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The laws of the realm may punish Christian men with death for heinous and grievous offences.

5 It is lawful for Christian men, at the commandment of the magistrate, to wear weapons, and serve in the

wars.

4 Rom. xiii. 4. 5 Acts x. 1, 2; Luke iii. 14.

ARTICLE XXXVIII.

OF CHRISTIAN MEN'S GOODS WHICH ARE NOT COMMON.

1 The riches and goods of Christians are not common, as touching the right, title, and possession of the same, as certain Anabaptists do falsely boast. 2 Notwithstanding every man ought, of such things as he possesseth, liberally to give alms to the poor, according to his ability.

Acts v. 3, 4. * Luke xi. 41; 1 Tim. vi. 17, 18.

ARTICLE XXXIX.

OF A CHRISTIAN MAN'S OATH.

1 As we confess that vain and rash swearing is forbidden Christian men by our Lord Jesus Christ, and James his apostle : So we judge that Christian religion. doth not prohibit, but that a man may swear when the magistrate requireth, in a cause of faith and charity, 3 so it be done according to the prophet's teaching, in justice, judgment, and truth.

1 Matt. v. 34, 37; James v. 12; Exod. xx. 7. *Heb. vi, 15; Deut. vi. 13; 1 Sam. xxiv. 21. 3 Jer. iv. 1.

57

THE RATIFICATION.

This Book of Articles, before rehearsed, is again approved and allowed to be holden and executed within the realm, and by the assent and consent of our sovereign Lady ELIZABETH, by the grace of God of England, France and Ireland, Queen, Defender of the Faith, &c. Which Articles were deliberately read and confirmed again by the subscription of the hands of the Archbishops and Bishops of the Upper House, and by the subscription of the whole Clergy of the Nether House in their Convocation, in the year of our Lord 1571.

THE

CONFESSION OF FAITH,

AGREED UPON BY THE ASSEMBLY OF DIVINES AT WESTMINISTER: EXAMINED AND APPROVED, ANNO 1647, BY THE general assEMBLY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND; AND RATIFIED BY ACTS OF PARLIAMENT 1649 AND 1690.

CHAPTER I.

OF THE HOLY SCRIPTURE.

ALTHOUGH the light of nature, and the works of creation and providence, do so far manifest the goodness, wisdom, and power of God, as to leave men inexcusable; yet they are not sufficient to give that knowledge of God, and of his will, which is necessary unto salvation:2 therefore it pleased the Lord, at sundry times, and in divers manners, to reveal himself, and to declare that his will unto his church ;3 and afterwards, for the better preserving and propagating of the truth, and for the more sure establishment and comfort of the church against the corruption of the flesh, and the malice of

1 Rom. i. 19, 20; ii. 14, 15; Psalm xix. 1, 2, 3; Rom. i. 32; ii. 1. 21 Cor. i. 21; 1 Cor. ii, 13, 14. 3 Heb. i. 1.

Satan and of the world, to commit the same wholly unto writing; which maketh the holy Scripture to be most necessary:5 those former ways of God's revealing his will unto his people being now ceased.

4 Prov. xxii. 19, 20, 21; Luke i. 3, 4; Rom. xv. 4; Matt. iv. 4, 7, 10; Isa. viii. 19, 20. 52 Tim. iii. 15; 2 Pet. i. 19. 6 Heb. i, 1, 2.

II. Under the name of Holy Scripture, or the word of God written, are now contained all the Books of the Old and New Testaments, which are these:

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All which are given by inspiration of God, to be the rule of faith and life.1

1 Luke xvi. 29, 31; Eph. ii. 20; Rev. xxii. 18, 19; 2 Tim. iii. 16.

III. The Books commonly called Apocrypha, not being of divine inspiration, are no part of the canon of the Scripture; and therefore are of no authority in the

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Church of God, nor to be any otherwise approved, or made use of, than other human writings.1

1 Luke xxiv. 27, 44; Rom. iii. 2; 2 Pet. i. 21.

IV. The authority of the holy Scripture, for which it ought to be believed and obeyed, dependeth not upon the testimony of any man or church, but wholly upon God (who is truth itself) the author thereof; and therefore it is to be received, because it is the word of God.1

1 2 Pet. i. 19, 21; 2 Tim. iii. 16; 1 John v. 9; 1 Thess. ii. 13.

V. We may be moved and induced by the testimony of the Church to an high and reverend esteem of the holy Scripture, and the heavenliness of the matter, the efficacy of the doctrine, the majesty of the style, the consent of all the parts, the scope of the whole, (which is to give all glory to God,) the full discovery it makes of the only way of man's salvation, the many other incomparable excellencies, and the entire perfection thereof, are arguments whereby it doth abundantly evidence itself to be the word of God; yet, notwithstanding, our full persuasion and assurance of the infallible truth and divine authority thereof, is from the inward work of the Holy Spirit, bearing witness by and with the word in our hearts.2

11 Tim. iii, 15. 21 John ii. 20, 27; John xvi. 13, 14; 1 Cor. ii. 10-12; Isa, lix. 21.

VI. The whole counsel of God, concerning all things necessary for his own glory, man's salvation, faith, and life, is either expressly set down in Scripture, or by good and necessary consequence may be deduced from

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