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CHARLES I. Parl. 2. Sess. 2. Act 16.

Acr anent the Catechisms, Confession of Faith, and
ratification thereof.

THE

At EDINBURGH, February 7. 1649.

HE 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 convening the Parliament, having seriously considered the Catechisms, viz. the Larger and Shorter ones, with the Confession of Faith, with three Acts of Approbation thereof by the Commissioners of the General Assembly, presented unto them by the Commissioners of the said General Assembly; do ratify and approve 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.

THE

THE

CONFESSION OF FAITH,

AGREED UPON BY

THE ASSEMBLY OF DIVINES

AT WESTMINSTER,

WITH THE ASSISTANCE OF

COMMISSIONERS

FROM THE

CHURCH OF SCOTLAND,

AS

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 Assembly 1647, and ratified and 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.

CHAP.

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CHAP. I. Of the Holy Scripture.

ΑΙ
LTHOUGH the light of nature, and the works of crea-
tion and providence, do so far manifest the goodness,
wisdom, and power of God, as to leave men inexcusable;

yet are they not sufficient to give that knowledge of God, and of his will, which is necessary unto salvation : therefore it pleased the Lord, at sundry times, and in divers manners, to reveal himself, and to declare that his will unto his church; and afterwards, for the better preserving and propagating of the truth, and for the more sure establishment and comfort of the Church against the corruption of the flesh, and the malice of Satan and of the world, to commit the same wholly unto writing; which maketh the holy scripture to be most necessary;

written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts 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 Godhead; so that they are without excuse. Psal. xix. 1. The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handy-work. Ver. 2. Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night sheweth knowledge. Ver. 3. There is no speech nor language 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, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest; for wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself; for thou that judgest doest the same things.

b1 Cor. i. 21. For after that, in the wisdom 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's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing 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 Heb. 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 counsels 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. Theophilus; Ver. 4. That thou mightest know the certainty of those things wherein thou hast been instructed. Rom. xv. 4. For whatsoever things were written aforetime,

were

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