Philip Schaff · 35 of 85
The Westminster Confession of Faith, A.D. 1647. With the American Alterations.
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.']
The above section is changed in the American revision, and adapted to the separation of Church and State, as follows:
[III. Civil magistrates may not assume to themselves the administration of the Word and (2 Chron. xxvi. 18); or the power of the keys of the kingdom of heaven (Matt. xvi. 19; 1 Cor. iv. 1, 2); or, in the least, interfere in matters of faith (John xviii. 36; Mal. ii. 7; Acts v. 29). Yet as nursing fathers, it is the duty of civil magistrates to protect the Church of our common Lord, without giving the preference to any denomination of Christians above the rest, in such a manner that all ecclesiastical persons whatever shall enjoy the full, free, and unquestioned liberty of discharging every part of their sacred functions, without violence or danger (Isa. xlix. 23). And, as Jesus Christ hath appointed a regular government and discipline in his Church, no law of any commonwealth should interfere with, let, or hinder, the due exercise thereof, among the voluntary members of any denomination of Christians, according to their own profession and belief (Psa. cv. 15; Acts xviii. 14–16). It is the duty of civil magistrates to protect the person and good name of all their people, in such an effectual manner as that no person be suffered, either upon pretence of religion or , to offer any indignity, violence, abuse, or injury to any other person whatsoever: and to take order, that all religious and ecclesiastical assemblies be held without molestation or disturbance (2 Sam. xxiii. 3; 1 Tim. ii. 1; Rom. xiii. 4).]
The American edition here adds the following:
[And it belongeth to the overseers and other rulers of the particular churches, by virtue of their office, and the power which Christ hath given them for edification, and not for destruction, to appoint such assemblies (Acts xv.); and to convene together in them, as often as they shall judge it expedient for the good of the Church (Acts xv. 22, 23, 25).]
