The Origin and Formation of the Westminster Confession of Faith

8/12/2019 The Origin and Formation of the Westminster Confession of Faith

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THE ORIGIN AND FORMATION OF THEWESTMINSTER CONFESSION OF FAITH

As early as 1540, two great tyes o! t"e re!or# o! rel$g$o% $% %ort"er% E&roe "a'

#a'e t"e#sel(es #a%$!est) *&t"er "a' #ol'e' t"e o%e tye) Cal($% "a' #ol'e', or+eg&% t"e #ol'$%g o!, t"e ot"er) *&t"er was !or reta$%$%g o! #e'$e(al 'otr$%e,go(er%#e%t, wors"$, #a%y t"$%gs - w"ate(er see#e' to "$# 'es$ra+le a%' %ot!or+$''e% $% t"e Wor' o! Go') Cal($% was !or +r$%g$%g t"e C"&r" $%to o%!or#$tyw$t" t"e atter% s"ow% $% t"e Wor') He wo&l' "a(e t"e C"&r" "ol' t"e !a$t"ta&g"t $% t"e Wor', go(er% $tsel! aor'$%g to t"e r$%$les ta&g"t $% t"e Wor', a%'o%'&t $ts e.er$ses o! wors"$ aor'$%g to #a.$#s 'er$(a+le !ro# t"e Wor') He+el$e(e' $% t"e s&!!$$e%y o! t"e Sr$t&res as a r&le o! !a$t" a%' rat$e, a%'wo&l' "a(e "a' t"e C"&r" o%!or# $% all resets to Sr$t&re tea"$%g)*&t"era%$s# was t"e great tye o! #o'erate re!or# $% %ort"er% E&roe) Cal($%$s#was t"e great tye o! t"oro&g"go$%g re!or#) Ow$%g to t"e e&l$ar ge%$&s o! t"eGer#a% eole a%' to t"e e&l$ar !a(or$%g ro($'e%es, *&t"era%$s# re(a$le'

w$'ely t"ro&g"o&t %ort" Ger#a%y a%' Sa%'$%a($a, +&t %ot a !ew $% t"ese reg$o%sar(e' a #ore t"oro&g"go$%g re!or#) Ow$%g to t"e e&l$ar ge%$&s o! t"e Fre%",t"e D&t", a%' so&t" Ger#a%s, a%' to !a(or$%g ro($'e%es, Cal($%$s# re(a$le' $%Fra%e, $% t"e Net"erla%'s, a%' $% erta$% so&t" Ger#a% States a%' $t$es/ a#o%gstt"ese eoles, "owe(er, t"ere were so#e w"o "a' a greater lo(e !or !eat&res o!t"e #e'$e(al C"&r" a%' wo&l' "a(e reta$%e' t"e#) T"ere were, t"&s, o% t"eCo%t$%e%t two great tyes o! re!or# #o(e#e%t, t"e o%e 'o#$%a%t $% t"e o%e&arter, a%' ot"er 'o#$%a%t $% ot"er &arters) At t"e sa#e t$#e, $% t"e s"erew$t"$% w"$" #o'erate re!or# re(a$le' t"ere was #ore or less 'e#a%' !ort"oro&g"go$%g re!or#/ a%' $% t"e s"ere w$t"$% w"$" t"oro&g"go$%g re!or#re(a$le' t"ere was #ore or less 'es$re !or #erely #o'erate re!or#)

I% E%gla%', also, two tyes o! re!or# were learly #a%$!est !ro# t"e early 'ays o!&ee% El$2a+et", t"e o%e a #o'erate, t"e ot"er a tye te%'$%g to t"oro&g"go$%gre!or#, ea" tye $%'$ge%o&s, +&t ea" tye stre%gt"e%e' +y $%!l&e%es !ro#+eyo%' t"e C"a%%el) T"e 'e(elo#e%t o! t"ese two tyes o! eles$ast$al re!or#$% E%gla%' was #$g"t$ly $%!l&e%e' +y t"e at$o% o! t"e row%, t"e o%e tye +e$%gswer(e' +y attrat$o%, t"e ot"er st$#&late' +y oos$t$o%) I% %o ot"er o&%try '$'t"e t"ro%e $%!l&e%e t"e "arater o! re!or# so greatly) T"$s was ow$%g to t"$s !at,a#o%gst ot"er !ores, t"at t"e "ea' o! t"e E%gl$s" State "a' +ee% #a'e t"e "ea'o! t"e E%gl$s" C"&r") He%ry 3III "a', !or erso%al a%', $% t"e #a$%, +ase reaso%s,re(olte' !ro# t"e aal r&le/ a%' "a' se&re' at t"e "a%'s o! arl$a#e%t $% 154t"e 6At o! S&re#ay,6 w"$" or'ere' t"at t"e 7$%g 6s"all +e ta8e%, aete' a%'re&te' t"e o%ly s&re#e Hea' $% eart" o! t"e C"&r" o! E%gla%', a%' s"all "a(ea%' e%9oy a%%e.e' a%' &%$te' to t"e I#er$al Crow% o! t"$s real# as well t"e t$tlea%' style t"ereo! as all t"e "o%ors, 9&r$s'$t$o%s, a&t"or$t$es, $##&%$t$es, ro!$ts a%'o##o'$t$es to t"e sa$' '$g%$ty +elo%g$%g, w$t" !&ll ower to ($s$t, reress, re'ress,re!or#, a%' a#e%'all s&" errors, "eres$es, a+&ses, o%te#ts a%' e%or#$t$es,w"$", +y a%y #a%%er o! s$r$t&al a&t"or$ty or 9&r$s'$t$o% #$g"t or #ay law!&lly +ere!or#e')6 W"$le He%ry (a$llate' so#ew"at $% "$s att$t&'e towar' t"e re!or##o(e#e%t, ow$%g to ol$t$al e.$ge%$es, a%' &%w$tt$%gly !&rt"ere' rotesta%t$s# att$#es, as $% a&t"or$2$%g t"e &+l$at$o% o! t"e Sr$t&res $% t"e (er%a&lar, "ere#a$%e', at "eart a Ro#a%$st, $% re(olt aga$%st aal r&le, a%' was "ost$le to a%yrerese%tat$(e o! re!or# o! e$t"er tye w"o was +ol' e%o&g" stea'$ly to #a$%ta$%"$s o%($t$o%s) D&r$%g t"e re$g% o! "$s so%, E'war', #o'erate re!or# was !a(ore')D&r$%g t"e re$g% o! Mary, w"o s&ee'e' E'war', e(ery tye o! re!or# was +$tterlya%' rele%tlessly erse&te') No less t"a% two "&%'re' a%' e$g"ty erso%s were

+&r%e' at t"e sta8e, a%' #a%y "&%'re's o! erso%s were 'r$(e% $%to e.$le) :y t"er&t"less%ess o! "er oos$t$o% Mary '$' #&", "owe(er, to !ert$l$2e a%' st$#&late


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t"e rotesta%t a&se) S"e was s&ee'e', $% 155;, +y "er "al!-s$ster, El$2a+et")T"$s last rerese%tat$(e o! t"e Ho&se o! T&'or, t"o&g" at "eart "ol'$%g a rel$g$o%%ot (ery '$!!ere%t !ro# t"e A%glo-Cat"ol$$s# o! "er !at"er, so !ar as s"e "a' a%yrel$g$o%, was !ore' +y $rsta%es to !a(or rotesta%t$s#) Nat&rally, s"e !a(ore'#o'erate re!or# a%' !o&g"t t"oro&g"go$%g re!or#) T"$s a%' "er l&st !or ower le'"er to res$st o%st$t&t$o%al "a%ges t"at were roose' $% t"e C"&r", 9&st w"ere

s"e lease') A% ar$storat$ "$erar"y, t"o&g" w$t" %o+le e.et$o%s, %at&rally also,s$'e' w$t" "er $% reress$%g +ot" t"e $($l a%' t"e rel$g$o&s l$+ert$es o! t"e eole)W$t" El$2a+et" t"e T&'or 'y%asty +ea#e e.t$%t) T"e St&art 'y%asty s&ee'e' tot"e t"ro%e $% t"e erso% o! s re$g% t"ey ret&r%e' t"oro&g"ly$#+&e' w$t" t"ose ($ews o! Sr$t&re tr&t" w"$" "e ta&g"t w$t" lar$ty a%' !oreelsew"ere &%arallele') T"e Cal($%$st$ t"eology +ea#e t"e t"eology o! t"e great#e% o! t"e A%gl$a% C"&r" '&r$%g t"e !$rst !orty years o! El$2a+et">s re$g%) T"e#ost o! t"ese great #e% wo&l' w$ll$%gly "a(e tolerate' a #ore t"oro&g"go$%gre!or# o! t"e go(er%#e%t a%' wors"$ o! t"e C"&r") So#e o! t"e# os$t$(ely a%'oe%ly !a(ore' !&rt"er re!or# $% t"ese 'eart#e%ts) :&t El$2a+et" stoo' $% t"e way)I% 15= t"e !or#&lar$es o! t"e A%gl$a% C"&r" were o#lete', o%ta$%$%grotesta%t 'otr$%es alo%g w$t" a #e'$e(al "$erar"y a%' art$ally #e'$e(al &lt&s)I% t"e !ollow$%g year t"e &ee% +ega% t"e atte#t to e%!ore a r$g$' &%$!or#$ty - a%atte#t res&lt$%g $% t"e e.&ls$o% !ro# t"e Esta+l$s"e' C"&r" o! #a%y o! t"e

go'l$est #$%$sters o! all E%gla%') F&rt"er tro&+le arose o(er t"e r$(ate #eet$%gs!or wors"$ $% *o%'o% at w"$" 7%o.>s :oo8 o! Co##o% Or'er was &se' $%stea' o!t"e *$t&rgy, a%' o(er t"e #ore &+l$ #eet$%gs 8%ow% as ro"esy$%gs - gat"er$%gso! #$%$sters a%' $o&s lay#e% !or t"e st&'y a%' e.os$t$o% o! t"e Sr$t&res - (ery$#orta%t #eet$%gs, as ro(e% $% t"e$r &se $% ?&r$", Ge%e(a, a%' Sotla%')El$2a+et" o##a%'e' t"e$r s&ress$o%) :e!ore El$2a+et" "a' +ee% o% t"e t"ro%e asore o! years a o%s$'era+le %+er o! a'(oates o! t"oro&g"go$%g re!or#, 6w"o"a' +ee% le' o% to s&+sta%t$ally res+yter$a% o$%$o%s, +&t '$so&rage' +y !r$e%'sa+roa' a%' 'e+arre' +y t"e a&t"or$t$es at "o#e !ro# o(ertly see'$%g !ro# t"e%at$o%al "&r", +ega% to "ol' seret r$(ate #eet$%gs !or #&t&al o%!ere%e a%'rayer, a%' oss$+ly also !or t"e e.er$se o! '$s$l$%e o(er t"ose w"o (ol&%tar$ly

9o$%e' t"e$r asso$at$o%s a%' s&+#$tte' to t"e$r g&$'a%e) It $s e(e% sa$' t"at ares+ytery was !or#e' at Wa%'swort" $% S&rrey, w"ere$% ele(e% lay-el'ers wereasso$ate' w$t" t"e let&rer o! t"at o%gregat$o% a%' erta$% lea'$%g &r$ta%lergy#e%) :&t $! t"$s was really a !or#al res+ytery, $t $s ro+a+le t"at $t was


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w"at was t"e% alle' t"e lesser res+ytery or sess$o%, %ot t"e greater res+ytery orlass$s to w"$" t"e %a#e $s %ow &s&ally restr$te') It $s #ore erta$% t"at w"e%Cartwr$g"t, t"e re'o&+te' lea'er o! t"$s s"ool o! &r$ta%s, was arreste' $% 15;5a%' "$s st&'y sear"e', a oy was !o&%' o! a D$retory !or "&r"-go(er%#e%t,w"$" #a'e ro($s$o% !or sy%o's, ro($%$al a%' %at$o%al, as well as !orres+yter$es, greater a%' lesser) T"$s, aor'$%g to so#e a&t"or$t$es, "a' +ee%

s&+sr$+e' +y a+o&t !$(e "&%'re' &r$ta%s o! t"$s s"ool, a%', !or so#e years ) ) )"a', to a erta$% e.te%t, +ee% arr$e' o&t, a%' a "&r" w$t"$% t"e "&r" ($rt&ally!or#e')6 T"ese a%' all ot"er e.ress$o%s o! t"oro&g"go$%g re!or# El$2a+et" '$' "er&t#ost to sta# o&t, &s$%g t"e 'esot$ Co&rts o! Star C"a#+er a%' H$g"Co##$ss$o% w$t"o&t regar' to t"e !eel$%gs a%' o%($t$o%s o! #a%y o! t"e #ostatr$ot$, lear%e', a%' C"r$st$a% o! "er s&+9ets, +&t w$t" '$sastro&s !a$l&re as t"eres&lt) Her tyra%%$al #eas&res alle' o&t a%' 'e(eloe' lo(e !or t"e #ore +$+l$al!or# o! rel$g$o% w"$" s"e erse&te') T"ey #&lt$l$e' t"e a'(oates o!t"oro&g"go$%g re!or#, or &r$ta%s, as t"ey a#e early to +e alle' $% E%gla%')

It "as +ee% sa$' t"at t"e "$e! t"$%g !or w"$" t"e &r$ta%s all alo%g o%te%'e' wast"e 6r$%$le t"at t"e "&r" "as %o r$g"t to +&r'e% t"e o%s$e%es o! "er

#e#+ers $% #atters o! !a$t" a%' wors"$ w$t" a&g"t t"at $s o%trary to or +es$'e@$)e),$% a''$t$o% to t"e e.ress or $#l$$t tea"$%g o! t"e Wor' o! Go',6 t"at t"eywo&l' restr$t t"e a&t"or$ty o! t"e "&r" w$t"$% %arrower l$#$ts t"a% t"e$roo%e%ts/ t"at t"ey '$' %ot at !$rst ere$(e t"e !&ll $#ort o! t"e r$%$le !orw"$" t"ey o%te%'e'/ t"at t"ey were rel&ta%t to e.te%' $t r$g$'ly to t"eo%st$t&t$o% a%' go(er%#e%t o! t"e "&r" as well as to "er art$les o! !a$t" a%'!or#s o! wors"$/ +&t t"at, as t"e o%test roee'e', t"ey o&l' %ot !a$l to +e le'o% #ore a%' #ore '$st$%tly to assert $t w$t" a !&ller o%s$o&s%ess o! $ts !ar-rea"$%g o%se&e%es, a%' a #ore ear%est lo%g$%g to +r$%g +a8 t"e "&r" $%o%st$t&t$o% a%' go(er%#e%t as well as $% !a$t" a%' wors"$, to w"at t"ey +el$e(e'to +e t"e atter% s"owe' $% t"e #o&%t)6 T"e 'e#a%' !or a !&rt"er re!or#at$o% o!rel$g$o% "a' grow% great $% E%gla%' as early as t"e 'eat" o! El$2a+et" a%' t"e

s&ess$o% o!


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C"arles I $%"er$te' t"e a+sol&t$st ($ews o! "$s !at"er $% $%te%s$!$e' !or#) He was "e$ralso to t"e &%rest, '$ssat$s!at$o%, a%' a+"orre%e o! St&art ar+$trar$%ess w"$" #eas&res "a' reate') T"e o%!l$t we%t o%) Ot"er ro(oat$o%s were g$(e%t"e lo(ers o! l$+erty a%' tr&t") C"arles la$#e' a%' e.er$se' t"e a&t"or$ty to le(ya%' ollet ta.es - a% a&t"or$ty w"$" +elo%ge' to t"e arl$a#e%t as t"ererese%tat$(e o! t"e eole) He as$re' to r&le as '$' *o&$s I3 o! Fra%e) T"e

H&g&e%ots o! Fra%e a%' t"e *&t"era%s o! De%#ar8 were go$%g 'ow% +e!oreRo#a% Cat"ol$s/ a%' 7$%g C"arles was s"ow$%g !a(or to Ro#a%$sts, "a' aRo#a%$st w$!e, a%' #$g"t g$(e t"e# a Ro#a% Cat"ol$ 8$%g $% t"e %e.t ge%erat$o%)T"e 8$%g a%' Ar"+$s"o *a&' were ress$%g !or &%$!or#$ty o! $%reas$%g r$g$'$ty) Astress was la$' o% t"e '$($%e r$g"t o! E$soay w"$" &%"&r"e' all %o%-E$soal"&r"es) T"e o##&%$o% ta+le was t&r%e' $%to a% altar) A 'otr$%e o! t"e realrese%e, "ar' !or t"e eole to '$st$%g&$s" !ro# t"e Ro#$s", was a'(oate') So#eo! t"e +$s"os o##e%'e' t"e $%(oat$o%s o! t"e sa$%ts) Ar#$%$&s a%' Ar#$%$a%s att"e t$#e !a(ore' t"e rete%s$o%s o! t"e 8$%g o(er aga$%st t"e arl$a#e%t, a%' were+eg$%%$%g t"e re($s$o% o! t"e ere#o%$al $% a Ro#ewar' '$ret$o%) T"ey were+eo#$%g %ero&s a%' ro#$%e%t, 6so t"at :$s"o Morely +e$%g as8e' w"at t"eAr#$%$a%s "ol', rel$e' w$t" tr&t" as well as w$t, T"ey "ol' t"e +est +$s"or$s a%'

'ea%er$es $% E%gla%')>6

T"e age%ts o! C"arles !or arry$%g o&t "$s ol$$es $% C"&r" a%' State, W$ll$a# *a&'a%' We%twort", were #e% o! "$s s$r$t, %arrow 2ealots) I% e%!or$%g &%$!or#$ty to"$s #e'$e(al$2e' r$t&al, *a&' &se' t"e so&rge, t"e $llory, t"e r$so%, t"e ro$%go! ears, t"e sl$tt$%g o! %oses, a%' ot"er s&" ge%tle ers&as$(es)

T"e l$+ert$es, $($l a%' rel$g$o&s, o! E%gla%' were at sta8e) A war $% +e"al! o! t"esel$+ert$es was at "a%') T"e war $% +e"al! o! a #ore +$+l$al !or# o! rel$g$o% +ega% $%Sotla%') T"e Re!or#at$o% $% esse%t$ally t"e Ge%e(a% !or# "a' +ee% esta+l$s"e' $%t"e %ort"er% 8$%g'o# +etwee% 15=0 a%' 150) T"e str&ggle aga$%st oery o(er, astr&ggle aga$%st relay, last$%g a "&%'re' years, e%s&e') Aga$%st 'eter#$%e'

oos$t$o%,


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aga$%st t"e 8$%g, !ollowe' +y a 'e#a%' !or a+$%et #$%$sters, a%' !or t"e re!ere%eso! C"&r" #atters to a% Asse#+ly o! D$($%es to +e %o#$%ate' +y arl$a#e%t)

C"arles !l&%g "$s sta%'ar's to t"e +ree2e) T"e Ho&se o! Co##o%s aete' t"egage o! +attle) T"e war +ega%)


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$($l$2at$o%, o! a'(a%e $% %at$o%al well-+e$%g a%' rest$ge) T"e #$''le o! t"ese(e%tee%t" e%t&ry was, !ro# a #oral a%' s$r$t&al o$%t o! ($ew, t"e greatest age$% t"e "$story o! E%gla%' to t"e rese%t) %'er t"e ro($'e%e o! Go', t"e *o%garl$a#e%t "a' t"e %o+lest age o! E%gla%' to "ose t"e Asse#+ly !ro#/ a%' $t"ose well as "as aeare')

T"e West#$%ster Asse#+ly was set to wor8, at !$rst, o% a re($s$o% o! t"e T"$rty-N$%eArt$les/ +&t, o% Oto+er 1, 1=4, s"ortly a!ter t"e s$g%$%g o! t"e Sole#% *eag&ea%' Co(e%a%t, w"ere$%, $% or'er to se&re Sott$s" a$' aga$%st t"e 8$%g, arl$a#e%t"a' agree' to #a8e t"e rel$g$o%s o! E%gla%', Sotla%', a%' Irela%' as %early&%$!or# as oss$+le a%' to re!or# rel$g$o% 6aor'$%g to t"e Wor' o! Go', a%' t"ee.a#le o! t"e +est Re!or#e' "&r"es,6 arl$a#e%t '$rete' t"e Asse#+ly to6o%s$'er a#o%g t"e#sel(es o! s&" a '$s$l$%e a%' go(er%#e%t as #ay +e #ostagreea+le to Go'>s "oly wor')6 T"ere&o% t"e Asse#+ly e%tere' at o%e &o% t"ewor8 o! rear$%g a D$retory o! Go(er%#e%t, Wors"$ a%' D$s$l$%e) Delaye' +y#&" o%tro(ersy w$t" t"e I%'ee%'e%t a%' Erast$a% #e#+ers, t"ey '$' %oto#lete t"$s ort$o% o! t"e$r wor8 t$ll %ear t"e e%' o! 1=44) T"e% t"ey +ega%wor8 &o% t"e Cate"$s#s a%' Co%!ess$o% o! Fa$t" s$#&lta%eo&sly) A!ter rogress

w$t" +ot", t"e Asse#+ly resol(e' to !$%$s" t"e Co%!ess$o% o! Fa$t" !$rst a% t"e%o%str&t t"e Cate"$s#s &o% $ts #o'el) Dee#+er , 1=4=, t"ey, $% a +o'y,rese%te' t"e !$%$s"e' Co%!ess$o% to arl$a#e%t) arl$a#e%t reo##$tte' t"e wor8t"at Sr$t&re assages #$g"t +e atta"e' to e(ery art o! $t) Ar$l , 1=4, t"eyreorte' $t !$%$s"e' w$t" !&ll Sr$t&re roo!s o! ea" searate roos$t$o% atta"e't"ereto)

T"e S"orter Cate"$s# was o#lete' a%' reorte' to arl$a#e%t, No(e#+er 5,1=4, a%' t"e larger Cate"$s#, Ar$l 14, 1=4;) Mar" , 1=4;, t"e two Ho&ses"el' a o%!ere%e to o#are t"e$r o$%$o% a+o&t t"e Co%!ess$o% o! Fa$t")R&s"wort" state' t"e res&lt as !ollowsB 6T"e Co##o%s t"$s 'ay, at a o%!ere%e,rese%te' t"e *or's w$t" a Co%!ess$o% o! Fa$t" asse' +y t"e#, w$t" so#e

alterat$o%s @ese$ally o%er%$%g &est$o%s o! '$s$l$%e, ($2B T"at t"ey 'o agreew$t" t"e$r *or's"$s, a%' so w$t" t"e Asse#+ly, $% t"e 'otr$%al art, a%' 'es$re t"esa#e #ay +e #a'e &+l$, t"at t"$s 8$%g'o# a%' all t"e Re!or#e' "&r"es o!C"r$ste%'o#, #ay see t"e arl$a#e%t o! E%gla%' '$!!er %ot $% 'otr$%e)6

It $s la$% !ro# t"e ree'$%g state#e%ts t"at t"e West#$%ster Sta%'ar's were, $%!or#, t"e sta%'ar's o! t"e *o%g arl$a#e%t) T"e West#$%ster Asse#+ly wasao$%te' +y t"e arl$a#e%t) It was s&orte' +y t"at arl$a#e%t) Its ats wereg$(e% (al$'$ty, so !ar as ol$t$al E%gla%' was o%er%e', +y e%at#e%t o! t"atarl$a#e%t) T"e West#$%ster Asse#+ly was a +o'y alle' to a'($se t"at greatarl$a#e%t as to t"e :$+l$al !a$t", ol$ty, a%' wors"$) It $s 9&st as tr&e, "owe(er,t"at t"e arl$a#e%t "a' ta8e% are to o%st$t&te t"e Asse#+ly o! a +o'y o! #e% o!

&%o##o% a+$l$t$es, lear%$%g, a%' go'l$%ess/ 9&st as tr&e t"at $t !ra#e' r&les $%aor' w$t" w"$" t"e Asse#+ly s"o&l' 'o $ts wor8) T"ese reg&lat$o%s $%'$ate'ser$o&s +&s$%ess !or t"e Asse#+ly, a%' t"e &t#ost !ree'o# o! '$s&ss$o%) T"eyro($'e', a#o%gst ot"er t"$%gs, 6t"at e(ery #e#+er, at "$s !$rst e%tra%e $%to t"eAsse#+ly, s"all #a8e ser$o&s a%' sole#% rotestat$o% %ot to #a$%ta$% a%yt"$%g +&tw"at "e +el$e(es to +e t"e tr&t" $% s$%er$ty, w"e% '$so(ere' &%to "$#6/ 6t"at w"ata%y #a% &%'erta8es to ro(e as %eessary, "e s"all #a8e goo' o&t o! t"eSr$t&re)6 T"e r&les o! roe'&re were rea' at t"e +eg$%%$%g o! ea" wee8 or#o%t") So also was t"e !ollow$%g (ow, !ra#e' $% aor' w$t" o%e o! t"ereg&lat$o%sB 6I 'o ser$o&sly ro#$se a%' (ow $% t"e rese%e o! Al#$g"ty Go', t"at$% t"$s Asse#+ly, w"ereo! I a# a #e#+er, I w$ll #a$%ta$% %ot"$%g $% t"e o$%t o!'otr$%e +&t w"at I +el$e(e to +e #ost agreea+le to t"e Wor' o! Go', %or $% o$%t o!

'$s$l$%e, +&t w"at #ay #a8e #ost !or Go'>s glory a%' t"e eae a%' goo' w$ll o!H$s C"&r")6 T"e Asse#+ly %ot o%ly e%9oye', $t was e%o&rage' to, t"e !&llest


7/15

!ree'o# o! 'e+ate, a%' to a% e%'ea(or to set !ort" t"e :$+le !a$t", ol$ty, a%'wors"$)

T"e Asse#+ly "a' a w$'e a&a$%ta%e w$t" ree's, Gree8, *at$%, Co%t$%e%talRe!or#e'/ +&t %at&rally/ $% aor' w$t" t"e A%glo-Sa.o% ge%$&s, $t arr$e' o% t"el$%e o! 'e(elo#e%t +eg&% o% E%gl$s" so$l $% t"e T"$rty-N$%e Art$les, o%t$%&e' +y

t"e !ra#ers o! t"e *a#+et" Art$les @155, o%t$%&e' !&rt"er +y Ar"+$s"o s"er,$% t"e Ir$s" Art$les @1=15, w"o was o%e o! t"e greatest 'otr$%al &r$ta%s o! t"et$#e) W"$le t"e ree' o! t"e West#$%ster Asse#+ly s"ows str$8$%g l$8e%ess to t"eIr$s" Art$les - ro+a+ly $%te%'$%g t"&s to #a8e lear $ts esse%t$al agree#e%t w$t"t"e 'otr$%es o! t"e E%gl$s" a%' Ir$s" Re!or#at$o%, $t $s !ar a+ler, !&ller, a%'s&er$or to a%y o! $ts re'eessors, a%' g$(es roo! t"at t"e Asse#+ly was stea'$ly'o#$%ate' +y $ts a$# to state %ot"$%g t"ere$% w"$" $s %ot e.ressly ta&g"t $% t"eWor' o! Go', or 'er$(a+le t"ere!ro# +y goo' a%' %eessary $%!ere%e) Wor8$%gt"&s $t ro'&e' %ot o%ly t"e #ost log$al a%' #ost o#lete, +&t t"e #ost :$+l$ala%' t"e %o+lest ree' e(er yet ro'&e' $% C"r$ste%'o#)

As soo% as o#lete' t"e Co%!ess$o% o! Fa$t" was +ro&g"t to Sotla%', a%' #ost

!a(ora+ly ree$(e') It was a'ote' +y t"e Sott$s" Ge%eral Asse#+ly, A&g&st ,1=4) T"e Sott$s" arl$a#e%t e%'orse' t"$s at$o%, Fe+r&ary , 1=0) I% 1, t"eol' Sy%o' o! "$la'el"$a t"e !$rst res+yter$a% Sy%o' $% Nort" A#er$a - $% $ts!a#o&s 6A'ot$%g At6 a'ote' t"e Co%!ess$o% o! Fa$t" a%' *arger a%' S"orterCate"$s#s 6as t"e Co%!ess$o%s o! o&r Fa$t")6

Alt"o&g" t"e West#$%ster Asse#+ly e.l&'e' !ro# t"e$r Co%!ess$o% e(eryt"$%g t"eyregar'e' as sa(or$%g o! Erast$a%$s#, yet t"e$r ($ews as to "&r" esta+l$s"#e%tsle' t"e# to o%e'e ower to t"e $($l #ag$strates o%er%$%g rel$g$o&s t"$%gs,w"$" t"e !at"ers o! A#er$a% res+yter$a%$s# wo&l' %ot o%e'e) He%e $% t"e6A'ot$%g At,6 9&st re!erre' to, t"e Sy%o' 'elare' t"at $t '$' %ot ree$(e t"ela&ses relat$%g to t"$s s&+9et @so#e la&ses $% t"e twe%t$et" a%' twe%ty- t"$r'

"aters o! t"e Co%!ess$o%6 $% a%y s&" se%se as to s&ose t"e $($l #ag$strate"at" a o%troll$%g ower o(er Sy%o's w$t" reset to t"e$r e.er$se o! #$%$ster$ala&t"or$ty/ or ower to erse&te a%y !or t"e$r rel$g$o%/ or, $% a%y se%se o%trary tot"e rotesta%t s&ess$o% to t"e t"ro%e o! Great :r$ta$%)6 A%', w"e% t"e Sy%o' wasre($s$%g a%' a#e%'$%g $ts sta%'ar's $% 1;, rearatory to t"e orga%$2at$o% o! t"eGe%eral Asse#+ly o! t"e res+yter$a% C"&r", )S)A), 6$t too8 $%to o%s$'erat$o% t"elast aragra" o! t"e twe%t$et" "ater o! t"e West#$%ster Co%!ess$o% o! Fa$t"/ t"et"$r' aragra" o! t"e twe%ty-t"$r' "ater, a%' t"e !$rst aragra" o! t"e t"$rty-!$rst "ater/ a%', "a($%g #a'e so#e alterat$o%s, agree' t"at t"e sa$' aragra"sas %ow altere' +e r$%te' !or o%s$'erat$o%)6 T"&s altere' a%' a#e%'e', t"eCo%!ess$o% a%' t"e Cate"$s#s were a'ote' as t"e 'otr$%al art o! t"eCo%st$t&t$o% o! t"e res+yter$a% C"&r" $% t"e %$te' States o! A#er$a, a%' so

re#a$%e' t$ll 1;=1) T"e res+yter$a% C"&r" $% t"e %$te' States $% 1;=1 a'ote't"e Sta%'ar's o! t"e res+yter$a% C"&r" $% t"e %$te' States $% A#er$a)

D&r$%g t"e o&rse o! t"e years !ro# 1;=1 to 1 t"e res+yter$a% C"&r" $% t"e%$te' States #a'e a %+er o! a#e%'#e%ts to t"e Co%!ess$o% a%' Cate"$s#s)So#e o! t"ese "a%ges were %ot aeta+le to t"e gro& t"at w$t"'rew to !or# t"eres+yter$a% C"&r" $% A#er$a) It was !elt t"at t"e w$sest o&rse to +e !ollowe'was to ret&r% to t"e or$g$%al A#er$a% !or# o! t"e Co%!ess$o% a%' Cate"$s#s w$t"t"e two #$%or 'elet$o%s #e%t$o%e' $% t"e re!ae !or t"e o%st$t&t$o%al 'oe%tso! t"e %ewly !or#e' C"&r") I% t"e ro($'e%e o! Go', t"$s was t"e $'e%t$al !or#o! t"e Co%!ess$o% a%' Cate"$s#s a'ote' +y t"e Re!or#e' res+yter$a% C"&r",E(a%gel$al Sy%o', so t"at t"ere were %o "a%ges $% t"e 'otr$%al o%st$t&t$o%

re&$re' !or t"at +o'y to 9o$% w$t" t"e res+yter$a% C"&r" $% A#er$a $% 1;)


8/15

AORIGEM E FORMAODAWESTMINSTERConfisso de F

J em 15!" dois #$%ndes &i'os d% $efo$m% d% $e(i#io no no$&e d% E)$o'% &in*%m fei&om%nifes&o+ ,)&e$o &in*% mo(d%do o &i'o )m+ C%(-ino &in*% mo(d%do" o) .ome/o) %mo(d%#em de" do o)&$o+ ,)&e$o foi '%$% % $e&en/o d% do)&$in% medie-%(" #o-e$no"%do$%/o" m)i&%s .ois%s 0 o )e (*e '%$e.i% dese2-e( e no '$oi3ido n% 4%(%-$% deDe)s+ C%(-ino foi '%$% &$%e$ % I#$e2% em .onfo$mid%de .om o '%d$o mos&$%do n%4%(%-$%+ E(e &e$i% % I#$e2% m%n&en*% % f ensin%d% n% 4%(%-$%" se #o-e$n%$ de %.o$do.om os '$in.6'ios ensin%dos n% 4%(%-$%" e $e%(i%$ se)s e7e$.6.ios de .)(&o de %.o$do.om m7im%s de$i--e( d% 4%(%-$%+ E(e %.$edi&%-% n% s)fi.i8n.i% d%s Es.$i&)$%s .omo$e#$% de f e '$&i.%" e &e$i% &ido % I#$e2% o3ede.e$" em &odos os %s'e.&os" o ensino d%Es.$i&)$%+ ,)&e$%nismo e$% do &i'o #$%nde $efo$m% mode$%d% no no$&e d%

E)$o'%+ C%(-inismo e$% do &i'o #$%nde $efo$m% '$of)nd%+ De-ido %o #8nio 'e.)(i%$ do'o-o %(emo e '%$% %s '$o-id8n.i%s 'e.)(i%$ f%-o$e.endo" ()&e$%nismo '$e-%(e.e)%m'(%men&e em &odo no$&e d% A(em%n*% e d% Es.%ndin-i%" m%s no 'o).os ness%s$e#i9es es.)('id% )m% $efo$m% m%is '$of)nd%+ De-ido %o #8nio 'e.)(i%$ dosf$%n.eses" os %(emes *o(%nd8s" e %o s)(" e '%$% f%-o$e.e$ %s '$o-id8n.i%s" o.%(-inismo '$e-%(e.e) n% F$%n/%" n% :o(%nd%" e em .e$&os Es&%dos %(emes do s)( e.id%des; en&$e esses 'o-os" no en&%n&o" *%-i% %(#)ns )e &in*%m )m %mo$ m%io$ '%$%os $e.)$sos d% I#$e2% medie-%( e &e$i% m%n&ido0(os+ :%-i%" %ssim" no Con&inen&e dois#$%ndes &i'os de mo-imen&o de $efo$m%" o domin%n&e no &$imes&$e )m" e o)&$odomin%n&e em o)&$os &$imes&$es+ Ao mesmo &em'o" n% esfe$% em )e % $efo$m%mode$%d% '$e-%(e.e) *%-i% )m% dem%nd% m%is o) menos '%$% $efo$m% '$of)nd%" en% esfe$% den&$o d% )%( $efo$m% '$of)nd% '$e-%(e.e) *%-i% o dese2o m%is o) menos

'%$% % $efo$m% %'en%s mode$%do+

N% In#(%&e$$%" &%m3m" dois &i'os de $efo$m% fo$%m .(%$%men&e m%nifes&% desde os'$imei$os di%s d% $%in*% E(i%3e&*" o mode$%do" o o)&$o &i'o )e &ende % )m% $efo$m%'$of)nd%" .%d% &i'o de ind6#en%s" m%s .%d% &i'o $efo$/%do 'o$ inf()8n.i%s de %(m doC%n%(+ O desen-o(-imen&o desses dois &i'os de $efo$m% e.(esis&i.% n% In#(%&e$$% foifo$&emen&e inf()en.i%d% 'e(% %/o d% .o$o%" o &i'o )e es& sendo des-i%do 'e(%%&$%/o" o o)&$o es&im)(%d% 'e(% o'osi/o+ Em nen*)m o)&$o '%6s fe o &$onoinf()en.i%$ o .%$&e$ de $efo$m%" de modo m)i&o+ Is&o foi de-ido % es&e f%&o" en&$e o)&$%sfo$/%s" )e o .*efe do Es&%do0In#(8s &in*% sido fei&o o .%3e/% d% I#$e2% In#(8s+ :en$" (o#o %'@s %%ssin%&)$% do 4%.&o d% ,i#% So(ene e" onde" % fim de #%$%n&i$ %2)d% .on&$% oses.o.eses $ei" o 4%$(%men&o .on.o$do) em f%e$ %s $e(i#i9es d% In#(%&e$$%" [email protected]% eI$(%nd% .omo )%se )nifo$me )%n&o 'oss6-e( e '%$% $efo$m%$ % $e(i#io ?" se#)ndo %4%(%-$% de De)s" eo e7em'(o d%s me(*o$es i#$e2%s $efo$m%d%s"? 4%$(%men&o di$i#i) %Assem3(i% % ?.onside$%$ en&$e si de &%( dis.i'(in% e #o-e$no" 'ode se$ m%is %#$%d-e(% s%n&% '%(%-$% de De)s+ ? ,o#o %'@s % Assem3(i% en&$o) de )m% -e so3$e o&$%3%(*o de '$e'%$%$ )m $e'e$&@$io de En&id%des #o-e$n%men&%is e Dis.i'(in%+ Adi%d%'o$ m)i&% .on&$o-$si% .om os mem3$os inde'enden&es e E$%s&i%n" e(es no.om'(e&%$%m ess% '%$&e de se) &$%3%(*o %& 'e$&o do fin%( de 1+ En&o e(es.ome/%$%m % &$%3%(*%$ so3$e os C%&e.ismos e Confisso de Fsim)(&%ne%men&e+ De'ois de '$o#$esso .om %m3os" % Assem3(i% $eso(-e) &e$min%$ %

Confisso de F de )m '$imei$o" em se#)id%" .ons&$)i$ o .%&e.ismos em se)mode(o+ !> de deem3$o de 1" e(es" em )m .o$'o" %'$esen&o) % Confisso&e$mino) %o 4%$(%men&o+ 4%$(%men&o $e.ommi&&ed o &$%3%(*o )e '%ss%#ens d%Es.$i&)$% 'ode se$ %ne7%do % .%d% '%$&e de(%+ V de %3$i( de 1X" $e(%&%$%m )e&e$mino) .om '$o-%s Es.$i&)$% .om'(e&% de .%d% '$o'osi/o em se'%$%do % e(eine$en&es+

O C%&e.ismo Meno$ foi .on.()6do e $e(%&%do %o 4%$(%men&o" !5 de no-em3$o de 1X"e )%n&o m%io$ C%&e.ismo" 1 de %3$i( de 1+ de m%$/o de 1" %s d)%s C%s%s$e%(io) )m% .onfe$8n.i% '%$% .om'%$%$ % s)% o'inio so3$e % .onfisso def+ R)s*Bo$&* de.(%$o) o $es)(&%do .omo se#)eQ ?O Commons es&e di%" em )m%.onfe$8n.i%" %'$esen&o) o ,o$ds .om )m% Confisso de F '%sso) 'o$ e(es" .om

%(#)m%s %(&e$%/9es em es'e.i%( so3$e )es&9es de dis.i'(in%" % s%3e$Q )e e(es.on.o$d%m .om se)s sen*o$ios" e %ssim .om % Assem3(ei%" n% '%$&e do)&$in$i%" edese2o o mesmo 'ode se$ &o$n%do '3(i.o" )e es&e $eino e &od%s %s i#$e2%s$efo$m%d%s d% .$is&%nd%de" 'ode -e$ o 4%$(%men&o d% In#(%&e$$% no dife$em emdo)&$in%+ ?

L .(%$o d%s de.(%$%/9es %n&e$io$es de )e os 4%d$9es de Wes&mins&e$ e$%m" n% fo$m%"%s no$m%s do 4%$(%men&o ,on#+ A Assem3(i% de Wes&mins&e$ foi nome%do 'e(o4%$(%men&o+ Foi %'oi%do 'o$ esse 4%$(%men&o+ Se)s %&os fo$%m d%d%s -%(id%de" &%n&o)%n&o 'o(6&i.o In#(%&e$$% es&%-% em .%)s%" 'o$ '$om)(#%/o de )e o 4%$(%men&o+ AAssem3(i% de Wes&mins&e$ foi )m .o$'o .*%m%do '%$% %.onse(*%$ )e o 4%$(%men&o#$%nde )%n&o f 363(i.%" d% 'o(6&i.%" e de .)(&o+ L &o -e$d%de" 'o$m" )e o4%$(%men&o &in*% o .)id%do de .ons&i&)i$ % Assem3(i% de )m .o$'o de *omens de*%3i(id%des in.om)ns" de %'$endi%#em" % 'ied%de e" &o -e$d%dei$o )e en)%d$%do


14/15

de %.o$do .om %s $e#$%s )e % Assem3(ei% de-e f%e$ o se) &$%3%(*o+ Es&es$e#)(%men&os indi.%dos ne#@.io s$io '%$% % Assem3(ei%" e % m%io$ (i3e$d%de dedis.)sso+ E(es '$es&%dos" en&$e o)&$%s .ois%s" ?)e &odos os mem3$os" em s)%'$imei$% en&$%d% n% Assem3(i%" f%$ '$o&es&o s$io e so(ene de no m%n&e$ )%()e$.ois%" m%s o )e e(e %.$edi&% se$ % -e$d%de .om sin.e$id%de" )%ndo des.o3$i)0(*e?"?)e o )e )%()e$ *omem .om'$ome&e0se % '$o-%$" se ne.ess$io" e(e f%$ o 3emd% Es.$i&)$%+ ? As $e#$%s de '$o.edimen&o fo$%m (id%s no in6.io de .%d% sem%n% o)m8s+ Assim &%m3m foi o -o&o se#)in&e" en)%d$%dos de %.o$do .om )m dos$e#)(%men&osQ ?E) f%/o % s$io '$ome&o e 2)$o n% '$esen/% de De)s Todo04ode$oso")e nes&% Assem3(i%" d% )%( so) mem3$o" -o) m%n&e$ n%d% no 'on&o dedo)&$in% m%s o )e e) %.$edi&o se$ m%is %#$%d-e( .om % 4%(%-$% de De)s" nem no'on&o de dis.i'(in%" m%s o )e 'ode f%e$ m%is '%$% % #(@$i% de De)s e% '% e% 3o%-on&%de de S)% I#$e2%+ ? A Assem3(i% no s@ #os&%-%" )e e$% en.o$%2%do" % m%is.om'(e&% (i3e$d%de de de3%&e e de )m esfo$/o '%$% e7'o$ % f d% H63(i%" d% 'o(6&i.%" ede .)(&o+

A Assem3(i% &in*% )m .on*e.imen&o de (%$#)$%" .om .$edos" #$e#o" (%&im" Con&inen&%(

$efo$m%d%" m%s n%&)$%(men&e" de %.o$do .om o #8nio %n#(o0s%7o" $e%(i%d% n%(in*% de desen-o(-imen&o ini.i%d% em so(o In#(8s nos T$in&% e No-e A$&i#os" .on&in)o)'e(os %)&o$es dos %$&i#os ,%m3e&* 15V5" .on&in)o) %ind% 'o$ %$.e3is'o s*e$" nos%$&i#os i$(%nd8s 115" )e foi )m dos m%io$es ')$i&%nos do)&$in$ios d%'o.%+ En)%n&o o .$edo d% Assem3(i% de Wes&mins&e$ mos&$% seme(*%n/% no&-e(.om os %$&i#os i$(%nd8s 0 '$o-%-e(men&e '$e&endendo" %ssim" '%$% &o$n%$ .(%$% % s)%.on.o$dn.i% essen.i%( .om %s do)&$in%s d% Refo$m% In#(8s e I$(%nd8s" 3em m%is.om'e&en&e" m%is .om'(e&o" e s)'e$io$ % )%()e$ dos se)s %n&e.esso$es" e d '$o-%de )e % Assem3(i% foi '$o#$essi-%men&e domin%d% 'o$ se) o32e.&i-o de Es&%don%d% ne(e )e no e7'$ess%men&e ensin%d% n% 4%(%-$% de De)s" o) de(% de$i--eis'o$ infe$8n.i% 3om e ne.ess$io+ T$%3%(*%ndo %ssim" e(e '$od)i) no s@ o m%is(@#i.o e m%is .om'(e&o" m%s o m%is 363(i.% e m%is no3$es .$edo n)n.% '$od)i$%m

%ind% n% .$is&%nd%de+

Assim )e .om'(e&o) % Confisso de F foi (e-%do '%$% % [email protected]%" e m%isf%-o$%-e(men&e $e.e3ido+ Foi %do&%d% 'e(% Assem3(i% Ge$%( d% [email protected]% Assem3(i%"X de %#os&o de 1X+ O 4%$(%men&o es.o.8s %'$o-o) es&% %./o" X de fe-e$ei$o de1V!+ Em 1XV" o S6nodo de Fi(%d(fi% de id%de do S6nodo 4$es3i&e$i%no '$imei$% n%Am$i.% do No$&e 0 n% s)% ?,ei Ado&%$? f%mos%s %'$o-o) % Confisso de F eC%&e.ismos M%io$ e Meno$ ?" .omo %s Confiss9es de noss% f+?

Em3o$% % Assem3(i% de Wes&mins&e$ e7.()6d%s d%s s)%s Confisso &)do )e.onside$%-%m s%3o$e%ndo de E$%s&i%nism" m%s se)s 'on&os de -is&% .omo %es&%3e(e.imen&os i#$e2% (e-o)0os % .ede$ 'ode$ %os m%#is&$%dos .i-is so3$e .ois%s

$e(i#ios%s" )e os '%is do '$es3i&e$i%nismo %me$i.%no no %dmi&i$i%+4o$&%n&o" no ?%.&ode %do'/o"? %'en%s $efe$ido" o S6nodo de.(%$o) )e no $e.e3e) %s .()s)(%s$e(%&i-%s % es&e %ss)n&o %(#)m%s .()s)(%s nos .%'6&)(os PP e -i#simo &e$.ei$o d%Confisso ?em nen*)m sen&ido" .omo s)'o$ % m%#is&$%do .i-i(" &em )m 'ode$ de.on&$o(e so3$e os S6nodos em $e(%/o %o se) e7e$.6.io de %)&o$id%de minis&e$i%(" o)'ode$ '%$% 'e$se#)i$ )%()e$ '%$% % s)% $e(i#io" o)" em )%()e$ sen&ido .on&$$io s).esso '$o&es&%n&e %o &$ono d% G$0H$e&%n*% ?+E" )%ndo o S6nodo es&%-%$e-is%ndo e %(&e$% se)s '%d$9es" em 1XX" '$e'%$%&@$i% '%$% % o$#%ni%/o d%Assem3(i% Ge$%( d% I#$e2% 4$es3i&e$i%n%" EA ?" )e (e-o) em .onside$%/o o (&imo'%$#$%fo do -i#simo .%'6&)(o d% Confisso de F de Wes&mins&e$" o&e$.ei$o '%$#$%fo do .%'6&)(o -i#simo &e$.ei$o" e no '$imei$o '%$#$%fo do .%'6&)(o&$i#simo '$imei$o" e" &endo fei&o %(#)m%s %(&e$%/9es" .on.o$do) )e os '%$#$%fosdisse .omo %#o$% %(&e$%d%s se$ im'$esso '%$% .onside$%/o ?+ Assim %(&e$%do emodifi.%do" % Confisso e os C%&e.ismos fo$%m %do&%dos .omo '%$&e do)&$in%( d%


15/15

Cons&i&)i/o d% I#$e2% 4$es3i&e$i%n% nos Es&%dos nidos d% Am$i.%" e %ssim'e$m%ne.e) %& 11+ D% I#$e2% 4$es3i&e$i%n% nos Es&%dos nidos em 11%'$o-%$%m %s no$m%s d% I#$e2% 4$es3i&e$i%n% nos Es&%dos nidos d% Am$i.%+

D)$%n&e o de.o$$e$ dos %nos 1101VX> d% I#$e2% 4$es3i&e$i%n% nos Es&%dos nidosfe )m% s$ie de %(&e$%/9es Confisso e C%&e.ismos+ A(#)m%s dess%s m)d%n/%sno e$%m %.ei&-eis '%$% o #$)'o )e $e&i$o)0se '%$% fo$m%$ % I#$e2% 4$es3i&e$i%n% nosEs&%dos nidos+ Conside$o)0se )e o m%is sens%&o % se#)i$ e$% '%$% $e&o$n%$ fo$m%o$i#in%( %me$i.%n% d% Confisso e C%&e.ismos .om os dois meno$es e7.()s9esmen.ion%d%s no 4$ef.io '%$% os do.)men&os .ons&i&).ion%is d% I#$e2% $e.m0fo$m%do+ N% '$o-id8n.i% de De)s" es&% foi % fo$m% id8n&i.% d% Confisso e C%&e.ismos%do'&%d% 'e(% I#$e2% Refo$m%d% 4$es3i&e$i%n%" S6nodo E-%n#(i.o" de modo )e no*o)-e m)d%n/%s n% .ons&i&)i/o do)&$in$i% ne.ess$i% '%$% )e o .o$'o '%$% se2)n&%$ .om % I#$e2% 4$es3i&e$i%n% n% Am$i.% em 1V +

Documents

The Origin and Formation of the Westminster Confession of Faith