The History of the Reformation of the Church of Scotland

The Confession of Faith professed and believed by the Protestants within the Realm of Scotland, published by them in Parliament, and by the Estates thereof Ratified and Approved, as wholesome and sound Doctrine, grounded upon the infallible Truth of God. MATTH. 24. And this glad Tidings of the Kingdom shall be preached throughout the whole world for a Witness unto all Nations, and then shall the end come. The Preface. The States of Scotland, with the Inhabitants of the same professing Christ Jesus his holy Gospel, To their natural Country-men, and unto all other Realms and Nations professing the same Lord Jesus with them, Wish Grace, Mercy, and Peace, from God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, with the Spirit of righteous Judgement, for Salvation. Long have we thirsted (dear Brethren) to have notified unto the world the sum of that Doctrine which we profess, and for the which we have sustained infamy and danger. But such hath been the rage of Satan against us, and against Christ Jesus his Eternal Verity lately now again borne amongst us, that to this day no time hath been granted unto us, to clear our consciences, as most gladly we would have done: For how we have been tossed a whole year past, the most part of Europe (as we do suppose) doth understand. But seeing that of the infinite goodness of our God (who never suffereth his afflicted utterly to be confounded) above expectation, have we obtained some rest and liberty, we could not but set forth this brief ⟨p. 253⟩and plain Confession of such Doctrine as is proposed unto us, and as we believe and profess; partly for satisfaction of our Brethren, whose hearts, we doubt not, have been, and yet are, wounded by the despiteful railing of such as yet have not learned to speak well: And partly for stopping the mouths of impudent blasphemers, who boldly condemn that which they neither heard nor understood: Not that we judge that the cankered malice of such is able to be cured by this simple Confession; No, we know that the sweet savour of the Gospel is and shall be death unto the sons of perdition. But we have chief respect to our weak and infirm Brethren, to whom we would communicate the bottom of our hearts, lest that they be troubled or carried away by diversity of rumours which Satan spreadeth against us, to the defeating of this our most godly enterprise;

The Confession of Faith professed and believed by the Protestants within the Realme of Scotland, published by them in Parliament, and by the Estates thereof Ratified and Approved, as wholesome and sound Doctrine, grounded upon the infallible Truth of God.