intention and meaning be in some particulars misunderstood, it is hereby expressly declared and provided, That the not mentioning in this Confession the several forts of ecclefiaftical officers and assemblies shall be no prejudice to the truth of Christ in these particulars to be expressed fully in the Directory of Government. It is further declared, That the Assembly understandeth some parts of the second article of the thirty-one chapter only of kirks not fettled, or conftituted in point of government: And that although, in such kirks, a synod of Ministers, and other fit persons, may be called by the Magiftrate's authority and nomination, without any other call, to confult and advise with about matters of religion; and although, likewise, the Ministers of Christ, without delegation from their churches, may of themselves, and by virtue of their office, meet together synodically in fuch kirks not yet conftituted, yet neither of these ought to be done in kirks constituted and settled; it being always free to the Magistrate to advise with fynods of minifters and ruling elders, meeting upon delegation from their churches, either ordinarily, or, being indicted by his authority, occasionally, and pro re nata; it being also free to affemble together synodically, as well pro re nata as at the ordinary times, upon delegation from the churches, bythe intrinsical power received from Christ, as often as it is neceffary for the good of the Church so to assemble, in cafe the Magistrate, to the detriment of the Church, withhold or deny his consent; the neceffity of occafional affemblies being first remonstrate unto him by humble fupplication. A. KER. CHARLES I. CHARLES I. Parl. 2. Seff. 2. Act 16. ACT anent the Catechisms, Confeffion of Faith, and Ratification thereof. T :: At EDINBURGH, February 7. 1649. HE Estates of Parliament, now presently conveened in this fecond Seffion of the second triennial Parliament, by virtue of an Act of the Committee of Estates, who had power and authority from the last Parliament for conveening the Parliament, having seriously confidered the Catechifms, viz. the Larger and Shorter ones, with the Confeffion of Faith, with three Acts of Approbation thereof by the Commiffioners of the General Aflembly, presented unto them by the Commiffioners of the faid General Assembly; do ratify and approve the faid Catechifims, Confeffion of Faith, and Acts of Approbation of the fame, produced as it is; and ordains them to be recorded, published, and practifed, 11 THE CONFESSION OF FAIΤΗ, AGREED UPON BY THE ASSEMBLY OF DIVINES AT WESTMINSTER, WITH THE ASSISTANCE OF соммISSIONER FROM THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND, AS A Part of the Covenanted Uniformity in Religion betwixt the Churches of CHRIST in the Kingdoms of Scotland, England, and Ireland. Approved by the General Assembly 1647, and ratified and established by Acts of Parliament 1649 and 1690, as the publick and avowed CONFESSION of the CHURCH OF SCOTLAND. WITH THE PROOFS FROM THE SCRIPTURE. EDINBURGH: Printed by MARK and CHARLES KERR, His Majesty's Printers. VI. Of the Fall of Man, of Sin, and of the Punishment thereof. IX. Of Free Will. XXI. Of Religious Worship, and XXII. Of lawful Oaths and Vows. XXIII. Of the Civil Magistrate. XXIV. Of Marriage and Divorce. XXXII. Ofthe State of Men after Death, and of the Refurrection XXXIII. Of the last Judgment. CONFESSION OF FAITH, Agreed upon by the Assembly of Divines at CHAP. I. Of the Holy Scripture. LTHOUGH the light of nature, and the works of creation and providence, do fo far manifeft the goodness, wifdom, and power of God, as to leave men inexcusable; B |