1.1
Of the Holy Scripture and the Three Creeds
The ground of our religion and the rule of faith and all saving truth is the Word of God, contained in the holy Scripture.
1.2
Of the Holy Scripture and the Three Creeds
By the name of holy Scripture we understand all the Canonical Books of the Old and New Testament, viz.: Of the Old Testament. The Five Books of Moses. Job. Joshua. Psalms. Judges. Proverbs. Ruth. Ecclesiastes. The First and Second of Samuel. The Song of Solomon. The First and Second of Kings. Isaiah. The First and Second of Chronicles. Jeremiah, his Prophecy and Lamentation. Ezra. Ezekiel. Nehemiah. Daniel. Esther. The Twelve lesser Prophets. Of the New Testament. The Gospels according to Luke, Matthew, John, Mark, The Acts of the Apostles. The Epistle of St. Paul to the Romans. Titus. II. Corinthians. Philemon. Galatians. Hebrews. Ephesians. The Epistle of St. James. Philippians. St. Peter II. Colossians. St. John III. II. Thessalonians. St. Jude. II. Timothy The Revelation of St. John. All which we acknowledge to be given by the inspiration of God, and in that regard to be of most certain credit and highest authority.
1.3
Of the Holy Scripture and the Three Creeds
The other Books, commonly called Apocryphal, did not proceed from such inspiration, and therefore are not of sufficient authority to establish any point of doctrine; but the Church doth read them as Books containing many worthy things for example of life and instruction of manners. Such are these following: The Third Book of Esdras. Baruch, with the Epistle of Jeremiah. The Fourth Book of Esdras. The Song of the Three Children. The Book of Tobias. Susanna. The Book of Judith. Bell and the Dragon. Additions to the Book of Esther. The Prayer of Manasses. The Book of Wisdom. The First Book of Maccabæus. The Book of Jesus, the Son of Sarah, called Ecclesiasticus. The Second Book of Maccabæus.
1.4
Of the Holy Scripture and the Three Creeds
The Scriptures ought to be translated out of the original tongues into all languages for the common use of all men: neither is any person to be discouraged from reading the Bible in such a language as he doth understand, but seriously exhorted to read the same with great humility and reverence, as a special means to bring him to the true knowledge of God and of his own duty.
1.5
Of the Holy Scripture and the Three Creeds
Although there be some hard things in the Scripture (especially such as have proper relation to the times in which they were first uttered, and prophecies of things which were afterwards to be fulfilled), yet all things necessary to be known unto everlasting salvation are clearly delivered therein; and nothing of that kind is spoken under dark mysteries in one place which is not in other places spoken more familiarly and plainly, to the capacity both of learned and unlearned.
1.6
Of the Holy Scripture and the Three Creeds
The holy Scriptures contain all things necessary to salvation, and are able to instruct sufficiently in all points of faith that we are bound to believe, and all good duties that we are bound to practice.
1.7
Of the Holy Scripture and the Three Creeds
All and every the Articles contained in the Nicene Creed, the Creed of Athanasius, and that which is commonly called the Apostles' Creed, ought firmly to be received and believed, for they may be proved by most certain warrant of holy Scripture.