THE CONSTITUTION OF THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. A THE CONFESSION OF FAITH. СНАР. I. Of the Holy Scripture. LTHOUGH the light of nature, and the works of creation and providence, do fo far manifeft the goodnefs, wifdom and power of God, as to leave men inexcufable"; yet they are not fufficient to give that knowledge of God, and of his will, which is neceffary unto falva I. a Rom. 2. 14, 15. For invifible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly feen, being understood by the things that are inade, even his eternal power and Godhead; fo that they are without excufe.-Pfal. 19. 1, 2. The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament fheweth his handy work, Day unto day uttereth fpeech, and night upto night fheweth knowledge. Ver. 3, There is no fpeech nor language, where their voice is not heard. See kom. 1. 32. with Rom. 2. I. B tion"; therefore it pleafed the Lord, at fundry times, and in divers manners, to reveal himfelf, and to declare that his will unto his church'; and afterwards, for the better preferving 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 b I Cor. 1. 21. For after that, in the wifdom of God, the world by wifdom knew not God, it pleafed God by the foolishness of preaching to fave them that believe. 1 Cor. 2. 13, 14. Which things alfo we fpeak, not in the words which man's wifdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghoft teacheth; comparing fpiritual things with fpiritual. But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God; for they are fofhnefs unto him neither can he know them, because they are fpiritually difcerned. c Heb. 1. 1. God, who at fundry times, and in divers manners, fpake in time paft unto the fathers by the prophers. d Luke 1. 3, 4. It seemed good to me alfo, having had perfect understanding of all things from the very firft, to write unto thee in order, most excellent Theophilus, that thou mightest know the certainty of thofe things wherein thou haft been inftructed. Rom. 15. 4. For whatsoever things were written aforetime, were written for our learning; that we, through patience and comfort of the fcriptures might have hope. Ifa. 8. 20. To the law and to the teftimony: 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 fcriptures, which are able to make thee wife unto falvation, through faith which is in Chrift Jefus.2 Pet. 1. 19. We have alfo a more fure word of prophecy ; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that fhineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day sftar arife in your hearts: |