Of the Holy Scriptures.- 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; [1] yet are they 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 Satan and of the world, to commit the same wholly unto
writing: [4] 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. [6].
- 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:
Of the Old Testament:--
Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy,
Joshua, Judges, Ruth, 1 & 2 Samuel, 1 & 2 Kings, 1 & 2 Chronicles,
Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther, Job, Psalms, Ecclesiastes, Songs of Solomon (Canticles),
Isaiah, Jeremiah, Lamentations, Ezekiel, Daniel, Hosea,
Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, Malachi.
Of the New Testament:--
Matthew, Mark, Luke, John,
Acts
Romans_1
& 2 Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians,
Colossians, 1
& 2 Thessalonians, 1 & 2 Timothy, Titus, Hebrews
James, 1 & 2 Peter, 1 & 2 & 3 John, Jude,
Revelation.
- All which are given by inspiration of God to be the rule of faith and life.[7].
- 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 church of God, nor to be any otherwise approved, or
made use of, than other human writings.[8].
- 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.[9].
We
may be moved and induced by the testimony of the church to an high and
reverent esteem of the Holy Scripture.[10] 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.[11].
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
Scripture: unto which nothing at any time is to be added, whether by
new revelations of the Spirit, or traditions of men.[12] Nevertheless,
we acknowledge the inward illumination of the Spirit of God to be
necessary for the saving understanding of such things as are revealed
in the Word:[13] 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 observed.[14].
- All
things in Scripture are not alike plain in themselves, nor alike clear
unto all:[15] 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 sufficient understanding of them.[16].
- 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 singular care and providence,
kept pure in all ages, are therefore authentical;[17] so as, in all
controversies of religion, the church is finally to appeal unto
them.[18] 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 search them,[19]
therefore they are to be translated into the vulgar language of every
nation unto which they come,[20] that, the Word of God dwelling
plentifully in all, they may worship him in an acceptable manner;[21]
and, through patience and comfort of the Scriptures, may have hope.[22].
- 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 Scripture (which is not manifold, but one), it must be searched
and known by other places that speak more clearly. [23]
The
supreme judge by which all controversies of religion are to be
determined, and all decrees of councils, opinions of ancient writers,
doctrines of men, and private spirits, are to be examined, and in whose
sentence we are to rest, can be no other but the Holy Spirit speaking
in the Scripture. [24]
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