acknowledge the inward illumination of the spirit of God to be necessary for the saving understanding of such things as are revealed in the wordn; and that there are some circumstances concerning 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 observedo.

VII. All things in scripture are not alike plain in themselves, nor alike clear unto allp; yet those things which are necessary to be known, believed, and observed for salvation, are so clearly propounded and opened in some place of scripture or other, that not only the learned, but the unlearned, in a due use of the ordinary means, may attain unto a fufficient understanding of them q.

before, so say I now again: If any man preach any other gospel unto you, than that ye have received, let him be accursed. 2 Theff. 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 seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. v. 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 Spirit 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

VIII. The

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 edifying. 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 unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction.

q 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 simple.

VIII. Mat,

VIII. The Old Testament in Hebrew, (which was the

native language of the people of God of old) and the New Testament in Greek, (which at the time of the writing of it was most generally known to the nations, being immediately inspired by God, and by his fingular care and providence kept pure in all ages, are therefore authenticalr; 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, to read and fearch themt; therefore they are to be translated into the vulgar language of every nation unto which they comew, that the word of God dwelling plentifully in all, they may worship him in an acceptable manner w, and, through patience

VIII. Mat. v. 18. For verily I fay unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot, or one tittle thall in no wife pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.

/ Ifaiah viii. 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. Acts xv. 15. and to this agree the words of the prophets, as it is written. John v. 39. Search the scriptures, for in them ye think ye have eternal life, and they are they which testify of me. v. 46. For had ye believed Moses, ye would have believed me: for he wrote of me.

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

v 1 Cor. xiv. 6. Now, brethren, if I come unto you speaking with tongues, what shall I profit you, except I fhall speak to you either by revelation, or by knowledge, or by prophefying, or by doctrine? v. 9. So likewise you, except ye utter by

the tongue words easy to be understood, how shall it be known what is spoken? for ye shall speak into the air. v. 11. 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 so 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 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.

w Col. iii. 16. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wifdom, teaching and admonishing one another in pfalms, and hymns, and fpiritual fongs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.

patience and comfort of the scriptures, may have hopex. IX. The infallible rule of interpretation of scripture, 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 y.

X. The supreme Judge, by which all controverfies of religion are to be determined, and all degrees of councils, opinions of antient writers, doctrines of men, and private spirits, are to be examined, and in whose sentence we are to reft; can be no other but the Holy Spirit speaking in the scripture z.

T

CHAP. II. Of God, and of the Holy Trinity.

HERE is but one only a, living and true God b, who is

* 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. y 2 Pet. i. 20. Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. 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. z Mat. xxii. 29. Jesus answer. ed and faid unto them, Ye do err, not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of God. v. 31. But as touching the refurrection of the dead, have ye not read that which was spoken unto you by God, faying.

infi

Eph. ii, 20. And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner-stone. With Acts xxviii. 25. And when they agreed not among themselves, they departed, after that Paul had spoken one word, Wellspakethe Holy Ghost by Efaias the prophet unto our fathers.

I. a Deut. vi. 4. Hear, O Ifrael, the Lord our God is one Lord, 1 Cor. viii. 4. As concerning therefore the eating of those things that are offered in sacrifice 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 Jesus Chrift, by whom are all things, and we by him.

b Thef. i. 9. For they themselves shew of us, what manner of entring in we had unto you, and how ye turned to God from idols, to ferve the living and true God, Jer

infinite in being and perfectionc, a most pure spiritd, invifiblee, without body, partsf, or passionsg, immutable h, immense i, eternalk, incomprehensible 1, Almighty m, most wisen,

1

wisen, most holy o, most freep, most absoluteq, working all things according to the counsel of his own immutable and most righteous willr, for his own glorys; most lovingt, gracious, merciful, long-fuffering, abundant in goodness and truth, forgiving iniquity, transgression, and finv; the rewarder of them that diligently seek him w; and withal most just and terrible in his judgments, hating all finy, and who will by