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done in kirks confituted and fettled: It being always free to the magiftrate to advife with fynods 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 aflemble 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 neceflary for the good of the Church fo to affemble, in cafe the magiftrate, to the detriment. of the church, with-hold or deny his confent; the neceffity of occafional aflemblies being firft remonflrate unto him by humble fuppliA. KER.

cation.

Charles I. Parl. 2. Seff. 2. Act 16.

ACT anent the Catechisms, Confeffion of Faith, and ratification thereof.

TH

At EDINBUG H, February 7. 1649.

HE Eftates of Parliament now prefently conveened in this fecond Seffion of the fecond triennial Parliament, by virtue of an act of the committee of Eftates, who had power and authority from the laft Parliament for conveening the Parliament, having feriously confidered the Catechifms, viz. the Larger and Shorter ones, with the Confeffion of Faith, with three acts of approbation thereof by the Commiffioners of the General Affembly, prefented unto them by the Commiflioners of the faid General Affembly; do ratify and approve the faid Catechifins, Confeflion of Faith, and Acts of approbation of the fame, produced as it is; and ordains them to be recorded, pub, Jifhed, and practifed.

THE

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A Part of the Covenanted Uniformity in Religion betwixt the Churches of CHRIST in the Kingdoms of Scotland, England, and Ireland.

Approved by the General Affembly 1647, and ratified and established by Act of Parliament 1649, and 1690, as the public and avowed CONFESSION of the CHURCH of SCOTLAND..

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CHAP.

THE CONTENT S.

1. OF the Holy Scripture.

II. Of God and of the Holy Trinity.

III. Of God's Eternal Decree.

IV. Of Creation.

V. Of Providence.

VI. Of the fall of Man, of Sin, and of the punishment

thereof.

VII. Of God's Covenant with Man.

VIII. Of Chrift the Mediator.

XI. Of Free Will.

X. Of Effectual Calling.

XI. Of Fuftification.

XII. Of Adoption.

XIII. Of Sanctification.

XIV. Of Saving Faith.

XV. Of Repentance unto Life.

XVI. Of Good Works.

XVII. Of the Perfeverance of the Saints.

XVIII. Of Affurance of Grace and Salvation.

XIX. Of the Law of God.

XX. Of Chriftian Liberty, and Liberty of Confcience.
XXI. Of Religious Worship, and the Sabbath-Day.
XXII. Of lawful Oaths and Vows.

XXIII. Of the Civil Magiftrate.

XXIV. Of Marriage and Divorce.

XXV. Of the Church.

XXVI. Of Communion of Saints.
XXVII. Of the Sacraments.

XXVIII. Of Baptifm.

XXIX. Of the Lord's Supper.

XXX. Of Church-Cenfures.

XXXI. Of Synods and Councils.

XXXII. Of the State of Men after Death, and of the Re

furrection of the Dead.

XXXIII. Of the last Judgment.

THE

THE

CONFESSION OF FAITH,

Agreed upon by the Affembly of Divines at Westminster: Examined and approved anno 1647, by the GENERAL ASSEMBLY of the CHURCH of SCOTLAND; and ratified by Act of Parliament 1649, and 1690.

A

CHAP. I. Of the Holy Scripture.

LTHOUGH the light of nature, and the works of creation and providence, do fo far manifeft 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 falvation b: Therefore it pleafed

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: v. 15. Which fhew the work of the law written in their hearts, their confcience alfo bearing witnefs, and their thoughts the mean while accufing or elfe excufing one another. Rom.i. 19. Because that which may be known of God, is manifeft in them; for God hath fhewed it unto them. v. 20. For the invifible things of him from the creation of the world, are clearly feen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; fo that they are without excufe. Pfal. xix. 1. The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament fheweth his handy-work, v. 2. Day unto day uttereth fpeech, and B

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night unto night fheweth knowledge. v. 3. There is no fpeech nor language, where their voice is not heard. Rom. i. 32. Who knowing the judgment of God, (that they which commit fuch things are worthy of death) not only do the fame, but have pleafure in them that do them. With Rom ii. 1. Therefore thou art inex cufable, O man, whofoever thou art that judgeft; for wherein thou judgeft another thou condemneft thyself; for thou that judgest doest the same things.

b1 Cor. i. 21. For after that, in the wisdom of God, the world by wifdom knew not God, it pleafed God by the foolishness of preaching to fave them that believe. Which things alfo we fpeak,not in the words which man's wifdom teacheth, but which the holy Ghoft teacheth;

I Cor. ii. 13.

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pleased 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 propagating of the truth, and for the more fure establishment 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 fcripture to be most neceffary e; thofe former ways of God's revealing his will unto his people, being now ceased f.

II. Under the name of Holy Scripture, or the word of God

comparing spiritual things with fpiritual. v. 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 fpiritually discerned. c Heb. i. 1. God who at fundry times, and in divers manners, fpake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets.

d Prov. xxii. 19. That thy truft may be in the Lord, I have made known to thee this day, even to thee. v. 20. Have I not written to thee excellent things in counfels and knowledge? v. 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 fend unto thee? Luke i. 3. It feemed good to me alfo, having had perfect understanding of all things from the very first, to write unto thee in order, most excellent Theophilus. v. 4. That thou mightest know the certainty of thofe things, wherein thou haft been inftructed. Rom. xv. 4. For whatfover things were written aforetime, were written for our learning; that we thro' patience and comfort of the fcriptures might have hope. Matth. iv. 4. But he answered and faid, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that pro

ceedeth out of the mouth of God, v. 7. Jefus faid unto him, It is written again, thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God. v. 10. Then faith Jefus unto him, Get thee hence Satan : for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only fhalt thou ferve. Ifa. viii. 19. And when they fhall fay unto you, Seek unto them that have familiar fpirits, and unto wizards that peep, and that mutter: fhould not a people feek unto their God? for the living to the dead? v. 20. To the law and to the teftimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.

e 2 Tim. iii. 15. And that from a child thou hast known the holy fcriptures, which are able to make thee wife unto falvation, through faith which is in Chrift Jefus, 2 Pet. i. 19. We have alfo a more fure 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 arife in your hearts.

f Heb. 1. 1. God, who at fundry times, and in divers manners, spake in time paft unto the fathers by the prophets. v. 2. Hath in these last days fpoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom alfo he made the worlds.

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