deterred and amufed with high 
 Threats and Declarations, flying up ar»d down on the 
 Wings of the Royal Name and Coultenance (now cap- 
 tivated and proftituted to ferve all their Lufts) to pro- 
 claim all Rebels and Traitors, who take this Covenant } 
 yet, let no faithful Englijh Heart be afraid to joyn with 
 our Brethren of all the three Kingdoms in this Solemn 
 League, as fometimes the Men of Ifracl (although un- 
 der another -King) did with the Men of Jadah, at the 
 Invitation of He^ekiab. iChron. xxx. 
 
 What though thofe Tongues fet on Fire by Hell da 
 rail and threaten ? That God who was pleafed ta 
 clear up the Innocency of Mordecai and the Jews, a- 
 gainft all the malitious Afperiions of wicked Hainan to 
 his and their Soveraign, lb as all his Plotting produced 
 but this Effe&, That (Eftber ix.) When the Kings Com- 
 mandment and Decree drew near to be put in Execu- 
 tion, and the Enemies of the Jews hoped to have Power 
 over them, it was turned to the contrary, and the Jews 
 had Rule over them that hated them, and laid Hands 
 on fuch as fought their Hurt, fo as no Man could witb- 
 fiand them ; and that fame God, who but even as 
 Yefterday, vouchsafed to difperfe and fcatter thofe dark 
 Clouds and Fogs, which overlhaddowed that Loyal and 
 Religious Kingdom of Scotland, and to make tfieir 
 Righteoufnefs to fhine as clear as -the Sun at noon Day, 
 in the very Eyes of their greateft Enemies, will doubt- 
 lefly {land by all thofe, who with Singlenefs of Heart, 
 and a dueSenfe of their own Sins, and a Neceflity of Re- 
 formation, fhall now enter into an everlafting Covenant 
 with the -Lord, never to be forgotten, to put an End 
 to all thofe unhappy and unnatural Breaches, betweer 
 the Kin^, and fuch as are Faithful in the Land ; cau- 
 sing their, Rigbteoufnefs and Vraife to fpring forth be- 
 fore all thc^NationS} to the Terror and Confufion o\ 
 
 " thole 
 
cfthe Solemn League and Covenant] 107 
 thofe Men of Blood, the confederate Enemies of God 
 and the King, who have long combined, and have now 
 raked together the Dregs and Scum of many Kingdoms, 
 to bury all the Glory, Honour and Liberty of this Na- 
 tion in the eternal Grave of Difhonour and De- 
 ftru&ion. 
 
 Friday 9. February 1643,4." 
 
 AN Exhortation touching the taking of the Solemn 
 League and Covenant y and for fatisfying of fuch 
 Scruples, as may arife in the taking of it, was this Day 
 read thefirftand fecond Time; And by Vote upon 
 the Queftion afTcnted unto, and Ordered to be forthwith 
 Printed. 
 
 H. Elfyng Cler. Pari. D. Corn** 
 
 Friday 29 January 1644,5. 
 
 ORdered by the Commons affembled in Parliament, 
 That the Solemn League and Covenant be, on e- 
 very Day of Faft and publick Humiliation, publickly 
 read, in every Church and Congregation within the 
 Kingdom : And that every Congregation be enjoyned 
 to have one of the faid Covenants, fairly printed in a fair 
 Letter, in a Table, fitted to hang up in fome publick 
 Place of the Chruch to be read. 
 
 Hen. Elfynge Cler* Pari. D:m. Corn. 
 
 In 
 
 Here did follow the Solemn League and Covenant, 
 printed by an Ordinance of Parliament, February 
 
 ,4. with the Names 0/22S Members cf the Houfc 
 */ Ommms, who had then taken it. 
 
( io8 ) 
 
 
 Jii tht Petition ofthediftrejfed Chriftians in th\ 
 North ^Ireland, Uo the General Ajfembl\ 
 met .At 'Edinburgh, May 1644. are thefe\ 
 Words^ anent Covenanting there, viz. 
 
 — VOur Judgment is with the Lord, and your Reward! 
 is with God, not only for your two Years vifitingl' 
 and. watering a barren Vineyard, but alfo for your J 
 Zeal and Care to have your Reformation fpread amongft 
 other oppreil and Born-down Churches, whereof you 
 have given an ample and famous Teftimony, in fending 
 hither that bleffed League and Co venant, which we much 
 dtfired and longed for, as by our Petitions to the 
 Church .and itate of our Native Kingdom is known 
 unto you ; which hath had a wilhed and gracious Suc- 
 cefs by the Favour and Blefting of God, accompanying 
 the Pains of thele to whom the tendring thereof was 
 intruded by you. And we conceiving a chief Part of our 
 Mifery to jconfift in our want of Opportunity to joyn 
 pur felves with the People of God in the forefaid League ; 
 Efteeming our felves rejected of God, and unfit to be 
 joynedin any comfortable Fellowfhlp in the Gofpel with 
 them, when the faid League and Covenant was prefen- 
 ted to the Regiments \ We made bold to lay hold upon 
 the Opportunity (though afflicted Abjecfcs) and cheer- 
 fully and unanlmoutly joyned our felves thereunto : That 
 if we perifli in our Mifery, we may die a Covenant- 
 ed People 5 And if our miferable Life be prolonged, 
 we may find Shelter and Refrefhment under the 
 Shadow thereof in our Fiery Tryals ; confidently ex- 
 pecting from the Lord, by our nearer Conjunction with 
 you than before, an Accomplifhment of what is agreed to 
 in the Covenant, which ye bountifully exprefTed before 
 *> we were one with you, to your never-dying Commen- 
 dation *. 
 
 THE 
 
 
 * Sec Acts *f JJfembty 1644. Sef.2> 
 
§ THE ^ 
 
 £ inc. s& 
 
 1 F O R M 1 
 
 j Of Presbyterial |g 
 
 1 Church Government, § 
 
 | A N D O F ff 
 
 | Ordination of Minifters; H 
 
 | Agreed upon by g 
 
 | The AfTembly of Divines at IVeftminfter, 9& 
 [| with Commiffioners from the Church |§ 
 H> of Scotland., 
 
 15 As a Part of the Covenanted Uniformity in Reli 
 
 ft gion betwixt the Churches of CHRIST in <K 
 
 the Three Kingdoms of Scotland, England, and Jg. 
 
 j? Ireland. <H3* 
 
 "b With an Aft of the General AfTembly of t;he Church ^g. 
 
 of Scotland, Anno 164^, Approving the fame : £§• 
 
 Mentioned as Ratified in ieveral Ads of Parlia- Sfr 
 
 $ ment. g 
 
 j . ■ - 
 
 £ Ezek. xliii. 1 1 . And if (bey be afoamed f all that 
 } they %ave don w them the term of the H ufe^ 
 and tb* Ftjhion thereof] and the'Cvn's out there £i 
 oLand the Comings in thereof^ and all the Forms 5^ 
 re:f\and all the Laws they ind r n Sfr 
 
 their S'l^ht^ that they mr «jj' 
 
 <mdaf ? tbfOr t ' fb'm. nj£ 
 
 ; *£ 
 
 F D ( A ' (/ R G H, |g 
 
 nted by 1b;mM Lumifden : « Robert fin, ^. 
 
 ? 
 
( no ; 
 
 Aflembly at Edinburgh, February ic. 164^ Seff. 16 
 '<Att of the General Ajfemhly of the Kirk of Scot- 
 landj approving the Propofitions concerning Kirl 
 Government ^ and Ordination of Ministers. 
 
 THe General Affembly, being mod defirous and fo 
 iicitous, not onely of the eftablifhment and pre 
 fervation of- the Form of Kirk-government in this King 
 dom, according to the Word or' GOD, Books of Difc 
 pline,„A#s of General Affemblies, and National Cove 
 nant ;-But alfo of an Uniformity in Kirk-go vernmem 
 tetwixtthefe Kingdoms, now more ftraitly andftrong. 
 ly united by the late Solemn League and Covenant 
 And confidering, That as in former Times there did, f< 
 hereafter there may arife through the neemeffe of Con 
 tagion, manifold Mifchiefs to this Kirk from a corrup 
 Form of Government in the Kirk of England : Like !a 
 the precious Opportunity of bringing the Kirks c 
 Chrm in all the three Kingdoms to an Uniformity i 
 Kirk-goverment, being the Happineffe of the prefen 
 Times above the former ; which may alfo by the Blel 
 iing of God, prove an effe&uall Mean, and a goo< 
 Foundation to prepare for a fafe and well-grounded Pa 
 eification, by removing the Caufe from which the prci 
 fent preffures and bloodie Wars did originally proceed 
 And now the Affembly having thrice read, and diligent 
 ly examined the Propofitions ( hereunto annexed 
 concerning the (Officers, Affemblies, and Government ci 
 the Kirk ; and concerning the Ordination of Minifter; 
 brought unto us, as the Remits of the long and learned D< 
 bates of the Affembly of Divines fitting at WeftminfleA 
 and of the Treaty of Uniformity with the Commiflionei 
 of this Kirk there refiding ; after mature Deliberation 
 and after tymous calling upon and warning of all, wb 
 have any Exceptions againft the fame, to make thei 
 known, that they might receive Satisfaction, doth agre 
 to, and approve the Propofitions aforementioned, toucl 
 ing Kirk-government and Ordination, and doth heret 
 
 authorii 
 
( III ) 
 
 ithorize the Commifliners of thu AlTembly, who are to 
 leet at Edinburgh to agree to, and conclude in the 
 {ame of this AfTembly, an Uniformity betwixt the 
 .irks in both Kingdoms, in the aforementioned Parti- 
 ilars, fo foon as the fame lhall be ratified, without any 
 ibftantial Alteration, by an Ordinance of the Honour- 
 ible Houfesof the Parliament of England : Which Rati- 
 cation lhall be timely intimate and made known by the 
 )ommiifioners of this Kirk refiding at London. Pro- 
 ided always, That this A& be no ways prejudicial to 
 le further Difcuflion and Examination of that Article, 
 'hich holds forth, that the Do&or or Teacher, hath 
 tower of the Adminiltration of the Sacraments, as well 
 > the Paftor ; as alfo of the diiUn& Rights and Interefts 
 f Presbyteries and People, in the calling of Minifters : 
 »ut that it lhall be free to debate and difcuffe thefe 
 'oints, as God lhall be pleafed to give further Light, * 
 
 * Sec CeUcaim of A2s> &c. No. 24, 45. 
 
 The 
 
 ®* 
 
 mm 
 
H2 ) 
 
 
 THE CONTENTS. 
 
 - V — 
 
 THe Preface.' 
 Of the Clour ch. 
 Of the Officers of the Church. 
 Pafiors. 
 
 Teacher or Bo&or. 
 Othir C?urchj3overriours. 
 Deacons. 
 
 Of particular Congregations. 
 Of the Officers of a p articular Congregation. 
 Of the Ordinances in a particular Congregation] 
 Of Church Government 9 and thefeverd Sorts of 
 
 Affemhiies for the fame. 
 Of the Power in Common of all theje Affemhiies] 
 Of Congregational Affemhiies^ that is y the Meet' 
 
 ing of the Ruling Officers of a particular Con~ 
 
 oregation*) for the Government therof 
 OfClaffical Affemhiies. 
 Of Synodical Afjemhlies. 
 Of Ordination of Ministers. 
 Touching the Doctrine of Ordination. 
 Touching the Power of Ordination. 
 Concerning the DofhrinalPart of the Ordinatio 
 
 of Minifiers. 
 Tloe Directory for the Ordination of Minifiers* 
 Atts oj Ajftmblies. 
 
 TI 
 
C "? ') 
 
 The FORM of Presybterial CHURCH- 
 GOVERNMENT, agreed upon by 
 : the Aflembly of Divines at J f 'efirifTtifter ; 
 I examined and approved,' ^Hmw 1645, 
 I by the General AlTembly of the Church 
 ! of Scotland, &c. 
 
 
 Ttie Pftfacfm 
 
 J Ems Cbrift, upon whole Shoulders Gove 
 
 ment is, whole Name is caJle"d Wonderful, Counfel- 
 lor, the Mighty God, the Everla lather, t 1 
 
 Prince of Peace *, of the Increase o:' whnfe Go- 
 nent and Peace there fhalt be no I wj-o fits up- 
 
 bn the Throne of David, and upon his Kingdom to or- 
 !er its and to eftablifh it with Judgment and Juftice, from 
 r.ceforth even for ever, ng all Power given unto 
 
 lim in Heaven and in Ea*rth by the Father, who railed 
 -omthe Dead, and fet I'm at his own right Hand, 
 ir above all Principalities and Power, and Might ard 
 Dominion, and every Name that is named,not only in this 
 World, but alfo in that which is to come, and put all 
 Things under his Feet, and gave him to be the Head 
 iver all Things to the Church, which is his Body, the 
 FulnefsoFhim thatfillcth all in all ; Heberng afcended up 
 ar aboreall Heavens, that he mi^ht fill all Things, re- 
 vived Gifts for his Church, and- gave OiKces n. ry 
 or the Edification of his Church, ar.-d p g of i 
 
 lints b. 
 
 a //*. 9.6, 7. b Mat. 28. 18, 19, 2 c Ipb. 1. 2©, 21, 
 12, 23. compared with Ipb. 4. i and 
 
 M Of 
 
[i 14 Tlct Form of Church Government, 
 
 Of the Church. 
 
 rrHere is one General Church vifible held forth in| 
 x New Teftament, 1 Cor. 12. 12, .13, 28. toge 
 with the reft of the Chapter. 
 
 The Miniftry, Oracles, and Ordinances of the I" 
 Teftament,are given by Jeius Chrift to the GeneralChi] 
 vifible, for the gathering and perfe&ing of it in this I 
 until his fecond Coming, 1 Cor. 12. 28. Eph. 4. 4! 
 compared with Verfe 10, 11, 12, 13, 15, 16. of the fi 
 Chapter. 
 
 Particular vifible Churches, Members of the Genj 
 Church, arealfo held forth in the New Teftament, C 
 1. 2.1, 22. Rev. im 4, 20. and Rev. 2. 1. Partici 
 Churches, in the primitive Times, were made up of] 
 fible Saints, vl\. Of fuch as, being of Age, profeffed Fe- 
 in Chrift, and Obedience unto Chrift, according to 
 Rule of- Faith and Life, taught by Chrift and 
 Apoftles \ and of their Children, Aits 2. 38, 41. A&\ 
 J^erfelaft, compared with Acts 5. 14. 1 Cor. 1. 2. cq 
 pared with the 2 Cor. 9. 13. Atts 2. 39. 1 Cor. 7. 
 Horn. 11. 16. and fo forward. Mark 10. 14* compa| 
 with Mat* 19. 13, 14. Luke 18. 15, 16. 
 
 Of the Officers of the Church. 
 
 npHE Officers which Chrift hath appointed^ for ] 
 "* Edification of hk Church, and the perfe&ing of ' 
 Saints are, 
 
 Some extraordinary, as Apoftles, Evangehfts, al 
 Prophets, which are ceafed. 
 
 Oahers ordinary and perpetual, asPaftors, Tcachc| 
 and other Church-Governors and Deacons. 
 
 Paftors. 
 
 *yHE Paftor is an ordinary and perpetual Oificer 
 
 •*• the Church, "?* r * 3- i^> i&> 17- Prophecy ing 
 
 the Time of the Gofpd, .1 Pet. 5. 2, 3, 4. Epbef. 4. : 
 
 12, 13. 
 
 I Fii 
 

 T%e Form of Church Govtrnmcnt. 115 
 
 Firft, It belongs to his Office, 
 
 To pray for and with his Flock, as the Mouth of the 
 People unto God, Acls 6. 2, 3, 4. ABs 20 36. Where 
 Preaching and Prayer, are joined asfeveral Parts of the 
 fame Office, James <. 14, 15. The Office of the Elder, 
 \J that is the Paftor,is to pray for the Sick,even in private, 
 to which a Blefling is elpecially p»omifed ; much more 
 therefore ought he to perform this in the pubiick Exe- 
 cution of his Office, as a Part thereof 1 Cor. 14. verf. 
 15,16. 
 
 To read the Scripture publikly \ for the Proof of 
 4 which, 
 
 1. That the Priefts and Levites in the Jewifh Church, 
 were trufted with the pubiick Reading of the Word, as 
 is proved, Dzut* 31. 9, \q % 11. Nebtm. &• 1, 2, and 
 
 D j 2. That the Minifters of the Gofpel have as ample 
 a Charge and Commufion to difpenie the Word, as well 
 as other Ordinances, as the Priefts and Levites had 
 under the Law, proved, I fa. 66. 21. Mat. 2 4* 
 where our Saviour intituLth the Officers of the New 
 
 p Teftament, whom he will lend forth, b) the fame Names 
 of the Teachers of the Old. 
 
 Which Propofitions prove, that therefore (the Duty 
 being of a Moral Nature^ it followeth by jufl Conie- 
 quence, that the pubiick Reading of the Scriptures be- 
 
 r 1 longeth to the Paftors Office. 
 
 To feed the Flock, by Preaching of the W T ord, accord- 
 ing to which he is to teach, convince, reprove, exhort, 
 and comfort, j Tim. 3. 2. 2 Tim. 3. vcrf. 16, 17. 
 Tit. 1. 9. 
 
 A To Catechife, which is a plain laying down the firft 
 Principles of the Oracles of God, Heb. 5. 12. or of the 
 Doftrine of Chrift, and is a Part of Preaching. 
 
 > difpenfe other divine Myfteries, 1 Cor. 4. 1,2. 5 
 
 > adminifter the Sacraments, Mattb. 2S. 19, 2 
 Mark 16. 15. 116. 1 Corinth. 11. 23,24, 25. compared 
 with 1 Cor. 10. 16. 
 
 To blefs the People from God, Nutn'u. 6< , ;<;, 
 
 fl 2$- compared with Rcu. 14. 5. (where the 
 
 iir^s, and Perfuft* from whom they coau^ arc exprefly 
 
 H 2 m«r> 
 
7 1 6 The Form of Church-Government ] 
 
 mentioned) Ifau 66. 21. ' Where, under the Names cj 
 Priefts and Levites to be continued under the Gofpe". 
 are meant Evangelical- Pallors, who therefore are b 
 Office to blefsthc People, Diut. 10. 8. 2 Cor. 13. 14L 
 Ephef. 1. 2. 
 
 To take care of the Poor, Alls 11. 30. Atts 4. 341, 
 3$> 3<% 37- d&s 6. 2, 3, 4. 1 Cor. 16. 1, 2, 3, 4j 
 C7a/. 2. 9, 10. 
 
 And he hath alfo a Ruling Power over the Flock as ;] 
 Paftor, 1 Tim. 5. 17. Atts 20. 17. & 28. iTheJf. 5. 121 
 Jfetf. 13. 7/17* 
 
 Teacher or Dotlor. 
 
 *tHE Scripture doth hold out the Name and Title 
 ** of Teacher, as well as of the Paftor, 1 Cor. 12. 28 
 Ephef* 4. 11. 
 
 Who is alfo a Minifter of the Word as well as the 
 Paftor, and hath Power of Adminiftration of the Sacra* 
 ments. 
 
 The Lord having given different Gifts, and divers 
 Exercifes, according to th-fc Gifts, in the Miniftry of 
 the Word* Rom. 12. 6, 7, 8. 1 Cor. 12. 1,4, 5, 6, 7. 
 Though thefe different Gifts may meet in, and accor- 
 dingly be exercifed by one and the fame Minifter, 
 I Cor. 14. 3. 2 Tim. 4. 2. Tit. 1. 9. yet, where be feve« 
 ral Minifters in the fame Congregation, they may be de< 
 fignedto feveral Imployments, according to the different! 
 Gifts in which each of them doth mod excel, Rom. 12.! 
 6> 7, 8. iPet. 4. 10, 11. and he that doth more excel in 
 Expofition of Scripture, in teaching found Do&rine, and 
 in convincing Gain-fayers, than he doth in Application, 
 and is accordingly imployed therein, may be called a 
 Teacher, orDo&or (the Places alledged by the Notation 
 of the Word doth prove the Proportion) neverthelefs, 
 where is but one Minifter in a particular Congregation, 
 he is to perform fo far as he is able the whole Work of 1 
 the Miniftry, as appeareth in the 2 Tim. 4. 2. Tit. 1. 9. 
 before alledged, 1 Tim* 6. 2. 
 
'ThcForm ef Church-Government. 1 17 
 
 A Teacher or Do&or is of mod excellent Ufe in 
 
 Schools and Univerflties ; as of old in the Schools of 
 
 the Prophets, and at Jerufalem, where Gamaliel an| o- 
 
 thers taught as Do&ors. / 
 
 Other Church Governors, 
 tl A S there were in the Jewijb Church, Elders of the 
 J\_ People joined with the Priefts andLevites in th* 
 Government of the Church (as appeareth in the 2 Cbro. 
 19. 8, 9, 10.) So Chrift, who hath inflituteda Govern- 
 ment, 'and* Governors Ecclefiaflical in the Church, hath 
 furnifhed Tome in his Church, befidetheMiniftersof the 
 Word, with Gifts for Government, and with Commiffi- 
 on to execute the fame when called thereunto, who are to 
 join with the Minifler in the Government of theChurch, 
 R m. 12. 7, 8. 1 Or. 12.28. which Officers, Reformed 
 Churches commonly Call Elders. * 
 
 Deacons. 
 'T'HE Scripture doth hold out Deacons, as diil:in& Of- 
 ficers in theChurch, VhiU 1. 1. 1 Tim. 3. 8- 
 Whofe Office is perpetual, 1 Tim. 3. 8. to verf. 15. 
 A&s 6. 1, 2, 3, 4. To whofc Office it belongs not to 
 Preach the Word or Adminifter the Sacraments, but to 
 takefpecial Care in diftributing to the Necellities of the 
 Poor, Afts 6. 1, 2, 3^ 4. and the Verfes following. 
 
 Of particular Congregations. 
 T is lawful and expedient that there be fixed Con- 
 gregations, that is, a certain Company of Chriftians 
 to meet in one Affembly ordinarily for publick Worfhip. 
 When Believers multiply to luch a Number, that the 
 cannot conveniently meet in one Place, it is lawful and 
 expedient that they ihould be divided into diftinci and 
 fixed Congregations, for the better Adminiftration ot 
 fuch Ordinances, as belong unto them, and the Difcharge 
 
 * See 2d Book #/ Difeiplinc, Chap. 6. 
 
 1 
 
1 1 8 Tloe Form of Church-Government. 
 
 of mutual Duties, i Cor. 14. verf. 26. Let all Things be\ 
 
 done unto Edifying, and verfes 33. and 4 . 
 
 The ordinary way of dividing ChrilKans into diftincfcf 
 Congregations, and moil: expedient rbr Edification, isl 
 "by the refpedtive Bounds of their Dwellings. 
 
 Firft, Becaufe'they who dwell together, being bound! 
 to all kind of moral Duties one to another, have the bet-l 
 ter Opportunity thereby to difcharge them ; which moral! 
 Tye is perpetual, for Chriftcame not to deftroy theLaw,! 
 but to fulfil it. Deut. 15. 7, n. Mat. 22. 39«| 
 Mat. 5. 17. 
 
 Secondly, The Communion of Saints mud be fo or-j 
 dered, as may ftand with the molt convenient CJfe of th( 
 Ordinances, and difcharge of moral Duties, without re- 
 fpeft of Perfons,i Cor. 14. 26. Let all Things be done unti 
 Edifying, HeB. 10 24, 25* Jam. 2. I, 2. 
 
 Thirdly, The Paftor and People mull Co nearly coha- 
 bite together, as that they may mutually perform theii 
 Duties each to other with moft Conveniency. 
 
 In this Company fome mail he fet apart to bear! 
 Office. 
 
 Of the Officers of a particular Congregation. 
 
 FOr Officers in a fingle Congregation, there ought u 
 be one at the leaft, both to labour in the Word and 
 Do&rine, and to Rule, Trov. 29. 18. .1 Tim. 5. 17. Heb.\ 
 
 I 3- 7- 
 
 It is alfo requifite that there fhould be others to join in 
 
 Government, 1 Cor. 12. 28. 
 
 And likewife it is requifite that there be others to tal^j 
 fjpecial Care for the Relief of the Poor, Acts 6. 2, 3. 
 
 The Number of each of which is to be proportioned] 
 according to the Condition of the Congregation. 
 
 Thefe Officers are to meet together at convenient and I 
 fet Times, for the well ordering of the Affairs of that | 
 Congregation, each recording to his Office. 
 
 It is moft ex; ^dient that in thefe Meetings, one whofe 
 Office is to labour in the Word and Do&rine, do mo- 
 derate in their Proceedings^ 1 Tim* 5« 17. 
 
 0/1 
 
"The Form' of Chureh Government, n^ 
 
 ; Of the Ordinances in a particular Congregation. 
 
 » rHc Ordinances in a fingle Congregation, arc Pray" 
 
 ■■ er, Thankfgiving and iinging of Pfalms, i Tim* 
 
 verfe i. i Or. 14. 15, 16. The Word read ( al- 
 
 ugh there follow no immediate Explication of what 
 
 il read) the Word expounded and applied, Catechifing, 
 
 Sacraments adminiftred, Collection made for the 
 
 ;. oor, difinifsing the People with a Blefllng. 
 
 : ' f Church-Government, and the fever al Sorts of 
 ;' Affemblies for the fame. 
 
 :. "i Hrift hath inftituted a Government, and Gover- 
 
 j nors Eccleflaftical in the Church ; to that Purpolc, 
 
 Apoftles did immediatly receive the Keys from the 
 
 nd of Jefus Chrift, and did ufe and exercife them in 
 
 1 the Churches of the World upon all Occafions. 
 
 : And Chrift • hath fince continually furniihed fome 
 
 his Church with Gifts of Government, and with 
 
 ornmifsion to execute the feme, when called there- 
 
 '0. 
 
 It is lawful and agreeable to the Word of God, 
 •) at the Church be governed by feveral forts or" Affem- 
 i ics, which are Congregational^ Claf.ical, and Sy- 
 ;. )dical. 
 
 " Of the Ferrer in Common of all thefe Jlffcmblies* 
 
 j T is lawful and agreeable to the Word of God, that 
 
 the feveral Aflfemblies before mentioned have Power 
 
 -invent, and call before them arty IVribn within their 
 
 j/eral Bounds, whom the Ecclefiaftical Bufmsfs which 
 
 ^re them doth concern ; proved by Mat. Chap 1 3. 
 
 They have Power to Hear and Determine fuchCau- 
 
 Qd Differences, as do orderly coirk ire them. 
 It i A and agreeable to the Word of God, that 
 
 the laid Affemblies have ibmc Power to diipenie 
 hurch-Ccnfures. 
 
 Of 
 
no *Tbe Form of Cburch-G 'cvernrnent. 
 
 Of Congregational Affemblies, that is, the Meetin\ 
 of the Ruling Officers of a particular Congregation 
 for the Government thereof. 
 
 *TrKe Ruling Officers of a particular Congregation havl 
 * Power, authoritatively, to call before them an] 
 Member of the Congregation, as they ihall fee Jul 
 Occafion. 
 
 To enquire jjito the Knowledge and Spiritual Eftat| 
 of the feveral Members of the Congregation. 
 
 To Admonifh and Rebuke. 
 
 Whi:h three Branches are proved by Heb. 13. 17] 
 1 The/. 5. 12, 13. E^ek. 34. 4. 
 
 Authoritative Sufpeniion from the Lord's Table of 
 Perfon not yet cart: out of the Church, is agreeable t| 
 the Scripture, 
 
 Firfiy Becaufe the Ordinance it felf mud not be prc| 
 faned. 
 
 Secondly c Becaufe we are charged to withdraw froi] 
 thefe that walk diforderly. 
 
 Thirdly, Becaufe of the great Sin a ^.d Danger, bol 
 to him that comes unworthily, and alio to the wholl 
 Church, Mat. 7. 6. 2Th:Jj. 3. 6, 14, 15. 1 Or. 11] 
 27, to the End of the Chap, compared with Jude veri 
 23. 1 Tim. 5.22. And there was Power and Author] 
 ty y under the Old'Teftament, to keep unclean Perfor] 
 from holy Things, Zevit. 13. j.Numb, 9. -7. 2 Chrot\ 
 
 23- 19- 
 
 The like Power and Authority, by way of Analog)j 
 continues under the New Teftament. 
 
 The Ruling Officers of a particular Congregatioi 
 have Power Authoritatively to Sufpend from the Lord] 
 Table a Perfon not yet caft out of the Church, 
 
 Fzrft, Becaufe thofe who have Authority to judge o:| 
 and admit fuch as are fit to receive the Sacrament, havj 
 Authority to keep back fuch as fhall be found unworth)! 
 
 Secondly, Becaufe it is an Ecclefiaftical Bufinefsofor 
 dinary Practice belonging to that Congregation. 
 
 Whe' 
 
The Form of Church-Government* 121 
 When Congregations are divided and fixed, they 
 ; ]i need all mutual Help one from another, both in regard 
 of their intrinfecal Weaknefles and mutual Dependence ; 
 As alfo, in regard of Enemies from without. 
 
 an 
 
 OfClafficd Affemblies* 
 
 1 
 
 ^H E Scripture doth hold put a Presbytery in a 
 ^ Church, both in the flrft Epillle to Timothy Chap. 
 4* verfe 14. And in Atts xv. verfes 2, 4, 6. 
 
 Presbytery confifteth of Minifters of the Word, 
 and fuch other publick Officers as are agreeable to, and 
 warranted by the Word of God, to be Church-Gover- 
 nors, to joyn with the Minifters in the Government 
 •f the Church, as appeareth, R*m. xii. 7,0. 1 Cor. 12. 28. 
 
 The Scripture doth hold forth, that many particular 
 Congregations may be under one Presbyterial Go- 
 vernment. 
 
 T+iis Propofition is proved by Inftanees, 
 
 T. Fzrft, Of the Church oijerufalem^ which confifted^of 
 more Congregations than one, and all thefe Congre- 
 gations were under one Presbyterial Government. 
 This appeareth thus : 
 
 Firft, The Church of Jerufahm confided of more 
 Congregations than one, as is manifeft, 
 
 1. By the Multitude of Believers mentioned in divers, 
 Both before the Difperfion of the Believers there by 
 means of the Perlecution ( mentioned in the Acts of the 
 Apoftles, Chap. 8. in the beginning thereof) witnefs, 
 Chap. 1. verfe II. Chap. 2. verfe 41, 46, and 47. Chap. 
 4. ;. Chap. 5. 14. Chap. 6. of the fame Book of the 
 Atts, Verfes i c 7. And alfo after the Difperiion, Acts 9. 
 
 . Chap. 12. 24. Chap. 21. ver. 20. of the fame Book. 
 
 Secondly > By the many Apoftles and other Preach- 
 ers ir Church of Jeruftlem \ And if there were but 
 one Congregation there, then each Apoftle preached 
 but t^ldom ; w nich will not confift with 'Chap. 6. verfe 
 2. of the fame Book of the Acts of the Apoftl 
 
 Thirdly ', The Diverfity of Languages amongft the 
 Pcliever*) mentioned both in the Second and Sixth Chap- 
 ters 
 
 1 
 
122 The Form ofChuYch-Governrnent] 
 
 ters of the Afts, doth argue more Congregations than 
 
 one in that Church. 
 
 2 Secondly, All thofe Congregations were under one 
 Presbyterial Government. Becaufe, Firft, They were 
 one| Church, Atts 8. I. and Cbap. 2. 47. compared 
 with Chapter 5. 11. Chap. 12. 5. and Chap* 15. 4. of 
 the fame Book. 
 
 Secondly, The Elders of the Church are mentioned, 
 Atts 11. 30. Chap. 15. 4,6, 22. and Chapter 21. 17, 
 18 of the fame Book. 
 
 Thirdly, The Apoftles did the ordinary A&s of Pref- 
 . byters, as Presbyters in that Kirk, which proveth a 
 Presbyterial Church before the Dilperfion, Afts 6. 
 
 Fourthly, The feveral Congregations in Jerufalem 
 being one Church, the Elders or that Church are men- 
 tioned as meeting together for A&s of Government, 
 Acts 11. 30. Acts i<>. 4, 6, 22. and Chap. 21. 17, 18. 
 and fo forward : Which proves that thofe feveral Con- 
 gregations were under one Presbyterial Government. 
 
 And whether thefe Congregations were fixed, or not 
 fixed, in regard'of Officers or Members, it is all one as 
 to the Truth of the Proportion. 
 
 Nor doth there appear any material Difference be- 
 twixt the feveral Congregations in Jerusalem, and the 
 .many Congregations now. in the ordinary Condition of 
 the Church, as to the Point of Fixednefs required of Of- 
 ficers or Members. 
 
 3 Thirdly, Therefore the Scripture doth hold forth, 
 that many Congregations may be under one Presbyte- 
 rial Government. 
 
 II. Secondly, By the Inftance of the Church of Ephefus, 
 
 ', for > 
 
 1. That they were more Congregations than one 
 
 in the Church of Ephefus, appears by Atts 20. 3 \ • 
 
 where is Mention of Paul's Continuance at Ephefus in 
 
 Preaching for the Space of three Years, and Atts 19. 
 
 18, 19, 20. where the fpecial EfFe& of the Word is 
 
 mentioned ; and verfe 10, and 17. of the fime Chapter y 
 
 where is a Diftinftion of -Jews and Greeks , and 1 Cor m 
 
 x6. 8> and 9. where is a Reafon of Pa^/VStay at Ephefus 
 
 until 
 
"The Form of Church-Government* 125 
 
 J ntil Pentecofl\ an&vcrfe 19. where is Mention of a 
 
 •articular Church in the Houfe of Aquila and PrifciJla 
 
 hen at £phefus m j as appears, Alls 18. 19, 24, 26. 
 
 ili which laid together doth prove, that the Multi- 
 
 i udes of Belie vers did make more Congregations than 
 
 e in the Church of Epbefas. 
 
 2. That there were many Elders over thefe many 
 
 , Congregations, as one Flock, appeareth, Afts 20. 17, 
 
 , 5> 28, 30, ^6 y 37. 
 
 3. That thefe many Congregations were one Church, 
 . nd that they were under one Presbyterial Govern- 
 j nent, appeareth, Rev. 2. the firft fix verfes y joyned 
 
 vith Acts 20. verf. 17, 18. 
 
 Of Synodic al Affemblies. 
 
 yH e Scripture doth hold out another fort of Affem- 
 
 blics, for the Government ot the Church, befide 
 
 C'laffical and Congregational, all which we call Synodi- 
 
 \Acts 15. Pallors and Teachers, and other Church- 
 Go vernours (as alfo other fit Perlons, when it ihall be 
 leemed expedient) are Members of thofe Affemblies 
 
 ;ich we call Synodical, where they have a lawful 
 Calling thereunto. 
 
 nodical Affemblies may lawfully be of feveral Sorts, 
 as Provincial, National and Oecumenical. 
 
 It is lawful and agreeable to the Word of God, that 
 
 :re be a Subordination of Congregational, Caflical, 
 Provincial, and National Affemblies, for the Govern- 
 ment of the Church*. 
 
 U 
 
 Of Ordination of Minifters. 
 
 Nder the Head of Ordination of Minifters is to 
 be confidered, either the Dextrine ot Ordination, 
 or the Power of it. 
 
 Touch- 
 
 see C 1 cfAclsj Kant* xc, 13, 32, 
 
1 24 The Vcftrine of Ordination. 
 
 Touching the Doftrine of Ordination. 
 
 NO Man ought to take upon him the Office of 
 Minifter or' the Word without a lawful Callin. 
 John 3. 27. Rom. 10. 14, 15. Jer. 14. 14. Heb. $• 4. 
 
 Ordination is always to be continued in the Churcl 
 Tit. 1. 5. 1 Tim. 5. 21,22. 
 
 Ordination is the Solemn fetting apart of a Perfon 
 fome publick Church-office, Numb. 8. 10, 11, 14, I9,2:| 
 Afts 6. 3, 5, 6. 
 
 Every Minifter of the Word is to be ordained by Iml 
 pofition of Hands, and Prayer with Fading, by thof 
 preaching Presbyters, to whom it doth belong, 1 Tin\ 
 5. 22. Ails 14. 23. and Ails 13- 3- 
 
 It is agreeable to the Word of God, and very expedil 
 ent, that fuch as are to be ordained Minifters, be de 
 figned to fome particular Church, or other Minifterial 
 Charge, Ails 14. 23. Tit. 1. 5. Ails 20. 17, and 28. 
 
 He that is to be ordained Minifter, muft be dul; 
 qualified, both for Life and Minifterial Abilities, ac-| 
 cording the Rules of the Apoftle, 1 Tim. 3. 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. 
 and Tit. 1. 5, 6, 7, 8, 9. 
 
 He is to be examined and approved by thofe by] 
 whom he is to be orclained, 1 Tim. 3. v. 7, and 10. and] 
 Chap, s* v. 22. 
 
 No Man is to be ordained a Minifter for a particular] 
 Congregation, if.they of that Congregation can ihevri 
 juft Caufe of Exception againft him, 1 Tim. %. 2. Tit* 
 
 Touching- the Power of Ordination. 
 
 ORdinajion is the Ac* of a Presbytery, 1 Timothy 
 4. 14- ' _ . 
 
 The Power of ordering the whole Work of Ordinati- 
 on, is in the whole Presbytery, which when it is over 
 more Congregations than one, whether thofe Congre- 
 gations be " fixed or not fixed, in regard of Officers or 
 Members, it is indifferent, as Co the Point of Ordina- 
 tion, 1 Tim. 4. 14. It 
 

 T'he Be Brine of Ordination] 125 
 
 It Is very requifite that no fingle Congregation, that 
 
 an conveniently aflbciate, do aiiume to it felf all and 
 
 fie Power in Ordination : 
 1. Becaufe there is no Example in Scripture, that 
 ly fingle Congregation, which might conveniently afTo- 
 .iate> did aflume to it felf all and fole Power in Ordinati- 
 n, neither is there any Rule which may warrant fucfa a 
 .. 'ra&ice. 
 
 2. Becaufe there is in Scripture Example of an Or- 
 igination in a Presbytery over divers Congregations; 
 I ls in the Church o£$crufatem> where were many Con- 
 • regations, thefe many Congregations were under one 
 ' presbytery, and this Presbytery did ordain. 
 
 The Preaching Presbyters orderly aflbciated, either 
 Cities or neighbouring Villages, are thole to whom 
 2 Impofition or' Hands do appertain, for thofe Con- 
 .■.' -legations within their Bounds refpecHvely. 
 
 ac4 
 
 Concerning . the Do&rinal Part of Ordination 
 of MINISTERS. 
 
 NO Man ought to take upon him the Office of 
 a Minifter of the Word, without a lawful 
 Calling, John 3. 27. Rom. ic 14, 15, Jer. 
 14. Heb. 5. 4. 
 
 2. Ordination is always to.be continued in the 
 Church, Tit. 1. 5. 1 Tim. 5. 21, 22. 
 
 Ordination is the Solemn fetting apart of a Perfon 
 ) fome pubiick Church-office, Numb. 8. 10, 1 1, 14, 19, 
 Atts 6. 3, 5, 6. 
 
 ry Minifter of the Word is to be ordained by 
 
 ion of Hands and Prayer, with Fading, bv thefe 
 
 ching Presbyters to whom it doth belong i Tim* 
 
 . 2: Is 14. 23. Acts 13. 3. 
 
 5. The Power of ordering the whole Work of Ordina- 
 
 on, is^in the whole Presbytery, which when it is over 
 
 Congregations than one, whether t] 
 
 Rations 
 
'J26 Ordination of Mimftenf. 
 
 gations be fixed, or not fixed, in regard of Officers! 
 Members, it is indifferent as to fne Point of Ordil 
 tion, i Tim. 4. 14. 
 
 6. It is agreeable to the Word, and very expedi<| 
 that fuch as are to be ordained Minifters, be defignecl 
 fome particular Church, or other Minifterial Charj 
 Aits 14.23. Tit. 1. 5. jfyts 20.17, and 28. 
 
 7. He that is to be ordained Minifter, muft be d| 
 qualified, both for Life and Minifter ial Abilities, 
 cording to the Rules of the Apoftle, 1 Tim. 3. 2, 3, *| 
 6. Tit. 1. 5, 6, 7, 8, 9. 
 
 8. He is t© be examined, and approved of by trl 
 by whom he is to be ordained, 1 Tim. 3. 7, 10. 1 T 
 5. 22. 
 
 9. No Man is to be ordained a Minifter for a parti 
 lar Congregation, if they of that Congregation »| 
 fhew juil Caufe of Exception againft him, 1 Tim. 3 
 Tif. 1. 7. 
 
 IC. Preaching Presbyters orderly affociated, eitl 
 in Cities, or neighbouring Villages, are thofe to wh 
 the Impofition of Hands do appertain, for thefe C| 
 gregations within their Bounds refpe&ively, 1 
 4. 14. 
 
 11. In extraordinary Cafes, fomething extraordin',| 
 may be done, until a fettled Order may; be had, 
 keeping as near as poffibly may be to the Rule, 2 CI 
 29. 34> 35> 3<$- 2 Chro. 30. 2, 3, 4, 5. 
 
 12. There is at this Time ( as we humbly conceii 
 an extraordinary Occafion for a Way of Ordination 
 the prefent Supply of Minifters. 
 
 The Directory for Ordination of MiniftersX 
 
 IT being manifeft by the Word of God, that 
 Man ought to take upon him the Office of a Mi 
 fter of the Gofpel, until he be lawfully called and 
 dained thereunto : And that the Work of Ordination 
 to be .performed with all due Care, Wifdom, Gravil 
 and Solemnity ; Ave humbly tender thefe £)ire&ions,l 
 requilitc to be obferved. 
 
 &\ 
 
Ordination of Minifters\ 127 
 
 Tirft, He that is to be ordained, being either nomi- 
 nated by the People, or otherwiie commended to the 
 Presbytery for any Place, mud addreis himlelf to the 
 Presbytery, and bring with him a Teftimonial of his 
 taking the Covenant of the Three Kingdoms, of his 
 Diligence and Proficiency in his Studies ; What Degrees 
 he hath taken in the Unirerfity, and what hath been the 
 Time of his Abode there ; and withal of his Age, which 
 is to be Twenty four Years, but efpecially of his Life 
 and Converfation. 
 
 2. Which being confidered by the Presbytery, they are 
 to proceed, to enquire touching the Grace of God in 
 him, and whether he be of fuch Holinefs of Life, as is re- 
 quifite in a Minifter of the Gofpel ; and to examine him 
 touching his Learning and Sufficiency, and touching the 
 Evidences of his Calling to the holy Miniftry, and in 
 particular, his fair and direct Calling to that Place. 
 
 The Rules for Examination are thefe, 
 
 1. That the Tatty examined be dealt rvithal in a Bro- 
 
 • tbcrly Way^ with Milrlnefs cf Spirit, and roith [fecial 
 
 • Refpe& to the Gravity, Modefiy, and Quality cf every cne. 
 
 2. He Jhall be examined touching his Skill in the Uri- 
 H final Tongue s , and his Trial to be made by reading the 
 
 'Hebrew and Greek Teftaments, and rendring fme Por- 
 tion offome into Latine ; And if he be defeEtive in them, 
 Enquiry Jhall be made the mere fir icily after his ether 
 Learning, and whether he hath Skill in Logick and Phi- 
 '■■ lofophy. 
 
 3* What Authors in Divinity he hath read, and U bejt 
 
 acquainted with ; And Trial jhall be made in his Know- 
 
 the Grounds cf R U ion, and cf his Ability to 
 
 id the Orthodox DoQrine, contained m them, again ft 
 
 una* and erronecm Opini ;;y, efpecially tb f the 
 
 frefent Age: Of hU Skill in the Senfe an I Meaning cf 
 
 fuch Places cf Scripture, as fbaU be prop: fed unto him* 
 
 i*Ca nfcience and in the Ch U of the Scri 
 
 t*re, and the Ecckfiaftical Hiflcn u 
 
 4» If he batu net before preached in Vublicky voith 
 
 M Appro- 
 
1 28 Ordination of Minifiers. 
 
 Approbation offucb as are able to judge, he jball at a co™ 
 petent Time affigned him, expound be j ore the Pre s by ten 
 fuch a Place of Scripture as Jball be given him. 
 
 5. He fhall alfiywithin a competent Time, flame aDi\ 
 courfe in Latine, upon fuch a Common Place or Contr\ 
 verfie in Divinity, as Jball be affigned him, and exhibil 
 to the Presbytery fuch Thefes as exprefs the Sum thereo] 
 and maintain a Difpute upon them. 
 
 6. Hefliall Preach before the People, the Presbytery, 1 
 feme of the Minifiers of the Word appointed by them, £< 
 ing pre fent. 
 
 7. The Proportion of his Gifts, in Relation to the Plail 
 unto which he is called, Jball be confidered. 
 
 8. Befide the Trial of his Gifts in Preaching, he fba\ 
 undergo an Examination in the Premiffes two fever k 
 Days, and more if the Presbytery Jball judge it neceffaA 
 
 9. And as for him that hath formerly been crdaine} 
 a Minifler, and is to be removed to another Charge, t 
 JhaU bring a Teflimonial cf his Ordination, and of hu 
 Abilities and Converfation, whereupen his Fitnefs fc\ 
 that Place Jball be tried by his Preaching there, ( ifit$a\ 
 be judged neceffary) by a further Examination of bim* 
 
 In all which he being approved, he is to be fent to th 
 Church where he is to ferve, there to preach three fe 
 veral Days, and to converfe with the People, that the;| 
 may have Trial of his Gifts for their Edification, an 
 may have Time and Occafion to enquire into, and tl 
 better to know his Life and Converfation. 
 
 4. In the lafl of tbefe three Days, appointed for tl 
 
 * Trial of his Gifts in Preaching, there fhall be fent frot 
 the Presbytery to the Congregation, a publick Intimat 
 on in Writing, which fhall be publickly read before th 
 People, and after affixed to the Church-Door, to figni 
 
 Sit that fuch a Day, a competent Number of the Member 
 of that Congregation, nominated by themfelves, fhall ap 
 pear before the Presbytery, to give their Confent ani 
 
 ^Approbation to fuch a Man to be their Minifter, o! 
 otherwise, to put in, with all Chriflian Difcretion ai* 
 Meekneis, what Exceptions they have againft him} an* 
 
;L> 
 
 Ordination of Minifier:^ 129 
 
 lif, upon the Day appointed, there be no juft Exception 
 
 againft him, but the People give their Content, tnen the 
 
 Presbytery fliall proceed to Ordination *. 
 
 5. Upon the Day appointed for Ordination, whichls 
 
 to be performed in that Church, where he that is to be 
 
 ordained is to ferve, a folemn Faft fhall be kept by the 
 ;ongregation, that they may the more earneftly join 
 
 in Prayer, for a Blefling upon the Ordinance of Chrift, 
 jnd the Labours of his Servant for their Good. The 
 J Presbytery fhall come to the Place, or at lead Three oC 
 ' Four Minifters of the Word fliall be fent thither from 
 i.he Presbytery ; of which one, appointed by the Presby- 
 
 ery, fhall preach to the People, concerning the Office 
 » ind Duty of Minifters of Chrift, and how the People 
 . >ught to receive them for their Work's Sake. % 
 
 6. After the Sermon, the Minifter who hath preached, 
 ^'oall, in the Face of the Congregation, demand of him 
 
 ?ho is now to be ordained, concerning his Faith in 
 -nil Jeius, and his Perfwafion of the 1 ruth of the re- 
 armed Religion according to the Scripture; his fincere 
 , ntentions and Ends in defiring to enter into this Calling; 
 Diligence in Praying, Reading, Meditation, Preach- 
 . ng, miniftring the Sacraments, Difcipline, and doing 
 iMhifterial Duties towards his Charge ; his Zeal and 
 aithfulnefs in maintaining the Truth of the Gofpel, 
 ,id Unity of the Church againft Error and Schifm ; 
 Care that himfelf and his Family may be unblame- 
 ', and Examples to the Flock ; his Willingnefs ane 
 fumility, in Meeknefs of Spirit, to fubmit unto the Ad- 
 nitions of his Brethren and Difcipline of the Church ; 
 Y id his Refolution to continue in his Duty againft all 
 j. rouble and Perfecution. 
 
 7. In all which having declared himfelf, profefled his 
 : 'iilingnels, and promiled his Endeavours, by the Help 
 
 r iod^ the Minifter likewife fhall demand of the 
 eople, concerning their Willingnefs to receive and ac- 
 lowledgehim, as the Minifter of Chrift, and to obey, 
 id iubmit unto him, as having. Rule over them in the 
 
 I Lordj 
 
 — ■— ^—— ■ . ———————— 
 
 * Sec GUc&ionofAtls, No. 23. » 45* 
 
13° Of Ordination of Ministers. 
 
 Lord, and to maintain, entourage and aflift him in | 
 the Parts of his Office. 
 
 o. Which being mutually promifed by the Peopj 
 ihe Presbytery, or the Minifters lent from "them for C 
 dination, fhall folemnly fet him apait to the Office af 
 Work of che Miniftry, by laying their Hands on hi| 
 which is to be accompanied with a Ihort Prayer or Bl 
 ling, to this Effect; 
 
 Thankfully acknowledging the great Mercy 
 
 God, in fending Jefus Cbrill for the Redemptil 
 
 vf bis People, and for his Afcenfion to the rm 
 
 Hand of God the Father, and thence pouring o\ 
 
 his Spirit, and giving Gifts to Men, Apojtl\ 
 
 Evangelifls, Propbets r Pajfors, and Teacbel 
 
 for the gathering and building up of his CburA 
 
 and for fitting and inclining this Man to this gn\ 
 
 Work * ^ to entreat him to fit him with his h\ 
 
 Spirit, to give him (who in his Namt we thus J 
 
 apart to this holy Service) to fulfil the Work 
 
 bis Minijlry in all Things, that he may both fa\ 
 
 bimfelf, and his People committed to bis Chargtl 
 9. This, or the like Form of Prayer and Bleffing bei| 
 ended, let the Minifter who preached, briefly exh< 
 him,, to confider of the Greatnefs of his Office and Wof 
 the Danger of Negligence both to himfelf and 
 People, the Bleffing which will accompany his Faithfi 
 nefs in this Life, and that to come ; and withall exfoj 
 the People to carry themfelves to him, is to their Mi| 
 iter in the Lord, according to their folemn Promj 
 made before ; and fo by Prayer commending both h 
 and his Flock to the Grace of God, after finging o 
 P'falrn, let the Affembly be difmifled with a Bleffing. 
 
 10. If a Minifter be defigned to a Congregation, w| 
 hath been formerly ordained Presbyter according to ti 
 Form of Ordination, which hath been in the Chucrt 
 
 Englm 
 
 Here let thsm iwprfe Hands on bis Head, 
 
Ordination of Mini fieri] \ ^f 
 
 England, which we hold for Subftance to be valid, and 
 
 I rot to be difclaimed by any who have received it ; then 
 there being a cautious Proceeding in Matters of Exami- 
 „nation,let him be admitted without any new Ordination. 
 1 1. /fhi in cafe any Perfon already ordained Minifter 
 ,in Scotland, or in any other Refo/med Church.* be de- 
 figned to another Congregation in Englandjciz is to bring 
 from that Church to the Presbytery here, within which 
 that Congregation is, a fufficient Teftimonial of his Or* 
 ^dination, of his Life and Converfation while he lived 
 ivith them, and of the Caufes of his Removal; and to 
 undergo fuch a Trial of his Fitnefs and Sufficiency, and 
 :o have the fame Courfe held with him in other Parti- 
 lars, as is fet down in the Rule immediately going 
 >efbre, touching Examination and Admiilion. 
 12- That Records be carefully kept in the feveral Pref- 
 eries, of the Names of the Perfons ordained, with 
 heir Teftimonials, the Time and Place of their Ordi- 
 urion, of the Presbyters who did impofe Hands upon 
 hem, and of the Charge to which they are appointed. 
 13. That no Money or Gift of what Kind foever matt 
 ri)C received from the Perfon to be ordained, or from any 
 ' m his Behalf for Ordination, or ought elfe belonging to 
 t, by any of the Presbytery, or any appertaining to any 
 
 »f them, upon what Pretence foever. 
 
 • 
 
 ThvA far of ordinary Rules and Courfe of Ordina- 
 tion, in the ordinary Way ; That which concerns 
 the extraordinary lVay y requifite to It now 
 pratlifed, fvlloweth. 
 
 1 
 
 • In thefe preferit Exigences, while we* cannot have any 
 'resbyteries formed up to their whole Power and Work, 
 nd that many Miniflers are to be ordained for the Ser- 
 ice of the Armies and Navy, and to many Congre- 
 ations \vh:re there is no Minifter at all; and where 
 by Rcafon of the publick Troubles ) the People 
 innot either themfelves enquire, and find out one who 
 lay he a faithful Minifter for them, or have any with 
 nt unto them, for luch a folemn Trial as was 
 :fore mentioned in the ordinary Rules, especially when 
 
 I 2 there 
 
132, Ordination of Minifters* 
 
 there can be no Presbytery near unto them, to wh< 
 they may addrefs themfelves, or which may come 
 fend to them a fit Man to be ordained in that Congij 
 Ration, and for that People : And yet notwitl^andinj 
 it is requifite that Minifters be ordained for them, 1] 
 fome, who, being fet apart themfelves for the Work oft] 
 Miniftry, have Power to join in the letting apart I 
 ihers, who are found fit and worthy. In thofe Cafe 
 Until by God's Bleffing, the afbrefaid Difficulties may i 
 in fome good Meafure removed, let fome godly Mir 
 Hers in or about the City of London, be defigned 1 
 publick Authority, who* being affociated, may orda| 
 Minifters for the City, and the Vicinity, keeping 
 uear to the ordinary Rules forementioned, as pollibl 
 they may ; And let this AfTociation be for no other l| 
 tent or Purpofe, but only for the Work of Ordination. 
 
 2. Let the like AfTociation be made by the fame A 
 thority in great. Towns, and the neighbouring Parif 
 3n the feveral Counties, which are at the preterit qui] 
 and undifturbed, to do the like for the Parts adjacent 
 
 3. Letfuch as are chofen,or appointed for the Servi 
 of the Armies or Navy,be ordained as aforefaid, by t] 
 affociated Minifters of London, or fome others in ti 
 Country. 
 
 4. Let them do the like, wUen any Man fhall dii 
 aad lawfully be recommended to them for the Minifti 
 of any Congregation, who cannot enjoy Liberty to ha^ 
 a Trial of his Parts and Abilities, and defire the Hd! 
 of fuch Minifters fo affociated, for the better furnifhir 
 of them, with fuch a Perfon, as by them fhall be judge] 
 it for the Service of that Church and People. 
 
 FINIS. 
 
 \ 
 
( 133 ) 
 
 Some ACTS of the General Affemlly of 
 the Church of Scotland, 
 
 Concerning the Condemning the Office 0/ Bifhops, and 
 Ef if copal Church-Government • and for the Re- 
 fioring the Ancient and Apofiolick Government of 
 this Church, and concerning the due Qualifications 
 of Minifters, and Terms of Communion of th* 
 Church of Scotland. 
 
 Affembly at Edinburgh, April 24. 1578. 
 I. AH Difchargtng the Eletlion of Biftiops. 
 
 FOrafmuch as there is great Corruption in the Eftate 
 of Bifhops, as they are prefently made in this Re- 
 alm, whereunto the Kirk would provide fome Stay 
 in Time coming, fo far as they may, to the Effeft that 
 further Corruption may be bridled : Therefore, the? 
 Aflembly hath concluded, that no more Bifhops Ihall be 
 .ele&ed or made hereafter, before the next General 
 Aftembly of the Kirk, difcharging all Minifters and 
 Chapiters, to proceed any ways in the Ele&ion of the 
 faid Bifhops in the meantime, under the Pain of perpe- 
 tual Deprivation from their Offices. 
 
 Stirling^ July 11. 1578. The A£i above-written, ex- 
 tended to all Times to come, and all Bifhops already 
 de&ed, required to fubmit themfelves to the General 
 AflTembly, concerning the Reformation of the Corrup- 
 tion of that Eftate; which Submiflion the Bifhop of Bum- 
 blain willingly offered to the Aifembly. 
 
 Affembly at Dundee, July 12. 15S0. Seff. 4. 
 
 II. Att Condemning the Office of Bifhops. 
 
 pOrafmuch as the Office of a Bifhop, as it is now ufed, 
 V<d ctaunonly taken within this llealra^ hath no 
 
 I 3 lure 
 
1 34 Afts of the General Affembly. 
 
 fare Warranty Authority nor good Ground out of tfc 
 Scriptures, but is brought in by the Folly and Corruj: 
 tion of Mens Inventions, to the great Overthrow < 
 the Kirk of God. The whole Affembly of the.Kirl 
 in one Voice, after Liberty given to all Men to reafof 
 in the Matter, none opponing himfelf, in defending 
 the faid pretended Office } Finds and declares, the faml 
 pretended Office, ufed and termed, as is above faidBh 
 unlawful in the Self^ as having neither Fundament* 
 Ground nor Warrant within the Word of God ; and Orl 
 dains, that all fuch Perfons as bruike, or fhall bruik«| 
 hereafter the faid Office, fhall be charged firnply to de 
 mit, quit and leave off the fame, as an Office where 
 unto they are not called of God ; And fuch like to dej 
 /id and ceafe from all Preaching, Miniftration of the 
 Sacraments, or ufing any Way the Office of Pallors] 
 while they receive de novo Admiffion from the General 
 Affembly, under the Pain of Excommunication, to be| 
 ufed againft them. Wherein, if they be found difobe- 
 dient, or contradift this Aft in any Point, the Sentence 
 of Excommunication, after due Admonitions, to be exe-l 
 cuted againft them. And, for better Execution of the 
 faid Aft, It is Statute, that a Synodal Affembly fhall be 
 holden in every Province, where any ufurping Bifhopsj 
 are^ and begin the Eighteenth of Augufl next to come, 
 whereto they fhall be called, and fummoned by the Vi- 
 sitors of the faid Countries, to compear before their Sy- 
 nodal Alfemblies, and namely, the Bifhop of Saint an- 
 drewsy to compear in Saint andrews; the Bifhop of Aber- 
 deen,in Aberdeen ; thejSifhop ofGlafgorv, in Glafgow ; 
 the Bifhop of Murray, in Elgine, to give Obedience to 
 the faid Aft ; which,if they refufe to do, that the faid Sy- 
 nodal Affemblies fhall appornt certain Brethren of their 
 Miniftry, to give them publick Admonitions out of 
 the Pulpit, and warn them, in cafe they difobey, to 
 compear before the next General Afiembly to be holden 
 £t Edinburgh, the 20th of October next to come, to 
 hear the Sentence of Excommunication pronounced a- 
 gainft them, for their Difobedience. And to this Aft the 
 Bifhop of Duihblam agreed, fubmitting himfelf to be 
 ruled thereby* AJfzmblj 
 
'Atts of the General Afjembly 135 
 
 1 
 
 4i 
 
 AJJhmbly at Glafgow, April 1581. Sett'. 6. 
 
 III. A% explaining the Aft condemning the 0~\xe 
 of Bilhops. 
 
 ANent the Aft made in the AfTembly, holden at 
 Dundee, againft Bilhops, becaufe fame Difficulty 
 J> appeareth to fome Brethren, to a rife out of the Word 
 Office) contained in the faid Aft, what fhould be 
 :.:• mean'd thereby ; the AfTembly, confiding for the moft 
 ::• Part, of fuch as voted, and were prefent in the Aftern- 
 ic- bly at Dundee, t;o take away the faid Difficulty, refolv- 
 m ing upon the true Meaning and Underftanding of the 
 s, faid Aft, declare, That they mean'd wholly to condemn 
 .' the whole Eftate of Bilhops, as they are now in Scotland ; 
 )i and that the fame was the Determination, and Conclu- 
 ?• Con of the Affembly at this Time ; becaufe fome Bre- 
 X thren doubted, whether the former Afts was to be un- 
 ;• derftood of the fpiritual Funftion only, and others al- 
 t ledged, that the whole Office of a Bifhop, as it was 
 1 ufed, was Damnable; and that by the laid Aft, the 
 Bifhops fhould be charged to Demit the fame : This - 
 Affembly declareth, That they mcaned wholly to Con- 
 demn the whole Eftate of Bilhops, as they were then 
 in Scotland, and that this was the Meaning of the Af- 
 fembly at that Time. 
 
 Ajfembly at Glafgow, December {• 1638. SefT. 13. 
 IV, Aft againft the ml awful Oaths of Intrants. 
 
 THe Six AfTemblies immediately preceeding, for 
 moft juft and weighty Reafons above-fpecified *, 
 being found to be unlawful, and null from the Begin- 
 ning : The AfTembly declareth the Oaths and Subfcrip- 
 
 ti( 
 
 * Sec ARs of AJfcmblj 163S, from rage 9 to 15. 
 
r$6 Aft s of the General Affembly. 
 
 tions exa&ed by the Prelates of Intrants in the Minl-I 
 ilry, all this Time bypafb ( as without any Pretex 
 of Warrant from the Kirk, fo for Obedience of the A6h I 
 of thefe null Affemblies, and cdhtrair to the ancient and 
 laudable Conftitutions of this Kirk, which never have 'eeenj 
 nor can be lawfully repelled, but muft (land in Force 4 
 to be unlawful, and no Way obligatory. And in likq 
 Manner declareth, That the Power of Presbyteries, and 
 of Provincial and General Affemblies, hath been unjuft*[ 
 ly fuppreffed, but never lawfully abrogate : And there- 
 fore, that it hath been mod lawful unto them, notwith-l 
 ftanding any Point unjuftly obje&ed by the Prelates to 
 £he contrair, to admit, fufpend, or deprive Miniftersl 
 refpeBive within their Bounds, upon relevant Com-I 
 plaints, fufficiently proven ; to choofe their own Mode- 
 rators, and to execute all the Parts of Ecclefiaftick Ju- 
 rifdi&ion, according to their own Limits appointed 
 ?hem by the Jiirk. 
 
 Affembly at Glafgow, De$emher 8. 1638. Seff. i5. 
 
 V. AH declaring Epifcofacy to have been abjured by 
 the Confeffion of Faith 1 580, and to be remo- 
 ved out of this Kirk* 
 
 He Affembly taking to their moft grave and ferious 
 , Confideration, lirft, The unfpeakable Goodnefs^ 
 and great Mercy ©f God, ma nifefted to this Nation, in 
 that fq neceffary, fo difficult, and fo excellent and di- 
 vine Work of Reformation, which was at laft brought to 
 fuch Perfe&ion, that this Kirk was reformed, not only 
 in Do&rine and Worlhip, but alfo after many Confer- 
 rences,and publick Reafonings in divers National Affem- 
 Mies, joined with folemn Humiliations and Prayers *o 
 God, the Difcipline and Government of the Kirk, as the 
 Hedge and Guard of the Do&rine and Worfhip, was 
 prefcribed according to the Rule of God's Word, in jhe 
 Boole of Policy and Difcipline, agreed upon in the Af- 
 fembly x$73, and infertin the Regider i58x,eftablifhed 
 
 by 
 
 T 
 
Afts vf the General Affembly. \ 37 
 
 the A&s of Affemblies, by the Conteflion of Faith, 
 
 eȴ oro and fubferibed at the Dire&ion of the Affembly, 
 
 tslnd by continual Pra&ice of this Kirk. Secondly, That 
 
 \y Mens feeking their own Things, and not the Things 
 
 -Af Jcf.is Chrift, divers Novations have been introduced, 
 
 the great Difturbance of this Kirk, fo firmly once 
 
 ;e 3inpa&ed, and to the endangering of Religion,, and 
 
 j lany grofs Evils obtruded \ to the utter Undoing of the 
 
 fork of Reformation, and Change of the whole Form 
 
 ' Worihip and Face of this Kirk. Thirdly, That all 
 
 is Majefty's Subjects, both Ecelefiaftical and Civil, 
 
 > eing, without Confent of the Kirk, commanded to re- 
 
 j nve with Reverence a new Book of Common Prayer, 
 
 . > the only Form to be ufed in God's publick Worfhip, 
 
 . id the Contraveeners to be condignly cenfured, and 
 
 . unifhed ; and, after many Supplications and Com- 
 
 \ Uints, knowing no other Way tor the Prefervation of 
 
 eligion, were moved by God, and drawn by Necef- 
 
 ty, to renew the National Covenant of this Kirk and 
 
 ingcom, which the Lord fince hath bleffed fromjiea- 
 
 en, and to fubferibe the Confeffion of Faith, with an Ap- 
 
 lication thereof, abjuring the great Evils wherewith 
 
 ley were now preiTed, and fufpending the Practice of 
 
 11 Novations formerly introduced, till they fhould be 
 
 led in a free General Affembly. Laflly, That fome 
 
 f his Majefty's Subjects, of fundry Ranks, have, by his 
 
 lajefty's Commandment, fubferibed and renewed the 
 
 onfeffion of Faith, without the former Application ; and 
 
 lat both the one and the other Subicribers, have iub- 
 
 'ribed the f dd Confeffion of Faith in this Year, as it 
 
 »as profeffed, and according to the Meaning that it had 
 
 i this Kingdom, when it was firft iubicribed 1581, and 
 
 ward : The Affembly therefore, both by theSubfcrip- 
 
 ion ol his Majefty's High CommuTioner, and of the 
 
 -ordsof Secret Council, September 22, 1638, and by the 
 
 i&s of Council, of the Date foreiaid, bearing, that they 
 
 lblcribed the faid Confeffion, and ordaining all his Ma- 
 
 Ml\ eges to fubferibe the fame, according to th 
 
 lid Date and Tenor, and as it was then proiciCd wi 
 
 his Kingdom } at tikewiic b) Protcftation of ibme 1 
 
 t: 
 
'138 ' *JB* of the General Affemhly] 
 
 the Senators of the College of Juftice, when they vtM x 
 required to fubfcribe; and by the many Doubtings of ll 
 Majefty's good Subje&s, efpecially becaufe the Sul^ 
 fcribers of the Ccnfcjjion in February 1638, are bound 
 fufpend the Approbation of the Corruptions of the G| 
 vernment of the Kirk, till they be tried in a free Genei) 
 AfTembly ; finding it proper for them, and mod nec«i 
 iary and incumbent to them, to give out the true Meal 
 ing thereof, as it was at flrft prbfefTed, that all his M 
 jelly's Subje&s, in a Matter fo important, as is the p 
 blick Confeflion of Faith, fo folemnly fworn and ful 
 fcribed,may be of one Mind,and one Heart, and have fil 
 Satisfa&ion to all their Deubts ; and that the Pofteri| 
 afterward may be fully perfwaded of the true Meanr 
 thereof: After earneft calling upon the Name of God, 
 religioufly attefted in the faid ConfeJJion, have entred i 
 to a diligent Search of the Regiflers of the Kirk, ai| 
 Books of the General AfTembly, which the greateft P; 
 of the AfTembly had not feen before, and which by tj| 
 fpecial Providence of God were preferved, brought 
 their Hands, and publickly acknowledged to be auth< 
 tick ; and have found, that in the latter Confefficn of tl 
 Kirk of Scotland, we profefs, That we deteft all Trat 
 tions brought into the Kirk, without or againft tl 
 Word of God, and Dotlrine of this reformed Kir A 
 Next, We abhor and deteft all contrary Religion am 
 Doctrine; but chiefly, all Kind of Papifiry in general at 
 particular Heads, as they were then damned and a 
 fitted by the Word of God, and Kirk cf Scotland, jvht\ 
 the faid Confeflion was fworn and fubfcribed, ' Ann 
 15S0 and 1581, 1590 K and 159U Thirdly, That n 
 detefi the Roman Antichrift, his worldly Monarchy, am 
 wicked Hierarchy* Fourthly, That we join our felvtl 
 to this reformed Kirk in Do&rine, Faith, Religion, an 
 Difcipline, prcmifing and [wearing by the Great Name 
 GOD, That we Jhall continue in the Do Brine and Dij 
 cipline of this Kirk, and defend the fame, according t 
 cur Vocation and Power, all the Days of our Life. 
 
 But lb it is, that Epifcopal Goverment is abhorre 
 and detefted, and the Government by Ministers and E 1 
 
 den 
 
Atts of the General Ajfemhly] *l 39 
 
 ers, in Afferrrblies General and Provincial, and Pre£- 
 
 reries, was fworn to and fubfcribed, in fubfcribing 
 
 \i hat Ccnfejficn, and ought to be holden by us, if we ad- 
 
 llerfc to the Meaning of the Kirk, when that Ccnfejfi.n 
 
 " vas framed, fworn to, and fubfcribed ; unto which we 
 
 re obliged by the National Oath and Subfcription of 
 
 his Kirk, as is evident by the A&s of General Aifem- 
 
 lies, agreed upon, both before, at, and after the fwear- 
 
 ,ng and fubfcribing of the faid Ccnfcfficn, in the Years 
 
 bove-mentioned, and the Book of Policy agreed upon in 
 
 he Affembly, which was holden at Edinburgh, the 
 
 Twenty fourth of April, and Twenty fourth of October ■, 
 
 '■no 1578, infert in the Regifter of the Kirk, byOrdi- 
 
 ice of the Affembly holden at Glafgow 1581 ; and to 
 
 fubfcribed by all Minifters, that then did bear, or 
 
 reafter were to bear Office in this Kirk, by Ordinance 
 
 :e Affembly holden the Fourth of AuguJ}, at Edin- 
 
 urgb 1590, and at Edinburgh the Second of July 1591, 
 
 ut efpecially in the 2, 3, 4, 6, 7. and 11 Chapters of 
 
 le faid Book.- 
 
 It was alio cleared that Epifcopacy was condemned 
 
 thefe Words of the Confefllon, HIS WICKED HIE<- 
 
 VRCHIE. For the Popiih Hierarchie doth confift 
 
 Biihops, Presbyters, and Deacons, that is Baptii- 
 
 ng and preaching Deacons : For fo it is determined in 
 
 *ie Councel of Trent, in the 4 Chap. De Sacramento 
 
 dinis, Can. 6. * Si quis dixerit in Ecclefia Catb:lica 
 
 n ejfe bierarchiam divina crdinathne inflitutam, qua 
 
 nfiat ex Epifcopis, Presbyteris C? Miniftris, anathema 
 
 '. Bellarmine likewife, in his Book De C/crr;V/j. k Cap. 
 
 lith, That there are three Hierarchies in the mili- 
 
 *nt Kirk : The firfi of Bijhops, the fecond cf Priefis, 
 
 ^e third of Deacons *, and that tht Deacons are alfo 
 
 tincesy if they be compared rvitb the Pe.ple : This pro- 
 
 olition following •, Hierarchia Ecclefiaftica conjiat ex 
 
 Pcnti- 
 
 
 C^njurapropofiticnum quarundam ex Hibemia de- x 
 <m fer facram Fa:ult*tcm Tbtdogi* Parifienfu 
 
» 
 
 140 AEts of the General Affemhly] 
 
 Pontifice, Cardinalibus, Archiepifcopis, Epifcopis CT ij^ 
 gularibus, was cenfured by the Faculty of Theology 
 the Univerfity at Paris, as folio wcth, In ifla prima pi 
 pofitione enumeratio membrorum hierarchic Ecclefiafli 
 feu facri principatus > divina ordinatione inUituti 
 tnanca ££ redundans, atque inducens in errorem c 
 trarium deter minationi [acre Synodi Tridentina: T 
 Proportion was defe&ive, becaufe it pretermitted t 
 Presbyters and Deacons ; it was cenfured as redundat 
 becaufe it made the Hierarchie to confift of the Pop 
 Cardinals, Archbijhops, and Regulars ', the Pope is n 
 within the Hierarchie, Primates, Metrcpolitans y ai 
 Archbijhops, but as they are Bifhops. Furthermor 
 this Hierarchie is diftinguifhed in the Confeffion from t 
 Tope's Mon archie. And howbeit this Hierarchie be cs 
 led the Antichrzft's Hierarchie, yet it is not to diftingui 
 betwixt the Hierarchie in the Popifli Kirk, and ar 
 other as lawful : But the Hierarchie, wherefoever it i 
 is called his, as the reft of the Popifh Corruptions areca 
 led his : To wit, Invocation of Saints, canonisation 
 Saints, dedication of Altars, &c. are called his ; n 
 that there is another lawful Canonization, Invocation 
 or Dedication of Altars : Whatfoever Corruption w; 
 in the Kirk, either in Do&rine, Worftiip, or Gove 
 ment fince the Myftery of Iniquity began to work, a: 
 is retained and maintained by the Pope, and obtrude 
 upon the Kirk by his Authority, are his. A Paffag 
 alfo out .of the Hiftory of the Council of Trent was a 
 ledged, where it is related, that the Council woul 
 not define the Hierarchie by the [even Orders : W 
 have in our Confeffion of Faith the manifold Orders fc 
 apart and diftinguifhed from the Hierarchie, but a 
 it is fet down in the Canon above cited : We have i 
 the Book of Policy, or fecond Book of Difcipline, in th 
 End of the fecond Chapter, this Conclufion agree* 
 upon ; Therefore all the ambitious Titles, invented t\ 
 the Kingdom cf Antichrifl, and in his ufurped HIE 
 JR ARCHIE, which are not of one of the fe four Sorts 
 to wit) Pajhrs, DgHqtS) Eldm> mi Beacons, toge- 
 ther 
 
A6ts of the General Affembby. 14 1 
 
 "f her with the Offices depending thereupon, in one Word 
 :tgbt to be rejected. 
 
 All which and many other Warrants being publickly 
 read, and particularly at great Length examined, and aJl 
 Objections anfwered in tace of the Aifembly, all the 
 Members of the Aifembly,being many times defired and 
 required to propone their Doubts and Scruples, and 
 every one being beard to the full, and after much A- 
 >itation, as fully fatisfied; the .Moderator at laft, ex- 
 porting every one to declare his Mind, did put the 
 Matter to Voicing, in thefe Terms: Whether , according 
 to the Confejjlon of Faith, as it was prcfeffed in the Tear 
 580, 1 58 1, and 1590, there be any ether Bifhop, but 
 a Paftor of a particular Fleck, having no Freheminence nor 
 Power over his Brethren ? And -whether, by that Cert,- 
 
 %feffion, as it was then profejfed, all other Epifcopacy is 
 abjured, and ought to be removed out of this Kirk The 
 whole Aifembly, mod unanimoully, without Contra- 
 
 - diclion of any one (and with the Hefitation of one'atle'- 
 ^narly) profeffing full Perfwafion of .Mind, did Voice, 
 
 %That all Epifcopacy, different from that of a Fafior over 
 a particular Flock, was abjured in this Kirk, and ti 
 be removed out of it : And therefore prohibiten under 
 Eccleiiaftical Cenfure, any to ufurp, accept, defend, 
 or obey the pretended Authority thereof in Time 
 coming. 
 
 Affembly at Glafgow, December 17. 1638. Sejf. 21. 
 
 VI. AH refloring Kirk-SeJfions y Provincial and i\fo- 
 Uonal AffemblieSy unto their Ancient Rights at - 
 Privileges. 
 
 ■pH E General Afiembly confiderinc; the great defecti- 
 on of this Kirk, and Decay of Religion, by the U- 
 i furpation of the Prelates, and their iupprelTing of ordi- 
 nary Judicatories of the Kirk ; and clearly perceiving 
 I the Benefit, which will redound to the Religion by the 
 I R«fticution of the faid Judicatories} rcincmbring al!*o 
 
 that 
 
142 '</.&* of the General j4{[embly] 
 
 that they Hand obliged, by their folemn Oath and Col 
 nant with God, to return to the Do&rine and l| 
 cipline of this Kirk, as it was profeft 1580, 1581, 15 
 1591, which in the Book of Policy, regiftrate in 
 Books of the AfTembly 1581, and ordained to be fil 
 fcribed i<; 90, 1591, is particularly expreft, both toui 
 ing the Conftitution of the AfTemblies, of their Me 
 bers, Minifters and Elders, and touching the Nu 
 ber, Power and Authority of thefe Members in 
 Matters Ecclefiaftical. 
 
 The AfTembly findeth it necefTary to reflore, and 1 
 thefe Prefents reftoreth all thefe Aifemblies unto thd 
 full Integrity, in their Members, Privileges Libertid 
 Powers and Jurifdi&ions, as they were conftitute t| 
 the forefaid book of Policy. 
 
 Ajlembly at Glafgow, December 20. 1638. Se(f* 26* 
 VII. A3: concerning Yearly General jijfernhL 
 
 'T'H E AfTembly having confidered the Reafons latel 
 printed for holding of General AfTemblies, whic 
 are taken from the Light of Nature, the Promife <l 
 Jefus Chrift, the Pra&ice of the Holy Apoftles, thl 
 Do&rine and Cuflom of other Reformed Kirks, and th| 
 Liberty of this National Kirk, as it is exprefTed in tl 
 Book of Policy, and acknowledged in the A&ofPar 
 liament 1592. And from recent and prefent Experi] 
 ence, comparing the lamentable Prejudices done ti 
 Religion through the former Want of free and lawfu 
 AfTemblies, and the great Benefit arifing to the Kirk 
 from this one free and lawful AfTembly ; find it necef « 
 fary to declare, and hereby declares, That, by Divine 
 Ecclefiaftical and Civil Warrants, this National Kirl 
 hath Power and Liberty to affemble and conveen ir. 
 her Yearly General AfTemblies, and oftner pro re nata 
 as Oceafion and NeCeflity fhall require ; Appointeth the 
 next General AfTembly to lit at Edinburgh the third 
 Wednsfday of July 1639, and war neth all PresbvteriesJ 
 Univerfities and Burghs, to fend their Commiflianers 
 
 for 
 
Acts of the General Ajftmbly. 143 
 
 fyjbr keepiug the fame : Giving Power alio to the Prct- 
 [jpytery of Edinburgh, pro re nata y and upon any urgent 
 :d extraordinary Necefsity (if any fliall happen before 
 :e Diet appointed in July) to give Advertifement to 
 Jill the Presbyteries, iJniverfities and Burghs, to lend 
 :ir Commifsioners for holding an Occafional AfTe in- 
 ly : And if in the mean Time it fhall pleafe the King's 
 tajefty to indi& a General Aifembly, ordaineth all 
 sbvteries, Univerfities and Burges to fend, their 
 Comifsioners ibr keeping the Time and Place which 
 • fliall be appointed by his Majefty's Proclamation. 
 
 q 
 
 Affembly €t Edinburgh, Auguft 8. 1643. SeJJl 6. 
 
 Vlll.Acl for Subfcribin* tbt Covenant. 
 
 THE General Affembly conildcring the good and 
 pious Advice of the CommhTioners of the lad Af- 
 mbly, upon the 22 of September 1642. p:fi meridiem, 
 recommending to Presbyteries to have Copies of 
 ae Covenant, to be fubferibed by every ^linifter at his 
 J Ad million ; doth therefore ratify and approve the ft- 
 *men : And further Ordains, that the Covenant.be re- 
 ted, with this Ordinance prefixed thereto ; and 
 ."that every Synod, Presbytery and Pariih have one of 
 'them bound in Quarto , with fome blank Paper, where- 
 upon everv Perfon may be obliged to fublcribe ; and 
 that the Covenants of the Synod and Presbyterie be 
 'eeped by their Moderators refpeibive^ of Univer- 
 es by their Principals, of Parifhes by their Mi- 
 ters, with all Carefulnels ; and that particular Ac- 
 : Obedience to this A& be required hereafter 
 Vifit s of Parifhes, Univerfities and Presby- 
 
 h and in all Trials of- Presbyteries and S inod-Books. 
 » he General AfTembly coniidering, that tlje he 
 
 It Edinburgh 1639, Augufi 30. in joining -all - 
 f J ( to S ibfcribe the Covenant, unci 
 
 ', hath not be^n obeyed \ The: )t* 
 
 dains 
 
 
144 At7s of the General AJfembly. -. 
 
 dains all Minifters to make Intimation of the faid A<ft I 
 their Kirks, and therefore to proceed with the Cenful 
 ot the Kirk againft fuch as fhaO refufe to Subfcribe tl 
 Covenant ; and that exa& Account be taken of evel $ 
 Mmifter's Diligence hereintil, by their Presbyter! 
 andVSynods, as they will anfwer to the General AfTemblli 
 
 IX. Deftres and Overtures prefented from Presbl 
 teries and Synods, with the Ajfemblies Anfw\ 
 thereunto. 
 
 *J»Hat all Students of Philofophy, at their Entr£ aip 
 at their Laureation, be. holden to fubicribe tT 
 League and Covenant, and be urged thereto ; and i 
 ctHer Perfons as they come to Age and Difcretion,befo 
 their firft receiving of the Sacrament of the Lord! 
 Supper. 
 
 The AJfembly approves this Overtur, 
 
 AJfembly at Edinburgh Auguji 7. 1648. SeJJT. 314 
 
 X. Att for taking the Covenant at the firft ri 
 ceivi-ag the Sacrament of the Lord^s Supper y an\ 
 for the receiving of it aljo by all Students a\ 
 their firft Entry to Colleges. 
 
 r T , H E General Affembly, according to former Recom| 
 mendations, doth ordain, That all young Student 
 take the Covenant at their firft Entry to Colleges ; ai 
 that hereafter, all Perfons whatfoever take the Covel 
 nant at their firft receiving the Sacrament of the Lord' 
 Supper ; Requiring hereby Provincial Afiemblies,Preij 
 fcyteries and Univerfitics, to be careful that this A£\ 
 be obferved, and Account thereof taken in theVifital 
 tion of Univerfities and particular Kirks, and in tht 
 Tryal of Pi esby teries *« 
 
 THE 
 
 *SceCclkBimQfA3S)NQ.37 9 38* 3?* 
 
? 
 
 \ THE I 
 
 ^DIRECTORY! 
 
 I F O R T H E | 
 
 Publick Worfhip of GOD, | 
 
 Agreed upon by ^. 
 
 The Aflembly of Divines at Weft* $ 
 minfier, with Commiffioners from & 
 the C H U R C H of Scotland, f 
 
 taAs a Part of the Covenanted Uniformity J 
 in Religion betwixt the Churches of * 
 
 | Chrift in the Three Kingdoms of Scot* T 
 /^W, England and Ireland. 
 
 WITH * 
 
 T An Aft of the General A flembly of the. T 
 
 1 Church of Scotland^ Anno 1645, for 2* 
 Eftablifhins and Obferving this prefent jl 
 DIRECTORY. £ 
 
 Together with art Aft of Parliament 1645, 
 & Approving and Eftablifhing the fame. 
 
 ,! 1 Cor. xiv. 40. Zrf all Things be done decently^ 
 and in Order. 
 Vcr. 26. Let all Things be done to edifying* 
 
 EDINBURGH, 
 Printed hjlbomM Lumifdcn and John Robert fon, 
 
 MDCCXXV. & 
 
 ^♦^ 
 
146 jiols approving the- Directory 9 
 
 Edinburgh, May 17. 1645. Foflmeridiem* 
 
 THE Commiflloners of v tbe General AfTembl| 
 having ferioufly confidered the printed Copy 
 the Directory for publick Worfhip, lent unto th< 
 from their Brethren now in England, and finding t 
 fame agreeable to th*? Form approven in the late Gener 
 AffemWy ; Do therefore, according to the Power cor 
 jtiitted to them by. the laid AlTembly, Ordain and R! 
 quire the fa^d Directory for. the Publick Worfhip of Go, 
 to be forthwith pracfHfed and'obferved by all the Min 
 Hers and others within this Kirk, whom it doth co 
 cern, and that all fuch Rules and Practices be laid afid 
 as may fruftrate the Intent of the Directory; and- fl 
 this Effect, it is alfo ordained, That this .Dire&or 
 with the Preface, together with the Afts of the Gen? r 
 Aftembly, and of the Parliament of this Kingdom eft 
 bliihing the fame, be prefently printed fof.the Ufe of tlJ 
 Kirk ; wherein Mr. Andrew Ker, Clerk to the Comm 
 fion of the AlTembly, is required to ufe all poifible Caj 
 and Diligence ; and he is hereby authorized with ru 
 Power, to caufe print and reprint the lame from.Tiine 1 
 Time, as there fliall be Occaiion. A. Ke\ 
 
 Charles I, Par!* 3. Self. 5. 
 
 An Acl of the Parliament of the Kingdom 0/Scoi] 
 land, approving and efiablifiihg the Direffoft 
 for Publick Worflnp. 
 
 At Edinburgh, February 6. \6\^* 
 
 nrH 3 Eftates of Parliament now conveened, in the & 
 
 condSeffion of this firft Triennial Pariament, 
 vertue of the la(tA<& of the laft Parliament, holden b 
 his Majefty and the three Eilates in Anno 1641. afa 
 pu'Mick readirig, and ferious Cor.fideration of the Ac 
 ttiukr-writteu of the General Affepably, approving tfcl 
 
 follov 
 
 \ 
 
A&s approving the Directory] 147 
 
 bllowing Dire&ory for the publick Worfhip of God in 
 
 he Three Kingdoms, lately united by the Solemn 
 
 League and Covenant, together with the Ordinance of 
 
 I be parliament of England eftablifhing the laid Dire&o- 
 
 jj-y j- f and the Dire&ory it felf, do heartily and chear- 
 
 jully agree to the faid Dire&ory, according to the A& of 
 
 e General AfTembly approving the fame. Which A6t y 
 jogether with the Directory it felf, the Eftates of Par- 
 lament £0, without a contrary Voice, ratiiie and ap» 
 5 »roVc 'n all the Heads and Articles thereof; and do in- 
 |erpon and add the Authority of Parliament to the laid 
 
 :t of the General AfTembly. And do ordain the fame 
 
 ■ { o have the Strength and Force of a Law and A6t of 
 
 j'arliarrent, and Execution to pafs thereupon, for ob- 
 
 rrvin & the faid Dire&ory, according to the faid A & of 
 
 c General AfTembly in all Points. 
 I Alex. Gib f^n Cler. Regiftri. 
 
 f'Ajfembly at Edinburgh, February 3. 1645. SefT. io« 
 
 Itt of the General Affembly of the Kirk of Scot- 
 land, for the eflablifhing and putting in Fxecu- 
 tion of the Directory for the publUk Worjhiv of 
 God. 
 
 I7Hereas an happy Unity, and Uniformity in Religi- 
 
 ' » on amongft the Kirks of Chrift, in thefe Three 
 
 ingdoms, united under one Sovereign, hath been long 
 
 nd earneftly wifhed for, by the Godly and Well-af- 
 
 &ed amongft us, was propounded as a main Article 
 
 i the large Treaty, without which Band and Bulwark, 
 
 d fafe, well-grounded and lading Peace could be ex- 
 
 bed ; And afterward, with greater Strength and Ma- 
 
 ty, revived in the Solemn League and Covenant of 
 
 lie Three Kingdoms ; whereby they (land ftraitly o- 
 
 [liged to endeavour the neareft Uniformity in one Form 
 
 K 2 ©f 
 
 + Sec Collects^ of A3$ > No. 2%. 
 
148 \Atb approving the Directory • 
 
 of Church-Government, Directory of Worjbip, ConfiJJi\ 
 of Faith, and Form of Catecbifiug : Which hath alfo b 
 fore, and fince our entring into that Covenant, been tl 
 Matter of m^ny Supplications and Remonftrances, ai 
 fending Commiflioners to the Ring's Majefty, of Declj 
 rations to the Honourable Houfes of the Parliament 
 England, and of Letters to the Reverend AfTembly of Dl 
 vines, and others of the Miniftry of the Kirk of En\ 
 land; being alfo the End of our fending Commiflionei] 
 a» was deilred from this Kirk, with Commiffion 
 treat of Uniformity in the Four Particulars afore-mej 
 tioned, with fuch Committees as fhould be appoint* 
 by both Houfes of the Parliament of England, and 11 
 the Alfembly of Divines fitting at Weftminfter i Ai 
 beflde all thrs, it being, in Point of Confcience, the chij 
 Motive and End of our adventuring upon manifold ail 
 great Hazards, for quenching the devouring Flame 
 the prefent unnatural and bloody War in EnglanX 
 though to the weakning of this Kingdom within it fe] 
 and the Advantage of the Enemy which hath invaded 
 accounting nothing too dear to us, fo that this our J< 
 be fulfilled. And now this great Work being fo far 
 ranced, that a Directory for the publick Worihtp of G<] 
 in all the Three Kingdoms, being agfeed upon by t 
 honourable Houfes of the Parliament of England, aft] 
 Consultation with the Divines or* both Kingdoms the] 
 affembled, and fent to us for our Approbation, tr.| 
 being alfo agreed upon by this Kirk, and Kingdom 
 Scotland, if may be in the Name of both Kingdoi] 
 prefented to the King, for his Royal Confent and Rai 
 ll cation ; The General AfTembly having mod feriou:! 
 confidered, reviled, and examined the D'mftcry afoi 
 mentioned, after feveral publick Readings of it, aft! 
 much Deliberation, both publickly, and in private C< 
 xnitteev after full Liberty given to all to obje& agaiiJ 
 it, and earneit Invitations of all who have any Scruple 
 about it, to make known the fame, that they might 
 iacisfled ; Doth unanimoufly, and without a contra I 
 Voice, agree to, and approve the following Direftcu 
 in all thr Hjiuis thereof] togfther with the Preface fct rj 
 
Aft Approving the DireSl ry. 14$ 
 
 r ibre it * And doth Require, Decern, and Ordain, That 
 according to the plain Tenor and Meaning thereof, and 
 7the Intent of the Preface, it be carefully and uniformly 
 oblerved and pra&iled by all the Miniflers and others 
 J within this Kingdom, whom it doth concern •, which Pra- 
 £Hce &*!! be begun, upon Intimation given to the feve- 
 y raJ Presbyteries, from the CommifTioners of this Gene- 
 ral AfTembly, who fliall alfo take fpecial Care for the 
 ; ;imeous printing of this Dirc&ory, that a printed Copy 
 7a£ it be provided and kept for the Ufc of every Kirk in 
 :his Kingdom; Alfo, that each Presbytery have a printed 
 \ Copy thereof for their Ufe, and take fpecial Notice of 
 '. :he Obfervation or Negle& thereof, in every Congrega- 
 :ion within their Bounds, and make known the fame 
 :o the Provincial or General Aliembly, as there fhall be 
 TCaufe. Provided always, that the Claufe in the Di» 
 rtctory, of the Adminiftration of the LORD'S Supper, 
 which mentioneth the Communicants fitting about th* 
 ' Table, or at it, be not interpreted, as if, in the Judg- 
 ement of this Kirk, it were indifferent, and free for any 
 3f the Communicants, not to come to, and receive at the 
 |rable ; or as if we did approve the diftributing otthe 
 "Elements by the Minifter to each Communicant, and not 
 ' 'by the Communicants among themfelves. It is alfo pro- 
 vided, That this /hall be no Prejudice to the Order 
 ' and Practice of this Kirk, in fuch Particulars as are 
 appointed by the Books of Discipline, and A&s of Ge- 
 neral Alfemblies, and are not otherwife ordered and ap- 
 pointed in the Direftory. 
 
 Finally, The AfTembly doth, with much Joy and 
 Thankfulnefc, acknowledge the rich BlefTIng and inva- 
 luable Mercy of God, in bringing the lo much wifhed 
 ! for Uniformity in Religion, to fuch a happy Period, 
 that thefe Kingdoms, once at lo great Diltance in the 
 'Form of Worlhip, are now by the BlelEn^ of God 
 ^'brought to a nearer Uniformity than any other re- 
 I formed Kirks ; which is unto us the Return of our 
 Prayers, and a Lightning of our Eyes, and Reviving of 
 our Hearts, in the midit of our many Sorrows and buf- 
 ferings j a taking away, in a great Mwiurc, the Re- 
 ft 3 P rwc 
 
Y$o j4£1 approving the Directory. 
 
 proach of the People of God, to the flopping of til 
 Mouths of malignant and difaffe&ed Perfons ; and ;| 
 opening unto us a Door of Hope, that God hath y 
 Thoughts of Peace towards us, and not of Evil, 1 
 give us an expe&ed End : In the Expectation arj 
 Confidence whereof, we do rejoice, befeeching the Loi! 
 to prefer ve thefe Kingdoms from Herefies, Schifnrj 
 Offences, Profannefs, and whatfoever is contrary || 
 found Doctrine, and the Power of Godlinefs ; and t 
 continue with us, and the Generations following, the! 
 his pure and purged Ordinances, together with a 
 Increafe of the Power and Life thereof, to the Glor 
 of his great Name, the Enlargement of the Kingdorl 
 of his Son, the Corroboration of Peace and Love be 
 tween the Kingdoms, the Unity and Comfort of all hi| 
 People, and our edifying one another in Love. 
 
 THE CONTENTS. 
 
 *j~Hc Preface. 
 
 Of the Affembling of the Congregation. 
 Of Publick reading of the holy Scripture* 
 Of Publick Prayer before the Sermon* 
 Of Preaching of the Word. 
 Of Prayer after Sermon. 
 Of the Sacrament of Baptiftn. 
 Of the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper. 
 Of the San&ification of the Lord's Day. 
 Of the Solemnisation of Marriage. 
 Of the Vifitation of the Shi. 
 Of Burial of the Dead. 
 Of publick folemn Fafling. 
 
 Of the Obfervation oj Days of publick Tbankfglving. 
 Of Singing of Pfalms. 
 
 An Appendix touching Days and Places of Tublitk 
 Werjbip. 
 
 THE 
 
The Preface. 15 \ 
 
 The DIRECTORY for the publick 
 Worflnp of GOT), agreed upon ly the 
 Jjjembly of "Divines at Weftminfter ; 
 examined and approved Anno 1645, ty 
 the General oAJJembly of the Church of 
 Scotland^ and ratified by Aff of Parlia- 
 ment the fame Tear. 
 
 '/» 
 
 The PREFACE. 
 
 IN the Beginning of the blefled Reformation, our 
 wife and pious Anceftors took care to fet forth an 
 Order for Redrefs of many Things, which they, 
 then, by the V\ ord difcovered to be Vain, Erro- 
 neous, Superftitious, and Idolatrous, in the publick 
 •Worfhip of God. This occasioned many Godly and 
 Learned Men to rejoice much in the Book of Common- 
 Prayer, at that Time fet forth ; becaufe the Mals,and the 
 reft or the Latine Service being removed, the publick 
 Worfhip was celebrated in our own Tongue ; many of the 
 common People alio received Benefit by hearing the 
 Scriptures read in their own Language, which formerly 
 were unto them as a Book that is fealed. 
 
 Howbeit, long and fad Experience hath made it ma- 
 nifeft, That the Liturgy ufed in the Church of England, 
 (notwithftanding all the Pains and Religious Intentions 
 ot the Compilers of it) hath proved an OrFence, not on- 
 to many of the Godly at Home ; but alio to the re- 
 formed Churches Abroad, for, not to ipeak of urging 
 the reading of all the Prayers, which very greatly in- 
 
 afed the Burden of it ; vh ny unprohtahle : 
 
 burden'om Ceremonies, contained in it, have o >n- 
 
 cd mach Mifchief, as well by difquieting cheC < n- 
 
 ces 
 
l$% ihe preface* 
 
 ccs of many GodlyMihifters, and People, who could n 
 
 yield unto them, as by depriving them of the OrdinaBv: 
 ces of God, which they might not enjoy without coHir< 
 forming or fubfcribing to thofe Ceremonies. SusBbe 
 dry good Chriftians have been by means there<BV 
 kept From the Lord's Table, and divers able and faitlB t 
 ful Minifters debarred from the Exercife of their Min 
 ftry (to the endangering of many Thoufand Souls, i 
 a Time of fuch Scarcity of faithful Paftors) and fpoi 
 cd of their Livelyhood, to the undoing of them anl 
 their Families. Prelates and their Fa&ion have labourel 
 to raife the Eilimation of it to fuch an Height,as if ther 
 were no other Worfliip, or Way or Worfhip of GOD 
 amongft us, but only the Service-TSook ; to the gre 
 Hindrance of the Preaching of the Word, and (in fom 
 Places, efp'ecially of late) to the juftling of it out, a 
 unneceffary \ or (at beft) as far inferior to the reading 
 of Common-Prayer, which was made no better than ar 
 Idol by many Ignorant and Superftitious People, wh 
 pleafing themfelves in their prefence at that Service, an 
 their Lip-labour in bearing a Part in it, have thereby 
 liardned themfelves in their Ignorance and Carelefnefs of 
 faving knowledge and true Piety. 
 
 In the mean Time, Papifts boafted, that the Book wa 
 a Compliance with them in a great Part of their Service 
 and fo were not a little confirmed in their Superftition 
 andIdolatry,expe&ing rather ourReturn to them,than en- 
 deavouring the Reformation of themfelves : In which 
 Expectation they were of late very much incouraged, 
 when, upon the pretended Warrantablenefs of impofing 
 of the forme/ Ceremonies, new Ones were daily ob- 
 truded upon the Church. 
 
 Add hereunto (which was not fbrefeen, but fince hath 
 come to pafs) that the Liturgy hath been a great Means, 
 as on the one Hand to make and increafe an idle and un- 
 cdifying Miniftry, which contented it felf with fet Forms 
 made to their Hands by others, without putting forth 
 themfelves to exercife the Gift of Prayer, with which 
 «ur Lo£d fefm Sbr'tft pleafeth to furnilh ail his Servants 
 
 whom 
 
J The Pre face. 153 
 
 rhorn he calls to that Office : So on the other fide, it hath 
 een (and ever would be, if continued) a Matter of end- 
 °tifs Strife and Contention in the Church, and a Snare 
 ; oth to many godly and faithful Minifters, who have 
 •'cen perfecuted and filenced upon that Occafion, and 
 
 1 others of hopeful Parts, many of which have been, 
 •• nd more ftill would be diverted from all Thoughts of 
 '•■ be Miniftry to other Studies ; efpecially in thefe latter 
 
 ~imes, wherein God vouchfafeth to his People more and 
 *:»etter Means for the Difcovery of Error and Superftition, 
 4nd for attaining of Knowledge in the Myfteries 1' 
 *:jodlinefs, and Gifts in Preaching and Prayer. 
 )•• Upon thefe, and many the like weighty Confiderati- 
 t:>ns, in Reference to the whole Book in general, and 
 !->ecaufe of divers Particulars contained in it; not from 
 ^J.ny Love to Novelty, or Intention to difparage our firft 
 ttteformers (of whom we are pcrfwaded, that, were they 
 $iow alive, they would join with us in this Work, and 
 tyfhom we acknowledge as excellent Inftruments, raifed 
 i/)y God, to begin the Purging and Building of his 
 Fjnoufe, and defire they may be had of us and Pofterity 
 <jin everlafting Remembrance, with Thankful nefs and 
 I Honour ; ) but that we may, in fome Meafure, anfwer 
 j;:he gracious Providence of God, which at this Time cal- 
 if eth upon us for further Reformation, and may fatisfie 
 !i Dur own Continences, and anfwer the Expe&ation of 
 ■f other reformed Churches, and the Deflres of many of 
 it the Godly among our felves, and withal give fome pu- 
 .! blick Teftimony of cur Endeavours for Uniformity in 
 
 Divine Worfhip, which we have promiled in our Solemn 
 'League and Covenant : We have, after earned and fre- 
 1 o^ent calling upon the Name of God, and after much 
 I Confutation, not with Flefh and Blood, but with his 
 ^holy Word, refolvtd to lay afide the former Liturgy +, 
 ! with the many Rites and Ceremonies formerly ufed in 
 
 the 
 
 + See tbeRtafens fcr wbicb tbe Service Bed, urged 
 ufon Scotland, Amo 1637, was refufed, jriutcdin tb'e 
 Tear i^j8. 
 
I }4 The Directory for the 
 
 the Worfhip of God ; and have agreed upon this fbllol 
 ing Dire&ory for all the Parts of publick Worfhip, ' 
 ordinary and extraordinary Times. 
 
 Wherein our Care hath been, to hold forth fu 
 Things as are of divine Inftitution in every Ordinan 
 and other Things we have endeavoured to fet forth 
 cording to the Rules of Chriftian Prudence, agreeable 
 the general Rules of the Word of God : Our Meanu 
 therein being only, that the general Heads, the Senfe ai 
 Scope of the Prayers, and other Parts of publick Wc 
 fhip, being known to all, there may be a Confent of a 
 the Churches, in thofe Things that contain the Subftan 
 of the Service and Worlhip of God ; and the'Minift 
 may be hereby directed in their Adminiftrations, 
 keep like Soundnefs in Doctrine and Prayer ; and ma 
 if Need be, have fome Help and Furniture ; and yet fl 
 as they become not hereby flothful and negligent in fti 
 ring up the Gifts of Chrift in them ; but, that each on 
 by Meditation, by taking heed to himfelf and the Flo 
 of God committed to him, and by wife obferving t 
 Ways of Divine Providence, may be careful to furni 
 his Heart and Tongue with further, or other Material 
 of Prayer and Exhortation, as (hall be needful upon a 
 Occafions. 
 
 Of the Affembling of the Congregation^ and thei\ 
 Eehav^our in the publick Worfljif of God. 
 
 WHen the Congregation is to meet for public! 
 Worfhip,the People (having before preparec 
 their Hearts thereunto) ought all to comei 
 and join therein ; not abfenting themfelve 
 from the publick Ordinances through Negligence, 01 
 Upon Pretence of private Meetings. 
 
 Let all enter the Affembly, not irreverently, T^ut irl 
 . a grave and feemly Manner," taking their Seats or Place! 
 without Adoration^ or bowing themfeives towards one 
 Place or other. 
 
 Thcl 
 
Tubtick Worship ofGodi 155 
 
 ij The Congregation being aflembled, the Minifter, after 
 )l>lemn calling on them to the worfhipping of the great 
 lame of God, is to begin with Prayer. 
 
 In all Reverence and Humility acknowledging the in- 
 
 jmprhenfible Greatnefs & Majefly ofthe Lord,(in whofc 
 
 Pfeience they do then in a fpecial Manner appear) and 
 
 ■■ their own Vilenefs and Unworthinefsto approach k near 
 
 • him, with their utter Inability of themfeves to fo great 
 
 Work j and humbly befeeching him for Pardon, Af- 
 
 fy fiftance, and Acceptance in the whole Service then to 
 
 , be performed ; and for a Blellxng on that particular 
 
 ■-, Portion of his Word then to be read : And all in the 
 
 Name and Mediation of the Lord Jefus Chrift. 
 
 The publick Worfliip being begun, the People arc 
 
 holly to attend upon it, forbearing to read any Thing, 
 
 ccept what the Minifter is then reading or citing ; and 
 
 Gaining much more from all private W 7 hifperings, 
 
 inferences, Salutations, or doing Reverence to any 
 
 ns prefent, or coming in ; as alio from all Gazing, 
 
 eping, and other undecent Behaviour, wlyph may 
 
 " ifturb the Minifter or People, or hinder themfelves or 
 
 thers in the Servi:e of God. 
 
 If any, through /Ceceility, be hindred from being pre- 
 nt at the Beginning, they ought not, when they come 
 lto tire Congregation, to betake themfelves to their 
 
 Irivate Devotions, but reverently to compofe themfeiv 
 ) join with the Affembly, in that Ordinance of God, 
 'blch is then in Hand. 
 
 Of publick reading of the holy Scriptures. 
 
 ;> Eading ofthe Word in the Congregation, being Part 
 o\ the publick Worfliip of God, (wherein we ac- 
 nowledge our Dependence upon him, and Subje<£Hon 
 3 him) and one Means, faniHfied by him for the edi- 
 ting or his People, is to be y med by the Paftors 
 nd Teachers. 
 
 Howbeit, fuch as intend the Mimftrv, mav occafio- 
 *Hy both read the ^Word, amdexcrcife their Qifi: n 
 
 prei 
 
f I 56 The Vire&ory for the 
 
 preaching in the Congregation, if allowed by the ^r 
 bytery thereunto. 
 
 All the Canonical Books of the Old and New Tefl 
 ment, ( but none of thofe which are commonly call 
 Apocrypha) fhall be publickly read in the vulg 
 Tongue, out of the beft allowed Tranflation^ diftin&l 
 that all may hear and underftand.' 
 
 How large a Portion fhall be read at oner > is left to 1 1 
 Wifdom of the Minifter ; but it is convenient, that c 
 dinarily one Chapter of each Teftament be read at eve 
 Meeting ; and fometimes more , where the Chapters 1 
 fhort, or the Coherence of Matter requireth it *. 
 
 It is requiiite that all the Canonical Books be res 
 over in Order, that the People may be better acquaint! 
 with the whole Body of the Scriptures ; and ordinaril] 
 where the reading in either Teftament endcth on 01 
 Lord's Day, it is to begin the next. 
 
 We commend alfo the more frequent reading of fuc 
 Scriptures, as he that readeth fhall think beft for Edifl 
 cation of his Hearers, as the Book of Pfalms, and fuc 
 like. 
 
 When the Minifter, who readeth, fhall judge it necc 
 fary to expound any Part of what is read, let it not t 
 done, until the whole Chapter or Pfalm be ended ; an 
 Regard is always to be had unto the Time, that neithe 
 Preaching, nor other Ordinance, be ftraitned, or rendre* 
 tedious. Which Rule is to be obferved in all other pu 
 blick Performances. 
 
 Befide publick reading of the holy Scriptures, ever 
 Perfon that can read, is to be exhorted to read the Scrip 
 tures privately, (and all others that cannot read, if noj 
 difabled by Age, or other wife, are likewifc to be exi 
 horted to learn to readj and to have a Bible, 
 
 
 
 See the Opinion vf the Committee, Approved by tbt\ 
 General AJJembly, 1645, Sejf, 14. for keeping the greater\ 
 Uniformity, in the Practice eft be JDirect9rjinf<WK tjjnU\ 
 */ 'publick Worfhifm 
 
1 
 
 Tublick Worjlnp of God. T 57 
 
 Ofpublick Prayer before the Sermon] 
 
 Fter reading of the Word, ( and fmging of the 
 Pfalm ) the Minifter who is to preach, is to en- 
 ea7our to get his own, and his Hearers Hearts to be 
 ightly arFected with their Sins, that they may all mourn 
 i Senfe thereof before the Lord, and hunger and thirft 
 fter the Grace of God in Jefus Chrift, by proceeding to 
 more full Confeflion of Sin, with Shame and holy Con- 
 afion of Face, and to call upon the Lord to this ErFeft ; 
 
 t« To acknowledge our great Sinfulnefs, J/V/?, by Rea- 
 fon of original Sin, which (befide the Guilt that makes 
 us liable to everlafting Damnation,) is the Seed of all 
 A other Sins, hath depraved and poiibned all the Facul- 
 ties and Powers of Soul and Body, doth defile our 
 belt Anions, and ( were it not r drained, or our 
 : Hearts renewed by Grace) would break forth into in- 
 { numerable Tranfgreifions, and greateft Rebellions a- 
 gainft the Lord, that ever were committed by the 
 vil ft or* the Sons of Men. And, Next, By Reafon of 
 : a&ual Sins, our own Sins, the Sins of Magiftrates, of 
 V Minifters, and of the whole Nation, unto * hich we 
 1 are many wa)s acceffory : Which Sins of ours receive 
 1 many fearful Aggravations, we having broken all the 
 Commandments of the holy, juft, and. good Law of 
 God, doing that which is forbidden, and leaving un- 
 c done what is enjoined ; and that not only out of Tg- 
 
 * norance and Infirmity, but alio more prefumptuouily 
 
 * aga/.r.ft the Light of our Minds, Check9 of our Con- 
 
 * fciences,and Motions of his own holy Spirit to the con- 
 
 * trary, io that we have no Cloke for our Sins ; yea, 
 
 * not only defpifing the Riches of God's Goodnefs, For- 
 
 * bearance, and Long fufFcring, but {landing out againft 
 
 * many Invitations and Offers of Grace in the Gotpel ; 
 4 not <nde, vouring, as we ought, to receive Chnft into 
 
 * our Hearts by Faith, or to walk worthy of him in ouc 
 1 Lives. 
 
 c To bewail our BlindneTsofMind,Hardnels of Heart> 
 
 * Unbelief, Impenitency, Security, Lukewarm 
 
 Barrennei&> 
 

 <:.' 
 
 *58 The Directory for the I 
 
 Barrenness ; our not endeavouring after Mortificati <r 
 andNewnefs of Life; nor after the Exerciie of God) 
 nefs in the Power thereof; and that the bed of us hai 
 not Co fledfaftly walked with God, kept our Gar men' 
 fo unfpotted, nor been fo zealous of his Glory, and tl 
 Good of others, as we ought : And to mourn ovM 
 fuch other Sins, as the Congregation is particularl 
 guilty of, notwithstanding the man told and gre; 
 Mercies of our God, the Love of Chrift, the Light c 
 the Gofpel, and Reformation of Religion, our ow 
 Purpofes, Promifes, Vows, folemn Covenant, an. 
 Other fpecial Obligations to the contrary. 
 c To acknowledge and confefs, that, as we are con 
 vinced of our Guilt, fo, out of a deep Senfe thereof 
 we judge our felves unworthy of the fmalieft Benefits 
 moft worthy of God's fiercefl: Wrath, and of all th< 
 Curies of the Law, and heavieft: judgments infli£t.ec 
 upon the mod rebellious Sinners ; and that he migh 
 moil juftly. take his Kingdom and Gofpel from us 
 plague us with all Sorts of fpiritual and tempora". 
 Judgments in this Life, and after c^ft us into uttei 
 Darknefs, in the Lake that burneth with Fire an 
 Brimftone, where is weeping and gnafhing of Teeth 
 for evermore. r 
 
 f Notwithftanding all, which, To draw near to the 
 Throne of Grace, encouraging our ielves with Hope 
 of a gracious Anfwer of our Prayers, in the Riches and 
 'Ali-fufficiency of that only one Oblation, the Satisfa- 
 ction and Interceflion of the Lord Jefus Chrift, at the 
 Right-hand of his Father, and our Father ; and, in 
 Confidence of the exceeding great and precious Pro- 
 mifes of Mercy and Grace in the New Covenant, 
 through the fame Mediator thereof, to deprecate the 
 heavy Wrath and Curfe of GOD, which we are not 
 able to avoid, or bear ; and humbly, and earneftly 
 to fupplicate for Mercy in the free and fa\\ Remifliort 
 of all our Sins; and that only for the bitter Sufferings 
 and precious Merita of that our only Saviour Jefus 
 Chrift. 
 
 'That 
 
Tublicl Wc'jldf of God. 159 
 
 c That- the Lord v;ould vouchsafe to fried abroad hi* 
 ove in our Hearts by the Holy Ghoit \ teal unto us 5 by 
 he- fame Spirit of Adoption, the full Ailurance of our 
 ardon and Reconciliation \ comfort all that mourn 
 in &on, (peak Peace to the wounded and troubled 
 pint, and bind up the Broken-hearted : And as for 
 -cure and prefumptuous Sinners, that he would open 
 their Eyes, convince their Confciences, and turn them 
 om Darknefs unto L'ght, and from the Power of 
 Satan unto God, that they alfo may receive Forgivenefe 
 of Sin, and an inheritance among them that are fanAi- 
 fied by Faith in Chrift Jefus. 
 
 $ With Remiifion of Sins through the Blood of Chrifl, 
 to pray for San&ification by his Spirit; the Mortifi- 
 cation of Sin dwelling in, and many Times tyranni- 
 zing over us \ the quickning of our dead Spirits, with 
 the Life of God in Chritt ; Grace to fit and inable us 
 r all Duties of Conver&tion and* Callings towards 
 od and Men ; Strength againft Temptations, the 
 I fcn&ified Uk of Bleilings and Croffes, and PerfeVe- 
 rance in Faith and Obedience unto the End. 
 c To pray for the Propagation of the Gofpel and 
 Kingdom of Chrift to all Nations, for the Converfi- 
 on of the Jews? the Fulnefs of the Gentiles, the 
 Fall of Antichrifi, and the haftning of.' the Second 
 Coming of our Lord ; For the Deliverance of the 
 dillreifed Churches Abroad from the Tyranny of the 
 Antichriflian .Faftr.n, and from the cruel OppreiTions 
 and Blafphemies of the Turk ; For the Blefling of God 
 upon all the reformed Churches, efpecially, upon th^ 
 Churches and Kingdoms of Sc.tland, England, and 
 Ireland, now more ftri&ly and religioufly united in 
 the Solemn Nati.nal League and ( nant\ and for 
 our Plantations in the remote Parts of the World : 
 particularly for that Church and Kingdom 
 whercot we are Me that therein God would 
 
 eftabliih Peace and Truth, I of all his Or- 
 
 dinances, and the Power of Godlin prevent and 
 
 refj, m, Protanr ^uperitiiion, 
 
 Security, and Unfruitfulnefi uader theMsan^ c i ; 
 
 * hjtl 
 
itfo T%e DireSlory for the 
 
 heal all our Rents and Divifions, and preferre us fir 
 Breach of our Solemn Covenant. 
 c To pray for all in Authority, efpecially for t 
 King's Majefty, that God would make him rich 
 Bleifings, both in his Perfon and Government ; ef 
 blifh his Throne in Religion and Righteoufnefs, fa 
 him from evil Counfel, and make him a hleffed a 
 glorious Tnftrument, for the Confervation and Prof 
 gation of the Gofpel, -for the Encouragement and Pi 
 te&ion of them that do Well, the Terror of all th 
 do Evil, and the great Good of the whole Churc 
 and o^ all his Kingdoms ; For the Converfion of t 
 Queen, the religious Education of the Prince, ar 
 the reft of the Royal Seed ; For the comforting tl 
 affli&ed Queen of Bohemia, Sifter to our Sovereig 
 and for the Reftitution and Eftabliihment of the ilk 
 ftrious Prince Charles, Ele&or Palatine of the Rbin 
 to all his Dominions and Dignities ; For a Bleflln 
 upon the high Court of Parliament, ( when fitting i 
 any of thefe Kingdoms- refpectively ) the Nobility, th: 
 fubordinate Judges and Magiftrates, the Gentry, a 
 all the Commonalty ; For all Paftors and Teacher«| 
 that God would fill them with his Spirit, make then 
 exemplarily Holy, Sober, Juft, Peaceable, and Gra 
 cious in their Lives ; Sound, Faithful, and Powerfu 
 in their Miniftry ; and follow all their Labours wit 
 Abundance of Succefs and Blefling ; and give unto a 
 his People, Paftors according to hi9 own Heart ; Fo 
 the Univerfities, and all Schools and religious Semi 
 naries of Church and Common-wealth, that they maj 
 flouriih more and more in Learning and Piety ; Fo 
 the particular City or Congregation, that God would 
 pour out a Bleffing upon the Miniftry of the WofdL 
 Sacraments and. Difcipline, upon the Civil Govern- 
 ment, and all the feveral Families and Perfons there- 
 For Mercy to the Affli&ed, under any inward 01 
 
 C 
 
 1 21 
 
 k 
 
 k 
 
 ft 
 at: 
 
 I 
 
 in 
 
 outward Diftrefs ; For feafonable Weather and fruitful 
 Seafons, as the Time may require ; For averting the 
 Judgment that we either feel or fear, or are Sable 
 unto, as Famine, Peftiltncej the Sword, and fiich 
 
 like. < AM 
 
public Ji Worfhip of God. 161 
 
 c And, with Confidence of bis Merc/ to his whole 
 \ Church, and the Acceptance of our Perfbns, through 
 the Merits and Mediation of our great High Prieft 
 ttbe Lord Jefus, To profefs that it is the Defire of 
 'our Souls to have Fellowfhip with God, in the reve- 
 : rent and confcionable Ufe of his holy Ordinances ; 
 'and, to that Purpofe, to pray earneftly for his Grace, 
 •gnd effectual AiEttance to the San&ification of his holy 
 •Sabbath, the Lord's Day, in all the Duties thereof 
 
 I^ublick and private, both to our felves, and to all o- 
 her Congregations of his People, according to the 
 liches and Excellency of the Gofpel, this Day celebra- 
 ed and enjoyed. 
 
 r And, becaufe we have been unprofitable Hearers 
 n Times pad, and now cannot of our felves receive, as 
 ve fliould, the deep Things of God, the Myfteries of 
 efus Chrift, which require a fpi ritual Difcerning, To 
 ^ray, that the Lord, who teacheth to profit, would 
 racioufly pleafe to pour out the Spirit of Grace, 
 ogether with the outward Means thereof, cauiing us 
 o attain fuch a Meafure of 'the Excellency of the 
 wnowledge of Chrift Jeius our Lord, and in him, of 
 e Things which belong to our Peace, that we may 
 count all Things but as Drofs in Comparifon of 
 im : And that we, tailing the firft Fruits of the Glo- 
 f that is to be revealed, may long for a more full and 
 erfe& Communion with him mat where he is, we 
 lay be alio, and enjoy tbc irulnels of thofe Joys and 
 leafures, which are at Ms Right-hand for evermore. 
 More particularly, rhatGod would in fpecial Man- 
 er furniih his Servant ( now called to dilpenfe the 
 read of Life unto his Houfhold ) with Wiklom, £1- 
 elity, Zeal, and Utterance, that he may divide the 
 rlVord of God aright, to every one his Portion, in 
 I'.vidence and Demonftration of the Spirit and Pow- 
 r ; And that the Lord would circumcife the Ears 
 id Hearts of the Hearers, to hear, love, and receive 
 ith Meekneis the ingrafted Word, which is able to 
 ;vc their Souls ; make diem as good Ground to re- 
 nvc-in the good Seed of the Word, and ftrengthen 
 
 L * them 
 
1 5z Of the Preaching of the Word] 
 
 * them againft the Temptations of Satan, the Cares 
 
 c the World, the Hardnefs of their own Hearts, ail 
 
 * whatibever elfe may hinder their profitable and 
 
 * ving Hearing ; that fo Chrift may be fo formed 
 
 * them, and live in them, that all their Thoughts m 
 c be brought into Captivity to the Obedience of Chri 
 £ and their Hearts eftablifhed in every good Word a 
 
 * Work for ever. 
 
 We judge this to be a convenient Order, in the on 
 nary publick Prayers ; yet fo, as the Minifter may d 
 fer ( as in Prudence he fhall think meet ) fome Part 
 thefe Petitions, till after his Sermon, or offer up to G 
 fome of the Thankfgivings hereafter appointed, in ] 
 Prayer before his Sermon. 
 
 Of the Preaching of the Word. 
 
 P Reaching of the Word, being the power of God 
 to Salvation, and one of the greateft and mod 
 ceilent Works belonging to the Miniftery of the Gofd 
 ihould be {o performed, that the Workman need not 
 afhamed, but may fave himfelf, and thofe that 
 him* 
 
 It is prefuppofed (according to the Rules for Ordij 
 tion) that the Minifter of Chrift is in fome gpj 
 meafure gifted for fo weighty a Service, by his Skill] 
 the Original Languages, and in fuch Arts and Scieru 
 as are Handmaids unto Divinity, by his Knowledge] 
 the whole Body of Theology, but moft of all in. 
 holy Scriptures, having his Senfes and Heart exercif 
 in them above the common Sort of Believers ; andJ 
 the Illumination of God's Spirit, and other Gifts of £1 
 fication, which (together with reading and ftudying 
 the - r ordj he ought ftiil to ftek by Prayer, and 
 humble Heart, refolving to admit and receive any Tru 
 npt vet attained, when ever God fhall make it kntf 
 unto him. All which he is to make ule of, arid impro 1 
 
 j private Preparations, before he deliver in pu 
 *ra*t hebaUi proridetL 
 
Of the Treaching of the Word. 163 
 
 Ordinarily, the Subject of his Sermon is to be fome 
 Text of Scripture, holding forth fome Principle or Head 
 of Religion; or fuitable to fome fpecial Occafion 
 emergent ; or he may go on in fome Chapter, Ptalm, 
 or Book of the Holy Scripture, as helhall fee fit. 
 
 Let the Introduction to his Text be brief and perrpi- 
 cuous, drawn from the Text it felf, or context, or fome 
 parallel Place, or general Sentence of Scripture. 
 
 If the Text be long (as in Hoftories and Parables it 
 ibmetimes muft be) let him give a brief Sum of it ; if 
 ihort, a Paraphrafe thereof, if need be : In both, look- 
 ieg diligently to the Scope of the Text, and pointing at 
 the chief Heads and Grounds of Dodtrine, which he is 
 to raife from it. 
 
 In analyilng and dividing his Text, he is to regard 
 more the Order of Matter, than of Words ; and neither 
 to burden the Memory of the Hearers in the Beginning 
 ith too many Members of Diviiion, nor to trouble 
 eir Minds with obfcure Terms of Art. 
 In raifing Do&rines from the Text, his Care ought to 
 >e, Fzrfi, that the Mater be the Truth of God. Second- 
 7, that it be a Truth contained in, or grounded on that 
 Text, that the hearers may difcern how God teacheth 
 t from thence. Thirdly, that he chiefly infift uponthofe 
 )oel:rines which are principally intended, and make molt 
 >r the Edification or the Hearers. 
 The Do&rine is to be expreffed in plain Terms ; or, 
 any Thing in it need Explication, is to be opened, 
 id the Confequence alf o from the Text cleared. The 
 ■irallel Places of Scripture confirming the Doctrine are 
 ther to be plain and pertinent, than many, and (if 
 ed be) fomewhat infifted upon, and applied to tic 
 orpofe in Hand. 
 
 The Arguments or Reafons are to be folid ; and, as 
 uch as may be, convincing. The Illuftartions, of what 
 id foever, ought to be full of Light, and fuch as may 
 avey thcTruth into the Hearer's Heart with Spiritual 
 night. 
 
1^4 Of the Preaching of the Word, 
 
 If* any Doubts obvious, from Scripture, Reafon,' or 
 Prejudice of the Hearers, feem to arife, it is very «re- 
 quifite to remove it, by reconciling the feeming Diffe- 
 rences, anfwering the Reafons, and difcovering and 
 taking away the Caufes of Prejudice and Miftake. O- 
 therwife, it is not fit to detain the Hearers with pro- 
 pounding or anfwering vain or wicked Cavils, which 
 as they are endlefs, fo the propounding and anfwering 
 cf them doth more hinder then promote Edification. 
 
 He is not to reft in general Do&rine, although ne- 
 Ter fo much cleared and confirmed, but to bring it 
 home to fpecial Ufe, by Application to his Hearers : 
 Which albeit it prove a Work of great Difficulty to 
 himfelf, requiring much Prudence, Zeal, and Medita- 
 tion, and to the natural and corrupt Man will be very 
 unpleafant ; yet he is to endeavour to perform it in fuch 
 a Manner that his Auditors may feel the word of God 
 to be quick and powerful, and a Difcerner of the 
 Thoughts and Intents of the Heart ; and that if any*| 
 Unbeliever or ignorant Perfon be prefent, he may have 
 the Secrets of his Heart made manifeft, and give Glory 
 to God. 
 
 In the Ufe of Inftruftion or Information in the Know- 
 ledge of fome Truth, which is a Confequence from his 
 Dodfcrinej he may (when convenient) confirm it by a 
 few firm Arguments from the Text in Hand, and o- 
 ther Places of Scripture, or from the Nature of that 
 Common-place in Divinity, whereof that Truth is a 
 Branch. 
 
 In Confutation of falfe Doctrines, he is neither to 
 raife an old Herefic from the Grave, nor to mention a 
 blafphemous Opinion unneceffarily : But if the People 
 be in Danger of an Error, he is to confute it foundly, 
 and endeavour to fatisfie their Judgments and Confer- 
 ences againft all Objections. 
 
 In Exhorting to Duties, he is, as he feeth Caufe, to 
 teach alfo the Means that help to the Performance of 
 them. 
 
 In Dehor tat ion, Reprehenfion, and publick Admo- 
 nition (which require ipecial Wifdorn) let him, as there 
 
 fitfil 
 
 w 
 
 'c: 
 
 if i 
 
Of the Preaching of the Word. \6$ 
 
 Jhall be Caufe, not only difcover the Nature and Great - 
 nefs of the Sin, with the Mifery attending it, but 
 alfo fhew the Danger his Hearers are in to be overta- 
 ken and furprized by it, together with the Remedies 
 and bed Way to avoid it. 
 
 In applying Comfort, whether general againfl all 
 
 Tentations, or particular againft fome fpecial Troubles 
 
 or Terrors, he is carefully to anfwer fuch Objections, 
 
 as a troubled Heart and aiflicled Spirit may fuggeft to 
 
 -the contrary. 
 
 It is alfo fometimes requifite to give fome Notes of 
 Trial (which is very profitable, efpecially when per- 
 formed by able and experienced Minifters, with Cir- 
 cumfpe&ion and Prudence, and the Signs clearly 
 grounded on the Holy Scripture) whereby, the Hearers 
 may be able to examine themielves, whether they have 
 attained thofe Graces, and performed thole Duties to 
 which he exhorteth, or be guilty of the Sin repre- 
 hended, and in Danger of the Judgments threatned, 
 or are fuch to whom the Confolations propounded 
 do belong ; that accordingly they may be quickned 
 and excited to Duty, humbled for their Wants and 
 Sins, affe&ed with their Danger, and ftrengthned with 
 Comfort, as their Condition upon Examination fhall 
 require. 
 
 And, as he needeth not always to profecute eve- 
 ry Doctrine which lies in his Text, fo is he wifely to 
 make Choice of fuch Ufes, as, by his Refidence and 
 converfing with his Flock, he findeth moft needful 
 and feafonable : And, amongft thefe, fuch as may moft 
 draw their Souls to Chrift, the Fountain of Light, 
 Holinefs and Comfort. 
 
 This Method is not prefcribed as neceflary for every 
 Man, or i^on every Text ; but only recommended, 
 as being found by Experience to be wry much blefted 
 of God, and very helpful for the Peoples tmderftand- 
 ings and Memories. 
 
 But the Servant of Chrift, whatever his Method be, 
 is to perform his whole Miniftry, 
 
 L 3 i Pain- 
 
\66 Of the preaching of theWord. 
 
 i. Painfully, not doing the Work of the Lord negli- 
 gently. 
 
 2. Plainly, that the meaneft may underftand, deli- 
 vering the Truth, not in the enticing Words of Man's 
 Wifdom, but in Demonftration of the Spirit and of 
 Power, left the Crofs of Chrift fhould be made of none 
 Effecl: ; abstaining alio from an unprofitable Ufe of un- 
 known Tongues, ftrange Phrafes, and Cadences of 
 Sounds and Words, fparingly citing Sentences of Ec- 
 clefiaftical, or other numane Writers, Ancient or Mo- 
 dern, be they never fo elegant. % 
 
 3 . Faithfully, looking at the Honour of Chrift, the 
 Converfion, Edification and Salvation of the People, not 
 at his own Gain or Glory, keeping nothing back which 
 may promote thofe holy Ends, giving to every one his 
 own Portion, and bearing indifferent Refpeft unto all, 
 without negle&ing the Meaneft, or fparing the Greateffc 
 in their Sins. 
 
 4. Wifely, framing all his Do&rines, Exhortations, 
 and efpecially his Reproofs, in iiich a Manner as may be 
 moft likely to prevail, fhewing all due Refpe& to each 
 Man's Perfon and Place, and not mining his own Paf- 
 ilon or Bitternefs. 
 
 5. Gravely, as becometh the Word of God, fhunning 
 all fuch Gefture, Voice and Expreflions, as may occaiion 
 the Corruptions of Men to deipife him and his Miniftry. 
 
 6. With loving Affe&ion, that the People may fee all t 
 coming from his godly Zeal, and hearty Defire to da* 
 them good. And, 
 
 7. As taught of God, and perfwaded in his own 
 Heart, that all, that he teacheth, is the Trutbof Chrift; 
 and walking before his Flock, as an Example to them in 
 it ; earneftly, both in private and publick, recommend- 
 ing his Labours to the Blefling of God, and watchfully 
 looking to himfelf and the Flock, whereof the Lord hath 
 made him Overfeer ; fo fhall the Do&rine of Truth be 
 preferved uncorrupt, many Souls converted and built 
 up, and himfelf receive manifold Comforts of his La- 
 bours, rven in this Life, and afterward the Crown of 
 
 €*lory hid up for him in the Wtrld to come. 
 
 where 
 
Of Prayer after Sermon] 167 
 
 Where there are more Minifters in a Congregation 
 than one, and they of different Gifts, each may more 
 Specially apply himfelf to Doctrine or Exhortation, ac- 
 cording to the Gift wherein he mod excelleth, and as 
 they ftiall agree between themfelves. 
 
 Of Prayer after Sermon* 
 
 *T*He Sermon being ended, the Minifter is, c To give 
 •* c Thanks for the great Love of God, in fending his 
 
 < Son Jeius Chrift unto us ; for the Communication of 
 
 * his holy Spirit ; for the Light and Liberty of the glo- 
 « rious Gofpel, and the rich and heavenly Bleflings re- 
 
 • vcaled therein ; as namely, Election, Vocation, Adop- 
 c ption, Juftification, San&ification, and Hope of Glo- 
 
 < ry j for die admirable Goodnefsof God, in freeing the 
 Land from Antichriftian Darknefs and Tyranny, and 
 for all other National Deliverances ; for the Reforma- 
 tion of Religion ; for the Covenant; and for many 
 temporal Bleifmgs. 
 
 * To pray for the Continuance of the Gofpel, and. 
 Ordinances thereof, in their Purity, Power and Li- 
 berty : To turn the chief and moll ufeful Heads of the 
 Sermon into fome few Petitions ; and to pray that it 
 
 | c may abide in the Heart, and bring forth Fruit. 
 
 1 To pray for Preparation for Death and Judgment, 
 and a Watching for the Coming of our Lord Jeius 
 Chrift : To entreat of God the Forgivenefs of the Ini- 
 quities of our holy Things, and the Acceptation of our 
 i'piritul Sacrifice, through the Merit and Mediation of 
 our great Kigh-prieit and : ur the Lord Tefus 
 Chrift. 
 
 And became the Prayer which Chrift taught his IX 
 ~s, is nor only a Pattern ofPrayer, buticielfa moft 
 ipreher.livc Prayer, we recommend it a!lo to be u. 
 n the Pi . s of the Church. 
 
 And whereas, at the Adminiftration Sacrameni 
 
 |hc holding publick Fafts and Days of 
 Ad §thcr ipecial Qccafiuns, which may aiFord Matter of 
 
1 68 _ OfBagtifm* , 
 
 fpecial Petitions and 1 hanklgivings ; It is requifite to 
 exprefs fomewhat in our publick Prayers ( as at this 
 Time, it is our Duty to pray for a Bleiting upon the Af- 
 fembly of Divines, the Armies by Sea and Land, for the 
 Defence of the King, Parliament, and Kingdom,) Every 
 Minifter is herein to apply himfelf in his Prayer, before 
 Or after his Sermon, to thofe Occaiions ; but for the 
 Manner, he is left to his Liberty, as God fhall dire& and 
 enable him, in Piety and Wifdom to diicharge his Duty, 
 The Prayer ended, let a Pfalm be lung, if with Con 
 veniency it may be done. After which (unlefs fome othei 
 Ordinance of Chrift that concerneth the Congregation 
 at that Time, be to follow) let the Minifter dilmifs the 
 Congregation with a folerrm Bleffing. 
 
 The Adminifiration of the Sacraments. 
 And firft, ofBapifm. 
 
 BAptifm, as it? is not unneceffarily to be delayed 
 {o, it is not to be adminiftred in any Cafe b' 
 any private Perfon, but by a Minifter of Chrid 
 called to be the Steward of the Myfteries of God 
 Nor is is to be adminiftred in private Places, or prf 
 vately, but in the Place of publick Worfhip, and in tb 
 Face of the Congregation, where the People may mof 
 conveniently fee and hear ; and not in the Places wher 
 Fonts, in the Time of Popery, were unfitly and fupei 
 ftitioufly placed. 
 
 The Child to be baptized, after Notice given to tb 
 Minifter the Day before, is to be prefented by the Fa 
 ther, or fin cafe of his neceftary Abfence) by fome Chri 
 fHan Friend in his Place, profefHn^ his earned Defir 
 that the Child may be baptized. 
 Before Baptifm, the Minifter is to ufe fome Words o 
 
Of Baftifm. 169 
 
 Inftru&ion, touching the Inftitution, Nature, Ufe, and 
 Ends of this Sacrament ; Shewing, 
 
 1 That it is inftituted by our Lord Jefus Chrift ; That 
 4 it is a Seal of the Covenant of Grace, of our Ingraft- 
 c ing into Chrift, and of our Union witk him, of Re- 
 € mifsion of Sins, Regeneration, Adoption, and Life e- 
 
 * ternal : That the Water inBaptifm, reprefenteth and 
 c figniiieth, both the Blood of Chrift, which taketh away 
 € all Guilt of Sin, Original and A&ual ; and the fan'fti- 
 ( fying Vertue of the Spirit of Chrift againft theDomi- 
 c nion of Sin, and the Corruption of our finful Nature : 
 c That baptizing, or fprinkling and wading with Wa- 
 
 * ter, fignifieth the cleanfing from Sin by the Blood, 
 
 * and for the Merit of Chrift, together with the Morti- 
 c fi cation of Sin, and rifing from Sin to Newnefs of Life, 
 € by Vertue of the Death and Refurre&ion of Chrift : 
 € That the Promife is made to Believers and their Seed, 
 c and that the Seed and Pofterity of the Faithful, born- 
 « within the Church, have, by their Birth, Intereft in 
 
 * the Covenant, and Right to the Seal of it, and to the 
 c outward Privileges of the Church, under the Gofpel, 
 
 * no lefs than the Children of Abraham in the Time of 
 the Old Teftament ; the Covenant of Grace, for Sub- 
 ftance, being the fame ; and the Grace of God, and the 
 Confolation of Believers, more plentiful than before : 
 That the Son of God admitted little Children into his 
 Prefence, embracing and blefsing them, faying, For of 
 fuch ti the Kingdom of God : That Children, byBap- 
 tifm, are folemnly received into the Boibm of the vi- 
 fible Church, diftinguilhed from the World, and them 
 that are without, and united with Believers ; and that 
 all who are baptized in the Name of Chrift, do re- 
 
 c nounce, and, by their Baptifm, are bound to fight 
 againft the Devil, the World, and the Flefh : That 
 they are Chriftians,and federally holy before Baptifm, 
 and therefore are they baptized: That the inward 
 Grace and Vertue of Baptifm, is not tied to that vt 
 Moment of Time wherein it is adminiftred, and thar 
 the Fruit and Power thereof reacheth to the whole 
 Courfc of our Life j and that outward Baptiiin is not 
 
 1 Jo 
 
c 
 
 
 170 °f B apt if ml 
 
 fo neceffary, that through the want thereof the Infant 
 c is in Danger of Damnation, or the Parents guilty, if 
 t they do not contemn or neglect the Ordinance of 
 * Chrift, when and where it may be had. 
 
 In thefe or the like Inftru&ions, the Minifter is. to ufe 
 his own Liberty, and godly Wifdom, as the Ignorance 
 or Errors in the Do&rine of Baptifm, and the Edificati- 
 on of the People fhall require. . 
 
 He it alfo to admonijb all that are prefent, 
 
 < To look back to their' Baptifm \ to repent of their 
 c Sins againft their Covenant with God ; to ftir up 
 € their Faith ; to improve and make the right Ufe of 
 
 * their Baptifm, and of the Covenant fealed thereby 
 i betwixt God and their S©uls. 
 
 He is to exhort the Parent, 
 c To confider the great Mercy of God to him and his 
 c Child ; To bring up the Child in the Knowledge of 
 
 * the Grounds of theChriftian Religion, and in thcNur-i 
 
 * ture and Admonition of the Lord ; and to let hiitk 
 c know the Danger of God's Wrath to hiuifelf andj 
 c Child, if he be negligent : Requiring his folemn Pro4 
 
 * mife for the Performance of his Duty. 
 This being done, Prayer is alfo to joined with thej 
 
 Word of Inttitution, for fandfcifying the Water to this] 
 fpiritual Uie, and the Minifter is to pray to this or th 
 like Effeft ; ■ 
 
 c That the Lord, who hath not left us as Strangers] 
 
 * without the Covenant of Promife, but called us to thj 
 c Privileges of his Ordinances, would gracioufly vouclB 
 < fafe to fancHfie and blefs his own Ordinance of Bap- 
 c tifm at this Time : That he would join the inward 
 c Baptifm of his Spirit with the outward Baptifm ot 
 
 * Water ; make this Baptifm to the Infant a Seal of Ado- 
 c ption, Remiffion of Sin, Regeneration, and eternal 
 c Life, and of all other Promifes of the Covenant of Grace: j 
 c That the Child may be planted into the Likenefs of I 
 4 the* Death and Refiirre&ion of Chrift; and that the I 
 c Body of Sin being deftroyed in him, he fljay fcrve 
 
 ' God in Newnefs of Life all his DaySt " 
 
 1 
 
OfBaftifm. ' 17 £ 
 
 Then the Minifter is to demaad the Name of the 
 ^hild, which being told him, he is to fay, ( calling the 
 ;hild by his Name ) 
 
 / Baptise thee in the Name of the lather , of the Son 
 ni of the Holy Ghofi. 
 As he pronounceth thefe Words, he is to baptize the 
 !hild with Water : Which, for the Manner of doing it, 
 not only lawful, but fufficient and moil expedient to 
 •, by pouring or fprinkling of the Water on the Face of 
 e Child, without adding any other Ceremony. 
 This done, he is to give Thanks and pray, to this or 
 e like Purpofe ; 
 
 f Acknowledging with all Thankfulnefs, that the 
 Lord is True and Faithful in keeping Covenant aud 
 Mercy ; That he is Good and Gracious, not only in 
 :hat he numbreth us among his Saints, but is pleafed 
 ilfo to beflow upon our Children this lingular Token 
 md Badge of his Love in Chrift : That, in his Truth 
 ind fpecial Providence, he daily bringeth fome into 
 he Bofom of his Church, to be Partakers of his ine- 
 iimable Benefits, purchafed by the Blood of his dear 
 n, tor the Continuance acdlncreafe of his Church. 
 And praying, That the Lord would {till continue, 
 nd daily confirm more and more this his unspeakable 
 avour : That he would receive the Infant, now bap- 
 ized, and folemnly entred into the Houfhold of Faith, 
 ito his Fatherly Tuition and Defence, and remem- 
 him with the Favour that he fheweth to his 
 eople ; That if he fhall be taken out of this Life in 
 is Infancy, the Lord, who is rich in Mercy, would 
 e pleafed to receive him up into Glory ; and if he 
 ve, and attain the Years of Difcretion, that the Lord 
 ouidfo teach him by his Word and Spirit, and make 
 is Baptifm efFe&ual to him, ;.nd fo uphold him by 
 is Divine Power and Grace, that by Faith he 
 il againft the Devil* the World, and the 1 
 11 in the End he obtain a full and final Vi&ory, and 
 be kept by the Power of God through Faifh u 
 Wation, through Jefus Cbrift cm Lqi&. 
 
 Of 
 
172 Of the Lord's Supper 9 
 
 Of the Celebration of the Communion y orSacramtm: 
 of the Lord's Supper. 
 
 npHe Communion,or Supper of the Lord, is frequeni 
 to be celebrated : But how often, may be cor 
 dered, and determined by the Minifters, and otr 
 Church-Go vernprs of each Congregation, as they fh 
 find mod convenient for the Comfort and Edification 
 the People committed to their Charge. And when 
 fliall be ad mini ft red,- we judge it convenient to be dc 
 after the Morning Sermon. 
 
 The Ignorant and the Scandalous are not fit to recei 
 this Sacrament of the Lord's Supper. 
 
 Where this Sacrament cannot with Convenience) 
 frequently adminiftred, it is requifite that publj 
 Warning be given the Sabbath-day before the Admi. 
 ftration thereof : And that eitheri'then, or on fomeO: 
 of that Week, fomething concerning that Ordinance, 4 
 the due Preparation thereunto, and Participation thei 
 of, be . ught ; that, by the diligent Ufe of all Means G 
 cftified of God to that End, both in Publick and Priva 
 all may come better prepared to that heavenly Feaft. 
 
 When the Day is come for Adminiftration, the Mi 
 fter, having ended his Sermon and Prayer, fliall mak< 
 ihort Exhortation, 
 
 c Exprelfing the ineftimable Benefit we have by 
 c Sacrament ; together with the Ends and Ufe then 
 f Setting forth the great NecefTity of having our Coi 
 c forts and Strength renewed thereby, in this our P 
 c grimage and Warfare : How NecefTary it is, that \ 
 < come unto it with Knowledge, Faith, Xepentanc 
 
 * Love, and with hungring and thirfting Souls aft 
 
 * Chrift and his Benefits : How great the Danger, to e 
 € and drink unworthily. ' J 
 
 < Ncx 
 
 R, 
 
 I 
 
 Le 
 
 reai 
 
 » ; 
 
 J 
 
Of the Lord's Svffcrl 173 
 
 c Next, he is, in the Name of Chrift, on the one 
 Part, to warn all fuch as are Ignorant, Scandalous, 
 Profane, or that live in any Sin or Offence againft 
 their Knowledge or Confcience, that they preiume 
 not to come to that holy Table, fliewing them, That 
 1 he that Eateth ana! Drinketh Unworthily, Eateth and 
 Drinketh Judgment unto himfelf : And on the other 
 Part, he is in efpecial Wanner to invite and encourage 
 all that Labour under the Senfe of the Burden of their 
 Sins, and Fear of Wrath, and Defire to reach out unto 
 a greater Progrefs in Grace than yet they can attain 
 unto, to come to the Lord's Table ; affuring them, 
 n the fame Name, of Eafe, Refrefhing and Strength 
 to their weak and wearied Souls. 
 
 After this Exhortation, Warning, and Invitation, the 
 iblc being before decently covered, and fo convenient- 
 placed, that the Communicants may orderly fit about 
 
 or at it, TheMinilter is to begin the AcHon, with 
 &ifying and blefling the Elements of Bread and W T ine 
 
 before him ( the Bread in comely and convenient 
 fifels, fo prepared, that being broken by him, and gi- 
 i, it may be diftributed amongft the Communicants : 
 e Wine alfo in large Cups *, ) having firft in a few 
 >rdsfhewed, That thofe Elements, otherwife common, 
 
 now fet apart and fan<£titied to this Holy Ufe,by the 
 »rd of Inftitution and Prayer. 
 
 -et the Words of Inftitution be read out of the Evan- 
 
 ifts, or out of the firft Epiftle of the Apoftle Paul to 
 
 Corinthians , Chap, n.verfe 23. 1 have received of 
 Lord, &c. to the 27. Verfe, which the Miniiter 
 when he feeth rcquifite, explain and apply. 
 
 ^et the Prayer, Thankigiving, or Blelfing of the 
 
 .-ad and Wine, be to this Lffeft ; 
 
 171th humble and hearty Acknowlegement of the 
 ' » preatnefs of our Mifery, from which neither 
 [an nor Angel was able to deliver us, and of our 
 eat Umvorthinefs of the lead of all God's Mercies ; 
 le give Thanks to God tor all his Benefits, ;u \t- 
 
 \ cially 
 
174 Pf *"* Lord*s Supper] 
 
 * cially for that great Benefit of our Redemption, t* 
 c Love of God the Father, the Sufferings and Men 
 c of the Lord Jefus Chrift the Son of God, by whi 
 
 * we are delivered; and for all Means of Grace, t 
 c Word and Sacraments^ and for this Sacrament in pa 
 c ticular, by which Chrift, and ;&*his Benefits, are a 
 c plied and feaied up unto us, which, notwithftandii 
 c the Denial of them unto others, are in great Men 
 c continued unto us, after fo much and long Abufe 
 c them all. 
 
 c To profefs, that there is no other Name under He 
 c ven, by which we can he faved, but the Name of Jefl 
 
 * Chrift, by whom alone we receive Liberty and Lif 
 
 * have Accefs to the Throne of Grace, are admitted 1 
 
 * eat and drink at his own Table, and are feaied upb 
 c his Spirit to an Afiurance of Happinefs and everlaftir 
 < Life. 
 
 € Earneftly to pray to God, the Father of alT Mercie 
 c and God of all Confolation, tq vouchfafe his graciol 
 
 * Prefence, and the eflfe&ual Working of his Spirit I 
 
 * us, and fo to fan&ifie thefe Elements, both or Bre( 
 c and W T ine, and to blefs his own Ordinance, that vj 
 c may receive, by Faith, the Body and Blood of Jefl 
 
 * Chrift crucified for us, and fo to feed upon him, thf 
 c he may be one with us, and we with him ; that he ma; 
 c live in us, and we in him, and to him, who hath love- 
 c us, and given himfelf for us. 
 
 All which he is to endeavour, to perform with fuitabl 
 Affeciions, anfwerable to fuch an holy A£ion, and to fti 
 up the like in the People. 
 
 The Elements being now fan&ified by the Word ani 
 Prayer, the Minifter, being at the Table, is to tak 
 the Bread in his Hand, and fay, in thefe Expreflion 
 ( or other the like, ufed by Chriftj or his Apoftle upoi 
 this Occaiion : ) 
 
 < According to the holy Inftitution, Command, anc 
 i Example of our blefled Saviour Jefus Chrift, I tab 
 < this Bread, and having given Thanks, I break it 
 c and give it unto you ( There the Minifter,- who is al 
 * fo hunfelf to communicate* is to break the Bread 
 
 < and 
 
 arc 
 
 to 
 
and give it to the Communicants .• ) Tale yc y cut 
 ; Tbu it the Body of Chriji which U broken for y:u ; 
 \q tbjt iti Remembrance of him* 
 
 In like Manner the Minuter is to take the Cup, and 
 y, in thefe Expreflions ( or other the like, ufed hy- 
 brid, or the ApoWe upon the fame Oceafion \ ) 
 ' According to toe Inftitution, Command, and Ex- 
 ample of our Lord Jefus Chriil, I take this Cup, and 
 give it unto you ( Here he giveth it to the Com- 
 municants ) Thti Cup U the New Teflament in the 
 hod of Chriji, which is jhed for the Remiffim of the Sins 
 
 many ; Drink ye all of it. 
 
 After all have communicated, the Minifter may, in a 
 
 w Words, put them in mind 
 
 c Of the Grace of God, in Jefus Chrifl held forth in 
 
 rhis Sacrament, and exhort them to walk worthy of it. 
 
 he Minifter is to give folemn Thanks to God, 
 « For his rich Mercy, and invaluable Goodnefs vouch- 
 safed to them in that Sacrament ; and to entreat for 
 Pardon for the Defers of the whole Service, and for 
 :he gracious Afliftance of his good Spirit, whereby they 
 Inay be enabled to walk in the Strength of that Grace, 
 ts becometh thofe who have received io great Pledges 
 >f Salvation. 
 [The Collection for the Poor is fo to be ordered, that 
 
 Part of the publick Worlhip be thereby hindred. 
 
 Of the SanBification rf the Lord's Day] 
 
 "He Lord's* Day ought to be fo remembred "before- 
 hand, as that all worldly Bufinefs of our ordinary 
 > may be io ordered, and fo timely and iably 
 
 s they may npt be Impediments to the due 
 : the Day when it c >m s. 
 whole Day is to be c< Holy to the 
 
 ird,^ both, in Publick and Private, as being the Chri- 
 jin " th. To which F : -nd it is requifit -, that there 
 
 Tation, or Retting alfthe Day, from all u 
 ary Labours, and an Abllainin mly irom all 
 
«' 
 
 176 7 ft* boirmmzattcn of Marriage. 
 
 Sports and PafUmes, but alfo from all worldly Wo 
 and Thoughts. 
 
 That the Diet on that Day be fo ordered, as t 
 neither Servants be unneceflarily detained from the ]| 
 blick Worfhip of God, nor any other Perfons hindiB^ 
 from the fan&ifying that Day. 4 
 
 That there be private Preparation of every Perfon «| 
 Family, by Prayer for themfelves, and for God's 
 fiftance of the Minifter, and for a BlefTmg upon his J 
 niftry ; and by fuch other holy Exercifes, as may furtll' 
 difpoie them to a more comfortable Communion w 
 God in his publick Ordinances. 
 
 That all the People meet fo timely for publick W 
 fhip, that the whole Congregation may be prefent 
 the Beginning, and with one Heart folemnly join toj 
 ther in all Parts of the publick Worfhip, and not dep. 
 till after the Blefsing. 
 
 That what Time is vacant, between, or after the 
 lemn Meetings of the Congregation in Publick, be fp< 
 in Reading, Meditation, Repetition of Sermons ; (efj| 
 cially by calling their Families to an Account of wl 
 they have heard, ) and Catechizing of them, holy-G 
 ferences, Prayer for a Blefsing upon the publick Orf 
 nances, finging of Pfalms, vifiting the Sick, relievi 
 the Poor, and fuch like Duties of Piety, Charity a 
 Mercy, accounting the Sabbath a Delight. 
 
 The Solemnisation of Marriage. 
 
 ALthough Marriage be no Sacrament, nor peculi 
 to the Church of God, but common to Mankin 
 and of publick Intereft in every Common-wealth ; y< 
 feecaufe fuch as marry are to marry in the Lord, ai 
 have fpecial Need of Inftru&ion, Direction, and Exhc 
 tation, from the Word of God, at their entring into fu 
 a new Condition ; and of the Blefsing of God up< 
 them therein ; we juidge it expedient, that Marriage 1 
 fclemnized by a lawful Minifter of the Word, that i 
 may accordingly counfel them, and pray for a Blefsii 
 
 upoathem. 
 
 Marriaj 
 
 i 
 
 it 
 
The Solemnization of Marriage. \ 77 
 
 Marriage is to be betwixt one Man andoneWomanonfy ; 
 nd they, fuch as are not within the Degrees of Gonfan- 
 uinity or Affinity prohibited by the Word of God ; and 
 fcie Parties are to be%f Years of Difcretion, fit to make 
 heir own Choice, y, upon good Grounds, to give their 
 utual Confent. 
 
 Before the (blemnizing of Marriage between any Per- 
 bns, their Purpofe^of Marriage fhall be publifhed by 
 fie Minifter, three leveral Sabbath-days, in the Congre- 
 gation at the Place or Places of their mofi ufaal and 
 jnftant Abode refpe&ively. And of this Publication, 
 flic Minifter, who is to join them in Marriage, fhall 
 
 e fufficient Teftimony, before he proceed to folemnize 
 :e Marriage. 
 
 Before that Publication of fuch their Purpofe fifths 
 arties be under Age) the Confent of the Parents, or 
 hers, under whofe Power they are ( in cafe the Parents 
 I dead) is to be made known to the Church-Officers of 
 at Congregation, to be recorded. 
 The like is to b£ obferved in the Proceedings of all 
 hers, although of Age, whofe Parents are living, for 
 eir firfl Marriage. And ,in after Marriages of cither ' 
 thofe Parties, they fhall be exhorted not to contract 
 arriage, without firfl acquainting their Parents with 
 
 (if with Conveniency it may done) endeavouring to 
 
 i'tain their Confent. 
 Parents ought not to force their Children to marry 
 thout their free Confent, nor deny their own Confent 
 lithout juft Caufe. 
 
 h| After. the Purpofe or Contra& of Marriage nath been 
 us publifhed, the Marriage is not to be long deferred, 
 hercfore the Minifter, having had convenient Warning, 
 d nothing being obje&ed to hinder it, is publickfy to 
 emnizeit in the Place appointed by Authority for pu- 
 ck Worfhip, before a compel t Number of credible 
 itnefles, at fome convenient Hour of the Day, at any 
 me of the Year, except on a Day of publick flumilia* 
 n. A*i wc advifc that it be n^t on the Lord's Dzy^ 
 
178 'the Soletnmzjttlon of Marrtye] 
 
 And becaufe all Relations are ian&ified by the Wc 
 
 and Prayer, the Minifler is to pray for a Blefsing ur 
 
 them, to this Effe& ; 
 
 c Acknowledging our Sins, whereby we have m; 
 our felves lefs than the lead of all the Mercies of G 
 and provoked him to imbitter all our Comforts • e 
 neftly,inthe Name of Chrift,to entreat theLord (wh 
 Prefence and Favour is the Happineis of every C< 
 dition, and fweetens every Relation) to be their P 
 tion, an4 to own and accept them in Chrift, who . 
 now to be joined in the honourable Eftate of Marria: 
 the Covenant of their God : And that as he hi 
 brought them together by his Providence, he woi 
 fan&ifie them by his Spirit, giving them a new Fra 
 of Heart, fit for their new Eftate; enriching th< 
 with all Graces, whereby they may perform the E 
 
 c ties, enjoy the Comforts, undergo the Cares, and re: 
 the Temptations which accompany that Condition^ 
 becometh Chriftians. 
 The Prayer being ended, it is convenient that the J : 
 
 mfter do briefly declare unto them, out of the Scriptu 
 c The Inftitution, Ufe, and Ends of Marriage, w 
 
 * the Conjugal Duties, which, in all Faithfulnefs, i\ 
 € are to perform each to other ; exhorting them to ft 
 c the holy Word of God, that they may learn to live 
 c Faith, and to be content in the midft of all Marria; 
 c Cares and Troubles, fan&ifying God's Name in a tha 
 € ful, fober, and holy Ufe or all conjugal Comfori 
 c praying much with, and tor one another ; watcbi 
 f over, and provoking eaeh other to Love and gc 
 c Works; and to live together as the Heirs of the Gr; 
 
 * of Life. 
 After folemn charging of the Perfons to be marri 
 
 before the great God, who iearcheth all Hearts, and 
 whom they muft give a ftri& Account at the laft D; 
 that if either of them know any Caufe, by Precontr.I; \ 
 or otherwife, why they may not lawfully proceed I 
 Marriage, that they now difcover it : TheMiniftcr ( 
 .no. Impediment be acknowledged) fhall caufe fir ft t 
 
 Ml 
 
 I 
 
Of Vi fit at ion of the Sicil 179 
 
 n take the Woman by the right Hand, faying thei« 
 
 rds, 
 
 I N. Do tete thee* N. to be my married Wife, and 
 »4>. in the Pre fence of God, and before tois Congregation* 
 jio/nife and covenant to be a loving and faithful Huf- 
 find unto thee, until Godjhall feparateus by Death* 
 
 Then the Woman fhall take the Man by his right 
 l : and,and fay thefe Words, 
 
 p I N Do take thee N. to be my married Husband, and 
 , do, in the Prefence ofGcd, and before this Congregati- 
 ■•*, protnife and covenant to be a loving, faithful, and 
 fedient Wife unto thee, until God Jhall feparate ui bjf 
 yieatb. 
 
 Then, without any further Ceremony, the Minifter 
 Jill, in the Face of the Congregation, pronounce them 
 be Husband and Wife, according to God's Ordinance; 
 i {o conclude the A&ion with Prayer, to this EiFe&. 
 4 That the Lord would be pleafcd to accompany hi* 
 )wn Ordinance with his Blefling, befeeching him to en- 
 ich the Perfons now married, as with other Pledges 
 if his Love, fo particularly with the Comforts and 
 Fruits of Marriage, tothePraife of his abundant Mer- 
 ry, in and through Chrift jefus* 
 A Regifter is to be carefully kept, wherein the Name* 
 the Parties fo married, with the Time of their Mar- 
 tge, are forthwith to be fairly recorded in a Book, 
 ovided for that Purpofe, for the Perufal of all whom it 
 ay concern. 
 
 
 Concerning Vifuation of the Sicfc 
 
 T is the Duty of the Minifter, not only to teach th* 
 People committed to his Charge, in publick, but 
 ivatcly and particularly to admoniih, exhort, reprove* 
 d comfort them, upon all feafonable Occafions, ib far 
 his Time* Strength, and perfonal Safety will permit* 
 He is to admoniih them, in Time of Health, to pre- 
 lor Death ; and, for that Purpole, they are often to 
 nf er with tUir Minifter about tlu Eftat* ttikcar Souls 5 
 
 M 2 *A 
 
180 Of the V 'ifi tat ion of the SicV. 
 
 and in Times of Sicknefs, to defire his Advice and H 
 timely and feafonably, before their Strength and LJnc 
 (landing fail them. 
 
 Times of Sicknefs and Affli&ion, are fpecial Oppo_ 
 nities put into his Hand by God, to minifter a W 
 in Seafon to weary Souls : Becaufe then the Confcier 
 ©f Men are, or fhould be more awakned, to beth 
 themfelves of their fpiritual Eftatcs for Eternity \ i 
 Satan alfo takes Advantage then, to load them more w 
 fore and heavy Temptations : Therefore the Minift 
 being fent for, and repairing to the Sick, is to apj • 
 himfelf with all Tendernefs and Love, to adminifter k>: 
 fpiritual Good to his Soul, to this Effe& : 
 
 He may, from the Confideration of the prefent Si< 
 nefs, inftru& him out of Scripture, that Difeafes coi 
 not by Chance, or by Diftempers of Body only, t 
 hy the wife and orderly Guidance of the good Hand 
 God, to every particular Perfon fmitten by them. A: 
 that, whether it be laid upon him out of Difpleafure f 
 Sin, for his Corre&ion and Amendment, or for Tri, 
 and Exercife of his Graces, or for other ipecial and e 
 cellent Ends, all his Sufferings jfhall turn to his Pr 
 fit, and work together for his Good, if he fincerely 1 
 bour to make a fanftified Uk of God's Visitation, ne 
 ther defpifing his Chaftning, nor waxing weary of b : 
 Corre&ion. 
 
 If he fufpe& him of Ignorance, he (hall examine hi: 
 in the Principles of Religion, efpecially touching Rj 
 pentance and Faith ; and, as he feeth Caufe, inttnj 
 him in the Nature, Ufe, Excellency, and Neceflity f 
 thofe Graces *, as alfo touching the Covenant of Grac 
 and Chrifl the Son of God, the Mediator of it, a 
 concerning Remisfion of Sins by Faith in him. 
 
 He fhall exhort the fick Perfon to examine himfi 
 to fearch and try his former Ways, and bis Eftate 
 wards God. 
 
 And if the fickPerfon fhall declare any Scruple, DouM^- 
 or Temptation that are upon him, Inductions and Rfrl 
 film Ura fhall be given to fetisfic and fettle him» 
 
 
 
 
 tfc 
 
Of the visitation of the Sici. 1 8 1 
 
 [fit appear that he hath not a due Scnce of his Sins* 
 deavours ought to be ufed to convince him of hisSins, 
 i:he Guilt and Defert of them ; of the Filth and Pol- 
 lion, which the Soul contra&s by them, and of the 
 l.rfe of the Law, and Wrath of God, due to them ; 
 t he may be truly affected with, and humbled for 
 And withal to make ^nown the Danger of de- 
 
 m 
 
 *ing Repentance, and of neglecting Salvation at any 
 ne offered ; to awaken his Conicience, and rouze 
 lup out of a ftupid and fecure Condition, toappre- 
 .d the Juftice and Wrath of God, before whom none 
 i (land, but he that, being loft in himfelf, layeth hold 
 on Chrift by Faith. 
 
 f he have endearoured to walk in the Ways of Holi- 
 ;, and to ferve God in Uprigbtnefs, although pot 
 hout many Failings and Infirmities ; or if his Spirit 
 broken with the Senfe of Sin, or caft down through 
 nt of the Senfe of God's Favour:; then it will be fit 
 -aife him up, by fetting before him the Freenefs and 
 neis of God's Grace, the Sufficiency of Righteoufnefs 
 thrift, the gracious Offers in the Goipel, that all 
 d repent and believe with all their Heart in God's 
 rcy through Chrift, renouncing their own Righte- 
 nefs, fliall have Life and Salvation in him: It may 
 alCo uleful to fhew him, that Death hath in it no 
 itual Evil to be feared by thofe that are in Chrift, 
 aufe Sin the Sting of Death is taken away by Chrift, 
 3 hath delivered all, that are his, from the Bondage 
 he fear of Death, triumphed over the Grave, given 
 ictory, is Himfelf entred into Glory, to prepare z 
 cefor his People : So that neither Life nor Death 
 1 be able to feparate them from God's Love in Chrift, 
 vhom fuch are fure, though now they muft be laid 
 he Duft, to obtain a joyful and glorious Refurrection 
 
 rnal Life. 
 idvice alfo maybe given, as to beware of an ill— 
 unded Perfwafion on Mercy, or on theGcodnefs of 
 Condition for Heaven, fo to difclaim all Merit in 
 lfclf, and to caft himfelf wholly upon God tor Merc , 
 he folc Merits and Mediation of Jclus Chrift, who 
 
 M 3 bath 
 
i 82 Of the Vifitation of the Sich 
 
 hath engaged himfelf never to caft off them, who 
 Truth and Sincerity come unto him. Care alfo mud 
 taken, that the fick Perfon be not call down intoDefp; 
 by fuch a fevere Reprefentation of the Wrath of 
 due to him for his Sins, as is not mollified by a fes 
 nable propounding of Chrift and his Merit, for a Doo 
 Hope to every penitent Believeav 
 
 When the fick Perfon is bed compofed, may be 
 difturbed, and other neceflary Offices about him I 
 hindred, the Minifter, if dented, fhall pray with h 
 and for him, to this Effect j 
 
 ( Confefsing and bewailing of Sin original and act 
 
 * the miferable Condition of ail by Nature, as being C 
 
 * dren of Wrath, and under the Curfe ; acknowledg 
 c that all Difeafes, Sickneffes, Death, and Hell it felr> 
 c the proper Iffues and Effects thereof: Imploj 
 
 * God's Merey for the fick Perfon through the Bl 
 c of Chrift ; befeeching that God would open his Bj 
 c difcover unto him his Sins, caufe him to fee hit 
 c loft in himfelf make known to him the Caufe why 
 *fmiteth him, reveal Jefus Chrift to his Soul for] 
 
 * teoufnefs and Life, give unto him his Holy Spi 
 
 * create and ftrengthen Faith, to lay hold upon Ch 
 c to work in him comfortable Evidences of his L» 
 c to arm him againft Temptations, to take off his H 
 
 * froir the World, to fanctifie his prefent Vifitation. 
 € furnifh him withPatience and Strength to bear it, 
 c to give him Perfeverance in Faith to the End. 
 
 « That if God fhall pleafe to add to his Days 
 c woulcl vouchfafe to blefs and fan&ify all Means of 
 c Recovery > to remove the Difcafe, renew his Strcl 
 € and enable him to walk worthy of God, by a fait 
 
 * Remembrance,and diligent Obferving of fuchVows 
 *Promifes of Holinefs and Obedience, as Men are 
 
 * to make in Times of Sicknefs, that he may glorified 
 
 * in the remaining Part of his Life. 
 
 * And if God have determined to finifh his Days 
 c the prefent Viiltation, he may find fuch Evideno 
 
 « tie Pardon of ail his Sins^ of his Intsreft ia Cbri& 
 
 .. ... . ., r ._.. c 
 
 
 lid 
 
 1 
 
 k 
 
VJ Burial 0} the Dead. 1 83 
 
 f "ternsJ Life by Chrift, as may caufe his inward Man 
 :«d be renewed, while his outward Man decayeth; 
 fet he may behold Death without Fear, caft him- 
 [fclf wholly upon Chrift without Doubting, deflre to 
 diflblved and to be with Chrift, and fo receive the 
 -'.nd of his Faith, the Salv r ation of his Soul, through 
 fc only 'Merits and IntercefKon of the Lord Jelus 
 
 1 thrift, our alone Saviour and All-fufficient Rt- 
 eemer. ' 
 
 The Minifter Ihall admonifh him alfo (as there fliall 
 Caufe) .to let his Houfe in Order, thereby to pre- 
 it Inconveniences ; to take Care for the Payment of 
 . Debts, and to make Reftitution or Satisfaction 
 iere he hath done any Wrong ; to be reconciled to 
 )fe with whom he hath been at Variance, and fully to 
 give all Men their trefpafles againft him, as he ex- 
 fts Forgivenefs at the Hand of God. 
 Laftly, the Minifter may improve the prefent Occa- 
 n to exhort thofc about the fick Perfon, to confider 
 :ir own Mortality, to return to the Lord , and make 
 ace with him ; in Health to prepare for Sicknefs, 
 ath, and Judgment ; and all the Days of their ap- 
 inted Time lb to wait until their Change come, 
 it when Chrift, who is our Life, fliall appear, they 
 y appear with him in Glory. 
 
 Concerning Burial of the Dead. 
 
 "\ 7 Hen any Perfon departeth this Life, let the dead 
 ' v Body, .upon the Day of Burial, be decently at- 
 ided from the Houfe to the Place appointed for pu- 
 ck Burial,and there immediately interred, without 
 \y Ceremony. 
 
 And becaufe the Cuftoms of kneeling down, and 
 uying by, or towards the dead Corps, and other 
 cli Llfages,in the Place where it lies, before it be car- 
 :d to Burial, are fuperftitious ; and for that, pray- 
 g, reading and finging, both in going to, and' at the 
 rave, liavc been jjrofly abufed, are no way benefi- 
 cial 
 
"i«4 Of Publick Fa/tingl 
 
 cial to the Dead, and have proved many ways hurtrunfc c1 
 
 to the Living, therefore let all fuch Things be laid M 
 
 afide. 
 
 Howbeit, we judge it very convenient, that the Chri- 
 ftian Friends, which accompany the dead Body to the V 
 Place appointed for publick Burial, do apply them- c 
 felves to Meditations, and Conferences fuitable to the t- 
 Occafion : and, that the Minifter, as upon other Occa- 
 fions, foat this Time, if he be prefent, may put them j! 
 in Remembrance 0/ their Duty. 
 
 That this fhall not extend to deny any civil Refpe&s'jl 
 or Differences at the Burial, fuitable to the Rank and! 
 Condition of the Party deceafed, whiles he was Living. J 
 
 
 ' 
 
 Concerning publick folemn Fafting, 
 
 WHen fome great and notable Judgments are either 
 infli&ed upon a People, or apparently immi- i 
 nent, or by fome extraordinary Provocations notorioufljJj'S 
 deferved; as alfo, when fonie fpecial BleiTing is to be 
 fought and obtained, publick folemn Fafting (which r 
 to continue the whole Day) is a Duty that God expe&et 
 from that Nation, or People. 
 
 A Religious Faft requires total Abftinence, not only 
 from all Food (unlefs bodily Weaknefs do manifeftly dis- 
 able from holding out till the Fail be ended, in whk' 
 Cafe, fomewhatmay be taken, yet very fparingly, to fu_ 
 port Nature, when ready to faint) but alfo from a 
 worldly Labour, Difcourfes and Thoughts, and from all 
 bodily Delights, (although at other Times lawful) ric^ 
 Apparel, Ornaments, and fuch like, during the Faft ; 
 and much more, from whatever is in the Nature, or 
 Ufe, fcandalous and offenfive, as gaudifh Attire, lafcivi 
 ©us Habits and Geftures, and other Vanities of either 
 Sex; which we recommend to all Minifters, in their 
 Places, diligently and zealoufly to reprove, as at other 
 Times, fo especially at a Faft, without Refpeft of Per- 
 fons, as there fhall be Occafion. 
 
 Before the publick Meeting, each Family and Per- 
 iod apartj *re privately to ufe all religious Care to pre- 
 pre 
 
I Of fublicl Fafting. "185 
 
 re their Hearts'to fuch a folemn Work, and to be early 
 c the Congregation. 
 
 So large a Portion of the Day, as conveniently may bs, 
 i to be lpent in publick Reading and Preaching of the 
 Vord, -with Singing of Pfalms fit to quicken Afft&i- 
 ns, fuitable to iuch a Duty, but efpecially in Prayer, 
 this or the like Effect : 
 
 c Giving Glory to the great Majefly of God, the 
 Creator,Preferver, and fupreme. Ruler of all the World, 
 the better to aired us thereby with an holy Reverence 
 and Awe of him. Acknowledging his manifold, great 
 and tender Mercies, efpecially to the Church and Nati- 
 on, the more effectually to foften, and abafe our Hearts 
 before him. Humbly confelung of Sins of all Sorts, 
 with their feveral Aggravations ; juftifying God's 
 righteous Judgments, as being far lefs than our Sins 
 do deferve ; yet humbly and earneftly imploring his 
 Mercy and Grace for our felves, the (Jhurch and 
 Nation, for our King, and all in Authority, and for 
 all others for whom we are bound to pray ( according 
 as the prefent Exigent requireth ) with more fpecial 
 Importunity and Enlargement than at other Times : 
 Applying by Faith, the Promifesand Goodneis of God, 
 for Pardon, Help, and Deliverance from the Evils felt, 
 feared, or deferved ; and for obtaining the Bleflings 
 which we need and expect ; together with a giving up 
 ^ of our felves wholly and for ever unto the Lord. 
 In all thefe, the Minifters, who are the Mouths of the 
 eople unto God, ought fo to fpeak from their Hearts, 
 pon ferious and thorow Premeditation of them, that 
 oth themfelves and their People may be much affected, 
 hnd even melted thereby ; efpecially with Sorrow for 
 their Sins ? that it may be indeed a Day of deep Humi- 
 'iation and afflicting of the Soul. 
 
 Special Choice is to be made of fuch Scriptures to be 
 read, and of iuch Texts for Preaching, as may bell work 
 he Hearts of the Hearers to the fpecial Bufinefs of the 
 Day, and moft difpoie them to Humiliation and Repen- 
 tance ; infilling mod on thofe Particulars, 
 Minister's Qbterration and Experience ttrlls \ 
 
i86 ' f Of fuhlicl Vafting. 
 
 conducing to the Edification and Reformation of that 
 
 Congregation to tvhich he preacheth. 
 
 Before the Clofe of the Publick Duties, the Minifter 
 is, in his own, and the Peoples Names, to ingage his 
 and their Hearts to be the Lord's, with prbfeifed Pur- 
 pofe'and Refolutiori to reform what ever is amifs a- 
 mong them, and more particularly fuch Sins as they 
 have been more remarkably guilty of; and, to draw 
 nearer unto God, and to walk more clofely and faith, 
 fully with him in new Obedience, than ever before. 
 
 He is alfb to admonifh the People with all Impor- 
 tunity, that the Work of that Day doth not end with 
 the publick Duties of it, but that they are fo to im- 
 prove the Remainder of the Day, and of their whale Life 
 in reinforcing upon themfelves and their Families in pri- 
 vate, all thofe godly Affections and Refolutions which 
 they prbrefledln publick, as that they may be fettled in 
 their Hearts for ever, and themfelves may more fenfi- 
 bly find thatGod hath fmelt a fweet favour in Chrift from 
 their Performances, and is pacified towards them, by 
 Anfwers of Grace, in pardoning of Sin, in removing of 
 Judgments, in averting or preventing of Plagues, and in 
 conferring of Blefsings, fuitable to the Conditions and 
 Prayers of his People, by Jefus Chrift. 
 
 Befide folemn and general Fads injoined. by Authori- 
 ty? we judge, that at other Times, Congregations may 
 keep Days of Fading, as Divine Providence fhall ad- 
 minider unto them fpecial Occafions. And alfo that 
 Families may do the fame, fb it be not on Days wherein 
 the Congregation, to which they do belong, is to meet 
 for Fading, or other publick Duties of Worfhip. 
 
 Concerning the Obfervation of Days of publick 
 Thank/giving 
 
 WHen any fuch Day is to be kept, let Notice be 
 given of it, and of the Occafion thereof, feme 
 convenient Time before, that the Peof le jnay the better 
 prepare theiufelves thereunto. 
 
 ~ " \- The 
 
Of D*ys ofpublici r Than\[gi<virig 9 187 
 
 The Day being come,and the Congregation (after pri- 
 vate Preparations ) being aftembled, the Minifter is to 
 begin with a Word of Exhortation, to ftir up the People 
 to the Duty for which they are met, and with a fhort 
 Prayer for God's AfTiftance and Blefilng ( as at other 
 Conventions for publick Worflrip ) according to the par- 
 ticular Occafion of their meeting. 
 
 Let hirn then make ibme pithy Narration of the De- 
 liverance obtained, or Mercy received, orofwhate\ 
 hath occafloned that affembling of the Congregation, 
 that all may better understand it, or be minded of it, and 
 more affe&ed with it. 
 
 And becaufe Singing of Pfrlms is of all other the 
 moft proper Ordinance for exprefling of Toy and Thankl- 
 giving, let fome pertinent Pialm or Pulms be fung for 
 that Purpofe, before or after the reading of fome Porti- 
 on of the Word, fuitable to th« prefent Bufinefs. 
 
 Then let the Minifter, who is to preach, proceed to 
 iurther Exhortation and Prayer before his Sermon, with 
 fpecial Reference to the Drefent Work : After which, let 
 him preach upon fome Text of Scripture pertinent to 
 the Occaiion. 
 
 The Sermon ended, let him not only prys as at other 
 Times after Preaching is dire<fted, with Remembrance 
 of the NecefGties of the Church, Kingj and State ( if 
 before the Sermon they were omitted J but inlarge him- 
 felf in due and folemnThankfgiving for former Mercies 
 and Deliverances, but more efpecially for that which at 
 the prefent calls them together to give Thanks : With 
 humble Petition for the Continuance and Renewing of 
 God's wonted Mercies, as Need Dull be, and for lan<fti- 
 fi ing Grace to make a right Ufe thereof. And Co 9 haying 
 fung another Pfalm fuitable to the Mercy, let him dii- 
 mifs the Congregation with a Blcifing, that they may 
 have fome convenient Time for their Repaft and Refrei^l- , 
 ing. / 
 
 But the Minifter ( before their Difmulion ) is folemn- 
 
 ly to admonifh them, to be war J] ExceCs and Riot, 
 
 ding to Gluttony or Drunkenncfs, and much more 
 
 of thcie iiris themfclvcsj in their tating and Rcireihing, 
 
 aid 
 
r i88 Of Singing of Pfalm?: _ k 
 
 and to take Care that their Mirth and Rejoicing be not 
 Carnal, but Spiritual, which may make God's Praife to 
 be glorious, and themfelves humble and fober ; and 
 that both their Feeding and Rejoicing may render them 
 more Cheerful and Inlarged, farther to celebrate his 
 Praifes in the Midft of the Congregation, when they 
 return unto it, in the remaining Part of that Day. 
 
 When the Congregation fliall be again affembled, th$ 
 like Courfe in Praying, Reading, Preaching, Singing 
 of Pfalms, and offering up of more Praife and Thankl- 
 giving, that is before dire&ed for the Morning, is to 
 be renewed and continued fo far as the Time will give 
 Leave. 
 
 At one, or both of the publick Meetings that Day,, 
 a Collection is to be made for the Poor ( and in th6 
 like Manner, upon the Day of publick Humiliation ) 
 that their Loins may blefs us, and rejoice the more 
 with us. And the People are to be exhorted, at the End 
 of the latter Meeting, to fpend theRefidue of that Day 
 in holy Duties, and Teftifications of Chriftian Love 
 and Charity one towards another, and of Rejoicing more 
 and more in the Lord ; as becometh tljofe who rftake the 
 Joy of the Lord their Strength, 
 
 \ ■ 
 P 
 
 i 
 
 ft i 
 
 Of Singing of Tfaims* 
 
 IT is the Duty of Chriftians to praife God publickly, 
 by finging of Pfalms together in the Congregation, 
 and alio privately in the Family. 
 
 In finging of Pfalms, the Voice is to be tunably and 
 gravely ordered ; but the chief Care mud be, to fing 
 with Underftanding, and with Grace in the Heart, 
 making Melody unto the Lord. 
 
 That the whole Congregation may join herein, every 
 one that can read is to have aPfalm-Book; and all others, 
 not difabled by Age, or otherwiie, are to be exhorted 
 to learn to read. But for the prefent, where many in 
 the Congregation cannot read, it is convenient that the 
 
 Miniftcr 
 
 m 
 
 •if 
 
An . Appendix] I #p 
 
 [inifter, or fome other fit Perion appointed by him, 
 
 tnd the other Ruling Oigcers, do read the Pfalm, Line 
 >y Line, before the finging thereof. 
 
 An Appendix touching Days and Places for 
 Publick Worihip. ^ 
 
 Were is no Day commanded In Scripture to be kept 
 holy under be Go/pel, but the Lord's Day y which is 
 e Cbriftian Sabbath. 
 
 Feftival Days, vulgarly called Holy-days, having no 
 arrant in the Word of Gcd, are not to be continued. 
 Nevertbelefsy it is lawful and necejjary, upon fpecidl 
 mergent Occafions, to feparate a Day or Days for publick 
 aftinv or Thankfgiving y as the fever al eminent and ex* 
 aordinary Difpenfations of God's Providence Jhall ad* 
 iniftcr Caufe and Opportunity to his Peopl 
 As no Place is capable of any Hilin'efs, under Pretence 
 f whatfoever Dedication or Confecration ; fo neither is it 
 ubjetl to fuch Pollution by any Supsrftition formerly ufed> 
 nd novo laid afede, a/s may render it unlawful $r in- 
 mvenient for Cbriftians, to meet together therein f 
 be publick Worfbip of God. And therefore we hold it 
 tquifite, that the Places of publick AJJembling f»r\V:r* 
 '//> among ut, [hould be continued, and imphjed t* 
 ^at Ufc. 
 
 FINIS. 
 
 
nttc 
 
 >ret 
 
 ( ipo ) 
 
 Some ACTS of the General Affembly 
 
 of the Church of Scotland, Concerning 
 
 the purging and keeping pure the Wbr- 
 
 ; fhip of God from the Inventions ofT? 
 Men. 
 
 . Affembly <*£ Glafgow,- December 6. 1638. Sejf. 14. 
 
 I. A& Concerning the Servicc-b'ookj Book of Canons] 
 Book of Ordination r and' tke high Commijfwi. 
 
 I,* *Tp H E Affembly having diligently confidered th£i 
 X Book of Common-prayer, lafjly obtruded up- 
 on the reformed Kirk within this Realm, both in refoe< 
 of the Manner of the introducing thereof, and in refpe< 
 of the Matter which it containeth, findeth, that it hatl 
 been devifed, and brought in by the pretended Prelatesj 
 without Dire&ion fromthe Kirk, and preffed upon Mi- 
 nifters without Warrant from the Kirk, to" be univerfalty 
 received, as the only Form of Divine Service, under all 
 highest Pains, both Civil and Ecclefiaftical ; and the 
 Book it fel£ befide the. Popijh Frame and Forms in Di- 
 vine Worfhip, to contain many Pdpijh Errors and Cere- 
 monies, and the, Seeds of manifold and grofs Superftit' 
 on and Idolatry, The Affembly therefore, all in 01 
 Voice, hath reje&ed, and condemned, and by thefe Pr< 
 fents doth rejedfc and condemn the faid Book, not only i 
 illegally introduced, but alfo as repugnant to the D( 
 <ftrine,Difcipline and Order of this reformed Kirk, to tin 
 ConfcfTion of Faith, Conftitutions of General Affemblies, 
 andA&s of Parliament eftablifhing the true Religion; 
 and doth prohibite the Ufe and Pra£Uce thereof: And 
 ordain Presbyteries to proceed with the Ceniiire of the H 
 Kirk, againft all fuch as fhall tranfgrefs. P ( 
 
 II. The Affembly alio, taking to their Confideration 
 the Book of Canons, and the Manoer how it hath been 
 
 introduced, l 
 
'jifts of the General Affembly i6%8. 19? 
 troduced, findeth, that it hath been devifed by tbe 
 'etended Prelates, without Warrant or Dire&ion from 
 le General Affembly ; and to eftablilh a tyrannical 
 ower in the Perfons of the pretended Bifhops, over 
 le Worfhip of God, Mens Conferences, Liberties and 
 joods ; and to overthrow the whole Difcipline and Go- 
 -rmnent of the General and Synodical Affemblies, 
 resbyteries, and Seffions, formerly eftabliflied in our 
 kirk. 
 Therefore the Affembly, all in one Voice, hath rejc&ed 
 id condemned, and by thefe P relents, doth reje& an<jl 
 Dndemn the faid Book, as contrair to the Confeffion of 
 ur Faith, and repugnant to the eftabliflied Govern- 
 lent, the Book of Difcipline, and the Ads and Confti- 
 itions of our Kirk; prohibites theUfe and Practice of 
 ic fame ; and ordains Presbyteries to proceed with the 
 >nfure of the Kirk, againft all fuch as Ihall trangrefs. 
 III. The Aueml?ly having confidered the Book of Con- 
 ' aeration and Ordination, nndeth it to have been framed 
 y the Prelates, to have been introduced and pra&ifed 
 rithout Warrant of Authority, either Civil or Eccle- 
 taftical : And that it eftabliftieth Offices in God's Houfe, 
 /hich are not warranted by the Word of God, and are 
 epugnant to the Difcipline, and Conftitutions of our 
 irk ; that itris an Impediment to the Entry of fit and 
 orthy Men to the Miniftry, and to the Difcharge of 
 leir Duty after their Entry, conform to the Difcipline 
 f our Kirk. Therefore the Affembly, all in one Voice, 
 ath reje&ed and condemned, and by thefe Prefents do 
 eje# and condemn the faid Book ; and prohibites the 
 Jfe and Practice of the fame : And ordains Presbyteries 
 proceed with the Cenfure of the Kirk, againft all fuch 
 s fhall tranfgrefs. 
 
 IV. The General Affembly, after due Trial, having 
 3und, that the Court of high Commiflion hath beqp. 
 re&ed without the Confcnt or Procurement of the Kirk, 
 r Confent of the Eftatcs in Parliament ; that it futve 
 eth the Jurifdiction and ordinary Judicatories and Af- 
 -'mblies oi' the Kirk-Seffions, Presbyteries, Provincial 
 nd National Affemblies; that it is not regukte by Laws 
 
 Civil 
 
I 
 
 
 r 
 
 T92 A&softhe General Affembly \6%%l 
 
 Civil or. Ecclefiaftical, but at the Difcretion and Arbft 
 triment of the Comiflioners ; that it giveth to £cclefia? 
 ftical Perfons, the Power of both the .Swords ; and ti 
 Perfons meerly Civil, the Power of the Keys andKirkjl 
 Certfures: Therefore the Affembly, all in one VoiceJ 
 hath difallowed and ^condemned, and by thefe Prefentsf 
 doth difallow and condemn the faid Court, as unlawful i 
 in it felf, and prejudicial to the Liberties of Chrift'»| 
 Kirk and Kingdom, the King's Honour in maintainin 
 the eftablifhed Laws and Judicatories of the Kirk ; an 
 prohibites the Ufe and Pra&ice of the fame ; and or 
 dains Presbyteries to proceed with the Cenfures of the 
 Kirk, againft all fuch as fhall tranfgrefs. 
 
 Affembly at Glajgow, December 10. 1638* Seff. 174 
 
 Att declaring the Five Articles of Perth to havCk Q \ 
 been abjured^ and to be removed. ||Chn 
 
 ft 
 
 T 
 
 He Affembly, remembring the Uniformity of Wor 
 fhip which was in this Kirk before the Articles office 
 Perth, the great Rent which entred at that Time, andl the 
 hath continued fine©, with the lamentable Effe&s that i< »d 
 hath produced, both againft Paftors and Profeffors, the ttti 
 Unlawfulnefs and Nullity of Perth Affembly, alreadj 
 declared by this Affembly, and that in the neceffary re\ tag! 
 newing of the ConfeJJim of Faith in February 1638, the d, 
 Pra&iee of Novations introduced in the Worlliip of Gocj 
 was fufpended, till they fhould be determined in a fre 
 General Affembly ; and that in the fame Year, at hi 
 Majefty's Command, fome had fubferibed the Confeffw 
 cf Fait b y as it was profeffed when it was fir ft fubfcribJife 
 ed : For thefe Caufes, the Affembly entred into a dili|p- 
 gent Trial of the forefaid Articles, whether they be con 
 trary to the Confeffton of Faith, as it was meaned anflj 
 profeffed in the Year 1*580, i«;8i, 1^90, and i<$ 91. Anchlitr 
 jindeth that firft in general, in the Confejfton of Faith, v?*fik 
 profefs^ « We willingly agre« in our Confciences to th£ 
 
 « Form 
 
 iccfi 
 
 lUg! 
 
 I 
 
 t\ 
 
 Bi 
 s 
 
 ly 
 
'ABofthe General AQemhly 1538. 193 
 
 Form of Religion, of a long Time openly profefledby 
 the King's Majefty, and whole Body of this Realm, 
 in all Points, as unto God's undoubted Truth and Ve- 
 rity, grounded only upon his written Word \ and 
 therefore abhor and acted all contrary Religion 
 andDo&rine, but chiefly all Rinds ofPapiftry, in ge- 
 neral and particular Heads, even as they were then 
 damned and confuted by the Word of God and Kirk of 
 :otland> and in fpecial the Roman Antichrift, his rive 
 baftard Sacraments, with all Rites, Ceremonies, and 
 falfe Do&rine, added to the Miniftration of the true 
 Sacraments, without the Word of God ; his cruel 
 •judgment againft Infants departing without the Sacra- 
 nents, his abfolute Neccflity of Baptiim ; and finally, 
 ,ve deteft all his vain Allegories, Rites, Signs, and 
 Traditions Drought into the Kirk, without or againft 
 he Word of God, and Do&rinet)f this true reformed 
 irk, to the which we join our felvcs willingly in Do- 
 Tine, Faith, Religion, Difcipline, and Ufe of the 
 oly Sacraments, as lively Members of the fame in 
 thrift our Head ; promifing andfwearing, $$c." And 
 it thefe Five Articles are contrary to the Religion 
 An profefled, were confuted by the Word of God, and 
 Ark of Scotland, or are Rites and Ceremonies added 
 tf|he Miniftration of the true Sacraments, without the 
 rd of God, or nourifh the Popifh Judgment againft 
 nts departing without the Sacrament, or ablblute 
 :c(Tity of Baptifm, or Rites, Signs, and Traditions. 
 ?Jught in to the Kirk, without «r againft the W r ord o 
 "I, and Doctrine of this true reformed Kirk, 
 nd next in particular, concerning Feftival Days, 
 ileth, That in the Explication of the firft Head of the 
 Book of Difcipline, it was thought good that the 
 l s olChrlflmas, Cinumci[icn y Epipbanie^ with the 
 ;s of the Apoftles, Martyrs, and Virgin Alary ', be 
 \y aboliflied, becauie they are neither commanded 
 warranted by Scripture ; and that ftfch as obferve 
 1, be punifhed by civil Magiftrates. Here utter 
 ition is craved, and not Reformation of Abufes only : 
 tkatbecaufc theObtervation of fuchFcafts, hath no 
 
f 
 
 HI 
 
 1 
 194 AEI of theGetieal Affembly, 1638. 
 
 Warrant from the Word of God. In the General A/Tern 
 bly, holden at Edinburgh, Anno 1566, the large Ccnfej 
 fion of 'Helvetia was approved,but with fpecial Excepti 
 onagainftthefame Five Days,which are now urged upo: 
 us. It was not then the Popifh Obfervation only, wit 
 the Popifh Opinion of Worfhip and Merit, which wa 
 difallowed ; ( for fo the reformed Kirk in Helvetia di 
 not obferve them) but fimpliciter all Obfervation. Fo 
 this End, was read a Letter in Latin, fent, at that Tim< 
 by fome of our Divines, to certain Divines in the! 
 Parts, to this Purpofe- In the AfTembly holden 1575, i 
 Augufl, Complaint was made againft the Minifters an 
 Readers befide Aberdeen, becaufe they aifembled tr 
 People to Preaching and Prayers upon certain Feftiva 
 days ; fothat Preaching and Prayers upon Feftival-da; 
 was judgedrebukable.lt was ordained likewife, that Con fe 
 plaint be made to the Regent, upon the Town of Dun fc{< 
 fries, for urging and convoying a Reader to the Kir! > 3CL 
 with Tabret and Whittle, to read Prayers all the Hoi 
 Days oiChrifir .zs, upon the Refufal of their own Re 
 der. Among the Articles dire&ed by this Aifembly 
 the Regent, it was craved,«That all Holy-days heretofd^ 
 fceeped holy, befide the Lord's Day, fuch as Tule Da 
 and Saints Days^ and fuch others, may be abolifhed, a 
 a certain Penalty appointed for Banqueting, Playin 
 Feailing upon thefe Days. In the Aifembly holden 
 April, Anno 1577, & was ordained, That the Vifito 
 with the Advice of the Synodal Aifembly, fhould a 
 fnonifh Minifters, preaching or miniitrating the Co 
 munion at Eafler or Chriflmas, or other like lupertitic 
 Times, or Readers reading, to defift, under the Pain , 
 Deprivation. In the Ninth Head of the firft. Bcok 
 Diicipline, the Reafonis fet down againft Eafier-C^[ 
 jnunion; Tour Honours are not ignorant how fupzrfiiti?*^ 
 the Veople run to that Attion at Fafcb-sven, as if E 
 Time gave Vertue to the Sacrament, and how therej]L n } 
 the wbole Tear, they are carelefs and negligent, as riL£ 
 appertained not to them, but at that Time only \ ana^ 
 
 iib 
 
 fas- 
 
 this Reafon, other Times were appointed by that Book,, 
 that b:li Afiion. In the Affembly holden \^6 y br 1 
 
 to 
 
 
Att bf the Gener.il Affembly, 1538. 195 
 in March 159S5 at which Timtfthe C ant was re- 
 newed, Super ftition and Idolatry breaking forth in ob- 
 ferving Feftival-Days, fitting out of -Bone-fires, finging 
 Carols* -are reckoned amongtt the Corruptions which 
 were to be amended ; and the Pulpits did found, from 
 Time to Time, againft aH Miew of obferving any Fefti- 
 Val-Day whatfoever, except the Lord's Day. 
 
 II. Concerning Kneeling at the Communion, findeth, 
 that in the Confeffun of Faith prefixed- before the Pfalms, 
 nd approved by our Kirk in the very Beginning of the 
 Reformation, we have thee Words, Neither in the Mi- 
 iftration of the Sacraments, mufi roe /Hero Men\ but 
 Chrifl bimfelf hath crdahied, fo muft they be mini- 
 red. In the large Cenfeflion of Faith, Chapter 23. It is 
 equired, as neceffiry for the right Miniftration of the 
 acraments* that thev be miniftred in luch Elements, and 
 n fuch Sort, as God hath appointed; and that Men have 
 dultcrate the Sacraments with their own Inventions, 
 b that no Part of ChriiTs Action abidtth in . .riginal 
 ~urity. The judgment of our Reformers, who drew 
 pthe large Ccnfejji on, was, by clear E\ s, ihewed 
 
 &jo be contrary to this Gciture in the Act of receiving 
 he Sacrament. In the Order of celebrating the Lord's 
 upper, prefixed before the Pfalms inMeetre,^/;^ and 
 iflributing by the Communt cants, are joined ; as like- 
 ife by the fecond Head of the firft Book ol Difciplir 
 s nearefl to Chrift's own Action, and to his pertc 
 ~ractice,and moft convenient to that holy Action; and all 
 nventions, devifed by M an, are condemned, as Altera- 
 "ons and Accufations of Chrift's per feci Ordinance : Mi- 
 ifters were enjoined by Ac! or AfTc-mbly in December, 
 S62, to obferve the Order of Geneva, that is, the E»g- 
 ijh Kirk at Geneva (where Mailer Kn x had been fbme- 
 ime Minifter) in the Miniflration of the Sacraments, 
 "his Aft was renewed in the Allembly holden in De- 
 ember 1*564, where MinifUrs are referred to the Order 
 t down before the Pfaln niftration of the Sacra- 
 
 ents, which is all one with the former ; tor that was the 
 rdcr of the En^UJh Kirk at Geneva* 
 
 N 2 
 
 Im 
 
190 sit* oj vnc u ever ai jrtjjemviy i03o# 
 
 In the Parliament holden Anno ijGjy it was declared,. 
 That whofoever did not participate of the Sacraments, as 
 they were then publickly adminiftrate in this reformed 
 Kirk, ought not to be reputed Members of this Kirk. 
 The A& for the King's Oath at his Coronation, to main- 
 tain the due Adminiftration of the Sacraments, as they 
 were then miniftred, Anjzo 1567, was ratified, Anno 
 1 5 Si ; at which Time, the fhort Confejfion, adhering to 
 the Uk of the Sacraments in the Kirk of Scotland, was i 
 fubferibed: As alfo, Anno 1592, after the fecond Sub- 
 scription to the ConfeJJlon of Faith. In the Parliament 
 1572, an A& was made againft fuch as did not partici- 
 pate of the Sacraments as they were then rightly mini- 
 ftred : But the Gefture of Kneeling in the Ad of Re- 
 ceiving, putteth the Mimftration or the Sacrament uled 
 in this Kirk* out of Frame ; whereby it is clear, that 
 whatfoever Gefture or Rite, cannot ftand with the Ad- 
 fruniftration of the Sacraments as they were then mini- 
 ftred, and were miniftred ever fince the Reformation, 
 till the Year 16 18, muft be condemned by our Kirk, as 
 Rite added to the true Miniftration of the Sacraments 
 without the Word of God ; and as a Rite or Traditio 
 brought in, without or againft the Word of God, or Do 
 &rine of this reformed Kirk. 
 
 III. Concerning Confirmation; The Aflembly findeth i 
 to be comprehended in the Claufe of the ConfeJJlon 
 where the Five baflard Sacraments are condemned 
 And feeing Epifccpacy is condemned, Impofiticn of Hand, 
 by Bifhops, falleth to the Ground. And in all the A6t\ 
 for Catechizing, or Examination before Admik 
 iion to the Communion, no Inkling of Imp c fit ion 
 Hands. 
 
 IV. Concerning the Adminiftration of the Sacraments *; 
 private Places , or private Baptilm, and private Comma 
 nion, findeth, That in the Book of common Order, fe; 
 •clown before the Pfalms, it is faid, That the Sacrament, 
 are not ordained of God to be ufed in private Corner s, as 
 Charmers and Sot cerers ufe to dj.but left to the Congregati- 
 on- In th-? Aifembly holden at Edinburgh, in Qttober 
 Anno 15^1, the fame Year and Affexnbly that the Confef- 
 
 fion 
 
\AB of General Jfembly 1 638. 1 97 
 
 fion of Faith was fubfcribed, it w*s ordained, That the 
 Sacraments be not adminiflred in private Hcufes, but 
 folemnly^ according to gocd Order hitherto cbferved. 
 The Minifler of Tranent was fufpendcd at that Time* 
 fir baptizing an Infant in a private Houie ; but, confef- 
 fing his Offence, he was ordained' to make his publick 
 
 1 Repentance in the Kirk of Tranent , before he be releafed. 
 Another Minifter was to be tried and cenfured, for bap- 
 tizing privately, and celebrating the Communion upon 
 J*afcb-day> at the Affembly holden in Oftcber, 1580. 
 "Which A&s and Cenfures make manifeft, that our Kirk 
 abhorred whatfoever foflered the Opinion of the Necef- 
 ilty of Baptifm,.and giving of the Sacrament, as a Via- 
 ticum. 
 
 All which, and many other Ads, Grounds, and Rea- 
 sons, being at length agitated, and with mature Delibc- 
 ration pondered, and Liberty granted to every Man to 
 fjpeak his Mind ; what could be faid further, for thsfull 
 Satisfaction of all Men. 
 
 The Matter was put to Voicing, in thefe Words; 
 Whether the five Articles of Perth, by the Confeflion of 
 .Faith, s/s it roas meaned and profeffed in the Tear 15& 
 1581, 1590, 1591, ought to be removed cut of this Kir, 
 The whole Affembly, all in one Confenr, one only ex- 
 cepted, did Voice, that the Five Articles above-lpc ci- 
 ted, were abjured by this Kirk, in that CcnfeJJicn; ard 
 fo ought to be removed out of it : And therefore pro 
 biteth and difchargeth all Difputing for them, or ob- 
 ferving of them, or any of them, in Ml Time con 
 and ordains Presbyteries to proceed with the Cenlurcs 
 of the Kirk againft all Tranf^reflbrs. * 
 
 N 3 Affembly 
 
 * And for a full Cenfutati n cf tbefc <; Article 
 Perth, and Anfrvers to *B ObicBhps brought in tL 
 Favours^ fee the Book intituled A Re-examination of 
 the 5 Article* enaded at Perth, Anm 16:51, printed 
 
Ip8 'the A& of the General Ajfembly 1639^ 
 
 Ajftrnbly at Edinburgh, Auguft 30. 1639. SeJJl 23. 
 
 III. Att anent advifing with Synods and Presbyte- 
 ries, before Deurrninntion in Novations. 
 
 *T\He General AfTembly confidering, that the intended 
 Reformation being recovered, rtiaj.be eftabliihed, 
 ordains, That no Novation,whieh toy difturb the Peace 
 of the Church, and' make Divifion, be fuddenly pro*- 
 poned and ena&ed : Butib as the Motion be firft com- 
 municate to the feveral Synods, Presbyteries and Kirks, 
 that the Matter maybe approved by all at Home, and 
 Commiflioners may come well prepared, unanimoufly 
 to conclude a folld Deliberation upon thefc Points in 
 the General AfTembly 
 
 AJftmbly at St. Andrews and Ea'ih. Aug. 6. 1841, $cjf*l& 
 
 IV. Act anent Novations. \\\ 
 
 of 
 
 I 
 
 ^Ince it hath pleafed God to vouchfafe the Liberty- of 
 ^ yearly General Ails mblies, it is ordained, according 
 to the A&s of the AfTembly at Edinburgh 1639, and at 
 Aberdeen 164c, That no Novation in Do&rine, Wor- 
 fliip or Government be brought in, or praiHfed in this 
 Kirk, unlefs it be firft propounded, examined and al- 
 lowed in the General AfTembly \ and that f ranfgreffors 
 in this Kind, be cenfured by Presbyteries and Synods. 
 
 * 
 
 I* 
 
 
 i 
 
 i 
 •s 
 
 i 
 
 
######## ######## ####### 
 
 THE * 
 
 DIRECTORY* 
 
 * FOR & 
 
 I Family- worlhip, | 
 
 ££ Approved by the 4c 
 
 ^GENERAL ASSEMBLY* 
 $ O F T H E -5C 
 
 * Church of Scotland, % 
 
 * FOR 44 
 
 i 3 *" 4C 
 
 * Piety and Uniformity in Secret and 44 
 3j Private Worth ip, and. mutual *£ 
 
 * Edification. 4c 
 
 ^r WITH 4t 
 
 & J£ 
 
 :$• An A& of the General Aflembly, Anno *£ 
 '* 1647. for Obferving the fame. 4c 
 
 * . 4C 
 
 * ' 4c 
 
 55- EDINBURGH, 4C 
 
 _* ' Printed hy Thomas Lumifiicn and jfrAjt Robert fon, j* 
 ^ MDCCXXV. *£ 
 
( 200 ; 
 
 i 
 
 Jjfsmblj at Edinburgh, Auguft 24. 1647. Sejf. 19. [I. 
 
 jltt for obf trying the Directions of the General 
 AfftmUy, for fecret and private IVorfoip? and: 
 mutual Edification, and cenfuring fuch as nerleft 
 Friinilj-lVorfirip. 
 
 •TpHc General Affembly, after mature Deliberation 
 doth approve the following Rules and Dire&ions, 
 for cherifhing Piety, and fjfeventing Divifion and 
 Schifm ; and doth appoint Miniilers and Ruling-Elders, 
 in each Congregation, to take fpecial Care, that thefe ] by 
 Dire&ions be* obferyed and followed ; as likewife, that 
 Presbyteries and provincial Synods enquire and make 
 Trial, whether the faid Dire&ions be duly obierved in 
 their Bounds ; and to reprove or ceniure ( according to 
 the Quality of the Offence ) fuch as fhall be found to 
 be reproyeable, or cenfurable therein. And to the End 
 that thefe Dire&iqns may not be rendred inefre&ual 
 and unprofitable among fome, through the ufual Ne- 
 gle£ of the very Subftance of the Duty of Family-Wor- 
 Hiip ; the AfTemblv doth further require and appoint 
 Minifters and Ruling-Elders to make diligent Search 
 and Enquiry, in the Congregations committed to their 
 Charge refpe'&ively, whether there be among them any 
 family or Families, which ufe to negle& this necefTary 
 Duty; and if any fuch Family be found, the Head of 
 the Family is to be firft admonifhed privately to amend 
 this Fault ; and* in cafe of his continuing therein, he 
 is to be gravely and fadly reproved by the Seifion : After 
 which Reproof, if he be found ftill to neglect Family- 
 Wqrfliip, let him be for his Ofoftinacy, in fuch an 
 Offence, fufpended and debarred from the. Lord's Sup- 
 per, as being juftly efteemed unworthy to communicate 
 .ercin, till he amend* 
 
 THE 
 
( *0 1 ) 
 
 "be Dire&ions of the General Membly 
 for Secret and Private Worjhifa and 
 mutual Edification, for cberifbtng Piety, 
 for maintaining Unity, and avoiding 
 Schijm and "Vivifion. 
 
 ESIDES the publick Worfhip in Congre- 
 gations, mercifully eftablifhed in this Land, 
 in great Purity ; it is expedient and necefTary, 
 that lecret Worfhip of each Perfon alone, and 
 -ivate Worfhip of Families, be pre/Ted and fet up : 
 hat with National Reformation, the Profeflion and 
 owcr ,of Godlinefs, both Perfonal and Domeftick, be 
 vanced. 
 
 I. And Firfty for fecret Worfhip, it is mod necefTary, 
 iat every one apart, and by themfelves, be given to 
 ayer and Meditation, the unfpeakable Benefit where- 
 is beft known to them, who are mod exercifed 
 erein ; this being the Mean whereby, in a fpecial 
 r ay, Communion with God is entertained, and right 
 reparation for all other Duties obtained : And there- 
 re it becometh not only Pallors, within their fcveral 
 harges, to prets Perfons of all Sorts to perform this 
 uty, Morning and Evening, and at other Occafions ; 
 it alfo it is incumbent to the Head of tverv Family, 
 have a Care that both themlelves, and all within their 
 barge be daily diligent herein. 
 
 II. The ordinary Duties comprehended under the 
 xercife of Piety, which fhould be in Families, when 
 ey are convecned to that Erfed, are thefe, Firft, Pray- 
 , and Praifes performed, with a ipecial Reference, as 
 ill to the publick Condicion of the Kirk or God, and 
 is Kingdom, as to the prelent Cafe of the Family, 
 d every Member thereof. Acrf j Reading of the Scrip- 
 ts 
 

 U' 
 
 102 7t>e* General AJfemhly** Directions 
 tures, with Catechifing in a plain Way, that the Unde: ±\ 
 {landings of the Simpler may be the better enabled 1 
 profit under the publick Ordinances/' and* they 'mac 
 more capable to underftand the Scriptures, when th« 
 are read : Together with godly Conferences, tending t 
 the Edification of ail the Members in the mod hoi 
 Faith : As alfo, Admonition and Rebuke,upon juft Re* 
 fons, from thole who have ."Authority in the Family, 
 
 III. As the Charge and- Office of. Interpreting ir n 
 holy Scriptures, is a Part rif the Minifterial GallinjL 
 which none ( howioever otherwife qualified ) fhoul.r 
 take upon him in any Place, but he that is duly callcl- 
 thereunto by God, and his Kirk; So in every FamiJJ i 
 where there is any that can read, the holy Scrip ttt'ri ' 
 ihould be read ordinarily to the Family ; And it is con 5 ! 
 mendable, that thereafter they confer, and.byHVay ♦,£ 
 Conference make fome good Ufe of what hath been rea . 
 and heard : As for Example, If any Sin be reprove 
 in the Word read> LJTe may be made thereof, to ma|E 
 all the Family circumfpe&, and watchful againft tl[ 
 fame ; Or if any Judgment be threatned, or mentionel 
 to have^een infli&ed in that.Porrion of Scripture whic •: 
 is read, Ufe may be made to make all the Family feal 
 left the fame, or a work Judgment befal. them, unle 
 they beware of the Sin that procured it* And fina 
 ly, if any Duty be required, or Comfort held fort 
 in a Promife, L'fe may be made to fKr up themfelvt 
 to imploy Chrift for Strength to enable them for doii 
 the commanded Duty ^and to apply the: offered Con 
 fort : .In all which, the lylafter of the Family is to ha^l 
 the chief Hand; and any Member: of the Family 
 propone a Queftion or Doubt for 1 Reiblution. 
 
 IV. The Head of the" Family is to take Care that n 
 of the Family withdraw himfelf from any Part of 
 mily-Worfhip : And feeing the ordinary Perfbrmari 
 of all the Parts of Family-Worfhip belohgeth proj 
 ly to the Head of the Family, the Minifter is to ilir 
 fuch as are lazy, and train up fach as are weak, to 
 Fitnefsfor thefe Exercifes ; It being always free to Per 
 fons of Quality, to entertain one approved by th 
 
 ^ ■ ' ™ Presby 
 
 1 
 
 cc 
 fj 1 
 
D 
 
 For fecret and private Worfirif. 203 
 
 sbytery for performing;- Family Exercife ; And in 
 r Families where the Head of the Family is unfit, 
 another conftantly refiding in the Family, appro- 
 by the Minifter and Seflion, may be imployed in 
 t Service ; \V herein the Minifter and Seffion are to 
 :oantable to the Presbytery. And if a Minifter by 
 ine Providence be brought to any Family, it is 
 lifite, that at no Time he conveen a Part of the 
 lily for Worfhip, fecluding the reft, except in fin- 
 ir CaTes, fpecially concerning thefe Parties, which 
 Chriftian Prudence ) need not, or ought not, to be 
 arted to others, 
 r . Let no Idler who hath no particular Calling, or 
 rant Perfon under Pretence ot a Calling, be fuffered 
 rform Worfhip in Families, to, or tor the fame ; 
 ng. Per fons tainted with Errors, or aiming at Divi- 
 , may be ready ( after that Manner) to creep' into 
 lfes, and lead captive filly and unliable Souls. 
 
 I. At Family-W orfhip, a lpecial Care is to be had, 
 each Family keep by themfeives : Neither requi- 
 
 , inviting, nor admitting Perfons from divers Fa- 
 es ; unlets it be tbofe who are lodged with them, 
 t Meal, Or otherwife with them upon fome lawful 
 afion. 
 
 II. Whatfoever hath been the Effects and Fruits of 
 tings of Perfons of divers Families, in the Times of 
 ruption or Trouble ( in which Cafes many Things 
 commendable^ which otherwife are not tolerable) 
 
 when God hath bleffed us with Peace and Purity 
 
 he Gofpel, fuch Meetings of Perfons of divers Fa- 
 
 es ( except in Cafes mentioned in thefe Dire&ions ) 
 
 to be disapproved, as tending to the Hindrance of 
 
 religious Exercife of each Family by it felf, to the 
 
 iudice ofthepublick Miniftry, to the renting of 
 
 milies of particular Congregations, and ( in 
 
 1 grefs of Time) of the whole Kirk : Befides many 
 
 j ences which may come thereby, to the hardning of: 
 
 Hearts of carnal Men> and Grief of the Godl 
 
 till. On the Lord's Day, after every one of the Fa- 
 ' apart, and the whole Family together, have fought 
 the 
 

 t;.: 
 
 204 *Thc Gtnerd j4Jfembly*s DircEtions 
 
 the Lord ( in whofe Hands the Preparation of Mcf 
 Hearts are) to fit them for the publiek Worfhip, a 
 to blefs to them the publiek Ordinances ; the Mafter 
 the Family ought to take Care, that all within ll 
 Charge repair to the publiek Worfhip, ; that he ail 
 they may join with the reft of the Congregation: Aif 
 the publiek Worfhip being finilhed, after Prayer, v(P 
 fhould take an Account what they have heard : At 
 thereafter, to fpend the reft of the Time, which thrf^ 
 may fpare, in Catechifing, and in fpiritual Con; 
 rences upon the Word of God : Or elfe ( going apalrf f 
 they ought to apply themfelves to Reading, Medim 
 on, and lecret Prayer, that, they may Confirm and ar" : 
 creafe their Communion with God : That fo the ProJpF 
 which they found in the publiek Ordinances may I 
 cheriflied and promoved, and they mo?e edified unti 
 Eternal Life. 
 
 IX- So many as can conceive Prayer, ought to mak 
 Ufe of that Gift of God ; albeit thofe who are Ru J 
 and Weaker may begin »t a Set-form of Prayer, but 
 as they be not fluggifh in ftirring up in themfelv 
 ( according to their daily Neceflities ) the Spirit ' 
 Prayer, which is given to all the Children of God 
 fome Meafurc : To which Effect, they ought to be m 
 fervent and frequent in fecret Prayer to God, for enabli 
 of their Hearts to conceive, and their Tongues to 
 prefs convenient Defires to God for their Family. A 
 in the mean Time, for their greater Encourageme 
 let thefe Materials of Prayer be meditated upon, a 
 made Ufe of, as folio weth. 
 
 ' Let them confefs to God how unworthy thcyare 
 c come in His Prefence, and how unfit to worfhip F K 
 € Majefty ; and therefore earneftly ask of God the Spi 
 ' of Prayer. 
 
 c They are to confefs their Sins and the Sins of t 
 c Family, accufing, judging and condemning them- 1 
 c fclvesfor them, till' they bring their Souls to fome i 
 * Meafure of true Humiliation. 
 
 c They are to pour out their Souls to God, in the 
 « Name of Chrift, by the Spirit, for £ orgivenefs of 
 
 7 r - 'Sins 
 
 at 
 
 X 
 
 
for Jeer et and private JVorJlrip* 205 
 
 ins ; for Grace to repent, to believe, and to live h- 
 ,erly, righteoufly, and godly ; and that they may 
 Jj *rve God with Joy and Delight, walking before him. 
 ; ; c They are to give Thanks to God for his many Mer- 
 :.*r ies to his People, and to themfelves, and efpecially 
 : or his Love in Chrift, and for the Light of the Got- 
 
 >e* • 
 
 'They are to pray for fuch particular Benefits, fpi- 
 itual and temporal, as they ftand in need of for the 
 "ime (whether it be Morning or Evening) as anent 
 ealth or Sicknefs, Profperity or Adverfity. 
 :J* They ought to pray for the Kirk of Chrift in ge- 
 neral, for all the reformed Kirks, and for this Kirk in 
 particular, and for all that fuffer for the Name of 
 "hrift j for all our Superiors, the King's Majefty, the 
 }ucen, and their Children ; for the Magistrates, Mi- 
 I lifters, and whole Body of the Congregation, whereof 
 hey are Members, as well for their Neighbours ab- 
 ent in their lawful Affairs, as for thofe that are at 
 iome. 
 
 < The Prayer may be clofed with an earned Defirc 
 hat God nutr be glorified in theComing of the King- 
 lom of his Son, and in the doing of his Will ; And 
 ,vith Aifurance that themfelves are accepted, and 
 vhat they have asked according to his Will fliall 
 >e done. 
 
 X. Thefe Exercifes ought to be performed in great 
 icerity, without Delay, laying afide all Exercifes of 
 orldly Bufinefs or Hindrances, notwithstanding the 
 ockings of Atheifts, and profane Men ; in reipe& of 
 c great Mercies of God to this Land, and of his fe- 
 re Corre&ions wherewith lately he hath exercifed us. 
 id to this Effeft, Perfons of Eminency (and all El- 
 rs of the Kirk) not only ought to ftir up themfelves 
 d r/amilies to Diligence herein ; but alio to concur 
 "equally, that in all other Families, where they have 
 )wcr and Charge, the laid Exerciics be confcionably 
 rfornr 
 
 XI. Beiidcs the ordinary Duties in Families, which 
 : above-mentioned, exuurdinary Duties, both of Hu- 
 miliation 
 

 loo The General \Affemhly s Directions, 
 initiation and Thankfgiving, are to be carefully perf 
 med in Families, when the Lord by extraordinary ( 
 . cafions (private or publickj calleth for them. 
 
 XII. Seeing the Word of God requireth, that • 
 lhould confider one another t© provoke unto Love a 
 good Works; therefore, at all Times, and fpecially 
 this Time, wherein Profanity abounds, and Mock$ 
 walking after their own Lulls, think it ftrange that 
 thers run not with them to the fame excefs of Riot; |j! 
 very Member of this Kirk ought to ftir up themfelv? 
 and one another, to the Duties of mutual Edification, I 
 Inftru&ion, Admonition, Rebuke ; exhorting one anotafo 
 to manifeft the Grace of God, in denying- (J ngodlinipd 
 and Worldly Lulls, and in living godly, Soberly a 
 Righteoufly in this preterit World, by comforting 
 feeble-minded, and Praying with, or for one anoth 
 Which Duties refpe&ively art- to be performed upon 
 cial occasions offered by Divine Providence ; As na 
 ly, when under any Calamity, Cfofs, or great Dij 
 ficulty, Counfel or Comfort is fought, or when an 
 fender is to be reclaimed "by private Admonition, ah 
 that be not efFe&ual, by joining one or two more in 
 Admonition, according to the Rule of Chrift : That 
 the Mouth of two or three Wit nefTes every Word 
 be eftablifhed. 
 
 XIII. And becaufc it is not given to every one 
 fpeak a Word in Seafon to a wearied or diftreffed Co] 
 fcience, It is expedient, that a Per ion fin that Ca 
 finding no Eafe after the ufe of all ordinary Means,priv 
 and publick,' have their Addrefs to their own Paftor, 
 fome experienced Chriftian : But if the Perfon, troubl 
 in Conicience, be of that Condition, or of that S 
 that Diieretion, Modefty, or fear of Scandal, require: 
 a godly, grave and fecret Friend to be prefent wii 
 them in their faid Addrefs, it is expedient that fuchj 
 friend be prefent. 
 
 XIV. WhenPerfensof diverfe Families arebroug 
 together by Divine Providence, being abroad upon the 
 particularVocationSj or any neceilary Occafions; as they 
 would have the Lord their God with them whitherib- 
 
 ever 
 
 .1 
 
For fecret and private Wor(1?ij>. 207 
 er they go, they ought to walk with God, and not 
 gle& the Duties of Prayer and Thankfgiving, but 
 ke care that the fame be performed by iuch as the 
 ompany fhall judge fitteft. And that they likewife 
 ke hee4 that no corrupt Communication proceed out 
 1: their Mouths, but that which is good, to the Ufe 
 edifying, that it ma^ minifler Grace to the Hearers. 
 The Drift and Scope of all thefe" Directions is no other, 
 t that, upon the one Part, the Power and Practice 
 Godlinefs amongft all the Minifters and Members of 
 lis Kirk, according to their feveral Places and Voca- 
 
 (ons, may be cherifhed and advanced, and all Impiety 
 rid mocking of religiousExercifes fupprefled : And upon, 
 ic other Part,that, under the Name and Pretext of reli- 
 gious Exercifes,no fuchMeetings or'Practices be allowed, 
 are apt to breed Error, Scandal, Schilni, Contempt, or 
 if-regard of the publick Ordinances and Minifters, or 
 gle& of the Duties of particular Callings, or fuch o- 
 er Evils as are the Works, not of the Spirit, but of the 
 lelh, and are contrary to Truth and Peace. 
 
 A. KER. 
 
 
 POSTSCRIPT. 
 
 A Very learned and Godly Div in* having bewailed 
 **- the great Diftra&ions, Corruptions and Divi- 
 fions that are in the Church, hd thus represents 
 the Caufe and Cure : c Among others, a principal (Jaufc 
 of thefe Mifchiefs, is the great and common Negteft of 
 the Governors of Families in the Discharge of that 
 € Duty, which they owe to God for the Souls that are 
 k under their Charge, efpecially in ling them the 
 
 * Doctrine of Chriftianity. Families are v that 
 
 * ; muft be ianctiried to God, as well as Churches : 
 I the Governors of them have as truly a Charge oft 
 
 % Souls 
 
II 
 
 110 Tloe Pofifcriptl 
 
 * the EfTentials of the Faith) yet their Underftandin 
 € muft have Time and Diligence to fumifh them with fui 
 c Knowledge, as muft ftablifli them, and fortifie the 
 c againft Deceits. Upon thcfe,and many the like Confid 
 € rations, we fliould entreat all Chriftian Families 5 to taj 
 
 * more Pains in this necefTary Work ; and to get bett 
 € acquainted with the Subftance of Chriflianity. 
 c to that End (taking along fome moving Treatifes 
 € waken the Heart) I know not what Work fliould I 
 € ter for their Ufe, than that compiled by the Affemlj 
 c at Weftminfter : A Synod of as Godly, Judicious I 
 € vines (notwithflanding all the bitter Words whidi th 
 c have received from difcontented and felf-conceiti 
 c Men) I verily think, as ever England faw ; thougl 
 c they had the Unhappinefs to be employed in Calami 
 € tous Times* when the Noife of Wars did {lop Mer 
 c Ears r and. the Licentioufncfs of Wars did fet ever 
 
 * wanton Tongue and Pen at Liberty to reproach them 
 < and the Profecutioii and Event of thefe Wars, did er 
 € afperate partial difcontented Men, to difhonour thei 
 
 * felves,by feeking to difhonour them. I dare fay,if in t 
 
 * Days of old, when Councils were in Power and / 
 
 * count,?they had but fuch a Council ofBiJhops^s this 
 f Tresbjters ''was, the Fame of it for Learning and Kc 
 *- ncfs, and all- minifterial Abilities, would with ve 
 
 * great Honour have been tranfmitted to Pbfterity. 
 
 * I do therefore defire, that all Mafters of Famil 
 c would firft ftudy well this Work themfelves, and t 
 c teach it their Children and Servants, according to th4 r 
 
 * fevex^al Capacities : And if they once underftand thj 
 c Grounds of Religion, they \yill be able to read otlj| 
 c Books more underftandingly, and hear Sermons more 
 
 * profitably, and confer more judicioully, and hold faftth^ ; 
 
 c Doctrine of Chrift more firmly, than ever they are !ftc f^lt, 
 c to do by any other Courie ; Firft, Let them read arxj r ct ^ 
 
 * learn the Shorter Catzchifm* And Next, The Ltrgzr* 
 ' AndLaftly, Read the Confcjfun of Faitb* 
 
 FINIS. 
 
Att of the General jiffembty] 2 \ i 
 
 Affably at Edinburgh, July.^o, 1649. Scjf. 3c* 
 jilt concerning Catechizing. 
 
 rHe General Affembly taking to their ferious Con- 
 flderation, the great Darknefs and Ignorance, 
 lerein a great Part of this Kingdom lieth, together 
 th the late folemn Engagement to ufe all Means for 
 efiy thereof ; do ordain every Minuter,- with Af- 
 ance of the Elders of their feveral Kirk-Seflions, to 
 e'Cjourfr, that in ever,y Houfe, where t^ere is any 
 an read, there be at leaft one Copy of the Shorter 
 Larger CaXechifms^ Confeffton of Faith, and Directory 
 Family Wcrjjpip.-, and do renew the Adr. of the Affcrn- 
 AuguftlOy 1639*3 for a Day 9/ weekly Catechi- 
 g, to be conftantly obieryed in every Kirk ; and that 
 *|ery Minifter lb order their Catechetick Queftioni, as 
 *reby the People (who do not conveen all at one Tim . 
 t by Turns, unto that Exercife) may, at every Diet, 
 vre the chief Heads of Sfming-Jui \ in a ftiort 
 
 ew prefented unto them : And the Allembly coniide- 
 ig, that notwithftanding of their former A6k, thefe 
 ets of weekly Catechizing, are much flighted and n 
 r&ed by many Minifters throughout this Kingdom ; 
 therefore appoint and ordain every Presbytery, to 
 :e Trial of all the . Minifters within their Bounds* 
 re at leaft in the Half-year, whether they be careful to 
 sp weekly Diets of Catechizing; and if they ftiall find 
 y of their Number negligent herein, they fhall ad- 
 >nifh for the firft Fault ; and if, after fuch Admonition, 
 iy fhall not amend, the Presbyteries, for the fceond 
 ult, (hall rebuke them fharply ; and if after fuch Re- 
 kc they do not yet amend, they fhall be fuipended. 
 
 O 2 Charles 
 
 * Sec Pag$ 52. foregoing* 
 
( 212 ) |l 
 
 Charles I. Parliament 2. Self. 2. Ad ii ; 
 
 ^ an$nt the Catecbifms, Confejfiort of Faith, at 
 Ratification thereof, 
 ■ 
 
 At Edinburgh, February 7, 1549. 
 
 It 
 
 h 
 
 THe Eftates of Parliament, now prcfcntly convee 
 inthi* fccond Scflion of the fecond Triennial Pari: 
 ment, by vertue of an A& of the Committee of Eftati 
 who had Power and Authority from the laft Parliame 
 for conveening the Parliament, havihg^ferioufly confi 
 red the Catccbiftns, V12. the Larger zrfii^Sborter 01 
 with, the Confejjlo* of Faitb y with three A£b of App ( 
 bation thereof by the Commiflioners of the Genera 
 Aflembly, presented unto them by the Commiflioners 
 the faid General Aflembly ; do ratifie and approve tr 
 feid Catechiftns, Confefflon of Faith, and Aits of App 
 batUn of the fame, produced as it is ; and qrdains tht| 
 it be recorded, pubLLfhed, and praftifed. 
 
 'tit* Jt 
 
 }{'r( h*£ 
 
THE £■ 
 
 Gonfefsion of ^Falth, *: 
 
 Agreed upon by ^ 
 
 The Affembly of Divines at Weji^% 
 minfter^ with the Affiftance of the >£ 
 Commiflioncrs from the Church &> 
 of Scotland^ & 
 
 As a Part of the Covenanted Uniformity M* 
 in Religion betwixt the Churches of ^ 
 Chrift in the Three Kingdoms of Scot- »• 
 /4^^ England and Inland. ^ 
 
 WITH >£ 
 
 An Aft of the General Affembly of the *£ 
 Church of Scotland 7 Anno 1647, Ap- _*-• 
 proving the Confejfion of Faith. **~ 
 
 Together with an Aft of Parliament 1649, £ 
 Ratifying and Eftablifhing the fame. **• 
 
 "SO*- H« 
 
 _____ >3_ 
 
 EDINBURGH, «_ 
 
 Printed bjlbomtf Lumifden M&fybn Robert fon, *£ 
 
 MDCCXXV. >*- 
 
 ** WW WW WWW* ¥* 
 
 IWrA ZV-w/jt /r_w rfcr Scripture. 
 
 
2 14 Aft of the General Ajfembly 1647* L 
 
 if- 
 
 Afjemblj at Edinburgh, Aug. 27. 1647, Seffl 23, 
 y4# Amoving the Confejfion of Faith. 
 
 A Confejfion of Faith for the Kirks of God, in thi 
 Three Kingdoms, being- the chiefeft Part of thafc 
 Uniformity in Reiigion, which, by the Solemn Leagmpx 
 and Covenant, we are bound to endeavour ; and thellto; 
 being accordingly, a Ccnfejjion of "JfcttVA agreed upottUd 
 by the Aflembly of Divines fitting at Wejlmtnjier, wit! T 
 the Affiftance of Commiflioners, from the Kir£ of Scot- 
 land \ Which Confejftom was fent from our CommhTion 
 crs at London^ to the Commiflioners of the Kirk met ai 
 Edinburgh, in January laft, and hath been in this Af 
 ftmbly twice publickly read over, examined and confi- 
 tiered ; Copies thereof being alfo printed, that it mighi , 
 be particularly 1 perufed by all the Members of this AC C 
 fembly, unto whom frequent Intimation was publiclJj 
 jjiade, to put in their Doubts and Objections, if the 
 had any ; and the faid Confeifion being, upon d " 
 Examination thereof, found, by theAfTembly, totem 
 agreeable to the Word of God, and in nothing contrary 
 to the received Doctrine, Worfhip, Difcipline and Go? ( 
 vernment of this Kirk. And laftly. It being fa nsceffa- 
 ry, and fo much lorig'd for, that the faid Confejfion tji| f 
 with all poflible Diligence and Expedition, approved 1 t 
 and eftablifhed in both Kingdoms, as a principal Pal t 
 of the intended Uniformity in Religion, and as a foe? 
 cial Means for the more effectual fupprefling of the ( 
 many dangerous Errors and Herefles of thefe TimSj 1 
 The General Ahembly doth therefore, after matinl|j 
 Deliberation, agree unto, and approve the faid Confem 
 *n, as to the Truth of the Matter ( judging it to b 
 Hioft Orthodox, and grounded upon the Word of God <) 
 and alfo, as to the Point of Uniformity, agreeing, for 
 our Part, that it be a common Confejfion of Faith for 
 the Three Kingdoms. The AfTembly doth alfo blefs the 
 Lpr4> $nd thankfully acknowledge his great Merc/, in 
 
 that 
 
 0: 
 
 I 
 
 i 
 
 R 
 
:•• 
 
 jift of the General AJfembly 1647 . 216 
 hat Co excellent a ConfeJJton of Faith is prepared, and 
 hus far agreed upon in both Kingdoms, which we look 
 .poo, as a great ftrengthning or the true reformed 
 Leligion, againft the common Enemies thereof. But 
 1 ft our Intention and Meaning be in fome Particulars 
 ifunderftood, it is hereby exprefly Declared and Pro- 
 ided, That the not mentioning in this ConfeJJton, the 
 veral Sorts of Ecclefiaftical Officers and Affemblies, 
 iall be no Prejudice to the Truth of Chrift, in thefe 
 particulars, to be expreffed fully in the Directory of 
 government. It is further Declared, That the Affembly 
 |mderftandetb fome Parts of the fecond Article of the 
 Thirty one Chapter, only of Kirks not fettled, or confti* 
 :uted in Point of Government ; And that although, in 
 I iich Kirks, a Synod of Minifters, and other fit Perfons, 
 :nay be called by the Magiftrates Authority and Nomi- 
 ation, without any other Call, to confult and advife with, 
 bout Matters of Religion ; and although likewife, the 
 ^iMinifters of Chrift, without Delegation from their 
 IChurches, may of themfelves, and by Vertue of their 
 '■Office, meet together fynodically in fuch Kirks, not yet 
 •Iconftituted ; yet neither of thefe ought to be done, in 
 JKirks conftituted and fettled : It being always free to 
 Tthe Magiftrate to advife with Synods of Minifters ar.-f 
 Ruling-Elders, meeting upon Delegation from th 
 Churches, either ordinarily, or being indited by his 
 Authority, occasionally and fro re nata ; if being alio 
 free to affemble together fynodically, as well fro re na- 
 ta> as at the ordinary Times, upon Delegation from 
 the Churches, by the intrinfical Power received from 
 Chrift, as often as it is neceuary for the Good of the 
 Church, fo to affemble, in cafe the Magiftrate, to»thc 
 Detriment of the Church, withhold or deny his Con- 
 sent, the Neceflity of occafional AJfemblies being £ 
 iemonftrate unto him, by humble Supplication. 
 
 A. KER. 
 
 THE 
 
The CONTENT 
 
 CHAP, 
 
 I. f)F the Holy Scripture* 
 
 ■ II. Of Gody and of the Holy Trinity, 
 III. Of God's eternal Decree. 
 IV. # Of Creation. 
 
 V. Of Providence. 
 
 VI. Oftte Fail of Man, of Sin y and of the Pu* 
 
 nijhment thereof. 
 
 VII. Of God's Covenant with Map. 
 
 VIII. Of Cbrift the Mediator* 
 
 IX. Of &ec-will. 
 
 X. Of Effectual Calling. 
 
 XI. Of Juftlfication, 
 XII- Of Adoption. 
 
 XIII. Of SanSification. 
 
 XIV. 0/ .Sfcv/flg #»'*• . 
 
 XV. Of Repentance unto Life, 
 
 XVI. Of Gw* JPWfc • . . 
 
 XVII. Of ^ Perfeverance of the fames, ^ 
 
 XVIII. OfAjfurance of Grace and Salvation,. 
 
 XIX. Of the Law of God. fl r r^ion*, 
 
 XX. Of thrifiian Liberty, and ^^tKpX'ff ^ 
 
 XXI. Of Religious Worfbih *» d the Sabbath Pay. 
 
 XXII. Of lawful Oaths and Vows. 
 
 XXIII. Of the Civil Magiftrate. 
 
 XXIV. Of Marriage, and Divorce* 
 5CXV. Of the Church. . r v. 
 
 XXVI. Of the Communion of Saint if 
 
 XXVII. 0/ fcte Sacraments* 
 
 XXVIII. Of Bcptifm. 
 
 XXIX. Of *A* Lord's Supper* 
 
 XXX. Of Cburcb-Cenfures. 
 XXXL Of SW* and Councils* 
 
 xxxii. of fa »** </ J»«» *f " D '*h> an * 
 
 of the Refurredion of tbt Dead, 
 XXIII. C/tbc l*fi ?*%***#. IS * 
 
 
( 2i7 ; 
 
 THE 
 
 (CONFESSION of FAITH, 
 
 greed upon, by the Affembly of Divines 
 zxWcflminfler , examined and approved, 
 xAnno 1647, by 'he Church of Scotland. 
 And ratified by A& of Parliament 1649. 
 
 CHAP. I. 
 
 Of the Holy Scripture, 
 
 LTHOUGH the Light of Nature, and the 
 Works of Creation and Providence, do h far 
 manifeft the Goodnefs, Wifdom, and Power 
 of God, as to leave Men unexcufable a ; yet 
 re they not fufficient to give that Knowledge of God, 
 nd of his Will, which is neceilary unto Salvation b. 
 'hereforc it plcafed the Lord, at iundry Times, and in 
 ivers Manners, to reveal himfelf, and to declare that 
 s Will unto his Church c ; and afterwards, for the 
 tter preferving and propagating of the Truth, and for 
 e more lure Establishment andjCo mfoj t^ftheChurch, 
 ^aTnBTthe Corruption oFtEe Flcfh,"lmdtKeTVWIce oF 
 atan, and of the World, to commit the fame wholly 
 unto writing d : Which maketh the holy Scripture to 
 be 'mod neceflary e ; thofe former Ways of God's re- 
 vealing his Will unto his People, being now ceafed /. 
 
 II. Under 
 
 a Rom. 2. 14, 15. Rom. 1. 19, 20. Pfal. 19, 1, 2, 3. 
 Rsm. 1. 52. with Cbap. 2. 1. b 1 Or. 1. 21. 1 Ccr. 2. 
 13, 14. C Hch. 1. 1. d Prov. 22. 19, 20, 21. Luke 1. 
 3, 4. Rtm. 15, 4. Matth. 4. 4, 7, \q. lfai. %. 19, ?Q« 
 
 e 2 Jim. 3. tit 2 fit* U ig* i Hcb* u 1,2. 
 
218 The Confeffun of Faith. Chap, i 
 
 II. Under the Name of Holy Scripture, or the Won 
 of God written, are now contained all the Books of tl 
 Old and New Teftament, which are thefe : 
 
 Of the Old Teflament. 
 
 GEnefis. 
 Exodus. 
 Leviticus. 
 Numbers. 
 Deuteronomy. 
 Jofhua. 
 Judges. 
 Ruth. 
 
 I. Samuel. 
 II # Samuel. 
 
 I. Kings. 
 
 II. Kings. 
 
 I. Chronicles. 
 
 II. Chronicles. 
 Ezra. 
 
 Nehemiah. 
 Either. 
 
 Job. 
 
 Pfalms. 
 
 Proverbs. 
 
 Ecclefiaftes. 
 
 The Song of Songs. 
 
 Ifaiah. 
 
 Jeremiah. 
 
 Lamentations. 
 
 Ezekiel. 
 
 Daniel. 
 
 Hofea. 
 
 Joel. 
 
 Amos. 
 
 Obadiah. 
 
 Jonah. 
 
 Micah. 
 
 Nahunu 
 
 Habakkuk. 
 
 Zephaniah. 
 
 Haggai. 
 
 Zechariah. 
 
 Malachi. 
 
 Of the New Teflament. 
 
 The Gofpels according to 
 
 MAtthew. 
 Mark. 
 Luke. 
 
 John. 
 
 The A&s of the Apa- 
 
 ftks, 
 
 Paul's 
 
hap. i7 The 
 
 aul's Epiilles to 
 
 Romans. 
 
 I. Corinthians. 
 L Corinthians. 
 Jalatians. 
 Lphefians. 
 Philippians. 
 2oloffians. 
 . Theflalonians. 
 I. Theflalonians* 
 . To Timothy. 
 I. To Timothy. 
 o Titus. 
 
 Co?ifeJfion of Faith. 219 
 
 the! To Philemon, 
 
 The Epiftle to the 
 Hebrew?. 
 
 The Epift. of James. 
 
 The 1 ft Epift. of Peter. 
 
 The 2d. Epift.of Peter. 
 
 Thefirft Epift.of John. 
 
 The 2d. Epift. of John. 
 
 The 3d. Epift. of John. 
 
 The Epiftle of Jude. 
 
 The Revelation of 
 John. 
 
 All which are given by Infpirationof God, to be the 
 ule of Faith and Life g. 
 
 g Luke 16. 29, 31. Epb. 2. 20. Rfv.22. 18, 19. 2Tim. 
 3. 16. 
 
 III. The Books commonly called Apocrypha^ not be- 
 ing of Divine Infpiration, are no Part of the Canon of 
 tfie Scripture ; and therefore are of no Authority in the 
 JChurch of God, nor to be any othenvife approved, or 
 
 made Ufe of, than other Humane Writings b. 
 h Luke 24. 27, 44. Row. 3. 2. 2 Pet. 1.21. 
 
 IV. The Authority of the Holy Scripture, for which 
 k ought to be believed and obeyed, dependeth not 
 upon the Teftimony of any Man, or Church; but 
 wholly upon God (who is Truth it felF) the Auth 
 
 reof: And therefore it is to be received, becaufe it is 
 the Word of God. /. 
 
 i 2 Pet. 1. 19, 2l. 2 Tim. > I 1 John 5. 9. 
 1 Tbef. 2. 13. 
 
 V. We may be moved and induced by the Tefl 
 nv of the Church to an high and rent Efteem of t 
 Holy Scripture k. And the Heavenlincfs :e Mat- 
 
 
 k 1 Tim* 3« *5 
 
220 The Confeflion of Faith. Chap I 
 
 tcr, tke Efficacy of the Do&rine, the Ma jefty of the Stile, 
 the Confent of all the Parts, the Scope of the Whole t 
 (which is, to give all Glory to God) the full Difcovery 
 it makes of the only Way of Man's Salvation, the many 1 
 other incomparable Excellencies, and the intire Perfections 
 thereof are Arguments whereby it doth abundantly e- 
 ▼idence it felf to be the Word of God ; yet notwith- 
 ftanding, our full Perfwallon and AfTurancc of the in- 
 fallible Truth, and Divine Authority thereof, is from 
 the inward Work of the Holy Spirit, bearing Witnefs by 
 and with the Word, in our Hearts /. 
 
 I \John 2. 20, 27. John 16. lit 14* \Cor. 2. 109 
 IX, 12- Ifai. 59. 21. 
 
 VI. The whole Counfel of God, concerning all Things 
 aeceffary for his own Glory, Man's Salvation, Faith, 
 and Life, is either exprefly fet down in Scripture, or 
 by. good And neceflTary Confequence may be deduced 
 from Scripture ; unto which nothing at any Time is to 
 be added, whether by new Revelations of the Spirit, or 
 Traditions of Men m. Neverthelefs we acknowledge 
 the inward Illumination of the Spirit of God to be ne- 
 ceiTary, for the faving Understanding of fuch Things as 
 are revealed in the Word n : And that there are fome 
 Circumilances concerning the Worfhip of God, and 
 Government of the Church, common to humane Anions 
 and Societies, which are to be ordered by the Light of 
 Nature and Chriftian Prudence, according to the ge- 
 neral Rules of the Word, which arc always to be obfer- 
 Ted 0, 
 
 vaiTim. 3, 15, 16, 17, Gel. i,8, 9. iTbef. 2.2. 
 n John 6. 4*5. 1 Or. 2. 9, 10, 12. o 1 Cot. i i. 13, 14. 
 I Or 14, 26, 4o. 
 
 VII. All Things in Scripture are not alike plain in 
 themfelves, nor alike clear unto all^ : Yet thofe Things, 
 which are necefTary to be known, believed and obfer- 
 ved for Salvation, are fo clearly propounded and ope* 
 ned in.fome Place of Scripture or other, that not «nly the 
 Learned* but the unlearned, in a due life ot the Ordina* 
 
 f 2 ttU 3« x& 
 
Up I# The Confejfion ofFaithl 22 1 
 
 Means, may attain unto a fufficicnt Under&anding of 
 icm $• 
 
 q Pfal. 119. 105, 13c. 
 
 VIU. The Old T eft ament in Hebrew ( which was the 
 
 ative Language of the People of God of old) and the 
 Teftament in Greck> (which at the Time of the 
 
 riting of it was mod generally known to the Nations) 
 leing immediately iufpired by God, and by his fingu- 
 \x Care and Providence kept pure in all Ages, are 
 aerefore Authentical r ; fo as, in all Controverfies of 
 Leligion, the Church is finally to appeal unto them f> 
 Jut, becauic thefe original Tongues are not known t* 
 11 the People of God, who have Right unto, and Inte- 
 eft in the Scriptures, and are commanded, in the Fear* 
 f God, to read and fearch them t \ therefore they are to 
 )C tranflated into the vulgar Language of every Nation 
 into which they come «, that the Word of God dwel&ng 
 )lentifully in all, they may worfhip him in aa accepti- 
 ve Manner v>\ and, through Patience and Comfort of 
 he Scriptures, may have Hope x. 
 
 r M*t. 5.18. fT/k. 8. 20. A&% 15. 15. John. 5. 39, 
 k6. t John 5. 39. u lOr. 14. 6, 9, 11, 12, 24, 27,2?* 
 m Col. 3. 16. xRom. 15. 4. 
 
 IX. The infallible Rule of Interpretation of Scrip- 
 ture is the Scripture it felf ; and therefore, when thero 
 
 s a Queftion about the true and full Senfc of any Scrip- 
 ture (which is not manifold, but one) i^muft be fearched 
 and known by other Places that fjpeak more clearly jr. 
 y 2 Pet. 1. 20, 21. A8s 15. is, i£. 
 
 X. The Supreme Judge, by which all Controverfies 
 of Religion are to be determintd, and all Decrees of 
 Councels, Opinions of ancient Writers, Doctrines of 
 Men, and private Spirits, are to be examined ; and, in 
 whofe Sentence we are to reft ; can be no other but the 
 Holy Spirit fpeaking in the Scripture ^. 
 
 CHAP. 
 
 x MM. 22. 29, 31* Efb> 2. 20. with ABs 28. 25. 
 
2X1 
 
 The Confeffion of Faith. 
 
 tim 
 
 CHAP. II. 
 
 Of God, and of the Holy Trinity. 
 
 *HERE is btit one only #, living, arid true God 
 who is Infinite in Being and Ferfe&ion c, a mol 
 Pure Spirit d, invifible e y without Body, Parts/, or 
 .paffiqris^, Immutable #, Immenfe /, Eternal i> Incom- 
 prehenfible /, Almighty m> moft Wife», moft Holy 0, 
 moft Free]?, moft Abfolute q> Working all Things ac- 
 cording to the Counfel of his own Imputable and mof 
 Righteous Will r, for his own Glory s, moft Loving ' 
 
 
 I in 
 
 ■* 
 
 1 
 
 Sin #, the Re.warder of them that diligently feek-him w ;1 \\ 
 and withal, moft juft and Terrible in his . Judgments x y > 
 hating all Sin/, and who will by no Means clear the 
 Guilty^ 
 
 2LZ>eut*6*4* 1 Or* 8. 4, 6. bi TAe/. 1. 9. jfer 
 •icio. c jT^Z» 1 1." 7, 8,9. Job 26. 14. &'J6bn.4. 24M& 
 c iTim. 1- 17. f £>£#£. 4. 15, 16. jf^tf 4- "24, with X«M nJ 
 24.39. c? ^J 14- n> i^ h James 1.17. Mai. 3 
 6. i 1 £*#?* 8. 27. jter. 23. 23, 24.. k *?/*/. 90. 2 
 1 Tim. 1- 17. 1 Pfal. 14^. 3. , m Gen. 17. 1. ' Rev. 4, 
 8. n from. i& 27. o //<*/. 6. 3. Rev. 4.. 8. p Pfal* 
 115. 3. q Exod. 3. 14. r $fh* i«\i- s A##« 16. T4. 
 Rom. 11. 36. t 1 jfa&0 4.Vi6. u Exod.14.. 6,j. w HeL 
 11.6. x Nebem. 9.32,33.' y JP/i/. $• 5> 6. z Nab* 
 1. 2, 3. -Extfi. 34. 7. 
 
 II. God hath all Life a> Glory £, GoocLnefs r, blef-» 
 fednels d> in, and ofhlrnfelf; and is alone in, and un- 
 to himfelf All-fufficient, not "(binding in need of any- 
 Creatures which he hath made e, nor dedying any Glo- 
 ry from them yi but only manifefting his own Glory, in, 
 
 by 4 
 
 a John $. 26. b Alls 7. 2. c Pfal. 1 19. 68. d 1 Tim. 
 6. 15. Rem* 9. 5. c ^#* 17. 24, 35* f Jfofc 22. 2, 2- 
 
 ^ 
 
I^iap. 3. The Confeffion of F*ith] 223 
 
 L unto, and Upon them : He is the alone Fountain of 
 Being, of whom, 'through w^om, and to whom are 
 Things^; and hath moft fovereign Dominion ov 
 em, to do by them, for them, or upon them :b- 
 
 er himfelf pleafethA. In his Sight all Things are o- 
 b and manifedt i r his Knowledge is infinite, infallible, 
 d independent upon the Creature £, fo as nothing is 
 him contingent, or uncertain /. He is moft Holy 
 all his Counfels, in all his Works, and in all his 
 ommands m. To him is due from Angels and Men, 
 id every other Creature, whatfoever Worfhip, Ser- 
 [Ce, or Obedience He is pleated to require of them ;;. 
 g Rom. 11. 36. hRev.4. 11. iTim.6. 15. Dan.\. 
 , 35. iHeb. 4. 13. kRorn* n.32>i34* Pfol* 147. 5. 
 Ails 15. 18. B%ek. 115. mP/al. 145. 17. Rom.-j. 12* 
 ?ev- 5. 12, 13, 14. 
 
 III. In the Unity of the God-head there be Three 
 irfons, of one Subftance, Power, and Eternity; God 
 e Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Ghoft 0, 
 he Father is of none, neither begotten, nor proceed- 
 g : The Son is eternally begotten of the er p 
 
 e Holy Ghoft eternally proceeding from the Fat! 
 id the Son q. 
 
 1 John 5. 7. Mat. 3. 16, 17. Mat. 28. 19. 2 Cor. 13. 
 k. p John 1. 14,18. q John 1. 15, 26. Gal. 4. 
 
 C H A P. 1 1 1. 
 
 Of GO D's Eternal Decree. 
 
 1 O D from all Eternity did, by the moft wife and 
 JT holv Counfel of his own Will, freely, and unchange- 
 >ly ordain whatfoever comes to pafs a : Yet lb, ag 
 
 there- 
 
 z Epb. U U. JRvW. lit 3> Hcb. 6. 17, ft.///, c* 
 
ai? n.a&.fKMi chip: j. 
 
 thereby neither is God the Author of Sin b y nor i« ft 
 Violence offered to the Will of the Creatures* nor is the or 
 Liberty or Contingency of fecond Caufes taken away- 
 but rather eftablifhed c . 
 
 bjam. i. ij. 17. 1 John 1. 5. cABs2. 23. Afojl i 
 17. 12. ^#14. 27,28.3^. 19. 11. Prov. 16. 33. 
 
 II. Although God knows whatfoever may, or cai 
 come to pafs upon all fuppofed Conditions d> yet hatl 
 be not decreed any Thing, becaufe he fore-faw it as fii 
 ture, or as that which would come to pafs upon fuel 
 Conditions e. 
 
 d Atts 15. 18. 1 Sam. 23. 11, 12. Mat. 11. 21,2: 
 c Rom. 9. 11, 13, 16, 18. 
 
 HI. By the Decree of God, for the Manifeftation 
 his Glory, fonte Men and Angels /are predeftinated ul 
 to everlafting Life, and others fore-ordained to erer^ 
 lading Death g. 
 , f 1 Tim. 5. 21. Mat. 25- 41- g Rom. 9. 22, 23. Epi 
 I. 5, 6. Trov. 16. 4. 
 
 IV. Thefe Angels and Men* thu* predeftinated ant 
 fore-ordained, are particularly, and unchangeably d< 
 figned, and their Number is fo certain, and definite, tl 
 it cannot be either encreafed, or diminilhed h. 
 
 h 2 Tiw. 2. 19. John 13. 18. 
 
 V. Thofe of Mankind that are predeftinated untj 
 Life, God, before the Foundation of the World was lai " 
 according, to his eternal and immutable Purpofe, ai 
 the fecret Counfel and good Pleafure of his Will, hatl 
 chofen, in Chrift, unto everlafting Glory i, out of hf 
 meer free Grace and Love, without any Fore-fight c 
 Faith, or good Works, or Perfeverance in either d 
 them, or any other Thing in the Creature, as Condi- 
 tions, or Caufes moving him thereunto k, and all to tr 
 Praife of his glorious Grace /. 
 
 i Epb. 1. 4, 9, 11. Rom. 8. 30. 2 Tim. 1. 9. 1 TZu y , 
 5« 9. k Rom. 9. 11, 13, 16. Epb. 1. 4, 9- 1 Epb. u 
 6, 12. 
 
 VI. Ai God hath appointed the Ele& unto Glory, u 
 hath ht% by the eternal and moft free Purpofe ef his 
 
 — — -wn, 
 
Iha 
 
 p. 3. The Covfcfiot? of Faith] 22< 
 
 /ill, foreordained all the Means thereunto m. Wht^- 
 re they who are cle&ed, being fallenia Ada m, are re- 
 HP; 
 
 pemed by Chrift n> are eflfe&ually ca4Jfi:j$to Faith in 
 hrift, by his Spirit working in due Seafon;are juftified, 
 iopted, fan&ihed o> and kept by his Power through 
 aith unto Salvation p. Neither are any other redeem 
 t Chrift, effe&ually called, juftified, adopted, ian&i- 
 fd and faved, but the Ele& only q. 
 tn 1 Pet. i. 2. Eph. i. 4, 5. Eph- 2. 10. 2 Tbsjf. 2. 1 
 1 Tbejf. 5. 9, 10. Tit. 2. 14. o Rc-m. 3. 3c Eph. 1. 5. 
 Tbejf. 2. 13. p 1 ret. 1. 5. q John 17. 9. fi?w. 3. 
 J. to the End. *}ebn 6. 64, 65. J^ifrtf 10. 26. 7*A# 8. 47. 
 gobn 2. 19. 
 
 VII. The reft of Mankind, God was pleafed, accor- 
 pg to the unfearchable Counfel of his own Wi 
 
 ereby he extendeth, or withholdeth Mercy, as b? 
 
 feth, for the Glory of his Sovereign Power over I 
 eatures, to pafs by ; and to ordain them to D 
 
 our and Wrath, for their Sin, to the Praife of his glo- 
 us Juftice r. 
 |r Mat. 11. 25, 26. Rem. 9. 17, 18, 21, 22. iTim. 2. 
 
 20. Jude, v. 4. 1 Pet. 2. 8. 
 
 VIII. The Do&rine of this high Myftery ofPred-fcN 
 tion, is to be handled with fpecial Prudence and 
 
 %rtf y that, Men attending the Will of God revealed in 
 Word, and yielding Obedience thereunto, may, 
 the Certainty of their efFe&ual Vocation, be allured 
 heir eternal Election t. So lhall this Do&rine afford 
 tter of Praife, Reverence, and Admiration of God u y 
 of Humility, Diligence, and abundant Confolation 
 11 that fincerely obey the Golpel to. 
 Rom. 9. 20. Rom. 11. 33. Deut. 29. 29. t 2 Pc 
 o. u Epb. 1. 6. Rom. 11. 33. w Rem. 11. 5,6. io» 
 ct. I* iq. Rom. 8. 33. Luke ic 2c 
 
 CHAP. 
 
226 
 
 "the Cwfeffwn of Faiths 
 CHAP. IV. 
 
 Of Creation. 
 
 Chap; 4, 5] ch 
 
 IT p^afed God the Father, Son, and Holy Ghoft 4 
 for the Manifeftation of the Glory of his eterra 
 
 Power, Wifdom, and Goodnefs b y in the Beginning, 
 create, or make of nothing, the World, and all Thing 
 therein, whether vifible or invifible, in the Space of a; 
 Days, and all ycry good c 
 
 a Heb. 1. 2. John 1. 2, 3. Gen. 1. 2. Job 26. 13. jft 
 •53. 4. b Rom. 1. 20. 3fc>*» 10. 12. P/i/. 104. 24. P/*/. 
 33. 5, 6. c G?#. 1. chap. Jf<?£. 11. 3. Col. 1. 16. Aftf 
 17.24. 
 
 IT. After God had made all other Creatures, he cre- 
 ated Man, Male and Female d> with reafonable and imij 
 mortal Souls £, indued with Knowledge, Righteoumeisjl 
 and true Holinefs, after his own Image/, having thjj 1 
 Law of God written in their Hearts g> and Power t 
 fulfil it h ; and yet under a Poflibility of tranfgreflin 
 being left to the Liberty of their own Will, which w 
 iubjecfc unto Change i. Befide this Law written in the 1 
 Hearts, they received a Command, not to eat of t_ 
 Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil, whteh whi! 
 they kept, they were happy in their Communion wi" 
 God k y and had Dominion over the Creatures /. 
 
 d Gen. 1. 27. zGen.2. 7. with Ecclef. 12. 7. & £' 
 23. 43. b\Mat. 10. 28. f Gen. 1. 26. Col 3. 10. Ef 
 4. 24. g Rom. 2. 14, 1$* h Ecclef. 7. 29. i Gen. 3* 
 6. Ecclef. 7. 29. k Gen. 2. 17. <7ftf. 3. 8, 9> 10,-1-' 
 23. 1 Gen. 1. 26, 28. 
 
 I 
 
 G 
 
 CHAP. V. 
 
 Of Providence, 
 
 On, the great Creator of all Things, doth uphold 
 JT direct, difpofe, and govern ajl Creaturtf, M 
 
 ot 
 
 :a 
 rd 
 iti 
 
 I. 
 
 a Kcb. i» 3. 
 
>hap. $• Tlie Conf effort of Faith. 227 
 
 id Things b y from the greateft even to the leaf! r, by 
 .s mod wife and holy Providence d, according to } 
 (fallible Fore-knowledge e y and the free, and immu- 
 ibl© Counfel of his own Will/, to the Praife of the GJo» 
 r of his Wifdom, Power, Juftice, Goodnefs, and Mcr- 
 
 b Dan. 4. 34, 3<;. P/a/. 135.6. ^i?j 17. 25, 26, 2 < >. 
 
 ?£ 38, 39, 40> 4I5 Chapters, c Mat. ic. 29, 30, 
 
 d Prov. 15. 3. P/tf/. 104. 24. Tfal 145. 1-. c Acts 
 
 18. P/a/. 94. 8, 9, 10, 11. Fpb. 1. 11. P/a/. - 
 
 to*'« g Ifa.6^. 14. ITpA. 3. ic Rom. 9. 17. Gr/*. 45, 
 
 P/<t/ 145. 7. 
 
 II. Although, in Relation to th« Fore-knowledge and 
 ecrce of God, the iirft Caufe, all Things come to p 
 lmutably, and infallibly h: Yet, by the fame Provi- 
 nce, he ordereth them to fall out, according to t 
 ature of fccqnd Caufcs, either neceflaril ~ely, or 
 ntingently /. 
 
 h Acls 2. 23. i Gen. 8. 22. J:r. 31. 3^. En 21. 
 . vtith Deut. 19. 5. 1 Ktmt 22. 28, 34. lfa. 1 7. 
 
 III. God, in his ordinary Providence, naaketh Ufe 
 cans k y yet is free to work without /, above /», and 
 ainft them at his Pleafure ;;. 
 
 k AQs 27. 31, 44. If a. 55. ic, 11. Hof. 2. 21, 22. 
 "of 1. 7, Af*£. 4- 4. 5^£ 34. ic. m Rem. 4. 19, 
 ,21. n 2 Kings 6. 6. 2?tf#. 3. 27'. 
 
 IV. The almighty Power, unfcarchable Wifdom, a 
 r niteGoodnefs of God, lb far m \ the ^s in 
 
 Providence, that it extendeth it felt* even to the rlrft 
 H> and all other Sins of Angels and . o y and 
 t by a bare Permiffion p; but fuch as hath joined wi 
 
 mod wife and powerful Bounding 7, and ot 
 iering, and governing ot them, in a m i>- 
 
 ion, to his own holy Ends r : Yet to, as tl 
 
 P 2 
 
 ^.11.32,33,34. 2 Sam. 2\. 1. 1 
 r. 1 Kings 22.22 y 23. I CAr#*« 
 -4/h 2. 2 4*ffl 4- 27, 28. 
 
 
 .1 
 
2l8 7);* Confejfion of Faith] Chap. £\ 
 
 thereof proceedcth only from the Creature, and not from 
 God, who, being moft holy and righteous, neither is ; 
 nor can be the Author or Approver of Sin f. 
 
 f James i. 13, 14, 17. 1 John 2. 16. PfaU 50. 21. 
 V. The moil wife, righteous, and gracious God, dot 
 oftentimes leave for a Seafon his own Children to mani- 
 fold Temptations, and the Corruption of their own 
 Hearts, to chaftife them for their former Sins, or to dis- 
 cover unto them the hidden Strength of Corruption, and 
 Deceithilnefs of their Hearts, that they may be hum- 
 bled t 'j and to raife them to a more clcfe and conftant 
 Dependence for their Support upon himfelf, and to make 
 them more watchful againft all future Occafions of Sin, 
 and for fundry other juft and holy Ends u. 
 
 t 2 Cbrcn. 32. 25, 26, 31. 2 Sam. 24. 1. u 2 Or. 12. 
 7, 8, 9. Tfal. 73. throughout. Pfal. 77. 1, 10, 12. Mark 
 14. 66. to the End. with John 21. i<>, 16, 17. 
 
 VI. As for thofe wicked and ungodly Men, whom God, 
 as a righteous Judge, for former Sins, doth blind and 
 harden w, from them he not only withholdeth his Grace, 
 -whereby they might have been inlightned in their Un- 
 derilandings, and wrought upon in their Hearts x ; but 
 fometimes alfo withdrawcth the Gifts which they had jt x 
 and expofeth them to fuch Obje&s as their Corruption 
 . makes Occafion of Sin ^: And withal, gives them ov 
 to their own Lufts, the Temptations of the World, an 
 the Power of Satan a ; whereby it 'comes to pafs that they 
 harden themfelves^ even under thofe Means which Go* 
 ufeth for the foftning of others b. 
 
 w R*m. 1. 24, 26, 28. Rom. 11. 7, 8. x Deut. 29 
 y Mat. 13. 12. Mat. 25. 29. z Dtnt. 2. 30. 2 King 
 
 12, 13. a Tfal. 81. ii> 12. 2 Tt>eJ[.2* 10, 11, 1 
 t^Bxod. 7. 3. with Excd. 8. 15, 32. 2 Ccr. 1. 15, 16. Jfa 
 -. 14. 1 Pet. 2. 7, 8. Ifa. 6. #, ic. with AH s 28. 26, 
 
 VI f. As th«(Providence qf God doth, in general, read 
 to all Creatures; fo after a moft fpecial Manner, it taketh 
 Care of, his Church, and difpoieth all Things to the 
 Good thereof*. CHAP. 
 
 c 1 Tim* 4. i 0t Atnos 9. 8, 9, Rt»« $♦ 28. If* 43— 
 4, 5* 14* 
 
Chap^ 6l 
 
 77;* Confejfion of Faith. 
 
 CHAP. VI. 
 
 229 
 
 Of the Fall of Man f 9 of Sin y And of the Tumfnrnt 
 thereof 
 
 OUR firft Parents, being feduced by the Subtiky arJ. 
 Temptation of Satan, fmoed in eating the forbid- 
 den Fruit a. This their Sin, God was pleafed, accor- 
 ding to his wife and holy Counfel, to permit, having 
 purpofed to order it to his own Glory b. 
 ft Gen. 3, 13. 2 Cur. u. 3. b Rom. 1 \. 32. 
 
 II. By this Sin they fell from their original Righteou 
 fiels and Communion with God r, and 10 became dead 
 in Sin d y and wholly defiled in all the Faculties and 
 f^arts of Soul and Body c . 
 
 c Gen. 3. 6, 7, 8. Ecclef. 7. 29. Rom. 3. 23. d C7r;z. 
 17. Epb.i. 1. e T/V, 1. 15. Gen. 6. 5. Jer. 17. , 
 £wr. 3. 10, to 19. 
 
 III. They being the Root of all Mankind, the Gu 
 this Sin was imputed/, and the fame Death in S 
 
 id corrupted Nature, conreyed to all their Poller 
 :fcending from them by ordinary Generation^, 
 f Gen. 1. 27, 28. and Gen. 2. 16, 17. and Atts 17. 2* 
 ith Rom. 5. 12, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19. and 1 Or. k. 21, 
 
 ■> 45> 49» g -P/tf/. 5 1 5. <^»- $• 3- J*£ i4- 4- J** * <• 14- 
 
 IV. From this original Corruption, whereby we are 
 cerly indifpofed, difabled, and macj e oppofite to 
 1 od by and wholly inclined to all Evil i, do prodcecd all 
 
 :ual Tranfgreflions k. 
 
 h Rom. 5. 6. R^w. 8. 7. H:/». 7* 18. CI. 1. 21. i o 
 
 5. <7e/j. 8. 21. Urn. 3. io, 1 1,12. k ]ames U 14., i«)» 
 
 • 2. 2, 3. Aftff. 15. 19. 
 
 . This Corruption of Nature, during this Lito/doth 
 
 lain in tbofe that are regenerated / : And. although 
 be, through Chrift, pardoned, and mortified ; ) 
 h it felf, and all the Motions 'thereof, are truly and 
 bpcrlv Sin m. 
 yt John 1. 8, 10. Rom* 7. U, 17, i3, 2;. James ?. 5. 
 
 v. 2o# 9» Etcfcf. 7. 20. m R.m* 7. 5, 7, S, 25. 
 
 |X7» P Vi. Lv«ry 
 
2 JO The Confejfion of Faith. Chap. H 
 
 VI. Every Sin, both original and a&ual, Being a 
 Tranfgreilion of the righteous Law of God, and contra- 
 ry thereunto n y doth, in its own Nature, bring Guilt 
 upon the Sinner o> whereby he is bound over to t the"J 
 Wrath of God p> and Curfe of the Law q, and* faf J 
 rtiade fubje& to Death r, with all Mifeiies fpiritual / : 
 temporal t> and eternal u. 
 
 n i John 3. 4. o Rom. 2. 1*5. Rom* 3« 9> 19* p Efb 
 2* ^. q Gal. 3. 10. r Rom. 6. 23. s Eph. 4. 18. t Rom 
 8. 20. Lam. 3. 39. u Mattb. 25. 41. 2 Tbejf r 1. 9. 
 
 II. 
 
 * ' > ■ 
 
 CHAP. VII. 
 
 0/ GWj Covenant with Man] 
 
 ID 
 
 tcr 
 ik 
 lo 
 
 I 
 
 1!. 
 
 Ti 
 th 
 
 
 ^HE Diftance beween God and the Creature is ty 
 * great, that although reafonatye Creatures do owe 
 Obedience to him as their Creator, yet they co 
 mever have any Fruition of him as their Bleflednefs an 
 Reward, but by fome voluntary Condeicenfion on GodJJl|j r f ( 
 Part, which he hath been pleafed to exprefs by way 
 Covenant a. 
 
 a Ifaz. 40. 13, 14) 1«5, 16, 17. Job 9. 32, 33. I Sa 
 2. 25. Pfal. 113. 5,6. P/k/. 100. 2, 3. jf<?& 22. 2, 3. jf< 
 -5.7,8. £#&£ 17. 10. ^fff 17. 24, 25. 
 
 II. The fir ft Covenant made with Man, was a Co 
 riant of Works b> wherein Life was promifed to Ada 
 and in him to his Pofterity c, upon Condition of j> 
 fitf: and perfonal Obedience d. 
 
 b Gal. 3. 12. c ft<?w. 10. «). Rom. 5. 12. to 
 d. Gen. 2. 17. GaZ. 3. ic. 
 
 III. Man, by his Fall, having made himfelf un&<- 
 pable of Life by that Covenant, the Lord was pleafc4 
 to make a Second e> commonly called the Covenant of 
 
 .ace: 
 
 c GaU 3.21. Rom. 8. 3« &**• fr 20* 2lt Gc#*W) 
 Ifai. 42. 6* 
 
 DC 
 I 
 
 
Chap. 7* # The Cmfeffion of Faith. 331 
 
 Grace : Wherein he freely offereth unto Sinners, Life 
 and Salvation by Jefus Chrift, requiring of them Faith 
 in him, that they maybe faved • /, and prcmifing to 
 give unto all thofe that are ordained unto Life, his holy 
 Spirit, to make them willing, and able to believe ^g. 
 
 i Mark 16. 1$, 16. John 3. 16. Rom. 10.6, 9. Gal. 3. 
 11. g Pfek. 36. 26, 27. John 6. 44, 45. 
 
 IV. This Covenant of Grace is frequently fet forth 
 \n the Scripture, by the Name of a Teftament, in Refe- 
 
 ence to the Death of Jefus Chrift the Teftator, and to 
 he eVerlafting Inheritance, with all Things belonging 
 
 it, therein bequeathed h. 
 h Hcb. 9. 15, 16, 17. Hcb. 7. 22. Luke 22. 20. 1 Cor. 
 
 1. 25. 
 
 V. This Covenant was differently adminiftred in the 
 (Time of the Law,and in the Time of the Gofpel i: Under 
 he Law, it was adminiftred by Promifes, Prophecies, 
 acrifices, Circumcifion, the Pafchal Lamb, and other 
 
 ypes and Ordinances delivered to the People of the 
 e ws, ail fore-fignifying Chrift to come k> which were, 
 r that Time, fufficient and efficacious, through the 
 peration of the Spirit, to inftruft and build up the 
 left in Faith in the promifed Meffcah 7, by whom they 
 d full RemifTion of Sins, and eternal Salvation ; And is 
 lied, the Old Teftament m. 
 
 i 2 Cor. 3. 6, 7, 8, 9. k Hcb. 8, 9, 10 Chapters. Rem. 
 II. Col. 2. 1 1, 12. I Cor. 5.7. 1 1 Cor. id. I, 2, 3, 4. 
 eb. 11. 13. John 8- 56. m GaY. 3. 7, 8, 9, 14. 
 
 1 VI. Under the Gofpel, when Chrift the Subftance n 
 |as exhibited, the Ordinances in which this Covenant 
 
 difpenfed, are the Preaching of the Word, and the 
 miniftration of the Sacraments of Baptifm, and the 
 rd's Supper 0. Which, though rfewer in Number, 
 d adminiftred with more Simplicity, and lefs outward 
 lory; yet, in them, it is held forth in more Fulnefs, 
 idence, and fpiritaal Efficacy p, to all Nations, be 
 
 Jcrvs 
 
 n C$1. 2. 17. o Mattb. 28. 19* 2C I Cor. \\. ^ 24* 
 
 p Hib* 13.22. to 28. Jfr. 3 it 33* 34* 
 
232 ?The Confejfion of Faith. Chap. 8.' 
 
 Jews and Gentiles $ \ and is called the New Teftament 
 r. There are not therefore Two Covenants of Grace,, 
 differing in Subftance, but One and the lame, under 
 various Difpenfations /. 
 
 q Matth. 28. 19. Epb. 2. i«5, 16, 17, 18, 19. r Zukc 
 22. 20. f Gal. 3. 14, 16. Rom. 3. 21, 22, 23, 30/ 
 Pfal. 32. 1. with Rom, 4. 3, 6, 16, 17, 23, 24. Hcb* 13 
 8. ./?#* 15. xi. 
 
 i 
 
 CHAP. VIII. 
 
 0/ C/?r//£ rta Mediator. 
 
 IT pleafed God, in his eternal Purpofe, to choofc 
 and ordain the Lord Jefus, his only begotten Son, 
 to be the Mediator between God and Man a ; the Pro- 
 phet by Prieft c y and King d, the Head and Saviour 
 of his Church e, the Heir of all Things /, and Judg 
 of the World g : Unto whom he did from all Eternit; 
 give a People, to he h;s Seed h, and to be by him id 
 Time Redeemed, Called, Juftified, San&ified, andl 
 Glorified u 
 
 a Jfai.^2. 1. 1 Pet. 1. 19,20. John 3. 16. 1 Tim* 
 a. <$. b Acts 3. 22. c Heb. <;.' 5,6. d PfaU 2. & 
 Luke 1. 33. e Eph. 5.23. f Heb. 1. 2- g -^^ 17* 3** 
 h John 17. 6, P/W. 22. 30. If aim 53. iOt i 1 Tim. 2. £• 
 i/tf/. 55.. 4, 5. 1 <70r. 1. 30. 
 
 II. The Son of God, the fecond Perfon in the Trinity] 
 being very and eternal God, of one Subftance, an 
 equal with the Father ; did, when the Fulnefs of Ti 
 was come, take upon him Man's Nature i, with 
 the effential Properties, and common Infirmities there 
 o£ yet without Sin / : Being conceived by the Power 
 of the Holy Ghoft, in the Womb of the Virgin Mar/, 
 
 of 
 
 ■ 
 k John 1. 1, 14. 1 John 5. 20. fhiU 2. 6. Qah 4-4* 
 
 
 111 
 
 s 
 
 HI 
 
 € 
 
 n 
 
Chap, 8. The Confejfion of Faith] 233 
 
 of her Subflance m. So that two whole, perfect, and 
 di{Hn& Natures, the God-head and the Man-hood, were 
 infeparably joined together in one Perfon, without 
 Converfion, Compofition, or Confufion ». Which 
 Perfon is very God, and very Man, yet one Chrift, the 
 only Mediator between God and Man o. 
 
 m Luke 1-27,31, 35. Gal. 4. 4. n Luke 1. 35. Col. 
 
 9. Rom. 9. 5. 1 Pff. 3. 18. 1 Tim. 3. 16. o £**». 1. 
 3, 4. 1 Tim. 2. 5. 
 
 III. The Lord Jefus, in his humane Nature thus 
 
 Enited to the Divine, was fan&ified and anointed with 
 ie Holy Spirit above Meafure p, having in him all 
 le Treafures of Wifdom and Knowledge ^ : In whom, 
 it pleafed the Father, that all tulnefs ihould dwell r : 
 To the End, that being Holy, Harmlefs, Undefiled, 
 ind full ef Grace and Truth 5, he might be thorowly 
 xirnifhed to execute the Office of a Mediator and Sure- 
 ty t . Which Office he took not unto himfel£ but was 
 thereunto called by his Father u, who put all Power 
 ind Judgment into his Hand, and gave him Command- 
 tnent to execute the fame w. 
 p Pfal. 45. 7. John 3. 34. q Col. 2. 3. r Col. 1. 19, 
 jiib. y. 26. John 1. 14. t Afts 10. 38. Hcb. 12. 24, 
 ib f 7. 22. u Heb. 5.4* 5. w John 5. 22, 27. Matth. 
 S<*i8. Ads 2. 36. 
 
 IV* This Office, the Lord Jefus did mod willingly 
 
 ndartake x : Which that he might difcharge, he was 
 
 ade under the Law y> and did perfectly riilfil it f, 
 
 ndured mod grievous Torments immediately in his 
 
 oul a> and moil painful Sufferings in his body b : 
 
 as crucified, and died c : Was buried, and remained 
 
 nder the Power of Death ; yet Taw no Corruption d. 
 
 n the third Day be arofe from the Dead c y with the 
 
 fame 
 
 x PfaU 40. 7, 8. with Hcb. 10. ^, to 11. John 10. 18. 
 ?bil. 2. 3. y Gal. 4. 4. z Matth. 3. 1$. Matth. 5. 17. 
 
 Matth. 26. 37, 38. Zafcc 22. 44. Matth. 27- 46* 
 > Matth. 26, 27 Chapters, c Phil. 2. 8. d ^Si 2. 23, 
 *4» 27. & A3* 13% 37. &#r»6«9* f 1 Cor* 15. Jj 4* 
 
234 The Cdttfejfion of Faith* Chap. M 
 
 fame Body in which, he fu/fered f. with which alfo he 
 afcended into Heaven, and there fitteth at- the Right- 
 hand of his Father g? making Interceflion k> and mall 
 return to judge Men and Angels, at the End of the 
 World i. 
 
 f *}ohn 20. 2$, 27. g Mark 16. 19. h Rom. 8. 34 
 Heb. 9. 24. Jfr£. 7. 25. i.-JRvjtt. 14. 9, 10- A&s 1. 11, 
 ^Sj- 10. 42. Matth. 13* 40,41,42. $k<2?5 v. '6. 1 Vet. 
 2. 4. • • 
 
 V. The Lord Jefus, by his perfect Obedience, andj 
 Sacrifice of himfelf. which he, through the eternal Spi-J 
 rit, once offered up unto God, hath fully fatisiied the] 
 Juftice of his Father k ; and purchafed, not only Recon-] 
 ciliation, but an everlafting Inheritance in the Kingdom 
 of Heaven, for, ail thofe whom the Father hath given] 
 unto him /. 
 
 k Rom. 5. 19. Heb. 9. 14, 16. Heb. 10 4» Eph. 5. 2. 
 'Rom. 3. 25, 26. 1 Van. 9. 24, 26. Col. 1. 19, 20. £pA. 
 1. 11, 14. John 17. 2. Heb. 9. 12, 15. 
 
 VI. Although the Work of Redemption was not 
 actually wrought by Chrift till after his Incarnation, yet' 
 the Vertue, Efficacy, and Benefits thereof] were com- 
 municated unto the Ele&, in all Ages fucceffively from 
 the Beginning of the World, in, and by thofe Promifes, 
 Types, and Sacrifices, wherein he was rerealed and 
 Hgnified to be the Seed of the Woman which ihould ; 
 bruife the Serpent's Head, and the Lamb (lain from the 
 Beginning of the World, being Yefterday, and to Day, 
 the fame, and for ever m. 
 
 m Gal. 4. 4, ^. Gen. 3. 15. Rev. 13. 8. Heb. 13.8. 
 
 VII. Chrift, in the Work of Mediation, afteth ac- 
 cording to both Natures, by each Nature doing that 
 which is proper in it felf n : Yet* by Reafon of th< ' 
 Unity of the Perfon, that which is proper to one Nature 
 is fometimes in Scripture attributed to the Perfon de- 
 nominated by the other Nature 0. 
 
 n Heb. 9. 14. 1 Vet* 3. 18.- * Attc 20. 28. Jtbn^ 
 13. 1 J-ohn 3. 16. 
 
 VIII. To all thofe, for whom Chrift hath purchafed 
 Redemption* he doth certainly, and dft&aally apply* 
 
!hap, 9* The Confefficn of faith. -£35 
 
 nd communicate the • fame p, making Interceflion tor 
 hem 4, and revealing unto them, in, and by the Word, 
 Ke Myfterks of Salvation r ; effectually perlwading 
 fhetp'by his Spirit, to bejieve, and obey>; and gover- 
 j ing their Hearts by his W'ord.and Spirit s , overcom- 
 ing all their Enemies by his Almighty I?ower and W 
 I om, in fuch Manner, and Ways, as are moil con'.bnant 
 
 fhis wonderful aud unfearchable Difpenfationf. 
 p John 6. 17* 39. John ic. 15, 16. q 1 J:bn 2. I, 2. 
 
 Xam. 8. '34-' * John 15- i3> 15- E P b - l - 7>8>9- frbn 
 
 7. 6. s jfaAtf 14. 16. Hefc. 12. 2. 2 Or. 4. 13. 2*0*7. 
 
 . 9, 14. Horn. 15. 18, 19. John 17. 17. t Vfal. no. 1. 
 Cor. 15.25,26. .AfaJ. 4.2, 3- C;/. 2. 15. 
 
 CHAP. IX 
 
 •0/ Free-will. ■ 
 
 n OD hath indued the Will of Man, with that 
 natural Liberty, that it is neither forced, r.or 
 any abiolute Neceflity of Nature, determined to 
 ood or Evil a. 
 
 a Mattb. 17. 12. James 1. 14. Deut. 3c. 19. 
 II. Man, in his State of Innocency, had Freedom, 
 id Power, to Will, and to Do that which was Good, 
 d Woll-pleafing to God b \ but yet mutably, fo that 
 e might fall from it c. 
 
 b Ecckf. 7. 29. Gen. 1. 26. c Gen. 2. 16, 17. Gen* 
 6. 
 
 III. Man, fey his Fall into a State of Sin, haph wholly 
 ft aU Ability of Will to any fpiritual Good accompa- 
 ying Salvation d : So as, a natural Man, being alto- 
 gether averfe from that Good c, and dead in Sin /, is 
 lot able, by his own Strength, to convert himfc 
 o prepare himfelf thereunto g. IV. \V hen 
 
 d Rom.^.6. Rom.%. 7. Jobn 15.^ e Kim. > 1M 
 2. f Efb. 2. 1,5. Col. 2. 13. 1 fttV r F}h<> 
 
 • h 3a 4i {• 1 O- B. 14. Titu 3. 3, 4, 5. 
 
2 ?5 The Confefron of Faith. Chap. Td 
 
 IV. When God converts a Sfhner, and translates hii! 
 into t e State of Grace ; he freeth him from his natum 
 Bondage under Sin h ; and by his Grace alone, enablt 
 him freely to Will, and to Do that which is fpirituall 
 Good i\ yet fo, as that, by Reafo* of his remaining 
 Corruption, he doth not, perfe&ly, nor only, Wil 
 that which is Good, but doth alfo Will that which i 
 Evil k. 
 
 h Coh i. 13. John 8. 34, 36. i TbiU 2. 13. Rem. |6 
 18, 22. k Gal. 5. 17. Rom. 7. 15, 18, 19, 21,23. 
 
 V. The Will of Man is made perfe&ly, and immu« 
 tably freg to Good alone, in the State of Glory only /• 
 
 1 Eph. 4. 13. Heb. 12. 23. 1 John 3. 2. Judc v. 24. 
 
 CHAP. X. 
 
 Of EfeBual Calling. 
 
 ALL thofe whom God hath predeftinated und 
 Life, and thofe only, he is pleafed, in his appoiri 
 ted and accep d Time, effectually to call *,by'his Wori 
 and Spirit b, out ,of that State of Sin and Death, ii 
 which theyars by Nature, to Grace and Salvation b] 
 Jefus Chrift c ; inlightning their Minds, fpiritually aj 
 favingly to underftand the Things of God d^ taking a- 
 way their Heart of Stone, and giving unto them an 
 Heart of Flefh e ; renewing their Wills, and, by \ ' 
 Almighty Power, determining them to th#t which 
 Good /, and effectually drawing th«m to Jefus Chrij 
 g : Yet fo, as they cpme moft freely, being made wf 
 ling by his Grace b. H» T 
 
 a Rom. 8. 30. Rom. 11. 7. Eph. 1. 10, ni b 2 Tbej 
 2. 13, 14. a Cor. 3- 3, 6. c Rom. 8. 2. Eph. 2. 1, 2, J, 
 4* 5* 2 Tim. 1. 9, 10. d Ads 26. 1$. 1 Or* 2. 10, 1: 
 Mpb. 1. 17, i8 # e E^h 36. 26. f E^ck. 11. 19. P&/- 
 2. 13. DeutJ^o. 6. E^eh 36. 27. g £/>&. U 19. ?^ ^ 
 
 44> 4^ h c<vrf. x;4. pfah not 3. jfo&i 6. 37; Jta* ' 
 1^17,18. 
 
to. 
 
 p. 10. The Confefjion of Faith. 237 
 
 [.This effe&ual Call is of , God's free, and fpecial 
 
 :e alone *, not from any Thing forefeen in Man *, 
 
 is altogether paffive therein, until, being quickned 
 
 renewed by the holv Spirit i, he is thereby enabled 
 
 ftver this Call, and to imbrace the Grace offered, 
 
 conveyed in it /. 
 
 , Tim. 1. 9. Titus 3. 4, 5. Epb. 2. 4, 5, 8, 9. 
 
 9. 1 1. k 1 Cor. 2. 14. Rom. 8. 7. Epb. 2. 5. 1 JeA» 
 
 \l.E%ek. 36. 27. J«A» 5- 25. 
 
 [I. Eleft Infants, dying in Infancy, are regenerated, 
 feved by Chrift, through the Spirit /», who work- 
 
 iwhen, and where, and how he pleafeth n : So alio 
 til other ele& Perfons who are uncapable of being 
 rardly called by the Mintftry of the Word o. 
 Luke 18. 15, 16. & A8s 2.38, 39. & ]obn 3. 3, 
 1 ]obn 5. 12. & Rom. 8. 9. compared, n ]cbn 
 o 1 ]obn 5. 12. Afts 4. 12. 
 '. Others, not ele&ed, although they may be called 
 the Miniftry of the Word p> and may have fome 
 
 ^irnon Operations of the Spirit ^, yet they never 
 y come to Chrift, and therefore cannot be faved r : 
 
 [ch lefs can Men, not profeffing the Chriftian Reli- 
 
 1, be faved in any other Way whatfoever, be they 
 jr fo diligent to frame their Lives according to the 
 it of Nature, and the Law of that Religion they do 
 
 Fefs s . And, to affert and maintain, that they may, 
 Try pernicious, and to be detefted f. 
 
 Mdttb. 22. 14^ q Mattb. 7. 22. Matth. 13. 20, 21, 
 j. 6. 4, 5. r ]obn 6. 64, 65, 66. ]obn 8. 24. s A3s 
 
 2. ]obn 14* 6. Epb. 2. 12. ]obn 4.22, ]obn 17.3, 
 ]obm V# 9, 10, 11. l Or. 16. 22. £*/. 1. 6, 7, 8. 
 
 CHAP. XI. 
 
 W-* 
 
238 "The Confefftm of Faith. Chap, ij 
 
 CHAP. XI. 
 
 Of Juftificttioti. 
 
 THOSE whom God effe&ually calleth, he a 
 freely juftifieth a : Not by infufing Righteo/ 
 nefs into them, but by pardoning their Sins, and 
 accounting and accepting their Pcrfons as righteo. 
 not for any Thing wrought in them, or done by the 
 but for Chrift's Sake alone ; nor, by imputing Faith 
 felf, the Act. of Believing, or any other evangelical Or_„ 
 dience, to them, as their Righteoufnefs ; but, by irni, 
 pitting 'the Obedience and Satisfa&ion of Chrift untq. 
 them b> they ' receiving, and refting on him and hij 
 Righteoufnefs by Faith ^ which Faith they have, notolL 
 themfelves, it is the Gift of Go! c. 
 
 a Rom. 8. 30. ^Rcm. 3. 24. b Rem* 4» $v 6* 7>i» 
 2 Or. 5. 19, 21. Rum. 3. 22* 24, 25, 27, 28. Titus 3.^ 
 7. Epb. 1. 7. Jtfr. 23. 6. 1 G?r. 1. 30, 31. Rom. <$. 1 
 18, 19. c Atls ic.44. £**• 2. 1 A P£z7» 3.9. u4#j 
 38, 39. rpi>. 2. 7, 8. 
 
 II. Faith, thus receiving and refting on Chrift zi 
 his Righteoufnefs, is the alone Inftrument of Juftifu 
 tion d \ yet is it not alone in the Perfon juftified, bi , 
 is ever accompanied with all other faving Graces; and;i 
 is no dead Faith, but worketh by Love e. 
 
 d ]ohn 1. 12. Rem. 3. 28. Rom. 5..1. e ]amcs 2. 17 
 22, 26. Gal. 5. 6. 
 
 III. Chrift, by his Obedrence and Death, did fully 
 charge the Debt of all thofe that are thus juftiiied, a 
 did make a proper, real, and full Satisfaction to his F 
 ther's Tuftice in their Behalf/. Y$t, in as much as 
 was given by the Father, for them g ; and, his Obe 
 enee and Satisfaction accepted in their ftead b ; and, bo 
 
 freely 
 
 f Rom. <;• 8, 9, 10, 19. 1 Tim. 2. 5, 6. Heb. 10* 10,14 
 Dan. 9. 24, 26. Jfa. 53.4, 5, 6, 10, 11, 12. g Rom* *• 
 32. h 2 Or# 5. 2i» Afotf. 3« X7# £pA« 5» 2. 
 
ip. iiw The Conftjfion of Faith. 239 
 
 r not for any T*hing in them ; their Juftification is 
 of free Gjrace i ; that, both the exact Jufticc,* and 
 Grace of God, might be glorified in the Juftificat 
 f Sinners k. 
 
 Jtom. 3. 24* Bpb* 1. 7. k Rom. 3. 26. ITpi. 2. 7. 
 . God did, from all Eternity, decree to juilifie all 
 
 ft / ; and Chrift did, in the Fulnefs of Time, c 
 neir Sins, and riie again for their Judication tn : 
 erthelefs, they are not juftified, until the ho 
 th, in due Time, actually apply Chrift unto tlem-//. 
 Gal. 3. 8. 1 Ttt* 1: 2, 19, 20. Rem. 8: 3 C7<z7. 
 
 1 Tim. 2: 6: Rww. 4: 25: » O/. 1: 21, 22: GaU 2: 
 !T/V. 3:4, 5,6, j.i 
 
 '. God doth continue to forgiye the Sins of thofe that 
 Juftified : And, although they can never fall from 
 State of Juftification p ; yet, they may, by their Sins, 
 under God's fatherly Difplealure, and not have the 
 
 of his Countenance reftored unto them, until they 
 ble themfelves, confefs their Sins, beg Pardon, and 
 w their Faith and -Repentance a. 
 Mat. 6: 12: 1 ]cbn 1: 7, 9. 1 \obn 2: 1,2. p Zuhe 
 32: ]obn ic: 28; Heb. 10. 14. q Pfal. 89: 31, 32, 
 Pfal. 51: 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12: Pfal. 32: 5: Mar. 26: 
 1 Or. 11: 30, 32: Luke 1: 2c. 
 
 J. The Justification of Believers, under * the old 
 amertt, was, in all thefe Refpe&s, one and the fame 
 
 the Juflification of Believers under the new Te- 
 ent r. 
 Gal. 3:9, 13, 14: Raw. 4: 22, 23, 24. Uth. 13: 8. 
 
 CHAP. XII. 
 
 Of Adoption. 
 
 LL thofe that are juftified, God vouchiafeth, in, and 
 ■ for his only Son Jefus Chrift, to make Partakers of 
 Grace of Adoption a \ by which they are taken into 
 
 the 
 
24° The Cotifeffion of Faith] CftapJ 1] 
 
 the Number, and enjoy the Liberties and Privileges ! 
 the Children of God b, have his Name put upon them ' 
 receive the Spirit of Adoption d, have Accefs to t 1 
 Throne of Grace with Boldnefs e, are enabled to cr 
 Abba, Father/*; are pitied £, prote&ed h y provide 
 for i, and chaftned by him, as by a Father k ; yet nett 
 caft off/, but fealed to the Day of Redemption **, 
 inherit the Promifes n, as Heirs of everlafting Sal 
 tion o* 
 
 b Rom* 8. 17. ]obn 1: 12* C ]er. 14: 9: 2 Cor* 6: 18: R« 
 3. 12. d Rom* 8: 15. e Epb* V 12: Row. 5: 2. f GaJ. 4; 
 g Pfal. ifi£ l 3* b Pm>. 14: 26. i Jkfof. 6: 30, 32: 1 c 
 ^ : 7. k H(?6. 12: 6. 1 Lam. 3: 31. m Epb. 4-- 
 n /&£. 6: 12. o 1 Pet* 1. 3,4. Heb. 1: 14. 
 
 f 
 
 ♦v. 
 
 • 
 
 CHAP- XIII. 
 
 0/ SarMlfication. 
 
 T^HEY who are effectually called, and regenerat 
 having a new Heart, and a new Spirit created 
 tbenv, are further fan&ified really and perfonal 
 through the Vertue of Chrift's Death and Refurre&ion 
 by his Word and Spirit dwelling in them b \ the D<H 
 minion of the whole Body of Sin is deftroyed c, and t" 
 feveral Lufts thereof are more and more weakned a 
 mortified d ; and they more and more quickned a 
 ftrengthened in all faving Graces e, to the Practice 
 true Holinefs, without which np Man fhall fee t 
 Lord /. 
 
 a 1 Cor* 6: 11: Alls 20: 32: Phil* 3: 10: Rom. 6: ^, 
 b ]obn 17: 17.: Epb* $: i6i 2TbeJf* 2: 13. c Rom. 6: 
 14. d Gal. 5; 24: Rem* 8: 13. e Col* 1: 11: Epb* 3: 
 17, 18, 19. f 2 Ccr* 7: 1: He£. 12: 14. 
 
 II. This San&iiication is throughout, in the whoTe 
 Man^; yet imperfect in this Life, there abideth ftM 
 
 fame 
 
 g 1 Tbcjf. 5: 23, 
 
 J 
 
lap. 14.^ Tfo Confejfion of Faith. 24 1 
 
 ie Remnants of Corruption in every Part b ; whence 
 
 (eth a continual and irreconcileable War, the Flefh 
 
 ing againft the Spirit, and the Spirit againft the 
 
 ih u 
 
 , 1 ]obn 1: 10: Rom. 7: 18,23: Phil. 3: 12. i (7a/. 
 
 -K 1 Pff. 2: 11. 
 
 II. In which War, although the remaining Corrup- 
 y for a Time, may much prevail k ; yet through tne 
 inual Supply of Strength from the fan&ifying Spi- 
 >f Chrift, the regenerate Part doth overcome /: And 
 :he Saints grow in Grace m> perfecting Holincfs in 
 Fear of God n. 
 
 Rom. 7: 23. 1 Rom. 6: 14: 1 ]cbn <;: 4: Epb. 4: 15, 
 m 2 Pet. 3: 18: 2 Ccr. 3: 18. n 2 Cr. 7: u 
 
 
 CHAP. XIV, 
 
 Of favitig Faith. 
 
 Grace of Faith, whereby the Ele<£t. are enabled 
 o believe to the faving of their Souls a, is the Work 
 e Spirit of Chrift in their Hearts b ; and is ordi- 
 
 wrought by the Miniftry of the Word c ; by 
 b alfo, and by the Adminift ration of the Sacraments^ 
 
 rayer, it is encreafed and ftrengthened d. 
 
 eb. 10: 39. b 2 Cor. 4: 13: Epb. 1: 17, 18, iC> 
 r. 8. c Rom. 10: 14, 17. d 1 Pet. 2: 2: Att$ 2 
 
 om. 4: 1 1: Luke 17: 5: Rom. 1: if, 17. 
 
 By this Faith, a Chriftian believeth to be true,* 
 foever is revealed in the Word, for the Authority of 
 
 himfelr' fpeaking therein c ; and a&eth differently 
 
 that which each particular PafTage thereof con- 
 :h, yielding Obedience to the Commands/, trcm- 
 
 at the Threatnings^, and embracing the ProrniJes 
 
 Q^ of 
 
 obn 4: 42: 1 TbeJJ. 2: 13: 1 ]ebn $: 10! Alls 24- 14' 
 KI7. :' . 2& g /fa. 66: fc 
 
242 Tloe Confeffion of Faith* Chap. 
 
 of God for this Life, and that which is to come h. I 
 the principal Afts of faying Faith, are, Accepting, 
 # ceivmg, and Reding upon Chrift alone for Juftificat 
 San&ification, and eternal Life, by vertue of the C 
 nant of Grace if. 
 
 h Heb. 11:13: 1 Tim. 4: 8. i ]ohn 1: 12: Afts 
 31: Gal. 21 29: Acts 15: 11. 
 
 III. This Faith is different in Degrees, weak 
 
 lift ftron S * 5 ma > r be often and nian y Ways affailed, 
 l n ' weakned, but gets the Victory /, growing up in n 
 to the Attainment of a full Affurance through Chrif 
 who is both the Author and Finifher of our Faith ». 
 
 k Heb. 5. 13, 14. Rom. 4. 19, 20. Mat. 6. 30. Jll 
 8. 10. 1 Luke 22. 31, 32. JtyA. 6. 16. 1 Joto <$. 4] 
 ♦ • m H<?6. 6. 11, 12. ffc£. 10. 22. Cel. 2. 2. n Heb. it 
 
 
 i 
 
 
 ) 
 
 W CHAP. XV. 
 
 tfr Of Repentance unto Life. 
 
 J3EPENTANCE unto Life, is an erangelical Gracli 
 the Do&rine whereof is to be preached by era 
 Minifter of the Gofpel, as well as that of Faitlfc 
 Chrift b. 
 
 a Zecb. 12. 10. AH s 11. 18. b Luke 24. 47. M<mL 
 15. A$s 20. 21. 
 
 IL By it, a Sinner, out of the Sight and Senfeir 
 only of the Danger, but alfo of the Filthinefs and j 
 oufnefs of his Sins, as contrary to the holy Nature, 
 righteous Law of God ; and, upon the Apprehenfi 
 his Mercy in Chrift to fuch as are penitent, fo gr 
 for, and hates his Sins, as to turn from them all 
 God c, purpofing and endeavouring to walk wit 
 in all the Ways of his Commandments d. 
 
 c E^ck. 18. 30, 31. E{eh 36. 31. If a. 30. 22. 2f& 
 4* Jer. 31. 18, 19. Jtcl 2. 12, 13. Amos 5. 15. PfaUi 
 128. 2 Cor. 7. in d Pfah 119. 6, 59, 106. LuH I 
 iKin£$ 23« 25. 
 
hapi 16. T^ e Confejfion of Faith] 24 j 
 
 III. Although Repentance be not to be relied in, as 
 iv Satisfa&ion for Sin, or any Caufe of the Pardon 
 fereof e, which is the A& of God's free Grace in 
 Lirift/; yet is it of fuch Neceflity to all Sinners, that 
 nne may expeft Pardon -without it g. 
 e E\ek. 36. 31, 32. E \ek. 16. 61, 62. 63. f H<?/. 14; 
 54. Rom. 3. 24. JEpfi. 1. 7. g Xfcfce 13. 3> $• ^#* 17* 
 
 V. As there is no Sin fo fmall, but it deferves Dam- 
 lftn h ; fo there is no Sfn fo great, that it can bring 
 mnation upon thofe who truly repent i. 
 1 Rom. 6. 23. Rom. 5. 12. Mat. 12. 36. i //*. 55. 7. 
 w. 8. 1. 7/tf. !• 16, 18. 
 
 |f. Men ought not to content themfelves with a gene- 
 Repentance, but it is every Man's Duty to endcavou* 
 •epent of his particular Sins, particularly k. 
 l Pfal. 19- 13. Luke 19. 8. 1 Tim. \. 13, 15. 
 T\. As every Man is bound to make private Confeflion 
 .is Sins to God, praying for the Pardon thereof/ ; up* 
 which, and the forfaking of them, he fhall find Jvfer- 
 : So he that fcandalizeth his Brother, or the Church 
 phrift, ought to be willing, by a private or publick 
 feflion, and Sorrow for his Sin, to declare hie Rc- 
 ance to thofe that are offended n> who are there- 
 n to be reconciled to him, and. in Love to receive 
 
 L 0. 
 
 Pfal. 51. 4, 5, 7, 9, 14. Pfal. 32. 5, 6. m Prov. 28, 
 1 John 1.9. n James 5. 16. Luke 17. 3, 4. Jojbu* 
 9. Pfal. 51. throughout 2 Cor. 2. 8. 
 
 CHAP. XVI. 
 Of Good Works: 
 
 OOD Works are only fuch as God bath commanded 
 in his Holy Word a; and not fuch as, without tho 
 
 Q. 2 w»*: 
 
 Mic ah 6. 8. Rc/w. 12. 2. Htb. 1 J. 21. 
 
244 rte Confejsion of Faith* Chap. i| 
 
 V\ arrant thereof, are devifed by Men, out or' bl 
 Zeal, or upon any Pretence of good Intention b. 
 
 b Mat. 15. 9. /fa. 29. 13. 1 Pet. 1. 18. Rom. 10 
 Jchn 16. 2. 1 Sam. 15. 21, 22, 23, 
 
 H. Thefe good Works, done in Obedience to Gc 
 Commandments, are the Fruits and Evidences of a t 
 and lively -Faith c : And, by them, Believers m; 
 fed their Thankfiilnefs d y ftrengthen their Affuranc 
 cdifie their Brethren/, adorn the ProfefTion of the 
 pel,?, flop the Mouths of the Adverfaries b> and gl 
 fie God *, whofe Workmanlhip they are, created 
 Chriil Jefas thereunto k ; that, having their Fruit 
 to Holinefs, they may have the End, eternal Life /. 
 
 c James 2. 18, 22. d Pfai. 116. 12, 13. iPet. 2 
 e x John 2. 3, 5. 2 Pet. 1. 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10. f 2 OJ 
 £. Mat. 5. 16. g T/V. 2. 5, 9, 10, 11, 12. 1 Tiw.dl 
 h 1 Pet. 2. 15. i 1 Pet. 2. 12. Phil. I. 11. John 15I 
 k iTp£. 2. 10. 1 Rom. 6. 22. 
 
 III. Their Ability to do good Works, is not at all. 
 themfelvcs, but wholly from the Spirit of Chriftl 
 Ajid that they may be enabled thereunto, befides/ . 
 Graces they have already received, there is required!] 
 atfrual Influence of the fame Holy Spirit, to work in t' 
 to will and to do, of his go«d Pleafure n : Yet 
 they not hereupon to grow negligent, as if they 
 not bound to perform any Duty, unlefs upon a fj 
 Motion of the Spirit ; but they ought to be diligenl, 
 
 .(lining up the Grace of God that is in them 0. 
 
 m John 15. 4, 5. Efek. 36. 26, 27^ n Phil. 2. 
 Phil. 4. 13.. 2 Cor. 3, 5. o Phil. 2. 12.' Heb. 6. n« 
 2 Pet. 1. 3, <;, 10, 1 1. /fa. 64. 7. 2 Tim. 1. 6. ^#j 
 
 ■^7- ?**fe v. 2$, 21. 
 
 IV. They who, in their Obedience, attain t< 
 greateft Height, which is poffible in this Life, are 
 from being able to fupererogate, and to do mere 
 God requires, as that they fall fliort of much, whi 
 Duty they are bound to dojp. 
 
 p Luke 17. 10. Neb. 13* 22* Job 9. .2, 3* GaU 
 
•■ 
 
 ^ap. 160 Tlit Confejfion of Faith. 245 
 
 V. We cannot, by our beft Works merit Pardon of Sin, 
 > eternal Life at the Hand of God, by Reafon of the 
 rat Diiproportion that is between them and the Glory 
 :ceme ; and, the infinite Diftance that is between us 
 God, whom, by them, we can neither profit, nor 
 zsfie for the Debt of our former Sins £, but, when 
 have done all we can, we have done but our Duty, 
 are unprofitable Servants r ; and, becaufe, as they 
 good, they proceed from his Spirit f\ and as they 
 Wrought by us, they are defiled, and mixed with 
 luch Weaknefs and Imperfe&ion, that they cannot en- 
 e the Severity of God's Judgement f. 
 Rom. 3. 20 Rom. 4. 2, 4, 6. Epb. 2. 8, 9. Tit. 3. 
 7. Rom. 8. 18. PfaJ. 16. 2. Job 22. 2, 3. Job 35. 
 r Luke 17. 10. f Gal. <;. 22. 23. t lfau 64. 6. 
 5. 17. Rom. 7. 15, 18. Pfal. 143. 2. Pfal. 130. 3. 
 I. Yet notwithftanding, the Perfons of Belivers be- 
 ccepted through Chrift, their goad Works alfo are 
 ted in him u ; not as though they were in this Life 
 ly unblameable andunreproveable inGod's Sight w ; 
 ' at he, looking upon them in his Son, is pleafcd 
 pt, and reward that which is (incere, although 
 panied with many WeaknefTes and Imperfedti- 
 
 th 
 
 Epb. 1.6, 1 Pet. 2. 5. ExoR. 28.38. G> ;*. 4. 4. 
 
 Heb. 11. 4. w Job 9. 20. PfaJ. 143. 2. x Heb. 
 
 |2o, 21. 2 Or. 8. 12. Heb. 6. 10. Mat. 25, 
 
 I. Works done by unregenerate Men, although, for 
 Tatter of them, they may be Things which God 
 inds, and of good Ufe, both to themfeWes, and o- 
 y : Yet, becaufe they proceed not from an Heart 
 led by Faith \ ; nor ave done in a right Manner, 
 ding to the Word a ; nor, to a right End, the Glo- 
 |f God b\ they arc therefore (infill, and cannot; 
 
 Q^ 3 pleafe 
 
 \2 Kings 10. 30,31. 1 Kings 21. 27, 29. Pbih 
 16, 18. z Gen. 4. 5. with Heb. 11. 4. Heb*\i< 6< 
 Mr. 13. 3, //#, 1, iz, b MaC. 6. 2, 5, 1 
 
\&fi The Confejfion of Faith* Chap. 
 
 pleafe God, or make a Man meet to receive Grace fr 
 God c. And yet, their Negleft of them is more finf 
 and difpleafing unto God i. 
 
 c H4g* 2. 14. Tit. 1. 15. Atnos <;. 21, 22. Hof. 1. 
 Row, 9* 16. Titaj 3. 5. d P/a/. 14. 4« */*/• 3& 
 jM 21: 14, 15. Afttf. 2$:4i>42» 43>45- Afa*. 23: 
 
 CHAP. XVII. 
 
 Of the Verfeverance of the Saints. 
 
 THEY, whom God hath accepted in his BeloVi 
 effe&uaily called, and fan&ified {?y his Spirit, -< 
 neither totally, nor finally, fall away from the State* 
 Grace: But fhall certainly perfevere therein tojl 
 £nd, and be eternally faved a. 
 
 a Fhil. 1. 6. 2 Pet. 1. 10. John 10. 28, 29. tjohg 
 9. 1 Pet. 1. 5, 9. 
 
 II. ThisPerfeveranceof the Saints depends not 
 their own Free-will, but upon the Immutability of |t \ 
 Decree of Ele&ion, flowing from the free, and uncha 
 able Love of God the Father b ; upon the Efficacy ol 
 jvlerit, and Intercefllon of Jefus Chrift c ; the abidl 
 of the Spirit, and of the Seed of God within thenJii 
 and the Nature of the Covenant of Grace e : from 
 which, arifeth alio the Certainty, and Infallibility tb 
 of/. 
 
 b 2lJw. 2. 18, 19. jfer.31. 3. c Heb. 10. icv, 
 Jtib. 13.20, 21. Heb. 9. 12, 13, 14, i<$. Rom. 8. 3 
 the End. John 17. 11, 24. Luke 22. 32. Hei. 7 
 d 5^# 14* 16, 17. 1 John 2. 27. 1 John 3. 9. e 
 32. 40. f y^fl 10. 28. 2 Tie/. 3. 3. 1 John 2. 19. 
 
 Ill* fteverthelefs, they may, through the Temrt ' 
 tions of Satan and of the World, the Prevalency of Gt 
 ruption remaining in them, and the Negleft of the Mea 
 of their Prefervation, fall into grievous Sins g ; an 
 
 
 1 
 
 ■• 
 
 X 
 
 g Atttti, it !t 70, 72, 74* 
 
 H 
 
- IP- i8# 
 
 cell Time> continue therein h : Wbere'by they in- 
 
 7^ Confeffion of Faith. 
 
 ^47 
 
 ijj ^jod's Difpleafure z, and grieve his Holy Spirit*., 
 * to be deprived of fome Meafure of their Graces 
 Comforts /, have their Hearts hardned m, and 
 Confciences wounded >;, hurt, and fcandalize o_ 
 o y and bring temporal Judgments upon them 
 
 Pfal. 51, Title and Verfe 14. i Ifa. -64/5, 7, 9* 
 
 w. 11.27. ^ -^i 7 ^* 4' 3 0, * Pf a ^ 5 1, ^> IQ 5 I2 * 
 2.4. Gztff. 5.2, 3, 4,6. m //a. 63. 17. Mark 6* 
 Hark 16. 14. n VfaU 32. 3,4. P/iz/. 51. 8. o 2 Sam* 
 14. pP/i/. 89. 31, 32. 1 Or. 11. 32. 
 
 CHAP. XVIII. 
 
 Of the Affurance of Grace and Salvation. 
 
 THOUGH Hypocrites and other unregene- 
 *ate Men may vainly deceive themfelves with falfe 
 >es, and carnal preemptions of being in the Fa* 
 : of God, and Eftatc of Salvation *; which Hope 
 ieirs fhall perilh b : Yet fuch as truly believe in the 
 
 ' Jefus, and love him in Sincerity, endeavouring 
 
 ilk in all good Confcience before him, may, in this 
 i y be certainly afTured that they are in the State of 
 Ice c 9 and may rejoyce in the Hope of the Glory of 
 I, which Hope fhall never make them afhamed d* 
 
 ]ob 8. 13, 14. Micah 3. 11. Deut. 29. 19. John 8. 
 b Matthi 7. 22, 23. c 1 John 2: 3. \Jobn 3. 14, 
 
 19> 2I > 24. 1 ]ohn 5: 13. d Rom. 5. 2, <;. 
 [. This Certainty is not a bare conjectural andprc^ 
 [le Perfwafion, grounded upon a fallible Hope e \ but, 
 infallible Affurance of Faith, founded upon .the Di- 
 l Truth of the Promifes of Salvation/, the inward 
 idence of thofc Graces unto which tncfe Promifes 
 
 arc 
 
 Hcb.6. li, 19, f Hcb* 6: 17, i3. 
 

 
 24S Tty* Confcjfion of Faith. Chap. 
 
 are made g y the Teftimony of the Spirit of Adopt 
 witneffing with our Spirits that we are the Childrer 
 Goib : Which Spirit is the earned of our Inheritar 
 whereby we are fealed to the Day of Redemption r. 
 g 2 Peter i: 4, 5, 10, li. 1 ]obn 2: 3. 1 ]ohn 3: 
 1 Cor. 1: 12. h Rom. 8: 15, 16. i £p£: 3:13, 14. £££ 
 3c 2 Or r - 1: 21, 22. 
 
 III. This infallible Affurance doth not fo belong I 
 the Effence of Faith, but that a true Believer may \v | 
 long, and confli& with many Difficulties, before he 
 Partaker of it k ; yet, being enabled by the Spirit 
 know the Things which are freely giren him ofGc 
 lie may, without extraordinary Revelation, in the rig - 
 Ufe of ordinary Means, attain thereunto /. And th«i 
 fore it is the Duty of every one, to give all Diligen 
 to make his Calling aiid Election fure m ; that therel 
 liis Heart may be inlarged in Peace and Joy in the ho 
 Ghoft, in Love and Thankrulnefs to God,and in Streng 
 and Chearfulnefs in the Duties of Obedience, the p*| 
 per Fruits of this Affurance n : So far is it from iilj 
 dining Men to Loofnefs 0. 
 
 k 1 fdhn 5. 13. Ifal. 50. 10. Mark 9.^24. Pfal. 81 
 throughout. Pfal. 77. to verfe 12. 1 1 Cor. 2. 12. I jfol\ 
 4.13. Heb.6. 11, 12. Epb. 3. 17, 18,19. m 2 PcM 
 1. 10. n Rom* 5. 1, 2, 5. Rom. 14-17. Rom. 15. II 
 Epb. 1. 3, 4. Pfal. 4. 6, 7. Pfal. 119, 32. o 1 JofyU 
 1, 2. Rom. 6. 1,2. Tit. 2. 11, 12, 14. 2 Cor. 7. 1. Rom. I 
 1, 12. ijobn 3. 2, 3. Pfal. 130. 4, 1 John 1. 6, 7. 
 
 IV. True Believers may have the Affurance of thei 
 Salvation divers ways fhaken, diminifhed, and intermit 
 ted ; as, by Negligence in preferring of it \ by falling ■ 
 to fome ipecial Sin, which woundeth the Confcicnce 
 and grieveth the Spirit ; by fome fudden, or vehemej 
 Temptation ; by God's withdrawing the Light of hi 
 Countenance, and fuffering even fuch as fear him | 
 walk in Darknefs and to have no Light p : Yet aii 
 
 tlr 
 
 p Can. <,. 2, 3, 6. Pf. 51. 8, 12,14. fyb. 4. 30, 
 Tf. 77. 1, to 10. Mattb. 26. 69, 70, j\ } -jZn PfaU 3 V 
 fffi 88 throughout Ifau 50. 10. 
 
'lap. ip# live Confeffion of Fait 249 
 
 Wey ncrcr utterly deftitute of that Seed of God, and 
 
 'Jfc of Faith, that Love of Chrift and the Brethren, 
 
 tmt Sincerity of Heart, and Contcience of Duty, out of 
 
 ijiich, by the Operation of the Spirit, this Affurance 
 
 iy, in due Time, be revived q\ and by the which, 
 : the mean Time, they are fupported from utter Def- 
 
 ir r. 
 ; q 1 John 3. 9. Luke 22. 32. Job 13. 15. Pfal. 73. 15. 
 
 al 5 1. 8, 12. 7/tfi. 50. 10. r Mi cab 7. 7,8,9. jfcr. 
 
 .40. 7/a. 54. 7, 8, 9, ic Pfal. 22. 1. pyii. 88.through- 
 
 t. 
 
 u 
 
 CHAP. XIX. 
 
 0/ the Law of God* 
 
 OD gave to Adam a Law, as a Covenant of Works, 
 by which he bound him, and all his Poftcrity, to 
 fcrfonal, entire, exa"&, and perpetual Obedience ; pro- 
 ofed Life upon the Fulfilling,and threatned Death upon 
 leBreach oi it ; and indued him with Powar and Abi- 
 :y to keep it a. 
 
 a Gen. 1. 26, 27. with Gen. 2. iy.'Rcm. 2. 14, 15* 
 ?w. 10. 5. Rom. 5. 12, \<y..Gal. 3. ic, 12. JEcclef 
 h J*b 28. 28. 
 
 II. This Law, after his Fall, continued to be a pcr- 
 '& Rule of Righteoufncis ; and, asiuch, was delivered 
 y Gdd upon Mount Sinai, inTen Commandments, and 
 r ritten in two Tables b : The Four firft Command- 
 lents containing our Duty Cowards God \ and the o- 
 ler Six, our Duty to Man .. 
 
 b James 1. 25. James 2: 8, 10, 11, :z. Rtrf/. 1 j: 8, 9. 
 >eut. 5.32. Ztotf. 10: 4. Tx^i. 34: 1. cMat. 2 
 1 8, 39>4o. 
 
 III. Bcfide this Law, commonly called Moral, God 
 ^as pleafed to give to the People of Jfrael, as 1 Church 
 ^der AgCj Ccr#»onul L*,vs> containing fevwal typi- 
 
 cai 
 
250 The Confejfion of Faith. Chap. 1 
 
 cal Ordinances, partly of Worfhip, prefiguring Chrift 
 his Graces, Anions, Sufferings, and Benefits d\ an< 
 
 partly, holding forth divers Inftru&ions of Moral Du 
 
 ties e. All which Ceremonial Laws are now abroga 
 
 ted, under the New Teftament /. 
 
 d Hib. 9. Chapter, Hcb. 10: 1. Gal.\. 1, 2, 3. O/J 
 
 2: 17. e 1 Cor. 5: 7. 2 Cor. 6. 17. Jude verfe 23; 
 
 f Col. 2. 14, 16, 17. Dan. 9.27. Eph.2. 15, 16. 
 
 IV. To them alfo, as a Body Politick, he gave fun- 
 dry Judicial Laws, which expired together with the 
 State of that People ; not Obliging any other now, fur 5 
 ther than the general Equity thereof may require £. 
 
 gExod:2i Chapter. Exod. 22. i,to2e> Gen:\<^. io* 
 with 1 Pets 2. 13, 14. Mat. 5. 17. with ver. 38, 39. 
 1 Cor, 9. 8, 9. 10. 
 
 V. The Moral Law doth for ever bind all, as well 
 juftified Perfons as others, to the Obedience thereof h ; 
 and that, not only in regard ofthe^Matter contained in 
 it, but alfo in refpe& of the Authority of God the 
 Creator, wKo gave it z. Neither doth Chrift in the 
 Gofpel any way diffolve, but much ftrengthen this 
 Obligation k. 
 
 h Rom. 13. 8, 9, to- Epb. 6. 2. 1 John 2. 3, 4, 7, 8. 
 i James 2. 10, 11. k Mat: 5. 17, 18, 19. James 2. 8. 
 Rom. 3-31- 
 
 VI. Although true Believers be not under the Law 
 as a Covenant of Works,, to be thereby juftified, or 
 condemned / ; yet is it of great Ufe to them, as well 
 as to others, in that, as a Rule of Life informing t;hem 
 of thie Will of God, and their Duty, it directs, and 
 binds them to walk accordingly m ; difcovering alfo 
 the finful Pollutions of their Nature, Hearts and Lives »; 
 fo as, examining themfelves thereby, they may come to 
 further Conviction o£ Humiliation for, and Hatred a- 
 gainft Sin \ together with a clearer Sight of the Need 
 
 they 
 
 1 Rom. 6. 14. Cal. 2. 16. Gal: 3. 13, £07.4.4,5. 
 
 Afts 13. 39. Rom. 8. 1. m Rom. 7. 12, 22, 25. P/a/. 
 
 **9«4> 5>£« * Cor. 7.^19. Gal. 5. 14, 16, 18, 19*20, 2i> 
 
 22,23* rill*/*. 7. 7. Rom. 3.20 o James 1*23, 24* 
 25* &?/«. 7. 9, 14*24. 
 
 f. 
 
flap. 20. 7V Confejfion of Faith, _ 2$l 
 
 ty have of Chrift, and the Perfection of his Obedi- 
 fcep. It is likewife of Ufe to the Regenerate, to re- 
 lain their Corruptions, in that it forbids Sin ^ : And 
 p Threatnings of it ferve to fhew, what, even their 
 ns, deferve ; and, what Afflictions, in this Life, they 
 ay expect for them, although freed from the Curfe 
 |sreof threatned in the Law r. The Promifes of it, 
 like manner, fliew them God J s Approbation of Obe- 
 ;nce, and what BlefSngs they may expect upon the 
 jrformance thereof s ; although, not as due to them 
 the Law, as a Covenant of Works t. So as, a Man's 
 >ing Good, and refraining from Evil, becaufe the Law 
 icourageth to the one, and deterreth from the other, 
 no Evidence of his being under the Law, and not 
 lder Grace u. 
 p Gal. 3. 24. Rem. 7. 24, 25. Rom. 8. 3, 4. q ]ames 
 
 11. Pfal. 119. ici, 1C4* 128. r E^ra 9. 15, 14. 
 ah 89. 30, 31, 32, ^3, 34. s Levit. 26. 1, to 14. 
 ith 2 Cor. 6. »6. Epb. 6. 2, 3. Pfal. 37. 11, with Mat. 
 
 5. Pfal. 19. 11. t Gal. 2. 16. Luke 17. ic. u Rem. 
 
 12, 14. 1 Pet. 3. 8,9, ic, 11, 12. with Pfal. 34. 12, 
 , 14, !<;, 16. Heb. 12. 2S, 29. 
 
 VII. Neither are the forementioned Ufes of the Law 
 ntrary to the Grace of the Gofpel,, but do fweetly 
 mply with it vr, the Spirit of Chrift fubduing, and 
 
 bling the Will of Man, to do that, freely and chear- 
 , which the Will of God, revealed in the Law, re* 
 uirethtobe done x. 
 w Gal. 3. 21. xE^ek 36.27. Heb. 8- 10. with ]en 
 
 CHAP. XX. 
 
 I OfChrijliart Liberty and Liberty of Conference. 
 
 TTH E Liberty which Chrift hath purcjiafed for Be- 
 -vers, under the Gofpel, confift, in their Pre 
 >m fromthcGuilt of Sin, the condemning WVath of God, 
 
 the 
 
I 
 
 t 
 
 __w 
 
 252 The Confeffion of Faith. Chap. 
 
 the Curfc of the Moral Law a ; and, in their being d< 
 livered from this prefent evil World, Bondage to Satai 
 and Dominion of Sin b ; from the Evil of Afflictions, th 
 Sting of Death, the Victory of the Grave, and ever 
 ing Damnation c ; as alio, in their free Accefs to God 
 and their yielding Obedience unto him, not out of 
 ▼ifh Fear, but a Child-like Love and willing Mind 
 All which were common alfo to Believers under tM 
 Law f\ But under the New-Teftament, the Liberty &' 
 Chriftians is further enlarged, in their Freedom froit 
 the Yoke of the Ceremonial Law, to which the Jcrvifi 
 Church was fubjected^ ; and in greater Boldnefs of Ac- 
 cefs to the Throne of Grace A, and in fuller Commu- 
 nications of the free Spirit of God, than Believers,* 
 under the Law, did ordinarily partake of i. 
 
 a Titus 2. 14. 1 Thcf. 1. 10. Gal. 3. 13. b Gal. 1.4. 
 CoU 1. 13. ASs 26. .18. Rom. 6. 14. c Rom. €.28. I 
 Pfal. 119.71- 1 Cor. 15. 54, 5$, 56, S7- Rom. 8. 1. 
 d Rem. 5. 1, 2. e Rom. 8. 14, 15. 1 ]ohn 4. 18. f Gah \ 
 3- 9> *4- g Gal. 4. 1, 2, 3, 6, 7. (J*/. 5. 1. .^ffj 15. 
 10, n. h Heb. 4. 14,. 16. Jff6. 10. 19, 20, 2i,22r 
 i John 7. 38, 39. 2 Or. 3. 13, 17,18. 
 
 II. God alone is Lord of the Confcience k y and * hat! 
 left it free from the Doctrines and Commandments 
 Men, which are, in any Thing,contrary to his Word 
 or befide it, in Matters of Faith, or Worfhip /. So that, 
 to believe fuch Do&rines, or to obey fuch Commands^ 
 out of Confcience, is to betray true Liberty of Confer- '< 
 ence m : And the requiring of an implicite Faith, and 
 an abfolute and blind Obedience, is, to deftroy Libert 
 ty of Confcience, and Reafon alfo n. 
 
 k ]ames 4. 12. Rom. 14: 4. 1 Alts 4: 19. Alts $: 
 29. 1 Cor: 7. 23. Mat. 23: 8, 9, 10. 2 Cor: I. 24. Mat. 
 15. 9. m Col: 2. 20, 22, 23, Gal: 1. 10. Gal: 2. 4, 5. 
 Gah 5: i. n Rom. 10: 17. Rom. 14. 23. lfa.%. 20*ASs 
 17. 11. Joh* 4. 22. Hof. 5. 11. Rev. 13. 12,16, 17. 
 jfer. 8. 9. 
 
 III. They, who, upo» pretence of Chriftian Liberty, 
 do pra&ifc any Sin, or cheriih any Luft, do thereby de- 
 ftroy 
 
r -::i 
 
 Ciap. 20. Tfo Cenfejfion of Faith. 253 
 
 : oy the End of Chriftian Liberty, which is, that be- 
 j delivered out of the Hands of our Enemies, we 
 .ght ferve the Lord without Fear, in Holinefs and 
 ^ghteoufhefs before him, all the Days of our Life 0. 
 o Gal. 5. 13. 1 Pet. 2. 16. 2 Pet: 2. 19. ]obn 8: 34. 
 
 vkc 1. 74> 75- 
 
 IV. And becaufe the Powers which God hath ordain- 
 
 , and the Liberty which Chrift hath purchafed, arc 
 
 t intended by God, to deftroy, but mutually to up- 
 
 ld and prefervc one another; They, who, upon pre- 
 
 nce of Chriftian Liberty ,fhall oppofe any lawtul Power, 
 
 Ithe lawful Exercife of it, whether it be Civil or Ec- 
 
 lefiaftical, refift the Ordinance of God p. And, for 
 
 leir publifhing of fuch Opinions, or maintaining of fuch 
 
 lra<fhces, as are contrary to the Light of Nature, or t<* 
 
 ke known Principles of Chriftianity, whether con- 
 
 irning Faith, Worihip, or Converfation ; or, to the 
 
 owcr of Godlinefs ; or, fuch erroneous Opinions or 
 
 raftices, as either in their own Nature, or in the 
 
 lanner of publifhing or maintaining them, are deftru- 
 
 ive to the external Peace and Order which Chrift hath 
 
 ablifhed in the Church, they may lawfully be cal- 
 
 d to account, and proceeded againft by the Cenfures 
 
 "the Church q y and by the Power of the Civil Ma- 
 
 ftrate r. 
 
 p Mat. 12. 2<>. 1 Pet: 2: 13, 14: 16. Rom. 13. t, to 9. 
 
 eb: 13. 17. q Rom 1. 32. with 1 Or; 5. 1, 5, IL, 13. 
 
 ]obn verfe 10, 1 1. & 2 Tbef. 3. 14. & \ Tim: 6. 3, 4, 
 N* & Titus 1. 10, 11, 13. & Titus 3. 10 with Mat. !#• 
 p> l ^> I7« 1 Tim. i. 19, 2c Rev. 2. 2, 14, 15, 20. Rev. 
 I* 9. r Deut. 13. 6, to 12. Rom. 13. 3, 4. with 2 fob. 
 
 Ieife 10, 11. E\ra 7. 23, 25, 26, 27, 28. Rev. 17. 12, 
 6, i-j.Nebem. 13. 15, 17,21,22,25, 30. 2 JC/zgr 23. 5,6, 
 >> 20, 21. 2 Cbran. 34. 33. 2Cbron. 15. 12, 13, 16. Dan. 
 ■• 29. 1 27/tf. 2. 2. 7/*/. 49. 23. Zcri. 13. 2, 3. 
 
 CHAP. 
 
 1 
 
II 
 
 254 I** Confejfion ofFaithl Chap, ill 
 
 II 
 
 CHAP. XXI. 
 
 Of Religious Worfhip and the Sabhath Day 
 
 npH E Light of Nature flieweth that there is a 
 * who hath Lordfhip and Sovereignty over all; 
 good, and doth good unto all ; and is therefore to 
 feared, loved, praifed, called upon, trufted in, 
 ferved with all the Heart, and with all the Soul, a 
 with all the might a. But, the acceptable Way 
 Worfhipping the true God, is inftituted by himfelf,j 
 and fo limited by his own revealed Will, that he may not 1 
 be worfhipped according to the Imaginations and De- \ 
 vices of Men, or the Suggeftions of Satan, under any \ 
 vifible Representation, or any other Way not prefcri- 
 bed in the Holy Scripture b. 
 
 a Horn. i. 20. A&s 17. 24. Pfal. up. 68. Jer. \o.\. 
 Pfal.31.2i.Vfal. 18. 3. Rom. 10. 12. Pfal. 62. 8. jfy 
 24.14. Maria 12. 33. b Dwt. 12. 32. Matth. 15 
 Ads 17. 2<;. Mattb.4. 9, 10. Deut. 4. 15, to 20. Exo< 
 20. 4, <;, 6. Col. 2. 23. 
 
 II. Religious Worfhip is to be given to God the F; 
 ther, Son, and Holy Ghoft ; and to Him alone c ; no 
 to Angels, Saints, or any other Creature d : And* firm 
 the Wll, not without a Mediator; nor, in the Media* 
 tion of any other, but of Chrifl alone e. 
 
 cMattb. 4. iq. with Job. «;. 23. & 2 Cor. 13. 14. 
 d Col. 2. 18. Rev. 19. 10. Rom. 1. 25. e John 14. 6, 
 l Tim. 2. "J, Epb. 2. 18. CW. 3. 17. 
 
 III. Prayer, with Thankfgiving, being one fpecial 
 Part of Religious Worfhip /, is, by God required of 
 all Men^ ; and, that it may be accepted, it is to be 
 made in the Name of the Son £, by the Help of his Spi- 
 rit i> according to his Will k, with Underftanding,Reve- 
 
 rencc, 
 
 f Phil. 4. 6. g Pfal. 6$. 2. h John 14. 13, If 
 1 Pet 2. 5. i Row. 8. 26. k 1 jMp 5, 14. 
 
 

 ap. 21. "the Con fejfion of Faith. 255 
 
 ce, Humility, Fervency, Faith, Love, and Perfe- 
 ance I ; and, if vocal, in a known Tongue m. 
 
 Pfal. 47. 7. Eclef. 5. 1, 2. Heb^2. 28. Gen. 1 3. 27. 
 
 W..5. 16. 3fa*tt- I- 6, 7. Mark 11. 24. Matth. 6. 12, 
 
 , 15, Col. 4. 2. Epb. 6. 18. m 1 Or: 14. 14. 
 
 V. Prayer is to be made for Things lawful n> and 
 
 all Sorts of Men living, or that fhall live bereaf- 
 
 : But not for the Dead p, nor for thofe of whom 
 
 ay be known, that they have finned the Sin unto 
 
 ath q . 
 
 1. 1 John. <j. 14, o 1 Tim. 2. 1, 2. ]ohn 17. 20. 
 'am. 7. 29. Ruth 4. 12. p 2 Sam. 12, 21, 22, 23, 
 thZ«ite 16. 25, 26. Sfxr. 14. 13. q i jfo&fl 5. 16. 
 
 V. The reading of the Scriptures with Godly Fear r, 
 e found Preaching j, and confcionable Hearing of the 
 ord, in Obedience unto God, with Underftanding, 
 ith, and Reverence t ; Singing of Pfalms with Grace 
 the Heart u ; as alfo, the due Adminiftration, and 
 >rthy Receiving ofthe Sacraments inftituted byChrift ; 
 e all Parts of the ordinary Religious Worfhip of 
 od m : Befide Religious Oaths x, Vows y, folemn 3 
 
 flings f, and Thankigivings 3 upon fpecial Occasions a* 
 
 lich are, in their feveral Times and oeafons, to be ufed 
 
 an holy and religious Manner b. 
 
 x Ails 15. 21. Rev. 1.3. s 2 Tiw, 4. 2. t James 1. 
 
 f Acts 10. 33. Matth. 13. 19. Heb. 4. 2. Ifaz. 66. 2. 
 
 Col. 3. 16. Epb. 5. 19. James 5. 13. w Mat. 28. 
 9. 1CV.1 1.23^029. Attsi.\2. x Deut. 6.13. with Neb, 
 p.29. y Jfai. 19. 21. with Ecclef. 5.4, 5. Z jfo/ 2.12.- 
 hfiber 4. 16. Matth. 9. 15. 1 C:r. 7. 5. a iy*/. 107. 
 firoughout. Efther 9: 22. b He£. 12. 28. 
 
 VI. Neither Prayer, nor any other Part of religi- 
 'i* Worlhip, is now, under the Gofpel, either tyed un- 
 S or made more acceptable by any Place, in which it is 
 
 \ or Towards which it is directed c : But God 
 to be worlhippcd every where d, in Spirit and 
 
 Truth 
 
 c ]oba 4. 21. d Mai. 1. 1 1. 1 Tim, 2. S. 
 
2 $6 TToe Confcjfion of Faith] Chap. 21 
 
 Truth e :~As in private Families /, daily g r and in f c 
 cret, each one by himfelf h ; fo, more folemnly, 
 the publick AfTemblies, which are not carelefly, or 1 
 fully to be neglected, or forfaken, when God, by 
 Word or Providence, calleth thereunto u 
 
 Cjfobn 4. 23, 24. f ]er. ic. 25. Deut. 6. 6,. 7. J 
 I. 5. 2 *SV*/#. 6. 18,20. 1 Pet. 3.7. ./4fo 10. 2. g Mi 
 6. 11. h MattA. 6. 6. £/>£. 6. 18. i Ifa. 56. 7. iff 
 10.25. -P^v. 1. 20, 21,24. Prw. 8.34. .kfo 13. 4 
 Luke 4. 16. ./4fo 2. 42. 
 
 VII. As it is of the Law of Nature, that, in genera 
 a due Proportion of Time be fet apart, for the Worfhi 
 of God ; fo, in his Word, by a pofitive, moral, an 
 
 Serpetual Commandment, binding all Men, in all Age 
 e hath particularly appointed One Day in Seven, fo 
 sl Sabbath, to be kept holy unto him k : Which, fron 
 the Beginning of the World to theRefurre&ion of Chrift 
 was the laft Day of the Week ; and, from the Refur- 
 re&ion of Chrift, was changed into the Fir ft Day o^ 
 the Week /, which, in Scripture, is called the Lord' 
 Day m> and is to be continued to the End of th 
 World, as the Chriftian Sabbath n* 
 
 k Exod. 20. 8, 10 11. Ifa. 56. i 9 4> 6, 7* 1 Gtn. 2 
 2, 3. 1 Cor. 16. i,2../4ff$20. 7. m Rev* u 10. n Exod> 
 20.8, 10. -with Mat t b. 5. 17,18. 
 
 VIII. This Sabbath is then kept holy unto the Lord, 
 when Men, after a due preparing of their Hearts, and 
 ordering of their common Affairs before-hand, do no 
 onlyobferve an holy Reft, all the Day, from their ow 
 Works,. Words, and Thoughts about their Worldly Im 
 ployments, and Recreations 0, but alfo are taken up the 
 whole Time, in the Publick and Private Exercifes 
 his Worfhip, and in the Duties of Neceffity a 
 Mercy p. 
 
 o Exod. 20. 8. Exod. 16. 23,2*;, 26, 29, 30. Exod* 
 31. 15, 16, 17. Ifa. 58. 13. Nebs/n. 13. 15, 16, 17, 1$, 
 10, 2i> 22. p Ifa. 58. 13. yiatth. 12. 1, to 13. 
 
 CHAP. 
 
ip. 22* Tfo Confeflion $f faith] 2$7 
 
 CHAP. XXlI. 
 
 Of Lawful Oaths and Vows] 
 
 Lawful Oath is a Part of Religious Worfhip *, 
 _, "wherein, upon juft Occafion, the Perfon iwear- 
 ~folcmnly calleth God to witneis what he after tetb, 
 promiieth ; and to judge him according to the 
 utb, or Falfhoodof what he fwear eth b. 
 a Deut. 10. 20. b Exod. 20. j.Levit. 19. 12. 2C% 
 23. 2 Cbrcn. 6. 22, 23. 
 
 II. The Name of God only, is that by which Men 
 ght to fwear ;. and, therein it is to be ufed with all 
 iy Fear and Reverence c Therefore, to fwear vain- 
 or rafhly, by that glorious and dreadful Name *, ot 9 
 fwear at all, by any other Thing, is finful, and to 
 abhorred d. Yet, as in Matters of Weight and Mo- 
 nt, an Oath is warranted by the Word or God, un> 
 the New Teftamcnt, as well as under the Old c ; 
 a lawful Oath, being impofed by lawful Authority, 
 fuch Matters ought to be taken/. 
 Dcut. 6. 1 3. d Exod. 20. 7. Jer. 5. j» Mat. *;. 34, 
 James 5. 12. e Heb. 6. 16. iCcr. 1. 23. Jfai. 65. 16. 
 Kings 8. 31. Neb. 13^25. E\ra 10. 5. 
 II. Whofoever taketh an Oath, ought duly to corn- 
 er the Weightinefs of fo folemn an A£ ; and there- 
 to avouch nothing, but what he is fully perfwaded 
 he Truth g. Neither may any Man bind himfelf 
 Oath to any Thing, but what is good and juft, 
 \Thathe beliereth fo to be, and what he is able, 
 rc.olved to perform h. Yet is it a Sin, to refuie 
 ■Oath touching any Thing that is good and juft, be- 
 "1 impofed by lawful Authority 1. 
 J; Exod. 20. 7. Jer. 4. 2. h Gen. 24. 2, J, 5, 6, 8, 9. 
 i <um. «;. 19, 21. Ifeb. «;. 12. Exod. 22. 7, 8, 9, 10, 11. 
 [V r . An Oath is to be taken in the plain and com- 
 t n Scafe oi the Words, without Equivocation, or 
 
 K Mtnttd 
 
32, 33> 
 9' 
 
 1 8, 
 
 •omiffd 
 
 2$ 3 7fo Confejfion of Faith. Chap. 
 
 Mental Refervation jEr. It cannot! oblige to Sin : 
 in any Thing riot finful, being taken, it binds to PJ 
 formance, although to a Man's own Hurt /. Nor ii 
 to be violated, although made to Hereticks, or Ii 
 dels m. 
 
 k Jer. 4. 2. Pfal. 24. 4. 1 1 Sam. 25. 22, 
 Pfal. 15. 4. rn E\ek. 17. 16, 18, 19. Jof). 
 with 2 Sam: 21. 1. 
 
 V. A Vow is of the like Nature with a 
 Oath, and ought to be made with the like rcligi< 
 Care, and to be performed with the like Faithfulnefs 
 
 n Ifai. 19. 21. Ecclef. 5. 4, 5, 6. Pfal. 61. 8. Pi 
 66. 13, 14. 
 
 VI. It is not to be made to any Creature, but to 
 alone : And., that it may be accepted, it is to be m; 
 Yoluntarily, out of Faith, and Confcience of Duty, 
 way of Thankfulnefs for Mercy received, or for the 
 Saining of what we want ; whereby we more ftri< 
 2>ind our felves to neceflary Duties; or, to other Thii 
 lb far, and fo long, as they may fitly conduce th< 
 unto p. 
 
 o Pfah 76. 11. ]er. 44. 25, 2<5. p Dcttt. 23. 
 22, 23. Pfah 50. 14. Gen. 28. 20, 21, 22. 1 Sam. 1 
 ffal 66. 13, 14. Pfal 132. 2, 3, 4, 5. 
 
 VII. No Man. may vow, to do any Thing forbid*! 
 5n the Word of God, or what would hinder any Dt 
 therein commanded ; or which is not in his own Pov 
 and, for the Performance whereof, he hath no Proi 
 of Ability from God q. In which Refpe&s, Popifh 
 naftical Vows, of perpetual fingle Life, profefTed 
 verty, and regular Obedience, are fo far from being 
 grees of higher Perfection, that they are fuperftiti 
 and finful Snares, in which no Christian may intai 
 himfelf r. 
 
 q Atts 23. 12, 14. Mark 6. 26. Numb. 30. 5, 8, I2j 
 r Mat, 19. ii, 12* 1 Cor. 7* 2, 9. Epb.4.. 28. 1 Pci 
 2, 1 Cor. 7. 23* 
 
 j 
 
 jc 
 k 
 k 
 
 'A 
 
 i 
 
 b 
 
 a 
 
 ■k 
 
 f 
 
 lit 
 
 r 
 
 c 
 
 c: 
 in 
 
 « 
 
f hap. 23.^ The Confeffim of Faith. 259 
 
 [ CHAP. XXIII. 
 
 Of the Civil Mtgiftratel 
 
 O D, the fupreme Lord and King of all the World, 
 
 hath ordained Civil Magiftrates, to be under him, 
 
 er the People, for his own Glory, and the Publick 
 
 ood : and, to this end, hath armeti them with the 
 
 bwer ef the Sword, for the Defence and Encourage- 
 
 ent of them that are Good, and for the Puniihment of 
 
 vil-doers a. 
 
 a Row. 13. 1, 2, 3,4. 1 Pet. 2. 13, 14. 
 
 II. It is lawiul for Chriftians to accept and execute 
 e Office of a Magiftratc, when called thereunto b : 
 
 the managing whereof, as they ought efpeciallyto 
 aintain Piety, Juftice, and Peace, according to the 
 bolfom Laws of each Common-wealth c : So, for 
 at End, they may lawfully now, under the New. 
 eftament, wage War, upon juft and neceffary Oc- 
 (ion d. 
 
 b Prov. 8. 15, 16. Rom. 13. 1, 2, 4. c Pfah2, 10," 
 , 12. 1 Tim: 2. 2. ffal. 82. 3, 4. 2 Sam* 23. 3. 1 Pet. 
 13. d Luke 3: 14. Rom. 13. 4. Mattb. 8: 9, 10. ASs t 
 , y. 1,2. Rev: 17: 14, 16. 
 
 III. The Civil Magiftrate may not affume to him> 
 ^f the Adminiftration of the Word and Sacraments, or 
 
 e Power or the Keys of the Kingdom of Heaven r: 
 t, he hath Authority, and it is his Duty, to take Or- 
 r, that Unity and Peace be preferved in the Church, 
 at the Truth of God be kept pure and intire, that all 
 afphemits and Herefies be fupprefled, all Corrup- 
 ts and Abuies in Worfhip and Diicipline preven- 
 or reformed, and all the Ordinances of God 
 
 R 2 duly 
 
 e 2 Chr:n. 26. 18, with Matth. 18. 17. ZcMattb: 16. 
 1. 1 Cm 12. 28, 29. Eph. 4. xi, X2. i Or. 4. 1, 2/ 
 cm. ic: 15. Hcb. 5. 44 
 
26o The Confejfion of Faith) Chap^ i 
 
 duly fetled, adminiftred, 3nd obferved /. For thi 
 better effe&ing whereof, he hath Power to Call Synods, 
 to be prefent at them, and to provide that whatfoever 
 is^ tranfa&ed in them, be according to the Mind of 
 God g. 
 
 flfa*^. 23. Pfal. 122. 9. E^ra 7.23, 2$, 26, 27,28. 
 -Lev: 24: 16. Deut: 13: 5, 6, 12. 2 K/«gx 18. 4. 1 Cbrom 
 !?3- i> to 9. 2 Ko*gj 23. 1, to 26. 2 C6r^: 34: 3 j« 
 2 C6rw: 15. 12, 13. g 2 C&rotf: 192 8,9,10, 11. iCbforu 
 %9> 30 Chapters. Matth. 2.4, 5. 
 
 IV* It is the IDuty of People to pray for Magi- 
 strates b, to honour, their Per ions z, to pay them Tri- 
 bute and other Dues k> to obey their lawful Commands* 
 and to be fubje& to their Authority, for Conference 
 iake /. Infidelity, or Difference in Religion, doth not 
 make void the Magiftrate's juft and legal Authority, nor 
 free the People from their due Obedience to him m\ 
 Prom which, Ecclefiaftical Perfons are not exempted n \ 
 much lefs hath the Pope any Power or Jurifdi&ion o-J 
 ver them, in their Dominions, or over any of their Peoi 
 pie; and, leaft of all, to deprive them of their DomU c 
 tfions, or Lives, if he fhall judge -them to be Hereticks, jl 
 ©r upon any other Pretence whatfoever 0. 
 
 H 1 Tim. T. i, 2. i 1 Pet. 2. 17. k Rom. 13: 6, 7/n 
 I Rom* 13; 5. Tit. j:-u mi Pet. 2: i3 5 i4> 16. n Rorni J 
 113: 1. 1 Kings 2: 35. Acls 25. 9, 10, 11. 2 Pet. 2. 1,10^ 
 11. 3^ e ver. 85 9, 10, 11. o 2TheJf. 2. 4. Rev. 13. 
 x«5, 16, 17. 
 
 ( 
 
 I 
 
 6 
 
 C H A P. XXIV. 
 
 0/ Marriage and Divorce. 
 
 MARRIAGE is to be between one Man and 01 
 Woman ; neither is it lawful for any Man to have 
 more than onr Wife, nor for any Woman to have moi 
 tban one Husband, at the fame Time a. I] 
 
 Ii 
 
 ;I 
 1 
 
 a <?#«• 2. 24. Mtf. 19. 5, 6. Prrtt* £• 17. 
 
*5 
 
 1\ 
 
 tlChap. 24* T^e Conftjfion of Faith] 261 
 
 I II. Marriage was ordained for the mutual Help of 
 usband and Wife b> for the Increafe of Mankind with 
 legitimate IfTue, and of the Church with an holy 
 Seed c, and for preventing of Uncleanneis d. 
 b Gen. 2. 1*8. c Mai. 2. 15. d 1 Cor. 7. 2, 9. 
 
 III. It is lawful for all Sorts of People to marry, wha 
 e able withTudgment,to give their Confent e ; jet it is 
 
 he Duty of Chritlians to unarry orily in the Lord f: And 
 therefore fuch as profefs the true reformed Religion* 
 >liould not marry with Infidels, Papifts, or other Idola- 
 ters ; neithe? fhould fuch as are godly, be unequaWy 
 fokcd, by marrying with fuch as are notorioufly wicked 
 |n their Life, or maintain damnable Herefies^. 
 
 e Heb. 13. 4. 1 Tim. 4. 3. 1 Ccr. 7. 36, 37, 38. Gen. 
 J4. 57, 58. f 1 Cor. 7. 39. g Gen. 34. 14. Excd. 34. 
 16. Deut. 7. 3, 4. 1 Kings u» 4. Neb* 13. 25, 26> 27* 
 Mai, 2. 11, 12. 2 Cor. 6. 14. 
 
 IV. Marriage ought not to be within the Degrees of 
 onfanguinity or Affinity forbidden in the Word b ; nor 
 
 nj an fuch incefcuous Marriages ever be made lawful by 
 
 :ia .ny Law of Man, qr Confent of Parties, fo as thoie Per- 
 
 3ns may lwe together as Man and Wife /. The Man 
 
 ,: nay not marry any of his Wife's Kindred, nearer in 
 
 Hood, than he may of his own ; nor the Woman of her 
 
 [iusband's Kindred, nearer in Blood, than of her own (• 
 
 h Levit. 18 Chapter, 1 Cor. 5.1. Amos 2. 7. i Mark 
 
 18. Levit. 18. 24, 25, i6> 27, 28. k Levit. 20. 19, 
 
 o, 21. 
 
 V. Adultery, or Fornication, committed after a Con* 
 aft, being detected before Marriage, givcth juft Oc- 
 
 afion to the innocent Party to diffolve that Contract /. 
 the Cafe of Adultery after Marriage, it is lawful for 
 e innocent Partyvto fue out a Divorce w, and after 
 b Divorce, to marry another, as if the offending Par- 
 ly wjrc dead n. 
 1 Mat. 1. 18, 19, m Mat. , 32. n MuU 19- 
 
 R;m. 7. 2, 3. 
 
 VI. Although the Corruption of Man be fuch, as 15 
 pt to ftudy Arguments, u.idulv to put aiunder thofo 
 
 fhom God had* joined together in Marriage ; jet no- 
 il $ tluBg 
 
24- i> 2, 3, 4< 
 
 Z6i *fhe Confeffiott of Faith. Chap. 25X 
 
 thing but Adultery or fuch wilful Defertion, as can noP 
 Way be remedied by the Church, or Civil Magiftrate, 
 is Caufe fuffieient of diffolving the Bond of Marriage o \ 
 wherein a publick and orderly Courfe of proceeding is 
 to be obferved ; and the Perlbns concerned in it, not left 6 
 to their own Wills and.Difcretion, in their own Cafe;?. 
 o Mat. 19.8, 9. i Cor. j. 15. Mat. 10.6. p Deut. 
 
 — T 
 
 CHAP. XXV. 
 
 Of the Church. 
 
 t 
 
 k 
 
 THE Catholick or Univerfal Church, which is in4f 
 vifible, confifts ofthe whole Number of the Ele&, 
 that have been, are, or fhall be gathered into one, under t 
 Chrift the Head thereof; and is the Spouse, the Body, 
 the Fulnefs of Him that filleth all in all a. 
 
 a Epb. 1. 10, 22,23. Epb. 5. 23, 27, 32. Col. 1. 18. 
 
 II. The vifible Church, which is alfo Catholick of \ 
 Univerfal, under the Gofpel (not confined to one Nati- 
 on, as before, under the Law ) confifts of all thofe. 
 throughout the World, that profefe the true Religion b 
 and of their Children c y and is the Kingdom ofthe L'or 
 Jefus Chrift d y the Houfe and Family of God e> out ofl 
 which, there is no ordinary Poflibility of Salvation /*. 
 
 b 1 Cor. 1.-2. 1 Cor. 12. 12, 13. Pfal. 2. 8. Rev. 7. 
 ULcm. 15. 9, 10, II, 12. c 1 Cor. 7. 14. Ads 2. 39. E^ek 
 16. 20, 21. Rom. 11. 16. Gen. 3. 15. Gen. 17. 7* dMat 
 13.47. Ifa.g. 7. e Epb.2. 19. Epb. 3. 15. f A&s- 2.47 
 
 III. Unto this Catholick vifible Church, Chrift hat r 
 given the Miniftry, Oracles and Ordinances of God 
 for the gathering and per feeing of the Saints, in thi 
 Life, to the End of the World ; and doth by his ow 
 Brefence and Spirit, according to his Promife, mak 
 th^m effe&ual thereunto £. IV, 
 
 g 1 Cor. 12. 28. Efh.^ n> 12, 13* Mat. 28. 19,20* 
 //>. 59.21. 
 
p. 2<f. Ihe Confejjion of Fnitb. 263 
 
 . This Cat holiek Church hath been fometimes more, 
 etimes lefs vifible h : And particular Churches, 
 ch are Members thereof are more or lefs pure, ce- 
 ding as the Doctrine of the Gofpel is taught and em- 
 ced, Ordinances adminiftred, and publick Worfhip 
 brmed more or lefs purely in them ./. 
 ] Rom. ii. 3, 4. Rev. 12*6, 14.- i Rev. 2, 3, Chap-> 
 1 Ccr. 5.6, 7- 
 
 The pureft Churches under Heaven are fubjeft 
 
 h to Mixture and Error k ; and fome have fo degene- 
 
 d, as to become no Churches of Chrift, but Syna- 
 
 ues of Satan /. Neverthelefs, there fhall be always 
 
 hurch on Earth, to worfhip God according to his 
 
 n** 
 
 1 Cor. 13. 12. Rex;. 2, 3, Chapters. Mat. 13.24,25, 
 27, 28, 29, 30, 47. 1 Rev. iS. 2. Rom. 11. 18, 19, 
 21,22. m Mat. 16. 18. Tfal. 72. 17. Pfal. 102. 28. 
 t. 28. 19, 20. 
 
 I. There is no other Head of the Church but the 
 
 rd Jefus Chrift n : Nor can the Pope of Rome , in any 
 
 nfe, be Head thereof; but is that Antichrift, that Man 
 
 Sin, and Son of Perdition, that exalteth himfelf in the 
 
 urch, againft Chrift, and all that is called God c. 
 
 n Ccl. 1. iS/ Epk. 1. 22. o Mat. 23. 8, 9, ic. 2 TbeJ* 
 
 8, 9. Rev. 13. 6. 
 
 3>4> 
 
 CHAP. XXVI % 
 
 Of the Communion of Saints. 
 
 LL Saints that are unked to Jefus Chrift thei: 
 Head, by his Spirit, and by Faith, have Fellow- 
 ip with him in his Graces, Sufferings, Death, Refur- 
 >e&ion, and Glory a \ and being united to one another 
 
 in 
 
 a 1 John 1. 3. Epb. 3. 16, 17, 18, 19- *}<> bn *• i<$.£p6< 
 2. 5, 6. Vh'ih Z% 10. fom. 6. 5, 6* 2 Tim- 2* i> 
 
I 
 
 : 
 
 2^4 "the Confejfion of Frith* Chap, ir; 
 
 In Love, they have Communion in each others Gifts arP a 
 Graces b y and are obliged to the Performance of fu< r 
 Duties, publick and private, as do conduce to their mi $* 
 tual Good, both in the inward and outward Man c. 
 
 b Eph. 4. 15, 16. 1 Cor. 12. 7. I Cor. 3. 21*22, 2:p 
 CW. 2. 19. c 1 Thef. *;. 11, 14. Rom. 1. 11, 12, 14. 1 Job) 
 3. 16, 17, 18. Gal. 6. 10. 
 
 II. Saints, by Profeffion, are bound to maintain a 
 holy Fellowijiip and Communion in the Worfliip of God 8 
 3na in performing fuch other fpiritual Services, as tenc 
 to their mutual Edification d : As alfo, in relieving eacl 
 other in outward Things, according to their feveral A bill 
 lities and Neceffities. Which Communion, as God offfr|* n: 
 reth Opportunity, is to be extended unto all thofe, who, 
 in everyplace, call upon the Name of the Lord Jefus e. 
 
 d Hcb. 10: 24, 25. Acts 2: 42, 46. Ifa. 2;^. 1 Cor. 11 ! 
 20. e Acts 2: 44, 45. 1 John 3: 17. 2 Cor. S, 9. Chapt] 
 ters. Acts 11: 29, 30. 
 
 III. This Communion, which the Saints have with l 
 Chrift, doth not make them, in any wife, Partakers ol 
 the Subftance of his God-head, or to be equal win 
 Chri£, in any Refpeft ; either of which to affirm, is im- 
 pious and blafphemous/: Nor doth their Communior 
 one with another, as Saints, take away or infringe th 
 Title, or Propriety, which each Man hath in his Good 
 and PofTeflions^. 
 
 f Col. 1: 1 8, 19. 1 Cor. 8: 6. Ifa. 42: 8. 1 Tim. 6: i<J 
 16. Pfal. 45: 7: with Hcb' v 8, 9. g Exod. 201 15. Eph 
 4: 28. Acts 5: 4. 
 
 CHAP. XXVII. 
 
 Of the Sacraments, 
 
 SACRAMENTS are holy Sigris, ind Seals of the- 
 Covenant of Grace a> immediately inftitllted by 
 
 Goi 
 a #;/». 4. 11. Gen, 17. 7, iOa 
 

 ri 
 
 ,ap. i-7. 7ta Confejfion of Faith. 165 
 
 d £, to reprefent Chrift, and his Benefits; and, to 
 
 firm our Intereft in him c : As alfo, to put a vifible 
 ? erence between thofe that belong unto the Church, 
 the reft oi the World d : And folemnly to engage 
 
 m to the Service of God in Chrift, according to his 
 
 rd e. 
 
 > Matth. 28. 19. 1 Or. 11. 23. C 1 Cor. 10. 16. 
 
 Cr. 11. 25, 26. Gal. 3. 27. d Rom. 15. 8. Exod. u. 
 
 . Gen. 34. 14. e Rom. 6. 3, 4. 1 Or. ic 16, 21. 
 
 I I. There is in every Sacrament, a fpiritual Relation, 
 facramental Union, between the Sign and the Thing 
 
 nified : Whence it comes to pafs, that the Names, 
 d Effeftsof the one, are attributed to the other f. 
 f Gen. 17. 10. Matth. 26. 27, 28. Titui 3. 5. 
 
 III. The Grace which is exhibited in, or by the 
 Lcraments rightly ufed, is not conferred by any Power in 
 lem : Neither doth the Efficacy of a Sacrament depend 
 pon the Piety, or Intention of him that doth admini- 
 cr it g : But, upon the Work of the Spirit b, and tht 
 /ord of Inftitution, which contains, together with a 
 recept authorizing the Uie thereof, a Promife of Bc- 
 efit to worthy Receivers /. 
 
 g R m. 2. 28, 29. 1 Pet. 3. 21. h Matth. 3. 11. 
 Or. 12. 13. i Matth. 25. 27, 28. Mattb. 28. 19, 20. 
 
 I V. There be only two Sacraments ordained by 
 thrift our Lord, in the Gefpel, that is to fay, Bap- 
 ifin and the Supper of the Lord : Neither of which 
 nay by difpenfed by any, but by a Minifter of the 
 
 "ord lawfully ordained k. 
 
 k Matth. 28. 19. 1 Ccr. 11. 20, 23. 1 Cor. 4. 1. 
 :b. 5. 4. 
 
 V. The Sacraments of the Old Teftament, in regard 
 of the fpiritual Things thereby fignified and exhi- 
 bited, were, for Subftanccj ch^ fame with oft. 
 New /. 
 
 1 1 Or. 10. i, 2, ;, 4. 
 
 CHAP. 
 
W 26<J 7he Confejfwn of Faith. Chap, ajl 
 
 CHAP. XXVIII. 
 
 Of Bapifm. I 
 
 BAPTISM is a Sacrament of the New Teftament, ' 
 ordained by Jefus Chrift a, not only for the fo- 
 lemn Admiffion of the Party baptized, into the vifib»t 
 Church b : But alio, to be unto him a Sign and Seal ol 
 the Covenant o£ Grace c , of his ingrafting into Chrift d y 
 of Regeneration e, of Remiflion of Sins /, and of his, 
 giving up unto God through Jefus Chrift , to walk ii 
 Newnefs of Life g. Which Sacrament 'is, by ChriftV 
 own Appointment, to be continued in his Church until 
 the End of the Word h. 
 
 a Mattb. 28. 19. b 1 Cor. 12. 13. c Rom. 4. n. 
 with Col. 2. 11, 12. d Gal. 3. 27. Rom. 6. 5. e Titus 
 3« 5» i Mark 1. 4. g Rom. 6. 3, 4. h Mattb. 28 
 19, 20. 
 
 I I. The outward Element to be ufed in this Sacra- 
 ment is Water, wherewith the Party is to be baptized, 
 in the Name of the Father, and of the Son,, and of the 
 Holy Ghoft, by a Minifter o r the Gofpel, lawfully cal 
 led thereunto u 
 
 i Mattb. 3. 11. John 1. Mattb. 28. 19, 20. 
 
 III. Dipping of the Perfon into the Water, is not 
 neceiTary : But, Baptifm is rightly adminiftred, by 
 pouring, or fprinkling Water upon the Perfon h 
 
 k Hcb. 9. 10, 19? 20, 21, 22. ABs 2. 41. Afts 16. 33. 
 Mark 7. 4. 
 
 I V. Not only thofe that do a&ually profefs Faith in, 
 and Obedience unto Chrift /, but alfo the Infants of one 
 or both believin? Parents, are to be baptized m. 
 
 V. Al- 
 
 i Mark i6.1<$, 16. Alls 8*37, 38. m Gen. 17. 7, 9* 
 with Gal. 3. 9, 14. & Col. 2. it, 12. & Alts 2. 38, 39. 
 & Rom. 4. 11, 12. 1 Cor. 7. 14. Mattb* 28. 19. Aforfc 
 :o« 13, 14, 15, if. Xaie 18. 15. 
 
In 29. *The Confejfion of Faith. 26j 
 
 Although it be a great bin, to contemn or negle& 
 Ordinance ?z, yet Grace and Salvation are not fo 
 arably annexed unto it, as that no Perfon can be 
 nerated or fared, without it : or, that all that are 
 zed, are undoubtedly regenerated p. 
 Luke 7. 30. with Exod. 4. 24, 25, 26. o Rom* 4. 
 A&s 10. 2, 4, 22, 31, 45, 47, p Alls 8. 13, 23. 
 I. The Efficacy of Baptifm is not tied to that Mo- 
 t of Time, wherein it is adminiftred q : Yet, not- 
 
 hflanding, by the right Ufe of this Ordinance, the 
 ce promifed, is not only offered, but really exhibited, 
 
 I conferred, by the Holy Ghoft, to fuch ( whether of 
 
 e, or Infants ) as that Grace belongeth unto, accor- 
 
 g to the Counfel of God's own Will, in his appointed 
 
 lie r. 
 y^»3.<5,8. r £47.3.27. Titm 3. 5. Eph.^.2^ y 
 
 . Alls 2. 38,41. 
 
 VII. The Sacrament of Baptifm is but once to be 
 
 miniured unto any Perfon s. 
 
 s Titui 3. 5. 
 
 CHAP. XXIX. 
 
 Of the LORD's Supper. 
 
 U R Lord Jefus, in the Night wherein he was be- 
 trayed, inftituted the Sacrament of his Body and 
 ilood, called the Lord's Supper, to be obierred in his 
 "hurch, unto the End of the World, for the perpetual 
 .emembrance of the Sacrifice of himfelf, in his Death ; 
 :he iealing all Benefits thereof unto true Believers, their 
 jpiritual Nourilhment and Growth in him, their fur- 
 Engagement in, and to, all Duties which they owe unto 
 thim ; and, to be a Bond, and Pledge of their Commu- 
 nion with him, and with each other, as Members cf his 
 myftical Body a. II. In 
 
 a 1 Or. i 1.23,24,25, 26. I Or. ic. 16,17,21. 1 
 12. I> .. 
 
r 
 
 26% The Confefion ef Faith; Chap. 
 
 II. In this Sacrament, Chrift is not offered up fo f 
 Father, nor any real Sacrifice made at all for Ren| o: ; 
 lion of Sins of the Quick or Dead b ; but only a Coy 
 memoration of that one Offering up of himfelt, by hi. I 
 felf, upon the Crqfs, once for all; and a fpiritual Q A 
 lation of all poffible Praife untQ God, for the fame H 
 So that the Popifh Sacrifice of the Mafs ( as they call fyp 
 is mod. abominably injurious to ChriiVs one, only S : 
 criiiee, the alone Propitiation for all the Sins of &p 
 Eleft d. ho 
 
 b Heb. 9. 22, 2$, 26, 28. c 1 Cor. 11. 24, 2$," 2*| 
 Matth. 26. 26, 27. d Heb. 7.23, 24, 27. Heb. 10. ilf u 
 12, 14, 18. 
 
 III. The Lord Jefus hath, in this Ordinance, apjU 
 pointed his Minifters to declare his Word of iHftitutlj. I 
 on to the People ; to pray, and blefs the Elements ol ' 
 Bread and Wine, and thereby to fet them apart from '- 
 a Common to an Holy Ufe \ and, to Take, and Break 
 the Bread, to Take the Cup, and ( they communicat-5 
 ing alio themfelves ) to give both to the Communi-j 
 cants e ; but to none who are not then prefent in ther 
 CQngregation /. 
 
 e Matth. 26. 26, 27, 28. 8c Mark 14. 22, 23, 24. & 
 Zuke 22. 19, 20. with 1 Or. iu 23, 24, 25, 26. f ASn 
 20. 7. 1 Cor. 11. 20. 
 
 I V. Private Maifes, or receiving this Sacrament by 
 a Prieft or any other, alone g> as likewife the Denial 
 of the Cup to the People h> worfhipping the Element^, 
 the lifting them up, or carrying them about for Ado-, 
 ration, and the referving them for any pretended re- 
 ligious Ufe, are all contrary to the Nature of this Sacra- 
 ment, and to the Inftitution of Chrift i. 
 
 g 1 Cor. 10.6. h Af<zr£ 4. 23. 1 Or. 11. 25, 26, 27, 
 28, 29. i Matth. i<;. 9. 
 
 V. The outward Elements in this Sacrament, duly 
 fet apart to the Ufes ordained by Chrift, have fuch 
 Relation to hini crucified, as that truly, yet facramen- 
 tally only, they are fometimes called by the Name of 
 the Things they reprefent, U wit, the Body and Bjood 
 
 of 
 
 
ip. 30? The Confejfion cf Faith. 269 
 
 thrift k, albeit, in Subftance and Nature, they dill 
 ain, truly, and only" Bread and Wine, as they were 
 
 jre /• 
 
 Mattb. 26. 26, 27, 28. 1 1 Cor. 11. 26, 27, 28. 
 
 tth. 26. 29. 
 w h That Do&rine, which mafntains a Change of the 
 ^Aftanee of Bread and Wine, into the Subftance of 
 JolBrift's Body and Blood, ( commonly called Tranfub- 
 itiation ) by Confecration of a Prieft, or by any 
 er Way, is repugnant, not to Scripture alone, but 
 n to common Sente and Reafon ; overthroweth the 
 Attire of the Sacrament, and hath been, and is, the 
 uie of manifold Superftitions, yea, of grofs Idola- 
 
 1 
 
 °>4i 
 
 Aft* 3.21. with 1 Cor. 11. 24, 25,26. Luke 1\. 
 
 H 
 
 I 
 
 II. Worthy Receivers outwardly partaking of the 
 ble Elements, in this Sacrament n> do then alio, 
 h Iwardly by Faith, really and indeed, yet not carnally 
 
 d corporally, but fpiritually, receive, and feed upon 
 Ihrift crucified, and all Benefits of his Death : The 
 ;;?4>dy and Blood of Chrift being then, not corporally or 
 
 rnally, in, with, or under the Bread and Wine ; Yet, 
 
 really, but fpiritually,, prefent to the Faith of Belie- 
 fs in jthat Ordinance', as the Elements themfelves are 
 
 their outward Senfes 0. 
 
 n 1 Cor. 11. 1%. o 1 Cor. 10. 16. 
 
 VIII Although ignorant and wicked Men receive the 
 utward Elements in this Sacrament, yet they receive 
 ot the Thing fignified thereby ; but by their unworthy 
 oming thereunto > are guilty of the Body and Blood of 
 he Lord, to their own Damnation. Wherefore, all ig- 
 norant and ungodly Perfons, as they are unfit to enjoy 
 Communion with him, i'o are they unworthy of the 
 ^ord's Table; and cannot, without t Sin againft 
 
 thrift, while they remain fuch, partake of thefe holy 
 Mylleries p> or be admitted thereunto q. 
 
 p 1 Cor. 11.27, 23, 29. 2C 14, i?,if. q i Cor. 
 
 i5» 6, 7, 13. 2 Tbcf. 3. 6, 14, 15. Mat. 7. 6. 
 CHAP* 
 
270 ' The Confejfim of Faith. Chap. Jp 
 
 CHAP. XXX. 
 
 Of Church Ccvfures. 
 
 THE Lord Jefus, as King and Head of his Chun 
 hath therein appointed a Government, in the 
 of Church-Officers, diftinft from the Civil Magiftrate 
 
 a Ifa. 9- 6, 7. 1 Tim* 5. 17. 1 Ke/. 5. 12. -4#* 
 17, 28. Hek 13. 7, 17, 24. 1 Or. 12. 28. M<tf. 28. 1 
 19, 20. 
 
 • II. To thefe Officers, the Keys of the Kingdom of Hea; 
 ven are committed; by vertue whereof they havePower^ 
 refpe£ively, to retain and remit Sins, to fhutthat King- 
 dom againfl; the Impenitent, both by the Word and Cen- 
 fures ; and to open it to penitent Sinners, by the Mini- 
 ftry of the Gofpel, and by Absolution from Cenfures, as 
 Occafion fhall require b. 
 
 b Mat. 16. 19. Mat. 18. 17, 18. John 20. 20, 21, 2 
 23. 2 Or. 2. 6, 7, 8. 
 
 III. Church-Cenfures are neceffary for the reclaimi 
 and gaining of offending Brethren, for deterring of other 
 from the like Offences, for purging out or that Leave 
 which might infe& the whole Lump, for vindicating 
 Honour of Chrift, and the holy Profeflion of the Gofpel, 
 and for preventing the Wrath of God, which might juft 
 \y fall upon the Church, if they Should fufFer his Cove 
 nant, and the Seals thereof, to be profaned by notorious 
 and obftinate Offenders e. 
 
 c 1 Or. 5 Chapter. 1 Tim. *>.2o. Mat. 7. 6. iTim* 
 1. 2D. 1 Or. 11. 27, to the End, with Jude v. 23. 
 
 IV. For the better attaining of thefe Ends, the Offi* 
 cers of the Church are to proceed by Admonition, Su- 
 fpcnfion from the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper for a 
 Seafon ; and by Excommunication from the Church, ac- 
 cording to the Nature of the Crime, and Demerit of the 
 Perfcn d. 
 
 d 1 Tbef.t). 12. 2 Tbef. 3. 6, 14? 15* I Con <J. 4, $, 13* 
 Mat. i8« 17* Titm 3. 10* 
 
 CHAP. 
 
hap. 3 1 . The Confeffion of Faith. . 27 1 
 
 CHAP. XXXI. 
 
 Of Synods and Councils. 
 
 'OR the better Government, and further Edification 
 of the Church, there ought to be fuch AfTemblieSj as 
 |re commonly called Synods or Councils a. 
 a A&s 1$. 2*4,6. 
 
 II. As Magistrates may lawfully call a Synod of Mi- 
 lifters, and other fit Perions, to confult and advife with, 
 bout Matters of Religion b ; fo, if Magiftrates be open 
 
 ncmies to the Church, the Minifters ot Chrift, of them- 
 elves, by vertue of their Office ; or they, with other fit 
 'erfons, upon Delegation from their Churches, m 
 leet together infuch AfTemblies c. 
 b Jfa. 49. 23. 1 Tim. 2. 1, 2. 2 Chrcn. 19. 8, 9, ic, 
 I. iCbrcn. 29, 30 Chapters. Mat. 2.4, 5. Prov. II. 
 [14. c Acts 15. % 4, 22, 23, 25. 
 
 III. It belongeth to Synods and Councils, minifterial- 
 \y to determine Controverfies of Faith, and Cafes of 
 ^onfeience ; to Tet down ftules and Directions for the 
 
 jtter ordering of the publick Worfhip of God, and Go- 
 r ernment of his Church; to receive Complaints in Cafes 
 k>f Male-adminiftration, and authoritatively to deter- 
 mine the fame : Which Decrees and Determinations, if 
 confonant to the Word of God, are to be received with 
 Reverence and Submiilion ; not only for their Agreement 
 with the Word, but alfo for the Power whereby they are 
 made, as being an Ordinance of God appointed tnere- 
 unto in his W 7 ord d. 
 
 d Aclsi^. i«$, 19,24, 27, 28, 29,30,31. Ads 16.4. 
 Mat. \ ( ). 17, 1 8 ) 19, 20. 
 
 IV. All Synods and Councils, fince the Apoftles Times, 
 whether general or particular, m.< r, and many have 
 erred : Therefore, they are not to be made I lule of 
 Faith or Practice, but to be ufed as an Help in both c. 
 
 e Epb. 2. 20. v 17. 1 1- 1 C\r. 2. r. 1. : 
 
 V. Synods and Councils are to handle or conclude no- 
 thing, but that which is Ecclciiaftical j and arc not to 
 
 intor- 
 
4! ,~: 
 
 „ 7 2 The Con feffion- of Faith* Chap. 3IB 
 
 intermeddle with Civil Affairs, which concern the Coif!) 
 mon-wealth, unlefs by Way of humble Petition, in Cafl !f 
 extraordinary, or by Way of Advice, for Satisfaction d 
 Confcience, if they be thereunto required by the Civ] ff 
 Magiftrate/. 
 
 (Luke 12. 13, 14. John 18. 36 
 
 \\ 
 
 CHAP. XXXII. 
 
 Of the State of Men after Death, and of the Re 
 furreftion of the deadi 
 
 nrHE Bodies of Men, after Death, return to Duft, 
 and fee Corruption a ; but their Souls (which neither! 
 die nor fleepj having an immortal Subfiftence, imme-1 
 diately return to God who gave them b : The Souls of 
 the Righteous being then made perfe<ffc in Holinefs, are 
 received into the higheft Heavens, where they behold th 
 Face of God, in Light and Glory, waiting for the fi 
 Redemption of their Bodies c : And the Souls, of t 
 Wicked are cad into Hell, where they remain in Tor-« 
 ments and utter Darkncls, relerved to the Judgment off 
 the great Day d. Befide thefe two Places, for Souls fe- 
 parated from their Bodies, the Scripture acknowledged 
 none. 
 
 a Gen. ?• 19. AUs 13- 36. b Luke 23. 43. Ecclef. 12. 
 7. c Heb. 12. 23. 2 Car. 5. 1, 6. 8. PbiU 1. 23- with' 
 Atts 3.21. &£/?£. 4. 10. d Luke 16. 23, 24. Afts 1/ 
 25. Jtfde v. 6. 7. 1 Vet. 3. 19. 
 
 II. At the lad Day,fuch as are found alive,fhall not die, 
 tut be changed e ; and all the Dead fliall be raited up 
 •with the felf fame Bodies, and none other, although 
 with different Qualities, which ihall be united again to 
 their Souls for ever ft 
 
 ill. The 
 
 e 1 Thef. 4. 17. 1 Ccr. 15* 51, 5£# f f*b 19. 2$, T 
 x £0*15.- 42, 43, 44*; 
 
I 
 
 ipi 33. • T^t Confefflon of pAithk 27 
 
 I. The Bodies of the Unjuft fhall, by the Power 
 )hrift, be raifed to Diflionour : The Bodies of the 
 by his Spirit, unto Honour ; and be made con- 
 jable to his own glorious Body£. 
 Aits 24. 15; fohn %• 28, 29." 1 Or. 1 $. 42, 43, 444 
 f/. 3. 21. 
 
 CHAP. XXXIII; 
 
 Of the Uft Judgment. 
 
 * OD hath appointed a Day, wherein he will judge 
 f the World, in Righteoufnefs, by Jefus Chrift a 9 
 whom all Power and Judgment is given of the Fa- 
 r b. In which Day, not only the apoftate Angeli 
 11 be judged c, .but likewifo all P*rib*s that have lived 
 on Earth, fhall appear before the Tribunal of Chrift* 
 give an Account of their Thoughts, Words and 
 teds ; and to receive according to what they have done 
 the Body, whether Good or Evil d. 
 I a Atts17.11. b Jobnj.i2 9 27.^ c 1 Cor. 6. %. Tudc 
 
 ^ 6. 2 Pet. 2. 4. d 2Cor. «;. 10. Bcclef. 12. 14. Roto* 
 
 . : 16. Rom. 14. 10, 12. Mat. 12. 36, 37. 
 
 II. The End of God's appointing ibis Day, is for the? 
 f anifeftation of the Glory of his Mercy, in the eternal 
 
 Ivation of the Eleft ; and of his Juftice, in the Damna- 
 ] >n of the Reprobate, who are wicked and difobedient* 
 r then fhall the Righteous go into everlafting Life* 
 d receive that Fulnefs of Joy andiRefrefhing, which 
 ill come from the Prefence of the Lord : But the 
 icked, who know not God, and obey not the Gofpel 
 Jefus Chrift, fhall be caft into eternal Torments, and 
 punifhed with everlafting Deftru&ion from the Pre- 
 ce of the Lord, and from the Glory of his Powers, 
 e Mat. 25. 31 to the End. Rom. 2. 5, 6. Rem* 9. 22, 
 . Mat. 25. 21. Alls i« 19. 2 Tbef. 1. 7, 8, 9, 10. 
 
 III. As Chrift would have us to be certainly perfwa- 
 i } f bat there fhall be a Day of Judgment* both to de- 
 
 S ter 
 
274 *^ e Confejfioh of Faith. % Cfiap." ^ 
 
 ter all Men from jfiri, and for the greater Confolatl] 
 of the Godly in their Adverfity /*; fo will he have tl 
 Day unknown to Men, that they may ihake off all cari 7 
 Security, and be always watchful, becaufe they knoi. 
 not at what Hour the Lord will come ; and may be en 
 prepared to fay, Come Lord $efus> come quitklj } 
 Amende 
 
 f 2 Peter 3. 1 1, 14. 2 Cor. ^. io, 1 1. 2 Tbef. 1. 5, £ 
 7. Lule 21. 27, 28. Rom. 8. 23,24, 2«J. g Mat. 24. 36, 
 42, 43s 44. Mark 13. 35, 36, 37. Lule 12. 35, 36, 2?*y. 
 
 32* 29* 
 
 
 
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