Jeremiah Whitaker of Streton. Dr. Humphrey Cambers of Cla veritoun. cut or after Dr.Twifs. Herbert Palmer, B. D. of Afhwel, Affeffor after Mr. White. Daniel Cawdrey of great Billing. Henry Painter, B. D. of Exeter. Henry Scudder of Colingborn. Thomas Hill, B.D.of Tichmarch. William Reynor,B. D.of Egham. Dr. ThomasGoodwin of London. Dr. WilliamSpurftowofHampden. Matthew Newcomb of Dedham. Dr.Edmond StauntonofKingston. JohnConantof Lymmington B.D. Anthony Burges of Sutton Coldfield. Thomas Micklethwaitof Cherry-William John Guibon of Waltham. Rathband. Dr. Francis Cheynel of Oxon. Obadiah Sedgwick,B.DofCogfhal Dr. Lazarus Seaman of London. Richard Vines of Calcot. Thomas Coleman of Bliton. William Carter of London. John Maynard of Mayfield...^ Finch-John WhincopofSt. Martinsin the Dr. Joshua Hyle late of Dublin. Andrew Pern of Wilby. Samuel de la Place, Fields. William Bridge of Yarmoth. Humphrey Hardwick. Henry Hall,B.D.of Norwich. Thomas Ford of London, afterWards of Exeter. Thomas Thorowgoodof Maffing. Commissioners from the General Affembly of the church of SCOTLAND. Affembly at Edinburgh, August 27th, 1647. Seff. 23. A&t approving the Confeffion of Faith. A for the kirks 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 Westminster, with the affiftance of commiffioners from the kirk of Scotland; Which Confeffion was fent from our commiflioners at London, to the commiffioners of the kirk met at Edinburgh in January laff, and hath been in this affemby 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 necessary, and fo much longed for, that the faid, Confeffion be,with all poffible diligence and expedition, approved and eftablished in both kingdoms, as a principal part of the intended uniformity in religion, and as a fpecial means for the more effectual fuppreffing of the many dangerous errors and here lies of thefe times. The general affembly doth therefore,after mature deliberation, agree anto and approve the laid Confeffion, as to the truth of the matter (judging it to be moft orthodox,and grounded upon the word ofGod) and alfo,as to the point of uniformity, agreeing for our part, that it be a common Confeflion of Faith for the three kingdoms. The affembly doth alfo blefs the Lord, and thankfully acknowledge his great mer cy, in that fo excellent a Confeffion of Faith is prepared, and thus far agreed uponin both kingdoms; which we look upon as a great strengthning of the true reformed religion,againit the common enemies ther of. But, left our intention and meaning be in fome particulars mifunderflood, it is hereby exprefly declared and provided, that the not mentioning in this Confeffion, the feveral forts of ecclefiaftical officers and affemblies, fhall be no prejudice to the truth of Chrift, in these particulars, to be expreffed fully in the directory of government. It is further declared, that the affembly understandeth fome parts of the fecond article of the thirty one chapter, only of kirks not fettled, or conftituted in point of government: And that altho', in fuch kirks, a fynod of minifters, and other fit persons, may be called by the magiftrate's authority and nomination, without any other call, to confult and advife with, about matters of religion; and although likewise the minifters of Chrift, without delegation from their churches, may of themfelves, and by virtue of their office,meet together fynodically in fuch kirks, not yet conftituted; yet neither of these ought tobe done, in kirks conftituted and fettled: it being always free to the magiftrate to advise with fynods of ministers and ruling-elders, meeting upon delegation from their churches, either ordinarly, or, being indicted by his authority, occafionally and pro re nata; it being alfo free to affemble together fynodically, 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 occasional affemblies being first remonftrate unto him by humble fupplication. A. KER. Charles I. Parl. 2. Seff. 2. Act 16. A&t anent the Catechifms, Confeffion of Faith, and ratification thereof. At Edinburgh, February 7th, 1649. TH HE eftates of parliament now prelently conveened in this fecond feflion of the fecend triennial parliament, by vertue of an act of the commitee of eftates, who had power and authority from the laft parliament for conveening the parliament, having feriously confidered the Catechifms, viz. the larger and fhorter ones, with the Con feffion of Faith, with three acts of approbation thereof by the commiffioners of the general affembly, prefented unto them by the commiflioners 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 practifed. THE CONFESSION OF FAITH. Agreed upon by the Affembly of DIVINES A T WESTMINSTER With the Affistance 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 eftablished by Act of Parliament 1649, as the public and avowed Confeffion of the CHURCH of SCOTLAND. With the proofs From the Scripture. GLASGOW, Printed by JAMES KNOX 1752 CHAP. The CONTENTS. VI. Of the fall of man, of fin, and of the punishment thereof. VII. Of Gods covenant with man. XVII. Of the perfeverance of the faints, |