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.o VII. All things in scripture are not alike plain in themselves, nor alike clear unto all; 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; o 1 Cor. xi. 13, 14. Judge in yourselves: Is it comely that a woman pray unto God uncovered? Doth not even nature itself teach you, that if a man have long hair, it is a shame unto him? 1 Cor. xiv. 26, 40. How is it then, brethren? when ye come together, every one of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath an interpretation. Let all things be done to edifying. Let all things be done decently and in order. VII, p 2 Pet. iii, 16. As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things, in which are some things hard to ble wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their be understood, which they that are unlearned and unsta own destruction, 1 Psal. cxix. 105, Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path. Ver. 130. The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple. VIII. r Mat. v. 18. For verily I say unto you, Till hea so as in all controversies 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 a 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 ven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled. V s Isai, viii. 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. 46. For had ye believed Moses, ye would have believed me: for he wrote of me. t John v. 39. Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life, and they are they which testify of me. v 1 Cor. xiv. 6, 9, 11, 12, 24, 27, 28. 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 prophesying, or by doctrine?-So likewise ye, except ye utter by the tongue words easy to be understood, how shall it be known what is spoken? for ye shall speak into the air. Therefore if I know not the meaning of the voice, I shall be unto him that speaketh a barbarian, and he that speaketh shall be a barbarian unto me. Even so ye, for as much as ye are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek that you may excel to the edifying of the church. But if all prophesy, and there come in one that believeth not, or one unlearned, he is convinced of all, he is judged of all. If any man speak in an unknown tongue, let it be by two, or at most by three, and that by course; and let one interpret.—But if there be no interpreter, let him keep silence in the church; and let him speak to himself and to God. W in an acceptable manner, and, through patience X. The supreme Judge, by whom all controversies of religion are to be determined, and all decrees of councils, opinions of ancient writers, doctrines of men, and private spirits, are to be examined, and in whose sentence we are to rest, can be no other but the Holy Spirit speaking in the scripture. w Col. iii. 16. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms, and hymns, and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. x Rom. xv. 4. For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we, through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope. have IX. y Acts xv. 15. And to this agree the words of the prophets; as it is written. John v. 46. For had ye believed Moses, ye would have believed me: for he wrote of me. X. z Mat. xxii. 29, 31. Jesus answered and said unto them, Ye do err, not knowing the scriptures, nor the pow er of God-But as touching the resurrection of the dead, ye not read that which was spoken unto you by God. Eph. ii. 20. And are built upon the foundation of the apos tles and prophets, Jesus Christ, himself being the chief corner-stone. Acts xxviii. 25. And when they agreed not among themselves, they departed, after that Paul had spoken one word, Well spake the Holy Ghost by Esaias the prophet unto our fathers. CHAP. II. Of God, and of the Holy Trinity. I. THERE is but one onlya living and true God," who is infinite in being and perfection, a most pure spirit, invisible, without body, parts, or d I. a Deut. vi. 4. Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God is one Lord. 1 Cor. viii. 4, 6. As concerning therefore the eating of those things that are offered in sacrifice unto idols, we know that an idol is nothing in the world, and that there is none other God but one. But to us, there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him. b 1 Thess. i. 9. Ye turned to God from idols, to serve 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, 8, 9. and xxvi. 14. Canst thou by searching find out God? Canst thou find out the Almighty unto perfection? It is high as heaven, what canst thou do? deeper than hell; what canst thou know? The measure thereof is longer than the earth, and broader than the sea.-Lo, these 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, must worship him in spirit and in truth. e 1 Tim. i. 17. Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honour and glory, for ever and ever. Amen. f Deut. iv. 15, 16. Take ye therefore good heed unto yourselves; for ye saw no manner of similitude on the day that the Lord spake unto you in Horeb out of the midst of the fire. Lest ye corrupt yourselves, and make you a graven image, the similitude of any figure, the likeness of male or female. Luke xxiv. 39. Behold my hands and my feet; that it is I myself. Handle me and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have. John iv. 24. ป 日 passions, immutable, immense, eternal, incomprehensible, almighty,m most wise," most holy, most free, most absolute, working all things according to the counsel of his own immutable and g Acts xiv. 11, 15. And when the people saw what Paul had done, they lift up their voices, saying in the speech of Lycaonia, The gods are come down to us in the likeness of men-And saying, Sirs, why do ye these things? We also are men of like passions with you, and preach unto you that ye should turn from these vanities unto the living God, which made heaven and earth, and the sea, and all things that are therein. h James i. 17. The Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning. Mal. iii. 6. For I am the Lord, I change not. i 1 Kings viii. 27. But will God indeed dwell on the earth? behold, the heaven, and heaven of heavens can not contain thee, how much less this house that I have builded? Jer. xxiii. 23, 24. Am I a God at hand, saith the Lord, and not a God afar off? Can any hide himself in secret places that I shall not see him? saith the Lord. Do not I fill heaven and earth? saith the Lord. k Psal. xc. 2. Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever thou hadst formed the earth and the world; even from everlasting to everlasting, thou art God. 1 Tim. i. 17. Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen.; 1 Psal. cxlv. 3. His greatness is unsearchable. m Gen. xvii. 1. I am the Almighty God; walk before me, and be thou perfect. Rev. iv. 8. n Rom. xvi. 27. To God only wise, be glory through Je. sus Christ for ever. Amen. o Isai. vi. 3. And one cried unto another, and said, Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory. Rev. iv. 8. Ip Psal. cxv. 3. But our God is in the heavens: He hath done whatsoever he pleased. q Exod. iii. 14. And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM; and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM, hath sent me unto you. |