wBm Bam mm / Jufvn&n I' /$\AOs*<^f scs^u^j 4 ~3 -/ / 4f . /.UfCZ THE CONFESSION OF FAITH; THE LARGER AND SHORTER CATECHISMS, WITH THE £crtptttve=#roofc at 3Large: TOGETHER WITH THE SUM OF SAVING KNOWLEDGE, (CONTAINED IN THE HOLY SCRIPTURES, AND HELD FORTH IN THE SAID CONFESSION AND CATECHISMS,) AND PRACTICAL USE THEREOF ; COVENANTS, NATIONAL AND SOLEMN LEAGUE; ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF SINS, AND ENGAGE- MENT TO DUTIES J DIRECTORIES FOR PDBLICK AND FAMILY WOR- SHIP; FORM OF CHURCH GOVERNMENT, &C. OF PUBLICK AUTHORITY IN THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND J WITH ACTS OF ASSEMBLY AND PARLIAMENT, RE LATIVETO,ANDAPPROBATIVEOF,THESAME Deut. vi. 6,7.— And these words which I command thee this day shall be in thine heart: and thou shall teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, awl when thou walkest by the way, and when thou ,'iest down, and when thou risest up. EDINBURGH: JOHNSTONE, HUNTER. & CO. MDCGCXCIV. TO THE CHRISTIAN READER, ESPECIALLY HEADS OF FAMILIES. AS we cannot but with grief of soul lament those multitudes of errors, blasphemies, and all kinds of profaneness, which have in this last age, like a mighty deluge, overflown this nation ; so, among several other sins which have helped to open the flood-gates of all these impieties, we cannot but esteem the disuse of family instruction one of the greatest. The two great pillars upon which the kingdom of Satan is erected, and by which it is upheld, are ignorance and error ; the first step of our manumission from this spiritual thraldom consists in having our eyes opened, and being turned from darkness to light, Acts xxvi. 18. How much the serious endeavours of godly parents and masters might contribute to an early seasoning the tender years of such as are under their inspection, is abundantly evident, not only from their special influence upon them, in respect of their authority over them, interest in them, continual presence with them, and fre- quent opportunities of being helpful to them ; but also from the sad effects which, by woeful experience, we find to be the fruit of the omission of this duty. It were easy to set before you a cloud of wit- nesses, the language of whose practice hath been not only an eminent commendation of this duty, but also a serious exhortation to it. As Abel, though dead, yet speaks by his example to us for imitation of his faith, &c, Heb. xi. 4 ; so do the examples of Abraham, of Joshua, of the parents of Solomon, of the grandmother and mother of Timothy, the mother of Augustine, whose care was as well to nurse up the souls as the bodies of their little ones ; and as their pains herein was great, so was their success no way unanswerable. We should scarce imagine it any better than an impertinency, in this noon-day of the gospel, either to inform or persuade in a duty so expressly commanded, so frequently urged, so highly encouraged, and so eminently owned by the Lord in all ages with his blessing, but that our sad experience tells us, this duty is not more needful, than it is of late neglected. For the restoring of this duty to its due ob servance, give us leave to suggest this double advice. The Jirst concerns heads of families in respect of themselves ; That as the Lord hath set them in place above the rest of their family, they would labour in all wisdom and spiritual understanding to be above them also. It is an uncomely sight to behold men in years babes in knowledge ; and how unmeet are they to instruct others, who need themselves to be taught which be the Jirst principles of the oracles oj God, Heb. v. 12.' Knowledge is an accomplishment so desirable, that the devils themselves knew not a more taking bait by which to tempt our first parents, than by the fruit of the tree of knowledge ; So shall you be as gods, knowing good and evil. When Solomon had tliat * THE EPISTLE TO THE READER. favour shewed him of the Lord, that he was made his own chuser what to ask, he knew no greater mercy to beg than wisdom, 1 Kings iii. 5, 9. The understanding is the guide and pilot of the whole man, that faculty which sits at the stern of the soul : but as the most expert guide may mistake in the dark, so may the understanding, when it wants the light of knowledge : Without knowledge the mind cannot be good, Prov. xix. 2 ; nor the life good, nor the eternal condition safe, Eph. iv. 18. My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge, Hos. iv. 6. It is ordinary in scripture to set profaneness, and all kind of miscar- riages, upon the score of ignorance. Diseases in the body have many times their rise from distempers in the head, and exorbitances in practice from errors in judgment : and indeed in every sin there is something both of ignorance and error at the bottom : for, did sinners truly know what they do in sinning, we might say of every sin what the Apostle speaks concerning that great sin, Had they known him, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory ; did they truly know that every sin is a provoking the Lord to jealousy, a proclaiming war against Heaven, a crucifying the Lord Jesus afresh, a treasuring up wrath unto themselves against the day of wrath ; and that, if ever they be pardoned, it must be at no lower a rate than the price of his blood ; it were scarce possible but sin ; instead of alluring, should affright, and instead of tempting, scare. It is one of the arch devices and principal methods of Satan to deceive men into sin : thus he prevailed against our first parents, not as a lion, but as a serpent, acting his enmity under a pretence of friendship, and tempting them to evil under an appearance of good ; and thus hath he all along carried on his designs of darkness, by transforming himself into an angel of light, making poor deceived men in love with their miseries, and hug their own destruction. A most sovereign antidote against all kind of errors, is to be grounded and settled in the faith : persons unfixed in the true religion, are very receptive of a false ; and they who are nothing in spiritual knowledge, are easily made any thing. Clouds without water are driven to and fro with every wind, and ships without ballast liable to the violence of every tempest. But yet the knowledge we especially commend, is not a brain-knowledge, a mere speculation ; this may be in the worst of men, nay, in the worst of creatures, the devils them- selves, and that in such an eminency, as the best of saints cannot attain to in this life of imperfection ; but an inward, a savoury, an heart-knowledge, such as was in that martyr, who, though she could not dispute for Christ, could die for him. This is that spiritual sense and feeling of divine truths the Apostle speaks of, Heb. v. 14, Having your senses exercised, &c. But, alas, we may say of most men's religion what learned Rivet* speaks concerning the errors of the fathers, " They were not so much their own errors, as the errors of the times wherein they lived." Thus do most men take up their religion upon no better an account than Turks and Papists take up theirs, because it is the religion of the times and places wherein they live ; and what they take up thus slightly, they lay down as easily. Whereas an inward taste and relish of the things of God, is an excellent preservative to keep us settled in the most unsettled times. Corrupt and unsavoury principles have * Rivet. Crit Sacr. THE EPISTLE TO THE READER. 5 great advantage upon us, above those that are spiritual and sound ; the former being suitable to corrupt nature, the latter contrary ; the former springing up of themselves, the latter brought forth not with- out a painful industry. The ground needs no other midwifery in bringing forth weeds than only the neglect of the husbandman's hand to pluck them up ; the air needs no other cause of darkness than the absence of the sun ; nor water of coldness than its distance from the fire ; because these are the genuine products of nature. Were it so with the soul, (as some of the philosophers have vainly imagined,) to come into the world as an dbrasa tabula, a mere blank or piece of white paper, on which neither any thing is written, nor any blots, it would then be equally receptive of good and evil, and no more averse to the one than to the other : but how much worse its condition indeed is, were scripture silent, every man's experience does evidently mani- fest. For who is there that knows any thing of his own heart, and knows not thus much, that the suggestions of Satan have so easy and free admittance into our hearts, that our utmost watchfulness is too little to guard us from them ? whereas the motions of God's Spirit are so unacceptable to us, that our utmost diligence is too little to get our hearts open to entertain them. Let therefore the excellency, necessity, difficulty of true wisdom stir up endeavours in you somewhat proportionable to such an accomplishment; Above all getting, get understanding, Prov. iv. 7; and search for wisdom as for hidden trea- sures, Prov. ii. 4. It much concerns you in respect of yourselves. Our second advice concerns heads of families, in respect of their families. Whatever hath been said already, though it concerns every private Christian that hath a soul to look after ; yet, upon a double account, it concerns parents and masters, as having themselves and others to look after : some there are, who, because of their ignorance, cannot ; others, because of their sluggishness, will not mind this duty. To the former we propound the method of Joshua, who first began with himself, and then is careful of his family. To the latter we shall only hint, what a dreadful meeting those parents and masters must have at that great day, with their children and servants, when all that were under their inspection shall not only accuse them, but charge their eternal miscarrying upon their score. Never did any age of the Church enjoy such choice helps as this of ours. Every age of the gospel hath had its Creeds, Confessions, Cate- chisms, and such breviaries and models of divinity as have been singu- larly useful. Such forms of sound words (however in these days de- cried) have been in use in the Church ever since God himself wrote the lJecalogue, as a summary of things to be done ; and Christ taught us that prayer of his, as a directory what to ask. Concerning the usefulness of such compendiary systems, so much hath been said al- ready by a learned divine* of this age, as is sufficient to satisfy all who are not resolved to remain unsatisfied. Concerning the particular excellency of these ensuing treatises, we judge it unneedful to mention those eminent testimonies which have been given them from persons of known worth, in respect of their judg- ment, learning, and integrity, both at home and abroad, because them- selves spake so much their own praise ; gold stands not in need of * Dr Tuckney in his Sermon on 2 Tim. i. 13. 6 THE EPISTLE TO THE READER. varnish, nor diamonds of painting : give us leave only to tell you, that we cannot but account it an eminent mercy to enjoy such helps as these are. It is ordinary in these days for men to speak evil of things they know not ; but if any are possessed with mean thoughts of these treatises, we shall only give the same counsel to them that Philip gives Nathanael, Come and see, John i. 46. It is no small advantage the reader now hath, by the addition of scriptures at large, whereby with little pains he may more profit, because with every truth he may behold its scripture foundation. And, indeed, considering what a Babel of opinions, what a strange confusion of tongues, there is this day among them who profess they speak the language of Canaan, there is no intelligent person but will conclude that advice of the prophet espe- cially suited to such an age as this, Isa. viii. 20, To the law, and to the testimony ; if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them. If the reverend and learned composers of these ensuing treatises were willing to take the pains of annexing scripture proofs to every truth, that the faith of people might not be built upon the dictates of men, but the authority of God, so some considerable pains hath now been further taken in transcribing those scriptures ; partly to prevent that grand inconvenience, (which all former impres- sions, except the Latin, have abounded with, to the great perplexing and disheartening of the reader,) the misquotation of scripture, the meanest reader being able, by having the words at large, to rectify whatever mistake may be in the printer in citing the particular place ; partly, to prevent the trouble of turning to every proof, which could not but be very great ; partly, to help the memories of such who are willing to take the pains of turning to every proof, but are unable to retain what they read ; and partlv, that this may serve as a Bible com- mon-place, the several passages of scripture, which are scattered up and down in the word, being in this book reduced to their proper head, and thereby giving light each to other. The advantages, you see, in this design, are many and great ; the way to spiritual knowledge is hereby made more easy, and the ignorance of this age more inexcusable. If, therefore, there be any spark in you of love to God, be not con- tent that any of yours should be ignorant of him whom you so much admire, or any haters of him whom you so much love. If there be any compassion to the souls of them who are under your care, if any regard of your being found faithful in the day of Christ, if any respect to future generations, labour to sow these seeds of knowledge, which may grow up in after-times. That you may be faithful herein, is the earnest prayer of, Henry Wilkinson, D.D. A.M. P. Roger Drake. William Taylor. Samuel Annesley. Thomas Gouge. Charles Offspring. Arthur Jackson. John Cross. Samuel Clerk. Samuel Slater. William Whitaker. John Fuller. James Nalton. Thomas Goodwin. Matthew Pool. William Bates. John Loder. Francis Raworth. William Cooper. William Jenkin. Thomas Manton. Thomas Jacomb. George Griffiths. Edward Perkins.^ Ralph Venning. " Jeremiah Burwell. Joseph Church. Has. Bridges. Samuel Smith. Samuel Rowles. John Glascock. Leo. Cooke. John Sheffield. Matthew Haviland. William Blackmore. Richard Kentish. Alexander Pringle. William Wickins. Thomas Watson. John Jackson. John Seabrooke. John Peachie. James Jollife. Obadiah Lee. MR THOMAS MANTON'S EPISTLE TO THE READER. Christian Keader, I CANNOT suppose thee to be such a stranger in England as to be ignorant of the general complaint concerning the decay of the power of godliness, and more especially of the great corruption of youth. Wherever thou goest, thou wilt hear men crying out of bad children and bad servants ; whereas in- deed the source of the mischief must be sought a little higher : it is bad parents and bad masters that make bad children and bad servants ; and we cannot blame so much their untowardness, as our own negligence in their education. The devil hath a great spite at the kingdom of Christ, and he knoweth no such compendious way to crush it in the egg y as by the perversion of youth, and supplanting family-duties. He striketh at all those duties which are publick in the assemblies of the saints ; but these are too well guarded by the solemn injunctions and dying charge of Jesus Christ, as that he should ever hope totally to subvert and undermine them ; but at family-duties he striketh with the more success, because the institution is not so solemn, and the prac- tice not so seriously and conscientiously regarded as it should be, and the omis- sion is not so liable to notice and publick censure. Religion was first hatched in families, and there the devil seeketh to crush it ; the families of the Patri- archs were all the Churches God had in the world for the time ; and therefore, (I suppose,) when Cain went out from Adam's family, he is said to go out from the face of the Lord, Gen. iv. 16. Now, the devil knoweth that this is a blow at the root, and a ready way to prevent the succession of Churches : if he can subvert families, other societies and communities will not long flourish and subsist with any power and vigour ; for there is the stock from whence they are supplied both for the present and future. For the present : A family is the seminary of Church and State ; and if children be not well principled there, all miscarrieth : a fault in the first con- coction is not mended in the second ; if youth be bred ill in the family, they prove ill in Church and Commonwealth ; there is the first making or marring, and the presage of their future lives to be thence taken, Prov. xx. 11. By family discipline, officers are trained up for the Church, 1 Tim. iii. 4, One that ruleth well his own house, &c. ; and there are men bred up in subjection and obedi- ence. It is noted, Acts xxi. 5, that the disciples brought Paul on his way with their wives and children ; their children probably are mentioned, to intimate, that their parents would, by their own example and affectionate farewell to Paul, breed them up in a way of reverence and respect to the pastors of the Church. For the future : It is comfortable, certainly, to see a thriving nursery of young plants, and to have hopes that God shall have a people to serve him when we are dead and gone : the people of God comforted themselves in that, Ps. cii. 28, The children of thy servants shall continue, &c. Upon all these considerations, how careful should ministers and parents be to train up young ones whilst they are yet pliable, and, like wax, capable of any form and impression, in the knowledge and fear of God ; and betimes to instil the principles of our most holy faith, as they are drawn into a short sum in Catechisms, and so altogether laid in the view of conscience ! Surely these seeds of truth planted in the field of memory, if they work nothing else, will at least be a great check and bridle to them, and, as the casting in of cold water doth stay the boiling of the pot, somewhat allay the fervours of youthful lusts and passions. I had, upon entreaty, resolved to recommend to thee with the greatest ear- nestness the work of catechising, and, as a meet help, the usefulness of this book, as thus printed with the Scriptures at large : but meeting with a private letter of a very learned and godly divine, wherein that work is excellently O THE EPISTLE TO TIIE READER. done to my hand, I shall make bold to transcribe a part of it, and offer it to publick view. _ The author having bewailed the great distractions, corruptions, and divi- sions that are in the Church, he thus represents the cause and cure : " Among others, a principal cause of these mischiefs is the great and common neglect of the governors of families, in the discharge of that duty which they owe to God for the souls that are under their charge, especially in teaching them the doctrine of Christianity. Families are societies that must be sanctified to God as well as Churches ; and the governors of them have as truly a charge of the souls that are therein, as pastors have of the Churches. But, alas, how little is this considered or regarded ! But while negligent ministers are (de- servedly) cast out of their places, the negligent masters of families take them- selves to be almost blameless. They offer their children to God in baptism, and there they promise to teach them the doctrine of the gospel, and bring them up in the nurture of the Lord ; but they easily promise, and easily break it ; and educate their children for the world and the flesh, although they have renounced these, and dedicated them to God. This covenant-breaking with God, and betraying the souls of their children to the devil, must lie heavy on them hero or hereafter. They beget children, and keep families, merely for the world and the flesh : but little consider what a charge is committed to them, and what it is to bring up a child for God, and govern a family as a sanctified society. " O how sweetly and successfully would the work of God go on, if we would but all join together in our several places to promote it ! Men need not then run without sending to be preachers ; but they might find that part of the work that belongeth to them to be enough for them, and to be the best that they can be employed in. Especially women should be careful of this duty ; because as they are most about their children, and have early and frequent opportunities to instruct them, so this is the principal service they can do to God in this world, being restrained from more publick work. And doubtless many an excellent magistrate hath been sent into the Commonwealth, and many an excellent pastor into the Church, and many a precious saint to heaven, through the happy preparations of a holy education, perhaps by a woman that thought herself useless and unserviceable to the Church. Would parents but begin betimes, and labour to affect the hearts of their children with the great matters of everlasting life, and to acquaint them with the substance of the doctrine of Christ, and, when they find in them the knowledge and love of Christ, would bring them then to the pastors of the Church to be tried, con- firmed, and admitted to the further privileges of the Church, what happy, well-ordered Churches might we have ! Then one pastor need not be put to do the work of two or three hundred or thousand governors of families, even to teach their children those principles which they should have taught them long before ; nor should we be put to preach to so many miserable ignorant souls, that be not prepared by education to understand us ; nor should we have need to shut out so many from holy communion upon the account of ignorance, that yet have not the grace to feel it and lament it, nor the wit and patience to wait in a learning state, till they are ready to be fellow-citizens with the saints, and of the household of God. But now they come to us with aged self-conceitedness, being past children, and yet worse than children still ; having the ignorance of children, but being overgrown the teachableness of children ; and think themselves wise, yea, wise enough to quarrel with the wisest of their teachers, because they have lived long enough to have been wise, and the evidence of their knowledge is their aged ignorance ; and they are readier to flee in our faces for Church-privileges, than to learn of us, and obey our instructions, till they are prepared for them, that they may do them good ; like snappish curs, that will snap us by the fingers for their meat, and snatch it out of our hands ; and not like children, that stay till we give it them. Parents have so used them to be unruly, that ministers have to deal but with too few but the unruly. And it is for want of this laying the foundation well at first, that professors themselves are so ignorant as most are, and that sc many, especially of the younger sort, do swallow down almost any error that is offered them, and follow any sect of dividers that will entice them, so it be but done with earnestness and plausibility. For, alas ! though by the grace THE EPISTLE TO THE READER. y of God their hearts may be changed in an hour, (whenever they understand but the essentials of the faith,) yet their understandings must have time and diligence to furnish them with such knowledge as must stablish them, and fortify them against deceits. Upon these, and many the like considerations, we should entreat all Christian families to take more pains in this necessary work, and to get better acquainted with the substance of Christianity. And, to that end, (taking along some moving treatises to awake the heart,) I know not what work should be fitter for their use, than that compiled by the As- sembly at Westminster ; a Synod of as godly, judicious divines, (notwithstand- ing all the bitter words which they have received from discontented and self-conceited men,) I verily think, as ever England saw. Though they had the unhappiness to be employed in calamitous times, when the noise of wars did stop men's ears, and the licentiousness of wars did set every wanton tongue and pen at liberty to reproach them, and the prosecution and event of those wars did exasperate partial discontented men to dishonour themselves by seek- ing to dishonour them ; I dare say, if in the days of old, when councils were in power and account, they had had but such a council of bishops, as this of presbyters was, the fame of it for learning and holiness, and all ministerial abilities, would, with very great honour, have been transmitted to posterity. "I do therefore desire, that all masters of families would first study well this work themselves, and then teach it their children and servants, according to their several capacities. And, if they once understand these grounds of religion, they will be able to read other books more understandingly, and hear sermons more profitably, and confer more judiciously, and hold fast the doctrine of Christ more firmly, than ever you are like to do by any other course. First, let the^i read and learn the Shorter Catechism, and next the Larger, and lastly, read the Confession of Faith." Thus far he, whose name I shall conceal, (though the excellency of the matter, and present style, will easily discover him,) because I have published it without Ids privitv and consent, though, I hope, not against his liking and approbation I shall add no more, but that I am, Thy servant, in the Lord's work, THOMAS MANTON. 10 An Ordinance of the Lords and Commons assembled in Parliament, for the calling of an Assembly of learned and godly Divines, and others, to be consulted with by the Parliament, for the settling of the government and liturgy of the Church of England; and for vindicating and clearing of the doctrine of the said Church from false aspersions and interpretations. June 12, 1643. WHEREAS, amongst the infinite blessings of Almighty God upon this nation, none is nor can be more dear unto us than the purity of our re- ligion ; and for that, as yet, many things remain in the liturgy, discipline, and government of the Church, which do necessarily require a further and more perfect reformation than as yet hath been attained ; and whereas it hath been declared and resolved by the Lords and Commons assembled in Parliament, that the present Church-government by archbishops, their chancellors, com- missars, deans, deans and chapters, archdeacons, and other ecclesiastical offi- cers depending upon the hierarchy, is evil, and justly offensive and burden- some to the kingdom, a great impediment to reformation and growth of reli- gion, and very prejudicial to the state and government of this kingdom ; and therefore they are resolved that the same shall be taken away, and that such a government shall be settled in the Church as may be most agreeable to God's holy word, and most apt to procure and preserve the peace of the Church at home, and nearer agreement with the Church of Scotland, and other Reformed Churches abroad ; and, for the better effecting hereof, and for the vindicating and clearing of the doctrine of the Church of England from all false calum- nies and aspersions, it is thought fit and necessary to call an Assembly of learned, godly, and judicious Divines, who, together with some members of both the Houses of Parliament, are to consult and advise of such matters and things, touching the premises, as shall be proposed unto them by both or either of the Houses of Parliament, and to give their advice and counsel therein to both or either of the said Houses, when, and as often as they shall be there- unto required : Be it therefore ordained, by the Lords and Commons in this present Parliament assembled, That all and every the persons hereafter in this present ordinance named, that is to say, — And such other person or persons as shall be nominated and appointed by both Houses of Parliament, or so many of them as shall not be letted by sick- ness, or other necessary impediment, shall meet and assemble, and are hereby required and enjoined, upon summons signed by the clerks of both Houses of Parliament, left at their respective dwellings, to meet and assemble themselves at Westminster, in the Chapel called King Henry the VII. 's Chapel, on the first day of July, in the year of our Lord one thousand six hundred and forty- three ; and after the first meeting, being at least the number of forty, shall from time to time sit, and be removed from place to place ; and also that the said Assembly shall be dissolved in such manner as by both Houses of Parlia- ment shall be directed : and the said persons, or so many of them as shall be so assembled, or sit, shall have power and authority, and are hereby likewise enjoined from time to time, during this present Parliament, or until further order be taken by both the said Houses, to confer and treat among themselves of such matters and things, touching and concerning the liturgy, discipline, and government of the Church of England, for the vindicating and clearing of the doctrine of the same from all false aspersions and misconstructions, as shall be proposed unto them by both or either of the said Houses of Parlia- ment, and no other; and deliver their opinion, advices of, or touching the matters aforesaid, as shall be most agreeable to the word of God, to both or either of the Houses, from time to time, in such manner and sort as by both or either of the said Houses of Parliament shall be required ; and the same not to divulge, by printing, writing, or otherwise, without the consent of both or either Houses of Parliament. And be it further ordained by the authority aforesaid, That William Twisse, doctor in divinity, shall sit in the chair, as prolocutor of the said Assembly ; and if he happen to die, or be letted by sickness, or other necessary impediment, then such other person to be ap- pointed in his place as shall be agreed on by the said Houses of Parliament : A.nd in case any difference in opinion shall happen amongst the said persous 11 so assembled, touching any the matters that shall be proposed to them as aforesaid, that then they shall represent the same, together with the reasons thereof, to both or either the said Houses respectively, to the end such further direction may be given therein as shall be requisite to that behalf. And bo it further ordained by the authority aforesaid, That, for the charges and ex- pences of the said Divines, and every one of them, in attending the said ser- vice, there shall be allowed every one of them that shall so attend, during the time of their said attendance, and for ten days before and ten days after, the sum of four shillings for every day, at the charges of the Commonwealth, at such time, and in such manner as by both Houses of Parliament shall be ap- pointed. And be it further ordained, That all and every the said Divines, so, as aforesaid, required and enjoined to meet and assemble, shall be freed and acquitted of and from every offence, forfeiture, penalty, loss, or damage, which shall or may ensue or grow by reason of any non-residence or absence of them, or any of them, from his or their, or any of their church, churches, or cures, for or in respect of their said attendance upon the said service ; any law or statute of non-residence, or other law or statute enjoining their at- tendance upon their respective ministries or charges, to the contrary theieof notwithstanding. And if any of the persons above named shall happen to die before the said Assembly shall be dissolved by order of both Houses of Parlia- ment, then such other person or persons shall be nominated and placed in the room and stead of such person or persons so dying, as by both the said Houses shall be thought fit and agreed upon ; and every such person or persons, so to be named, shall have the like power and authority, freedom and acquittal, to all intents and purposes, and also all such wages and allowances for the said service, during the time of his or their attendance, as to any other of the said persons in this ordinance is by this ordinance limited and appointed. Pro- vided always, That this ordinance, or any thing therein contained, shall not give unto the persons aforesaid, or any of them, nor shall they in this Assem- bly assume to exercise any jurisdiction, power, or authority ecclesiastical what- soever, or any other power than is herein particularly expressed. Assembly at Edinburgh, August 19, 1643. Sess. 14. Commission of the General Assembly to some Ministers and Buling Elders, for repairing to the Kingdom of England. rpHE General Assembly of the Church of Scotland finding it necessary to J- send some godly and learned of this Kirk to the kingdom of England, to the effect under written ; therefore gives full power and commission to Mr Alexander Henderson, Mr Robert Douglas, Mr Samuel Rutherford, Mr Robert Baillie, and Mr George Gillespie, Ministers, John Earl of Cassilis, John Lord Maitland, and Sir Archibald Johnstoun of Warristoun, Elders, or any three of them, whereof two shall be Ministers, to repair to the kingdom of England, and there to deliver the declaration sent unto the Parliament of England, and the letter sent unto the Assembly of Divines now sitting in that kingdom ; and to propone, consult, treat, and conclude with that Assembly, or any Com- missioners deputed by them, or any Committees or Commissioners deputed by the Houses of Parliament, in all matters which may further the union of this Island in one Form of Kirk-government, one Confession of Faith, one Cate- chism, one Directory for the worship of God, according to the instructions which they have received from the Assembly, or shall receive from time to time hereafter from the Commissioners of the Assembly deputed for that effect : with power also to them to convey to His Majesty the humble answer sent from this Assembly to His Majesty's letter, by such occasion as they sbalj think convenient ; and sicklike, to deliver the Assembly's answer to the lettei sent from some well-affected brethren of the ministry there ; and generally authorises them to do all things which may further the so much desired union. 12 and nearest conjunction of the two Churches of Scotland and England, conform to their instructions aforesaid. Many of the persons who were called by the foresaid Ordinance of the Lords and Commons (in that broken state of the Church) to attend the Assembly appeared not; whereupon the whole work lay on the hands of the persons hereafter mentioned. The Promise and Vow taken by every Member admitted to sit in the Assembly. I A. B. do seriously promise and vow, in the presence of Almighty God, That in this Assembly, whereof I am a member, I will maintain nothing in point of doctrine, but what I believe to be most agreeable to the word of God ; nor in point of discipline, but what may make most for God's glory, and the peace and good of this Church. A Lis U of the Divines who met in the Assembly at Westminster. Dr William Twisse of Newbury, Prolo- cutor, Dr Cornelius Burges of Waterford, John "White of Dorchester, Assessors, Dr William Gouge of Blackfriars, London, Robert Harris of Hanwell, B.D. Thomas Gattaker of Rotherhithe, Oliver Bowles of Sutton, B.D. Edward Reynolds of Bramston, Jeremiah Whitaker of Streton, Dr Anthony Tuckney of Boston, John Arrowsmith of Lynne, Simeon Ashe of St Brides, Philip Nye of Kimbolton, Jeremiah Burroughs of Stepney, John Lightfoot of Ashley, Stanley Gower of Brampton Bryan, Richard Heyrick of Manchester, Thomas Case of London, Dr Thomas Temple of Battery, George Gipps of Ayleston, Thomas Carter, Dr Humphrey Chambers of Claverstoun, Thomas Micklethwait of Cherryburton, John Guibon of Waltham, Christopher Tesdale of Uphusborne, Henry Philps, George Walker, B.D. Edmund Calamy, B.D. of Aldermanbury, Dr Lazarus Seaman of London, Joseph Caryl of Lincoln's Inn, Dr Henry VVilkinson senior of Waderston, Richard Vines of Calcot, Nicholas Profit of Marlborough, Stephen Marshall, B.D. of Finchingfield, Dr Joshua Iloyle late of Dublin, Thomas Wilson of Otham, Thomas Hodges of Kensington, Thomas Baillie of Mildenhall, B.D. Francis Taylor of Yalding, Thomas Young of Stownmarket, Thomas Valentine, B.D. of Chalfont, St Giles, William Greenhill of Stepney, Edward Pele of Compton, John Green of Pencomb, Andrew Pern of Wilby, Samuel de la Place, John de la March, John Dury, Philip Deline, Sidrach Simpson of London, John Langley of Westuderly, Richard Clayton of Showers, Arthur Sallaway of Seavernestock, John Ley of Budworth, Charles Herle of Winwick, prolocutor aftei Dr Twisse, Herbert Palmer, B.D. of Ashwel, assessor after Mr White, Daniel Cawdrey of Great Billing, Henry Painter, B.D. of Exeter, Henry Scudder of Colinborn, Thomas Hill, B.D. of Tichmarsh, William Reynor, B.D. of Egham, Dr Thomas Goodwin of London, Dr William Spurstow of Hampden, Matthew Newcomb of Dedham, Dr Edniond Staunton of Kingston, John Conant of Lymmington, B.D. Anthony Burges of Sutton Coldfield, William Rathband, Dr Francis Cheynel of Oxen, Dr Henry Wilkinson younger of Oxford, Obadiah Sedgwick, B.D. of Cogshal, Edward Corbist of Marton College, Ox- ford, Samuel Gibson of Burley, Thomas Coleman of Bliton, Theodore Backhurst, William Carter of London, Peter Smith, John Maynard of Mayfield, William Price of Paul's Church in Covent Garden, John Whincop of St Martins in tfcf Fields, William Bridge of Yarmouth, Peter Sterry of London, William Mew, B.D. of Eslington, Benjamin Pickering of East Hoatly, John Strickland of St Edmonds in Sarum, Humphrey Hardwick, Jasper Hicks of Lawrick or Lanrake, John Bond, Henry Hall, B.D. of Norwich, Thomas Ford of London, afterwards of Exeter, Thomas Thorogood of Massingham, Peter Clerk of Kerby Underhill, William Good, John Foxcrort of Cotham, John Ward, Richard B,vfield of Long-Ditton, Francis Woodcock, John Jackson of Marske. 18 Commissioners from the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland. Alexander Henderson of Edinburgh, John Lord Maitland, afterwards Duke of Robert Douglas of Edinburgh, Lauderdale, Samuel Rutherford of St Andrews, Sir Archibald Johnstoun of Waristoun, Robert Baillie of Glasgow, Henry Robrough, [Ruling Elders, George Gillespie of Edinburgh, Ministers, Adoniram Byfield, John Earl of Cassilis, John Wallis, Scribes. Assembly at Edinburgh, August 27, 1647. Sess. 23. Act approving the Confession of Faith. A CONFESSION of Faith for the Kirks of God in the three kingdoms, being the chiefest part of that uniformity in religion which, by the Solemn League and Covenant, we are bound to endeavour : And there being accord- ingly a Confession of Faith agreed upon by the Assembly of Divines sitting at Westminster, with the assistance of Commissioners from the Kirk of Scot- land ; which Confession was sent from our Commissioners at London to the Commissioners of the Kirk met at Edinburgh in January last, and hath been in this Assembly twice publickly read over, examined, and considered ; copies thereof being also printed, that it might be particularly perused by all the members of this Assembly, unto whom frequent intimation was publickly made, to put in their doubts and objections, if they had any : And the said Confession being, upon due examination thereof, found by the Assembly to be most agreeable to the word of God, and in nothing contrary to the received doctrine, worship, discipline, and government of this Kirk. And, lastly, It being so necessary, and so much longed for, that the said Confession be, with all possible diligence and expedition, approved and established in both king- doms, as a principal part of the intended uniformity in religion, and as a special means for the more effectual suppressing of the many dangerous errors and heresies of these times ; the General Assembly doth therefore, after mature deliberation, agree unto, and approve the said Confession, as to the truth of the matter ; (judging it to be most orthodox, and grounded upon the word of God ;) and also, as to the point of uniformity, agreeing for our part, that it be a common Confession of Faith for the three Kingdoms. The Assembly doth also bless the Lord, and thankfully acknowledge his great mercy, in that so excellent a Confession of Faith is prepared, and thus far agreed upon in both kingdoms ; which we look upon as a great strengthening of the true reformed religion against the common enemies thereof. But, lest our intention and meaning be in some particulars misunderstood, it is hereby expressly declared and provided, That the not mentioning in this Confession the several sorts of ecclesiastical officers and assemblies, shall be no prejudice to the truth of Christ in these particulars, to be expressed fully in the Directory of Government. It is further declared, That the Assembly understandeth some parts of the second article of the thirty-one chapter only of kirks not settled, or constituted in point of government : And that although, in such kirks, a synod of Ministers, and other fit persons, may be called by the Magistrate's authority and nomi- nation, without any other call, to consult and advise with about matters of religion ; and although, likewise, the Ministers of Christ, without delegation from their churches, may of themselves, and by virtue of their office, meet together synodically in such kirks not yet constituted, yet neither of these ought to be done in kirks constituted and settled ; it being always free to the Magistrate to advise with synods of Ministers and Ruling Elders, meeting upon delegation from their churches, either ordinarily, or, being indicted by his authority, occasionally, and pro re nata; it being also free to assemble to- gether synodically, as well pro re nata as at the ordinary times, upon delega- tion from the churches, by the intrinsical power received from Christ, as often as it ib necessary for the good of the Church so to assemble, in case the Magis- 14 trate, to the detriment of the Church, withhold or deny his consent ; the ne- cessity of occasional assemblies being first remonstrate unto him by humble supplication. A. KER. Chables I. Pari. 2. Sess. 2. Act 16. Act anient the Catechisms, Confession of Faith, and Batification thereof. At Edinburgh, February 7, 1649. THE Estates of Parliament, now presently convened in this second Session of the second triennial Parliament, by virtue of an Act of the Committee of Estates, who had power and authority from the last Parliament for conven- ing the Parliament, having seriously considered the Catechisms, viz. the Larger and Shorter ones, with the Confession of Faith, witb three Acts of Approba- tion thereof by the Commissioners of the General Assembly, presented unto them by the Commissioners of the said General Assembly ; do ratify and ap- prove the said Catechisms, Confession of Faith, and Acts of Approbation of the same, produced as it is ; and ordains them to be recorded, published, and practised. ACT 7th June 1690. Ratifying the Confession of Faith, and settling Presbyterian Church Government. OUR Sovereign Lord and Lady, the King and Queen's Majesties, and three Estates of Parliament, conceiving it to be their bounden duty, after the great deliverance that God hath lately wrought for this Church and Kingdom, in the first place to settle and secure therein the true Protestant religion, ac- cording to the truth of God's word, as it hath of a long time been professed within this land; as also the government of Christ's Church within this Nation, agreeable to the word of God, and most conducive to the advancement of true piety and godliness, and the establishing of peace and tranquillity 7 within this realm, — they, by these presents, ratify and establish the Confession of Faith now read in their presence, and voted and approven by them, as the public and avowed Confession of this Church, containing the sum and substance of the Doctrine of the Reformed Churches, (which Confession of Faith is sub- joined to this present Act,) as also they do establish, ratify, and confirm the Presbyterian Church Government and Discipline ; that is to say, the Govern- ment of the Church by Kirk Sessions, Presbyteries, Provincial Synods, and General Assemblies, ratified and established by the 114 Act James VI., Pari. 12, Anno 1592, entitled Ratification of the Liberty of the Kirk, &c, and there- after received by the general consent of this nation, to be the only Government of Christ's Church within this kingdom ; reviving, renewing, and confirming the same in the whole heads thereof, except that part of it relating to Patronages, which is hereafter to be taken into consideration. THE CONFESSION OF FAITH; AGREED UPON BY THE ASSEMBLY OF DIVINES AT WESTMINSTER. WITH THE ASSISTANCE OF COMMISSIONERS FROM THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND, A PART OF THE COVENANTED UNIFORMITY IN RELIGION BETWIXT TOE CHURCHES OF CHRIST IN THE KINGDOMS OF SCOTLAND, ENGLAND, AND IRELAND. Approved by the General Assembly 1647, and ratified an'd established by Acts of Parliament 1649 and 1690, as the publick and avowed Confession of the Church of Scotland, with the Proofs from the Scripture. THE CONTENTS. CHAP. I. II. IJI. IV. V. VI. VII. VIII. IX. X. XI. XII. XIII. XIV. XV. XVI. XVII. CHAP. f\F the Holy Scripture. yj Of God, and of the Holy XVIII. Trinity. XIX. Of God's Eternal Decree. XX. Of Creation. Of Providence. XXL Of the Fall of Man, of Sin, and of the Punishment XXII. thereof. XXIII. Of God's Covenant with Man. XXIV. Of Christ the Mediator. XXV. Of Free Will. XXVI. Of Effectual Calling. XXVII. Of Justification. XXVIII. Of Adoption. XXIX. Of Sanctification. XXX. Of Saving Faith. XXXI. Of Repentance unto Life. XXXII. Of Good Works. Of the Perseverance of the Saints. XXXIII , Of Assurance of Grace and Salvation. . Of the Law of God. Of Christian Liberty, and Liberty of Conscience. Of Religious W 7 orship, and the Sabbath-day. Of lawful Oaths and Vows Of the Civil Magistrate. Of Marriage and Divorce. Of the Church. Of Communion of Saints. Of the Sacraments. Of Baptism. Of the Lord's Supper. Of Church Censures. Of Synods and Councils. Of the State of Men after Death, and of the Resur- rection of the Dead. . Of the last Judgment. THE CONFESSION OF FAITH, Agreed upon by the Assembly or Divines at Westminster : Examined and approved, Anno 1647, by the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland; and ratiiied by Acts of Parliament 1040 and 1690. CHAP. 1.— Of the Holy Scripture. I. A LTIIOUGII the light of nature, and the works of creation and J\. providence, do so far manifest the goodness, wisdom, and power of God, as to leave men inexcusable ; a yet they are not sufficient to give that knowledge of God, and of his will, which is necessary unto salva- tion : b therefore it pleased the Lord, at sundry times, and in divers manners, to reveal himself, and to declare that his will unto his Church ; c and afterwards, for the better preserving and propagating of the truth, and for the more sure establishment and comfort of tlie Church against the corruption of the flesh, and the malice of Satan and of the world, to commit the same wholly unto writing ; d which maketh I. a Rom. ii. 14. For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves : Yer. 15. Which shew the work of the laiu written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thouglits the mean while accusing or else excusing one another. Rom. i. 19. Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them: for God hath shewed it unto them. Ver. 20. For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and God head ; so that they arc without excuse. Ps. xix. 1. The heavens declare the glory of God ; and the firmament sheiveth his handy-work. Yer. 2. Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night sheweth knoiv- ledge. Ver. 3. There is no speech nor lan- guage where their voice is not heard. Rom. i. 32. Who, knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them. With Rom. ii. 1. Therefore thou art inexcusable, man, whosoever thou art that judgest : for wherein thou judgest another, thou con- demnest thyself ; for thou that judgest doest the same things. b 1 Cor. i. 21. For after that, in the wis- dom of God, the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe. 1 Cor. ii. 13. Which things also we speak, not in the words which man f s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth ; com- paring spiritual things with spiritual. Ver. 14. But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God : for they are foolishness unto him; neither can he know them,because they are spiritually discerned. c lleb. i. 1. God, who at sundry times, and in divers manners, spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets. d Prov. xxii. 19. That thy trust may be in the Lord, I have made known to thee this day, even to thee. Ver. 20. Have not I written to thee excellent things in coun- sels and knowledge ; Ver. 21. That I might make thee know the certainty of the words of truth ; that thou mightest ' answer the words of truth to them that send unto thee ? Luke i. 3. It seemed good to me also, having had perfect understanding of all things from the very first, to write unto thee in order, most excellent Thcophilus, Ver. 4. That thou mightest know the certainty of those things wherein thou hast been in- structed. Rom. xv. 4. Eor whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning ; that we, through patience and comfort of the scriptures, might have hope. Matt. iv. 4. But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that pro- ceeded out of the mouth of God. Ver. 7. Jesus said unto him, It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God. Ver. 10. Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan : for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve. Isa. viii. 19. And when they shall say unto you, Seek unto them that have familiar spirits, and unto wizards that peep and that mutter : should not a people seek unto their God ? for the living to the dead? Ver. 20. To the law and to the testimony : if they speak not ac- cording to this word, it is because there is no light in them. fi 18 THE CONFESSION OF FAITH. CHAP. the holy scripture to be most necessary ; e those former ways of God's revealing his will unto his people being now ceased. f n. Under the name of Holy Scripture, or the Word of God written, are now contained all the Books of the Old and New Testaments, which are these : — Genesis. Exodus. Leviticus. Numbers. Deuteronomy. Joshua. Judges. Euth. I. Samuel. II. Samuel. of TnE OLD I. Kings. II. Kings. I. Chronicles. II. Chronicles. Ezra. Nehemiah. Esther. Job. Psalms. Proverbs. TESTAMENT. Ecclesiastes. The Song of Songs. Isaiah. Jeremiah. Lamentations. Ezekiel. Daniel. Hosea. Joel. Amos. Obadiah. Jonah. Micah. Nahum. Habakkuk. Zephaniah. Haggai. Zechariah. Malachi. OF THE NEW TESTAMENT. The Gospels ac- cording to Matthew. Mark. Luke. John. The Acts of the Apostles. Paul's Epistles to the Romans. Corinthians I. Corinthians II. Galatians. Ephesians. Philippians. Colossians. Thessalonians I. Thessalonians II. To Timothy I. To Timothy II. To Titus. To Philemon. The Epistle to the Hebrews. The Epistle of James. The first and se- cond Epistles of Peter. The first, second, and third Epis- tles of John. The Epistle of Jude. The Revelation. All which are given by inspiration of God, to be the rule of faith and life.e III. The Books commonly called Apocrypha, not being of divine inspiration, are no part of the canon of the scripture ; and therefore are of no authority in the Church of God, nor to be any otherwise ap- proved, or made use of, than other human writings. 11 e 2 Tim. iii. 15. And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. 2 Pet. i. 19. We have also a more sure word of prophecy ; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day-star arise in your hearts. f Heb. i. 1. God, who at sundry times, and in divers manners, spake i?i time past unto the fathers by the prophets, Ver. 2. Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds. II. g Luke xvi. 29. Abraham saith unto him, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them. Ver. 31. And he said cnto him, If they hear not Moses and the l>rophets, neither will they be persuaded though one rose from the dead. Eph. ii. 20. And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ him- self being the chief corner-stone. Rev. xxii. 18. For I testify unto every man that hear- eth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book : Ver. 19. And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book. 2 Tim. iii. 16. All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness. III. h Luke xxiv. 27. And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself. Ver. 44. And he said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled which were written in the law of Moses, and in the Pro- phets, and in the Psalms, concerning me. Rom. iii. 2. Much every way : chiefly, be- cause that unto them were committed the oracles of God. 2 Pet. i. 21. For the pro- phecy came not in old time by the wUi oj C!HAI\ I. T1IK CONFESSION OF FAITH. 19 IV. The authority of the holy scripture, for which it ought to be believed and obeyed, dependoth not upon the testimony of any man or church, but wholly upon God, (who is truth itself,) the author thereof; and therefore it is to be received, because it is the word of God.i V. We may be moved and induced by the testimony of the Church to an high and reverend esteem of the holy scripture, k and the heaven - liness of the matter, the efficacy of the doctrine, the majesty of the style, the consent of all the parts, the scope of the whole, (which is to give all glory to God,) the full discovery it makes of the only way of man's salvation, the many other incomparable excellencies, and the entire perfection thereof, are arguments whereby it doth abundantly evidence itself to be the word of God; yet, notwithstanding, our full persuasion and assurance of the infallible truth, and divine authority thereof, is from the inward work of the Holy Spirit, bearing witness by and with the word in our hearts. 1 VI. The whole counsel of God, concerning all things necessary for his own glory, man's salvation, faith, and life, is either expressly set down in scripture, or by good and necessary consequence may be de- duced from scripture : unto which nothing at any time is to be added, whether by new revelations of the Spirit, or traditions of men. m Ne- man; but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost. IV. i 2 Pet. i. 19. We have also a more sure word of prophecy ; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day-star arise in your hearts. Ver. 21. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man ; but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost. 2 Tim. iii. 16. All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for in- struction in righteousness. 1 John v. 9. If we receive the witness of men, the wit- ness of God is greater : for this is the wit- ness of God which he hath testified of his Son. 1 Thess. ii. 13. For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but (as it is in truth) the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe. V. k 1 Tim. iii. 15. But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth. 1 1 John ii. 20. But ye have an unction from the Holy One, and ye know all things. Ver. 27. But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you; and ye need not that any man teach you : but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him. John xvi. 13. Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth : for he shall not speak of himself ; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak; and he will phew you things to come. Ver. 14. He shall glorify me ; for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you. 1 Cor. ii. 10. But God hath re- vealed them unto us by his Spirit : for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. Ver. 11. For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him ? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God. Ver. 12. Now we have re- ceived, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit which is of God ; that we might knov) the things that are freely given to us of God. Isa lix. 21. As for me, this is my covenant with them, saith the Lord ; My Spirit that is upon thee, and my words which I have put in thy mouth, shall not depart out of thy mouth, nor out of the mouth of thy seed, nor out of the mouth of thy seed's seed, saith the Lord, from hence- forth and for ever. VI. m 2 Tim. iii. 15. And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto sal- vation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. Ver. 16. All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doc- trine, for reproof, for correction, for instruc- tion in righteousness ; Ver. 17. That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly fur- nished unto all good works. Gal. i. 8. But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be ac- cused. Ver. 9. As we said before, so say 1 now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed. 2 Thess. ii. 2. That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand. 20 THE CONFESSION OF FAITH. CHAP. I. verthelcss, we acknowledge the inward illumination of the Spirit ot God to be necessary for the saving understanding of such things as are revealed in the w r ord ; n and that there are some circumstances con- cerning the worship of God, and government of the Church, common to human actions and societies, which are to be ordered by the light of nature and Christian prudence, according to the general rules of the word, which are always to be observed. VII. All things in scripture are not alike plain in themselves, nor alike clear unto all ;P yet those things which are necessary to be known, believed, and observed, for salvation, are so clearly propounded and opened in some place of scripture or other, that not only the learned, but the unlearned, in a due use of the ordinary means, may attain unto a sufficient understanding of them.q VIII. The Old Testament in Hebrew, (which was the native lan- guage of the people of God of old,) and the New Testament in Greek, (which at the time of the writing of it was most generally known to the nations,) being immediately inspired by God, and by his singular care and providence kept pure in all ages, are therefore authentical ; r so as in all controversies of religion, the Church is finally to appeal unto them. s But because these original tongues are not known to all the people of God, who have right unto and interest in the scriptures, and are commanded, in the fear of God, to read and search them,* therefore they are to be translated into the vulgar language of every nation unto which they come, u that the word of God dwelling plenti- n John vi. 45. Jt is written in the pro- my feet, and a light unto my path. Ver. phets, And they shall he all taught of God. 130. The entrance of thy words givcth light; Every man therefore that hath heard, and it giveth understanding unto the simple. hath learned of the Father, cometh unto VIII. r Matt. v. 18. For verily I say unto me. 1 Cor. ii. 9. But, as it is written, Eye you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have one tittle shall in no wise pass from the entered into the heart of man, the things law, till all be fulfilled. which God hath prepared for them that love ■ Isa. viii. 20. To the law and to the tcs- him. Ver. 10. But God hath revealed them timony : if they speak not according to this unto us by his Spirit : for the Spirit search- word, it is because there is no light in them, eth all things, yea, the deep things of God. Acts xv. 15. And to this agree the words of Ver. 11. For what man knoweth the things the prophets; as it is written. John v. 39. of a man, save the spirit of man which is Search the scriptures; for in them ye think in him ? even so the things of God knoweth ye have eternal life : and they are they which no man, but the Spirit of God. Ver. 12. testify of me. Ver. 46. For had ye believed Now we have received, not the spirit of the Moses, ye would have believed me ; for he world, but the Spirit which is of God ; that wrote of me. we might know the things that are freely t John v. 39. Search the scriptures; for given to us of God- in them ye think ye have eternal life : and o 1 Cor. xi. 13. Judge in yourselves : is they are they which testify of me. it comely that a woman pray unto God un- « 1 Cor. xiv. 6. Now, brethren, if I come covered? Ver. 14. Doth not even nature unto you speaking with tongues, what shall itself teach you, that, if a man have long I profit you, except I shall speak to you hair, it is a shame unto him ? 1 Cor. xiv. either by revelation, or by knowledge, or by 26. How is it then, brethren? when ye prophesying, or by doctrine? Ver. 9. So come together, every one of you hath a likewise ye, except ye utter by the tongue psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath words easy to be understood, how shall it a revelation, hath an interpretation. Let be known what is spoken? for ye shall all things be done unto edifying. Ver. 40. speak into the air. Ver. 11. Therefore if I Let all things be done decently and in know not the meaning of the voice, I shall order. be unto him that speaketh a barbarian, and VII. p 2 Pet. iii. 16. As also in all his he that speaketh shall be a barbarian unto epistles, speaking in them of these things : me. Ver. 12. Even so ye, forasmuch as ye in which are some things hard to be under- are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek that ye stood, which they that are unlearned and may excel to the edifying of the church. unstable wrest, as they do also the other Ver. 24. But if all prophesy, and there come Scriptures, unto their own destruction. in one that believeth not, or one unlearned,