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John Ley of Budworth
Charles Herle of Winwick, Prolo-

cutor after Dr. Twisse
Herbert Palmer, B. D. of Afhwel,
Affeffor after Mr. White
Daniel Cawdry of Great Billing
Henry Painter, B. D. of Exeter
Henry Scudder of Colingborn
Thomas Hill, B. D. of Titchmarsh
William Reynor, B. D. of Egham
Dr. Thomas Goodwin of London
Dr. William Spurftow of Hampden
Matthew Newcomb of Dedham
Dr. Edmond Staunton of Kingstoun
John Conant of Lymmington, B.D.
Anthony Burges of Sutton Coldfield
William Rathband

Dr. Francis Cheynel of Oxon
Dr. Henry Wilkinson younger of
-Oxford

Obadiah Sedgwick, B. D. of Cogfhal

Edward Corbift of Merton College,
Oxford

Samuel Gibson of Burley
Thomas Coleman of Bliton
Theodore Backhurst

William Carter of London

Peter Smith

John Maynard of Mayfield William Price of Paul's Church in Covent Garden

John Whincop of St. Martins in the
Fields

William Bridge of Yarmouth
Peter Sterry of London
William Mew, B. D. of Eflington
Benjamin Pickering of Eaft Hoatly
John Strickland of St. Edmonds in'
Sarum

Humphrey Hardwick
Jafper Hicks of Lawrick or Lanrake
John Bond

Henry Hall, B. D. of Norwich Thomas Ford of London, after. wards of Exeter

Thomas Thorowgood of Maffing

ham

Peter Clark of Kerby Under-hill
William Good

John Foxcroft of Cotham
John Ward

Richard Byfield of Long-Ditton
Francis Woodcock

John Jackson of Marske

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ASSEMBLY at EDINBURGH, August 27th, 1647. Seff. 231

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A&t approving the Confeffion of Faith.

Confeffion of Faith for the Kirks of God, in the Three Kingdoms, being the chiefest 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 Weftminster, 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 perufed 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 laftly, it being fo neceffary, and fo much longed for, that the faid Confettion be, with all poflible Di 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 underflandeth fome Parts of the fecond 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 Ministers, 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 Chrift, without Delegation frora their Churches, may of themselves, and by virtue of their Office, meet together Synodically in fuch Kirks, not yet constituted; yet neither of thefe ought to be done, in Kirks conftituted and fettled: It being always free to the Magistrate 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 intrinsical Power received from Chrift, as often as it is neceffary for the Good of the Church so to affemble, in case the Magiftrate, to the Detriment of the Church, withhold or deny his Confent; the Neceffity of occafional Affemblies being first remonstrate unto him by humble Supplication.

Charles I. Parl. 2. Seff. 2. Act 16.

A. KER.

ACT anent the Catechifms, Confeffion of Faith, and Ratification

T

thereof.

At EDINBURGH, February 7th, 1649.

HE Estates of Parliament now presently conveened in this fecond Seffion of the second Triennial Parliament, by Virtue of an A&t of the Committee of Estates, who had Power and Authority from the last Parliament for conveening the Parliament, having seriously 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, prefented 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 practised.

THE

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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 ConBESSION of the CHURCH of SCOTLAND.

WITH THE PROOFS FROM THE SCRIPTURE.

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