of God's revealing his will unto his people being now ceased t.

II. Under the name of Holy Scripture, or the Word of God written, are now contained all the Books of the Old and New Testament, which are these :

Of the OLD TESTAMENT.
Genesis.

II. Chronicles. Daniel.
Exodus.
Ezra.

Hosea.
Leviticus.
Nehemiah.

Joel.
Numbers.
Esther.

Amos.
Deuteronomy.
Job.

Obadiah.
Joshua.
Psalms.

Jopah.
Judges.
Proverbs.

Micah.
Ruth.

Ecclesiastes. Nahum.
I. Samuel.

The Song of Songs. Habakkuk.
II. Samuel.
Isaiah.

Zephaniah.
1. Kings.
Jeremiah.

Haggai. II. Kings.

Lamentations. Zechariah. 1. Chronicles. Ezekiel.

Malachi.

Of the NEW TESTAMENT.
The Gospels accor-, Corinthians II. The Epistle to the
ding to
Galatians.

Hebrews.
Matthew.
Ephesians.

The Epistle

of Mark.

Philippians. James.
Luke.
Colossians.

The first and second John.

Thessalonians I. Epistles of Peter. The Acts of the Thessalonians II. The first, second, Apostles.

To Timothy I. and third Epistles Paul's Epistles to To Timothy II. of John. the Romans. To Titus.

The Epistle of Jude. Corinthians I. To Philemon. The Revelation. All which are given by inspiration of God, to be the rule of faith and life 8.

We have also a more sure word of times, and in divers manners, spake in prophecy, whereunto ye do well that time past unto the fathers by the proye take heed, as unto a light that shi. phets; Ver. 2. Hath in these last days neth in a dark place, until the day spoken unto us by his Son, whom he dawn, and the day-star arise in your harh appointed heir of all things, by hearts.

whom also he made the worlds. f Heb. i. 1. God, who at sundry II. g Luke xvi. 29. Abraham saith

8

III. The Books commonly called Apocrypha, not being of Divine inspiration, are no part of the canon of the scripture; and therefore are of no authority in the Church of God, nor to be any otherwise approved, or made use of, than other human writings h.

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 Godi.

V. We may be moved and induced by the testimony of the Church to an high and reverend esteem of the holy scripture k, and the heavenliness of the matter, the efficacy unto him, They have Moses and the them were committed the oracles of prophets, let them hear them. Ver. 31. God. 2 Pet. i. 21. For the prophecy And he said unto him, If they hear not came nor in old time by the will of Moses and the prophets, neither will man; but holy men of God spake as they be persuaded though one rose they were moved by the Holy Ghost. from the dead. Eph. ii. 20. And are IV. i 2 Pet. i. 19. We have also a built upon the foundation the apos. more sure word of prophecy, whereuntles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself to ye do well that ye take heed, as unbeing the chief corner-stone. Rev. to a light that shineth in a dark place, xxii. 18. For I testify unto every man until the day dawn, and the day-star that heareth the words of the prophe. arise in your hearts. Ver. 21. For cy of this book, If any man shall add the prophecy came not in old time by unto these things, God shall add unto the will of man; but holy men of God him the plagues that are written in spake as they were moved by the Hothis book. Ver. 19. And if any man ly Ghost. 2 Tim. iii. 16. All scripture is shall take away from the words of the given by inspiration of God, and is probook of this prophecy, God shall take fitable for doctrine, for reproof, for cor. away his part out of the book of life, rection, for instruction in righteousand out of ihe holy city, and from the ness. 1 John v.9. If we receive things which are written in this book. the witness of men, the witness of 2 Tim. iii. 16. All scripture is given God is greater: for this is the wit. by inspiration of God, and is profita- ness of God, which he hath testified ble for doctrine, for reproof, for correc- of his Son. 1 Thess. ii. 13. For this tion, for instruction in righteousness. cause also thank we God without

III. b Luke xxiv. 27. And begin- ceasing, because when ye received ning at Moses and all the prophets, he the word of God, which ye heard of expounded unto them in all the scrip: us, ye received it not as the word of tures the things concerning himself. men, but, as it is in truth, the word Ver. 44. And he said unto them, of God, which effectually worketh alThese are the words which I spake so in you that believe. into you, while I was yet with you, v.k 1 Tim. üïi. 15. But if I tarry that all things must be fulfilled which long, that thou mayest know how were written in the law of Moses, and thou oughtest to behave thyself in the in the Prophets, and in the Psalms, house of God, which is the church of concerning me. Rom. iii. 2. Much e- the living God, the pillar and ground very way: chiefly because that unto

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 mau's salvation, the many other incoinparable 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 1.

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 ".

1 1 John ii 20. But ye have an unc- the Lord, My Spirit that is upon thee, tion from the Holy One, and ye and my words which I have put in know all things. Ver. 27. But the thy mouth, shall not depart out of anointing which ye have received of thy mouth, nor out of the mouth of - him abideth in you, and ye need not thy seed, nor out of the mouth of thy that any man teach you : but as the seed's seed, saith the Lord, from same anointing teacheth you of all henceforth and for ever. things, and is truth, and is no lie; VI. m 2 Tim. iii. 15. And that and even as it hath taught you, ye from a child thou hast known the Hoshall abide in him. John xvi. 13. ly Scriptures, which are able to make Howbeit, when he, the Spirit of truth, thee wise unto salvation, through is come, he will guide you into all faith which is in Christ Jesus. v.16. truth : for he shall not speak of him- All scripture is given by inspiration self; but whatsoever he stall hear, of God, and is profitable for doctrine, that shall he speak : and he will shew for reproof, for correction, for instrucyou things to come. V. 14. He shall tion in righteousness; Ver. 17. That glorify me: for he, shall receive of the man of God may be perfect, mine, and shall shew it unto you. throughly furnished unto all good 1 Cor. i. 10. But God hath revealed works. Gal. i. 8. But though we, or them unto us by his Spirit ; for the an angel from heaven, preach any Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the other gospel unto you than that deep things of God. Ver. 11. For which we have preached unto you, what man knoweth the things of a let him be accursed. Ver. 9. As we man, save the spirit of man which is said before, so say I now, again, If in him? even so the things of God any man preach any other gospel unto knoweth no man, but the Spirit of you than that ye have received, let God, Ver. 12. Now we have received him be accursed. 2 Thess. ii. 2. That not the spirit of the world, but the ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be Spirit which is of God; that we might troubled, neither by spirit, nor by know the things that are freely given word, nor by letter, as from us, as that to us of God. Isa. lis. 21. As for me, the day of Christ is at hand. this is my covenant with them, saith

1

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 societies, 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 P; 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

n John vi. 45. It is written in the God uncovered ? Ver. 14. Doth not prophets, And they shall be all taught even nature itself teach you, that if a of God. Every man therefore that man have long hair, it is a-shame unto hath heard, and hath learned of the hin? 1 Cor. xiv. 26. How is it then, Father, cometh unto me. 1 Cor. ii. 9. brethren, when ye come together, eveBut as it is written, Eye hath not seen, ry one of you hath a psalm, hath a doc. nor ear heard, neither have entered trine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, into the heart of man, the things which hath an interpretation? Let all things God hath prepared for them that love be done unto edifying. Ver. 40. Let him. Ver 10. But God hath revealed all things be done decently and in them unto us by his Spirit; for the order. Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the VII. p 2 Pet. iii. 16. As also in all deep things of God. v. 11. For what his epistles, speaking in them of these inan knoweth the things of a man, things, in which are some things hard save the spirit of man which is in him ? to be understood, which they that are even so the things of God knoweth no unlearned and unstable wrest, as they man, but the Spirit of God. Ver. 12. do also the other scriptures, unto their Now we have received, not the spirit own destruction. of the world, but the Spiçit which is q Psal. cxix. 105. Thy word is a of God; that we might know the lamp unto my feet, and a light unto things that are freely given to us of my path. Verse 130. The entrance God.

of thy words giveth light, it giveth uno 1 Cor. xi. 13. Judge in yourselves, derstanding unto the simple. is it comely that a woman pray unto VIII. Matth. v. 18. For verily I

finally to appeal unto them 8. 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, 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 y. say unto you, Till heaven and earth ye may excel, to the edifying of the pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no church. Ver. 24. But if all prophesy, wise pass from the law, till all be ful, and there come in one that believeth filled.

not, or one unlearned, he is convinced s Isa. viii. 20. To the law, and to of all, he is judged of all. Ver. 27. If the testimony: if they speak not ac- any man speak in an unknown tongue, cording to this word, it is because there let it be by two, or at the most by three, is no light in them. Acts xv. 15. And to and that by course ; and let one inthis agree the words of the prophets, terpret. Ver. 28. But if there be no as it is written. John v. 39. Search interpreter, let him keep silence in the the scriptures; for in them ye think church ; and let him speak to himself, ye have eternal life: and they are they and to God. which testify of me: Ver. 46. For had w Col. ii. 16. Let the word of ye believed Moses, ye would have be. Christ dwell in you richly in all wislieved me ; for he wrote of me. dom, teaching and admonishing one a

t John v. 39. Search the scriptures; nother in psalms, and hymns, and spifor in them ye think ye have eternal ritual songs, singing with grace in life: and they are they which testify your hearts to the Lord. of me.

* Rom. xv. 4. For whatsoever u 1 Cor xiv. 6. Now, brethren, If I things were written aforetinie, were come unto you speaking with tongues, written for our learning; that we, what shall I profit you, except I shall through patience and comfort of the speak to you either by revelation, or scriptures, might have hope. by knowledge, or by prophesying, or IX. y 2 Pet. i. 20. Knowing this by doctrine ? Ver. 9. So likewise you, first, that no prophecy of the scripexcept ye utter by the tongue words ture is of any private interpretation. easy to be understood, how shall it be Ver. 21. For the prophecy came not known what is spoken? for ye shall in old time by the will of man: but speak into the air. Ver. 11. There- holy men of God spake as they were fore, if I know not the meaning of moved by the Holy Ghost. Acts xv. the voice, I shall be unto him that 15. And to this agree the words of speaketh a barbarian; and he that the prophets, as it is written, Ver. 16. speaketh shall be a barbarian unto me. After this I will return, and will build Ver. 12. Even so ye, forasmuch as ye again the tabernacle of David which are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek that is fallen down, and I will build