CHAPTER TITLES
FOREWORD
THE BAPTIST CONFESSION OF FAITH
ENDING STATEMENT AND SIGNATORIES
1. Of the Holy Scriptures
2. Of God and the Holy Trinity
3. Of God's Decree
4. Of Creation
5. Of Divine
6. Of the Fall of Man, of Sin, and of the Punishment thereof
7. Of God's Covenant
8. Of Christ the Mediator
9. Of Free Will
10. Of Effectual Calling
11. Of Justification
12. Of Adoption
13. Of Sanctification
14. Of Saving Faith
15. Of Repentance unto Life and Salvation
16. Of Good Works
17. Of the Perseverance of the Saints
18. Of the Assurance of Grace and Salvation
19. Of the Law of God
20. Of the Gospel and the Extent of Grace thereof
21. Of Christian Liberty and
22. Of Religious Worship and the Sabbath Day
23. Of Lawful Oaths and Vows
24. Of the Civil Magistrate
25. Of Marriage
26. Of the Church
27. Of the Communion of Saints
28. Of Baptism and the Lord's Supper
29. Of Baptism
30. Of the Lord's Supper
31. Of the State of
32. Of the Last Judgment
‘I have thought it right to reprint in a
cheap form this excellent list of doctrines, which were subscribed to by the
Baptist Ministers in the year 1689. We need a banner because of the
truth; it may be that this small volume may aid the cause of the glorious
gospel by testifying plainly what are its leading doctrines . . . May the L=
ord
soon restore unto His Zion a pure language, and may her watchmen see eye to
eye.’ So wrote the young C.H. Spurgeon, then in the second year=
of
his ministry at New Park Street Chapel, Southwark, in
a preface addressed to All the Household of Faith, who rejoice in the glori=
ous
doctrines of Free Grace with which he prefixed this Confession when he
published it in October, 1855.
The Confession itself was first compiled by the El=
ders
and Brethren of many congregations of Christians, baptized upon their
profession of faith, in London and the country (as they then described
themselves) in the year 1677. It was based upon, and drew its inspira=
tion
from the Confession drawn up by the Westminster Assembly of Divines a
generation earlier, and indeed differs only from it in its teaching upon th=
ose
matters, such as baptism, the Lord's Supper, and church government, upon wh=
ich
among the Reformed churches the Baptists differ from the Presbyterians.&nbs=
p;
For fear of persecution, the compilers of the 1677 Confession did not subsc=
ribe
their names to it, but when, in September, 1689, following the Revolution of
the previous year, the Ministers and Messengers of the churches were able to
meet in more peaceful times, thirty-seven of them, including all the most
eminent Baptist ministers of the day, set their names to the recommendation
with which it was circulated among the churches. Thereafter for betwe=
en
150 and 200 years it remained the definitive Confession of Faith of the
Particular (or Calvinistic) Baptist churches of
Mr. Spurgeon did not, however, when he republished
this Confession, merely preface it with certain words of general
commendation. He also addressed to his own church at
‘This little volume,’ he wrote, ‘=
;is
not issued as an authoritative rule, or code of faith, whereby you are to be
fettered, but as an assistance to you in controversy, a confirmation in fai=
th,
and a means of edification in righteousness. Here the younger members=
of
our church will have a body of divinity in small compass, and by means of t=
he
scriptural proofs, will be ready to give a reason for the hope that is in t=
hem.
Be not ashamed of your faith; remember it is the a=
ncient
gospel of the martyrs, confessors, reformers, and saints. Above all, =
it
is the truth of God, against which all the gates of Hell cannot prevail.&nb=
sp;
Let your lives adorn your faith, let your example adorn your creed. A=
bove
all live in Christ Jesus, and walk in Him, giving credence to no teaching b=
ut
that which is manifestly approved of Him, and owned by the Holy Spirit.&nbs=
p;
Cleave fast to the Word of God which is here mapped out for you.’&nbs=
p;
This new edition of the Confession is sent out as a private venture by a sm=
all
group of Baptists who are convinced that it has a message for this generati=
on
and believe its publication to be long overdue. They hope it will ach=
ieve
a wide circulation among the churches, and receive the close study which th=
ey
believe it will richly repay.
In
Presbyterians and Congregationalists suffered less
than did Baptists under this harassment. No little reason for their
relative success in resisting government tyranny was their united front of
doctrinal agreement. All Presbyterians stood by their Westminster
Confession of 1646. Congregationalists adopted virtually the same
articles of faith in the Savoy Confession of 1658. Feeling their
substantial unity with paedobaptists suffering =
under
the same cruel injustice, Calvinistic Baptists met to publish their substan=
tial
harmony with them in doctrine.
A circular letter was sent to particular Baptist
churches in
A preface to the original publication of 1677 says=
in
part: “. . . It is now many years since diverse of us . . . did conce=
ive
ourselves under a necessity of publishing a Confession of our Faith, for the
information and satisfaction of those that did not thoroughly understand wh=
at
our principles were, of had entertained prejudices against our profession .=
. .
This was first put forth about the year 1643, in the name of seven
congregations then gathered in London . . .” (These early Bapti=
sts
were conscious that the 1644 Calvinistic Baptist Confession predated the 16=
46
Presbyterian Confession and the 1658 Congregationalist Confession).
“Forasmuch as this confession is not now
commonly to be had; and also that many others have since embraced the same
truth which is owned therein; it was judged necessary by us to join togethe=
r in
giving a testimony to the world of our firm adhering to those wholesome
principles . . .”
Paragraph 1. The Holy Scripture is the only sufficient, certain, a=
nd
infallible rule of all saving knowledge, faith, and obedience,1
although the light of nature, and the works of creation and providence do so
far manifest the goodness, wisdom, and power of God, as to leave men
inexcusable; yet they are not sufficient to give that knowledge of God and =
His
will which is necessary unto salvation.2 Therefore it
pleased the Lord at sundry times and in diversified manners to reveal Himse=
lf,
and to declare (that) His will unto His church;3 and after=
ward
for the better preserving and propagating of the truth, and for the more su=
re
establishment and comfort of the church against the corruption of the flesh,
and the malice of Satan, and of the world, to commit the same wholly unto
writing; which makes the Holy Scriptures to be most necessary, those former
ways of God's revealing His will unto His people being now completed.
1 2 Tim. 3:15-17; Isa. 8:20; Luke 16:29,31; Eph. 2:20
2 Rom. 1:19-21, 2:14,15; Psalm 19:1-3
3 Heb. 1:1
4 Prov. 22:19-21; Rom. 15:4; 2 Pet. 1:19,20
Paragraph 2. Under the name of Holy Scripture, or the Word of God writte= n, are now contained all the books of the Old and New Testaments, which are th= ese:
OF THE OLD TESTAMENT:
|
Genesis |
1 Kings |
Ecclesiastes |
Amos |
OF THE NEW TESTAMENT:
|
Matthew |
Ephesians |
Hebrews |
All of which are given by the inspiration of God, to be the rule of faith
and life.5
5 2 Tim. 3:16
Paragraph 3. The books commonly called Apocrypha, not being of divine
inspiration, are no part of the canon or rule of the Scripture, and, theref=
ore,
are of no authority to the church of God, nor to be any otherwise approved =
or
made use of than other human writings.6
6 Luke 24:27,44; Rom. 3:2
Paragraph 4. The authority of the Holy Scripture, for which it ought to =
be
believed, depends not upon the testimony of any man or church, but wholly u=
pon
God (who is truth itself), the author thereof; therefore it is to be receiv=
ed
because it is the Word of God.7
7 2 Pet. 1:19-21; 2 Tim. 3:16; 2 Thess. 2:13; 1 John 5:9
Paragraph 5. We may be moved and induced by the testimony of the church =
of
God to a high and reverent esteem of the Holy Scriptures; and the heavenlin=
ess
of the matter, the efficacy of the doctrine, and the majesty of the style, =
the
consent of all the parts, the scope of the whole (which is to give all glor=
y to
God), the full discovery it makes of the only way of man's salvation, and m=
any
other incomparable excellencies, and entire perfections thereof, are argume=
nts
whereby it does abundantly evidence itself to be the Word of God; yet
notwithstanding, our full persuasion and assurance of the infallible truth,=
and
divine authority thereof, is from the inward work of the Holy Spirit bearing
witness by and with the Word in our hearts.8
8 John 16:13,14; 1 Cor. 2:10-12; 1 John 2:20,27
Paragraph 6. The whole counsel of God concerning all things necessary for
His own glory, man's salvation, faith and life, is either expressly set dow=
n or
necessarily contained in the Holy Scripture: unto which nothing at any time=
is
to be added, whether by new revelation of the Spirit, or traditions of men.=
9
Nevertheless, we acknowledge the inward illumination of the Spirit of God t=
o be
necessary for the saving understanding of such things as are revealed in the
Word,10 and that there are some circumstances concerning t=
he
worship of God, and government of the church, common to human actions and
societies, which are to be ordered by the light of nature and Christian
prudence, according to the general rules of the Word, which are always to be
observed.11
9 2 Tim. 3:15-17; Gal. 1:8,9
10 John 6:45; 1 Cor. 2:9-12
11 1 Cor. 11:13,14; 1 Cor. 14:26,40
Paragraph 7. All things in Scripture are not alike plain in themselves, =
nor
alike clear unto all;12 yet those things which are necessa=
ry
to be known, believed and observed for salvation, are so clearly propounded=
and
opened in some place of Scripture or other, that not only the learned, but =
the
unlearned, in a due use of ordinary means, may attain to a sufficient
understanding of them.13
12 2 Pet. 3:16
13 Ps. 19:7; Psalm 119:130
Paragraph 8. The Old Testament in Hebrew (which was the native language =
of
the people of God of old),14 and the New Testament in Greek
(which at the time of the writing of it was most generally known to the
nations), being immediately inspired by God, and by His singular care and
providence kept pure in all ages, are therefore authentic; so as in all
controversies of religion, the church is finally to appeal to them.=
15
But because these original tongues are not known to all the people of God, =
who
have a right unto, and interest in the Scriptures, and are commanded in the
fear of God to read,16 and search them,17
therefore they are to be translated into the vulgar language of every nation
unto which they come,18 that the Word of God dwelling
plentifully in all, they may worship Him in an acceptable manner, and throu=
gh
patience and comfort of the Scriptures may have hope.19
14 Rom. 3:2
15 Isa. 8:20
16 Acts 15:15
17 John 5:39
18 1 Cor. 14:6,9,11,12,24,28
19 Col. 3:16
Paragraph 9. The infallible rule of interpretation of Scripture is the
Scripture itself; and therefore when there is a question about the true and
full sense of any Scripture (which are not many, but one), it must be searc=
hed
by other places that speak more clearly.20
20 2 Pet. 1:20, 21; Acts 15:15, 16
Paragraph 10. The supreme judge, by which all controversies of religion =
are
to be determined, and all decrees of councils, opinions of ancient writers,
doctrines of men, and private spirits, are to be examined, and in whose
sentence we are to rest, can be no other but the Holy Scripture delivered by
the Spirit, into which Scripture so delivered, our faith is finally resolve=
d.21
21 Matt. 22:29, 31, 32; Eph. 2:20; Acts 28:23
Paragraph 1. The Lord our God is but one only living and true God;
1 1 Cor. 8:4,6; Deut. 6:4
2 Jer. 10:10; Isa. 48:12
3 Exod. 3:14
4 John 4:24
5 1 Tim. 1:17; Deut. 4:15,16
6 Mal. 3:6
7 1 Kings 8:27; Jer. 23:23
8 Ps. 90:2
9 Gen. 17:1
10 Isa. 6:3
11 Ps. 115:3; Isa. 46:10
12 Prov. 16:4; Rom. 11:36
13 Exod. 34:6,7; Heb. 11:6
14 Neh. 9:32,33
15 Ps. 5:5,6
16 Exod. 34:7; Nahum 1:2,3
Paragraph 2. God, having all life,17 glory,18
goodness,19 blessedness, in and of Himself, is alone in and
unto Himself all-sufficient, not standing in need of any creature which He =
hath
made, nor deriving any glory from them,20 but only manifes=
ting
His own glory in, by, unto, and upon them; He is the alone fountain of all
being, of whom, through whom, and to whom are all things,21
and He hath most sovereign dominion over all creatures, to do by them, for
them, or upon them, whatsoever Himself pleases;22 in His s=
ight
all things are open and manifest,23 His knowledge is infin=
ite,
infallible, and independent upon the creature, so as nothing is to Him
contingent or uncertain;24 He is most holy in all His
counsels, in all His works,25 and in all His commands; to =
Him
is due from angels and men, whatsoever worship,26 service,=
or
obedience, as creatures they owe unto the Creator, and whatever He is furth=
er
pleased to require of them.
17 John 5:26
18 Ps. 148:13
19 Ps. 119:68
20 Job 22:2,3
21 Rom. 11:34-36
22 Dan. 4:25,34,35
23 Heb. 4:13
24 Ezek. 11:5; Acts 15:18
25 Ps. 145:17
26 Rev. 5:12-14
Paragraph 3. In this divine and infinite Being there are three subsistences, the Father, the Word or Son, and Holy S=
pirit,27
of one substance, power, and eternity, each having the whole divine essence,
yet the essence undivided:28 the Father is of none, neither
begotten nor proceeding; the Son is eternally begotten of the Father;
27 1 John 5:7; Matt. 28:19; 2 Cor. 13:14
28 Exod. 3:14; John 14:11; I Cor. 8:6
29 John 1:14,18
30 John 15:26; Gal. 4:6
Paragraph 1. God hath decreed in himself, from all eternity, by the most
wise and holy counsel of His own will, freely and unchangeably, all things,
whatsoever comes to pass;1 yet so as thereby is God neither
the author of sin nor hath fellowship with any therein;2 n=
or
is violence offered to the will of the creature, nor yet is the liberty or
contingency of second causes taken away, but rather established;3
in which appears His wisdom in disposing all things, and power and faithful=
ness
in accomplishing His decree.4
1 Isa. 46:10; Eph. 1:11; Heb. 6:17; Rom. 9:15,18
2 James 1:13; 1 John 1:5
3 Acts 4:27,28; John 19:11
4 Num. 23:19; Eph. 1:3-5
Paragraph 2. Although God knoweth whatsoever=
may
or can come to pass, upon all supposed conditions,5 yet ha=
th
He not decreed anything, because He foresaw it as future, or as that which
would come to pass upon such conditions.6
5 Acts 15:18
6 Rom. 9:11,13,16,18
Paragraph 3. By the decree of God, for the manifestation of His glory, s=
ome
men and angels are predestinated, or foreordained to eternal life through J=
esus
Christ,7 to the praise of His glorious grace;8
others being left to act in their sin to their just condemnation, to the pr=
aise
of His glorious justice.9
7 I Tim. 5:21; Matt. 25:34
8 Eph. 1:5,6
9 Rom. 9:22,23; Jude 4
Paragraph 4. These angels and men thus predestinated and foreordained, a=
re
particularly and unchangeably designed, and their number so certain and
definite, that it cannot be either increased or diminished.10
10 2 Tim. 2:19; John 13:18
Paragraph 5. Those of mankind that are predestinated to life, God, before
the foundation of the world was laid, according to His eternal and immutable
purpose, and the secret counsel and good pleasure of His will, hath chosen =
in
Christ unto everlasting glory, out of His mere free grace and love,=
11
without any other thing in the creature as a condition or cause moving Him
thereunto.12
11 Eph. 1:4, 9, 11; Rom. 8:30; 2 Tim. 1:9; I Thess. 5:9
12 Rom. 9:13,16; Eph. 2:5,12
Paragraph 6. As God hath appointed the elect unto glory, so He hath, by =
the
eternal and most free purpose of His will, foreordained all the means
thereunto;13 wherefore they who are elected, being fallen =
in
Adam, are redeemed by Christ,14 are effectually called unto
faith in Christ, by His Spirit working in due season, are justified, adopte=
d,
sanctified,15 and kept by His power through faith unto
salvation;16 neither are any other redeemed by Christ, or
effectually called, justified, adopted, sanctified, and saved, but the elect
only.17
13 1 Pet. 1:2; 2; Thess. 2:13
14 1 Thess. 5:9, 10
15 Rom. 8:30; 2 Thess. 2:13
16 1 Pet. 1:5
17 John 10:26, 17:9, 6:64
Paragraph 7. The doctrine of the high mystery of predestination is to be
handled with special prudence and care, that men attending the will of God
revealed in His Word, and yielding obedience thereunto, may, from the certa=
inty
of their effectual vocation, be assured of their eternal election;1=
8
so shall this doctrine afford matter of praise,19 reverenc=
e,
and admiration of God, and of humility,20 diligence, and
abundant consolation to all that sincerely obey the gospel.21
18 1 Thess. 1:4,5; 2 Pet. 1:10
19 Eph. 1:6; Rom. 11:33
20 Rom. 11:5,6,20
21 Luke 10:20
Paragraph 1. In the beginning it pleased God the Father, Son, and Holy
Spirit,1 for the manifestation of the glory of His eternal
power,2 wisdom, and goodness, to create or make the world,=
and
all things therein, whether visible or invisible, in the space of six days,=
and
all very good.3
1 John 1:2,3; Heb. 1:2; Job 26:13
2 Rom. 1:20
3 Col. 1:16; Gen. 1:31
Paragraph 2. After God had made all other creatures, He created man, male
and female,4 with reasonable and immortal souls,5<=
/strong>
rendering them fit unto that life to God for which they were created; being
made after the image of God, in knowledge, righteousness, and true holiness=
;6
having the law of God written in their hearts,7 and power =
to
fulfill it, and yet under a possibility of transgressing, being left to the
liberty of their own will, which was subject to change.8
5 Gen. 2:7
6 Eccles. 7:29; Gen. 1;26
7 Rom. 2:14,15
8 Gen. 3:6
Paragraph 3. Besides the law written in their hearts, they received a
command not to eat of the tree of knowledge of good and evil,9
which while they kept, they were happy in their communion with God, and had
dominion over the creatures.10
9 Gen. 2:17
10 Gen. 1:26,28
Paragraph 1. God the good Creator of all things, in His infinite power a=
nd
wisdom does uphold, direct, dispose, and govern all creatures and things,
1 Heb. 1:3; Job 38:11; Isa. 46:10,11; Ps. 135:6
2 Matt. 10:29-31
3 Eph. 1;11
Paragraph 2. Although in relation to the foreknowledge and decree of God,
the first cause, all things come to pass immutably and infallibly;4=
so that there is not anything befalls any by chance, or without His provide=
nce;5
yet by the same providence He ordered them to fall out according to the nat=
ure
of second causes, either necessarily, freely, or contingently.6
4 Acts 2:23
5 Prov. 16:33
6 Gen. 8:22
Paragraph 3. God, in his ordinary providence makes use of means,=
7
yet is free to work without,8 above,9 and
against them10 at His pleasure.
7 Acts 27:31, 44; Isa. 55:10, 11
8 Hosea 1:7
9 Rom. 4:19-21
10 Dan. 3:27
Paragraph 4. The almighty power, unsearchable wisdom, and infinite goodn=
ess
of God, so far manifest themselves in His providence, that His determinate
counsel extends itself even to the first fall, and all other sinful actions
both of angels and men;11 and that not by a bare permissio=
n,
which also He most wisely and powerfully binds, and otherwise orders and
governs,12 in a manifold dispensation to His most holy end=
s;13
yet so, as the sinfulness of their acts proceeds only from the creatures, a=
nd
not from God, who, being most holy and righteous, neither is nor can be the
author or approver of sin.14
11 Rom. 11:32-34; 2 Sam. 24:1; 1 Chron. 21:1
12 2 Kings 19:28; Ps. 76:10
13 Gen. 1:20; Isa. 10:6,7,12
14 Ps. 1;21; 1 John 2:16
Paragraph 5. The most wise, righteous, and gracious God does often times
leave for a season His own children to manifold temptations and the corrupt=
ions
of their own hearts, to chastise them for their former sins, or to discover
unto them the hidden strength of corruption and deceitfulness of their hear=
ts,
that they may be humbled; and to raise them to a more close and constant
dependence for their support upon Himself; and to make them more watchful
against all future occasions of sin, and for other just and holy ends.
15 2 Chron. 32:25,26,31; 2 Cor. 12:7-9
16 Rom. 8:28
Paragraph 6. As for those wicked and ungodly men whom God, as the righte=
ous
judge, for former sin does blind and harden;17 from them He
not only withholds His grace, whereby they might have been enlightened in t=
heir
understanding, and wrought upon their hearts;18 but someti=
mes
also withdraws the gifts which they had,19 and exposes the=
m to
such objects as their corruption makes occasion of sin;20 =
and
withal, gives them over to their own lusts, the temptations of the world, a=
nd
the power of Satan,21 whereby it comes to pass that they
harden themselves, under those means which God uses for the softening of ot=
hers.22
17 Rom. 1;24-26,28, 11:7,8
18 Deut. 29:4
19 Matt. 13:12
20 Deut. 2:30; 2 Kings 8:12,13
21 Ps. 81:11,12; 2 Thess. 2:10-12
22 Exod. 8:15,32; Isa. 6:9,10; 1 Pet. 2:7,8
Paragraph 7. As the providence of God does in general reach to all
creatures, so after a more special manner it takes care of His church, and
disposes of all things to the good thereof.23
23 1 Tim. 4:10; Amos 9:8,9; Isa. 43:3-5
Paragraph 1. Although God created man upright and perfect, and gave him a
righteous law, which had been unto life had he kept it, and threatened death
upon the breach thereof,1 yet he did not long abide in this
honor; Satan using the subtlety of the serpent to subdue Eve, then by=
her
seducing Adam, who, without any compulsion, did willfully transgress the la=
w of
their creation, and the command given to them, in eating the forbidden frui=
t,2
which God was pleased, according to His wise and holy counsel to permit, ha=
ving
purposed to order it to His own glory.
1 Gen. 2:16,17
2 Gen. 3:12,13; 2 Cor. 11:3
Paragraph 2. Our first parents, by this sin, fell from their original
righteousness and communion with God, and we in them whereby death came upon
all:3 all becoming dead in sin,4 and whol=
ly
defiled in all the faculties and parts of soul and body.5<=
br>
3 Rom. 3:23
4 Rom 5:12, etc.
5 Titus 1:15; Gen. 6:5; Jer. 17:9; Rom. 3:10-19
Paragraph 3. They being the root, and by God's appointment, standing in =
the
room and stead of all mankind, the guilt of the sin was imputed, and corrup=
ted
nature conveyed, to all their posterity descending from them by ordinary
generation,6 being now conceived in sin,7=
and
by nature children of wrath,8 the servants of sin, the
subjects of death,9 and all other miseries, spiritual,
temporal, and eternal, unless the Lord Jesus set them free.10
6 Rom. 5:12-19; 1 Cor. 15:21,22,45,49
7 Ps. 51:5; Job 14:4
8 Eph. 2:3
9 Rom. 6:20, 5:12
10 Heb. 2:14,15; 1 Thess. 1:10
Paragraph 4. From this original corruption, whereby we are utterly
indisposed, disabled, and made opposite to all good, and wholly inclined to=
all
evil,11 do proceed all actual transgressions.12
11 Rom. 8:7; Col. 1:21
12 James 1:14,15; Matt. 15:19
Paragraph 5. The corruption of nature, during this life, does remain in
those that are regenerated;13 and although it be through
Christ pardoned and mortified, yet both itself, and the first motions there=
of,
are truly and properly sin.14
13 Rom. 7:18,23; Eccles. 7:20; 1 John 1:8
14 Rom. 7:23-25; Gal. 5:17
Paragraph 1. The distance between God and the creature is so great, that
although reasonable creatures do owe obedience to Him as their creator, yet
they could never have attained the reward of life but by some voluntary
condescension on God's part, which He hath been pleased to express by way of
covenant.1
1 Luke 17:10; Job 35:7,8
Paragraph 2. Moreover, man having brought himself under the curse of the=
law
by his fall, it pleased the Lord to make a covenant of grace,2
wherein He freely offers unto sinners life and salvation by Jesus Christ,
requiring of them faith in Him, that they may be saved;3 a=
nd
promising to give unto all those that are ordained unto eternal life, His H=
oly
Spirit, to make them willing and able to believe.4
2 Gen. 2:17; Gal. 3:10; Rom. 3:20,21
3 Rom. 8:3; Mark 16:15,16; John 3:16;
4 Ezek. 36:26,27; John 6:44,45; Ps. 110:3
Paragraph 3. This covenant is revealed in the gospel; first of all to Ad=
am
in the promise of salvation by the seed of the woman,5 and
afterwards by farther steps, until the full discovery thereof was completed=
in
the New Testament;6 and it is founded in that eternal cove=
nant
transaction that was between the Father and the Son about the redemption of=
the
elect;7 and it is alone by the grace of this covenant that=
all
the posterity of fallen Adam that ever were saved did obtain life and bless=
ed
immortality, man being now utterly incapable of acceptance with God upon th=
ose
terms on which Adam stood in his state of innocency.8
5 Gen. 3:15
6 Heb. 1:1
7 2 Tim. 1:9; Titus 1:2
8 Heb. 11;6,13; Rom. 4:1,2, &c.; Acts 4:12; John 8:56<=
/p>
Paragraph 1. It pleased God, in His eternal purpose, to choose and ordain
the Lord Jesus, His only begotten Son, according to the covenant made betwe=
en
them both, to be the mediator between God and man;1 the prophet,2 priest,3 =
and
king;4 head and savior of the church,5 the heir of all things,6 and judge of
the world;7 unto whom He did from all eternity give a people to be His seed=
and
to be by Him in time redeemed, called, justified, sanctified, and glorified=
.8
1 Isa. 42:1; 1 Pet. 1:19,20
2 Acts 3:22
3 Heb. 5:5,6
4 Ps. 2:6; Luke 1:33
5 Eph. 1:22,23
6 Heb. 1:2
7 Acts 17:31
8 Isa. 53:10; John 17:6; Rom. 8:30
Paragraph 2. The Son of God, the second person in the Holy Trinity, being
very and eternal God, the brightness of the Father's glory, of one substance
and equal with Him who made the world, who upholds and governs all things He
has made, did, when the fullness of time was complete, take upon Him man's
nature, with all the essential properties and common infirmities of it,
9 John 1:14; Gal. 4;4
10 Rom. 8:3; Heb. 2:14,16,17, 4:15
11 Matt. 1:22, 23
12 Luke 1:27,31,35; Rom. 9:5; 1 Tim. 2:5
Paragraph 3. The Lord Jesus, in His human nature thus united to the divi=
ne,
in the person of the Son, was sanctified and anointed with the Holy Spirit
above measure,13 having in Him all the treasures of wisdom=
and
knowledge;14 in whom it pleased the Father that all fullne=
ss
should dwell,15 to the end that being holy, harmless,
undefiled,16 and full of grace and truth,17
He might be throughly furnished to execute the =
office
of mediator and surety;18 which office He took not upon
himself, but was thereunto called by His Father;19 who also
put all power and judgement in His hand, and ga=
ve Him
commandment to execute the same.20
13 Ps. 45:7; Acts 10:38; John 3:34
14 Col. 2:3
15 Col. 1:19
16 Heb. 7:26
17 John 1:14
18 Heb. 7:22
19 Heb. 5:5
20 John 5:22,27; Matt. 28:18; Acts 2;36
Paragraph 4. This office the Lord Jesus did most willingly undertake,
21 Ps. 40:7,8; Heb. 10:5-10; John 10:18
22 Gal 4:4; Matt. 3:15
23 Gal. 3:13; Isa. 53:6; 1 Pet. 3:18
24 2 Cor. 5:21
25 Matt. 26:37,38; Luke 22:44; Matt. 27:46
26 Acts 13:37
27 1 Cor. 15:3,4
28 John 20:25,27
29 Mark 16:19; Acts 1:9-11
30 Rom. 8:34; Heb. 9:24
31 Acts 10:42; Rom. 14:9,10; Acts 1:11; 2 Pet. 2:4
Paragraph 5. The Lord Jesus, by His perfect obedience and sacrifice of
Himself, which He through the eternal Spirit once offered up to God, has fu=
lly
satisfied the justice of God,32 procured reconciliation, a=
nd
purchased an everlasting inheritance in the kingdom of heaven, for all those
whom the Father has given unto Him.33
32 Heb. 9:14, 10:14; Rom. 3:25,26
33 John 17:2; Heb. 9:15
Paragraph 6. Although the price of redemption was not actually paid by
Christ until after His incarnation, yet the virtue, efficacy, and benefit
thereof were communicated to the elect in all ages, successively from the
beginning of the world, in and by those promises, types, and sacrifices whe=
rein
He was revealed, and signified to be the seed which should bruise the serpe=
nt's
head;34 and the Lamb slain from the foundation of the worl=
d,35
being the same yesterday, and today and for ever.36
34 1 Cor. 4:10; Heb. 4:2; 1 Pet. 1:10, 11
35 Rev. 13:8
36 Heb. 13:8
Paragraph 7. Christ, in the work of mediation, acts according to both
natures, by each nature doing that which is proper to itself; yet by reason=
of
the unity of the person, that which is proper to one nature is sometimes in
Scripture, attributed to the person denominated by the other nature.
37 John 3:13; Acts 20:28
Paragraph 8. To all those for whom Christ has obtained eternal redemptio=
n, He
does certainly and effectually apply and communicate the same, making
intercession for them;38 uniting them to Himself by His
Spirit, revealing to them, in and by His Word, the mystery of salvation,
persuading them to believe and obey,39 governing their hea=
rts
by His Word and Spirit,40 and overcoming all their enemies=
by
His almighty power and wisdom,41 in such manner and ways as
are most consonant to His wonderful and unsearchable dispensation; and all =
of
free and absolute grace, without any condition foreseen in them to procure =
it.42
38 John 6:37, 10:15,16, 17:9; Rom. 5:10
39 John 17:6; Eph. 1:9; 1 John 5:20
40 Rom. 8:9,14
41 Ps. 110:1; 1 Cor. 15:25,26
42 John 3:8; Eph. 1:8
Paragraph 9. This office of mediator between God and man is proper only =
to
Christ, who is the prophet, priest, and king of the church of God; and may =
not
be either in whole, or any part thereof, transferred from Him to any other.=
43
43 Tim. 2:5
Paragraph 10. This number and order of offices is necessary; for in resp=
ect
of our ignorance, we stand in need of His prophetical office;44
and in respect of our alienation from God, and imperfection of the best of =
our
services, we need His priestly office to reconcile us and present us accept=
able
unto God;45 and in respect to our averseness and utter
inability to return to God, and for our rescue and security from our spirit=
ual
adversaries, we need His kingly office to convince, subdue, draw, uphold,
deliver, and preserve us to His heavenly kingdom.46
44 John 1:18
45 Col. 1:21; Gal. 5:17
46 John 16:8; Ps. 110:3; Luke 1:74,75
Paragraph 1. God has endued the will of man with that natural liberty and
power of acting upon choice, that it is neither forced, nor by any necessit=
y of
nature determined to do good or evil.1
1 Matt. 17:12; James 1:14; Deut. 30:19
Paragraph 2. Man, in his state of innocency,=
had
freedom and power to will and to do that which was good and well-pleasing to
God,2 but yet was unstable, so that he might fall from it.=
3
2 Eccles. 7:29
3 Gen. 3:6
Paragraph 3. Man, by his fall into a state of sin, has wholly lost all
ability of will to any spiritual good accompanying salvation;4
so as a natural man, being altogether averse from that good, and dead in si=
n,5
is not able by his own strength to convert himself, or to prepare himself
thereunto.6
4 Rom. 5:6, 8:7
5 Eph. 2:1,5
6 Titus 3:3-5; John 6:44
Paragraph 4. When God converts a sinner, and translates him into the sta=
te
of grace, He frees him from his natural bondage under sin,7
and by His grace alone enables him freely to will and to do that which is
spiritually good;8 yet so as that by reason of his remaini=
ng
corruptions, he does not perfectly, nor only will, that which is good, but =
does
also will that which is evil.9
7 Col. 1:13; John 8:36
8 Phil. 2:13
9 Rom. 7:15,18,19,21,23
Paragraph 5. This will of man is made perfectly and immutably free to go=
od
alone in
the state of glory only.10
10 Eph. 4:13
Paragraph 1. Those whom God hath predestinated unto life, He is pleased =
in
His appointed, and accepted time, effectually to call,1 by=
His
Word and Spirit, out of that state of sin and death in which they are by
nature, to grace and salvation by Jesus Christ;2 enlighten=
ing
their minds spiritually and savingly to underst=
and
the things of God;3 taking away their heart of stone, and
giving to them a heart of flesh;4 renewing their wills, an=
d by
His almighty power determining them to that which is good, and effectually
drawing them to Jesus Christ;5 yet so as they come most
freely, being made willing by His grace.6
1 Rom. 8:30, 11:7; Eph. 1:10,11; 2 Thess. 2:13,14
2 Eph. 2:1-6
3 Acts 26:18; Eph. 1:17,18
4 Ezek. 36:26
5 Deut. 30:6; Ezek. 36:27; Eph. 1:19
6 Ps. 110:3; Cant. 1:4
Paragraph 2. This effectual call is of God's free and special grace alon=
e,
not from anything at all foreseen in man, nor from any power or agency in t=
he
creature,7 being wholly passive therein, being dead in sins
and trespasses, until being quickened and renewed by the Holy Spirit;
7 2 Tim. 1:9; Eph. 2:8
8 1 Cor. 2:14; Eph. 2:5; John 5:25
9 Eph. 1:19, 20
Paragraph 3. Elect infants dying in infancy are regenerated and saved by
Christ through the Spirit;10 who works when, and where, and
how He pleases;11 so also are all elect persons, who are
incapable of being outwardly called by the ministry of the Word.
10 John 3:3, 5, 6
11 John 3:8
Paragraph 4. Others not elected, although they may be called by the mini=
stry
of the Word, and may have some common operations of the Spirit,12
yet not being effectually drawn by the Father, they neither will nor can tr=
uly
come to Christ, and therefore cannot be saved:13 much less=
can
men that do not receive the Christian religion be saved; be they never so
diligent to frame their lives according to the light of nature and the law =
of
that religion they do profess.14
12 Matt. 22:14, 13:20,21; Heb 6:4,5
13 John 6:44,45,65; 1 John 2:24,25
14 Acts 4:12; John 4:22, 17:3
Paragraph 1. Those whom God effectually calls, he also freely justifies,=
1
not by infusing righteousness into them, but by pardoning their sins, and by
accounting and accepting their persons as righteous;2 not =
for
anything wrought in them, or done by them, but for Christ's sake alone;
1 Rom. 3:24, 8:30
2 Rom. 4:5-8, Eph. 1:7
3 1 Cor. 1:30,31, Rom. 5:17-19
4 Phil. 3:8,9; Eph. 2:8-10
5 John 1:12, Rom. 5:17
Paragraph 2. Faith thus receiving and resting on Christ and his
righteousness, is the alone instrument of justification;6 =
yet
is not alone in the person justified, but is ever accompanied with all other
saving graces, and is no dead faith, but works by love.7
7 Gal.5:6, James 2:17,22,26
Paragraph 3. Christ, by his obedience and death, did fully discharge the
debt of all those who are justified; and did, by the sacrifice of himself in
the blood of his cross, undergoing in their stead the penalty due to them, =
make
a proper, real, and full satisfaction to God’s justice in their behal=
f;8
yet, in as much as he was given by the Father for them, and his obedience a=
nd
satisfaction accepted in their stead, and both freely, not for anything in
them,9 their justification is only of free grace, that both
the exact justice and rich grace of God might be glorified in the justifica=
tion
of sinners.10
8 Heb. 10:14; 1 Pet. 1:18,19; Isa. 53:5,6
9 Rom. 8:32; 2 Cor. 5:21
10 Rom. 3:26; Eph. 1:6,7, 2:7
Paragraph 4. God did from all eternity decree to justify all the elect,<=
strong>11
and Christ did in the fullness of time die for their sins, and rise again f=
or
their justification;12 nevertheless, they are not justified
personally, until the Holy Spirit in time does actually apply Christ to the=
m.13
11 Gal. 3:8, 1 Pet. 1:2, 1 Tim. 2:6
12 Rom. 4:25
13 Col. 1:21,22, Titus 3:4-7
Paragraph 5. God continues to forgive the sins of those that are justifi=
ed,14
and although they can never fall from the state of justification,15=
yet they may, by their sins, fall under God’s fatherly displeasure;
14 Matt. 6:12, 1 John 1:7,9
15 John 10:28
16 Ps. 89:31-33
17 Ps. 32:5, Ps. 51, Matt. 26:75
Paragraph 6. The justification of believers under the Old Testament was,=
in
all these respects, one and the same with the justification of believers un=
der the
New Testament.18
18 Gal. 3:9; Rom. 4:22-24
Paragraph 1. All those that are justified, God conferred, in and for the
sake of his only Son Jesus Christ, to make partakers of the grace of adopti=
on,1
by which they are taken into the number, and enjoy the liberties and privil=
eges
of the children of God,2 have his name put on them,
1 Eph. 1:5; Gal. 4:4,5
2 John 1:12; Rom. 8:17
3 2 Cor. 6:18; Rev. 3:12
4 Rom. 8:15
5 Gal. 4:6; Eph. 2:18
6 Ps. 103:13
7 Prov. 14:26; 1 Pet. 5:7
8 Heb. 12:6
9 Isa. 54:8, 9
10 Lam. 3:31
11 Eph. 4:30
12 Heb. 1:14, 6:12
Paragraph 1. They who are united to Christ, effectually called, and
regenerated, having a new heart and a new spirit created in them through the
virtue of Christ's death and resurrection, are also farther sanctified, rea=
lly
and personally,1 through the same virtue, by his Word and
Spirit dwelling in them;2 the dominion of the whole body of
sin is destroyed,3 and the several lusts of it are more and
more weakened and mortified,4 and they more and more quick=
ened
and strengthened in all saving graces,5 to the practice of=
all
true holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord.6
2 John 17:17; Eph. 3:16-19; 1 Thess. 5:21-23
3 Rom. 6:14
4 Gal. 5:24
5 Col. 1:11
6 2 Cor. 7:1; Heb. 12:14
Paragraph 2. This sanctification is throughout the whole man,7
yet imperfect in this life; there abides still some remnants of corruption =
in
every part,8 wherefrom arises a continual and irreconcilab=
le
war; the flesh lusting against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh=
.9
7 1 Thess. 5:23
8 Rom. 7:18, 23
9 Gal. 5:17; 1 Pet. 2:11
Paragraph 3. In which war, although the remaining corruption for a time =
may
much prevail,10 yet, through the continual supply of stren=
gth
from the sanctifying Spirit of Christ, the regenerate part does overcome;
10 Rom. 7:23
11 Rom. 6:14
12 Eph. 4:15,16; 2 Cor. 3:18, 7:1
Paragraph 1. The grace of faith, whereby the elect are enabled to believ=
e to
the saving of their souls, is the work of the Spirit of Christ in their hea=
rts,1
and is ordinarily wrought by the ministry of the Word;2 by
which also, and by the administration of baptism and the Lord's supper, pra=
yer,
and other means appointed of God, it is increased and strengthened.=
3
1 2 Cor. 4:13; Eph. 2:8
2 Rom. 10:14,17
3 Luke 17:5; 1 Pet. 2:2; Acts 20:32
Paragraph 2. By this faith a Christian believes to be true whatsoever is
revealed in the Word for the authority of God himself,4 an=
d also
apprehends an excellency therein above all other
writings and all things in the world,5 as it bears forth t=
he
glory of God in his attributes, the excellency =
of
Christ in his nature and offices, and the power and fullness of the Holy Sp=
irit
in his workings and operations: and so is enabled to cast his soul upon the
truth consequently believed;6 and also acts differently up=
on
that which each particular passage thereof contains; yielding obedience to =
the
commands,7 trembling at the threatenings,8
and embracing the promises of God for this life and that which is to come;<=
strong>9
but the principle acts of saving faith have immediate relation to Christ,
accepting, receiving, and resting upon him alone for justification,
sanctification, and eternal life, by virtue of the covenant of grace.
4 Acts 24:14
5 Ps. 19:7-10, 69:72
6 2 Tim. 1:12
7 John 15:14
8 Isa. 116:2
9 Heb. 11:13
10 John 1:12; Acts 16:31; Gal 2:20; Acts 15:11
Paragraph 3. This faith, although it be in different stages, and may be =
weak
or strong,11 yet it is in the least degree of it different=
in
the kind or nature of it, as is all other saving grace, from the faith and
common grace of temporary believers;12 and therefore, thou=
gh
it may be many times assailed and weakened, yet it gets the victory,
11 Heb. 5:13,14; Matt. 6:30; Rom. 4:19,20
12 2 Pet. 1:1
13 Eph. 6:16; 1 John 5:4,5
14 Heb. 6:11,12; Col. 2:2
15 Heb. 12:2
Paragraph 1. Such of the elect that are converted at riper years, having
sometime lived in the state of nature, and therein served divers pleasures,=
God
in their effectual calling gives them repentance to life.1=
1 Titus 3:2-5
Paragraph 2. Whereas there is none that does good and does not sin,
2 Eccles. 7:20
3 Luke 22:31,32
Paragraph 3. This saving repentance is an evangelical grace,4
whereby a person, being by the Holy Spirit made sensible of the manifold ev=
ils
of his sin, does, by faith in Christ, humble himself for it with godly sorr=
ow,
detestation of it, and self-abhorrancy,5 praying for pardon
and strength of grace, with a purpose and endeavor, by supplies of the Spir=
it,
to walk before God unto all well-pleasing in all things.6<=
br>
4 Zech. 12:10; Acts 11:18
5 Ezek. 36:31; 2 Cor. 7:11
6 Ps. 119:6,128
Paragraph 4. As repentance is to be continued through the whole course of
our lives, upon the account of the body of death, and the motions thereof, =
so
it is every man’s duty to repent of his particular known sins
particularly.7
7 Luke 19:8; 1 Tim. 1:13,15
Paragraph 5. Such is the provision which God has made through Christ in =
the
covenant of grace for the preservation of believers unto salvation, that
although there is no sin so small but it deserves damnation,8
yet there is no sin so great that it shall bring damnation to them that rep=
ent,9
which makes the constant preaching of repentance necessary.
8 Rom. 6:23
9 Isa. 1:16-18, 55:7
Paragraph 1. Good works are only such as God has commanded in his Holy W=
ord,1
and not such as without the warrant thereof are devised by men out of blind
zeal, or upon any pretense of good intentions.2
1 Mic. 6:8; Heb. 13:21
2 Matt. 15:9; Isa. 29:13
Paragraph 2. These good works, done in obedience to God’s
commandments, are the fruits and evidences of a true and lively faith;
3 James 2:18,22
4 Ps. 116:12,13
5 1 John 2:3,5; 2 Pet. 1:5-11
6 Matt. 5:16
7 1 Tim. 6:1; 1 Pet. 2:15; Phil. 1:11
8 Eph. 2:10
9 Rom 6:22
Paragraph 3. Their ability to do good works is not all of themselves, but
wholly from the Spirit of Christ;10 and that they may be
enabled thereunto, besides the graces they have already received, there is
necessary an actual influence of the same Holy Spirit, to work in them and =
to
will and to do of his good pleasure;11 yet they are not bo=
und
to perform any duty, unless upon a special motion of the Spirit, but they o=
ught
to be diligent in stirring up the grace of God that is in them.12
10 John 15:4,5
11 2 Cor. 3:5; Phil. 2:13
12 Phil. 2:12; Heb. 6:11,12; Isa. 64:7
Paragraph 4. They who in their obedience attain to the greatest height w=
hich
is possible in this life, are so far from being able to supererogate,
and to do more than God requires, as that they fall short of much which in =
duty
they are bound to do.13
13 Job 9:2, 3; Gal. 5:17; Luke 17:10
Paragraph 5. We cannot by our best works merit pardon of sin or eternal =
life
at the hand of God, by reason of the great disproportion that is between th=
em
and the glory to come, and the infinite distance that is between us and God,
whom by them we can neither profit nor satisfy for the debt of our former s=
ins;14
but when we have done all we can, we have done but our duty, and are
unprofitable servants; and because they are good they proceed from his Spir=
it,15
and as they are wrought by us they are defiled and mixed with so much weekness and imperfection, that they cannot endure the
severity of God’s punishment.16
14 Rom. 3:20; Eph. 2:8,9; Rom. 4:6
15 Gal. 5:22,23
16 Isa. 64:6; Ps. 43:2
Paragraph 6. Yet notwithstanding the persons of believers being accepted
through Christ, their good works also are accepted in him;17
not as thought they were in this life wholly unblamabl=
e
and unreprovable in God’s sight, but that=
he,
looking upon them in his Son, is pleased to accept and reward that which is
sincere, although accompanied with many weaknesses and imperfection.
17 Eph. 1:5; 1 Pet. 1:5
18 Matt. 25:21,23; Heb. 6:10
Paragraph 7. Works done by unregenerate men, although for the matter of =
them
they may things which God commands, and of good use both to themselves and =
to
others;19 yet because they proceed not from a heart purifi=
ed
by faith,20 nor are done in a right manner according to the
Word,21 nor to a right end, the glory of God,22
they are therfore sinful, and cannot please God=
, nor
make a man meet to receive the grace from God,23 and yet t=
heir
neglect fo them is more sinful and displeasing =
to
God.24
19 2 Kings 10:30; 1 Kings 21:27,29
20 Gen. 4:5; Heb. 11:4,6
21 1 Cor. 13:1
22 Matt. 6:2,5
23 Amos 5:21,22; Rom. 9:16; Titus 3:5
24 Job 21:14,15; Matt. 25:41-43
Paragraph 1. Those whom God has accepted in the beloved, effectually cal=
led
and sanctified by his Spirit, and given the precious faith of his elect unt=
o,
can neither totally nor finally fall from the state of grace, but shall
certainly persevere therein to the end, and be eternally saved, seeing the
gifts and callings of God are without repentance, from which source he still
begets and nourishes in them faith, repentance, love, joy, hope, and all the
graces of the Spirit unto immortality;1 and though many st=
orms
and floods arise and beat against them, yet they shall never be able to take
them off that foundation and rock which by faith they are fastened upon;
notwithstanding, through unbelief and the temptations of Satan, the sensible
sight of the light and love of God may for a time be clouded and obscured f=
rom
them,2 yet he is still the same, and they shall be sure to=
be
kept by the power of God unto salvation, where they shall enjoy their purch=
ased
possession, they being engraved upon the palm of his hands, and their names
having been written in the book of life from all eternity.3
1 John 10:28,29; Phil. 1:6; 2 Tim. 2:19; 1 John 2:19
2 Ps. 89:31,32; 1 Cor. 11:32
3 Mal. 3:6
Paragraph 2. This perseverance of the saints depends not upon their own =
free
will, but upon the immutability of the decree of election,4
flowing from the free and unchangeable love of God the Father, upon the
efficacy of the merit and intercession of Jesus Christ and union with him,<=
strong>5
the oath of God,6 the abiding of his Spirit, and the seed =
of
God within them,7 and the nature of the covenant of grace;=
8
from all which ariseth also the certainty and
infallibility thereof.
4 Rom. 8:30, 9:11,16
5 Rom. 5:9, 10; John 14:19
6 Heb. 6:17,18
7 1 John 3:9
8 Jer. 32:40
Paragraph 3. And though they may, through the temptation of Satan and of=
the
world, the prevalency of corruption remaining in
them, and the neglect of means of their preservation, fall into grievous si=
ns,
and for a time continue therein,9 whereby they incur God's
displeasure and grieve his Holy Spirit,10 come to have the=
ir
graces and comforts impaired,11 have their hearts hardened,
and their consciences wounded,12 hurt and scandalize other=
s,
and bring temporal judgments upon themselves,13 yet shall =
they
renew their repentance and be preserved through faith in Christ Jesus to the
end.14
9 Matt. 26:70,72,74
10 Isa. 64:5,9; Eph. 4:30
11 Ps. 51:10,12
12 Ps. 32:3,4
13 2 Sam. 12:14
14 Luke 22:32,61,62
Paragraph 1. Although temporary believers and other unregenerate men, may
vainly deceive themselves with false hopes and carnal presumptions of being=
in
the favor of God and in a state of salvation, which hope of theirs shall
perish;1 yet such as truly believe in the Lord Jesus, and =
love
him in sincerity, endeavouring to walk in all g=
ood
conscience before him, may in this life be certainly assured that they are =
in
the state of grace, and may rejoice in the hope of the glory of God,
1 Job 8:13,14; Matt. 7:22,23
2 1 John 2:3, 3:14,18,19,21,24, 5:13
3 Rom. 5:2,5
Paragraph 2. This certainty is not a bare conjectural and probable
persuasion grounded upon a fallible hope, but an infallible assurance of fa=
ith,4
founded on the blood and righteousness of Christ revealed in the Gospel;
4 Heb. 6:11,19
5 Heb. 6:17,18
6 2 Pet. 1:4,5,10,11
7 Rom. 8:15,16
8 1 John 3:1-3
Paragraph 3. This infallible assurance does not so belong to the essence=
of
faith, but that a true believer may wait long, and struggle with many
difficulties before he be partaker of it;9 yet being enabl=
ed
by the Spirit to know the things which are freely given him of God, he may,
without extraordinary revelation, in the right use of means, attain thereun=
to:10
and therefore it is the duty of every one to give all diligence to make his
calling and election sure, that thereby his heart may be enlarged in peace =
and
joy in the Holy Spirit, in love and thankfulness to God, and in strength and
cheerfulness in the duties of obedience, the proper fruits of this assuranc=
e;11
-so far is it from inclining men to looseness.12
9 Isa. 50:10; Ps. 88; Ps. 77:1-12
10 1 John 4:13; Heb. 6:11,12
11 Rom. 5:1,2,5, 14:17; Ps. 119:32
12 Rom. 6:1,2; Titus 2:11,12,14
Paragraph 4. True believers may have the assurance of their salvation di=
vers
ways shaken, diminished, and intermitted; as by negligence in preserving of=
it,13
by falling into some special sin which wounds the conscience and grieves the
Spirit;14 by some sudden or vehement temptation,15=
by God's withdrawing the light of his countenance, and suffering even such =
as
fear him to walk in darkness and to have no light,16 yet a=
re
they never destitute of the seed of God17 and life of fait=
h,18
that love of Christ and the brethren, that sincerity of heart and conscienc=
e of
duty out of which, by the operation of the Spirit, this assurance may in due
time be revived,19 and by the which, in the meantime, they=
are
preserved from utter despair.20
13 Cant. 5:2,3,6
14 Ps. 51:8,12,14
15 Ps. 116:11; 77:7,8, 31:22
16 Ps. 30:7
17 1 John 3:9
18 Luke 22:32
19 Ps. 42:5,11
20 Lam. 3:26-31
Paragraph 1. God gave to Adam a law of universal obedience written in his
heart, and a particular precept of not eating the fruit of the tree of
knowledge of good and evil;1 by which he bound him and all=
his
posterity to personal, entire, exact, and perpetual obedience;2
promised life upon the fulfilling, and threatened death upon the breach of =
it,
and endued him with power and ability to keep it.3
1 Gen. 1:27; Eccles. 7:29
2 Rom. 10:5
3 Gal. 3:10,12
Paragraph 2. The same law that was first written in the heart of man
continued to be a perfect rule of righteousness after the fall,4
and was delivered by God upon Mount Sinai, in ten commandments, and written=
in
two tables, the four first containing our duty towards God, and the other s=
ix,
our duty to man.5
4 Rom. 2:14,15
5 Deut. 10:4
Paragraph 3. Besides this law, commonly called moral, God was pleased to
give to the people of Israel ceremonial laws, containing several typical or=
dinances,
partly of worship, prefiguring Christ, his graces, actions, sufferings, and
benefits;6 and partly holding forth divers instructions of
moral duties,7 all which ceremonial laws being appointed o=
nly
to the time of reformation, are, by Jesus Christ the true Messiah and only
law-giver, who was furnished with power from the Father for that end abroga=
ted
and taken away.8
6 Heb. 10:1; Col. 2:17
7 1 Cor. 5:7
8 Col. 2:14,16,17; Eph. 2:14,16
Paragraph 4. To them also he gave sundry judicial laws, which expired
together with the state of that people, not obliging any now by virtue of t=
hat
institution; their general equity only being of modern use.9
9 1 Cor. 9:8-10
Paragraph 5. The moral law does for ever bind all, as well justified per=
sons
as others, to the obedience thereof,10 and that not only in
regard of the matter contained in it, but also in respect of the authority =
of
God the Creator, who gave it;11 neither does Christ in the
Gospel any way dissolve, but much strengthen this obligation.12
10 Rom. 13:8-10; James 2:8,10-12
11 James 2:10,11
12 Matt. 5:17-19; Rom. 3:31
Paragraph 6. Although true believers are not under the law as a covenant=
of
works, to be thereby justified or condemned,13 yet it is of
great use to them as well as to others, in that as a rule of life, informing
them of the will of God and their duty, it directs and binds them to walk
accordingly; discovering also the sinful pollutions of their natures, heart=
s,
and lives, so as examining themselves thereby, they may come to further
conviction of, humiliation for, and hatred against, sin;14
together with a clearer sight of the need they have of Christ and the
perfection of his obedience; it is likewise of use to the regenerate to
restrain their corruptions, in that it forbids sin; and the threatenings
of it serve to show what even their sins deserve, and what afflictions in t=
his
life they may expect for them, although freed from the curse and unallayed rigour thereof.=
The promises of it likewise show them God's approbation of obedience, and w=
hat
blessings they may expect upon the performance thereof, though not as due to
them by the law as a covenant of works; so as man's doing good and refraini=
ng
from evil, because the law encourages to the one and deters from the other,=
is
no evidence of his being under the law and not under grace.15
13 Rom. 6:14; Gal. 2:16; Rom. 8:1, 10:4
14 Rom. 3:20, 7:7, etc.
15 Rom. 6:12-14; 1 Pet. 3:8-13
Paragraph 7. Neither are the aforementioned uses of the law contrary to =
the
grace of the Gospel, but do sweetly comply with it,16 the
Spirit of Christ subduing and enabling the will of man to do that freely and
cheerfully which the will of God, revealed in the law, requires to be done.=
17
16 Gal. 3:21
17 Ezek. 36:27
Paragraph 1. The covenant of works being broken by sin, and made
unprofitable unto life, God was pleased to give forth the promise of Christ,
the seed of the woman, as the means of calling the elect, and begetting in =
them
faith and repentance;1 in this promise the gospel, as to t=
he
substance of it, was revealed, and [is] therein effectual for the conversion
and salvation of sinners.2
1 Gen. 3:15
2 Rev. 13:8
Paragraph 2. This promise of Christ, and salvation by him, is revealed o=
nly
by the Word of God;3 neither do the works of creation or
providence, with the light of nature, make discovery of Christ, or of grace=
by
him, so much as in a general or obscure way;4 much less th=
at
men destitute of the revelation of Him by the promise or gospel, should be
enabled thereby to attain saving faith or repentance.5
3 Rom. 1;17
4 Rom. 10:14,15,17
5 Prov. 29:18; Isa. 25:7; 60:2,3
Paragraph 3. The revelation of the gospel to sinners, made in divers tim=
es
and by sundry parts, with the addition of promises and precepts for the
obedience required therein, as to the nations and persons to whom it is
granted, is merely of the sovereign will and good pleasure of God;6=
not being annexed by virtue of any promise to the due improvement of men's
natural abilities, by virtue of common light received without it, which none
ever made, or can do so;7 and therefore in all ages, the
preaching of the gospel has been granted unto persons and nations, as to the
extent or straitening of it, in great variety, according to the counsel of =
the
will of God.
6 Ps. 147:20; Acts 16:7
7 Rom. 1:18-32
Paragraph 4. Although the gospel be the only outward means of revealing
Christ and saving grace, and is, as such, abundantly sufficient thereunto; =
yet
that men who are dead in trespasses may be born again, quickened or
regenerated, there is moreover necessary an effectual insuperable work of t=
he
Holy Spirit upon the whole soul, for the producing in them a new spiritual
life;8 without which no other means will effect their
conversion unto God.9
8 Ps. 110:3; 1 Cor. 2:14; Eph. 1:19,20
9 John 6:44; 2 Cor. 4:4,6
Paragraph 1. The liberty which Christ has purchased for believers under =
the
gospel, consists in their freedom from the guilt of sin, the condemning wra=
th
of God, the severity and curse of the law,1 and in their b=
eing
delivered from this present evil world,2 bondage to Satan,=
3
and dominion of sin,4 from the evil of afflictions,
1 Gal. 3:13
2 Gal. 1:4
3 Acts 26:18
4 Rom. 8:3
5 Rom. 8:28
6 1 Cor. 15:54-57
7 2 Thess. 1:10
8 Rom. 8:15;
9 Luke 1:73-75; 1 John 4:18
10 Gal. 3;9,14
11 John 7:38,39; Heb. 10:19-21
Paragraph 2. God alone is Lord of the conscience,12 and=
has
left it free from the doctrines and commandments of men which are in any th=
ing
contrary to his word, or not contained in it.13 So t=
hat
to believe such doctrines, or obey such commands out of conscience, is to
betray true liberty of conscience;14 and the requiring of =
an
implicit faith, an absolute and blind obedience, is to destroy liberty of
conscience and reason also.15
12 James 4:12; Rom. 14:4
13 Acts 4:19,29; 1 Cor. 7:23; Matt. 15:9
14 Col. 2:20,22,23
15 1 Cor. 3:5; 2 Cor. 1:24
Paragraph 3. They who upon pretence of Christian liberty do practice any
sin, or cherish any sinful lust, as they do thereby pervert the main design=
of
the grace of the gospel to their own destruction,16 so they
wholly destroy the end of Christian liberty, which is, that being delivered=
out
of the hands of all our enemies, we might serve the Lord without fear, in
holiness and righeousness before Him, all the d=
ays of
our lives.17
16 Rom. 6:1,2
17 Gal. 5:13; 2 Pet. 2:18,21
Paragraph 1. The light of nature shows that there is a God, who has lord=
ship
and sovereignty over all; is just, good and does good to all; and is theref=
ore
to be feared, loved, praised, called upon, trusted in, and served, with all=
the
heart and all the soul, and with all the might.1 But=
the
acceptable way of worshipping the true God, is instituted by himself,
1 Jer. 10:7; Mark 12:33
2 Deut. 12:32
3 Exod. 20:4-6
Paragraph 2. Religious worship is to be given to God the Father, Son, and
Holy Spirit, and to him alone;4 not to angels, saints, or =
any
other creatures;5 and since the fall, not without a mediat=
or,6
nor in the mediation of any other but Christ alone.7
4 Matt. 4:9,10; John 6:23; Matt. 28:19
5 Rom. 1:25; Col. 2:18; Rev. 19:10
6 John 14:6
7 1 Tim. 2:5
Paragraph 3. Prayer, with thanksgiving, being one part of natural worshi=
p,
is by God required of all men.8 But that it may be
accepted, it is to be made in the name of the Son,9 by the help of the Spir=
it,10
according to his will;11 with understanding, reverence,
humility, fervency, faith, love, and perseverance; and when with others, in=
a
known tongue.12
8 Ps. 95:1-7, 65:2
9 John 14:13,14
10 Rom. 8:26
11 1 John 5:14
12 1 Cor. 14:16,17
Paragraph 4. Prayer is to be made for things lawful, and for all sorts of
men living, or that shall live hereafter;13 but not for the
dead,14 nor for those of whom it may be known that they ha=
ve
sinned the sin unto death.15
13 1 Tim. 2:1,2; 2 Sam. 7:29
14 2 Sam. 12:21-23
15 1 John 5:16
Paragraph 5. The reading of the Scriptures,16 preaching,
and hearing the Word of God,17 teaching and admonishing one
another in psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing with grace in our he=
arts
to the Lord;18 as also the administration of baptism,
16 1 Tim. 4:13
17 2 Tim. 4:2; Luke 8:18
18 Col. 3:16; Eph. 5:19
19 Matt. 28:19,20
20 1 Cor. 11:26
21 Esther 4:16; Joel 2:12
22 Exod. 15:1-19, Ps. 107
Paragraph 6. Neither prayer nor any other part of religious worship, is =
now
under the gospel, tied unto, or made more acceptable by any place in which =
it
is performed, or towards which it is directed; but God is to be worshipped
everywhere in spirit and in truth;23 as in private familie=
s24
daily,25 and in secret each one by himself;26
so more solemnly in the public assemblies, which are not carelessly nor
23 John 4:21; Mal. 1:11; 1 Tim. 2:8
24 Acts 10:2
25 Matt. 6:11; Ps. 55:17
26 Matt. 6:6
27 Heb. 10:25; Acts 2:42
Paragraph 7. As it is the law of nature, that in general a proportion of
time, by God's appointment, be set apart for the worship of God, so by his
Word, in a positive moral, and perpetual commandment, binding all men, in a=
ll
ages, he has particularly appointed one day in seven for a sabbath
to be kept holy unto him,28 which from the beginning of the
world to the resurrection of Christ was the last day of the week, and from =
the
resurrection of Christ was changed into the first day of the week, which is
called the Lord's Day:29 and is to be continued to the end=
of
the world as the Christian Sabbath, the observation of the last day of the =
week
being abolished.
28 Exod. 20:8
29 1 Cor. 16:1,2; Acts 20:7; Rev. 1:10
Paragraph 8. The sabbath is then kept holy u=
nto
the Lord, when men, after a due preparing of their hearts, and ordering the=
ir
common affairs aforehand, do not only observe a=
holy
rest all day, from their own works, words and thoughts, about their worldly
employment and recreations,30 but are also taken up the wh=
ole
time in the public and private exercises of his worship, and in the duties =
of
necessity and mercy.31
30 Isa. 58:13; Neh. 13:15-22
31 Matt. 12:1-13
Paragraph 1. A lawful oath is a part of religious worship, wherein the
person swearing in truth, righteousness, and judgment, solemnly calls God to
witness what he swears,1 and to judge him according to the
truth or falseness thereof.2
1 Exod. 20:7; Deut. 10:20; Jer. 4:2
2 2 Chron. 6:22, 23
Paragraph 2. The name of God only is that by which men ought to swear; a=
nd
therein it is to be used, with all holy fear and reverence; therefore to sw=
ear
vainly or rashly by that glorious and dreadful name, or to swear at all by =
any
other thing, is sinful, and to be abhorred;3 yet as in mat=
ter
of weight and moment, for confirmation of truth, and ending all strife, an =
oath
is warranted by the word of God;4 so a lawful oath being
imposed by lawful authority in such matters, ought to be taken.5
3 Matt. 5:34,37; James 5:12
4 Heb. 6:16; 2 Cor. 1:23
5 Neh. 13:25
Paragraph 3. Whosoever takes an oath warranted by the word of God, ought
duly to consider the weightiness of so solemn an act, and therein to avouch
nothing but what he knows to be truth; for that by rash, false, and vain oa=
ths,
the Lord is provoked, and for them this land mourns.6
6 Lev. 19:12; Jer. 23:10
Paragraph 4. An oath is to be taken in the plain and common sense of the
words, without equivocation or mental reservation.7
7 Ps. 24:4
Paragraph 5. A vow, which is not to be made to any creature, but to God
alone, is to be made and performed with all religious care and faithfulness=
;8
but popish monastical vows of perpetual single =
life,9
professed poverty,10 and regular obedience, are so far from
being degrees of higher perfection, that they are superstitious and sinful
snares, in which no Christian may entangle himself.11
8 Ps. 76:11; Gen. 28:20-22
9 1 Cor. 7:2,9
10 Eph. 4:28
11 Matt. 19:1
Paragraph 1. God, the supreme Lord and King of all the world, has ordain=
ed
civil magistrates to be under him, over the people, for his own glory and t=
he
public good; and to this end has armed them with the power of the sword, fo=
r defence and encouragement of them that do good, and f=
or the
punishment of evil doers.1
1 Rom. 13:1-4
Paragraph 2. It is lawful for Christians to accept and execute the offic=
e of
a magistrate when called thereunto; in the management whereof, as they ought
especially to maintain justice and peace,2 according to the
wholesome laws of each kingdom and commonwealth, so for that end they may
lawfully now, under the New Testament, wage war upon just and necessary
occasions.3
2 2 Sam. 23:3; Ps. 82:3,4
3 Luke 3:14
Paragraph 3. Civil magistrates being set up by God for the ends aforesai=
d;
subjection, in all lawful things commanded by them, ought to be yielded by =
us
in the Lord, not only for wrath, but for conscience’ sake;4
and we ought to make supplications and prayers for kings and all that are in
authority, that under them we may live a quiet and peaceable life, in all
godliness and honesty.5
4 Rom. 13:5-7; 1 Pet. 2:17
5 1 Tim. 2:1,2
Paragraph 1. Marriage is to be between one man and one woman; neither is=
it
lawful for any man to have more than one wife, nor for any woman to have mo=
re
than one husband at the same time.1
1 Gen. 2:24; Mal. 2:15; Matt. 19:5,6
Paragraph 2. Marriage was ordained for the mutual help of husband and wi=
fe,2
for the increase of mankind with a legitimate issue,3 and =
the
preventing of uncleanness.4
2 Gen. 2:18
3 Gen. 1:28
4 1 Cor. 7:2,9
Paragraph 3. It is lawful for all sorts of people to marry, who are able
with judgment to give their consent;5 yet it is the duty of
Christians to marry in the Lord;6 and therefore such as pr=
ofess
the true religion, should not marry with infidels, or idolaters; neither sh=
ould
such as are godly, be unequally yoked, by marrying with such as are wicked =
in
their life, or maintain damnable heresy.7
5 Heb. 13:4; 1 Tim. 4:3
6 1 Cor. 7:39
7 Neh. 13:25-27
Paragraph 4. Marriage ought not to be within the degrees of consanguinit=
y or
affinity, forbidden in the Word;8 nor can such incestuous
marriages ever be made lawful, by any law of man or consent of parties, so =
as
those persons may live together as man and wife.9
8 Lev. 18
9 Mark 6:18; 1 Cor. 5:1
Paragraph 1. The catholic or universal church, which (with respect to the
internal work of the Spirit and truth of grace) may be called invisible,
consists of the whole number of the elect, that have been, are, or shall be
gathered into one, under Christ, the head thereof; and is the spouse, the b=
ody,
the fulness of him that fills all in all.
1 Heb. 12:23; Col. 1:18; Eph. 1:10,22,23, 5:23,27,32
Paragraph 2. All persons throughout the world, professing the faith of t=
he
gospel, and obedience unto God by Christ according unto it, not destroying
their own profession by any errors everting the
foundation, or unholiness of conversation, are =
and
may be called visible saints;2 and of such ought all
particular congregations to be constituted.3
2 1 Cor. 1:2; Acts 11:26
3 Rom. 1:7; Eph. 1:20-22
Paragraph 3. The purest churches under heaven are subject to mixture and
error;4 and some have so degenerated as to become no churc=
hes
of Christ, but synagogues of Satan;5 nevertheless Christ
always has had, and ever shall have a kingdom in this world, to the end
thereof, of such as believe in him, and make profession of his name.
4 1 Cor. 5; Rev. 2,3
5 Rev. 18:2; 2 Thess. 2:11,12
6 Matt. 16:18; Ps. 72:17, 102:28; Rev. 12:17
Paragraph 4. The Lord Jesus Christ is the Head of the church, in whom, by
the appointment of the Father, all power for the calling, institution, orde=
r or
government of the church, is invested in a supreme and sovereign manner;
7 Col. 1:18; Matt. 28:18-20; Eph. 4:11,12
8 2 Thess. 2:2-9
Paragraph 5. In the execution of this power wherewith he is so intrusted, the Lord Jesus calls out of the world unto
himself, through the ministry of his word, by his Spirit, those that are gi=
ven
unto him by his Father,9 that they may walk before him in =
all
the ways of obedience, which he prescribes to them in his word.10
Those thus called, he commands to walk together in particular societies, or
churches, for their mutual edification, and the due performance of that pub=
lic
worship, which he requires of them in the world.11
9 John 10:16; John 12:32
10 Matt. 28:20
11 Matt. 18:15-20
Paragraph 6. The members of these churches are saints by calling, visibly
manifesting and evidencing (in and by their profession and walking) their
obedience unto that call of Christ;12 and do willingly con=
sent
to walk together, according to the appointment of Christ; giving up themsel=
ves
to the Lord, and one to another, by the will of God, in professed subjectio=
n to
the ordinances of the Gospel.13
12 Rom. 1:7; 1 Cor. 1:2
13 Acts 2:41,42, 5:13,14; 2 Cor. 9:13
Paragraph 7. To each of these churches therefore gathered, according to =
his
mind declared in his word, he has given all that power and authority, which=
is
in any way needful for their carrying on that order in worship and discipli=
ne,
which he has instituted for them to observe; with commands and rules for the
due and right exerting, and executing of that power.14
14 Matt. 18:17, 18; 1 Cor. 5:4, 5, 5:13, 2 Cor. 2:6-8
Paragraph 8. A particular church, gathered and completely organized
according to the mind of Christ, consists of officers and members; and the
officers appointed by Christ to be chosen and set apart by the church (so
called and gathered), for the peculiar administration of ordinances, and
execution of power or duty, which he intrusts t=
hem
with, or calls them to, to be continued to the end of the world, are bishop=
s or
elders, and deacons.15
15 Acts 20:17, 28; Phil. 1:1
Paragraph 9. The way appointed by Christ for the calling of any person,
fitted and gifted by the Holy Spirit, unto the office of bishop or elder in=
a
church, is, that he be chosen thereunto by the common suffrage of the church
itself;16 and solemnly set apart by fasting and prayer, wi=
th
imposition of hands of the eldership of the church, if there be any before
constituted therein;17 and of a deacon that he be chosen by
the like suffrage, and set apart by prayer, and the like imposition of hand=
s.18
16 Acts 14:23
17 1 Tim. 4:14
18 Acts 6:3,5,6
Paragraph 10. The work of pastors being constantly to attend the service=
of
Christ, in his churches, in the ministry of the word and prayer, with watch=
ing
for their souls, as they that must give an account to Him;19
it is incumbent on the churches to whom they minister, not only to give them
all due respect, but also to communicate to them of all their good things
according to their ability,20 so as they may have a
comfortable supply, without being themselves entangled in secular affairs;<=
strong>21
and may also be capable of exercising hospitality towards others;22=
and this is required by the law of nature, and by the express order of our =
Lord
Jesus, who has ordained that they that preach the Gospel should live of the
Gospel.23
19 Acts 6:4; Heb. 13:17
20 1 Tim. 5:17,18; Gal. 6:6,7
21 2 Tim. 2:4
22 1 Tim. 3:2
23 1 Cor. 9:6-14
Paragraph 11. Although it be incumbent on the bishops or pastors of the
churches, to be instant in preaching the word, by way of office, yet the wo=
rk
of preaching the word is not so peculiarly confined to them but that others
also gifted and fitted by the Holy Spirit for it, and approved and called by
the church, may and ought to perform it.24
24 Acts 11:19-21; 1 Pet. 4:10,11
Paragraph 12. As all believers are bound to join themselves to particular
churches, when and where they have opportunity so to do; so all that are
admitted unto the privileges of a church, are also under the censures and
government thereof, according to the rule of Christ.25
25 1 Thess. 5:14; 2 Thess. 3:6,14,15
Paragraph 13. No church members, upon any offence taken by them, having
performed their duty required of them towards the person they are offended =
at,
ought to disturb any church-order, or absent themselves from the assemblies=
of
the church, or administration of any ordinances, upon the account of such
offence at any of their fellow members, but to wait upon Christ, in the fur=
ther
proceeding of the church.26
26 Matt. 18:15-17; Eph. 4:2,3
Paragraph 14. As each church, and all the members of it, are bound to pr=
ay
continually for the good and prosperity of all the churches of Christ,
28 Rom. 16:1,2; 3 John 8-10
Paragraph 15. In cases of difficulties or differences, either in point of
doctrine or administration, wherein either the churches in general are
concerned, or any one church, in their peace, union, and edification; or any
member or members of any church are injured, in or by any proceedings in ce=
nsures
not agreeable to truth and order: it is according to the mind of Christ, th=
at
many churches holding communion together, do, by their messengers, meet to
consider, and give their advice in or about that matter in difference, to be
reported to all the churches concerned;29 howbeit these
messengers assembled, are not intrusted with any
church-power properly so called; or with any jurisdiction over the churches
themselves, to exercise any censures either over any churches or persons; o=
r to
impose their determination on the churches or officers.30<=
br>
29 Acts 15:2,4,6,22,23,25
30 2 Cor. 1:24; 1 John 4:1
Paragraph 1. All saints that are united to Jesus Christ, their head, by =
his
Spirit, and faith, although they are not made thereby one person with him, =
have
fellowship in his graces, sufferings, death, resurrection, and glory; Paragraph 2. Saints by profession are bound to maintain a holy fellowship
and communion in the worship of God, and in performing such other spiritual
services as tend to their mutual edification;4 as also in
relieving each other in outward things according to their several abilities,
and necessities;5 which communion, according to the rule of
the gospel, though especially to be exercised by them, in the relation wher=
ein
they stand, whether in families,6 or churches,7
yet, as God offers opportunity, is to be extended to all the household of
faith, even all those who in every place call upon the name of the Lord Jes=
us;
nevertheless their communion one with another as saints, does not take away=
or
infringe the title or propriety which each man has in his goods and
possessions.8 Paragraph 1. Baptism and the Lord's Supper are ordinances of positive and
sovereign institution, appointed by the Lord Jesus, the only lawgiver, to be
continued in his church to the end of the world.1 Paragraph 2. These holy appointments are to be administered by those only
who are qualified and thereunto called, according to the commission of Chri=
st.2 Paragraph 1. Baptism is an ordinance of the New Testament, ordained by J=
esus
Christ, to be unto the party baptized, a sign of his fellowship with him, in
his death and resurrection; of his being engrafted into him;3
of remission of sins;4 and of giving up into God, through
Jesus Christ, to live and walk in newness of life.5 Paragraph 2. Those who do actually profess repentance towards God, faith=
in,
and obedience to, our Lord Jesus Christ, are the only proper subjects of th=
is
ordinance.6 Paragraph 3. The outward element to be used in this ordinance is water,
wherein the party is to be baptized, in the name of the Father, and of the =
Son,
and of the Holy Spirit.7 Paragraph 4. Immersion, or dipping of the person in water, is necessary =
to
the due administration of this ordinance.8 Paragraph 1. The supper of the Lord Jesus was instituted by him the same
night wherein he was betrayed, to be observed in his churches, unto the end=
of
the world, for the perpetual remembrance, and showing to all the world the
sacrifice of himself in his death,1 confirmation of the fa=
ith
of believers in all the benefits thereof, their spiritual nourishment, and
growth in him, their further engagement in, and to all duties which they ow=
e to
him; and to be a bond and pledge of their communion with him, and with each
other.2 Paragraph 2. In this ordinance Christ is not offered up to his Father, n=
or
any real sacrifice made at all for remission of sin of the quick or dead, b=
ut
only a memorial of that one offering up of himself by himself upon the cros=
s,
once for all;3 and a spiritual oblation of all possible pr=
aise
unto God for the same.4 So that the popish sacrifice=
of
the mass, as they call it, is most abominable, injurious to Christ's own
sacrifice the alone propitiation for all the sins of the elect. Paragraph 3. The Lord Jesus hath, in this ordinance, appointed his minis=
ters
to pray, and bless the elements of bread and wine, and thereby to set them
apart from a common to a holy use, and to take and break the bread; to take=
the
cup, and, they communicating also themselves, to give both to the communica=
nts.5 Paragraph 4. The denial of the cup to the people, worshipping the elemen=
ts,
the lifting them up, or carrying them about for adoration, and reserving th=
em
for any pretended religious use, are all contrary to the nature of this
ordinance, and to the institution of Christ.6 Paragraph 5. The outward elements in this ordinance, duly set apart to t=
he
use ordained by Christ, have such relation to him crucified, as that truly,
although in terms used figuratively, they are sometimes called by the names=
of
the things they represent, in other words, the body and blood of Christ, Paragraph 6. That doctrine which maintains a change of the substance of =
bread
and wine, into the substance of Christ's body and blood, commonly called
transubstantiation, by consecration of a priest, or by any other way, is
repugnant not to Scripture alone,9 but even to common sense
and reason, overthrows the nature of the ordinance, and has been, and is, t=
he
cause of manifold superstitions, yea, of gross idolatries.10
1 1 John 1:3; John 1:16; Phil.=
3:10;
Rom. 6:5,6
2 Eph. 4:15,16; 1 Cor. 12:7; 3:21-23
3 1 Thess. 5:11,14; Rom. 1:12; 1 John 3:17,18; Gal. 6:10
4 Heb. 10:24,25, 3:12,13
5 Acts 11:29,30
6 Eph. 6:4
7 1 Cor. 12:14-27
8 Acts 5:4; Eph. 4:28
CHAPTER 28OF BAPTISM AND THE LORD̵=
7;S
SUPPER
1 Matt. 28:19,20; 1 Cor. 11:26
2 Matt. 28:19; 1 Cor. 4:1
CHAPTER 29OF BAPTISM
3 Rom. 6:3-5; Col. 2:12; Gal. 3:27
4 Mark 1:4; Acts 22:16
5 Rom. 6:4
6 Mark 16:16; Acts 8:36,37, 2:41, 8:12, 18:8
7 Matt. 28:19, 20; Acts 8:38
8 Matt. 3:16; John 3:23
CHAPTER 30OF THE LORD’S SUPPER
1 1 Cor. 11:23-26
2 1 Cor. 10:16,17,21
3 Heb. 9:25,26,28
4 1 Cor. 11:24; Matt. 26:26,27
5 1 Cor. 11:23-26, etc.
6 Matt. 26:26-28, 15:9, Exod. 20:4,5
7 1 Cor. 11:27
8 1 Cor. 11:26-28
9 Acts 3:21; Luke 14:6,39
10 1 Cor. 11:24,25
Paragraph 7. Worthy receivers, outwardly partaking of the visible elemen=
ts
in this ordinance, do then also inwardly by faith, really and indeed, yet n=
ot
carnally and corporally, but spiritually receive, and feed upon Christ
crucified, and all the benefits of his death; the body and blood of Christ
being then not corporally or carnally, but spiritually present to the faith=
of
believers in that ordinance, as the elements themselves are to their outward
senses.11
11 1 Cor. 10:16, 11:23-26
Paragraph 8. All ignorant and ungodly persons, as they are unfit to enjoy
communion with Christ, so are they unworthy of the Lord's table, and cannot,
without great sin against him, while they remain such, partake of these holy
mysteries, or be admitted thereunto;12 yea, whosoever shall
receive unworthily, are guilty of the body and blood of the Lord, eating and
drinking judgment to themselves.13
12 2 Cor. 6:14,15
13 1 Cor. 11:29; Matt. 7:6
Paragraph 1. The bodies of men after death return to dust, and see
corruption;1 but their souls, which neither die nor sleep,
having an immortal subsistence, immediately return to God who gave them.
1 Gen. 3:19; Acts 13:36
2 Eccles. 12:7
3 Luke 23:43; 2 Cor. 5:1,6,8; Phil. 1:23; Heb. 12:23
4 Jude 6, 7; 1 Peter 3:19; Luke 16:23,24
Paragraph 2. At the last day, such of the saints as are found alive, sha=
ll
not sleep, but be changed;5 and all the dead shall be rais=
ed
up with the selfsame bodies, and none other;6 although with
different qualities, which shall be united again to their souls forever.
5 1 Cor. 15:51,52; 1 Thess. 4:17
6 Job 19:26,27
7 1 Cor. 15:42,43
Paragraph 3. The bodies of the unjust shall, by the power of Christ, be
raised to dishonour; the bodies of the just, by=
his
Spirit, unto honour, and be made conformable to=
his
own glorious body.8
8 Acts 24:15; John 5:28,29; Phil. 3:21
Paragraph 1. God has appointed a day wherein he will judge the world in
righteousness, by Jesus Christ;1 to whom all power and
judgment is given of the Father; in which day, not only the apostate angels
shall be judged,2 but likewise all persons that have lived=
upon
the earth shall appear before the tribunal of Christ, to give an account of
their thoughts, words, and deeds, and to receive according to what they have
done in the body, whether good or evil.3
1 Acts 17:31; John 5:22,27
2 1 Cor. 6:3; Jude 6
3 2 Cor. 5:10; Eccles. 12:14; Matt. 12:36; Rom. 14:10,12;
Matt. 25:32-46
Paragraph 2. The end of God's appointing this day, is for the manifestat=
ion
of the glory of his mercy, in the eternal salvation of the elect; and of his
justice, in the eternal damnation of the reprobate, who are wicked and
disobedient;4 for then shall the righteous go into everlas=
ting
life, and receive that fulness of joy and glory=
with
everlasting rewards, in the presence of the Lord; but the wicked, who do not
know God, and do not obey the gospel of Jesus Christ, shall be cast aside i=
nto
everlasting torments,5 and punished with everlasting
destruction, from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power=
.6
4 Rom. 9:22,23
5 Matt. 25:21,34; 2 Tim. 4:8
6 Matt. 25:46; Mark 9:48; 2 Thess. 1:7-10
Paragraph 3. As Christ would have us to be certainly persuaded that there
shall be a day of judgment, both to deter all men from sin,7
and for the greater consolation of the godly in their adversity,8
so will he have the day unknown to men, that they may shake off all carnal
security, and be always watchful, because they know not at what hour the Lo=
rd
will come,9 and may ever be prepared to say, Come Lord Jes=
us;
come quickly.10 Amen.
7 2 Cor. 5:10,11
8 2 Thess. 1:5-7
9 Mark 13:35-37; Luke 12:35-40
10 Rev. 22:20
We the MINISTERS, and MESSENGERS of, and concer= ned for upwards of, one hundred BAPTIZED CHURCHES, in England and Wales (denyin= g Arminianisim), being met together in London, from the= third of the seventh month to the eleventh of the same, 1689, to consider of some things that might be for the glory of God, and the good of these congregati= ons, have thought meet (for the satisfaction of all other Christians that differ from us in the point of Baptism) to recommend to their perusal the confessi= on of our faith, which confession we own, as containing the doctrine of our fa= ith and practice, and do desire that the members of our churches respectively do furnish themselves therewith.
Hansard Knollys,=
Pastor
Broken Wharf, London
William Kiffin, Pastor Devonshire-square, Londo=
n
John Harris, Pastor, Joiner's Hall, London
William Collins, Pastor, Petty France, London
Hurcules Collins, Pastor, =
Wapping,
London
Robert Steed, Pastor, Broken Wharf, London
Leonard Harrison,Pastor, L=
imehouse,
London
George Barret, Pastor, Mile End Green, London
Richard Adams, Minister, Shad Thames, Southwark=
Benjamin Keach, Pastor, Horse-lie-down, Southwark
Andrew Gifford, Pastor, Bristol, Fryars, Som. &=
amp; Glouc.
Thomas Vaux, Pastor, Broadmead, Som. & Glouc.
Thomas Winnel, Pastor,
James Hitt, Preacher, Dalw=
ood,
Dorset
Richard Tidmarsh, Minister, Oxford City, Oxon
Samuel Buttall, Minister, Plymouth, Devon
Christopher Price, Minister, Abergayenny, Monmo=
uth
Daniel Finch, Minister, Kingsworth, Herts
John Ball, Minister, Tiverton, Devon
Edmond White, Pastor, Evershall, Bedford
William Prichard, Pastor, Blaenau, Monmouth
Paul Fruin, Minister, Warwick, Warwick
Richard Ring, Pastor, Southhampton, Hants
John Tomkins, Minister, Abingdon, Berks
Toby Willes, Pastor, Bridgewater, Somerset
John Carter, Pastor, Steventon, Bedford
James Webb, Pastor, Devizes, Wilts
Richard Sutton, Pastor, Tring, Herts
Robert Knight, Pastor, Stukeley, Bucks
Edward Price, Pastor, Hereford City, Hereford
William Phipps, Pastor, Exon, Devon
William Hawkins, Pastor, Dimmock, Gloucester
Samuel Ewer, Pastor, Hemstead, Herts
Edward Man, Pastor, Houndsditch, London
Charles Archer, Pastor, Hock-Norton, Oxon
In the name of and on the behalf of the whole
assembly.