and the Descent into Hell are really distinct in themselves, tho' the one, by virtue of God's Appointment, certainly follows the other. The FOURTH ARTICLE. Of the Refurrection of CHRIST. HRIST did truly rise again from death, and took again his body, with flesh, bones, and all things appertaining to the perfection of man's nature, wherewith be afcended into heaven, and there fitteth until he return to judge all men at the last day, This Article contains Four Propofitions. 1. Chrift did truly rife again from Death, and took again his Body, with Flesh, Bones, and all things appertaining to the Perfection of Man's Nature. 2. Chrift did, with his faid Body, Flefh, &c. afcend into Heaven. 3. Christ shall return from Heaven to judge all Men at the Laft Day. 4. Chrift fitteth in Heaven, until he return to judge all Men at the Last Day. The First Propofition. See Bishop Pearfon on the Fifth Article, beginning at He rofe again; and the Fourteenth Chapter of the Second Part of the First Volume of Dr. Jenkin's Reasonablenefs and Certainty of the Chriftian Religion, and the Twenty eighth Chapter of the Second Volume of the faid Book; and the Eleventh Section of Dr. Whitby's General Preface to his firft Volume of Annotations, The Second, Third and Fourth Propofitions. See Bishop Pearfon on the Sixth and Seventh Articles, THE The FIFTH ARTICLE. HE Holy Ghoft proceeding from the Father and the Son, is of one Subftance, Majefty, and Glory, with the Father and the Son, very and eternal God. This Article contains Three Propofitions. 1. The Holy Ghoft is very and eternal God. 2. The Holy Ghoft is of one Substance, Majefty, and Glory, with the Father and the Son, 3. The Holy Ghost proceedeth from the Father and the Son. The First and Third Propofitions. See Bishop Pearfon on the Eighth Article. But concerning the Third, fee alfo Numb. 3. of the Appendix to the Paraphrafe with Annotations on the Common Prayer, p. 287, &c. The Second Propofition is therefore true, because there can be no more Gods than One, according to the Sixth Propofition of the First Article. GO The SIXTH ARTICLE. Of the Sufficiency of the HOLY SCRIPTURES for Salvation. OLY Scripture containeth all things necessary to Salvation; fo that whatsoever is not read therein, nor may be proved thereby, is not to be required of any man man, that it should be believ'd as an Article of the Faith, or be thought requifite or necessary to Salvation. In the name of the Holy Scripture we do understand thofe Canonical books of the Old and New Teftament, of whofe authority was never any doubt in the Church. Of the Name s and Number of the Canonical Books. The Proverbs, Ecclefiaftes, or Preacher. rando Cantica, or Songs of Solomon. Four Prophets the greater. Twelve Prophets, the lefs. And the other Books (as Hierome faith) the Church doth read for Example of Life, and Inftruction of Manners; but yet doth it not apply them to establish any Doctrine; fuch are thefe following, J E 4 The The III. Book of Efdras. The rest of the Book of Hefter, The Book of Wisdom. Jefus the Son of Sirach. The Song of the Three Children, All the Books of the New Testament, as they are commonly receiv'd, we do receive and account themCanonical, This Article contains Six Propofition. Holy Scripture contains all things neceffary to Salvation. 2. Whatsoever is not read in Holy Scripture, nor may be prov'd thereby, is not to be requir'd of any man, that it should be believ'd as an Article of Faith, or be thought requifite or neceffary to Salvation. 3. In the Name of the Holy Scripture we do understand the Canonical Books of the Old and New Testament, of whofe Authority was never any Doubt in the Church. L 4. The Canonical Books of the Old Teftament are Genefis, Exodus, &c.!! 2 5. All the Books of the New Testament, as they are commonly receiv'd, we do receive and account them Canonical. M 6. The other Books (viz. thofe which are commonly annex'd to theOld Teftament, and which we do not account Canonical) as Hierome faith, the Church doth read for Example of Life, and Inftruction of Manners; but yet doth not apply them to establish any Doctrine. Such are thefe following, the Third Book of Efdras, the Fourth Book of Efdras, &c. I begin with the Three laft Propofitions: But muft first observe, 1. That by a Canonical Book of Scripture, is meant a Book, which being writ ten by Divine Inspiration, is to be receiv'd by us as a Part of the Canon or Rule of Chriftian Faith and Practice. 2. That what the Church here calls the Second Book of Efdras, is what we generally call the Book of Nehemiah. For if you look into our old English Bibles, you'll find, that Nehemiah's History and Prophecy goes under the Name of the Second Book of Efdras. Thefe things being premis'd, The Three laft Propofitions of this Article are prov'd in that Method and Order which I (a) have propos'd to be taken for the Examination of the Authority of the Holy Scriptures, and the Truth of Christianity, with respect to the Hypothesis of the Deifts. For thereby it appears, 1. That those Books of the Old and New Teftament which we receive, are truly Canonical; because they are the Word of God, and contain his revel'd Will. 2. That thofe Books, which tho' commonly annex'd to the Old Teftament, are rejected by us, are not Canonical, because not of Divine Authority. And (a) In the foregoing Directions for Studying a general Syftem or Body of Divinity, p. 10. |