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Chap. I. the inward illumination of the Spirit of God to be necessary for the faving understanding of fuch things as are revealed in the word n; and that there are fome circumstances concerning the worship of God, and government of the church, common to human actions and focieties, which are to be ordered by the light of nature, and chriftian prudence, according to the general rules of the word, which are always to be obferved o.

VII. All things in fcripture are not alike plain in themselves, nor alike clear unto all p; yet those things which are neceffary to be known, believed and obferved for falvation, are fo clearly propounded and opened in fome place of fcripture or other, that not only the learned, but the unlearned, in a due ufe of the ordinary means, may attain unto a fufficient understanding of them

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VIII. The Old Teftament in Hebrew, (which was the native language of the people of God of old) and the New Teftament in Greek, (which at the time of the writing of it was moft generally known to the nations) being immediately infpired

ye be not foon fhaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter, as from us, as that the day of Chrift is at hand.

n John vi. 45. It is written in the prophets, And they fhall be all taught of God. Every man therefore that hath heard, and hath learned of the Father, cometh unto me. Cor. ii. 9. But as it is written, Eye hath not feen, nor ear heard, neither hath it entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him, v. 10. But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit for the Spirit fearcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. V. 11. For what man knoweth the things of a man, fave the Spirit of man which is in him? even fo the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God. v. 12. 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. • 1 Cor. xi. 13. Judge in yourselves, is it comely that a woman pray unto God uncovered? v. 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 pfalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath an interpretation? Let all things be done unto edifying. v. 40. Let all things be done decently and in order.

VII. p 2 Pet. iii. 16. As alfo in all his epiftles, fpeaking in them of thefe things, in which are fome things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wreft, as they do alfo the other fcriptures unto their own deftruction.

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Pfal. cxix. 105. Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path. v. 130. The entrance of thy words giveth light, it giv

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fpired by God, and by his fingular care and providence kept pure in all ages, are therefore authentical r; fo as in all controverfies of religion, the church is finally to appeal unto them. But because these original tongues are not known to all the people of God, who have right unto and interest in the fcriptures, and are commanded, in the fear of God, to read and fearch them t, therefore they are to be tranflated into the vul gar language of every nation unto which they come v, that, the word of God dwelling plentifully in all, they may worfhip him in an acceptable manner w, and, through patience and comfort of the feriptures, may have hope x.

IX. The infallible rule of interpretation of fcripture, is the fcripture itself; and therefore, when there is a question about the true and full fenfe of any fcripture, (which is not manifold,

eth understanding unto the fimple, VIIL r Mat, v. 18. For verily I fay unto you, Till heaven and earth pafs, one jot, or one title fhall in no wife pals from the law, till all be fulfilled.

fIfaiah vili, 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 fcriptures, for in them ye think ye have eternal life, and they are they which teftify of me, v. 46. For had ye believed Mofes, ye would have believed me: for he wrote of me,

John v, 39. Search the fcriptures, for in them ye think ye have eternal life, and they are they which teftify of me,

≈ 1 Cor. xiv. 6. Now, brethren, if I come unto you fpeaking with tongues, what shall I profit you, except I fhall fpeak to you either by to you either by revelation, or by knowledge, or by prophefying, or by doctrine? v. So likewife you, except ye utter by

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the tongue words eafy to be underftood, how fhall it be known what is spoken; for ye fhall speak into the air. v. 11, Therefore, If I know not the ineaning of the voice, I fhall be unto him that fpeaketh a barbarian; and he that fpeaketh fhall be a barbarian unto me, V. 12. Even fo ye, forafmuch as ye are zealous of fpiritual gifts, feek that ye may excel to the edifying of the church. v. 24. But if all prophefy, and there come in one that believeth not, or one unlearned, he is convinced of all, he is judged of all. v. 27. If any man fpeak in an unknown tongue, let it be by two, or at the most by three, and that by courfe; and let one interpret. v. 28. But if there be no interpreter, let him keep filence in the church; and let him fpeak to himfelf, and to God.

w Cor. iii.16. Let the word of Chrift dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in pfalms, and hymns, and fpiritual fongs, finging with grace in your hearts to the Lord.

x Rom. xv. 4. For whatfoever

manifold, but one) it must be searched and known by other places that speak more clearly y.

X. The fupreme Judge, by which all controverfies of religion are to be determined, and all degrees of councils, opinions of ancient writers, doctrines of men, and private spirits, are to be examined, and in whose sentence we are to reft; can be no other but the holy Spirit fpeaking in the fcripture z.

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CHAP. II. of God, and of the Holy Trinity.

HERE is but one only a, living and true God b, who is infinite in being and perfection c, a moft pure fpi

things were written aforetime, were written for our learning; that we through patience and comfort of the fcriptures might have hope.

IX. y 2 Pet. i. 20. Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the fcripture is of any private interpretation. v. 21: For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God fpake as they were moved by the holy Ghoft. A&s xv. 15. And to this agree the words of the prophets, as it is written, v. 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 fet it up.

X. z Mat. xxii. 29. Jefus answered and faid unto them, Ye do err, not knowing the fcriptures, nor the power of God. v. 31. But as touching the refurrection of the dead, have ye not read that which was fpoken unto you by God, faying. Eph. ii. 20. And are built upon the foundation of the apofties and prophets, Jefus Chrift himself being the chief corner-ftone. With Acts xxviii. 25. And when they agreed not a mong themfelves, they departed, af

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ter that Paul had fpoken one word, Well fpake the Holy Ghoft by Efaias the prophet unto our fathers.

1. a Deut. vi. 4. Hear, O Ifrael, the Lord our God is one Lord, 1 Cor. viii. 4. As concerning therefore the eating of thofe things that are offered in facrifice unto idols, we know that an idol is nothing in the world, and that there is none other God but one. v. 6. But to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we by him; and one Lord Jefus Chrift, by whom are all things, and we by him.

b1 Theff. i. 9. For they themfelves fhew of us, what manner of entering in we had unto you, and how ye turned to God from idols, to ferve the living and true God. Jer. x. 10. But the Lord is the true God, he is the living God, and an everlasting King.

c Job xi. 7. Canft thou by fearching find out God? canft thou find out the Almighty unto perfection? v. 8. It is as high as heaven, what canft thou do? deeper than hell, what canft thou know? v. 9. The measure thereof is longer than the earth, and broader than the fea.

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ritd, invifible e, without body, parts f, or paffions g, immutable h, immenfe i, eternalk, incomprehenfible/, Almighty m, most wife

Job xxvi. 14. Lo, thefe are parts of his ways, but how little a portion is heard of him? but the thunder of his power who can understand?

d John iv. 24. God is a Spirit, and they that worship him, muft worship him in fpirit and in truth.

e 1 Tim. i. 17. Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible the only wife God, be honour and glory, for ever and ever. Amen.

n, moft

nefs, neither fhadow of turning, Mal. iii. 6. For I am the Lord, I change not therefore ye fons of Jacob are not confumed.

i Kings viii. 27. But will God indeed dwell on the earth? behold, the heaven, and heaven of heavens cannot contain thee, how much less this houfe that I have builded? Jer. xxiii. 23. Am I a God at hand, faith the Lord, and not a God afar off? v. 24. Can any hide himself in fecret places, that I fhall not fee him? faith the Lord :' do not I fill heaven and earth? faith the Lord..

Deut. iv. 15. Take ye therefore good heed unto yourfelves (for ye faw no manner of fimilitude on the day that the Lord spake unto you in Horeb, out of the midft of the fire)k Pfal. xc. 2. Before the moun-,

v. 16. Left ye corrupt yourselves, and make you a graven image, the fimilitude of any figure, the likeness of male or female. John iv. 24. God is a Spirit, and they that worship him, muft worship him in fpirit and in truth. With Luke xxiv. 39. Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myfelf: handle me, and fee, for a fpirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye fee me have.

gActs xiv. 11.And when the people faw what Paul had done, they life up their voices,faying in the fpeech of Lycaonia, The gods are come down to us in the likeness of men. v. 15. And faying, Sirs, why do you these things? We alfo are men of like paffions with you, and preach unto you that ye fhould turn from thefe vanities unto the living God, which made heaven and earth, and the fea, and all things that are therein.

Jamesi. 17. Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variable.

tains were brought forth, or ever thou hadst formed the earth and the world, even from everlafting to everlafting thou art God. 1 Tim. i. 17. Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invifible, the only wife God, be honour and glory, for ever and ever. Amen.

/ Pfal. cxlv. 3. Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised; and his greatnefs is unfearchable.

m Gen. xvii. 1. And when Abram was ninety years old and nine, the Lord appeared to Abram, and faid unto him, I am the Almighty God : walk before me, and be thou perfect. Rev. iv. 8. And the four beafts had each of them fix wings about him, and they were full of eyes within, and they reft not day and night, faying, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is

to come.

n Rom. xyi. 27. To God only wife, be glory through Jefus Chrift, for ever. Amen.

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༣༠ moft holy o, most free p, most abfolute q, working all things according to the counfel of his own immutable and moft righteous will r, for his own glory s; most loving t, gracious, merciful, long-fuffering, abundant in goodness and truth, forgiving iniquity, tranfgreffion, and fin v; the rewarder of them that diligently feel him w; and withal moft juft and terrible in his judgments, hating all fin y, and who will by no means clear the guily z. II. God

Ifa. vi. 3. And one cried unto another, and faid, Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hofts, the whole earth is full of his glory, Rev. iv, 8. (See letter immediately foregoing.)

Pfal. cxv. 3. But our God is in the heavens: he hath done whatso ever he pleaseth.

9 Exod. iii. 14. And God faid unto Mofes, I AM THAT I AM: And he faid, Thus fhalt thou fay unto the children of Ifrael, I AM hathi fent me unto you.

- Eph. i. 11. In whom alfo we have obtained an inheritance, being predeftinated according to the purpofe of him, who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will.

s Prov. xvi. 4. The Lord hath made all things for himfelf: yea, even the wicked for the day of evil. Rom. xi. 36. For of him, and through him, and to him are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen.

1 Johniv. 8. He that loveth not, knoweth not God, for God is love. v. 16. And we have known and be lieved the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love, dwelleth in God, and God in him.

v Exod. xxiv. 6. And the Lord paffed by before him, and proclaimed, The Lord, the Lord God, merciful and gracious, long-fuffering, and abundant in goodnefs and truth. V. 7. Keeping mercy for thoufands, forgiving iniquity, and tranfgreffion, and fin, and that will by no means

clear the guilty; vifiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children, and upon the childrens children, unto the third and to the fourth generation.

w Heb. xi. 6. But without faith it is impoffible to please him for he that cometh to God, must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently feek him.

* Neh. ix. 32. Now therefore, our God, the great, the mighty, and the terrible God, who keepeft covenant and mercy; let not all the trouble feem little before thee; that hath come upon us, on our Kings, on our princes, and on our priefts, and on our prophets, and on our fathers, and on all thy people, fince the time of the kings of Affyria, unto this day. v. 33. Howbeit, thou art juft in all that is brought upon us: for thou haft done right, but we have done wickedly.

y Pfal. v. 5. The foolish fhall not ftand in thy fight: thou hateft all workers ofiniquity. v. 6. Thou shalt deftroy them that fpeak leafing: the Lord will abhor the bloody and deceitful man.

ź Nahum i. 2. God is jealous,and the Lord revengeth, the Lord revengeth and is furious, the Lord will take vengeance on his adverfaries, and he referveth wrath for his enemies. v. 3. The Lord is flow to anand ger, great in power, and will not at all acquit the wicked: the Lord hath his way in the whirlwind, and in the storm, and the clouds are

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