the Lord, and thankfully acknowledge his great Mercy, in that fo excellent a Confeffion of Faith is prepared, and thus far agreed upon in both Kingdoms, which we look upon as a great ftrengthening of the true reformed Religion, against the common Enemies thereof. But, left our Intention and Meaning be in fome Particulars mif understood, it is hereby exprefly declared and provided, That the not mentioning in this Confeffion the feveral Sorts of Ecclefiaftical Officers and Affemblies, shall be no Prejudice to the Truth of Chrift in these Particulars, to be expreffed fully in the Directory of Government. It is further declared, That the Affembly understandeth fome Parts of the fecond Article of the Thirty-one Chapter, only of Kirks not fettled, or conftituted in Point of Government; And that although, in fuch Kirks, a Synod of Ministers, and other fit Perfons, may be called by the Magiftrates Authority and Nomination, without any o ther Call, to confult and advise with about Matters of Religion; and although likewife, the Minifters of Chrift, without Delegation from their Churches, may of themfelves, and by Vertue of their Office, meet together fynodically in fuch Kirks not yet conftituted; yet neither of thefe ought to be done in Kirks conftituted and fettled; it being always free to the Magiftrate to advise with Synods of Minifters and Ruling Elders, meeting upon Delegation from their Churches, either ordinarily, or being indicted by his Authority, occafionally and pro re nata; it being alfo free to affemble together fynodically, as well pro re nata as at the ordinary Times, upon Delegation from the Churches, by the intrinfical Power received from Chrift as often as it is neceffary for the good of the Church fo to affemble, in cafe the Ma giftrate, to the Detriment of the Church, with-hold or deny his Confent, the Neceffity of occafional Affemblies being firft remonftrate unto him by humble Supplication. A. KER. The CONTENTS. СНАР. I. F. the Holy Scripture. 2. Of God and the Holy Trinity. 3. Of God's eternal Decree, 4. Of Creation, 5. Of Providence. 6. Of the Fall of Man, of Sin, and of the Punishment thereof. 7. Of God's Covenant with Man. 8. Of Chrift the Mediator. 9. Of Free-will. 10. Of Effectual Calling. 13. Of Sanctification. 14. Of Saving Faith. 15. Of Repentance unto Life. 16. Of God's Works. 17. Of the Perfeverance of the Saints. 18. Of Affurance of Grace and Salvation. 19. Of the Law of God. 20. Of Chriftian Liberty, and Liberty of Confcience. 21. Of Religious Worship, and the Sabbath Day. 22. Of lawful Oaths and Vows. 23. Of the Civil Magiftrate. 24. Of Marriage, and Divorce. 25. Of the Church. 26. Of the Communion of Saints. 27. Of the Sacraments. 28. Of Baptism: 29. Of the Lord's Supper. 30. Of Church Cenfures. 31. Of Synods and Councils. 32. Of the State of Man after Death, and of the Refurrection of the Dead. 33. Of the last Judgment. THE Confeffion of FAITH, Agreed upon by the Affembly of Divines at Westminfter, examined and approved, Anno, 1647, by the Church of Scotland: And ratified by Act of Parliament 1649. Although the Light of Nature, and the Works of Creation and Providence, do so far manifest the Goodness, Wisdom, and Power of God, as to leave Men inexcufable a; yet are they not fufficient to give that Knowledge of God, and of his Will, which is neceffary unto Salvation b, Therefore it pleafed the Lord, at fundry Times, and in divers Manners, to reveal himself, and to declare that his Will unto his Church c; and afterwards, for the better preferving and propogating of the Truth, and for the more fure Eftablishment and Comfort of the Church, against the Corruption of the Flesh, and the Malice of Satan, and of the World, to commit the fame wholly unto Writing d: Which maketh the holy Scripture to be moft neceffary e; thofe former Ways of God's revealing his Will to his People being now ceafed f. II. Under a Rom. 2. 14, 15. Rom. 1. 19, 20. Pfal. 19. 1, 2, 3. Rom. 1. 32. with Chap. 2. 1. 61 Cor. 1. 21. Cor. 2. 13,14. c Heb. 1. 1. d Prov. 22. 19, 20, 21. Luke 1.3, 4. Rom. 15. 4. Matt. 4. 4,7,10. Ifa. 8. 19,20. e 2Tim, 3. 15., 2 Pet. 1. 19. fHeb. 1. 1,2. II. Under the Name of Holy Scripture, or the Word of God written, are now contained all the Books of the Old and New Testament, which are these : 1. Corinthians. II. Corinthians. Galatians. Ephefians. 1. Theffalonians. II. Theffalonians. To Philemon. The Epistle to the Hebrews. The Epiftle of James. The 1ft, Ep. of Peter. All which are given by Infpiration of God, to be the Rule of Faith and Life g. Luke 16. 29, 31. Eph. 2. 20. Rev. 22. 18, 19. a Tim. 3. 16. III. The Books commonly called Apocrypha, not be. ing of Divine Infpiration, are no Part of the Canon of the Scripture; and therefore are of no Authority in the Church of God, nor to be any otherwife approved, or made use of, than other human Writings h. h Luke 24. 27, 44. Rom. 3. 2. 2 Pet. 1. 21. IV. The Authority of the Holy Scripture, for which It ought to be believed and obeyed, dependeth not upon the Teftimony 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. i 2 Pet. 1. 19, 21. 2 Tim. 3. 16. 1 John 5.9: 1 Th. 2.13. V. We may be moved and induced by the Testimo by of the Church to an high and reverent Efteem of the Holy Scripture k. And the Heavenliness of the Mat 1 Tim. 3. 15. ter |