APPENDIX.
ENGLISH VERSION OF
THE SECOND HELVETIC CONFESSION, A.D. 1566.
(Comp. Vol. III. pp. 233-306.)
[In view of the full summary of this important Confession in Vol. I. 306-420, a translation was omitted in the previous editions of Vol. III. But as the volumes are now sold separately, it is herewith added in the third addition. Several chapters are taken, with slight changes, from the old English translation in The Harmony of Reformed Confession, Cambridge, 1586; 2d ed. London, 1643; and again, ibid. 1842. The division of chapters into sections is conformed to the Latin text, pp. 233-306.]
CHAPTER I.—OF THE HOLY SCRIPTURE BEING THE TRUE WORD OF GOD.
We believe and confess the Canonical Scriptures of the holy prophets and apostles of both Testaments to be the true Word of God, and to have sufficient authority of themselves, not of men. For God himself spake to the fathers, prophets, apostles, and still speaks to us through the Holy Scriptures.
And in this Holy Scripture, the universal Church of Christ has all things fully expounded which belong to a saving faith, and also to the framing of a life acceptable to God; and in this respect it is expressly commanded of God that nothing be either put to or taken from the same (Deut. iv. 2; Rev. xxii. 18, 19).
We judge, therefore, that from these Scriptures are to be taken true wisdom and godliness, the reformation and government of churches; as also instruction in all duties of piety; and, to be short, the confirmation of doctrines, and the confutation of all errors, with all exhortations; according to the word of the Apostle ‘All Scripture given by inspiration of God is profitable for doctrine, for reproof,’ etc. (2 Tim. iii. 16, 17). Again, ‘These things write I unto thee,’ says the Apostle to Timothy, ‘that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God,’ etc. (1 Tim. iii. 14, 15). Again, the self-same Apostle to the Thessalonians: ‘When,’ says he, ‘ye received the word of us, ye received not the word of men, but as it was indeed, the Word of God,’ etc. (1 Thess. ii. 13). For the Lord himself has
