John Duny

Thomas Coleman of Elitoni Philip Delme

Theodore Backhuist Sidrach Simpson of London William Carter of London John Langly of Westuderly Peter Smith Richard Clayton of Showers John Maynard of Mayfield Arthur Sallaway of Savernstock William Price of Paul's Church in John Ley of Budworth

Covent Garden Charles Herle of Winwick, prolocu- John Whịncop of St. Martins in the tor after Dr. Twille

Fields
Herbert Palmer, B. D. of Ashwel, William Bridge of Yarmouth

Assessor after Mr. White Peter Sterry of London
Daniel Cawdrey of Great Killing William Mew, B. D. of Ellington
Henry Painter, B. D. of Exeter Benjamin Pickering of East Hoatly
Henry Scudder of Colingborn John Strickland of St. Edmonds in
Thomas Hill, B. D. of Titchmarch Sarum
William Keynor, B. D. of Egham Humphrey Hardwick
Dr. Thomas Goodwin of London Jasper Hicks of Lawrick or Lanrake
Dr. William Spurstow of Hampden John Bond
Matthew Newcomb of Dedham Henry Hall, B. D. of Norwich
Dr. Edmond Staunton of Kingstoun Thomas Ford of London, afterwards
John Conant of Lymmington, B. D. of Exter
Anthony Burges of Sutton Coldfield Thomas Thorowgood of Masing-
William Rathband

ham Dr. Francis Cheynel of Oxon Pe:er Clark of Kerby Under-hill Dr. Henry Wilkinson younger of William Good Oxford

John Foxcroft of Coiham Obadiah Sedgwick, B. D. of Cogshal John Ward Edward Corbist of Merton College, Richard Byficld of Long-Ditton Oxford

Francis Woodcock Samuel Gibson of Burley

Jobn Jackson of Marske

Commissioners from the General Assembly of the Church

of SCOTLAND.

Alexander Henderson of Edin- John Earl of Calis burgh

john Lord Maitland, afterwards Robert Douglas of Edinburgh

Duke of Lauderdale Samuel Rutherfoord of St. Andrews Sir Archibald Johnston of Waristoun Robert Bailey of Glasgow

Ruling Elders. George Gillespy of Edinburgh

Ministers.

Henry Robrough
Adoniram Byfield Scribes
John Wallis

}

Affembly

Affembly at EDINBURGH, August 27th, 1647. Sel]. 23.

Act approving the Confellion of Faith.

a

A

Confeffion of Faith for the Kirks of God, in the Three Kingdoms,

being the chicfest Part of that Uniformity in Religion, which, by the Solemn League and Covenant, we are bound to endeavour; and there being accordingly a Confession of Faith agreed upon by the Allembly of Divines sitting at Westminster, with the Atfiftance of Comilliorers from the Kirk of Scotland; Which confeffion was sent from our Commissioners at London, to the Commissioners of the Kirk met at Ediaburgh ia January last, and hath been in the afsembly twice publickly read over, examined and considered : Copies thereof being also prioted, that it might be particularly perused by all the Members of this Allembly, unto whom frequent lotiination was publickly made, to put in their Doabts and Objections, if they had any : And the laid Conferfion being, upon due Examination thereof, found by the Assembly to be most agreeeable to the Word of God, and in nothing contrary to the received Doctrine, Worship, Discipline and Government of this Kirk, And lastly, it being so necessary, and so much longed for, that the said Confession be, with all possible Diligence and expedition, approved and established in both Kingdoms, as a principal Part of the intended Uniformity in Religion, and as a special Means for the more effectual fupprefling of the many dangerous Errors and Herefies of these Times. The General Assembly doth therefore, after mature Deliberation, agree unto, and approve the said Confession, as to the Truth of the Matter ; (jodging it to be molt Orthodox, and grounded upon tbe Word of God) and also, as to the Point of Uniformity, agreeing for our Part, that it be a common Confession of Faith for the Three Kingdoms. The Arfembly doth allo blets the Lord, and thankfully acknowledge his great Mercy, in that fo excellent a Confession of Faith is prepared, and thus far agreed upon in both kingdoms; which we look upon as a great strengthening of the true Reformed Religion, against the common Enemies thereof. But, left our intention and Meaning be in some Particulars misunderstood, it is hereby exprefly declared, and provided, That the not mentioning in this Confeffion, the several Sorts of Ecclesiastical Oficers and Assemblies, Mall be no Prejudice to the Truth of Christ, in these Particulars, to be expressed fully in the Directory of Government. It is further declared, That the Assembly understandeth some Parts of the fecond Article of the Thirty-ope Chapter, only of Kirks pot fettled, or constituted in Point of Government: And that although, in such Kirks, a Synod of Micisters, and other fit Persons, may be called by the Magistrates authority and Nomination, without any other Call to consult and advise with, about Matters of Religion; and altho' likewise the Minifers of Christ, without Delegation from their Churches, may of

B

them

themselves, and by virtue of their Office, meet together Synodically in such Kirks, not yet constituted ; yet neither of these ought to be done in Kirks constituted and settled : It being always free to the Magistrate to advise with Synods of Ministers and Ruling Elders, meeting upon Delegation from their churches, either ordinarily, or, being indicted by his authority, occasionally and pro re nata ; it being also free to af

semble together Sycodically, as well pro re nata as at the ordinary times, • upon Delegation from the Churches, by the intrinsical Power received

from Christ, as often as it is necessary for the Good of the Church so to assemble, in case the Magifirate, to the Detriment of the Church, withhold or deny his Copfent; the Neceffity of occasional assemblies being first remonftrate unto him by humble Supplication.

A. KER.

Charles I. Parl. 2. Sef. 2. At 16.

Act anent the Catechisms, Confession of Faith, and Ratification thereof.

At EDINBURGH, February 7th, 1649.

HE Estates of Parliament now presently conveened in this second

the Committee of Estates, who had Power and authority from the last Parliament for conveening the Parliament, having seriously considered the Catechisms, viz. the Larger and Shorter ones, with the Confeffion of Faith, with the Three acts of approbation thereof by the Com. missioners of the General assembly, presented uoro them by the Commissi. oners of the said General Affembly; Do ratify and approve the said Catechisms, Confession of Faith, and acts of approbation of the fame produced as it is; and ordains them to be recorded, published and practised.

Τ Η Ε

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 Act of Parliament 1649, as the public and avowed CONFESSION of the CHURCH of SCOTLAND.

With the Proofs from the Scripture.

Printed in the Year, M DCC LXVIII.

THE CONTENT S.

O

CHAP.
1. F 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 Christ the Mediator.
IX. Of Free Will.
X. Of Effeétual 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.
XVIII. OF Asurance of Grace and Salvation.
XIX. Of the Law of God.
XX. Of Christian Liberty, and Liberty 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 Resurrec-

tion of the Dead. XXXIII.Of the las? Judgment,

THE