John Duny Thomas Coleman of Eliton Philip Delme Theodore Backhurst Sidrach Simpson of London William Carter of London John Langly, of Westuderly Peter Smith Richard Clayton of Showers John Maynard of Mayfield Arthur Sallaway of Savernstock William Price of Paul's Church in John Ley of Budworth Covent Garden Charles Herle of Winwick, prolocu- John Whịncop of St. Martins in the tor after Dr. Twille Fields Peter Sterry of London ham Dr. Francis Cheynel of Oxon Perer Clark of Kerby Under-hill Dr. Henry Wilkinson younger of William Good Oxford John Foxcroft of Corham Obadiah Sedgwick, B.D. of Cogshal John Ward Edward Corbist of Merton College, Richard Byfield of Long-Ditton Oxford Francis Woodcock Samuel Gibson of Burley John Jackson of Marske Commissioners from the General Assembly of the Church of SCOTLAND. Alexander Henderson of Edin- John Earl of Callis burgh john Lord Maitland, afterwards Robert Douglas of Edinburgh Duke of Lauderdale Samuel Rutherfoord of St. Andrews Sir Archibald Johnston of Waristoun Robert Bailey of Glasgow Ruling Elders. George Gillespy of Edinburgh Ministers. Henry Robrough } Artembly Asembly at EDINBURGH, August 27th, 1647. Sed. 23. Act approving the Confeffion of Faith. Confession of Faith for the Kirks of God, in the Three Kingdoms, being the chiefest Part of that Uniformity in Religion, which, by the Solema League and Covenant, we are bound to endeavour; and there being accordingly a Confession of Faith agreed upon by the Allembly of Divines fitting at Westminster, with the Affittance of Comilliorers from the Kirk of Scotland ; Which confession was sent from our Com millioners at London, to the Commiflioners of the Kirk met at Edinburgh ia January last, and hath been in the affembly cwice publickly read over, examined and confidered : Copies thereof being also priored, that it might be particularly perused by all the Members of this Assembly, unto whom trequent Intiination was publickly made, to put in their Doabts and Objections, if they had any : 'And the said Conferfion being, upon due Examination thereof, found by the Assembly to be most agreeeable to the Word of God, and in nothing contrary to the received Doctrine, Worship, Discipline and Government of this Kirk, And lastly, it being so necessary, and so much longed for, that the said Confession be, with all poslible Diligence and expedition, approved and established in both Kingdoms, as a principal Part of the intended Uniformity in Religion, and as a special Means for the more effectual fupprefing of the many dangerous Errors and Herefies of these Times. The General Affembly doth therefore, after mature Deliberation, agree unto, and approve the faid Confession, as to the Truth of the Matter ; (judging it to be mort Orthodox, and grounded upon tbe Word of God) and also, as to the Point of Uniformity, agreeing for our Part, that it be a common Confession of Faith for the Three Kingdoms. The Afe fembly doch allo bless the Lord, and thaokfully acknowledge his great Mercy, in that fo excellent a Confession of Faith is prepared, and thus far agreed upon in both kingdoms; which we look upon as a great ftrengthening of the true Reformed Religion, against the common Enemies thereof. But, lest our intention and Mcaning be in some Particulars misunderstood, it is hereby exprelly declared, and provided, That the not mentioning in this Confession, the several Sorts of Ecclesiastical Officers and Affemblies, 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 Affembly understandeth some Parts of the second Article of the Thirty-one Chapter, only of Kirks Dot fettled, or confituted in Point of Government: And that although, in such Kirks, a Synod of Ministers, and other ft Persons, may be called by the Magistrates authority and Nomination, without any other Call to consult and advise with, about Matters of Religion; and altho' likewise the Minifters of Christ, without Delegation from their Churches, may of B them themselves, and by virtue of their Office, meet together Synodically in such Kirks, not yet constituted ; yet neither of these ought to be done in Kirks constituted and settled : It being always free to the Magistrate to advise with Synods of Ministers and Ruling Elders, meeting opon 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, by the intrinsical Power received from Christ, as often as it is necessary for the Good of the Church fo to assemble, in case the Magiftrate, to the Detriment of the Church, withhold or deny his Copfent; the Neceffity of occasional assemblies being first remonftrate unto him by humble Supplication. A. KER. Charles I. Parl. 2. Ses. 2. A&t 16. Act anent the Catechisms, Confession of Faith, and Ratification thereof. At EDINBURGH, February 7th, 1649. He Estates of Parliament now presently conveened in this second the Committee of Efates, who had Power and authority from the last Parliament for conveening the Parliament, having seriously considered the Catechisms, viz. the Larger and Shorter ones, with the Confeffion of Faith, with the Three acts of approbation thereof by the Com. miffioners of the General assembly, presented up to them by the Commissicners of the said General Assembly; Do ratify and approve the said Catechisms, Confeflion of Faith, and acts of approbation of the fame produced as it is; and ordains them to be recorded, published and practised. Τ Η Ε A Part of the Covenanted Uniformity in Religion betwixe the Churches of Christ in the Kingdoms of Scotland, England, and Ireland. Approved by the General Alsembly 1647, and ratified and established by Act of Parliament 1649, as the public and avowed CONFESSION of the CHURCH of SCOTLAND. With the Proofs from the Scripture. Printed in the Year, MDCC LXVIII. THE CONTENT S. O CHAP. tion of the Dead. XXXIII. Of the las? Judgment, THE |