John Ley of Budworth Peter Smith Charles Herle of Winwick, Prolo- John Maynard of Mayfield cutor after Dr. Twiffe Herbert Palmer, B. D. of Afhwel, Obadiah Sedgwick, B. D. of Cogfhal Edward Corbift of Merton College, Oxford Samuel Gibfon of Burley Thomas Coleman of Bliton Theodore Backhurst William Carter of London Lexander Henderfon of Edinburgh William Price of Paul's Church in Covent Garden John Whincop of St. Martins in the William Bridge of Yarmouth Henry Hall, B. D. of Norwich Thomas Ford of London, afterwards of Exeter Robert Douglas of Edinburgh Thomas Thorowgood of Maffing ham Peter Clark of Kerby Under-hill William Good John Foxcroft of Cotham John Ward Commiffioners from the General Affembly of the Church of SCOTLAND. Richard Byfield of Long-Ditton Francis Woodcock John Jackson of Marske John Earl of Caffils John Lord Maitland, afterward Duke of Lauderdale Sir Archibald Johnston of Warif toun' Ruling Elders. ASSEMBLY at EDINBURGH, August 27th, 1647. Seff. 231 A&t approving the Confeffion of Faith. Confeffion of Faith for the Kirks of God, in the Three Kingdoms, A being the chiefeft Part of that Uniformity in Religion, which, by the folemn League and Covenant, we are bound to endeavour; and there being accordingly a Confeffion of Faith agreed upon by the Affembly of Divines fitting at Westminster, with the Alliitance of Commiflioners from the Kirk of Scotland; Which Confeflion was fent from our Commiffioners at London, to the Commiffioners of the Kirk met at Edinburgh in January laft, and hath been in this Affembly twice publickly read over, examined and confidered; Copies thereof being alfo printed, that it might be particularly perused by all the Members of this Affembly, unto whom frequent Intimation was publickly made, to put in their Doubts and Objections, if they had any: And the faid Confeffion being, upon due Examination thereof, found by the Affembly to be moft agreeable to the Word of God, and in nothing contrary to the received Doctrine, Worship, Difcipline and Government of this Kirk. And lafly, it being fo neceffary, and fo much longed for, that the faid Confeffion be, with all poflible Dis ligence and Expedition, approved and established in both Kingdoms, as a principal Part of the intended Uniformity in Religion, and as a fpecial Means for the more effectual Suppreffing of the many dangerous Errors and Herefies of thefe Times. The General Affembly doth therefore, after mature Deliberation, agree unto, and approve the faid Confeflion, as to the Truth of the Matter; (judging it to be moft Orthodox, and grounded upon the Word of God) and alfo, as to the Point of Uniformi ty, agreeing for our Part, that it be a common Confeffion of Faith for the Three Kingdoms. The Affembly doth alfo blefs the Lord, and thankfully acknowledge his great Mercy, in that fo excellent a Confeffion of Faith is prepared, and thus far agreed upon in both Kingdoms; which we look upon as a great ftrengthning of the true Reformed Religion, against the common Enemies thereof. But, left our Intention and Meaning be in fome Particulars misunderstood, it is hereby exprefly declared and provided, That the not mentioning in this Confeffion, the feveral Sorts of Ecclefiaftical Officers and Affemblies, fhall be no Prejudice to the Truth of Christ, in these Particulars, to be expreffed fully in the Directory of Government. It is further declared, That the Affembly underftandeth fome Parts of the second Article of the Thirty-one Chapter, only of Kirks not fettled, or constituted in Point of Government: And that although, in fuch Kirks, a Synod of Minifters, and other fit Perfons, may be called by the Magiftrate's Authority and Nomination, without any other Call, to confult and advise with, about Matters of Religion; and altho' likewife the Ministers of Christ, without Delegation fror their Churches, may of themselves, and by virtue of their Office, meet together Synodically in fuch Kirks, not yet conftituted; yet neither of thefe ought to be done, in Kirks conftituted and fettled: It being always free to the Magiftrate to advite with Synods of Minifters and Ruling-Elders, meeting upon Delegation from their Churches, either ordinarily, or, being indicted by his Authority, occafionally and pro re nata; it being alfo free to assemble together Synodically, as well pro re nata as at the ordinary Times, upon Delegation from the Churches, by the intrinfical Power received from Christ, as often as it is neceffary for the Good of the Church fo to affemble, in cafe the Magistrate, to the Detriment of the Church, withhold or deny his Confent; the Neceffity of occafional Affemblies being first remonftrate unto him by humble Supplication. A. KER. Charles I. Parl. 2. Seff. 2. Act 16. ACT anent the Catechifms, Confeffion of Faith, and Ratification thereof. At EDINBURGH, February 7th, 1649. HE Eftates of Parliament now presently conveened in this fecond THE Seffion of the second Triennial Parliament, by Virtue of an Act of the Committee of Estates, who had Power and Authority from the last Parliament for conveening the Parliament, having feriously confidered the Catechifms, viz. the Larger and Shorter ones, with the Confeffion of Faith, with Three Acts of Approbation thereof by the Commiffioners of the General Affembly, presented unto them by the Commiffioners of the faid General Affembly; Do ratify and approve the faid Catechifms, Confeflion of Faith, and Acts of Approbation of the fame, produced as it is; and ordains them to be recorded, publifhed and practifed. THE THE CONFESSION of FAITH, AGREED UPON BY THE ASSEMBLY OF DIVINES A T WESTMINSTER, WITH THE ASSISTANCE O F COMMISSIONERS FROM THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND, A S A Part of the Covenanted Uniformity in Religion betwixt the Churches of CHRIST in the Kingdoms of Scotland, England, and Ireland. Approved by the General Affembly 1647, and ratified and established by Act of Parliament 1649, and 1690, as the publick and avowed CoISSION of the CHURCH of SCOTLAND. WITH THE PROOFS FROM THE SCRIPTURE. CHAP. THE CONTENTS. XVII. Of the Perfeverance of the Saints. XVIII. Of Affurance of Grace and Salvation. XX. Of Chriftian Liberty, and Liberty of Confcience. XXI. Of Religious Worship, and the Sabbath-Day. XXII. Of Lawful Oaths and Vows. XXIII. Of the Civil Magiftrate, |