The Proceed of the Assembly of Divines upon the Thirty nine Articles of the Church of ENGLAND. To the honourable house of COMMONS assembled in Parliament. 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 only to the clearing and vindicating of them; though we found ourselves necessitated for that end to make some, yet we made fewer alterations in them and additions to them, than 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 only 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 only 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 one a Isai. 46.9. 1 Cor. 8.4, 6. living and true God b Jer. 10.10. 1 Thess. 1 9 , everlasting c Psal. 90.2. Rom. 16.26. , without body, parts d Deut. 4.15, 16. Joh 4 24. with Luke 24.39. , or passions e Acts 14.15. Jam. 1.17. ; of infinite power f Jer. 32.17, 27. Mark 10.27. , wisdom g Psal. 147.5. Rom. 11.33. , and goodness h Psal. 1 19.68. with Matth. 19.17. ; the maker and preserver of all things both visible and invisible i Neh. 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 Ghost k Matth. 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 Father a Prov. 8.22, to 31. Joh. 1.1, 2, 14. , the very b 1 Joh. 5. ●0. Rom. 9.5. and eternal God c Joh. 17.5. Heb. 1.8. with Psal. 45.6. , of one substance with the Father d Joh. 10.30. Heb. 1.3. , took man's nature in the womb of the blessed Virgin, of her substance e Joh. 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 joined together in one person, never to be divided, whereof is one Christ very God and very Man f Isa. 7.14. with Matth. 1.23. Rom. 1.3, 4. Heb. 13.8. , who for our fakes truly suffered most grievous torments in his soul from God g Isa. 53.10, 11. Mark 14.33, 34. , was crucified, dead, and buried h 1 Pet. 2.24. Phil. 2 8. 1 Cor. 15.3, 4. , to reconcile his Father to us i Ezek. 16.63. Rom 3.25. 2 Cor. 5.19. , and to be a Sacrifice, not only for original guilt, but also for all actual sins of men k Isa. 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 death a Psal. 16.10. with Acts 2.24, 25, 26, 27, 31. , from the time of his death and burial, until his resurrection b Rom. 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 truly rise again from death a 1 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 man's nature b Luke 24.39. with Joh. 20.25, 27. , wherewith he ascended into heaven, and there fitteth c Psal. 68.18. with Ephes. 4.8. Psal. 110.1. with Act. 2.34, 35. Mar. 16.19. Rom. 8.34. , until he return to judge d Act. 3.21. Psal. 110.1. with 1 Cor. 15.25, 26. Act. 1.11. all men e 2 Cor. 5.10. Act. 17.31. at the general resurrection of the body at the last day f Exod. 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 substance a 2 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 , majesty b Job 26.13. Job 33.4. 1 Cor. 12 chap. Matth 28.19. 2 Cor. 13.14. , and glory with the Father and the Son c 1 Cor. 12.11. Eph. 1.17, and 1 Cor. 2.8. with 1 Pet. 4.14. , proceeding from the Father and the Son d Joh. 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 Scripture a Rom. 1.2. 2 Tim. 3.15. 2 Pet. 1.20, 21. containeth all things necessary to salvation b Psal. 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 salvation c Prov. 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, etc. Of the New Testament, The Gospel according to Matthew, etc. All which Books, as they are commonly received, 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 them a Acts 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 mankind by Christ b Gen. 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 only Mediator between God and man c Dan 9.17. Rom. 8.34. 1 Joh 2.1. Heb. 7.25. 1 Tim. 2.5. Joh. 14.6. , being both God and Man d Gal. 4.4.5. Acts 20.28. Phillip 2 7, 8. . Wherefore they are not to be heard, which feign, that the old fathers did look only for temporary promises e Acts 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 bind Christians f Gal. 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 Commonwealth of the Jews, are of necessity to be received in any Commonwealth g Acts 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 Moral h Matth▪ 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 thoroughly 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 sin a Psal. 51.5. Joh. 3▪ 5, 6. standeth not in the following of Adam, as the Pelagians do vainly talk b Job 14.4. Job. 15.14. Rom. 6.6 Joh. 3.3, 5.7. ▪ But, together with his first sin imputed c Rom▪ 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 righteousness d Col. 2.13. Rom. 7.18. Eccles. 7.29. , and is of his own nature inclined only to evil e Gen. 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 God f Rom. 8.7. 1 Cor. 2.14. Col. 1.27. , and therefore in every person born into this world, it deserveth God's wrath and damnation g Ephes. 2.3. Rom. 8.6. . And this infection of nature doth remain, yea in them that are regenerate h Prov. 20.9. Rom. 7.17, 20, 23, 25.4. , whereby the flesh lusteth always contrary to the Spirit i Gal. 5.17. . And although there is no condemnation for them that are regenerate and do believe k Rom. 8.1, 13. ●oh. 3.18. ; yet the Apostle doth confess that concupiscence and lust is truly and properly sin l Rom. 7.17.20. . ART. 10. Of . 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 faith and calling upon God a Eph. 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 God b Rom. 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 good c Ezek. 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 good d Heb. 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 sins a Rom. 4.5, 6, 7 Psal. 32.1, 2. , not for nor by our own works or deservings b Rom. 3.20. Gal. 2.16. Gal. 3.10, 11. Phil. 3.9. , but freely by his grace c Rom. 3.24. Tit. 3.7. , only for our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ's sake d Rom. 3.24, 25. Rom. 5.1. 2 Cor. 5.18, 19 , his whole obedience and satisfaction being by God imputed unto us e Rom. 5.9, 17, 18, 19 Rom. 3.25, 26. Rom. 4.6, 24. 2 Cor. 5.21. , and Christ with his righteousness, being apprehended and rested on by faith only f Rom. 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 only, is an wholesome Doctrine, and very full of comfort g 2 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 trespasses h Psal. 68.20, 21. Exod 34.6, 7. Luke 13.3, 5. . ART. 12. Of good works. Good works, which are the Fruits of Faith a Gal 5.6. Jam. 2.17, 18, 22. , and follow after Justification b Tit. 2.14. Tit. 3.7, 8. Eph. 2.8, 9, 10. , cannot put away our sins c Rom. 3.20, 21. Rom. 4.4, to 9 Dan. 9.18, 19 , and endure the severity of God's Judgement; yet are they, notwithstanding their imperfections e Exod. 28.38. Rev. 8.3, 4. , in the sight of God pleasing and acceptable unto him in and for Christ f 1 Pet. 2.5. Heb. 13.16, 20, 21. Col. 1.10. Phil. 4.18. , and do spring out necessarily of a true and lively Faith g Jam. 2.26. 1 Joh. 1.4. , insomuch that by them a lively Faith may be evidently known, d Neh. 13.22. Psal. 143.2. Job 9.14, 15, 19, 20. as a tree discerned by the fruits h Jam. 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 God a Tit. 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 in Jesus Christ b Heb. 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 c ● 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 sinful d Rom. 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 God's Commandments, which they call Works of Supererogation, cannot be taught a Matth. 5.48. Mar. 12.30, 31. Phil. 4.8, 9 without arrogancy and impiety b Job 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 only 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 c 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 only excepted a Isa. 53 3, 4, 5. Heb. 2.17. with Heb. 4.15. , from which he was clearly void both in his flesh and in his spirit b Luke 1.35. with Act. 3.14. Joh. 14.30. 2 Cor. 5.21. Heb. 7.26. : he came to be the Lamb without spot c 1 Pet. 1.19. , who by sacrifice of himself d Eph. 5.2. once made e Heb. 9.26, 28. Heb. 10.10, 12 , should take away the sins of the world f Joh. 1.29. ; and sin (as Saint John saith) was not in him g 1 Joh. 3.5. . But all we the rest, although baptised and regenerate, yet offend in many things; and if we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us h Jam. 3.2. 1 Joh. 1.8, 10. . CHARLES HERLE Prolocutor. HENRY ROBROUGH Scriba. ADONIRAM BYFIELD Scriba. FINIS.