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 neceffary Confequence 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 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 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 Chriftian 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 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. Ifaiah 59. 21. As for me, this is my covenant 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 hast 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 dotrine, for reproof, for correction, the for inftruction in righteoufness.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 accurfed. 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, orbe troubled, neither by spirit, 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. 1 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 to be obfervenes of the Word, which are always the general VII. All things in Scripture are not alike plain in themselves, nor alike clear unto all P; yet those things which are neceflary 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 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; : 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. them that love him. .ro, But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit for the Spirit fearcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. v.11. For what man knoweth the things of a man, fave the spirit of VII. P 2 Pet.3.16. As also in all his man which is in him even fo the epiftles, fpeaking in them of these things of God knoweth no man, things, in which are fome things but the Spirit of God. v. 12. Now hard to be understood, which they we have received, not the spirit of that are unlearned and unftable the world, but the Spirit which is of wreft, as they do alfo the other fcriGod, that we might know the things ptures, unto their own deftruction. that are freely given to us of God. 9 Pfalm 119. 105. Thy word is a 01 Cor. 11. 13. Judge in your lamp unto my feet, and a light unto felves, is it comely that a woman my path. v. 130. The entrance of pray unto God uncovered? v. 14. thy words giveth light, it giveth unDoth not even nature it felf teach derftanding unto the fimple. you, that if a man have long hair, VIII. Mat. 5.18.For verily I fay unit is a fhame unto him? 1 Cor. 14.26. to you, Till heaven and earth pafs, How is it then, brethren, when ye one jot, or one tittle fhall in no wife come together, every one of you pafs from the law, till all be fulfilhath a pfalm, hath a doctrine, hath led, B 4 5 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 Intereft in the Scriptures, and are commanded in the fear of God, to read and fearch 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 "; and, through Patience and Comfort of the Scriptures, may have Hope*. IX. The infallible Rule of Interpretation of Scri f Ifaiah 8. 20. To the law; and to the teftimony: if they fpeak 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 fcriplures, for in 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. John 5. 39. Search the fcriptures, for in them ye think ye have eternal life, and they are they which testify of me. VI Cor. 14. 6. Now, brethren, if I come unto you speaking with tongues, what shall I profit you, except I fhall 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 underftood, how fhall it be known what is spoken for ye fhall speak into the air. v. 11. Therefore, if I know not the meaning of the voice, I hall be unto him that speaketh a pture, barbarian; and he that fpeaketh 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 courfe; 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 wifdom, teaching and admonishing one another in pfalms, and hymns, and fpiritual fongs, finging with grace in your hearts to the Lord. Rom. 15. 4. For whatfoever things were written aforetime, were written for our learning; that we through patience and comfort of the fcriptures might have hope. IX. Y 2 Ps. pture, is the Scripture it felf; and therefore, when there is a Question about the true and full Senfe of any Scripture, (which is not manifold, but one) it must be fearched 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. T CHA P. II. Of God, and of the Holy Trinity. &tionc, IX. Y 2 Pet.1.20. Knowing this hirft, foundation of the apoftles and prothat no prophecy of the fcripture, is of any private interpretation. 21. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God fpake 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 the ruines thereof, and phets, Jefus Chrift himself being the chief corner-stone, With Acts 28.25. And when they agreed not among themselves, they departed, after that Paul had spoken one word, Well fpake the holy Ghost by Efaias the prophet unto our fathers. again I will fet it up. I. 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 fa crifice 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. bi Thef. 1.9. For they themselves fhew 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 fearch 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 Scri f Ifaiah 8. 20. To the law, and to the teftimony: if they fpeak 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, for in 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. 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 fongs, finging with grace in your hearts to the Lord. VI Cor. 14. 6. Now, brethren, if I come unto you speaking with tongues, what shall I profit you, except I fhall 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 underftood, how fhall it be known what * Rom. 15. 4. For whatfoever is spoken for ye fhall 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 hall be unto him that fpeaketh a the fcriptures might have hope. IX. Y 2 Pe. |