i

Affembly at EDINBURGH, August 27th, 1647. Seff. 23.

Act approving the Confession of Faith.

A Confeffion of Faith for the Kirks of God, in the Three Kingdoms,
being the chiefeft Part of that Uniformity in Religion, which, by
the Solemn League and Covenant, we are bound to endeavour; and
there being accordingly a Confeffion of Faith agreed upon by the Affem-
bly of Divines fitting at Westminster, with the Affistance of Comissi-
oners from the Kirk of Scotland; Which confession was sent from our
Commiffioners at London, to the Commissioners of the Kirk met at E-
dinburgh in January last, and hath been in the affembly twice publick-
ly read over, examined and confidered: Copies thereof being also print-
ed, 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 Confef-
fion being, upon due Examination thereof, found by the Affembly to
be most agreeeable to the Word of God, and in nothing contrary to the
received Doctrine, Worship, Discipline and Government of this Kirk,
And lastly, it being so neceffary, and so much longed for, that the faid
Confeffion be, with all possible Diligence and Expedition, approved
and established in both Kingdoms, as a principal Part of the intended
Uniformity in Religion, and as a special Means for the more effectual
fupprefling of the many dangerous Errors and Herefies of these Times.
The General Affembly doth therefore, after mature Deliberation, agree
unto, and approve the faid Confession, as to the Truth of the Matter;
(judging it to be most Orthodox, and grounded upon the Word of God)
and alfo, as to the Point of Uniformity, agreeing for our Part, that it
be a common Confeffion of Faith for the Three Kingdoms. The Af-
sembly doth alfo blets the Lord, and thankfully acknowledge his great -
Mercy, in that fo excellent a Confession of Faith is prepared, and thus
far agreed upon in both kingdoms; which we look upon as a great
strengthening of the true Reformed Religion, against the common Ene-
mies thereof. But, lest our intention and Meaning be in some Particu-
lars misunderstood, it is hereby exprefly declared, and provided, That
the not mentioning in this Confeffion, the several Sorts of Ecclefiaftical
Officers and Affemblies, shall be no Prejudice to the Truth of Christ,
in these Particulars, to be expressed fully in the Directory of Govern-
ment. It is further declared, That the Assembly understandeth some
Parts of the fecond Article of the Thirty-one Chapter, only of Kirks
not fettled, or conflituted in Point of Government: And that although,
in fuch Kirks, a Synod of Ministers, and other fit Persons, may be called
by the Magiftrates authority and Nomination, without any other Call to
confult and advise with, about Matters of Religion; and altho' likewise
the Minifters of Christ, without Delegation from their Churches, may of
them-

B

themselves, and by virtue of their Office, meet together Synodically in fuch Kirks, not yet constituted; yet neither of these ought to be done in Kirks constituted and settled: It being always free to the Magistrate to advise with Synods of Ministers and Ruling Elders, meeting upon Delegation from their churches, either ordinarily, or, being indicted by his authority, occafionally and pro re nata; it being also free to afsemble 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 necessary for the Good of the Church fo to assemble, in cafe the Magistrate, to the Detriment of the Church, withhold or deny his Consent; the Neceffity of occafional assemblies being first remonstrate unto him by humble Supplication.

A. KER.

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

Act anent the Catechisms, Confeffion of Faith, and Ratification thereof.

T

At EDINBURGH, February 7th, 1649.

HE Estates of Parliament now presently conveened in this fecond Seffion of the second Triennial Parliament, by Vertue of an act of the Committee of Estates, who had Power and authority from the last Parliament for conveening the Parliament, having serioufly confidered the Catechifms, viz. the Larger and Shorter ones, with the Confeffion of Faith, with the Three acts of approbation thereof by the Commiffioners of the General assembly, presented unto them by the Committioners of the faid General Affembly; Doratify and approve the faid Catechifms, Confession of Faith, and acts of approbation of the fame produced as it is; and ordains them to be recorded, published and practised.

THE

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, as the public and avowed CONFESSION of the CHURCH of SCOTLAND.

With the Proofs from the Scripture.

Printed in the Year, MDCCLXVIII.

THE CONTENTS.

CHẠP.

I. F the Holy Scripture.

11. O Of God and of the Holy Trinity.

III. Of God's Eternal Decree.

IV. Of Creation.

V. Of Providence

VI. Of the fall of Man, of Sin, and of the punishment thereof.

VII. Of God's Covenant with Man.

VIII. Of Christ the Mediator.

IX. Of Free Will.

X. Of Effectual Calling.

XI. Of Juftification.

XII. Of Adoption.

XIII. Of Sanctification.

XIV. Of Saving Faith.

XV. Of Repentance unto Life.

XVI. Of Good Works.

XVII. Of the Perseverance of the Saints.

XVIII. Of Affurance of Grace and Salvation.

XIX. Of the Law of God.

XX. Of Christian Liberty, and Liberty of Conscience.

XXI. Of Religious Worship, and the Sabbath-Day.

XXII. Of lawful Oaths and Vows.

XXIII. of the Civil Magistrate.

XXIV. Of Marriage and Divorce.

XXV. Of the Church.

XXVI. of Communion of Saints.

XXVII. of the Sacraments.

XXVIII. Of Baptifm.

XXIX. Of the Lord's Supper.

XXX. of Church-Cenfures.

XXXI. Of Synods and Councils.

XXXII. of the State of Men after Death, and of the Refurrec-

tion of the Dead.

XXXIII. of the last Judgment.

THE