Anonymous on Article VI: Of the Sufficiency of the holy Scriptures for salvation

e fitable for Doctrine, for Reproof, for Sen for Instruction jn Righteousness ; that the Man of God may be perfect, through- y furnished unto every good Work ”. And if they can make the Christian perfect, they mult contain every Particular that is neces- sary to Salvation, and answer Ip” Exigency in our Christian War- fare. We know of no Promise of Mercy and Forgiveness, but what is here mentioned, of no Threatning of Wrath or Damnation, but what is herein recorded, of no Christian Duties, but what are here commanded, and of no Proceedings in the Day of Judgment, but what are herein specified ; of no Heaven, and the Joys of it, but

what are here described ; and of no Hell, and the terrible Torments

of it, but what are here exposed. And therefore the Scriptures must contain all that is necessary for us to know, believe, or practise. But admit that some should pretend, that they are defective, and do not contain all necessary Truths. I must desire them to consider, that if they do not, it must be, because God either could not cause all that was necessary to be penn’d down, or would not. If the

say he could not, then how can he inspire them at this Time to deli- ver what they say is necessary ; for he could as easily inspire the Apo-

stles as them? Or how could he deliver by Tradition that which is ne- cessary? For he might as easily cause it to be penn d down, that it might

remain in Writing, as speak it, that it might continue in the Church

by Tradition. There is no doubt therefore to be made, but God could inspire Men with the Knowledge of all that is necessary, and cause them to write it down for our Admonition. If he could do this, and would not, then how can that be necessary, which he ne- ver revealed ; or how can he make us accountable for that, which we never received ? As he imparted no more than what the Scripture contains, he thought that sufficient, and we can be accountable for no more. For we cannot think that necessary, which was never re- vealed, or our selves responsible for that which we never received. It follows therefore, that the Holy Scriptures contain all that is ne- cessary to Salvation, and that we need not give heed to the Fancy of some, who say they speak as they are moved by the Holy Ghost ; or to the Tradition of others, who pretend to supply the Defe&s of Scripture by their Tradition. For the Scriptures are in that Sense perfect, containing all Things necessary to make us wise unto Salva- tion. From a child thou hast known the holy Scriptures , which are able to make thee wise unto salvation, through faith which is in Christ Fesus.

IT. Whatsoever is not read in the Scripture, nor can be proved thereby, is not to be required of any Man, that it should be believed

as an Article of Faith, or be thought requisite unto Salvation. For

if there be no Bounds set to Faith, and we can never tell when we are furnished with all that is necessary to Salvation, we may fancy, we believe a-right now, and soon after may have a new Creed oh: truded upon us, and may presume that that is necessary, which may

4 Thirty Nine AgTiCLEs. 39

E be counted superfluous : And whilst we think we are establish’d up- Artic. VI T on the Apostles Doctrine, may be alarm’d on one Hand by a new ed

1 Light, on the other Hand, by Tradition; as if we were in the

wrong, and wanted their Directions to set us right. Upon this Con- fideration it is but fit, that we should have a Rule before us, to di- stinguith Truth from Falshood ; and according to the unanimous Consent of the Church, the Scriptures are that Rule, by which our

Faith and our Manners are to be directed and governed. And for

this Reason whatever is offer’d to us as an Article of Faith, or Rule

of Life; which is not in dire& Terms contain’d in the Scriptures,

or cannot by fair og jr” be proved from thence, to belong to

Faith or a Christian Life, must be judged to be counterfeit and false,

because not contain’d expressly in, or fairly prov’d from the grand

Touchstone , or Rule for such Points, the Holy Scriptures : And

whatsoever is pretended to, or requir’d to be done, which the Scri-

ptures do not allow of, or give us Liberty in, must not be counted

necessary to Salvation, though it carries the Commendation of great

Names with it, and in these last Days will pass for Spiritual Light,

or true Catholick Tradition. For the Scriptures are the Rule which

God has reveal’d and given ; and what agrees with those, he consents

we should believe and hold fast : But what differs, or is contrary to

them, he encourageth us to reje&, and cast away, though an Angel

from Heaven should preach and recommend it : For as he never re-

vealed, authorized, or approved of it, all the artful Pretences of

Men, whether moved * Learning or Enthusiasm, can never put a

real Necessity upon it. But though we, or an Angel from Heaven Gal. 1.8,

preach any other gospel unto you, than that which we have preached

unto you, let him be accursed.

III. By the Scriptures we understand the Canonical Books of the Old and New Testament, of whose Authority was never any Doubt in the Church, of which the Church never entertain’d any conside- rable Doubt, or was never at a Loss to find out and prove the Reali- ty and authentick Copies of them. For we cannot but think when the Church sought for, and enquired after the Canon of the Scri- pture, there might arise many Scruples concerning the Truth of some Parts of it, as particularly concerning St. James’s Epistle, the Reve- lations, and others ; and indeed how could it happen otherwise ; when Search was made after the true and genuine Copies of the Apo- {tes Epistles > The Enquiry then was in the Churches, what such an Apostle wrote, to whom, by whom, and at what Time. What the concurrent Testimony of Christians esteem’d real, of what Au-

thority and Force they were amongst them, and how every Part agreed, and harmoniz’d with the common Principles of Religion _ taught by the Apostles ; and with other genuine and undoubted E-

pistles. How was it possible for these Enquiries to be resolved, with- out examining all that could be alledg’d against them, or answering all those Doubts and Scruples that might arise concerning them, with- out questioning the Probability or Likelihood of some Pieces, reject-

ingthe Counterfeit, and admitting and approving of the — 4

| 2 | ne

“PO”? FIT “FI TO “Og PO ;

Artic, VI. The meaning therefore of our Church in this Article must be,

—

that those Books of the Old and New Testament are counted Cano-

Gal. 1. 9.

nical, of which there never was any considerable Doubt amongst ous or Christians, which might suspend the Belief of any rational erson, or cause him to pay no Deference to any Tract or Tracts

therein contain’d. As for the Old Testament, the several Books

contain’d in it, have been so accurately preserv’d by the Fews, and so generally attested by all Ages, that they were never much doubted

of: And as to the Books of the New, though some Epistles have

been scrupled, yet the concurrent Approbation of the first Ages, and the unanimous Acceptance of the Ages succeeding, have filenc’d all Doubts, and approved of their Canon: And to satisfy us con-

cerning their Authority, we are as morally certain that those Books were Written by Men inspired by the Holy Ghost, as we can be at this Distance of Time, without seeing those Miracles wrought,

which were then seen and known to be done for the Demonstration and Confirmation of the Faith contained in them. The Names of the Books of the Old and New Testament, are annex’d to the Arti- cle, and agreeable to that Number which the Bible contains. And as the Worthies which collected this Canon, were sensible of the Curse that was pronounced against any that preached another Go-

’ spel, we may be sure they would admit of no suspicious or counter- feit Pieces into the Canon, for fear of incurring that dreadful Curse :

As we said before, so say I again, If any man preach any other Go-

spel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.

IV- The other Books (as St. Ferom faith) the Church doth read for Example of Life, and Instruction of Manners ; yet doth it not

apply them to stablish any Doctrine, or alledge them, as we do other Scriptures, to prove any Article of Faith, or to warrant any Princi-

ple of our Religion. By those other Books we understand the Apo- cryphal, out of which our Church appoints some particular Lessons, upon the same Account as they were read in St. 2 Time, for

Example of Life, and Instruction of Manners; but with no Intent

to encourage any Doctrine, or license any strange Fancies, which may be drawn from thence: She never equals them to the Canon of

Scripture; but as she allows them to be bound up in your Bibles with the Scriptures, she permits you to read them for your Edifi- cation, and no otherwise ; for she plainly distinguisheth between

the Authority of Scriptures, and their Authority. And as we fix Articles of Faith, and Things necessary to Salvation, upon the Scri- ptures; we do not allow any Part of the Apocrypha a casting Voice in the Establishment of any Do&rine. So that we read them as good Books, which (as it happens) may do good amongst Men ; but yet such as must be received with some Grains of Allowance for those

| Mistakes and Errors, which all Books are subje& to, which are not

written by the Inspiration of the Holy Ghost. Our Church there- fore deserves not those black and unkind Reflections that are cast upon her, for reading Part of these Books: For she does not look upon them, or commend them as the Word of God ; she places no de-

ciding

” a . a4 v#44 i

Thin Nine A

ciding Authority upon them, she applies none of their Texts to

establish any Doctrine, she does not esteem them as Canonical; the most she values them for, is, that they are Ecclesiastical, and treat of the Affairs of the Church; and are in many Places serviceable to promote a good Life, and as proper to be read in a Congregation, as some Men’s Sermons.

V. All the Books of the New Testament, as they are com- monly received , we do receive, and account for Canonical , or for our Christian Rule of Faith and Manners, according to the- Number of Books, which Christians in all Ages have con- sented to, and agreed in; which begin with the Four Go-

n —— —— •L̃

Artic. VI. DS ane

spels, and end with the Revelations : These we allow and own as

the most exact and perfect Canon of the Christian Religion; which we Christians are bound especially to frame our Faith and Conversa- tions by: And all other Principles, Opinions, Canons, or Rules, that have been publisf’d in the Beginning of Christianity, or since,

which are contradicted by this Book, or by any plain Text contain’d therein, are of no Authority, or Force, or Power. For whom shall we obey,or whom are we bound to follow ? The Living God speaking

to us by his Son in the Scriptures ; or Man, presuming Man, di-

Rating to us out of the Scriptures > Whilst we hearken to God, and obey his Will, as the Scriptures declare it, we are safe ; for he can- not and will not deceive us by his Son, and Holy Spirit. But if we leave the Scriptures, and give heed to Fancy or Imagination, to the Pride and Ambition of Men, or to a deluding Spirit, we may wan- der and err for evermore. How can we mistake, when we attend to those Holy Men, who could have tio Design to misguide us, and who spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost? © ©

Thus our Church, like the Primitive, directs you in this Article, to keep to the Scriptures as your Rule, and admit of nothing as ne-

cessary to Salvation that is not expressly, or by ftir Consequence contain’d in them. - And by this Account ye may observe, that since the withdrawing of the miraculous Operations of the Spirit, it is a

2 Per. 1. 21, latrer Part,

great Happiness to have the Scriptures; that it is incumbent upon us

to read, mark, learn, and inwardly to digest them; and our Duty to rect all modern Pretences to Revelation, which contradi& the

Scriptures; and that our Safety consists in an humble Obedience

paid to the Scriptures.

1. As the Scriptures contain all Things necessary to Salvation, tis a great Happiness to enjoy them. We may thus learn to know the Lord, and serve him, may understand our respective Duties, and the Encouragements we habe to perform them. Every one that can read, may there peruse the Will of God, and see what is required, and what must be done; what is promis’d, and may be relied upon; what is threaten’d, and must be avoided, as we value the Divine Fa- vour and our own Peace; There is not a Fatmly, but what may have a Bible in their own Mother-Tongue, not to be laid aside in Dust, to be used once a Week; MI be read daily with Care to uh | | thnat

— zj —

— a — 4

An EXPOSITION ef the

Artic. VI. that are in it: That every one, Master, Child, and Servant, may > know what their Eternal Happiness depends upon. For the Holy

2 Tim. 3. 15, first Part.

Ghost has inspired the Writers to speak in Plainness, what is neces- fary to Salvation; and the Meanest may understand what is fo writ- ten, as well as the Learned. This is an Happiness beyond all worldly Possessions. For what is Wealth without saving Knowledge, or this World without Mercy and Eternal Life? Beyond Enjoy- ments ; for what 1s Pleasure, that vanisheth away, compared with that Felicity, which lasteth for ever? This is such a Happiness as 1s not to be found in Roman Catholick Dominions ; for there the Scriptures are sealed up, kept in secret, conceal’d under an unknown Tongue, and hid from the People. Let us praise God for this Ad- vantage, and pray to him that no Theists or Atheists, how presuming soever, may lessen or degrade it, or provoke God to withdraw it; that Posterity may say to their Children, what St. Pau said to Ti- mot hy, From a child thou hast known the Holy Scriptures. ©

2. *Tis incumbent upon us to Read, Mark, Learn, and inwardly Digest them; to search them daily, and to examine, what God re- quiresat our Hands. It is not fit, that so great an Advantage should be neglected, or the Opportunity of Reading and Hearing them lost.

Search therefore, that ye may know the Value of your Souls, and

that Eternal Life that is promised : Search and remember the Words of your Lord, and his Holy Spirit ; and do not read meerly to talk

of Scripture ; but read, that ye may practise what is commanded, and obey it with your whole H

taining Holy Laws for an Holy Life ; that your Hearts may be renewed by the Grace that attends it, your Tempers may be chang-

ed, and your Lives conformable, and ye your selves may be ready

for your Lord. © Receive with Meekness the ingrafted Word,

Jam. 1. 22.

IT. . 3%

which is able to save your Souls. But be ye doers of the Word, and not hearers only, decetving your own selves. ©

3. It is our Duty to reject all modern Pretences to Revelation, or any Thing else which contradicts the Scripture. For as for Pre- tences to Revelation, when they plainly run counter to the Word of God, they may be but the Dreams of à Religious Fancy, the Deli- riums of an heated Brain, or the Suggestions of an Evil Spirit: For the Holy Spirit of God will not contradi& himself; for he is Truth it self ; nor can he discover any other Gospel, than what he has re-

veal’d, or make void what he has published. He has declared al-

ready all that is necessary to Salvation; and as he will not add to it, or diminish from it, we may reje& all Additions as the Delusions of evil Men: And as to Tradition, which is employ’d by others, to warrant that which is not contained in the Word, we are under the same Obligation the Jews were, to reje& all Traditions of what Na- ture soever, which contradi& the plain Canon of the Scripture : For the Spirit would never deliver that by Word of Mouth, ‘as Divine and Binding, which contradicts what it had deliver’d by ; inspired Men, and had caused to be written for our Instruction, to raise up the Ele&. In hope of the eternal life, which God that cannot lye,

promised before the world began. | FE | 4. Our

eart : Read it as an Holy Book, con-

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Thirty Nine ARTICLES.

4. Our Safety must consist in an humble Obedience to the Scri- ptures, in making those our constant Rule for Faith and Manners, or in Believing as they teach us to believe , and in Living as they command us to liye. Thus doing we shall entitle our selves to the Promises of Grace and Mercy, and shall in this Life have Grace to help in the Time of Need,and inthe World to come Life Everlasting. Let us then keep strictly to the Holy Scriptures, that we may be safe, and not as some do, divide the Flock of Christ ; for that arises from their Mistakes in, and Misapplication of them. But as new born Babes, without Design or Hypocrisy, let us receive the sincere Milk of the Word, as it is plainly and bay 5 to us, that we

| ifficult Places, let us ad- vise with the Sense of the Catholick Church, as convey’d to us by the Fathers, if we are able; if not, trust to them that are able, and will not deceive us. Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and bypocrisies, and envyings, and af ectlisdenking which hinders

the Word,) as new born babes, desire the sincere Milk of the Word,

that ye may grow thereby.

— Att. TRAY of. X 1 »

G2 AxrrTicLE

Artic, VI. IRR

11. 2: 15.2;

. a Ms. nb la A tant. A AAS FA n AED. A EMI SI I — a .

44 An EXPOSITION of the Artic. VII. ee Firs 038! ——

—

i TE ,

Of which Salvation the Prophets have enqui- red, and searched diligently, who ‘p:ophesied ok the Gzace that should come unto pou. fl