he thinks most necessary to be believed And it is Resolved in the following Section CHAP. I. Section 2. The Summ of Things necessary to be believed by a Christian Artic. I. I believe in God the Father Almighty Maker of Heaven and Earth I do believe that there is a God an Infinite 1 King 8.27 Eternal Ps 90.2 Spirit Joh. 4.24 absolutely perfect Ps 147.5 Rom. 1.20 and that this God is the Father of whom are all things 1 Cor. 8.6 and who is in a more eminent manner the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ Mat. 17.5 Joh. 1.14 Rom. 8.32 And I do believe that Power belongeth unto him Psal 62.11 so that he is able to do whatsoever he pleaseth Eccles 8.3 who did at first create the World and all things contained therein Gen. 1.1 and has preserv'd them ever since by His Divine Providence Neb. 9.6 Art II. And in Jesus Christ his only Son our Lord. I do believe that that Man who was born of the Virgin Mary Luk. 2.7 in the days of Herod Mat. 2.1 and who before his birth was by an Angel from Heaven named Jesus Mat. 1.21 was the True Messias the Anointed of the Lord Joh. 1.41 and 11.27 whom God had so long and so often promised to send into the world to be the Saviour of Mankind Gen. 3.15 and 21.12 and 49.10 Deut. 18.15 And I do also believe that this Holy Person was neither Angel nor Arch-Angel nor any other Creature whatsoever but the Son of God by an unspeakable Generation begotten of God from all Eternity Colos 1.15 17. Heb. 1.5 6 10 13. God of God and together with the Father and Holy Ghost one God John 5.18 blessed for ever Rom. 9.5 and that he is rightly called our Lord in respect of that Right that belongs to him as having first Created us Colos 1.16 and then redeemed us 1 Pet. 1.18 19. and being made Lord of all things Acts 2.36 Art III. Who was conceived by the Holy Ghost born of the Virgin Mary I do believe that Jesus Christ was not conceived after the ordinary way but by the wonderful Operation of the Holy Ghost overshadowing his Virgin Mother Luke 1.35 that he might assume our Nature without the Depravation of it Luk. 1.35 And I do moreover believe that though being conceived in that wonderful manner he had no Man to his Father yet deriving his bodily substance from his Mother he is rightly said to be the Seed of the Woman Gen. 3.15 of the House and Family of David Ps 132.11 Mat. 15.22 Acts 2.30 And so being descended from Adam Luk. 3. he is truly call'd the Son of Man Mat. 8.20 Mar. 9.12 Luk. 9.22 John 5.27 Art IV. Suffered under Pontius Pilate was Crucified Dead and Buried he descended into Hell I do believe that the only begotten Son of God did in our Nature which he had assumed not only really and truly suffer both in his body by tormenting pains Mat. 27.26 29 35. and in his Soul by unspeakable sorrows Mat. 26.38 Luk. 22.44 for the Redemption of Mankind Gal. 3.13 1 Pet. 2.24 but even in the most shameful and ignominious manner also having his Hands and Feet nail'd to a Cross as Thieves and the vilest Malefactors were used Luk. 23.33 there he hung some Hours Luk. 23.44 till he was Really dead Luk. 23.46 and then for the greater certainty of it like other dead Men was embalmed and laid in the Grave Luk. 23.53 his Soul being departed into those unknown Regions where Souls separated from their Bodies are Ps 16.10 Acts 2.31 And I am verily perswaded that all this was done when Pontius Pilate was Governour of Judea under Tiberius the Roman Emperour Luk. 3.1 Art V. The Third Day he rose again from the Dead I do believe that Jesus Christ the Third Day after he died according to his own Promise Joh 2.19 and as the Scripture had foretold Ps 16.10 had his Soul by the Power of the Godhead reunited to his Body Acts 2.31 32. so that he was really and truly alive again Luk. 24.39 Acts 1.3 and is never to return to Death any more Rom. 6.9 Art VI. He Ascended into Heaven and sitteth at the Right Hand of God I believe that after he was risen from the Dead and had conversed with his Disciples Forty Days Acts 1.3 while he was Talking with them he was taken up in a Cloud and went into Heaven Angels attending and ministring unto him Acts 1.9 10. where being exalted far above all Principalities and Powers Eph. 1.20 21. and placed in full Possession of the highest Power Dignity and Dominion he always appears in the Presence of God making Intercession for us by vertue of that Sacrifice which he had before offered upon the Cross Col. 2.16 to 22. Heb. 7.25 and 9.24 Art VII From thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead I believe that Christ in his Humane Nature shall continue in Heaven till the end of the World Acts 3.21 and that then he shall come from thence in the Clouds attended with millions of Angels and with the Voice of the Arch-angel and with the Trump of God and shall call all Mankind before him Mat. 24.30 31. as well those that shall be then alive at his coming 1 Thess 4.17 as those that shall have been dead from the beginning of the World Joh. 5.28 and there shall Judge them all according to their Deeds whether they have been good or whether they have been evil 2 Cor. 5.10 Art VIII I believe in the Holy Ghost I believe that there is a Third Person 1 Joh. 5.7 proceeding from the Father and the Son Joh. 15.26 Gal. 4.6 who also is God Acts 5.4 called in sacred Scripture the Holy Spirit or Holy Ghost not only upon the account of his own most perfect Holiness and in Opposition to that Vnclean Spirit the Devil but also as he is the cause of all Holiness in us by his Graces sancrifying our Sculs and Bodies to the obedience of God 1 Pet. 1.2 and so making us acceptable to him in Jesus Christ 1 Cor. 6.11 Art IX The holy Catholick Church I believe that Christ by the Preaching of the Gospel has called not only out of Judea but out of all Nations a Society of Men Mat. 28.19 Acts 2.41 42. and 4.32 and 5.14 into which every one is admitted by Baptism 1 Cor. 12.13 and all are united to and under him as their Head Col. 1.18 And that this Catholick or Vniversal Church or whole Society of Christians dispersed over the world containeth in it as its parts many particular Churches such as were those of Jerusalem the first Church planted by the Apostles Luk. 24.47 Antioch Corinth Ephesus c. And that there is no One Governour on Earth whom Christ hath appointed Head of the whole Church or all particular Churches nor any who is sufficient for such a Charge I further believe that this Church is set apart for Holy Services and that the Calling and Profession of the
us 5. Intercession That must be for all Mankind for the whole Catholick Church and that Particular Church whereof we are Members for the Nation wherein we live for our King for all the Royal Family for all the Ministers of State and Justice for the Vniversities and Schools for our private Relations our Friends and Benefactors for all in Trouble and Affliction for our Enemies and those who dispightfully use us Mat. 5.44 6. Thanksgiving This is Praising God for all his Mercies to us and to Mankind in the Name of Christ Eph. 5.20 Christians are to praise him for sending his Son and Holy Spirit for the Preservation of his Church for all the Examples and Patterns of Piety gone before us for the means of Grace his Word Worship and Sacraments for the particular blessings of Food Rayment c. or the Preservation of our Selves or Relations and the like When we consider such Mercies it would well become us to say with Reverence and Devotion Glory be to our Creator Redeemer and Sanctifier for ever and ever Amen This Duty of Praise is sometimes to be performed by singing of Psalms as particularly Ps 4 15 23 67 100 117 128 134. and Hymns and Spiritual Songs which render the Service very Solemn and are a means to raise Devotion in a Private Family or Publick Assembly Eph. 5.19 Col. 3.16 James 5.13 As for stated Publick Prayers in Churches and Private in Families he who wilfully Absents himself from either without just Cause or necessary Impediment looses the Blessing of God's presence promised where two or three are met together in his Name Mat. 18.20 As for Secret Devotion our Saviour himself directs it in these words Thou when thou prayest enter into thy Closet and when thou hast shut the door pray to thy Father which is in secret and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly Mat. 6.6 This must be done at least every Morning and Evening it being not safe to let pass the sins or to adventure the Perils of a Day or Night without begging pardon for the one and the Divine Protection to prevent the other In this private Address we must as far as our Memories will serve us unbosom our selves by making a full and free Confession of all our sins and laying open all our wants and asking suitable supplies lifting up holy hands without wrath or doubting 1 Tim. 2.8 And then as the Son of Syrach says The Prayer of the humble pierceth the Clouds and will not turn away till the Highest regard it Ecclus 35.17 8. God is Glorify'd by the worthy Receiving of the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper This is an holy Rite of the New Covenant agreeable to the Passover under the Old In this Rite by the outward and visible signs of Bread broken and Wine poured forth Mat. 26.26 27 28. Mark 14.22 23 24. Luke 22.19 20. is represented the Sacrifice of Christ upon the Cross in the Offering of which his Flesh was rent and his Blood shed forth John 19.34 And by eating of that Bread and drinking of that Cup Administred by Christ's Ministers in his Church according to Christ's own Institution is made a Festival Memorial of the Sacrifice of the Death of Christ which is thus to be shewed forth till He cometh to Judge the World 1 Cor. 11.23 24 25 26. To as many Baptized Persons as do this in such manner as God is pleased to account meet or worthy those outward Signs and Actions are both means whereby we receive the Benefits of Christs Sacrifice and also Pledges and Tokens from God to assure us that we verily and indeed partake of them To this Sacrament we are to come because Christ expresly commands all to do it Mat. 26.26 27. 1 Cor. 11.23 to 26. and to partake of the Holy Cup as well as the Bread And we cannot do less out of Love and Thankfulness to our Redeemer than to make such a Memorial of his Death Here we renew our holy Vows which we have need to do as oft as we can Hereby also the Church is edified the Bread which we break 1 Cor. 10.16 being the Communion of the Body of Christ and the Cup which we drink being the Communion of the Blood of Christ or a publick Act of Christian Fellowship 1 Cor. 10.20 21. made by the Members of Christ's Church in or for a Remembrance of his Passion to which God never denies his Blessing to those who duly receive it it being his own Ordinance Before a Man comes to this Supper he must retire and with Reverence and Godly Fear carefully examine himself 1 Cor. 11.28 and condemn himself for that which he finds amiss resolving by God's Grace to do so no more He is to judge himself that he may not be judged 1 Cor. 11.31 And if he finds any thing good in himself he is to Bless God for his Grace and to desire that he may grow in it and persevere in Holiness to his Lives end See Repentance in Table of Contents He is also to prepare himself with a lively Faith in God's Mercy through Christ and with a thankful Heart for the Benefit of Christ's Death and with fervent Charity to all not excepting Enemies Mat. 5.23 24. and especially to his Fellow-Communicants When he comes there he must with all Devout Affection exercise himself in the aforesaid Acts of Reverence Repentance and Faith and Thankfulnâ—ss and Charity and holy Resolution After the Sacrament he is again to do the same and to humble himself for any Failures in that Duty of which he may have observed himself to have been guilty and to bless God who has vouchsafed to make him a partaker of that Ordinance and to resolve by God's help having solemnly renewed his Baptismal Vow not to break it again In Sum God is honoured by a Christian Life Herein saith Christ to his Disciples John 15.8 is my Father glorified that ye bear much fruit See at the end of this Book Prayers before and at and after the Sacrament 5. To trust and rely on God It is the Duty of all good Christians to depend and rest on God for all the good things which concern their Souls and Bodies either here or hereafter with Contentment and Resignation of Mind 1. Their Souls We may be said to rely on God for the things which concern our Souls by Faith Hope and Patience in well-doing that is by believing that all which God hath said is true and that all which he hath promised will be fulfilled by depending upon Him without murmuring and with a firm expectation that all things shall work together for good to us whilest we love Rom. 8.28 and obey Him and cast our care on Him 1 Pet. 5.7 But without this Love and Obedience Faith and Hope and Patience are vain and we shall never become Heirs of those precious Promises which without the performance of the Conditions required on our part do not at all belong to us Heb. 5.9 2.
Members of it is Holy 1 Thess 4.7 2 Tim. 1.9 and 2.19 And I make no doubt but that according to his most gracious promise against this Church built upon the Rock of that Faith which St. Peter confessed in owning Jesus to be the Christ the Gates of Hell or the Power and Malice of the Devil and all his Agents shall not finally prevail Mat. 16.18 but that in it there will be in some part or other of the World a constant succession of Pastors to the end of the World Mat. 28.20 The Communion of Saints I do further believe that all Christians truly sanctified have Fellowship not only with God the Father the Son 1 Joh. 1.3 and the Holy Ghost 2 Cor. 13.14 as dwelling in them Joh. 14.23 but are united with the Saints Rom. 1.7 Eph. 4.16 1 Joh. 1.7 on Earth the Living Members of Christ in Faith and Charity in Worship and Sacraments Acts 2.42 and 4.32 1 Cor. 12.26 Eph. 4.5 13. in Christian Assemblies Heb. 10.25 from which Assemblies those who wilfully withdraw whilest no sinful Conditions of Communion are really put upon them tho' through Pride and Prejudice and the Clamour of the Enemies of an Establishment it may be so suggested do make such a Schism Breach or Rent in the Body of the Church as becometh not the Members of it but is extreamly hurtful to Order Peace and Charity Rom. 16.17 1 Cor. 1.10 and 12.25 26. dishonourable to Religion and displeasing to Almighty God Gal. 5.20 21. Art X. The Forgiveness of Sins I do believe that not only all the Sins whatsoever any Person was guilty of before he was Baptized are forgiven unto him at his Baptism if he was duly qualified for the receiving of that Holy Ordinance Acts 2.38 and 22.16 but also that all the Sins that any Person shall commit after Baptism shall likewise upon his true Repentance be forgiven him by God Mar. 3.28 Luk. 24.47 for the sake of Christ's meritorious sacrifice once offered on the Cross Heb. 9.26 by which he made Atonement for the sins of the World Rom. 5.11 Col. 1.20 and 2.13 14. 1 Joh. 4.10 Art XI The Resurrection of the Body I do believe that as it is appointed for all Men once to die Heb. 9.27 so is it also determined That at the end of the World there shall be a general Resurrection of the Dead both of the just and unjust Act. 24.15 their Bodies however their Parts may before that be scartered or dissolved being by the Almighty Power of God raised again and re-united to their Souls Job 19. 26 27. never to be separated any more 1 Cor. 15.42 53. And that as all the just shall be raised to a Resurrection of Life so shall all the unjust to a Resurrection of Damnation Joh. 5.29 Art XII And the Life Everlasting I do believe that at the general Resurrection of the Last Day all Men shall be rewarded according to their Deeds which they have done in their Bodies 2 Cor. 5.10 they that have done good shall go into Everlasting Life Mat. 25.46 a state of perfect Joy and Happiness for ever and they that have done evil into everlasting punishment Mat. 25.46 a state of unspeakable Woe and Misery where there shall be weeping and gnashing of Teeth to all Eternity Mat. 25.30 These are the Articles of the Faith of a Christian Man But if this Faith tho' never so firmly believed does not work by Love 1 Cor. 7.19 Gal. 5.6 and 6.15 it is vain it is dead it is such a Faith as the Devils have who believe and tremble but do not obey Therefore we go on to show those Christian Works or Duties which are the Fruits of True Faith and which together with the belief of Revealed Doctrine are called Faith or an Embracing the Gospel Mar. 16.16 Joh. 3.18 19. And this Faith God accounts through Christ as the Performance of the Condition on our part of the Covenant of Baptism Heb. 5.9 1 Pet. 3.21 CHAP. II. Of the Things to be Practised by a Christian THE Duties belonging to a Christian Respect God our selves and our Neighbours Tit. 2.11 12. The Gospel offering Salvation to all Men upon the Terms of a Godly Sober and Righteous Life through the Merits of Christ Jesus Section I. Of Duties towards God to be practised by every one that believes in him Such Duties to God are to Love and Fear him to Repent and turn to him to Honour and Glorifie him and to Trust in and Rely upon him with Contentment Resignation and Thankfulness to God 1. To Love God God is the Chief Good and therefore he is to be loved both by the Approbation of the Mind and the Affection of the Heart and we are to Love him with all our Hearts and with all our Souls and to show we do so by Keeping his Commandments John 14.15 by chusing to suffer for his sake rather than to sin Heb. 11.25 by our delighting to converse with him in Prayer and Praises in Reading and Hearing his Word and Receiving the Sacrament esteeming with David One Day in his Courts better than a Thousand elsewhere Psal 84.10 And by our coming to those Spiritual Exercises with the same Earnestness as the panting Hart does to the Water-Brooks and with the same chearfulness of Mind though not always the same Sense of it as we go to visit our dearest Friends And Lastly by our longing Desire to Enjoy him in Glory not thinking the Labour and Service of our whole Lives too much towards the attaining that blessed State nor setting up our Rest on this side Heaven Heb. 11.16 but pressing and hastning towards it with Devout Affections and Holy Diligence being willing when God calls to go out of the World and patient to stay till he calls 2. To Fear God Fear is a very affecting and powerful Passion and is a most forcible means to hold us to our Duty and to restrain us from sin For how can he presume to offend by any wilful neglect of his Duty or by the commission of any known sin that considers either the Knowledge and Power of God or His Purity and hatred of Sin That He understands all our Thoughts hears all our Words discerns all our Actions as well secret as open Psal 139.1 to 17. and will as certainly punish all sin unrepented of as He hates and condemns it For as He is able to cast both body and soul into Hell Luk. 12.5 so he has declared That he will do it Mat. 25.41 2 Thes 1.8 Rev. 21.8 And therefore the Scripture requires that we should serve the Lord with Fear Ps 2.11 Heb. 12.28 But then this Fear is not servile or slavish that no longer restrains us from sin than the Rod is before us or held over us but Filial the Fear of a Child that is afraid of displeasing his Father because he is his Father and to whom he always pays as well as owes the greatest Reverence and Obedience 3. To Repent and Turn to God