John Ley of Budworth Dr. William Spurstow of Hampden Dr. Edmond Staunton of Kingstoun John Conant of Lymmington, B.D. Anthony Burges of Sutton Coldfield William Rathband Dr. Francis Cheynel of Oxon Dr. Henry Wilkinson younger of -Oxford Obadiah Sedgwick, B. D. of Cogfhal Edward Corbist of Merton College, Samuel Gibson of Burley Theodore Backhurst William Carter of London Peter Smith John Maynard of Mayfield William Price of Paul's Church in Covent Garden John Whincop of St. Martins in the William Bridge of Yarmouth Humphrey Hardwick Henry Hall, B. D. of Norwich Thomas Ford of London, after. wards of Exeter Thomas Thorowgood of Massingham Peter Clark of Kerby Under-hill William Good John Foxcroft of Cotham Richard Byfield of Long-Ditton John Jackson of Marske ASSEMBLY at EDINBURGH, August 27th, 1647. Seff. 23: A Act approving the Confession of Faith. Confeffion of Faith for the Kirks of God, in the Three Kingdoms, being the chiefest Part of that Uniformity in Religion, which, by the folemn League and Covenant, we are bound to endeavour; and there being accordingly a Confeffion of Faith agreed upon by the Affembly of Divines fitting at Westminster, with the Aflitance of Commiflioners from the Kirk of Scotland; Which Confeflion was fent from our Commiffioners at London, to the Commiffioners of the Kirk met at Edinburgh in January last, and hath been in this Assembly twice publickly read over, examined and confidered; Copies thereof being alfo printed, that it might be particularly perused by all the. Members of this Assembly, unto whom frequent Intimation was publickly made, to put in their Doubts and Objections, if they had any: And the faid Confeffion being, upon due Examination thereof, found by the Affembly to be most agreeable to the Word of God, and in nothing contrary to the received Doctrine, Worship, Difcipline and Government of this Kirk. And lastly, it being so neceffary, and so much longed for, that the faid Confeffion be, with all possible Di ligence 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 Suppreffing of the many dangerous Errors and Herefies of these Times. The General Assembly doth therefore, after mature Deliberation, agree unto, and approve the faid Confeffion, as to the Truth of the Matter; (judging it to be most Orthodox, and grounded upon the Word of God) and alfo, as to the Point of Uniformi ty, agreeing for our Part, that it be a common Confeffion of Faith for the Three Kingdoms. The Assembly doth alfo bless the Lord, and thankfully acknowledge his great Mercy, in that so excellent a Confeffion of Faith is prepared, and thus far agreed upon in both Kingdoms; which we look upon as a great strengthning of the true Reformed Religion, against the common Enemies thereof. But, left our Intention and Meaning be in some Particulars misunderstood, it is hereby exprefly declared and provided, That the not mentioning in this Confeffion, the feveral Sorts of Ecclefiaftical Officers and Assemblies, shall be no Prejudice to the Truth of Chrift, in these Particulars, to be expressed fully in the Directory of Government. It is further declared, That the Assembly understandeth fome Parts of the fecond Article of the Thirty-one Chapter, only of Kirks not fettled, or conftituted in Point of Government: And that although, in fuch 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 altho' 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 constituted; yet neither of these ought to be done, in Kirks conftituted and fettled: It being always free to the Magistrate to advite with Synods of Ministers and Ruling-Elders, meeting upon Delegation from their Churches, either ordinarily, or, being indicted by his Authority, occafionally and pro re nata; it being also free to assemble together Synodically, as well pro re nata as at the ordinary Times, upon Delegation from the Churches, by the intrinfical 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 Assemblies being first remonstrate unto him by humble Supplication. Charles I. Parl. 2. Seff. 2. Act 16. A. KER. Act anent the Catechisms, Confession of Faith, and Ratification thereof. T At EDINBURGH, February 7th, 1649, HE Estates of Parliament now presently conveened in this fecond Seffion of the fecond 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 Catechisms, viz. the Larger and Shorter ones, with the Confeffion of Faith, with Three Ads of Approbation thereof by the Commiffioners of the General Affembly, presented unto them by the Commiffioners of the faid General Afsembly; Do ratify and approve the faid Catechisms, Confeflion of Faith, and Acts of Approbation of the fame, produced as it is; and ordains them to be recorded, published and practifed. THE A Part of the Covenanted Uniformity in Religion betwixt the Churches of CHRIST in the Kingdoms of Scotland, England, and Ireland. |