Selected quad for the lemma: lord_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
lord_n	blood_n	body_n	jesus_n	12,126	5	6.1739	4	false

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ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A69685	The Case of the Earl of Argyle, or, An Exact and full account of his trial, escape, and sentence wherein are insert the act of Parliament injoining the test, the confession of faith, the old act of the king's oath to be given at his coronation : with several other old acts, made for establishing the Protestant religion : as also several explications made of the test by the conformed clergy : with the secret councils explanation thereof : together with several papers of objections against the test, all framed and emitted by conformists : with the Bishop of Edinburgh's Vindication of the test, in answer thereunto : as likewise a relation of several matters of fact for better clearing of the said case : whereunto is added an appendix in answer to a late pamphlet called A vindication of His Majestie's government and judicatories in Scotland, especially with relation to the Earl of Argyle's process, in so far as concerns the Earl's trial.	Stewart, James, Sir, 1635-1713.; Mackenzie, George, Sir, 1636-1691. Vindication of His Majesties government, and judicatories in Scotland.	1683 (1683)	Wing C1066; ESTC R15874	208,604	158

received the same For we dare not receive nor admit any interpretation which repugnes to any principal point of our faith or to any other plain text of Scripture or yet unto the rule of charity XIX Of The Authority of the Scriptures AS we believe and confess the Scriptures of God sufficient to instruct and make the man of God perfect so do we affirm and avow the Authority of the same to be of God and neither to depend on Men nor Angels We affirm therefore that such as alledg the Scripture to have no other Authority but that which it has received from the Kirk to be blasphemous against God and ●njurious to the true Kirk which always hears and obeys the voice of her own Spouse and Pastor but takes not upon her to be Mistres over the same XX. Of General Councils of their Power Authority and cause of their Convention AS we do not rashly damn that which godly men assembled together in General Council lawfully gathered have proponed unto us so without just examination dare we not receive whatsoever is obtruded unto men under the name of General Councils For plain it is as they were men so have some of them manifestly erred and that in matters of great weight and importance So far then as the Council proves the determination and commandment that it gives by the plain word of God so soon do we reverence and embrace the same But if men under the name of a Council pretend to forge unto us new Articles of our Faith or to make Constitutions repugning to the Word of God then utterly we must refuse the same as the Doctrine of Devils which draws our souls from the voice of our only God to follow the Doctrines and Constitutions of men The cause then why that General Councils conveened was neither to make any perpetual Law which God before had not made neither yet to forge new Articles of our Belief nor to give the Word of God Authority much less to make that to be his Word or yet the true Interpretation of the same which was not before by his holy will expressed in his word But the cause of Councils we mean of such as merit the name of Councils was partly for confutation of Heresies and for giving publick confession of their Faith to Posterity following which both they did by the authority of Gods written Word and not by any Opinion or Prerogative that they could not erre by reason of their general Assembly-And this we judg to have been the chief cause of General Councils The other was for good Policy and Order to be constitute and observed in the Kirk in which as in the house of God it becomes all things to be done decently and in order Not that we think that any policy and order in Ceremonies can be appointed for all ages times and places For as Ceremonies such as men have devised are but temporal so may and ought they to be changed when they rather foster Superstition than that they edifie the Kirk using the same XXI Of the Sacraments AS the Fathers under the Law besides the verity of the Sacrifices had two chief Sacraments to wit Circumcision and the Passeover the despisers and contemners whereof were not reputed of Gods People so do we acknowledg and confess that we now in the time of the Evangel have two chief Sacraments only instituted by the Lord Jesus and commanded to be used of all these that will be re●uted Members of his Body to wit Baptism and the Supper or Table of the Lord Jesus called the Communion of his Body and Blood And these Sacraments as well of Old as New Testament were instituted of God not only to make a visible difference betwixt his People and these that were without his League but also to exercise the faith of his Children and by participation of the same Sacraments to seal in their hearts the assurance of his promise and of that most blessed conjunction union and society which the Elect have with their Head Christ Jesus And thus we utterly damn the vanity of them that affirm Sacraments to be nothing else but naked and bare signs No we assuredly believe that by Baptism we are ingrafted in Christ Jesus to be made pertakers of his Justice by which our sins are covered and remitted And also that in the Supper rightly used Christ Jesus is so joyned with us that he becomes very nourishment and food of our souls Not that we imagine any Transubstantiation of Bread into Christs natural Body of Wine into his natural Blood as the Papists have perniciously taught and damnably believed but this Union and Conjunction which we have with the Body and Blood of Christ Iesus in the right use of the Sacraments is wrought by the operation of the Holy Ghost who by true faith carries us above all things that are visible carnal and earthly and makes us to feed upon the Body and Blood of Christ Iesus which was once broken and shed for us who now is in Heaven and appears in the presence of his Father for us And yet notwithstanding the far distance of place which is betwixt his body now glorified in Heaven and us now mortal in this earth yet we most assuredly believe that the bread which we break is the Communion of Christs Body and the Cup which we bless is the Communion of his Blood So that we confess and undoubtedly believe that the faithful in the right use of the Lords Table do so eat the Body and drink the Blood of the Lord Iesus that he remains in them and they in him Yea they are so made flesh of his flesh and bone of his bones that as the eternal Godhead has given to the flesh of Christ Iesus which of its own condition and nature was mortal and corruptible life and immortality so does Christ Iesus his flesh and blood eaten and drunken by us give unto us the same Prerogatives Which albeit we confess are neither given unto us at that time only neither yet by the proper power and virtue of the Sacrament only yet we affirm that the faithful in the right use of the Lords Table has such Conjunction with Christ Iesus as the natural man cannot apprehend Yea and further we affirm That albeit the faithful oppressed by negligence and manly infirmity does not profit so much as they would in the very instant Action of the Supper yet shall it after bring fruit forth as lively seed sown in good ground For the Holy Spirit which can never be divided from the right Institution of the Lord Iesus will not frustrate the faithful of the fruit of that mystical Action but all this we say comes of true faith which apprehends Christ Iesus who only makes this Sacrament effectual unto us And therefore whosoever slanders us as that we affirm or believe Sacraments to be naked and bare signs do injury unto us and speak against the manifest truth But this liberally and frankly

word of God be the certain and infallible signs of the true Kirk we mean not that every particular person joyned with such company be an elect member of Christ iesus For we acknowledg and confess that dornel cockle and chaff may be sown grow and in great abundancely in the midst of the wheat that is the Reprobate may be joyned in the society of the Elect and may externally use with them the benefits of the word and Sacraments But such being but temporal professors in mouth but not in heart do fall back and continue not to the end And therefore have they no fruit of Christs Death Resurrection nor Ascension but such as with heart unfeignedly believe with mouth boldly confess the Lord Iesus as before we have said shall most assuredly receive these gifts First In this life remission of sins and that by only Faith in Christs blood in so much that albeit sin remains and continually abides in these our mortal bodies yet it is not imputed unto us but is remitted and covered with Christs Justice Secondly in the general Judgment there shall be given to everyman and woman resurrection of the flesh for the Sea shall give her dead the Earth these that therein be inclosed yea the Eternal God shall stretch out his hand on the dust and the dead shall arise uncorruptible and that in the substance of the self-same flesh that every man now bears to receive according to their works glory or punishment For such as now delight in vanity cruelty filthiness superstition or idolatry shall be adjudged to the fire unquenchable in which they shall be tormented for ever as well in their bodies as in their souls which now they give to serve the Devil in all abomination But such as continue in well-doing to the end boldly professing the Lord Jesus we constantly believe that they shall receive glory honour and immortality to reign for ever in life everlasting with Christ Iesus to whose glorified body all his Elect shall be made like when he shall appear again in Iudgment shall render up the Kingdom to God his Father who then shall be and ever shall remain in all things God blessed for ever To whom with the Son and with the Holy Ghost se all honour and glory now and ever So be it Arise O Lord and let thine enemies be confounded let them flee from thy presence that hate thy godly Name Give thy Servants strength to speak thy VVord in boldness● and let all Nations cleave to thy true Knowledge Amen Thir Acts and Articles were read in the face of Parliament and ratified by the three Estates at Edinburgh the 17. day of August the year of God 1560. years Act I. 6. P. 1. C. 8. Anno 1567. Anent the Kings Aith to be given at His Coronation ITem Because that the increase of vertue suppressing of Idolatrie craves that the Prince and the People be of ane perfite Religion quhilk of Gods mercie is now presently professed within this Realm Therefore it is statute and ordained be our Soveraign Lord my Lord Regent and the three Estates of this present Parliament that all Kings and Princes or Magistrats whatsoever holding their place quhilk hereafter in any time sall happen to reigne and bear rule over this realm at the time of their Coronation and receipt of their Princely Authoritie make their faithfull promise be aith in presence of the eternal God that during the haill course of their lives they sall serve the samin eternall God to the uttermost of their power according as he hes required in his maist haly Word revieled and contained in the new and auld Testaments And according to the samin word sall maintaine the trew Religion of Christ Iesus the preaching of his halie word and due and right ministration of the Sacraments now received and preached within this realme And sall abolish and gainstand all false Religion contrare to the samin And sall rule the people committed to their charge according to the will and command of God revealed in his foresaid Word and according to the laudable Lawes and Constitutions received in this realme nawise repugnant to the said Word of the eternal God And sall procure to the uttermaist of their power to the Kirk of God and haill Christian people trew and perfite peace in all time cumming The Rights and rents with all just Priviledges of the Croun of Scotland to preserve and keep inviolated nouther sall they transfer nor alienate the samin They sall forbid and represse in all estates and degrees reife oppression and all kinde of wrang In all judgements they sall command and procure that justice and equitie de keeped to all creatures without exception as the Lord and father of all mercies be mereyful to them And out of their Lands and Empyre they sall be carefull to root out all heretikes and enemies to the trew worship of God that shall be convict be the trew Kirk of God of the foresaid crymes And that they fall faithfullie affirme the things above written be their solemn aith Act. J. 6. P. 1. C. 9. Anno 1567. No person may be judge Procurator Notar nor Member of Court quha professis not the Religion ITem The Kings grace with advice of my Lord Regent and the three Estates of this present Parliament statutes and ordains That no manner of person nor persons be received in any times hereafter to bear publick office removabill of judgment within this Realm but sik as profess the puritie of Religion and Doctrine now presently established And that nane be permitted to procure nor admitted Notar or created a M●mber of Court in any time coming without he in likewise professe the Evangel and Religion foresaid Providing alwayes that this Act be on no wise extended to any manner of person or persons havand their offices heritable or in life-rent but that they may use the samin conforme to their infeftments and dispositions granted to them thereof Which Act was thereafter Anno 1609. explained and extended in this manner Part of the Act I. 6. P. 2. C. 5. Anno 1609. intituled c. AND that the Act made in His Highness first Parliament bearing that nane that professe not the true Religion presently professed within this Realm may be judge Procurator or Member of Court be extended to all and whatsomever offices without any exception or restriction in all time coming Act. J. 6. P. 3. C. 47. Anno 1572. Adversaries of the true Religion are not Subjects of the King Of Apostats ITem Forsameikle as there hes been great rebellion and disobedience against our Soveraign Lords authoritie in time bypast and seeing the cause of Gods true Religion and His Highness authoritie foresaid are so joyned as the hurt of the ane is common to baith It is therefore declared statute and ordained by our Soveraign Lord with advice and consent of his Regents grace with the three Estates and hail bodie of this present Parliament That

eternal and immutable decree of God from quhilk all our salvation springs and depends VIII Of Election FOR that same eternal God and Father who of meer grace elected us in Christ Jesus his son before the foundation of the World was laid appointed him to be our head our brother our pastor and great Bishop of our souls But because that the enmity betwixt the justice of God and our sins was sik that no flesh by it self could or might have attained unto God it behoved that the Son of God should descend unto us and take to himself a bodie of our bodie flesh of our flesh and bone of our bones and so become the Mediator betwixt God and man giving power to so many as believe in him to be the sons of God as himself does witness I passe up to my Father and to your Father to my God and to your God Be quhilk maist haly fraternity whatsoever we have tynt in Adam is restored unto us again And for this cause we are not afraid to call God our Father not sameikle because he has created us quhilk we have common with the reprobate as for that that he has given to us his only Son to be our brother and given unto us grace to acknowledge and imbrace him for our only Mediator as before is said it behoved farther the Messias and Redeemer to be very God and very man because he was to underly the punishment due for our transgressions and to prefent himself in the presence of his Fathers Iudgement as in our person to suffer for our transgression and inobedience by death to overcome him that was author of death But because the onely God-head could not fuffer death neither yet could the onely man-head overcome the samine he joyned both together in one person that the imbecillity of the ane should suffer and be subject to death quilk we had deserved And the infinite and invincible power of the other to wit of the goodhead should triumph and purchase to us life liberty and perpetual victory And so we confess and maist undoubtedly believe IX Of Christs Death Passion and Burial THAT our Lord Iesus offered himself a voluntary Sacrifice unto his Father for us that he suffered contradiction of sinners that he was wounded and plagued for our transgressions that he being the clean innocent Lamb of God was damned in the presence of ane earthly Iudg that we should be absolved before the tribunal seat of our God that he suffered not only the cruel death of the Cross quhilk was accursed by the sentence of God but also that he suffered for a season the wrath of his Father quhilk sinners had deserved But yet we avow that he remained the only well-beloved and blessed Son of his Father even in the midst of his anguish and torment quhilk he suffered in body and soul to make the full satisfaction for the sins of his people After the quhilk we confess and avow that there remains no other Sacrifice for sin quhilk if any affirm we nothing doubt to avow that they are blasphemous against Christs death and the everlasting purgation and satisfaction purchased to us by the same X. Of his Resurrection WE undoubtedly believe that in samiekle as it was impossible that the dolours of death should retain in bondage the Author of life that our LORD JESUS crucified dead and buried who descended into hell did rise again for our justification and destroying him who was the Author of death brought life again to us that were subject to death and to the bondage of the same We know that his Resurrection was confirmed by the testimony of his very enemies by the Resurrection of the dead whose Sepulchres did open and they did rise and appeared to many within the City Jerusalem It was also confirmed by the testimony of his Angels and by the senses and judgments of his Apostles and of others who had conversation and did eat and drink with him after his Resurrection XI Of his Ascension WE nothing doubt but the self-same body quhilk was born of the Virgin was crucifyed dead and buried and quhilk did rise again did ascend into the heavens for the accomplishment of all things where in our names and for our comfort he has received all power in heaven and earth where he sits at the right hand of the Father inaugurate ‑ in his Kingdom Advocate and onely Mediator for us Quhilk Glory Honour and Prerogative he alone among the brethren sall possess till that all his Enemies be made his fotostool as that we undoubtedly believe they sall be in the finall judgement To the execution whereof we certainly beleive that the same our Lord Iesus sall as visibly return as that he was seen to ascend And then we firmly believe that the time of refreshing and restitution of all things sall come in samiekle that they that fra the beginning have suffered violence injury and wrong for righteousness sake sall inherit that blessed immortality promised fra the beginning But contrariwise the stubborn inobedient cruell oppressours filthy persons idolaters and all such sorts of unfaithfull sall be cast into the dungeon of utter darkness where the worm sall not die neither yet their fire sall be extinguished The remembrance of quhilk day and of the judgement to be executed in the same is not onely to us a bridle whereby our carnal lusts are refrained but also such inesteemabe comfort that neither may the threatning of Worldly Princes neither yet the fear of temporal death and present danger move us to renounce and forsake that blessed society which we the members have with our Head and only Mediator Christ Iesus whom we confess and avow to be the Messias promised the only head of his Kirk our just Lawgiver our only high Priest Advocate and Mediator In which Honours and Offices if Manor Angel presume to intrude themselves we utterly detest and abhor them as blasphemous to our Soveraign and Supreme Governour Christ Iesus XII Of Faith in the Holy Ghost THis our Faith and the assurance of the same proceeds not from flesh and blood that is to say from no natural powers within us but is the inspiration of the Holy Ghost Whom we confess God equal with the Father and with the Son who sanctifies us and brings us in all verity by his own operation without whom we should remain for ever enemies to God and ignorant of his Son Christ Jesus For of nature we are so dead so blind and so perverse that neither can we feel when we are pricked see the light when it shines nor assent to the will of God when it is revealed unless the Spirit of the Lord Jesus quicken that which is dead remove the darkness from our minds and bow our stubborn hearts to the obedience of his blessed will And so as we confess that God the Father created us when we were not As his Son our Lord Iesus redeemed us when we were enemies to

him so also do we confess that the Holy Ghost doth sanctifie and regenerate us without all respect of any merit proceeding from us be it before or be it after our Regeneration To speak this one thing yet in more plain words As we willingly spoil our selves of all honour and glory of our own Creation and Redemption so do we also of our Regeneration and Sanctification For of our selves we are not sufficient to think one good thought but he who has begun the work in us is only he that continues us in the same to the praise and glory of his undeserved Grace XIII Of The cause of good works SO that the cause of good works we confess to be not our free will but the Spirit of the Lord Iesus who dwelling in our hearts by true faith brings forth such works as God has prepared for us to walk in For this we most boldly affirm that blasphemy it is to say that Christ abides in the hearts of such as in whom there is no Spirit of Sanctification And therefore we fear not to affirm that Murtherers Oppressors cruel Persecutors Adulterers Whoremongers filthy Persons Idolaters Drunkards Thieves and all workers of Iniquity have neither true Faith neither any portion of the Spirit of the Lord Iesus so long as obstinately they continue in their wickedness For how soon that ever the Spirit of the Lord Iesus which Gods elect children receive by true Faith takes possession in the heart of any man so soon does he regenerate and renew the same man So that he begins to hate that which before he loved and begins to love that which before he hated and from thence comes that continual battel which is betwixt the Flesh and the Spirit in Gods Children still the flesh and natural man according to its own corruption lusts for things pleasant and delectable unto it self and grudges in adversity is lifted up in prosperity and at every moment is prone and ready to offend the Majesty of God But the Spirit of God which gives witnessing to our Spirit that we are the Sons of God makes us to resist filthy pleasures and to groan in Gods presence for deliverance from this bondage of corruption And finally to triumph over sin that it reign not in our mortal bodies This battel hath not the carnal man being destitute of Gods Spirit but does follow and obey sin with greediness and without repentance even as the Devil and their corrupt Lusts do prick them But the Sons of God as before was said do fight against sin do sob and mourn when they perceive themselves tempted in iniquity and if they fall they rise again with earnest and unfeigned repentance and these things they do not by their own power but by the power of the Lord Iesus without whom they were able to do nothing XIV What works are reputed good before God WE confess and acknowledg that God has given to man his holy Law in which not only are forbidden all such work as displease and offend his godly Majesty but also are commanded all such as please him and as he has promised to reward And these works be of two sorts The one is done to the honour of God the other to the profit of our Nighbours and both have the revealed will of God for their assurance To have one God to worship and honour him to call upon him in all our troubles to reverence his holy Name to hear his word to beleeve the same to communicate with his holy Sacraments are the works of the first Table To honour Father Mother Princes Rulers and Superior Powers to love them to support them yea to obey their charges not repugning to the commandment of God to save the lives of Innocents to repress Tyranny to defend the oppressed to keep our bodies clean and holie to live in soberness and temperance to deal justly with all men both in word and deed And finally to repress all appetite of our Neighbours hurt are the good works of the second Table which are most pleasing and acceptable unto God as those works that are commanded by himself The contrary whereof is sin most odious which always displeases him and provokes him to anger As not to call upon him alone when we have need nor to hear his word with reverence to contemn and despise it to have or to worship Idols to maintain defend Idolatry lightly to esteem the reverend name of God to prophane abuse or contemn the Sacraments of Christ Jesus to disobey or resist any that God has placed in Authority while they pass not over the bounds of their Office to murther or to consent thereto to bear hatred or to let Innocent blood be shed if we may withstand it And finally the trangression of any other commandment in the first or second Table we confess and affirm to be sin by the which Gods anger and displeasure is kindled against the proud unthankful world So that good works we affirm to be those only that are done in Faith and at Gods commandment who in his Law has expressed what the things be that please him And evil works we affirm to be not only those that expresly are done against Gods commandment but those also that in matters of Religion and worshipping of God has no other assurance but the invention and opinion of man which God from the beginning has ever rejected as by the Prophet Esay and by our Master Christ Jesus we are taught in these words Invain do they worship me teaching for doctrines the precepts of men XV. Of The perfection of the Law and the imperfection of Man THe Law of God we confesse and acknowledge most just most equal most holy and most perfect commanding those things which being wrought in perfection were able to give life and able to bring man to eternal felicity But our nature is so corrupt so weak and so imperfect that we are never able to fulfil the works of the Law in perfection Yea if we say we have no sin even after we are regenerated we deceive our selves and the verity of God is not in us And therefore it behoves us to apprehend Christ Jesus with his Justice and Satisfaction who is the end and accomplishment of the Law by whom we are set at this liberty that the Curse and Malediction of God fall not upon us albeit we fulfil not the same in all points For God the Father beholding us in the body of his Son Christ Jesus accepts our imperfect obedience as it were perfect and covers our works which are defiled with many spots with the Justice of his Son We do not mean that we are so let at liberty that we owe no obedience to the Law for that before we have plainly confessed but this we affirm that no man in earth Christ Jesus only except has given gives or shall give in work that obedience to the Law which the Law requires But when we have done all

things we must fall down and unfeignedly confess that we are unprofitable Servants And therefore whosoever boasts themselves of the merits of their own works or put their trust in the works of Supererogation boast themselves in that which is naught and put their trust in damnable Idolatry XVI Of the Kirk AS we believe in one God Father Son and Holy Ghost so do we most constantly believe that from the beginning there has been and now is and to the end of the World shall be one Kirk that is to say one company and multitude of men chosen of God who rightly worship and embrace him by true Faith in Christ Jesus who is the only Head of the same Kirk which also is the Body and Spouse of Christ Jesus which Kirk is Catholick that is Universal because it contains the Elect of all ages of all Realms Nations and Tongues be they of the Jews or be they of the Gentiles who have Communion and Society with God the Father and with his Son Christ Jesus through the Sanctification of his Holy Spirit and therefore it is called the Communion not of prophane persons but of Saints who as Citizens of the Heavenly Jerusalem have the fruition of the most inestimable benefits to wit of one God one Lord Jesus one Faith and one Baptism Out of the which Kirk there is no other life nor eternal felicity And therefore we utterly abhor the blasphemy of them that affirm that men which live according to Equity and Justice shall be saved what Religion that ever they have professed For as without Christ Jesus there is no other Life nor Salvation so shall there none be participant thereof but such as the Father has given unto his Son Christ Jesus and they that in time come unto him avow his Doctrine and believe into him we comprehend the Children with the faithful Parents This Kirk is invisible known only to God who alone knows whom he has chosen and comprehends as well as said is the Elect that be departed commonly called the Kirk triumphant as those that yet live and fight against sin and Satan and shall live hereafter XVII Of The Immortality of the Soul THe Elect departed are in peace and rest from their labours not that they sleep and come to a certain oblivion as some Phantasticks do affirm but that they are delivered from all fear and torment and all temptation to which we and all God's Elect are subject in this life and therefere do bear the name of the Kirk-Militant As contrary wise the reprobate and unfaithful departed have anguish torment and pain that cannot be expressed So that neither are the one nor the other in such sleep that they feel not their happiness nor torment as the Parable of Christ Jesus in the 16. of Luke his words to the Thief and these words of the Souls crying under the Altar O Lord thou that art righteous and just How long shalt thou not revenge our blood upon these that dwell in the earth does declare XVIII Of the Notes by the which the true Kirk is discerned from the false and who shall be Iudge of the Doctrine BEcause that Sathan from the beginning has laboured to deck his pestilent Synagogue with the title of the Kirk of God and has inflammed the hearts of cruel murtherers to persecute trouble and molest the true Kirk and Members thereof as Cain did Ab●l Ishmael Isaac Esau Jacob and the whole Priesthood of the Jews Christ Jesus himself and his Apostles after him It is one thing most requisite that the true Kirk be discerned from the filthy Synagogues by clear and perfect Notes lest we being deceived receive and embrace to our own condemnation the one for the other The notes signs and assured tokens whereby the immaculate Spouse of Christ Jesus is known from the horrible Harlot the Kirk Malignant we affirm are neither Antiquity Title usurped Lineal descent Place appointed nor Multitude of men approving ane error Cain in Age and Title was preferred to Abel and Seth Jerusalem had prerogative above all places of the earth where also were the Priests lineally descended from Aaron And greater numbers followed the Scribes Pharisees and Priests than unfeignedly believed and approved Christ Jesus and his Doctrine And yet as we suppose no man of sound judgment will grant that any of the forenamed were the Kirk of God The notes therefore of the true Kirk of God we believe confess and avow to be first the true preaching of the Word of God in the which God has revealed himself unto us as the Writings of the Prophets and Apostles do declare Secondly the right Administration of the Sacraments of Christ Iesus which must be annexed unto the word and promise of God to seal and confirm the same in our hearts Lastly Ecclesiastical Discipline uprightly ministred as God's Word prescribes whereby Vice is repressed and Vertue nourished Wheresoever then these former notes are seen and of any time continue be the number never so few about two or three there without all doubt is the true Kirk of Christ who according unto his promise is in the midst of them Not that universal of which we have before spoken but particular such as was in Corintbus Galatia Ephesus and other places in which the Ministry was planted by Paul and were of himself named the Kirks of God and such Kirks we the Inhabitants of the Realm of Scotland Professors of Christ Jesus profess our selves to have in our Cities Towns and places reformed For the Doctrine taught in our Kirks is contained in the written Word of Godto wit in the Books of the Old New Testament in those Books we mean which of the Ancients have been reputed Canonical In the which we affirm that all things necessary to be believed for the salvation of Mankind is sufficiently expressed The interpretation whereof we confess neither appertains to private nor publick persons neither yet to any Kirk for any preheminence or prerogative personally and locally which one has above another but appertains to the Spirit of God by the which also the Scripture was written When controversie then happens for the right understanding of any place or sentence of Scripture or for the reformation of any abuse within the Kirk of God we ought not so much to look what men before us have said or done as unto that which the H. Ghost uniformly speaks within the body of the Scriptures and unto that which Christ Iesus himself did and commanded to be done For this is one thing universally granted that the Spirit of God which is the Spirit of Unity is in nothing contrarious unto himself If then the Interpretation Determination or Sentence of any Doctor Kirk or Council repugne to the plain word of God written in any other place of the Scripture it is a thing most certain that there is not the true understanding meaning of the Holy Ghost altho that Coun cils Realms and Nations have approved and

we consess that we make a distinction betwixt Christ Iesus in his Eternal substance and betwixt the Elements in the sacramental signs so that we will neither worship the signs in the place of that which is signified by them neither yet do we despise and interpret them as junprofitable and vain but do use them with all reverence examining our selves diligently before that so we do because we are assured by the mouth of the Apostle that such as eat of that Bread and drink of that Cup unworthily are guilty of the Body and Blood of Christ Iesus XXII Of the right Administration of the Sacraments THAT Sacraments be rightly ministred we judge two things requisite the one that they be ministred by lawful Ministers whom we affirm to be only these that are appointed to the preaching of the word into whose mouths God has put some sermon of Exhortation they being men lawfully chosen thereto by some Kirk The other that they be ministred in such Elements and in such sort as God has appointed else we affirm that they cease to be the right Sacraments of Christ Jesus And therefore it is that we fly the Doctrine of the Papistical Kirk in participation of their Sacraments First because their Ministers are no Ministers of Christ Jesus yea which is more horrible they suffer Women whom the Holy Ghost will not suffer to teach in the Congregation to Baptize And secondly because they have so adulterated both the one Sacrament and the other with their own inventions that no part of Christs Action abides in the original purity For Oyl Salt Spitle and such like in Baptism are but mens inventions Adoration Veneration bearing throw Streets and Towns and keeping of bread in boxes are Prophanation of Christs Sacraments and no use of the same For Christ Jesus said Take eat c. do ye this in rememberance of me By which words and charge he sanctified Bread and Wine to the Sacrament of his Holy Body and Blood to the end that the one should be eaten and that all should drink of the other and not that they should be keeped to be worshipped and honoured as God as the Papists have done heretofore who also commited Sacriledg stealing from the people the one part of the Sacrament to wit the blessed Cup. Moreover that the Sacraments be rightly used it is required that the end and cause why the Sacraments were institute be understood and observed as well of the Ministers as the Receivers For if the opinion be changed in the Receiver the right use ceases which is most evident by the rejection of the Sacrifice as also if the Teacher plainly teach false Doctrines which were odious and abominable before God albeit they were his own Ordinance because that wicked men use them to another end than God has ordained The same affirm we of the Sacraments in the Papistical Kirk in which we affirm the whole action of the Lord Iesus to be adulterated as well in the external form as in the end and opinion What Christ Iesus did and commanded to be done is evident by the Evangelists and by Saint Paul What the Priest does at his Altar we need not to rehearse The end and cause of Christs institution and why the selfsame should be used is expressed in these words Do ye this in rememberance of me as oft as ye shall eat of this bread and drink of this cup ye shall shew forth that is extol preach magnifie and praise the Lords death till he come But to what end and in what opinion the Priests say their Mass let the words of the same their own Doctors and Writings witness to wit that they as Mediators betwixt Christ and his Kirk do offer unto God the Father a Sacrifice propitiatory for the sins of the quick and the dead Which Doctrine as blasphemous to Christ Jesus and making derogation to the sufficiency of his only sacrifice once oftered for Purgation of all these that shall be sanctified we utterly abhor detest and renounce XXIII To whom Sacraments appertain WE confess and acknowledg that Baptism appertains as well to the Infants of the faithful as unto them that be of age and discretion and so we damn the error of the Anabaptists who deny Baptism to appertain to children before that they have Faith and Understanding but the Supper of the Lord we confess to appertain to such only as be of the houshold of Faith and can try and examine themselves as well in their Faith as in their duty towards their Neighbours Such as eat and drink at that holy Table without Faith or being at dissension and division with their brethren do eat unworthily And therefore it is that in our Kirk our Ministers take publick and particular examination of the knowledg and conversation of such as are to be admitted to the Table of the Lord Jesus XXIV Of the Civil Magistrate WE confess and acknowledg Empires Kingdoms Dominions and Cities to be distincted and ordained by God the powers and authority in the same be it of Emperors in their Empires of Kings in their Realms Dukes and Princes in their Dominions and of other Magistrates in the Cities to be Gods holy Ordinance ordained for manifestation of his own Glory and for the singular profit and commodity of Mankind So that whosoever goeth about to take away or to confound the whole state of Civil Policies now long established we affirm the same men not only to be enemies to mankind but also wickedly to fight against God's express will We farther confess and acknowledg that such persons as are placed in Authority are to be loved honoured feared and holden in most reverent estimation because that they are the Lieutenants of God in whose Sessions God himself does sit and judg yea even the Iudges and Princes themselves to whom by God is given the sword to the praise and defence of good men and to revenge and punish all open malefactors Moreover to Kings Princes Rulers and Magistrates we affirm that chiefly and most principally the conservation and purgation of the Religion appertains so that not only they are appointed for Civil Policy but also for maintenance of the true Religion and for suppressing of Idolatry and Superstition whatsoever as in David Iehosaphat Ezechias I●sias and others highly commended for their zeal in that case may be espied And therefore we confess and avow that such as resist the supreme Power doing that thing which appertains to his charge do resist Gods Ordinance and therefore cannot be guiltless And farther we affirm that whosoever denies unto them their aid counsel and comfort whist the Princes and Rulers vigilantly travel in execution of their Office that the same men deny their help support and counsel to God who by the presence of his Lieutenant does crave it of them XXV Of the gifts freely given to the Kirk ALbeit the word of God truly preached and the Sacraments rightly ministred and Discipline executed according to the

we do not evacuate our natural liberty whereby we are in freedom innocently without reflection upon or derogation to Authority or persons intrusted with it to discourse in any occasional meeting of these things so we exclude not those other meetings which are necessary for the well-being and Discipline of the Church IV. By our swearing it unlawful to endeavour any change or alteration in the Government either of Church or State we mean that it is unlawfal for us to endeavour the alteration of the specifick Government of Monarchy in the true and lineal Descent and Episcopacy V. When we swear in the genuine and literal sense c. we understand it so far as it is not opposite or contradictory to the foresaid exceptions They were allowed to insert after the Oath before their Subscriptions these words or to this purpose We Under-written do take this Oath according to the Explanation made by the Council approved by His Majesties Letter and we declare we are no further bound by this Oath A Paraphrase on the Test emitted by one of the conformed Clergy I A. B. solemnly swear in presence of the Eternal God whom I invocate as judge and witness of my sincere intention of this my Oath That I A. B. being fully assured without the least doubt or hesitation of the truth of all that I am now to assert and of the lawfulness of all that I am now to promise Do in the most solemn manner swear in the sight and presence of the Eternal God whom I here call upon to witness against me in the Great Day and to pass Sentence of Condemnation upon me if I affirm any thing by this my Oath of the certainty whereof I am not fully assured or promise any thing of the lawfulness whereof I have any scruples and which I am not sincerely resolved to perform viz. That I own and sincerely profess the true Protestant Religion contained in the Confession of Faith recorded in the first Parliament of James the VI c. That I cordially own without any dissimulation profess the true Protestant Religion And because there are many doctrines and opinions that pass under that name that it may be known what I do mean by the true Protestant Religion I declare That I own that Confession of Faith which is recorded in the first Parliament of King James the VI. as the true test and standard thereof And that I believe the same to be founded on and agreeable to the written Word of God And because it would not be a just standard if some part of it were taken and others left unless these parts that are to be sworn to were expresly condescended on by the same Authority whereby it is imposed For if it were left arbitrary for every one to pitch on these parts of it he pleases as the measure of his Faith it would be useless for the end for which it is adduced Therefore I embrace the whole Confession and do swear by the same solemn Oath That I believe every Article and every Proposition therein to be true as being evidently founded on and agreeable to the Word of God As for instance Art 3. I swear by this my solemn Oath That Adam's Transgression is commonly called Original Sin And Art 12. That men have as little hand in their Regeneration and Sanctification as they have in their Creation and Redemption And Art 14. That to suppress Tyranny is one of the good works of the Second Table most pleasing and acceptable to God and commanded by himself the contrary whereof is 〈◊〉 sin most odious which always displeaseth and provokes him to anger that is When the Civil Mastrate comes to act arbitrarily and against Law when he invades the established Religion the Priviledges of Parliament or the Liberties and Properties of Subjects he is to be opposed and resisted Or when our Ecclesiastical Superiors usurp a Dominion over the Inferior Clergy or behave themselves as Lords over Gods Heritage or require absolute obedience to their Dictates and Determinations they are to be withstood and born down And as it is in the same Article I swear That I believe our resistance of these whom God hath placed in Authority over us is a sin when they do not pass over the bounds of their Office but if they pass over these bounds it is a duty to resist them which is evident being compared with the former Proposition and the practices of them who composed the Confession And in the same Article I swear and believe all these to be evil works in matters of Religion and the worship of God which have no other assurance but the invention and opinion of men So that whatsoever our Superiors determine in this matter tho only for Decency if they cannot shew it to be clearly founded on the Word of God it is to be looked on as an evil work And I swear I shall so reckon it Art 16. I swear That I think it blasphemy to affirm that men who live acording to natural light and moral equity shall be saved unless they profess the Christian Religion And that out of the true Church there is neither life nor eternal felicity So that I not only condemn all Pagans and Papists to Hell fire but I declare upon Oath That I think it Blasphemy to affirm the contrary And Art 18. I believe That Ecclesiastical Discipline rightly administred as Gods Word prescribeth is as essential a note of the true Church as the right administration of the Word and Sacraments So that the Church of England or any other Church that has not Discipline rightly administred tho they have the Word and Sacraments pure and uncorrupted wants an essential Note of a true a Church And Art 21. I declare That I perfectly understand this Proposition and do solemnly swear that it 's true that the faithful in the right use of the Lords Table are so made flesh of his flesh and bone of his bone that as the eternal Godhead has given to the flesh of Iesus Christ which of its own condition and nature was mortal and corruptible Life and Immortality so does Christ Iesus his flesh and blood eaten and drunken by us give unto us the same Prerogatives And Art 22. I declare and swear by this my solemn Oath That the Ministers of the Church of Rome are not Ministers of Iesus Christ and that they have no true Sacraments So that our first Reformers having both their Baptism and Ordination from them we have neither among us truly baptized persons nor rightly ordained Ministers And Art 24 I believe That the resisting the Supreme Power doing that which appertains to his charge is to resist the Ordinance of God So that to resist when he goes beyond his charge is not to resist the Ordinance of God but to repress Tyranny according to Art 14 And I promise and swear That I shall adhere thereto during all the days of my life shall endeavour to educate my