VI.

OF THE SUFFICIENCY OF THE HOLY SCRIPTURES FOR SALVATION.

Holy Scripture containeth all things necessary to salvation: so that whatsoever is not read therein, nor may be proved thereby, is not to be required of any man, that it should be believed as an article of faith, or to be thought requisite or necessary to salvation. In the name of the Holy Scripture we do understand those canonical books of the old and new Testament, of whose authority was never any doubt in the church.

Q. What book containeth all things necessary to salvation?

A. The Holy Scripture.

Q. What is not required, of any man, to be believed, as an article of faith; or thought requisite to salvation?

A. Whatsoever is not read in the Holy Scripture, nor may be proved thereby.

Q. What do we understand, in the name of the Holy Scripture ?

A. Those canonical books, of the old and new

Testament, of whose authority was

doubt, in the Church.

Q. What do you mean, by the word, cal"?

A. Fixed, by ecclesiastical laws.

never any

"canoni

Q. Repeat the names of the canonical books. A. Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy, Joshua, Judges, Ruth, The first book of Samuel, The second book of Samuel, The first book of Kings, The second book of Kings, The first book of Chronicles, The second book of Chronicles, The first book of Esdras, The second book of Esdras, The book of Esther, The book of Job, The Psalms, The Proverbs, Ecclesiastes or Preacher, Cantica or Songs of Solomon, Four Prophets the greater, Twelve Prophets the less.

And the other books (as Hierome saith) the church doth read for example of life, and instruction of manners; but yet doth it not apply them to establish any doctrine.

Q. What are the other books called?

A. Apocryphal.

Q. Why?

A. Because they are of doubtful authority. Q. For what purpose, are the other books read? A. For example of life, and instruction of manners; but without using them for the establishment of any doctrine.

Q. Repeat their names.

A. The third book of Esdras, The fourth book of Esdras, The book of Tobias, The book of Judith, The rest of the book of Esther, The book of Wisdom, Jesus the son of Sirach, Baruch the Prophet, The Song of the three Children, The Story of Susannah, Of Bel and the Dragon, The Prayer of Manasses, The first book of Maccabees, The second book of Maccabees.

Q. What other books do we receive as canonical?

A. All the books of the New Testament.

Scripture Proofs.

2 Timothy iii. 16, 17. All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for correction, and for instruction in righteousness; that the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works. John v. 39.

Deuteronomy iv. 2. Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish ought from it, that ye may keep the commandments of the Lord your God which I command you.

Proverbs xxx. 5, 6. Every word of God is pure; and add thou not unto his words, lest He reprove thee, and thou be found a liar.

Revelation xxii. 18, 19. If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book; 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.

Acts xvii. 11. These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the Scriptures daily, whether those things

were so.

C

Every one has an undoubted right to read the word of God; and if we neglect doing so, it is at the peril of our souls. Whosoever attempts to prevent its being read, acts contrary to the will of Him who hath commanded us "to search the Scriptures," and will "haply" be found (in the end) "fighting against God." His word is a light, which will finally dissipate every system of darkness; it is a light which Satan dreads, and which no one can obstruct or oppose, without shewing at once, that he loves "darkness rather than light,” such a one being without palliation or excuse, the active and zealous agent of the enemy of God and his Christ.

VII.

OF THE OLD TESTAMENT.

The old Testament is not contrary to the new; for both in the old and new Testament everlasting life is offered to mankind by Christ, who is the only mediator between God and man, being both God and man. Wherefore they are not to be heard, which feign that the old fathers did look only for transitory promises. Although the law given from God by Moses, as touching ceremonies and rites, do not bind Christian men, nor the civil precepts thereof, ought of necessity, to be received, in any commonwealth; yet notwithstanding, no Christian man whatsoever is free from the obedience of the commandments which are called moral.

Q. Is the old Testament contrary to the new? A. No, for in both everlasting life is offered to mankind.

Q. By whom is it offered?

A. By Christ, who is the only mediator between God and man; being both God and man. Q. Who are therefore not to be heard or obeyed?