Negative confession

"Negative (or Royal ) Confession" ( English Negative Confession ) - a document that enshrines the general principles of the Protestant religion of Scotland , approved by King James VI in 1581 .

The Negative Confession was a statement of Calvinist doctrine in the form of a denial of Catholic dogma . As conceived by its author, John Craig, a student of the Scottish reformer John Knox , “Negative Confession” was to be the new covenant made between the Lord and the people. In many ways, the document repeated the provisions of the Protestant creed , approved by the Parliament of Scotland after the victory of the Protestant revolution in 1560 , but was distinguished by a sharper denial of Catholic dogmas, including the five sacraments , the priestly mission of the clergy, the order of Catholic worship, the theory of transubstantiation and decisions of the Council of Trent . The Negative Confession was signed by the king on January 28, 1581, after which it was approved by the General Assembly of the Scottish Church and signed by representatives of all classes. The Negative Confession did not mention the Presbyterian organization of the church, since at the time of its adoption, state power opposed the Presbyterian transformations in the country.

Acceptance of the provisions of the Negative Confession became later one of the main conditions for filling government posts in Scotland, and in 1638 this document formed the basis of the National Covenant . The adoption of the Negative Confession by King Charles II in 1650 opened up the possibility of restoration to him on the Scottish throne.