Aembly at EDINBURGH, August 27th, 1647. Seff. 28. A A&t approving the Confeffion of Faith. Confeffion of Faith for the Kirks of God, in the Three Kingdoms, being the chiefeft Part of that Uniformity in Religion, which, by the folemn League and Covenant, we are bound to endeavour; and there being accordingly a Confeffion of Faith agreed upon by the Affembly of Divines fitting at Weftminster, with the Affiftance of Commiffioners from the Kirk of Scotland; Which Confeffion was fent from our Commiffioners at London, to the Commiffiopers of the Kirk met at Edinburgh in January laft, and hath been in this Affembly twice publickly read over, examined and confidered; Copies thereof being alfo printed, that it might be particularly perufed by all the Members of this Affembly, unto whom frequent Intimation was publickly made, to put in their Doubts and Objections, if they had any; And the faid Confeffion being, upon due Examination thereof, found by the Affembly to be moft agreeable to the Word of God, and in nothing contrary to the received Doctrine, Worship, Difcipline and Government of this Kirk. And lastly, it being fo neceffary, and fo much longed for, that the faid Confeffion be, with all poffible Diligence and Expedition, approved and established in both Kingdoms, as a principal Part of the intended Uniformity in Religion, and as a fpecial Means for the more effectual Suppreffing of the many dangerous Errors and Herefies of thefe Times. The General Affembly doth therefore, after mature Deliberation, agree unto, and approve the faid Confeffion, as to the Truth of the Matter; (judging it to be moft Orthodox, and grounded upon the Word of God) and alfo, as to the Point of Uniformity, agreeing for our Part, that it be a common Confeffion of Faith for the Three Kingdoms. The Affembly doth alfo blefs 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 ftrengthning of the true Reformed Religion, against the common Enemies thereof. But, left our Intention and Meaning be in fome Particulars mifunderstood, it is hereby exprefly declared and provided, That the not mentioning in this Confeffion, the feveral Sorts of Ecclefiaftical Officers and Affemblies, fhall be no Prejudice to the Truth of Chrift, in thefe Particulars, to be expreffed fully in the Directory of Government. It is further declared, That the Affembly underftandeth 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 Minifters, and other fit Perfons, may be called by the Magiftrate's Authority and Nomination, without any other Call, to confult and advise with, about Matters of Religion; and altho' likewife the Minifters of Christ, without Delegation from their Churches, may of themfelves, and by virtue of their Office, meet together Synodically 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 advife with Synods of minifters and Ruling Ruling-Elders, meeting upon Delegation from their Churches, sither ordinarily, or, being indicted by his Authority, occafionally and pro re nata; it being alfo free to affemble together Synodically, 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 Magiftrate, to the Detriment of the Church, withhold or deny his Confent; the Neceffity of occafional Affemblies being firft remonftrate unto him by humble Supplication. A. KER. Charles I. Parl. 2, Seff. 2. Act 16. ACT anent the Catechifms, Confeffion of Faith, and Ratification TH thereof. At EDINBURGH, February 7th, 1649. HE Eftates of Parliament now prefently conveened in this fecond Seffion of the fecond Triennial Parliament, by Vertue of an Act of the Committee of Estates, 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 Commiffioners of the faid General Affembly; Do ratify and approve the faid Catechifms, Confeffion of Faith, and Acts of Approbation of the fame, produced as it is; and ordains them to be recorded, published and practised. THE CONFESSION of FAITH, Agreed upon by the ASSEMBLY of DIVINES A T WESTMINSTER, With the Affiftance of COMMISSIONERS FROM THE CHURCH of SCOTLAND, A S 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 establifhed by Act of Parliament 1649, as the publick and avowed CoNFESSION of the CHURCH of SCOTLAND. With the Proofs from the Scripture. GLASGOW Printed in the Year M, DCC, LXIII. CHAP. XVII. Of the Perfeverance of the Saints. XVIII. Of Affurance of Grace and Salvation. 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. 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. 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, thefe 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 bear ing witnefs, and their thoughts the mean while accufing or elfe excufing one another. Rom. i. 19. Becaufe that which may be known of God, is manifefted in them; for God hath fhewn 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 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 incx-cufable, O man, whofoever thou art that judgeft; for wherein thou judgeft another, thou condemneft thyfelf; for thou that judgeft doft the fame things. b 1 Cor. i. 21. For after that, in the wifdom of God, the world by wif dom knew not God, it pleafed God by the foolishnefs of preaching to fave them that believe. I Cor. ii. 13. Which things alfo we speak, not in the words which man's wifdom teacheth, but which the holy Ghaft teacheth, B 3 com |