IV. The authority of the holy scripture, for which it ought to be believed 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 1.

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'.

they were moved by the Holy Ghost.

IV. 12 Pet. i. 19. We have also a more sure 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 arise in your hearts. 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. 2 Tim. iii. 16. All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteous ness. 1 John v. 9. If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater: for this is the witness of God, which he hath testified of his Son. 1 Thess. ii. 13. For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because when ye received the word of God, which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men,

VI. The but, as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe.

V. 1 Tim. iii. 15. But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest 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 ii. 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 anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie; and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him. John xvi. 13. Howbeit, when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. Ver. 14. He shall

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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 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 socie

ties, 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 s. 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,

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.

o 1 Cor. xi. 13. Judge in your selves, 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 together, 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,

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which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction.

9 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.

& 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

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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 dwelling 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 3.

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

which testify of me: Ver. 46. For had ye believed Moses, ye would have believed me; for he wrote of

me.

* John v. 39. Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.

u 1 Cor. xiv. 6. Now, brethren, if I come unto you speaking with tongues, what 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 you, 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. Therefore, 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

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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.

w 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. 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. 2 Matth.

to rest, can be no other but the Holy Spirit speaking in the scripture❜.

CHAP. II. Of God, and of the Holy Trinity. THER HERE is but one only a living and true God", is infinite in being and perfection, a most pure spiritd, invisible, without body, parts, or passions, immut