are of no BTU 10 MOTHES 105 IHT in the Church of God, nor to approved, or made use of, than other human we any otherwise IV. The authority of the holy scripture, for which it ought to be be lieved and obeyed, dependeth 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 V. We may be moved and induced by the testimony of the Church to an high and reverend esteem of the holy scripture, and the heavenliness 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'. dab' 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 deduced from scripture: unto which nothing at any time is to be added, whether by new revelations of the Spirit, or traditions of men. Nevertheless, we acknowledge the inward illumination of 2 bas teri odT Masinolea, vi'i belga b69 Izdom or III. Luke xxiv. 27. And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all 44. And he said unto them, These are thei words which I spake unto you while I was yet with you, that all things must be in the law of the things concerning himself! Scripures fulfilled which were written and in the Moses, and in the spake 4, they were moved by the Holy Ghost sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do to behave thyself in the house of \God}/ which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth. 11 John it. 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 anomting teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and in him. John xvi. 18. Howbeit when he even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide himself, but whatsoever he shall hear shall not speak of himself A things to come. Ver. 14. He shall glorify VI. 2 Timoji. 1520And that from acid child thou hast known the holy scriptures, the Spirit of God to be necessary for the saving understanding of such things as are revealed in the word; and that there are some circumstances concerning 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; 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. VIII. The Old Testament in Hebrew, (which was the native language 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'; so as in all controversies of religion, the Church is finally to appeal unto them. 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", that the word of God dwell which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. Ver. 16. All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness; Ver. 17. That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished 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 accursed. Ver. 9. As we said before, so say I 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. John vi. 45. It is written in the prophets, And they shall be all taught of God. Every man therefore that hath heard, and hath learned of the Father, cometh unto me. 1 Cor. ii. 9. But, as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. Ver. 10. But God hath revealed 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 received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. 61 Cor. xi. 13. Judge in yourselves: is it comely that a woman pray unto God uncovered? Ver. 14. Doth not even nature itself teach you, that, if a man have long hair, it is a shame unto him? 1 Cor. xiv. 26. How is it then, brethren? when ye come toge ther, every one of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath an interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying. Ver. 40. Let all things be done decently, and in order. VII. P 2 Pet. iii. 16. As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things: in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction. q Psal. cxix. 105. Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path. Ver. 130. The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple. VIII. Mat. v. 18. For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled. s 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. Acts xv. 15. And to this agree the words of the prophets; as it is written. John v. 39. Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me. Ver. 46. For had ye believed Moses, ye would have believed me: for he wrote of me. t John v. 39. Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me. u1 Cor. xiv. 6. Now, brethren, if I come unto you speaking with tongues, what ing plentifully in all, they may worship him in an acceptable manner, and, through patience and comfort of the scriptures, may have hope*. IX. The infallible rule of interpretation of scripture is the scripture itself; and therefore, when there is a question about the true and full sense of any scripture, (which is not manifold, but one,) it must be searched and known by other places that speak more clearly. X. The supreme Judge, by which all controversies of religion are to be determined, and all decrees of councils, opinions of ancient writers, doctrines of men, and private spirits, are to be examined, and in whose sentence. we are to rest, can be no other but the Holy Spirit speaking in the scripture2. CHAP. II. Of God, and of the Holy Trinity. HERE is but one only living and true God, who is infinite in shall I profit you, except I shall speak to you either by revelation, or by knowledge, or by prophesying, or by doctrine? Ver. 9. So likewise ye, except ye utter by the tongue words easy to be understood, how shall it be known what is spoken? for ye shall speak into the air. Ver. 11. There fore if I know not the meaning of the voice, I shall be unto him that speaketh a barbarian, and he that speaketh shall be a barbarian unto me. Ver. 12. Even so ye, forasmuch as ye are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek that ye may excel to the edifying of the church. Ver. 24. But if all prophesy, and there come in one that believeth not, or one unlearned, he is convinced of all, he is judged of all. Ver. 27. If any man speak in an unknown tongue, let it be by two, or at the most by three, and that by course; and let one interpret. Ver. 28. But if there be no interpreter, let him keep silence in the church; and let him speak to himself, and to God. Col. iii. 16. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms, and hymns, and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. x Rom. xv. 4. For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning; that we, through patience and comfort of the scriptures, might have hope. IX y 2 Pet. i. 20. Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. 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. Acts xv. 15. And to this agree the words of the prophets; as it is written, Ver. 16. After this I will return, and will build again the tabernacle of David, which is fallen down; and I will build again the ruins thereof, and I will set it up. X. Mat. xxii. 20. Jesus answered and said unto them, Ye do err, not knowing. the scriptures, nor the power of God. Ver. 31. But as touching the resurrection of the dead, have ye not read that which was spoken unto you by God, saying. Eph. ii. 20. And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief cornerstone. With Acts xxviii. 25. And when they agreed not among themselves, they departed, after that Paul had spoken one word, Well spake the Holy Ghost by Esaias the prophet unto our fathers. I. a Deut. vi. 4. Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord. 1 Cor. viii. 4. As concerning therefore the eating of those things that are offered in sacrifice unto idols, we know that an idol is nothing in the world, and that there is none other God but one. Ver. 6. But to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Je-sus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him. b1 Thess. i. 9. For they themselves show of us what manner of entering in we had unto you, and how ye turned to God from idols, to serve the living and true God. Jer. x. 10. But the Lord is the true God, he is the living God, and an everlasting King. eJob xi. 7. Canst thou by searching find out God? canst thou find out the Almighty unto perfection? Ver. 8. It is as high as heaven; what canst thou do? deeper than hell; what canst thou know? Ver. 9. The measure thereof is longer than the earth, and broader than the sea. Job xxvi. 14. Lo, these are parts of his ways; but how little a portion is heard of him? but the thunder of his power who can understand? d John iv. 24. God is a Spirit: and they: that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth. 1 Tim. i. 17. Now, unto the King body, parts, or passionss, immutable, immensei, eternal, incomprehensible', almightym, most wise", most holy, most free", most absolutes, working all things according to the counsel of his own immutable and most righteous will, for his own glory; most loving, gracious, merciful, long-suffering, abundant in goodness and truth, forgiving iniquity, transgression, and sin"; the rewarder of them that diligently seek him; and withal most just and terrible in his judgments*; eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen. f Deut. iv. 15. Take ye therefore good heed unto yourselves, (for ye saw no manner of similitude on the day that the Lord spake unto you in Horeb out of the midst of the fire,) Ver. 16. Lest ye corrupt yourselves, and make you a graven image, the similitude of any figure, the likeness of male or female. John iv. 24. God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth. With Luke xxiv. 39. Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have. 8 Acts xiv. 11. And when the people saw what Paul had done, they lifted up their voices, saying in the speech of Lycaonia, The gods are come down to us in the likeness of men. Ver. 15. And saying, Sirs, why do ye these things? We also are men of like passions with you, and preach unto you, that ye should turn from these vanities unto the living God, which made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all things that are therein. h James i. 17. Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning. Mal. iii. 6. For I am the Lord, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed. i 1 Kings viii. 27. But will God indeed dwell on the earth? Behold, the heaven, and heaven of heavens, cannot contain thee; how much less this house that I have builded! Jer. xxiii. 23. Am I a God at hand, saith the Lord, and not a God afar off? Ver. 24. Can any hide himself in secret places that I shall not see him? saith the Lord: do not I fill heaven and earth? saith the Lord. k Psal. xc. 2. Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever thou hadst formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, thou art God. 1 Tim. i. 17. Now, unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen. 1 Psal. cxlv. 3. Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised; and his greatness is unsearchable. m Gen. xvii. 1. And when Abram was ninety years old and nine, the Lord appeared to Abram, and said unto him, I am the Almighty God: walk before me, and be thou perfect. Rev. iv. 8. And the four beasts had each of them six wings about him; and they were full of eyes within: and they rest not day and night, saying, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come. n Rom.xvi. 27. To God only wise, be glory through Jesus Christ for ever. Amen. • Isa. vi. 3. And one cried unto another, and said, Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory. Rev. iv. 8. [See letter immediately foregoing.] m P Psal. cxv. 3. But our God is in the heavens; he hath done whatsoever he hath pleased. a Exod. iii. 14. And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you. Eph. i. 11. In whom also we have ob tained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will. * Prov. xvi. 4. The Lord hath made all things for himself; yea, even the wicked for the day of evil. Rom. xi. 36. For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen. 1 John iv. 8. He that loveth not, knoweth not God; for God is love. Ver. 16. And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love, dwelleth in God, and God in him. u Exod. xxxiv. 6. And the Lord passed by before him, and proclaimed, The Lord, The Lord God, merciful and gracious, long-suffering, and abundant in goodness and truth, Ver. 7. Keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity, and transgression, and sin, and that will by no means clear the guilty; visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children, and upon the children's children, unto the third and to the fourth generation. w Heb. xi. 6. But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. Neh. ix. 32. Now therefore, our God, the great, the mighty, and the terrible God, who keepest covenant and mercy, let not all the trouble seem little before thee that hath come upon us, on our kings, on our princes, and on our priests, and on our prophets, and on our fathers, and on all thy people, since the time of the kings of Assyria unto this day. Ver. 33. Howbeit thou art just in all that is brought upon us; for thou hast done right, but we have done wickedly. CHAP ILO ། THE CONFESSION OF FAITH 27 by no means clear the guilty hating all sins, and who will by II. God hath all life, glory, goodness, blessedness, in and of himself; and is alone in and unto himself all-sufficient, not standing in need of any creatures which he hath made, not deriving any glory from them, but only manifesting his own glory, in, by, unto, and upon them: he is the alone fountain of all being, of whom, through whom, and to whom, are all things; and hath most sove reign dominion over them, to do by them, for them, or upon them, whatsoever himself pleaseth. In his sight all things are open and manifest; his knowledge is infinite, infallible, and independent upon. the creature, so as nothing is to him contingent or uncertain. He is most holy in all his counsels, in all his works, and in all his commands. To him is due from angels and men, and every other creature, whatsoever worship, service, or obedience, he is pleased to require of them". Psal. v. 5. The foolish shall not stand in thy sight: thou hatest all workers of iniquity Ver. 6. Thou shalt destroy them that speak leasing the Lord will abhor the bloody and deceitful man. Nah. 1. 2. God is jealous, and the Lord the Lord revengeth, and is TENord will take vengeance on furi his adversaries, and he reserveth wrath I. John v. 26. For as the Father hath life in to have life in himself, he given to the San Acts vii. 2. And he said, Men, brethren, and fathers, hearken: The God of glory appeared unto our father Abraham, when he was in Mesopotamia, before he dwelt in Charran. Pal cxix. 68. Thou art good, and doest good teach me thy statutes. 1 Tim. vi. 15. Which in his times, he shall show, who is the blessed and only, Potentate, the of kings, and Lord of lords, Rom. 15. h. Whose are the fathers, and of whom, as concerning the flesh, Christ came, who over all, God blessed Acts xvii. 24. God, that made the world, and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands; Ver. 25. Neither is worshipped with men's hands, as though he needed any thing, seeing he giveth to all life, and breath, and all things Job Can a man be profitable unto God, as he that is wise may be profitable unto himself er. 3, Is it any pleasure to the Almighty, that thou art righteous? or is it gain to him, that thou makest thy ways perfect? 8 Rom, xi. 36. For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things to whom be glory for ever. Amen. h, Rev, iv. 11. Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory, and honour, and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created." 1 Tim. vi. 15. [See letter immediately fore going] Dan. iv. 25. That they shall drive i thee from men, and thy dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field, and they shall make thee to eat grass as oxen, and they: shall wet thee with the dew of heaven, and seven times shall pass over thee, till thou/ know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will. Ver. 35. And all the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing: and he doeth according to his. will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth and none can stay his hand, or say unto him, What doest thou? ་་་ Heb. iv. 13. Neither is there any orcature that is not manifest in his sight: biit all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.. E 1. Rom. xi. 33. O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out!! Ver. 34. For who hath known the mind of the Lord? or who hath been his counsellor Psal cxlvii. 5. Great is our Lord, and of great powers his understanding is infinites et f Acts xv. unto God are all his works from the beginning of the world! Ezek. xi. 5. And the Spirit of the Lordofelf upon me, and said unto me, Speak Thus you saith the Lord, Thus have ye said, houst of Israel; for I know the things that come into your mind, every one of them of vi978 m Psal. cxlv. 17. The Lord is righteous inen all his ways, and holy in all his works." vi Rom viz12. Wherefore the law is holy and the commandment holy, and fast, an good 3ed few stop vulginia edi 1 Rev. 12. Saying with a loull voice Worthy is the Lambodiato was slain to d receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and B |