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THE WESTMINSTER CONFESSION OF FAITH. A.D. 1647.
Confessio Fidei
Westmonasteriensis.
[The English text is taken from the second edition which appeared under the
title, 'The Humble | Advice | of the | Assembly | of | Divines, | now by Authority of
Parliament | sitting at Westminster, | concerning | a Confession of Faith: |
with the Quotations and Texts of | Scripture annexed. Presented by them lately
to both Houses of Parliament. | Printed at London; | and | reprinted at
Edinburgh by Evan Tyler, Printer to | the Kings most Excellent Majestie.
1647.' The spelling and punctuation are conformed to modern usage.
The changes of the American revision, which occur chiefly in
Ch. XXIII., relating to the Civil Magistrate, and in Ch. XXXI., relating to
Synods and Councils, are inserted in their proper places, and marked by italics.
Minor changes are indicated in footnotes.
The Latin translation of the Westminster Confession and
Catechisms by G. D. (see Preface) appeared first at Cambridge, 1656 (also 1659);
at Edinburgh, 1694, etc.; and at Glasgow, 1660), under the title, 'Confessio
Fidei |
in Conventu theologorum authoritate | Parliamenti Anglicani indicto |
Elaborata; | eidem Parliamento postmodum | Exhibita; | Quin et ab eodem,
deindeque ab Ecclesia Scoticana | Cognita et Approbata; | und cum | Catechismo |
duplici, Majori, Minorique; |
E Sermone Anglicano summa cum fide | in Litinum versa. Cantabrigiæ: excudebat Johannes Field, celeberrimæ Academiæ typographus.']
| Confession of Faith. |
Confessio Fidei. |
| Chapter I. |
Cap. I. |
| Of the Holy Scripture. |
De Scriptura Sacrosancta. |
| I. Although the light of nature,
and the works of creation and providence, do so far manifest the goodness,
wisdom, and power of God, as to leave men inexcusable;846846Rom. ii. 14, 15; i. 19, 20; Psa. xix. 1–3; Rom. i. 32; ii. 1. yet are they not sufficient to give that knowledge
of God, and of his will, which is necessary unto salvation;8478471 Cor. i. 21; ii. 13, 14.
therefore it pleased the Lord, at sundry times, and in divers manners, to
reveal himself, and to declare that his will unto his Church;848848Hebrews 1:1. and afterwards, for the better preserving and
propagating of the truth, and for the more sure establishment and comfort of
the Church against the corruption of the flesh, and the malice |
I. Quanquam naturæ
lumen, operaque Dei cum Creationis tum Providentiæ, bonitatem ejus,
sapientiam, potentiamque eo usque manifestant, ut homines vel inde reddantur
inexcusabiles:849849Rom. ii. 14, 15; i. 19, 20; Psa. xix. 1–3; Rom. i. 32; ii. 1.
eam tamen Dei, voluntatisque divinæ cognitionem, quæ porro est ad salutem
necessaria, nequeunt nobis ingenerare.8508501 Cor. i. 21; ii. 13, 14.
Quocirca Domino complacitum est, variis quidem modis vicibusque Ecclesiæ suæ
semetipsum revelare, suamque hanc voluntatem patefacere;851851Hebrews 1:1. sed et eandem omnem postea literis consignare, quo
et veritati suæ tam conservandæ quam propagandæ melius consuleret, nec
Ecclesia sua contra carnis corruptelam, contra malitiam mundi
|
601
| of Satan and of the world, to
commit the same wholly unto writing;852852Prov. xxii. 19–21; Luke i. 3, 4; Rom. xv. 4; Matt. iv. 4, 7, 10; Isa. viii. 19, 20.
which maketh the holy Scripture to be most necessary;8538532 Tim. iii. 15; 2 Pet. i. 19.
those former ways of God's revealing his will unto his people being now
ceased.854854Heb. i. 1, 2.
|
Satanæque, præsidio
foret ac solatio destituta.855855Prov. xxii. 19–21; Luke i. 3, 4; Rom. xv. 4; Matt. iv. 4, 7, 10; Isa. viii. 19, 20.
Unde factum est, ut, postquam pristini illi modi, quibus olim populo suo
Deus voluntatem suam revelabat, jam desiverint,8568562 Tim. iii. 15; 2 Pet. i. 19.
Scriptura Sacra sit maxime necessaria.857857Heb. i. 1, 2.
|
| II. Under the name of holy
Scripture, or the Word of God written, are now contained all the Books of
the Old and New Testament, which are these: |
II. Sacræ Scripturæ,
nomine, seu Verbi Dei scripti continentur hodie omnes illi libri tam Veteris
quam Novi Instrumenti,858858[So the Cambridge eds. of 1656 and 1659. The
Edinb. ed. reads Testamenti.] nempe quorum inferius
subsequuntur nomina.
|
| Of the Old Testament. |
Veteris Testamenti. |
| Genesis. |
Ecclesiastes. |
Genesis. |
Ecclesiastes. |
| Exodus. |
The Song of Songs. |
Exodus. |
Canticum Canticorum. |
| Leviticus. |
Isaiah. |
Leviticus. |
Isaias. |
| Numbers. |
Jeremiah. |
Numeri. |
Jeremias. |
| Deuteronomy. |
Lamentations. |
Deuteronomium. |
Lamentationes. |
| Joshua. |
Ezekiel. |
Josua. |
Ezechiel. |
| Judges. |
Daniel. |
Judices. |
Daniel. |
| Ruth. |
Hosea. |
Ruth. |
Hosea. |
| I. Samuel. |
Joel. |
Samuelis 1. |
Joel. |
| II. Samuel. |
Amos. |
Samuelis 2. |
Amos. |
| I. Kings. |
Obadiah. |
Regum 1. |
Obadias. |
| II. Kings. |
Jonah. |
Regum 2. |
Jonas. |
| I. Chronicles. |
Micah. |
Chronicorum 1. |
Micheas. |
| II. Chronicles. |
Nahum. |
Chronicorum 2. |
Nahum. |
| Ezra. |
Habakkuk. |
Ezra. |
Habucuc. |
| Nehemiah. |
Zephaniah. |
Nehemias. |
Zephanias. |
| Esther. |
Haggai. |
Esther. |
Haggæus. |
| Job. |
Zechariah. |
Job. |
Zacharias. |
| Psalms. |
Malachi. |
Psalmi. |
Malachias. |
| Proverbs. |
|
Proverbia. |
|
| Of the New Testament. |
Novi autem. |
| The Gospels according to |
Evangelium secundem |
| Matthew, |
Luke, |
Matthæum, |
Lucam, |
| Mark, |
John. |
Marcum, |
Johannem. |
602
| The Acts of the |
To Timothy II. |
Acta apostolorum. |
|
| Apostles. |
To Titus. |
|
Titum. |
| Paul's Epistles to the |
To Philemon. |
Pauli espistolæ ad |
Philemonem. |
| Romans. |
The Epistle to the |
Romanos. |
Epist. ad Hebræos. |
| Corinthians I. |
Hebrews. |
Corinthios I. II. |
|
| Corinthians II. |
The Epistle of James. |
|
Jacobi Epistola. |
| Galatians. |
The First and Second |
Galatas. |
Petri Epist. I. II. |
| Ephesians. |
Epistles of Peter. |
Ephesios. |
|
| Philippians. |
The First, Second, and |
Philippenses. |
Johan. Epist. I. II. |
| Colossians. |
Third Epistles of |
Collossenses. |
III. |
| Thessalonians I. |
John. |
Thessalonicens I. II. |
|
| Thessalonians II. |
The Epistle of Jude. |
|
Judæ Epistola. |
| To Timothy I. |
The Revelation. |
Timotheum I. II. |
Apocalypsis. |
| All which are given by inspiration of God, to be the
rule of faith and life.859859Luke xvi. 29, 31; Eph. ii. 20; Rev. xxii. 18, 19; 2 Tim. iii. 16.
|
Qui omnes divina inspiratione dati sunt
in Fidei vitæque regulam.860860Luke xvi. 29, 31; Eph. ii. 20; Rev. xxii. 18, 19; 2 Tim. iii. 16.
|
| III. The books commonly called Apocrypha, not being of
divine inspiration, are no part of the Canon of the Scripture; and therefore
are of no authority in the Church of God, nor to be any otherwise approved,
or made use of, than other human writings.861861Luke xxiv. 27, 44; Rom. iii. 2; 2 Pet. i. 21.
|
III. Libri Apocryphi, vulgo dicti, quum
non fuerint divinitus inspirati, Canonem Scripturæ nullatenus constituunt;
proindeque nullam aliam authoritatem obtinere debent in Ecclesia Dei, nec
aliter quam alia humana scripta, sunt aut approbandi aut adhibendi.862862Luke xxiv. 27, 44; Rom. iii. 2; 2 Pet. i. 21.
|
| IV. The authority of the holy Scripture, for which it
ought to be believed and obeyed, dependeth not upon the testimony of any man
or church, but wholly upon God (who is truth itself), the Author thereof;
and therefore it is to be received, because it is the Word of God.8638632 Pet. i. 19, 21; 2 Tim. iii. 16; 1 John v. 9; 1 Thess. ii. 13.
|
IV. Authoritas Scripturæ sacræ propter
quam ei debetur fides et observantia, non ab ullius aut hominis aut Ecclesiæ
pendet testimonio, sed a solo ejus authore Deo, qui est ipsa veritas: eoque
est a nobis recipienda, quoniam est Verbum Dei.8648642 Pet. i. 19, 21; 2 Tim. iii. 16; 1 John v. 9; 1 Thess. ii. 13.
|
| V. We may be moved and induced by the testimony of the |
V. Testimonium Ecclesiæ efficere quidem
potest ut de Scriptura sacra
|
603
| Church to an high and reverent esteem of865865[Am. ed.
for.] the holy Scripture;8668661 Tim. iii. 15.
and the heavenliness of the matter, the efficacy of the doctrine, the
majesty of the style, the consent of all the parts, the scope of the whole
(which is to give all glory to God), the full discovery it makes of the only
way of man's salvation, the many other incomparable excellencies, and the
entire perfection thereof, are arguments whereby it doth abundantly evidence
itself to be the Word of God; yet, notwithstanding, our full persuasion and
assurance of the infallible truth, and divine authority thereof, is from the
inward work of the Holy Spirit, bearing witness by and with the Word in our
hearts.8678671 John ii. 20, 27; John xvi. 13, 14; 1 Cor. ii. 10–12; Isa. lix. 21.
|
quam honorifice sentiamus;8688681 Tim. iii. 15. materies insuper ejus cœlestis, doctrinæ
vis et efficacia, styli majestas, partium omnium consensus, totiusque scopus
(ut Deo nempe omnis gloria tribuatur), plena denique quam exhibet
unicæ ad salutem viæ commonstratio, præter alias ejus virtutes
incomparabiles, et perfectionem summam, argumenta sunt quibus abunde se
Verbum Dei et luculenter probat; nihilominus tamen plena persuasio et
certitudo de ejus tam infallibili veritate, quam authoritate divina non
aliunde nascitur quam ab interna operatione Spiritus Sancti, per verbum et
cum verbo ipso in cordibus nostris testificantis.8698691 John ii. 20, 27; John xvi. 13, 14; 1 Cor. ii. 10–12; Isa. lix. 21.
|
| VI. The whole counsel of God, concerning all things
necessary for his own glory, man's salvation, faith, and life, is either
expressly set down in Scripture, or by good and necessary consequence may be
deduced from Scripture: unto which nothing at any time is to be added,
whether by new revelations of the Spirit, or traditions of men.8708702 Tim. iii. 15–17; Gal. i. 8, 9; 2 Thess. ii. 2. Nevertheless we acknowledge the inward
illumination of the Spirit of God to be necessary for the saving |
VI. Consilium Dei universum de omnibus
quæ ad suam ipsius gloriam, quæque ad hominum salutem, fidem, vitamque sunt
necessaria, aut expresse in Scriptura continetur, aut consequentia bona et
necessaria derivari potest a Scriptura; cui nihil deinceps addendum est, seu
novis a spiritu revelationibus, sive traditionibus hominum.8718712 Tim. iii. 15–17; Gal. i. 8, 9; 2 Thess. ii. 2. Internam nihilominus illuminationem
Spiritus Dei ad salutarem eorum perceptionem, quæ in Verbo Dei
|
604
| understanding of such things as are revealed in the
Word;872872John vi. 45; 1 Cor. ii. 9, 10, 12. and that there are some
circumstances concerning the worship of God, and government of the Church,
common to human actions and societies, which are to be ordered by the light
of nature and Christian prudence, according to the general rules of the
Word, which are always to be observed.8738731 Cor. xi. 13, 14; xiv. 26, 40.
|
revelantur, agnoscimus esse necessariam:874874John vi. 45; 1 Cor. ii. 9, 10, 12. quin etiam nonnullas esse circumstantias cultum
Dei spectantes et Ecclesiæ regimen, iis cum humanis actionibus et
societatibus communes, quæ naturali lumine ac prudentia Christiana secundum
generales verbi regulas (perpetuo quidem illas observandas) sunt regulandæ.8758751 Cor. xi. 13, 14; xiv. 26, 40.
|
| VII. All things in Scripture are not alike plain in
themselves, nor alike clear unto all;8768762 Pet. iii. 16.
yet those things which are necessary to be known, believed, and observed,
for salvation, are so clearly propounded and opened in some place of
Scripture or other, that not only the learned, but the unlearned, in a due
use of the ordinary means, may attain unto a sufficient understanding of
them.877877Psa. cxix. 105, 130.
|
VII. Quæ in Scriptura continentur non
sunt omnia æque aut in se perspicua, aut omnibus hominibus evidentia,8788782 Pet. iii. 16. ea tamen omnia quæ ad salutem necessaria
sunt cognitu, creditu, observatu, adeo perspicue, alicubi saltem in
Scriptura, proponuntur et explicantur, ut eorum non docti solum, verum
indocti etiam ordinariorum debito usu mediorum, sufficientem assequi possint
intelligentiam.879879Psa. cxix. 105, 130.
|
| VIII. The Old Testament in Hebrew (which was the
native language of the people of God of old), and the New Testament in Greek
(which at the time of the writing of it was most generally known to the
nations), being immediately inspired by God, and by his singular care and
providence kept pure in all ages, are therefore authentical;880880Matt. v. 18. so as in all controversies |
VIII. Instrumentum Vetus Hebræa lingua
(antiqua Dei populo nempe vernacula) Novum autem Græca (ut quæ apud Gentes
maxime omnium tunc temporis, quum scriberetur illud, obtinuerat), immediate
a Deo inspirata, ejusque cura et Providentia singulari per omnia huc usque
secula pura et intaminata custodita, ea propter sunt authentica.881881Matt. v. 18. Adeo sane ut ad
|
605
| of religion the Church is finally to appeal unto them.882882Isa. viii. 20; Acts xv. 15; John v. 39, 46. But because these original tongues are not
known to all the people of God who have right unto, and interest in the
Scriptures, and are commanded, in the fear of God, to read and search them,883883John v. 39. therefore they are to be translated into the vulgar
language of every nation unto which they come,8848841 Cor. xiv. 6, 9,11, 12, 24, 27, 28. that the Word of God
dwelling plentifully in all, they may worship him in an acceptable manner,885885Col. iii. 16. and, through patience and comfort of the
Scriptures, may have hope.886886Rom. xv. 4.
|
illa ultimo in omnibus de religione
controversiis Ecclesia debeat appellare.887887Isa. viii. 20; Acts xv. 15; John v. 39, 46.
Quoniam autem Originales istæ linguæ non sunt toti Dei populo intellectæ
(Quorum tamen et jus est ut scripturas habeant, et interest plurimum,
quique eas in timore Dei legere jubentur et perscrutari)888888John v. 39. proinde sunt in vulgarem cujusque Gentis, ad
quam pervenerint linguam transferendæ,8898891 Cor. xiv. 6, 9,11, 12, 24, 27, 28. ut omnes, verbo Dei
opulenter in ipsis habitante, Deum grato acceptoque modo colant,890890Col. iii. 16. et per patientiam ac consolationem
Scripturarum spem habeant.891891Rom. xv.4.
|
| IX. The infallible rule of interpretation of Scripture
is the Scripture itself; and therefore, when there is a question about the
true and full sense of any Scripture (which is not manifold, but one), it
must892892[Am. ed. may.] be searched and known by other places that
speak more clearly.8938932 Pet. i. 20, 21; Acts xv. 15; [Am. John v. 46.]
|
IX. Infallibilis Scripturam interpretandi
regula est Scriptura ipsa. Quoties igitur cunque oritur quæstio de. vero
plenoque Scripturæ cujusvis sensu (unicus ille est non multiplex),
ex aliis locis, qui apertius loquuntur, est indagandus et cognoscendus.8948942 Pet. i. 20, 21; Acts xv. 15; [Am. John v. 46.]
|
| X. The Supreme Judge, by which all controversies of
religion are to be determined, and all decrees of councils, opinions of
ancient writers, doctrines of men, and private spirits, are to be examined,
and in whose sentence we are to rest, can |
X. Supremus judex, a quo omnes de
religione controversiæ sunt determinandæ, omnia Conciliorum decreta,
opiniones Scriptorum Veterum, doctrinæ denique hominum, et privati quicunque
Spiritus sunt examinandi, cujusque sententia tenemur
|
606
| be no other but the Holy Spirit speaking in the
Scripture.895895Matt. xxii. 29, 31; Eph. ii. 20; Acts xxviii. 25.
|
nemur acquiescere, nullus alius esse
potest, præter Spiritum Sanctum in Scriptura pronunciantem.896896Matt. xxii. 29, 31; Eph. ii. 20; Acts xxviii. 25.
|
| Chapter II. |
Cap. II. |
| Of God, and of the Holy Trinity. |
De Deo et Sacro-sancta Trinitate. |
| I. There is but one only897897Deut. vi. 4; 1 Cor. viii. 4, 6. living and true God,8988981 Thess. i. 9; Jer. x. 10. who is
infinite in being and perfection,899899Job xi. 7, 8, 9; xxvi. 14.
a most pure spirit,900900John iv. 24. invisible,9019011 Tim. i. 17. without body, parts,902902Deut. iv. 15, 16; John iv. 24; Luke xxiv. 39. or passions,903903Acts xiv. 11, 15. immutable,904904James i. 17; Mal. iii. 6. immense,9059051 Kings viii. 27; Jer. xxiii. 23, 24. eternal,906906Psa. xc. 2; 1 Tim. i. 17. incomprehensible,907907Psa. cxlv. 3. almighty,908908Gen. xvii. 1; Rev. iv. 8. most wise,909909Rom. xvi. 27.
most holy,910910Isa. vi. 3; Rev. iv. 8.
most free,911911Psa. cxv. 3. most absolute,912912Exod. iii. 14. working all things according to the counsel of
his own immutable and most righteous will,913913Eph. i. 11.
for his own glory;914914Prov. xvi. 4; Rom. xi. 36; [Am. ed. Rev. iv. 11] . most
loving,9159151 John iv. 8, 16.
gracious, merciful, longsuffering, abundant in goodness and truth, forgiving
iniquity, transgression, and sin;916916Exod. xxxiv. 6, 7.
the rewarder of them that diligently seek him;917917Heb. xi. 6.
and withal most just and terrible in his judgments;918918Neh. ix. 32, 33.
|
I. Unus est unicusque,919919Deut. vi. 4; 1 Cor. viii. 4, 6.
vivens ille et verus Deus:9209201 Thess. i. 9; Jer. x. 10. qui idem est essentia et perfectione
infinitus,921921Job xi. 7, 8, 9; xxvi. 14. Spiritus purissimus,922922John iv. 24. invisibilis,9239231 Tim. i. 17.
sine corpore, sine partibus,924924Deut. iv. 15, 16; John iv. 24; Luke xxiv. 39. sine passionibus,925925Acts xiv. 11, 15. immutabilis,926926James i. 17; Mal. iii. 6. immensus,9279271 Kings viii. 27; Jer. xxiii. 23, 24. æternus,928928Psa. xc. 2; 1 Tim. i. 17. incomprehensibilis,929929Psa. cxlv. 3. omnipotens,930930Gen. xvii. 1; Rev. iv. 8. summe sapiens,931931Rom. xvi. 27. summe sanctus,932932Isa. vi. 3; Rev. iv. 8. liberrimus,933933Psa. cxv. 3.
maxime absolutus;934934Exod. iii. 14.
operans omnia secundum consilium immutabilis suæ ac justissimæ voluntatis,935935Eph. i. 11. ad suam ipsius gloriam;936936Prov. xvi. 4; Rom. xi. 36; [Am. ed. Rev. iv. 11]. idemque summa benignitate,9379371 John iv. 8, 16.
gratia, misericordia, et longanimitate; bonitate abundans et veritate;
condonans iniquitatem, transgressionem et peccatum;938938Exod. xxxiv. 6, 7. studiose quærentium ipsum remunerator;939939Heb. xi. 6. sed et in judiciis suis justissimus idem ac
tremendus maxime;940940Neh. ix. 32, 33.
|
607
| hating all sin,941941Psa. v. 5, 6. and who will by no means clear the guilty. .942942Nahum i. 2, 3; Exod. xxxiv. 7.
|
peccatum omne perosus,943943Psa. v. 5, 6. et qui sontem nullo unquam absolvet modo.944944Nahum i. 2, 3; Exod. xxxiv. 7.
|
| II. God hath all life,945945John v. 26.
glory,946946Acts vii. 2. goodness,947947Psa. cxix. 68. blessedness,9489481 Tim. vi. 15; Rom. ix. 5. in and of himself; and is alone in and unto
himself allsufficient, not standing in need of any creatures which he hath
made,949949Acts xvii. 24, 25.
nor deriving any glory from them,950950Job xxii. 2, 23. but only manifesting his own glory in, by,
unto, and upon them: he is the alone foundation of all being, of whom,
through whom, and to whom are all things;951951Rom. xi. 36.
and hath most sovereign dominion over them, to do by them, for them, or upon
them whatsoever himself pleaseth.952952Rev. iv. 11; 1 Tim. vi. 15; Dan. iv. 25, 35.
In his sight all things are open and manifest;953953Heb. iv. 13.
his knowledge is infinite, infallible, and independent upon the creature;954 | |
