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 obferved.. VII. All thingsin scripture are not alike plain in themselves, nor alike clear unto all; yet those things which are neceffary to be known, believed, and observed, for salvation, are fo clearly propounded and opened in fome place of fcripture or other, that not only the learned, but the unlearned, in a due ufe of the ordinary means, may attain unto a fufficient understanding of them 9.

VIII, The Old Testament in Hebrew, (which was the native language of the people of God of old,) and the New Testa. ment in Greek, (which at the time of the writing of it was most generally known to the nations,) being immediately infpired by God, and by his fingular care and providence kept pure in all ages, are therefore authentical; 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,

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 edi fying. V. 40. Let all things be done decently and in order.

VII. P 2 Pet. iii. 16. As also 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 unftable wreft, as they do also the

to

other scriptures, unto their own deftruction.

9 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 giveth understanding unto the fimple.

VIII. Mat. v. 18. For verily I say unto you, Till heaven an earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise 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 fcriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: "and they are they which testify of me. V. 46. For had ye believed Mofes,

to read and search them, therefore they are to be tranflated into the vulgar language of every nation unto which they come, that the word of God dwelling plentifully in all, they may worship him in an acceptable manner", and, through patience and comfort of the fcriptures, may have hope *.

IX. The infallible rule of interpretation of fcripture is the scripture itself; and therefore, when there is a question about the true and full sense of any fcripture, (which is not manifold, but one,) it must be searched and known by other places that speak more clearly.

X. The fupreme Judge, by which all controverfies of religion are to be determined, and all decrees of councils, opinions of ancient writers, doctrines of men, and private spirits, are

ye would have believed me: for he wrote of me.

John v. 39. Search the scriptures; for in them yethink ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.

1 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 likewife you, except ye utter by the tongue words easy to be understood, how shall it be known what is spoken? for ye thall speak into the air. V. II. Therefore, if I know not the meaning of the voice, I shall be unto him that speaketh a barbarian; and he that speaketh shall be a barbarian unto me. V. 12. Even fo 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

to

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 speak to himself, and to God.

* Col. iii. 16. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in plalms, and hymns, and spiritual fongs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord..

* Rom. xv. 4. For whatsoever things were written aforetime, were written for our learning; that we through patience and comfort of the fcriptures might have hope.

IX. 2 Pet. i. 20. Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpreta. tion. 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" Matth.

to be examined, and in whose sentence we are to reft, can be no other but the Holy Spirit speaking in the scriptures.

CHAP. II. Of God, and of the Holy Trinity. HERE is but one only living and true God; who is infinite in being and perfections, a moft pure spirit, invisible, without body, parts, or paffions,

immutable, immensei, eternal, incomprehensible, almighty, most wife", most holy, most free, most abfolute, working all things according to the counsel of his own immutable and most righteous will, for his own glory'; most loving, gracious, merciful, long-fuffering, abundant in goodness and truth, forgiving iniquity, transgression and fin"; the rewarder of them that diligently feek him"; and withal most just and terrible in his judgments; hating all fin 7, and who will by no means clear the guilty 2.

II. God hath all life, glory, goodness, blessedness, in

1 John iv. 8. He that loveth not knoweth not God, for God is love. V. 16. And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love, dwelleth in God and God in him.

Exod. xxxiv. 6. And the Lord paffed 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 tranfgreffion, and fin, and that will by no means clear the guilty; vifiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children, and upon the children's children, unto the third and to the fourth generation.

Heb. xi. 6. But without faith it is impoffible to please him; for he that cometh to God must be lieve that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently feek him.

* Neh. ix. 32. Now, therefore, our God, the great, the mighty, and the terrible God, who keepeft 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. 33Howbeit, thou art just in all that is brought upon us; for thou haft done right, but we have done wickedly.

and

y Pfal. v. 5. The foolish shall not stand in thy fight: thou hateft all workers of iniquity. 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 reserveth wrath for his enemies. V. 3. The Lord is flow to anger, and great in power, and will not at all acquit the wicked: the Lord hath his way in the whirlwind, and in thestorm, and the clouds are the duft of his feet. Exod. xxxiv. 7. Keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity, and tranfgreffion, and fin, and that will by no means clear the guilty; vifiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children, and upon the children's children, unto the third and to the fourth generation.

II. a John v. 26. For as the Fa ther hath life in himself, fo hath he given to the Son to have life in himself.

b Acts vii. 2. And he said, Men, brethren, and fathers, hearken; The God of glory appeared unto our father Abraham, when he was in Mesopotamia, before he dwelt in Charran.

Pf. cxix. 63. Thou art good, and doeft good, teach me thy sta tutes.