Chapter 1: Of The Holy Scriptures
The Westminster Confession (1646), the Savoy Declaration (1658) and the Second London Confession (1677/1689), paragraph by paragraph. Marked: what each has that the one before it lacks.
| Westminster Confession of Faith (1646) | Savoy Declaration of Faith and Order (1658) | Second London Baptist Confession of Faith (1689) |
|---|---|---|
Westminster Confession of Faith (1646) 1.1 Although the light of Nature, and the works of Creation and Providence do so farre manifest the Goodnesse, Wisdome, and Power of God, as to leave men unexcusable; yet are they not sufficient to give that knowledge of God and of his Will, which is necessary unto salvation. Therfore it pleased the Lord, at sundry times, and in divers maners, to reveale himself, and to declare that his Will unto his Church; 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 of Satan and of the World; to commit the same wholly unto writing: which maketh the Holy Scripture to be most necessary; those former wayes of Gods revealing his Will unto his people, being now ceased. | Savoy Declaration of Faith and Order (1658) 1.1 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 unexcusable; yet are they not sufficient to give that knowledge of God and of his Will, which is necessary unto salvation: Therefore it pleased the Lord at sundry times, and in divers maners to reveal himself, and to declare that his Will unto his Church; 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 of Satan and of the world, to commit the same wholly unto writing: which maketh the holy Scripture to be most necessary; those former ways of Gods revealing his Will unto his people, being now ceased. | Second London Baptist Confession of Faith (1689) 1.1 The Holy Scripture is the only sufficient, certain, and infallible Rule of all Saving Knowledge, Faith, and Obedience; 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 unexcusable; yet are they not sufficient to give that Knowledge of God and his Will, which is necessary unto Salvation. Therefore it pleased the Lord at sundry times, and in divers manners, to reveal himself, and to declare That his Will unto his Church; and afterward 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 of Satan, and of the World, to commit the same wholly unto Writing; which maketh the Holy Scriptures to be most necessary, those former ways of God’s revealing his Will unto his People being now ceased. |
Westminster Confession of Faith (1646) 1.2 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: Of the Old Testament. Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomie, Joshuah, Judges, Ruth, I. Samuel, II. Samuel, I. Kings, II. Kings, I. Chronicles, II. Chronicles, Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther, Job, Psalmes, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, The Song of Songs, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Lamentations, Ezekiel, Daniel, Hoseah, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, Malachi. Of the New Testament: The Gospels according to Matthew, Mark, Luke, John. The Acts of the Apostles. Pauls Epistles to the Romans, Corinthians I., Corinthians II., Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, Thessalonians I., Thessalonians II., To Timothy I., To Timothy II., To Titus, To Philemon. The Epistle to the Hebrews. The Epistle of James. The first and second Epistles of Peter. The first, second, and third Epistles of John. The Epistle of Jude. The Revelation of John. All which are given by inspiration of God, to be the Rule of Faith and Life. | Savoy Declaration of Faith and Order (1658) 1.2 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: Of the Old Testament. Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy, Joshua, Judges, Ruth, 1 Samuel, 2 Samuel, 1 Kings, 2 Kings, 1 Chronicles, 2 Chronicles, Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther, Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, The Song of Songs, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Lamentations, Ezekiel, Daniel, Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, Malachi. Of the New Testament. Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, The Acts of the Apostles, Pauls Epistle to the Romans, 1 Corinthians, 2 Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, 1 Thessalonians, 2 Thessalonians, 1 to Timothy, 2 to Timothy, To Titus, To Philemon, The Epistle to the Hebrews, The Epistle of James, The first and second Epistles of Peter, The first, second and third Epistles of John, The Epistle of Jude, The Revelation. All which are given by the inspiration of God to be the Rule of Faith and Life. | Second London Baptist Confession of Faith (1689) 1.2 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: Of the Old Testament. Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy, Joshua, Judges, Ruth, 1 Samuel, 2 Samuel, 1 Kings, 2 Kings, 1 Chronicles, 2 Chronicles, Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther, Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes; The Song of Songs, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Lamentations, Ezekiel, Daniel, Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, Malachi. Of the New Testament. Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, The Acts of the Apostles, Paul’s Epistle to the Romans, 1 Corinthians, 2 Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, 1 Thessalonians, 2 Thessalonians, 1 Timothy, 2 Timothy, to Titus, to Philemon, the Epistle to the Hebrews, the Epistle of James, the first and second Epistles of Peter, the first, second and third Epistles of John, the Epistle of Jude, the Revelation. All which are given by the Inspiration of God, to be the Rule of Faith and Life. |
Westminster Confession of Faith (1646) 1.3 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 humane Writings. | Savoy Declaration of Faith and Order (1658) 1.3 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, then other humane writings. | Second London Baptist Confession of Faith (1689) 1.3 The Books commonly called Apocrypha, not being of Divine Inspiration, are no part of the Canon (or Rule) of the Scripture, and therefore are of no Authority to the Church of God, nor to be any otherwise approved, or made use of, than other Humane Writings. |
Westminster Confession of Faith (1646) 1.4 The Authority of the Holy Scripture, for which it ought to be beleeved and obeyed, dependeth not upon the Testimony of any man, or Church; but wholly upon God (who is Truth it selfe) the Author thereof: and therefore it is to be received, because it is the Word of God. | Savoy Declaration of Faith and Order (1658) 1.4 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 it self) the Author thereof; and therefore it is to be received, because it is the Word of God. | Second London Baptist Confession of Faith (1689) 1.4 The Authority of the Holy Scripture, for which it ought to be believed, dependeth not upon the testimony of any Man, or Church, but wholly upon God, (who is Truth itself) the Author thereof; therefore it is to be received because it is the Word of God. |
Westminster Confession of Faith (1646) 1.5 We may be moved and induced by the Testimony of the Church to an high and reverent esteeme of the holy Scripture: And the heavenlinesse 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 mans salvation, the many other incomparable Excellencies, and the intire perfection thereof, are Arguments whereby it doth abundantly evidence it self 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 witnesse by and with the Word, in our hearts. | Savoy Declaration of Faith and Order (1658) 1.5 We may be moved and induced by the Testimony of the Church, to an high and reverent esteem of the holy Scripture. 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 onely way of Mans Salvation, the many other incomparable excellencies, and the intire perfection thereof, are Arguments whereby it doth abundantly evidence it self to be the Word of God; Yet notwithstanding, our full perswasion 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. | Second London Baptist Confession of Faith (1689) 1.5 We may be moved and induced by the testimony of the Church of God, to an high and reverent Esteem of the Holy Scriptures; and the heavenliness of the Matter, the efficacy of the Doctrine, and the majesty of the Stile, 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, and many other incomparable Excellencies, and intire Perfections 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. |
Westminster Confession of Faith (1646) 1.6 The whole Councel of God concerning all things necessary for his own Glory, mans salvation, Faith, and Life, is either expressely 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. Neverthelesse we acknowledge the inward illumination of the Spirit of God to be necessary for the saving understanding of such things as are revealed in the Word: 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 generall Rules of the Word, which are alwayes to be observed. | Savoy Declaration of Faith and Order (1658) 1.6 The whole Counsel of God concerning all things necessary for his own Glory, mans Salvation, Faith and Life, is either expresly 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. Nevertheless we acknowledge the inward illumination of the Spirit of God to be necessary for the saving understanding of such things as are revealed in the Word: And that there are some circumstances concerning the Worship of God and Government of the Church, common to humane 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. | Second London Baptist Confession of Faith (1689) 1.6 The whole Counsel of God concerning all things necessary for his own Glory, Man’s Salvation, Faith and Life, is either expresly set down, or necessarily contained in the Holy Scripture; unto which nothing at any time is to be added, whether by new Revelation of the Spirit, or Traditions of Men. Nevertheless we acknowledge the inward Illumination of the Spirit of God, to be necessary for the saving understanding of such things as are revealed in the Word, and that there are some Circumstances concerning the Worship of God, and Government of the Church, common to Humane 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. |
Westminster Confession of Faith (1646) 1.7 All things in Scripture are not alike plaine in themselves, nor alike cleare unto all: yet those things which are necessary to be known, beleeved, 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. | Savoy Declaration of Faith and Order (1658) 1.7 All things in Scripture are not alike plain in themselves, nor alike clear unto all: 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 onely the learned, but the unlearned, in a due use of the ordinary means, may attain unto a sufficient understanding of them. | Second London Baptist Confession of Faith (1689) 1.7 All things in Scripture are not alike plain in themselves, nor alike clear unto all; 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 ordinary Means, may attain to a sufficient understanding of them. |
Westminster Confession of Faith (1646) 1.8 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 immediatly inspired by God, and by his singular care and providence kept pure in all Ages, are therefore Authenticall; so as, in all Controversies of Religion, the Church is finally to Appeale unto them. But, because these Originall 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, therefore they are to be translated into the vulgar Language of every Nation unto which they come, that the Word of God dwelling plentifully in all, they may worship him in an acceptable manner; and, through patience and comfort of the Scriptures, may have hope. | Savoy Declaration of Faith and Order (1658) 1.8 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 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; so as in all Controversies of Religion the Church is finally to appeal unto them. 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; therefore they are to be translated into the vulgar language of every Nation unto which they come, that the Word of God dwelling plentifully in all, they may worship him in an acceptable maner, and through patience and comfort of the Scriptures may have hope. | Second London Baptist Confession of Faith (1689) 1.8 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 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; so as in all Controversies of Religion, the Church is finally to appeal unto them. But because these original Tongues are not known to all the People of God, who have a right unto, and interest in the Scriptures, and are commanded in the fear of God to read and search them, therefore they are to be translated into the vulgar Language of every Nation, unto which they come, that the Word of God dwelling plentifully in all, they may worship him in an acceptable manner, and through patience and comfort of the Scriptures may hope. |
Westminster Confession of Faith (1646) 1.9 The infallible Rule of Interpretation of Scripture is the Scripture it selfe: and therefore, when there is a Question about the true and full sense of any Scripture (which is not manifold, but one) it must be searched and known by other places that speak more clearly. | Savoy Declaration of Faith and Order (1658) 1.9 The infallible Rule of Interpretation of Scripture, is the Scripture it self; And therefore when there is a question about the true and full sense of any Scripture (which is not manifold, but one) it must be searched and known by other places, that speak more clearly. | Second London Baptist Confession of Faith (1689) 1.9 The infallible Rule of Interpretation of Scripture is the Scripture itself: And therefore when there is a question about the true and full sence of any Scripture, (which is not manifold but one) it must be searched by other Places, that speak more clearly. |
Westminster Confession of Faith (1646) 1.10 The Supreme Judge by which all Controversies of Religion are to be determined, and all Decrees of Councels, Opinions of Ancient Writers, Doctrines of men, and private spirits, are to be examined; and, in whose Sentence we are to rest; can be no other but the Holy Spirit speaking in the Scripture. | Savoy Declaration of Faith and Order (1658) 1.10 The Supreme Judge by which all controversies of Religion are to be determined, and all Decrees of Councels, Opinions of ancient Writers, Doctrines of men and private Spirits, are to be examined, and in whose Sentence we are to rest, can be no other, but the holy Scripture delivered by the Spirit; into which Scripture so delivered, our Faith is finally resolved. | Second London Baptist Confession of Faith (1689) 1.10 The supream Judge by which all Controversies of Religion are to be determined, and all Decrees of Counsels, Opinions of ancient Writers, Doctrines of Men, and private Spirits, are to be examined, and in whose Sentence we are to rest, can be no other but the Holy Scripture delivered by the Spirit, into which Scripture so delivered, our Faith is finally resolved. |