the worship of God, and government of the Church, common to human actions and focieties, which are to be ordered by the light of nature and Chriftian prudence, according to the general rules of the word, which are always to be obferved. VII. All things in fcripture are not alike plain in themselves, nor alike clear unto all; yet thofe things which are neceffary to be known, believed, and obferved, for falvation, 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 sufficient understanding of them. VIII, The Old Teftament in Hebrew, (which was the native language of the people of God of old,) and the New Tefta ment in Greek, (which at the time of the writing of it was moft 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, fo as in all controverfies of religion the Church is finally to appeal unto them. But becaufe thefe original tongues are not known to all the people of God who have right unto and interelt in the fcriptures, 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 yourfelves, 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 fhame 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. 2 Pet. iii. 16. As alfo in all his epiftles, speaking in them of these things, in which are fome things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unftable wreft, as they do alfo the to other fcriptures, unto their own deftruction. 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 fay unto you, Till heaven an earth pafs, one jot or one tittle fhall in no wife pafs from the law, till all be fulfilled. 'Ifaiah viii. 20. To the law, and to the teftimony: if they fpeak 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, Chap. I. to read and search them', therefore they are to be translated 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 fcripture itself; and therefore, when there is a question about the true and full fenfe 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. t John v. 39. Search the fcriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life and they are they which teftify of me. V I Cor. xiv. 6. Now, brethren, if I come unto you speaking with tongues, what fhall I profit you, except I fhall fpeak 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 caly to be understood, how fhall it be known what is fpoken? for ye thall fpeak into the air. V. II. Therefore, if I know not the meaning of the voice, I fhall be unto him that fpeaketh a barbarian; and he that fpeaketh fhall V. 12. be a barbarian unto me. to that by courfe; 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. w Col. iii. 16. Let the word of Chrift dwell in you richly in all wifdom,teachingand admonishing one another in pfalms, and hymns, and spiritual fongs, finging with grace in your hearts to the Lord.. * Rom. xv. 4. For whatfoever 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 fpake as they were moved by the Holy Ghoft. 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 2 Matth. to be examined, and in whofe fentence we are to reft, can be no other but the Holy Spirit speaking in the scripture. T CHAP. II. Of God, and of the Holy Trinity. HERE is but one only living and true God, who is infinite in being and perfection, a moft pure fpirit, invisible, without body, parts, or paffions, immu X. Matth. xxii. 29. Jefus anfwered, and faid unto them, Ye do err, not knowing the fcriptures, nor the power of God. V. 31. But as touching the refurrection of the dead, have ye not read that which was fpoken unto you by God, faying. Eph. ii. 20. And are built upon the foundation of the apoftles and prophets, Jefus Chrift himself being the chief cornerftone. With Acts xxviii. 25. And when they agreed not among themselves they departed, after that Paul had spoken one word, Well fpake the Holy Ghoft by Efaias the prophet unto our fa thers. I. a Deut. vi. 4. Hear, O If rael; The Lord our God is one Lord. 1 Cor. viii. 4. As concerne ing, therefore, the eating of those things that are offered in facrifice 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 in him; and one Lord, Jefus Chrift, by whom are all things, and we by him. I bi Theff. i. 9. For they them felves fhew of us what manner of entering in we had unto you, and how ye turned to God from idols, to ferve the living and true God. Jer. x. 10. But the Lord is the true God, he is the living God, and an everlasting King. 4 Job.xi. 7. Canft thou by searching find out God? canft thou find out the Almighty unto perfection? V. 8. It is as high as heaven, what canft thou do? deeper than hell, what canft thou know? V. 9.. The measure thereof is longer than the earth, and broader than the fea. Job xxvi. 14. Lo, these are parts of his ways; but how little a portion is heard of him? but the thunder of his power who can understand? d John iv. 24. God is a Spirit; and they that worthip him, muft worship him in fpirit and in truth. 1 Tim. i. 17. Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invifible, the only wife God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen. f Deut..iv. 15. Take ye, there fore, good heed unto yourselves, (for ye faw no manner of fimili tude on the day that the Lord fpake unto you in Horeb, out of the midft of the fire,) V. 16. Left ye corrupt yourselves, and make you a graven image, the fimilitude of any figure, the likeness of male or female. John iv. 24. God is a Spirit; and they that worship him, muft worship him in fpirit and in truth. With Luke xxiv. 39. Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me and fee; for a fpirit hath not flet and bones, as ye see me have. & Acts xiv. II. And when the people faw what Paul had done, B 5 they immutable, immense, eternal, incomprehenfible, almighty", moft wife", moft holy, moft free, most abfo lute 4, working all things according to the counfel of his own immutable and moft righteous will, for his own glory'; they lifted up their voices, faying, in the fpeech of Lycaonia, The gods are come down to us in the likenefs of men. V. 15. And say. ing, Sirs, why do ye thefe things? We also are men of like paffions with you, and preach unto you that ye fhould turn from thefe va nities unto the living God, which made heaven, and earth, and the fea, and all things that are therein. James i. 17. Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variablenefs, neither fhadow of turning. Mal. iii. 6. For I am the Lord, I change not: therefore ye fons of Jacob are not confumed. i1 Kings viii. 27. But will God indeed dwell on the earth! Behold, the heaven, and heaven of heavens, cannot contain thee, how much less this houfe that I have builded? Jer. xxiii. 23. Am I a God at hand, faith the Lord, and not a God afar off? V. 24. Can any hide himself in fecret places, that I fhall not see him? faith the Lord: do not I fill heaven and earth? faith the Lord. - Pfal. c. 2. Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever thou hadst formed the earth and the world, even from everlafting to everlasting thou art God. 1 Tim. i. 17. Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invifible, the only wife God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen. 1 Pf. cxlv. 3. Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised; and his Preatness is unfearchable. moft m Gen. xvii. 1. And when Abram was ninety years old and nine the Lord appeared to Abram, and said unto him, I am the almighty God: walk before me, and be thou perfect. Rev. iv. 8. And the four beafts had each of them fix wings about him; and they were full of eyes within: and they reft not day and night, fay ing, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come. "Rom. xvi. 27. To God only wife, be glory through Jefus Chrift for ever. Amen. Ifa. vi. 3. And one cried unto another, and faid, Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hofts, the whole earth is full of his glory. Rev. iv. 8. [See letter m immediately foregoing.] P Pfal. cxv. 3. But our God is in the heavens: he hath done whatfoever he pleaseth. 9 Exod. iii. 14. And God faid unto Mofes, I AM THATIAM: and he faid, Thus fhalt thou fay unto the children of Ifrael, I AM hath fent me unto you. r Eph. i. 11. In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predeftinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will. $ 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: to whom be glory for ever. Amen. 'I John moft loving, gracious, merciful, long-fuffering, abundant in goodness and truth, forgiving iniquity, tranfgreffion and fin"; the rewarder of them that diligently feek him"; and withal moft juft and terrible in his judgments; hating all fin, and who will by no means clear the guilty 2. II. God hath all life, glory, goodness, blessedness, in and ' 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 muft believe 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 keep eft covenant and mercy, let not all the trouble feem little before thee that hath come upon us, on our kings, on our princes, and on our priefts, 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 just in all that is brought upon us; for thou haft done right, but we have done wickedly. y Pfal. v. 5. The foolish fhall not ftand in thy fight: thou hateft all workers of iniquity. V. 6. Thou fhalt deftroy 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 anger, and great in power, and will not at all acquit the wicked: the Lord hath his way in the whirlwind, and in the ftorm, 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. a II. John v. 26. For as the Fa ther hath life in himself, so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself. b Acts yii. 2. And he faid, Men, brethren, and fathers, hearken; The God of glory appeared unto our father Abraham, when he was in Mefopotamia, before he dwelt in Charran. Pf. cxix. 68. Thou art good, and doeft good, teach me thy fta tutes. dr Tim.. vi.. 15. Which in his times he thall fhew, who is the B 6. bleffed |