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

Acr anent the Catechisms, Confession of Faith, and

ratification thereof.

At EDINBURGH, February 7. 1619. 'HE

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

11. GodHoly

F the Holy Scripture.

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 Christ the Mediator.

IX. Of Free Will.

X. Of Effectual Calling.

XI. Of Justification.

XII. Of Adoption.

XIII. Of Sanctification.

XIV. Of Saving Faith.

XV. Of Repentance unto Life.

XVI. Of Good Works,

XVII. Of the Perseverance of the

Saints.

CHAP

XVIII. Of Assurance of Grace and

Salvation.

XIX. Of the Law of God.

XX. Of Christian Liberty, and Li-

berty of Conscience.

XXI. Of Religious Worship, and

the Sabbath-day.

XXII. Of lawful Oaths and Vows.

XXIII. Of the Civil Magistrate.

XXIV. Of Marriage and Divorce.

XXV. Of the Church.

XXVI. Of Communion of Saints.

XXVII. Of the Sacraments.

XXVIII. Of Baptism.

XXIX. Of the Lord's Supper.

xxx. Of Church Censures.

XXXI. Of Synods and Councils.

XXXII. Of the State of Men after

Death, and of the Resurrection of

the Dead.

XXXIII. Of the last Judgment.

THE

CONFESSION OF FAITH,

Agreed upon by the ASSEMBLY of Divines at Westminster:

Examined and approved, Anno 1647, by the GENERAL

ASSEMBLr of the CHURCH of SCOTLAND; and ratified

by Acts of Parliament 1649 and 1690.

CHAP. I. Of the Holy Scripture.

.

AL

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;

a

yet

1. a Rom. ii. 14. For when the the law, these having not the law,

Gentiles, which have not the law, are a law unto themselves : V. 15.

do by nature the things contained in Which shew the work of the law

B

writter

:

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

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;

more

written in their hearts, their con- to save them that believe. 1 Cor. science also bearing witness, and their ü. 13. Which things also we speak, thoughts the mean while accusing or not in the words which man's wiselse excusing one another. Rom. i. 19. dom teacheth, but which the Holy Because that which may be known Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual of God is manifest in them; for God things with spiritual. Ver. 14. But hath shewed it unto them. Ver. 20. the natural man receiveth not the For the invisible things of him from things of the Spirit of God; for they the creation of the world are clearly are foolishness unto him: neither can seen, being understood by the things he know them, because they are that are made, even his eternal power spiritually discerned. and Godhead; so that they are with- C Heb. i. 1. God, who at sundry out excuse. Psal. xix. ). The heavens times, and in divers manners, spake declare the glory of God; and the in time past unto the fathers by the firmament sheweth his handy-work. prophets. Ver. 2. Day unto day uttereth speech, d Prov. xxii. 19. That thy trust and night unto night sheweth know- may be in the Lord, I have made ledge. Ver. 3. There is no speech known to thee this day, even nor language where their voice is not thee. Ver. 20. Have not I written heard. Rom. i. 32. Who knowing to thee excellent things in counsels the judgment of God, (that they and knowledge; Ver. 21. That I which commit such things are worthy might make thee know the certainty of death,) not only do the same, but of the words of truth; that thou have pleasure in them that do them. mightest answer the words of truth With Rom. ii. 1. Therefore thou art to them that send unto thee? Luke inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou i. 3. It seemed good to me also, have art that judgest; for wherein thou ing had perfect understanding of all judgest another, thou condemnest things from the very first, to write thyself; for thou that judgest doest unto thee in order, most excellent the same things.

Theophilus; Ver. 4. That thou 01 Cor. i. 21. For after that, in mightest know the certainty of those the wisdom of God, the world by things wherein thou hast been inwisdom knew not God, pleased structed. Rom. xv. 4. For whatso God by the foolishness of preaching ever things were written aforetime

to