the inward illumination of the Spirit of God to be necessary for the saving understanding of such things as are revealed in the word n; and that there are some circumstances concerning the worship of God, and government of the church, common to human actions and societies, which are to be ordered by the light of nature, and christian prudence, according to the general rules of the word, which are always to be observed o.

VII. All things in fcripture are not alike plain in themselves, nor alike clear unto all p; yet thore things which are necefsary to be known, believed and observed for falvation, are fo clearly propounded and opened in some place of scripture or other, that not only the learned, but the unlearned, in a due use of the ordinary means, may attain unto a sufficient understanding of them q.

VIII. The Old Testament in Hebrew, (which was the native language of the people of God of old) and the New Testament in Greek, (which at the time of the writing of it was moft generally known to the nations) being immediately inspired

ye be not foon fhaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter, as from us, as that the day of Chrift is at hand.

n John vi. 45. It is written in the prophets, And they shall be all taught of God. Every man therefore that hath heard, and hath learned of the Father, cometh unto me. 1 Cor. ii. 9. But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither hath it entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him, v. 10. But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God, V. II. For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the Spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God. v. 12. Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit which is of God, that we might know the things

that are freely given to us of God.

1 Cor. xi. 13. Judge in yourselves, is it comely that a woman pray unto God uncovered? v. 14. Doth not even nature itself teach you, that if a man have long hair, it is a shame unto him? 1 Cor. xiv. 26. How is it then, brethren, when ye come together, every one of you hath a pfalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath an interpretation? Let all things be done unto edifying. v. 40. Let all things be done decently and in order.

VII. p 2 Pet. iii. 16. As alfo in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things, in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures unto their own destruction.

4 Pfal. cxix. 105. Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path. v. 130. The entrance of thy words giveth light, it giv

eth

!

spired by God, and by his fingular care and providence kept pure in all ages, are therefore authenticalr; so as in all controverfies of religion, the church is finally to appeal unto them. But because these original tongues are not known to all the people of God, who have right unto and interest in the scriptures, and are commanded, in the fear of God, to read and search them t, therefore they are to be translated into the vulgar language of every nation unto which they come w, that, the word of God dwelling plentifully in all, they may worship him in an acceptable manner w, and, through patience and comfort of the scriptures, may have hope x.

IX. The infallible rule of interpretation of scripture, is the scripture itself; and therefore, when there is a question about the true and full sense of any fcripture, (which is not manifold,

eth understanding unto the fimple,

VIII. r Mat. v. 18. For verily I fay unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot, or one title shall in no wife pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.

Ifaiah viii. 20. To the law, and to the teftimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them. Acts xv. 15. and to this agree the words of the prophets, as it is written. John v. 39. Search the scriptures, for in them ye think ye have eternal life, and they are they which testify of me, v. 46. For had ye believed Mofes, ye would have believed me: for he wrote of me,

1 John v. 39. Search the scriptures, for in them ye think ye have eternal life, and they are they which testify of me,

21 Cor. xiv. 6. Now, brethren, if I come unto you speaking with tongues, what shall I profit you, except I shall speak to you either by revelation, or by knowledge, or by prophefying, or by doctrine? v. 9. So likewise you, except ye utter by

the tongue words easy to be under-
stood, how shall it be known what
is spoken; for ye shall speak into the
air. v. 11. Therefore, If I know
not the meaning of the voice, I shall
be unto him that fpeaketh a barba-
rian; and he that speaketh shall be
a barbarian unto me, v. 12. Even
so ye, forasmuch as ye are zealous
of spiritual gifts, seek that ye may
excel to the edifying of the church.
v. 24. But if all prophesy, and there
come in one that believeth not, or
one unlearned, he is convinced of
all, he is judged of all. v. 27. If any
man speak in an unknown tongue,
let it be by two, or at the most by
three, and that by course; and let
one interpret. v. 28. But if there
be no interpreter, let him keep filence
in the church; and let him fpeak to
himself, and to God.
w Cor. iii. 16. Let the word of Chrift
dwell in you richly in all wisdom,
teaching and adinonishing one ano-
ther in psalms, and hymns, and spi-
ritual songs, finging with grace in
your hearts to the Lord.

* Rom. xv. 4. For whatsoever
things

1

:

manifold, but one) it must be searched and known by other places that speak more clearly y.

X. The fupreme Judge, by which all controverfies of religion are to be determined, and all degrees of councils, opinions of ancient writers, doctrines of men, and private spirits, are to be examined, and in whose sentence we are to reft; can be no other but the holy Spirit speaking in the scripture z.

T

CHAP. II. Of God, and of the Holy Trinity.
HERE is but one only a, living and true God b, who
is infinite in being and perfection c, a most pure spi-
rit d,

things were written aforetime, were
written for our learning; that we
through patience and comfort of the
scriptures might have hope.

IX. y 2 Pet. i. 20. Knowing this
first, that no prophecy of the scrip-
ture is of any private interpretation.
v. 21: For the prophecy came not
in old time by the will of man: but
holy men of God spake as they were
moved by the holy Ghost. Acts xv.
15. And to this agree the words of
the prophets, as it is written, v. 16,
After this I will return, and will
build again the tabernacle of David
which is fallen down, and I will
build again the ruins thereof, and I
will fet it up.

X. z Mat. xxii. 29. Jesus answered and faid unto them, Ye do err, not knowing the fcriptures, nor the power of God. v. 31. But as touch ing the refurrection of the dead, have ye not read that which was fpoken unto you by God, saying. Eph. ii. 20. And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner-stone, With Acts xxviii. 25. And when they agreed not among themselves, they departed, af

ter that Paul had spoken one word, Well spake the Holy Ghost by Efaias the prophet unto our fathers.

I. a Deut. vi. 4. Hear, O Ifrael,. the Lord our God is one Lord, 1 Cor. viii. 4. As concerning therefore the eating of those things that are offered in sacrifice unto idols, we know that an idol is nothing in the world, and that there is none other God. but one. v. 6. But to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we by him; and one Lord Jesus Chrift, by whom are all things, and we by him.

b1 Theff. i. 9. For they themselves shew of us, what manner of entering in we had unto you, and how ye turned to God from idols, to serve the living and true God. Jer. x. 10. But the Lord is the true God, he is the living God, and an everlasting King.

c Job xi. 7. Canft thou by searching find out God? canst thou find out the Almighty unto perfection ? v. 8. It is as high as heaven, what canft thou do? deeper than hell, what canst thou know? v. 9. The measure thereof is longer than the earth, and broader than the fea. Job

L

!

rit d, invisible e, without body, partsf, or passions g, immutable b, immense i, eternal, incomprehensible/, Almighty m, most wife

most holy o, most free p, most absolute q, working all things according to the counsel of his own immutable and most righteous will r, for his own glory s; most loving t, gracious, merciful, long-fuffering, abundant in goodness and truth, forgiving iniquity, tranfgreffion, and fin v; the rewarder of them that diligently seek him w; and withal most just and terrible in his judgments x, hating all fin y, and who will by no means clear the guily z.

a Ila. vi. 3. And one cried unto another, and faid, Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts, the whole earth is full of his glory, Rev. iv, 8. (See letter m immediately foregoing.)

pPfal. cxv. 3. But our God is in the heavens: he hath done whatsoever he pleaseth.

9 Exod. iii. 14. And God faidun to Mofes, I AM THAT I AM: And he said, Thus thalt thou say unto the children of Ifrael, I AM hatlı fent me unto you.

Eph. i. 11. In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpofe of him, who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will.

s Prov. xvi. 4. The Lord hath made all things for himself: yea, even the wicked for the day of evil. Rom. xi. 36. For of him, and through him, and to him are all things: το whom be glory for ever. Amen.

r Johniv. 8. He that loveth not, knoweth not God, for God is love. v. 16. And we have known and be lieved the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love, dwelleth in God, and God in him.

v Exod. xxiv. 6. And the Lord passed by before him, and proclaimed, The Lord, the Lord God, merciful and gracious, long-fuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth. v. 7. Keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity, and transgression, and fin, and that will by no means

II. God

clear the guilty; visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children, and upon the childrens children, unto the third and to the fourth generation.

w Heb. xi. 6. But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God, must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

* Neh. ix. 32. Now therefore, our God, the great, the mighty, and the terrible God, who keepest covenant and mercy; let not all the trouble seem little before thee; that hath come upon us, on our Kings, on our princes, and on our priests, and on our prophets, and on our fathers, and on all thy people, fince the time of the kings of Affyria, unto this day. v. 33. Howbeit, thou art juft in all that is brought upon us: for thou haft done right, but we have done wickedly.

y Pfal. v. 5. The foolish thall not stand in thy fight: thou hateft all workers ojiniquity. v. 6. Thou shalt destroy them that speak leafing: the Lord will abhor the bloody and deceitful man.

2 Nahum i. 2. God is jealous, and the Lord revengeth, the Lord revengeth and is furious, the Lord will take vengeance on his adverfaries, and he referveth wrath for his enemies. v. 3. The Lord is flow to an ger, and great in power, and will not at all acquit the wicked: the Lord hath his way in the whirlwind, and in the storm, and the clouds are the