THE CONSTITUTION OF THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA: CONTAINING THE CONFESSION OF FAITH, THE CATECHIMS AND THE TOGETHER WITH THE PLAN OF GOVERNMENT AND DISCIPLINE, AS RATIFED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY, AT THEIR SESSIONS PHILADELPHIA: J. B. LIPPINCOTT & CO. 8977 WE, the subscribers, appointed a committee to superintend the publication of the Constitution of the Presbyterian Church in the United States, &c. within the bounds of the synod of Delaware, do authorize and approve of the present edition, as a correct and au thentic copy of said Constitution, as amended, ratified, and in force at the present date. Philadelphia, June 16th, 1834. EZRA STILES ELY WE, the subscribers, appointed a committee to superintend the publication of the Constitution of the Presbyterian Church in the United States, &c. within the bounds of the synod of Philadelphia, do authorize and approve of the present edition, as a correct and au thentic copy of said Constitution, as amended, ratified, and in force at the present date. Philadelphia, August 22d, 1834. Eastern District of Pennsylvania, to wit: CORS. C. CUYLER, JOHN M.DOWELL, BE IT REMEMBERED, that on the second day of June, in the fortyfifth year of the independence of the United States of America, A. D. 1821, the Reverend Ezra Stiles Ely, D. D. of the said District, by order of the General Assembly, on behalf of the Trustees of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in the United States of America, has deposited in this office the title of a Book, the right whereof they claim as Proprietors, in the words following, to wit: "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 amended and ratified by the General Assembly, at their Session in May, 1821." In conformity to the Act of the Congress of the United States, entitled, "An Act for the Encouragement of Learning, by securing the Copies of Maps, Charts, and Books, to the Authors and Proprietors of such Copies during the Times therein mentioned." And also to the Act entitled, " An Act Supplementary to an Act, entitled, An Act for the Encouragement of Learning, by securing the Copies of Maps. Charts, and Books, to the Authors and Proprietors of such Copies, during the times therein mentioned,' and extending the Benefits thereof to the arts of designing, engraving, and etching historical and other Prints." D. CALDWELL, Clerk of the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. 718 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; yet they are not sufficient to give that knowledge of God, and of his will, which is necessary unto salvation; therefore it pleased 1. 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. Be cause that which may be known of God is manifest in them: for God hath shewed 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 handy work. Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night sheweth knowledge. There is no speech nor language where their voice is not heard. See Rom. i. 32. with Rom. ii. 1. 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, the Lord, at sundry times, and it 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 corruption of the flesh, and the malice of Satan and of the world, to commit the same wholly unto writing; which maketh the Holy Scripture to be most necessary; those former ways of God's revealing his will unto his people being now ceased'. 14. Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; com. paring spiritual things with spiritual. 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. Heb. i. 1. God, who at sundry times, and in divers manners, spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets. d Luke i. 3, 4. 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, 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 patience and comfort of the Scriptures, might have hope. Isa. 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 Rev. xxii. 18. e 2 Tim. iii. 15. And that from a 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, 2. God, who at sundry times, and in diver. manners, spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, who'u he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds. 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: OF THE OLD TESTAMENT. OF THE NEW TESTAMENT. The Gospels ac- Galatians. cording to 10 Ephesians. I.Thessalonians. 39 The Hebrews. 20 James. The first and second Epistleof Peter. Luke. John. II. Thessaloni The Acts of the ans. The first, second, Apostles. 15 To I. Timothy. and third Epis. Paul's Epistles To II. Timothy.tles of John. to the Romans. To Titus. The Epistle of The Revelation. |