Tappan Brest, his (iii) 1-8-1932 To the Reader. THE first Edition of this Collection was published Anno 1725; to which there is prefixed an Advertisement, giving the Reasons why it was then published, which Advertisement, we have thought fit here to omit: And the Reafon given for publishing this new Edition is, That the former Editions are fold off, and there feems now to be a Demand for more; befides, we can never think it unfeasonable to publifh fuch a Collection, when the doctrinal Part, and even thofe Parts relating to Government and Difcipline, are thereby brought to Your Eye, with their Proofs from the Scripture. In this, as in the former Editions, you have fuch a Collection of our publick Standards and Acts, from the Time that the Light and Power of the Gospel recovered us from Popery, till the year of our Lord 1650, as may fully hold forth the bleed Reformation in Doctrine, Worship, Difcipline and Government, to which by the good and fpecial Hand of our Lord, the Church of Scotland attained. Tho' we don't here leave out any Part of the former Collection, yet, in order to oblige A 2 the the Subscribers, and render the Book yet stil more ufeful; we have added the Form of Pro cefs, ufed in the Judicatories of the Churc of Scotland; likewife fubjoined feveral A& and Overtures of the General Affemblies there anent; with other Things of a publick and in terefting Nature: Hoping this Edition wi give a general Satisfaction to all the Member of the Church of Scotland, especially thofe wh want to be informed, and retain the Knowledg of their own Principles. You'll also please be informed. that as th Scriptures at large were left out of the forme Impreffions, fo they are likewife left out of this and for the very fame Reafon, viz. Because th Confeffion and Catechifms are frequently printed, and many have them already; and have put them in, would have fwelled the Bo too much in Bulk and Price for poor Peopl But whoever wants the Westminster Confeflio and Catechifms with the Scriptures at larg may be furnished with them by the Printer this Book. And now, wishing your Edification in th Perufal and Study of this Collection,, he refi Your Friend The PUBLISH ER This Copy is printed from the Copy printed at Lon- don, Anno 1641, for William Cooke, compared with fe- II. The Scots Confeffion of Faith. This is printed from Calderwood's Hiftory, printed Anno 1678, compared with that fet down in the print- ed Acts of Parliament, and several other Copies. III. The Sum of the First Book of Difcipline. This Copy is printed from the Edition printed at E- This is printed from the Edition printed at Edinburgh, VI. The National Covenant, or Confeffion of Faith. This Edition is printed according to the Copy in the Acts of Parliament, Anno 1640, printed at Edinburgh, by Evan Taylor, his Majefty's Printer; and compared This is printed from the Copy in the Acts of Parlia ment, Anno 1644, printed by Evan Taylor; compared with feveral principal Copies, with many original Sub- fcriptions, 1643 and 1648; printed at Edinburgh the VIII. The Form of Presbyterian Church-Government, This is printed from the Edition approven by the Ge- neral Affembly of the Church of Scotland, Anno 1645; and printed at Edinburgh 1647, by Evan Taylor. IX. The Directory for the Publick Worship of God p. 197. This is printed conform to the Copy approven by the General Affembly, Anno 1645; and, by the Order of This is printed from the Copy fet down in the printed This is printed from the Edition, printed first at Lon- don, by Ordinance of the Parliament of England, 29th of April 1647; and again, by the General Affembly of This is conform to the Edition, printed by Appoint- ment of the Commiffion of the General Affembly, De- cember 23d 1647, at Edinburgh, by Evan Taylor; This is printed from the Edition, printed by an Ordi- by |