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THE

CONSTITUTION

OF THE

PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH,

IN THE

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA:

CONTAINING

THE CONFESSION OF FAITH, THE CATECHISMS, AND THE
DIRECTORY FOR THE WORSHIP OF GOD:

TOGETHER WITH THE

PLAN OF GOVERNMENT AND DISCIPLINE,

AS RATIFIED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY, AT THEIR SESSIONS IN
MAY, 1821; AND AMENDED IN 1933.

PHILADELPHIA:*

PRESBYTERIAN

OF PUBLICATION,

WILLIAM S. MARTIEN, PUBLISHING AGENT.

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3-13-30

ACT OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY,

May 29th, 1839.

Resolved, That the permission heretofore granted by the Assembly to publish the Confession of Faith in contravention of the copyright, be, and the same is hereby revoked.

Resolved, That the PRESBYTERIAN Board of PubLICATION is hereby directed to take the charge, oversight, and agency of printing and selling the authorized copy of the Constitution of the Presbyterian Church, in the United States of America;

Resolved, That the standing committees to supervise the publication of the Constitution, within the bounds of the several Synods, be, and the same are hereby abolished.

3

THE

CONFESSION OF FAITH.

CHAPTER I.

OF THE HOLY SCRIPTURE.

ALTHOUGH the light of nature, and the works of creation and providence, do so far manifest the goodness, wisdom, and power of God, as to leave men inexcusable; (1) yet they are not sufficient to give that knowledgeof God, and of his will, which is necessary unto salvation; (2) therefore it pleased the

(1) I. Rom. ii. 14, 15. For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves; which show the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the meanwhile accusing, or else excusing one another. Rom. i. 19, 20. Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them: for God hath showed it unto them. 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, 2, 3. The heavens declare the glory of God, and the firmament showeth his handiwork. Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night showeth knowledge. There is no speech nor language where their voice is not heard. See Rom. i. 32 with Rom. ii. 1.

(2) 1 Cor. i. 21. For after that in the wisdom of God,

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