VI. The whole Council of God concerning all things neceffary for his own Glory, Man's Salvation, Faith and Life, is either exprefly fet 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 TM. Nevertheless, we acknowledge the inward Illumination of the Spirit of God to be neceffary for the faving Understanding of fuch things as are revealed in the Word ": And that there are fome Circumftances concerning the Worfhip 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

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 re-
ceived, 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. Ifaiah
59. 21. As for me, this is my cove-
nant with them, faith the Lord, My
fpirit that is upon thee, and my
words which I have put in thy
mouth, shall not depart out of thy
mouth, nor out of the mouth of thy
feed, nor out of the mouth of thy
feeds feed, faith the Lord, from
henceforth and for ever.
VI. m
2 Tim.3.15. And that from
a child thou haft known the holy
fcriptures, which are able to make
thee wife unto falvation through
faith, which is in Chrift Jefus. v. 16.
All fcripture is given by inspiration
of God, and is profitable for do-
arine, for reproof, for correction,

the

for inftruction in righteousness.v.17. That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works. Gal. 1. 8. But though we, or an angel from heaven,preach any other gofpel unto you, than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. v. 9. As we faid before, fo fay I now again: If any man preach any other gofpel unto you, than that ye have received,let him be accurfed. 2 Thef. 2.2. That ye be not foon fhaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by fpirit, nor by word, nor by letter, as from us, as that the day of Chrift is at hand.

"John 6.45. 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. I Cor. 2.9. But as it is written,Eye hath not feen, nor ear heard, neither have entred into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for

them

the general Rules of the Word, which are always to be observed o.

VII. All things in Scripture 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 Salvation, are fo clearly propounded and opened in fome Place of Scripture 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 9.

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 by God, and by his fingular Care and Providence kept pure in all Ages, are therefore authentical;

them that love him. v. 1o. But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit for the Spirit fearcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. v. II. For what man knoweth the things of a man, fave the fpirit 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. 11. 13. Judge in your selves, is it comely that a woman pray unto God uncovered? v. 14. Doth not even nature it self teach you, that if a man have long hair, it is a fhame unto him? 1 Cor. 14.26. How is it then, brethren, when ye come together, every one of you hath a pfalm, hath a doctrine, hath

fo

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. 3.16. As alfo in all his epiftles, fpeaking in them of these things, in which are fome things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unftable wreft, as they do alfo the other fcriptures, unto their own deftruction.

9 Pfalm 119. 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 giveth underftanding unto the fimple. VIII. Mat. 5.18.For verily I fay unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot, or one tittle fhall in no wife pafs from the law, till all be fulfilled.

B 4

s Isaiah

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 Scriptures, and are commanded in the fear of God, to read and search them, therefore they are to be tranflated 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 w; and, through Patience and Comfort of the Scriptures, may have Hope*. IX. The infallible Rule of Interpretation of Scri

Ifaiah 8. 20. To the law, and to the teftimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them. Acts 15. 15. And to this agree the words of the prophets, as it is written. John 5. 39. Search the fcriptures, forin hem ye think ye have eternal life, and they are they which testify of me. v. 46. For had ye believed Mofes, ye would have believed me: for he wrote of me.

t John 5. 39. Search the scriptures, for in them ye think ye have eternal life, and they are they which testify of me.

pture,

barbarian; and he that speaketh fhall be a barbarian unto me. v. 12. Even fo ye, forafmuch as ye are zealous of spiritual 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 speak in an unknown tongue, let it be by two, or at the most by three, and that by course; and let one interpret. v. 28. But if there be no interpreter, let him keep filence in the church; and let him speak to himfelf, and to God.

w Col. 3. 16. Let the word of Chrift dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in pfalms, and hymns, and spiritual songs, finging with grace in your hearts to the Lord.

I Cor. 14. 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 prophefying, or by doctrine? v.9. So likewife you, except ye utter by the tongue words eafy to be under\ftood, how fhall it be known what x Rom. 15. 4. For whatfoever is fpoken for ye shall speak into things were written aforetime, were the air. v. 11. Therefore, if I know written for our learning; that we not the meaning of the voice, I through patience and comfort of fhall be unto him that speaketh a the fcriptures might have hope.

IX. Y 2 Pet.

pture, is the Scripture it felf; and therefore, when there is a Queftion about the true and full Senfe of any Scripture, (which is not manifold, but one) it must be searched and known by other Places that speak more clearly".

X. The fupreme Judge, by which all Controverfies of Religion are to be determined, and all Decrees of Councils, Opinions of ancient Writers,Doarines of Men, and private Spirits are to be examined, and in whofe Sentence we are to reft; can be no other but the Holy Spirit fpeaking in the Scripture 2.

CHA P. II.

Of God, and of the Holy Trinity. HERE is but One only 2, Living and Truc God, who is Infinite in Being and Perfe&tionc,

TH

IX. y 2 Pet.1.20. Knowing this firft, that no prophecy of the scripture, 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 spake as they were moved by the holy Ghoft. Acts 15. 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 ruines thereof, and I will fet it up.

X. 2 Matth.22.29. Jesus 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 spoken unto you by God, faying. Ephef. 2.20. And are built upon the

foundation of the apoftles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner-ftone. With Acts 28.25. And when they agreed not among themfelves, they departed, after that Paul had spoken one word, Well fpake the holy Ghoft by Efaias the prophet unto our fathers.

I. a Deut. 6. 4. Hear, O Ifrael,the Lord our God is one Lord. 1 Cor.8.4. As concerning therefore the eating of those 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 in him; and one Lord Jefus Chrift by whom are all things, and we by him.

b

I Thef. 1.9. For they themselves

fhew

Яtion, a most pure Spirit d, Invifible, without Body, Parts, or Paffions, Immutable, Immenfe, Eternal, Incomprehenfible', Almightym,

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

f Deut. 4. 15. Take ye therefore good heed unto your felves, for ye faw no manner of fimilitude on the day that the Lord fpake unto you in Horeb, out of the midft of the fire. v. 16. Left ye corrupt your felves, and make you a graven image, the fimilitude of any figure, the likeness of male or female. John 4. 24. God is a Spirit, and they that worship him,muft worship him in fpirit and in truth. With Luke 24. 39. Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I my felf: handle me, and fee, for a fpirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye fee me have.

i Acts 14. 11. And when the