CHAP. XVIII. Of Assurance of Grace and XX. Of Christian Liberty, and Li- XXI. Of Religious Worship, and XXII. Of lawful Oaths and Vows. XXIII. Of the Civil Magistrate. XXIV. Of Marriage and Divorce. XXXII. Of the State of Men after Agreed upon by the ASSEMBLY of DIVINES at Westminster : Examined and approved, Anno 1647, by the GENERAL CHAP. I. Of the Holy Scripture. ALTHOUGH the light of nature, and the works of crea- yet they are not sufficient to give that knowledge of God, and of his will, which is necessary unto salvation : therefore it pleased the Lord, at sundry times, and in divers manners, to reveal himself, and to declare that his will unto his church; and afterwards, for the better preserving and propagating of the truth, and for the more sure establishment and comfort of the Church against the corrup tion of the flesh, and the malice of Satan and of the world, to commit the same wholly unto writing; which maketh the the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another. Rom. i. 19. Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. Ver. 20. For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse. Psal. xix. 1. The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handy-work. Ver. 2. Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night sheweth knowledge. Ver. 3. There is no speech nor language where their voice is not heard. Rom. i. 32. Who knowing the judgment of God, (that they which commit such things are worthy of death,) not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them. With Rom. ii. 1. Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest; for wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself; for thou that judgest doest the same things. b 1 Cor. i. 21. For after that, in the wisdom of God, the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe. 1 Cor. ii. 13. Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual. Ver. 14. But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God; for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. C c Heb. i. 1. God, who at sundry times, and in divers manners, spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets. d Prov. xxii. 19. That thy trust may be in the Lord, I have made known to thee this day, even to thee. Ver. 20. Have not I written to thee excellent things in counsels and knowledge; Ver. 21. That I might make thee know the certainty of the words of truth; that thou mightest answer the words of truth to them that send unto thee? Luke i. 3. It seemed good to me also, having had perfect understanding of all things from the very first, to write unto thee in order, most excellent Theophilus; Ver. 4. That thou mightest know the certainty of those things wherein thou hast been instructed. Rom. xv. 4. For whatsoever things were written aforetime, were written for our learning; that we through pa the holy scripture to be most necessary; those former ways of God's revealing his will unto his people being now ceased f 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: tience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope. Matth. iv. 4. But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God. Ver. 7. Jesus said unto him, It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God. Ver. 10. Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve. Isa. viii. 19. And when they shall say unto you, Seek unto them that have familiar spirits, and unto wizards that peep and that mutter; should not a people seek unto their God? for the living to the dead? Ver. 20. To the law, and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this Of word, it is because there is no light in them. a e 2 Tim. iii. 15. And that from child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation, through faith which is in Christ Jesus. 2 Pet. i. 19. We have also a more sure word of prophecy, whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day-star arise in your hearts. Heb. i. 1. God, who at sundry times, and in divers manners, spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets; Ver. 2. Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds. B 2 B 8 Luke Of the NEW TEstament. The Gospels ac- Corinthians II. The Epistle to the Hebrews. The Epistle of All which are given by inspiration of God, to be the rule of faith and life. 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 1. Luke xvi. 29. Abraham saith unto him, They have Moses and the prophets, let them hear them. Ver. 31. And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded though one rose from the dead. Eph. ii. 20. And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner-stone. Rev. xxii. 18. For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book. Ver. 19. And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this IV. The book. 2 Tim. iii. 16. All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness. III. Luke xxiv. 27. And be ginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself. Ver. 44. And he said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled which were written in the law of Moses, and in the Prophets, and in the Psalms, concerning me. Rom. iii. 2. Much every way: chiefly, because that unto them were committed the oracles of God. 2 Pet. i. 21. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man; but holy men of God spake as they |