The Scottish Confession: 'The Gifts Freely Given to the Church'

Posted at Reformed Standards:

First published in 1560

25. The Gifts Freely Given to the Church

Albeit that the Word of God truly preached, the sacraments rightly ministered and discipline executed according to the Word of God, be the certain and infallible signs of the true kirk, yet do we not so mean that every particular person joined with such a company is an elect member of Christ Jesus. For we acknowledge and confess that darnel, cockle, and chaff may be sown, grow and in great abundance lie in the midst of the wheat a, that is, the reprobate may be joined in the society of the elect and may externally use with them the benefits of the Word and sacraments; but such being but temporal professors in mouth, but not in heart, do fall back and continue not to the end. And, therefore, have they no fruit of Christ’s death, resurrection, nor ascension; but such as whose heart unfeignedly believe b and whose mouth boldly confess the Lord Jesus (as before we have said) will most assuredly receive these gifts first in this life, remission of sins, and that by only faith in Christ’s blood c, in so much that albeit sin remains and continually abides in these our mortal bodies, yet is it not imputed unto us, but is remitted and covered with Christ’s justice. Secondarily, in the general judgment there will be given to every man and woman resurrection of the flesh d; for the sea will give up her dead, the earth those that therein be enclosed: yes, our eternal God will stretch out His hand upon the dust and the dead will arise incorruptible and that in the substance of the self same flesh that every man now bears, to receive according to their works, glory, or punishment e. For such as now dealt in vanity, cruelty, filthiness, superstition, or idolatry will be adjudged to that fire inextinguishable in which they will be committed for ever f, as well in their own bodies as in their souls which now they give to serve the devil in all abomination. But such as continue in well doing to the end, boldly professing the Lord Jesus, who constantly believe that they will receive glory, honor, and immortality to reign forever in life everlasting with Christ Jesus, to whose glorified body all His elect will be made like g, when He will appear again to judgment and will render up the kingdom to God His Father, who then will be and ever will remain all in all things h, God blessed forever. To whom with the Son and with the Holy Ghost be all honor and glory, now and ever.

a: Matthew 3, Matthew 13
b: Romans 10
c: John 3, Romans 3-5, Romans 8
d: Isaiah 66, Daniel 12, 1 Corinthians 15, Job 19
e: Romans 2
f: Revelation 20-21
g: 1 John 5
h: 1 Corinthians 15

26. Finis

Arise, O Lord, and let Thy enemies be confounded, let them flee from Thy presence that hate Thy godly name. Give thy servants strength to speak Thy word in boldness, and let all nations attain to Thy true knowledge. So be it.