The Proceedings of the Assembly of Divines upon the Thirty nine Articles of the Church of ENGLAND.
THe Assembly at their first sitting received an Order from both the honourable Houses of Parliament, bearing date July 5. 1643, requiring them to take into their consideration the ten first Articles of the 39 Articles of the Church of England, to free and vindicate the Doctrine of them from all aspersions and false interpretati [...]. In obedience whereunto, they forthwith took the said ten first Articles into consideration. Afterward they received another Order for the nine next following; and accordingly took the same into consideration. But being limited by both the said Orders onely to the clearing and vindicating of them; though we found our selves necessitated for that [Page 2] end to make some, yet we made fewer alterations in them and additions to them, then otherwise [...]e [...] [...]ve thought fit to have done, if the whole m [...]tter h [...]d b [...]n left to us without such limitation, conceiving many things yet remaining to be defective, and other expressions also fit to be changed. And herein we proceeded onely to the finishing of fifteen Articles, because it pleased both Houses by an Order hearing date Octob. 12. 1643, to require us to lay aside the remainder, and enter upon the work of Church-Government: And afterward by another Order to employ us in framing a Confession of Faith for the three Kingdoms, according to the Solemn League and Covenant: In which Confession, we have not left out any thing that was in the former Articles material▪ necessary to be retained. Which having finished, and presented to both Houses, we should have forborn the tendering of these fifteen Articles (both as a Piece several ways imperfect, and the whole as relating onely to the Church of England) but that we were commanded otherwise by [...] order of the honourable House of Commons bearing date Dec. 7. 1646. According whereunto, we prese [...] them [...] followeth.
ARTICLE I. Of Faith in the holy Trinity.
THere is but oneIsai. 46.9. 1 Cor. 8.4, 6. living and true GodJer. 10.10. 1 Thess. 1 9., everlastingPsal. 90.2. Rom. 16.26., without body, partsDeut. 4.15, 16. Joh 4 24. with Luke 24.39., or passionsActs 14.15. Jam. 1.17.; of infinite powerJer. 32.17, 27. Mark 10.27., wisdomPsal. 147.5. Rom. 11.33., and goodnessePsal. 1 19.68. with Matth. 19.17.; the maker and preserver of all things both visible and invisibleNeh. 9.6. Col. 1.16, 17.. And in unity of this Godhead there be three Persons, of one substance, power, and eternity; the Father, the Son, and the holy GhostMatth. 3 16, 17. Matth. 28.19. 1 Joh. 5.7. 2 Cor. 13.14..
ART. 2. Of the Word, or Son of God, which was made very Man.
The Son, which is the Word of the Father, begotten from everlasting of the FatherProv. 8.22, to 31. Joh. 1.1, 2, 14., the very1 Joh. 5. [...]0. Rom. 9.5. and eternal GodJoh. 17.5. Heb. 1.8. with Psal. 45.6., of one substance with the FatherJoh. 10.30. Heb. 1.3., took mans nature in the womb of the blessed Virgin, of her substanceJoh. 1.14. Isa. 7.14. Luk. 1.35. Gal. 4.4.. So that two whole and perfect natures, that is to say, the Godhead and the Manhood, were joyned together in one person, [Page 4] never to be divided, whereof is one Christ very God and very ManIsa. 7.14. with Matth. 1.23. Rom. 1.3, 4. Heb. 13.8., who for our fakes truely suffered most grievous torments in his soul from GodIsa. 53.10, 11. Mark 14.33, 34., was crucified, dead, and buried1 Pet. 2.24. Phil. 2 8. 1 Cor. 15.3, 4., to reconcile his Father to usEzek. 16.63. Rom 3.25. 2 Cor. 5.19., and to be a Sacrifice, not onely for original guilt, but also for all actual sins of menIsa. 53.10. Eph. 5.2. 1 Joh. 1.7. Heb. 9.26..
ART. 3.
As Christ died for us, and was buried; so it is to be believed, that he continued in the state of the dead, and under the power and dominion of deathPsal. 16.10. with Acts 2.24, 25, 26, 27, 31., from the time of his death and burial, until his resurrectionRom. 6.9. Matth. 12.40.: which hath been otherwise expressed thus, He went down into Hell.
ART. 4. Of the Resurrection of Christ.
Christ did truely rise again from death1 Cor. 15.4. Rom. 8 34. Psal. 16.10. with Act. 2.31. Luke 24.34., and took again his body, with flesh, bones, and all things appertaining to the perfection of mans natureLuke 24.39. with Joh. 20.25, 27., wherewith he ascended into heaven, and there fittethPsal. 68.18. with Ephes. 4.8. Psal. 110.1. with Act. 2.34, 35. Mar. 16.19. Rom. 8.34., until he return to judgeAct. 3.21. Psal. 110.1. with 1 Cor. 15.25, 26. Act. 1.11. all men2 Cor. 5.10. Act. 17.31. at the general resurrection of the body at the last dayExod. 3.6. with Luke 20.37, 38. Act. 24.14, 15. 1 Cor. 15.12, to the end. Joh. 5.28, 29..
ART. 5. Of the holy Ghost.
The holy Ghost is very and eternal God, of one substance2 Sam. 23.2. with vers. 3. Isa 6.5, 8. with Acts 28.25. Acts 5.3, 4. 1 Cor. 3.16. 1 Cor. 6 19., majestieJob 26.13. Job 33.4. 1 Cor. 12 chap. Matth 28.19. 2 Cor. 13.14., and glory with the Father and the Son1 Cor. 12.11. Eph. 1.17, and 1 Cor. 2.8. with 1 Pet. 4.14., proceeding from the Father and the SonJoh. 15.26. Matth. 10.20, and 1 Cor. 2.11, 12. with Gal. 4.6, and Rom. 8.9, and Phil. 1.19▪ Joh. 16.14. Isai. 11.2. Isai. 61.1. Gen. 1.2. 2 Chron. 15.1..
ART. 6. Of the sufficiency of the holy Scriptures for salvation.
Holy ScriptureRom. 1.2. 2 Tim. 3.15. 2 Pet. 1.20, 21. containeth all things necessary to salvationPsal. 19.7. 2 Tim. 3.15, 16, 17 Jam. 1.21, 25. Act. 20.32.; so that whatsoever is not read therein, nor may be proved thereby, is not to be believed as an Article of Faith, or necessary to salvationProv. 30.5, 6. Isai. 8.20. Act. 26.22. with vers. 20, 27. Gal. 1.8, 9. Joh. 5.39..
By the name of holy Scripture, we understand all the Canonical Books of the Old and New Testament; which follow.
- Of the Old Testament,
Genesis, Exodus, &c. - Of the New Testament,
The Gospel according to Matthew, &c.
All which Books, as they are commonly received, [Page 6] we do receive, and acknowledge them to be given by the inspiration of God, and in that regard to be of most certain credit, and highest authority.
ART. 7. Of the Old Testament.
The Old Testament is not contrary to the New, in the doctrine contained in themActs 26.22, 23. 2 Pet. 3.2. Luke 24.44. Rom. 3.31. Gal. 3.21, 23, 24.; for both in the Old and New Testament everlasting life is offered to mankinde by ChristGen. 3.15. Gen. 22.18. with Gal. 3.8, 14. 1 Cor. 10.2, 3, 4. Luke 1.69, 70. Acts 3.24. Isai. 53 chap., who is the onely Mediatour between God and manDan 9.17. Rom. 8.34. 1 Joh 2.1. Heb. 7.25. 1 Tim. 2.5. Joh. 14.6., being both God and ManGal. 4.4.5. Acts 20.28. Phil 2 7, 8.. Wherefore they are not to be heard, which feign, that the old fathers did look onely for temporary promisesActs 26 6, 7. Rom. 4.11. Gal. 3.9. Heb. 11.10, 16, 35▪.
Although the Law given from God by Moses, a [...] touching Ceremonies and Rites, do not binde ChristiansGal. 4.9, 10▪ Col. 2.14, 16, 17. Heb. 9.9, 10., nor the Civil precepts given by Moses, such as were peculiarly fitted to the Common-wealth of the Jews, are of necessity to be received in any Common-wealthActs 29.9, 10, 25. with Deut. 17.8, to 13. Rom. 13.1, 5. Tit. 3.1. 1 Pet. 2.13, 14.: yet notwithstanding no Christian man whatsoever is free from the obedience of the Commandments which are called MoralMatth▪ 5.17, to the end. Rom. 13.8, 9, 10. Ephes. 6.1, 2, 3. Jam. 2.8, 9, 10, 11, 12. Rom. 7.25: Rom. 3.31. Matth. 7.12.. By the Moral Law we understand all the ten Commandments taken in their full extent.
ART. 8. Of the three Creeds.
The Creeds that go under the names of the Nicene Creed, Atha [...]asius Creed, and that which is commonly called The Apostles Creed, are thorowly to be received and believed, for that they may be proved by most certain warrant of holy Scripture.
ART. 9. Of Original, or Birth-sin.
Original sinPsal. 51.5. Joh. 3▪ 5, 6. standeth not in the following of Adam, as the Pelagians do vainly talkJob 14.4. Job. 15.14. Rom. 6.6▪ Joh. 3.3, 5.7. ▪ But, together with his first sin imputedRom▪ 5.12, to 19. 1 Gen. 2.17. with 1 Cor. 15.22., it is the fault and corruption of the nature of every man, that naturally is propagated from Adam; whereby man is wholly deprived of Original righteousnesseCol. 2.13. Rom. 7.18. Eccles. 7.29., and is of his own nature inclined onely to evilGen. 6.5. Gen. 8.21. Jer. 17.9. Rom. 7.8. Jam▪ 1.14.. So that the lust of the flesh, called in Greek [...], which some do expound the Wisdom, some Sensuality, some the Affection, some the Desire of the flesh, is not subject to the Law of GodRom. 8.7. 1 Cor. 2.14. Col. 1.27., and therefore in every person born into this world, it deserveth Gods wrath and damnationEphes. 2.3. Rom. 8.6.. And this infection of nature doth remain, yea in them that are regenerateProv. 20.9. Rom. 7.17, 20, 23, 25.4., whereby the flesh lusteth always contrary to the SpiritGal. 5.17.. And although there is no condemnation for them that are regenerate and [Page 8] do believeRom. 8.1, 13. [...]oh. 3.18.; yet the Apostle doth confesse that concupiscence and lust is truely and properly sinRom. 7.17.20..
ART. 10. Of Free-will.
The condition of man after the fall of Adam is such, that he cannot turn or prepare himself, by his own natural strength and good works, to fai [...]h and calling upon GodEph. 2.1, 5. 1 Cor. 2.14. Eph. 2.8, 9, 10. Joh. 6.44, 65.; wherefore we have no power to do good works pleasing and acceptable to GodRom. 8.8. Heb. 11.6., without the grace of God by Christ, both preventing us, that we may have a good Will, and working so effectually in us, as that it determineth our Will to that which is goodEzek. 11.19, 20. Ez [...]k. 36.26, 27. Jer. 31.32, 33. with Heb. 8.10, 11. Phil. 2.12, 13. Joh. 6.45. Eph. 1.19, 20. 1 Cor. 4.7., and also working with us when we have that will unto goodHeb. 13.21. Phil. 1.6. Heb. 12.2. 1 Pet. 5.10. 1 Thess. 5.23, 24. 1 Kings 8.57, 58..
ART. II. Of the Justification of man before God.
We are justified, that is, we are accounted righteous before God, and have remission of sinsRom. 4.5, 6, 7 Psal. 32.1, 2., not for nor by our own works or deservingsRom. 3.20. Gal. 2.16. Gal. 3.10, 11. Phil. 3.9., but freely by his graceRom. 3.24. Tit. 3.7., onely for our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christs sakeRom. 3.24, 25. Rom. 5.1. 2 Cor. 5.18, 19., his whole obedience and satisfaction being by God imputed unto usRom. 5.9, 17, 18, 19. Rom. 3.25, 26. Rom. 4.6, 24. 2 Cor. 5.21., [Page 9] and Christ with his righteousnesse, being apprehended and rested on by faith onelyRom. 3.22, 25, 26, 28. Gal. 2.16. Isa. 28.16. with Rom. 9.33. and 1 Pet. 2.6. Phil. 3.9.. The Doctrine of Justification by Faith onely, is an wholsom Doctrine, and very full of comfort2 Tim. 1.13. Rom. 5.1, 2, [...], 11. Rom. 15.13. 1 Pet. 1.8.: notwithstanding God doth not forgive them that are impenitent, and go on still in their trespassesPsal. 68.20, 21. Exod 34.6, 7. Luke 13.3, 5..
ART. 12. Of good works.
Good works, which are the Fruits of FaithGal 5.6. Jam. 2.17, 18, 22., and follow after JustificationTit. 2.14. Tit. 3.7, 8. Eph. 2.8, 9, 10., cannot put away our sinsRom. 3.20, 21. Rom. 4.4, to 9. Dan. 9.18, 19., and endure the severity of Gods Judgement; yet are they, notwithstanding their imperfectionsExod. 28.38. Rev. 8.3, 4., in the sight of God pleasing and acceptable unto him in and for Christ1 Pet. 2.5. Heb. 13.16, 20, 21. Col. 1.10. Phil. 4.18., and do spring out necessarily of a true and lively FaithJam. 2.26. 1 Joh. 1.4., insomuch that by them a lively Faith may be evidently known,Neh. 13.22. Psal. 143.2. Job 9.14, 15, 19, 20. as a tree discerned by the fruitsJam. 2.18, 22. Joh. 15.4, 5. 1 Joh. 2.3, 5. Matth. 12.33..
ART. 13. Of Works before Justification.
Works done before Justification by Christ, and Regeneration by his Spirit, are not pleasing unto GodTit. 1.15, 16. Matth. 7.1 [...]. Rom. 8.8. Prov. 15.8, 26. Prov. 21.27. Rom. 3.12., forasmuch as they spring not of Faith [Page 10] in Jesus ChristHeb. 11.5, 6. Gal. 5.6.; neither do they make men meet to receive grace, or (as the School-Authours say) deserve grace of congruity [...] Tim. 1.9. Joh. 1.13.; yea rather, for that they are not done as God hath willed and commanded them to be done, they are sinfulRom. 8.7, 8. Hag. 2.14. Isa. 58.1, to 5. Isa. 66.2, 3..
ART. 14. Of Works of Supererogation.
Voluntary Works besides, over and above Gods Commandments, which they call Works of Supererogation, cannot be taughtMatth. 5.48. Mar. 12.30, 31. Phil. 4.8, 9. without arrogancy and impietyJob 9.2, 3, 20, 21. Psal. 143.2. Prov. 20.9. Phil. 3.8, 10 15.: for by them men do declare that they do not onely render unto God as much as they are bound to do; but that they do more for his sake then of bounden duty is required: whereas Christ saith plainly, When you have done all those things that are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants, we have done that which was our duty to do Luke 19.10. with vers. 7, 8, 9..
ART. 15. Of Christ alone without sin.
Christ in the truth of our nature, was made like unto us in all things, sin onely exceptedIsa. 53 3, 4, 5. Heb. 2.17. with Heb. 4.15., from which he was clearly void both in his flesh and in his spiritLuke 1.35. with Act. 3.14. Joh. 14.30. 2 Cor. 5.21. Heb. 7.26.: he came to be the Lamb [Page 11] without spot1 Pet. 1.19., who by sacrifice of himselfEph. 5.2. once madeHeb. 9.26, 28. Heb. 10.10, 12, should take away the sins of the worldJoh. 1.29.; and sin (as Saint John saith) was not in him1 Joh. 3.5.. But all we the rest, although baptized and regenerate, yet offend in many things; and if we say we have no sin, we deceive our selves, and the truth is not in us Jam. 3.2. 1 Joh. 1.8, 10..
- CHARLES HERLE Prolocutor.
- HENRY ROBROUGH Scriba.
- ADONIRAM BYFIELD Scriba.