THE CONSTITUTION OF THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. A THE CONFESSION OF FAITH. CHAP. I. Of the Holy Scripture. LTHOUGH the light of nature, and the works of creation and providence, do fo far manifest the goodness, wisdom and power of God, as to leave men inexcusable"; yet they are not fufficient to give that knowledge of God, and of his will, which is necessary unto salva I. a Rom. 2. 14, 15. For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves; which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their confcience alfo bearing witnefs, and their thoughts the mean while accusing, or elfe excufing one another. Rom. 1. 19, 20. Because that which may be known of God, is manifeft in them: for God hath shewed it unto them. For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excufe.-Pfal. 19. 1, 2. The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handy work, Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night sheweth knowledge. Ver. 3, There is no speech nor language, where their voice is not heard. See Kom. 1. 32. with Rom. 2. 1. B tion'; therefore it pleased the Lord, at sundry times, and in divers manners, to reveal himfelf, and to declare that his will unto his church; and afterwards, for the better preserving and propagating of the truth, and for the more fure establishment and comfort of the church against the corruption of the flesh, and the malice of Satan and of the world, to commit the fame wholly unto writing; which maketh the holy scripture to be most neceffary; those former ways of bi Cor. 1. 21. For after that, in the wifdom of God, the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to fave them that believe. I Cor. 2. 13, 14. Which things also we fpeak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with fpiritual. But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God; for they are fouisiness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually difcerned. c Heb. 1. 1. God, who at sundry times, and in divers manners, fpake in time past unto the fathers by the prophers. d Luke 1. 3. 4. It seemed good to me also, having had perfect understanding of all things from the very first, to write unto thee in order, most excellent Theophilus, that thou mightest know the certainty of those things wherein thou hast been instructed. Rom. 15. 4. For whatsoever things were written aforetime, were written for our learning; that we, through. patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope. Ifa. 8. 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. Rev. 22. 18. e 2 Tim. 3. 15. And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wife unto salvation, through faith which is in Chrift Jesus.2 Pet. 1. 19. We have also a more fure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the daystar arife in your hearts: |