yet they are not sufficient to give that knowledge of God, and of his will, which is necessary unto falvation: therefore it pleased the Lord, at fundry times, and in diverse manners, to reveal himself, and to declare that his will unto his Church; and afterwards, for the better preferving and propagating of the truth, and for the more fure establishment and comfort of the Church against the corruption of the flesh, and the malice of Satan and of the world, to commit the fame wholly anto writing: which maketh the holy Scripture to be most the law written in their hearts, their confcience also bearing witnefs, and their thoughts the mean while accufing or else excusing one another. Rom. i.ro. Because that which may be known of God is manifeft in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. V. 20. For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excufe. Pfal. xix. 1. The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handy-work. V. 2. Day unto day utterethspeech, and night unto night sheweth knowledge. V. 3. There is no fpeech nor language where their voice is not heard. Rom. i. 32. Who knowing the judgment of God, (that they which commit fuch things are worthy of death,) not only do the fame, but have pleasure in them that do them. With Rom. ii. r. Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest; for wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself; for thou that judgest doest the fame things. b1 Cor. i. 21. For after that, in the wifdom of God, the world by wildom knew not God, it necef pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe. 1 Cor. ii. 13. Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghoft teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual. V. 14. But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God; for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually difcerned. Heb. i. 1. God, who at fundry times, andin diverse manners, spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets. d Prov. xxii. 19. That thy trust may be in the Lord, I have made known to thee this day, even to thee. V. 20. Have not I written to thee excellent things in counsels and knowledge; V.21. That I might make thee know the certainty of the words of truth, that thou mightest answer the words of truth to them that fend unto thee? Luke i. 3. It seemed good to me also, having had perfect understanding of all things from the very first, to write unto thee in order, most excellent Theophilus; V. 4. That thou mightest know the certainty of those things whereinthou hast been inftructed. Rom. xv.4. For whatsoever things were written aforetime, were written neceslary; those former ways of God's revealing his will unto his people being now ceased r. II. Under the name of Holy Scripture, or the Word of God written, are now contained all the Books of the Old and New Testament, which are these: Of the OLD TESTAMENT. written for our learning; that we, through patience and comfort of the fcriptures, might have hope. Matth. iv. 4. But he answered and faid, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God. V.7. Jesus said unto him, It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God. V. 10. Then faith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve. Ifa. viii. 19. And when they shall say unto you, Seek unto them that have familiar spirits, and unto wizards that peep and that mutter: should not a people feek unto their God? for the living to the dead? V. 20. To the law, and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them. e 2 Tim. iii. 15. And that from a child thou hast known the holy fcriptures, which are able to make thee wife unto falvation, through faith which is in Chrift Jesus. 2 Pet. i. 19. We have alfo a more fure word of prophecy, whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day-star arife in your hearts f Heb. i. 1. God, who at fundry times, and in diverse manners, spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, V. 2. Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things; by whom alfo he made the worlds. B2 & Luke Of the NEW TESTAMENT. The Gospels ac- 1 Corinthians II. cording to Galatians. The Epistle to the The Epistle of The first and second Epistles of Peter. The first, second, and third Epistles of John. The Epistle of Jude. The Revelation. All which are given by inspiration of God, to be the rule of faith and life. III. The Books commonly called Apocrypha, not being of divine inspiration, are no part of the canon of the scripture; and therefore are of no authority in the Church of God, nor to be any otherwise approved, or made use of, than other human writings. II. & Luke xvi. 29. Abraham faith unto him, They have Mofes and the prophets, let them hear them. V. 31. And he said unto him, If they hear not Mofes and the prophets, neither will they be perfuaded though one rose from the dead. Eph. ii. 20. And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner-stone. Rev. xxii. 18. For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man Thall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book. V. 19. And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take way his part out of the book of IV. The life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book. 2 Tim. iii. 16. All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness. III. Luke xxiv. 27. And beginning at Mofes, and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the fcriptures the things concerning himself. V. 44. And he said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled which were written in the law of Mofes, and in the Prophets, and in the Pfalms, concerning me. Rom.iii.2. Much every way: chiefly because that unto them were com IV. The authority of the holy scripture, for which it ought to be believed and obeyed, dependeth not upon the teftimony of any man or church, but wholly upon God, (who is truth itself,) the author thereof; and therefore it is to be received, because it is the word of God. V. We may be moved and induced by the teftimony of the Church to an high and reverend efteem of the holy fcripture, and the heavenliness of the matter, the efficacy of the doctrine, the majefty of the style, the consent of all the parts, the scope of the whole, (which is to give all glory to God,) the full difcovery it makes of the only way of man's falvation, the many other incomparable excellencies, and the entire perfection thereof, are arguments whereby it doth abundantly evidence itself to be the word of God; yet notwithstanding, our full perfuafion and affurance of the infallible truth, and divine authority thereof, is from the inward work of the Holy Spirit, bearing witness by and with the word in our hearts. mitted the oracles of God. 2 Pet. 1.21. 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 Ghoft. e IV. 2 Pet. i. 19. We have alfo a more sure word of prophecy, whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day-star arife your hearts. 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. 2 Tim. iii. 16. All fcripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for inftruction in righteoufness. 1 John v. 9. If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater: for this is the witness of God, which he hath teftified of his Son. Theff. ii. 13. For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because VI. The when ye received the word of God, which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but, as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe. V. Tim. iii. 15. But if I tarry long, that thou mayefst know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth. I John ii. 20. But ye have an unction from the holy One, and ye know all things. V. 27. But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the fame anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie; and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him. John xvi. 13. Howbeit, when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall B 3 he VI. The whole counsel of God, concerning all things neceffary for his own glory, man's salvation, faith and life, is either expressly set down in fcripture, or by good and neceffary consequence may be deduced from scripture: unto which nothing at any time is to be added, whether by new revelations of the Spirit or traditions of menm. Nevertheless, we acknowledge the inward illumination of the Spirit of God to be neceffary for the saving understanding of fuch things as are revealed in the word; and that there are some circumstances concerning the he speak: and he will shew you things to come. V. 14. He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you. I Cor. ii. 10. But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit; for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. V. 11. For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the fpirit 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. Ifa. lix. 21. As for me, this is my covenant with them, faith the Lord, My Spirit that is upon thee, and my words which I have put in thy mouth, shall not depart out of thy mouth, nor out of the mouth of thy feed, nor out of the mouth of thy feeds feed, faith the Lord, from henceforth and for ever. VI. m 2 Tim. iii. 15. And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation, through faith which is in Christ Jefus. V. 16. All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, correction, for instruction in righteousness: V.17. That the man for of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works. Gal. i. 8. But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. V. 9. As we faid before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him'be accursed. 2Theff. ii. 2. That 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 Christ is at hand. 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 feen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. V. ro. But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit; for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. V. 11. For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spi rit of man which is in him? even fo 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: |