more fully it puts us in mind of our mutual relation and stirs us up the more to the performance of our respective duties to each other therefore we have hereunto annexed a profession of Assent to the Fundamentals of Faith by way of Explication of the Creed called the Apostles which we all own and will maintain Likewise a profession of Consent to the tearms of the Covenant of Grace which also we all freely agree unto and both these we conceive may not unfitly be used if not in the express words yet at least as to the substance of them either at the Sacrament of Baptisme and the Lords Supper or on other occasions as prudence shall direct And we also engage for our selves to endeavour the settlement and practise of that Church-Order and Government the Scriptures warrant for admonition reproof and other Church-censures hoping that our people also will agree with us in the things fore-expressed as being not only lawful in themselves but so conducing to the Churches Union and Reformation Ministers encouragement and mutual edification Baptisme 1. VVE agree that not only those who do actually profess Faith in Christ and obedience to him but also the Infants of one or both Believing Parents or Parents that are Church-members are to be Baptized But we shall not Baptize the Children of such as are strangers to us until we have had personal conference with them and the like conference we will endeavour with such Parents who offering to us their Children to be Baptized are either ignorant of the grounds of Religion or scandalous in Conversation 2. Because some Brethren of the Association judge it meet when a Parent ignorant of the grounds of Religion or scandalous in Conversation offers his Child to be Baptized that the Ordinance may be forborn till that ignorant Parent get competent Knowledge or the scandalous do testifie serious Repentance Therefore for preserving Unity amongst us we agree that none of us of different judgements from such Ministers will over-hastily Baptize the Child of such a Parent till first we understand the case from any such Ministers that so defer Baptizing and if then we think fit to Baptize yet first we will render our Reasons to them for so doing which also we shall not be unwilling to submit to the censure of the Association 3. We also agree to administer Baptisme publikely and in the most solemn manner and therefore to perform it ordinarily on the Lords Day or upon some other day of Preaching the Word or at least when the Word by some Exposition or Exhortation may accompany the Ordinance and likewise so far as may be to avoid private Baptisme The Lords Supper 1. VVE agree according to Scripture Warrant the general Judgement and Practice both of the antient succeeding and present Churches of Christ with which the Rubrick before the Communion in divers passages of it and the Confession of Faith the larger Catechisme and form of Church-Government made by the Assembly concur that the Church-Guides should still put a difference in their Admissions to the Lords Supper between the evidently worthy and unworthy encouraging and furthering the one to and in a frequent partaking thereof but warning and not suffering the other to profane the Ordinance endanger their own Souls and give scandal to other Christians And seeing Church-Rulers are apt to fail in their duty either from too great severity rigidly excluding the competently fit or by inadvertency over-facility or fear promiscuously admitting such who on prudent and moderate Tryal would appear unworthy Therefore we resolve as to encourage good Christians to an often coming to the Lords Supper so not to admit such to it who appear unfit Namely 1. Those that have not a competent Knowledge in the principles of Religion 2. That are not of an unblameable Conversation And if some of us require more positive signs of Grace in persons that come to the Ordinance it shall be no breach of Union among our selves Competent Knowledge BEcause a total or gross ignorance in the principles of Christianity cannot consist with saving Faith sound Repentance coming up to the terms of the Covenant of Grace of which this Sacrament is a Seal neither with that discerning the Lords Body and such self-examination as is necessary to worthy partaking But that persons thus ignorant must needs miss of benefit by this Ordinance and meet with a Curse instead of a Blessing Therefore we shall not admit any that on Tryal are found such till Competent Knowledge be attained That we may therefore proceed more clearly and with less inconveniency to any we will not give the Rule our selves for this Tryal but express our concurrent sense and approbation of that direction being very full and plain which the Assembly in their form of Church-Government offers yet not limiting any strictly or solely to it Their words are these The Rubrick at the end of the Confirmation formerly mentioning the Curats Duty of taking account what Children could say the fore-mentioned Catechisme Add these words And there shall none be admitted to the Holy Communion until such time as he can say the Catechisme and be confirmed where the Catechisme is made the Rule of Tryal of Knowledge in first admission to the Lords Supper and that saying the Catechisme when Children but six or seven years old may rehearse it yet cannot understand it nor examine themselves must therefore be a saying of it with understanding the meaning and sense of which the Curate must take notice before he admits to that Ordinance All such persons who shall be admitted to the Sacrament of the Lords Supper ought to know that there is a God that there is but one Everlasting and true God Maker of Heaven and Earth and Governour of all things that this only true God is the God whom we worship that this God is but one God yet three distinct Persons the Father Son and Holy Ghost all equally God That God created Man after his own Image in Knowledge Righteousness and true Holiness that by one man Sin entred into the world and Death by Sin and so Death passed upon all men for that all have sinned that thereby they are all dead in trespasses and sins and are by Nature the Children of Wrath and so lyable to Eternal Death the wages of every sin That there is but one Mediator betwixt God and Man the Man Christ Jesus who is also over all God blessed for ever neither is there Salvation in any other That he was Conceived by the Holy Ghost and born of the Virgin Mary that he died upon the Cross to save his people from their sins that he rose again the third day from the Dead ascended into Heaven sitteth at the right hand of God and maketh Intercession for us of whose Fulness we receive all Grace necessary to Salvation That Christ and his Benefits are applyed only by Faith that Faith is the gift of God and that we have it not of our selves but it
he rose again the third day and afterwards ascended into heaven where he now remaineth ruling in equal power and Glory with the Father and making Intercession for us whence he shall come again at the appointed day to judge the World in Righteousness 5. I believe that God the Holy Ghost who proceedeth from the Father and the Son hath fully revealed the truth and will of God contained in the Scriptures of the Old and New Testament for a perfect perpetual and only Rule of Faith and obedience and doth effectually apply to his Elect by working Faith in them the saving benefits of that Redemption purchased by the Blood of Christ which precious benefits are dispenced by the same Spirit in the use of those holy Ordinances which Christ hath instituted in his written Word for the begetting and perfecting grace to be carefully observed till his second coming 6. I believe that this Holy Spirit dwelleth and worketh in all that are drawn to believe in Christ who being united to him the Head maketh up one holy Catholike Church which is his body the members whereof having fellowship with the Father the Son and Holy Ghost by Faith and with one another in love do receive here on earth forgiveness of sin with the life of Grace in Christ and at the last Resurrection of the bodies of all men then dead shall for ever enjoy the life of glory with God in Heaven when the wicked shall go into everlasting punishment in hell I Believe that there is one only true God the Father the Son and the Holy Ghost which are three distinct persons each of them God and all of them that one and the same God Infinite Eternal Unchangeable in being and all perfection I believe Mark 9.24 And straight way the Father of the child cryed out and said with tears Lord I believe c. That there is one only true God Deut. 6.4 Hear O Israel the Lord our God is one Lord Isa 44.6 1 Cor. 8.4 Isa 44.6 1 Tim. 2.5 There is none other God but one and ver 6. to us there is but one God 1 Tim. 2.5 The Father the Son and the Holy Ghost Heb. 1.3 John 14.26 compared with 15.26 which are three distinct persons Matth. 28.19 Go ye therefore and teach all Nations baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost 2 Cor. 13.14 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the Communion of the Holy Ghost be with you all Each of them God 1 Cor. 8.4 To us there is but one God the Father c. Rom. 9.5 Christ is over all 1 Cor. 8.6 2 Cor. 3.17 God blessed for ever Acts 5.3 4. But Peter said Ananias why hath Satan filled thy heart to lye to the Holy Ghost c. Thou hast not lyed unto men but unto God And all of them that one and the same God 1 John 5.7 For there are three that bear record in heaven the Father the Word and the Holy Ghost and these three are one Infinite 2 Chron. 6.18 Job 11.7 c. Psal 45.3 with Psa 139.7 8 9. But will God in very deed dwell with men upon the earth Behold heaven and the heaven of heavens cannot contain thee Eternal Deut. 33.27 The Eternal God is thy refuge Psal 90.2 From everlasting to everlasting thou art God Unchangeable Mal. 3.6 I am the Lord I change not Exod. 3.14 James 1. v. 17. With him there is no variableness neither shadow of change In being and all perfection Exod. 34.5 6 7 1 Chron. 16.27 with 29.11 Mat. 5.48 with 6.13 Job 37.23 Acts 7.2 Isa 46.10 Eph. 1.11 Gen. 17.1 I am the Almighty God Rom. 9.5 Who is over all God blessed for ever I believe that God is the Fore-ordainer Maker Preserver and Governour of all things according to the counsel of his own will I believe that God is the Fore-ordainer Prov. 19.21 There are many devices in a mans heart nevertheless the Counsel of the Lord that shall stand Acts 17.26 And hath made of one blood all Nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth and hath determined the times before appointed and the bounds of their habitation Maker Gen. 1.1 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth Acts 17.24 God that made the world and all things therein c. Preserver Neh. 9.6 Thou even thou art Lord alone thou hast made heaven Heb. 1.3 the heaven of heavens with all their Host the earth and all things that are therein and thou preservest them all Col. 1.17 By him all things consist And Governour of all things Psal 103.19 His Kingdome ruleth over all Dan. 4.34 35. Mat. 10.29 30. Acts 17.28 John 5.17 According to the counsel of his own will Eph. 1.11 In whom also we have obtained an inheritance being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will I believe that God made man upright after his own Image in knowledge righteousnesse and holinesse who by transgressing the Law of his Creator fell from that holy and happy estate and brought himself with his whole posterity into a state of sin and death I believe that God made man upright Eccles 7.29 God hath made man upright But they have sought out many inventions After his own Image Gen. 1.27 In knowledge Coloss 3.10 and have put on the new man Gen. 3.6 7 16 17 18. Rom. 5.18 19. with Rom. 3.9 10 11 12 23. which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him Righteousness and holiness Eph. 4.24 Put on the new man which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness Who by transgressing the Law of his Creator fell from that holy and happy estate Eccles 7.29 God hath made man upright But they have sought out many inventions And brought himself with his whole posterity into a state of sin and death Rom. 5.12 sin entred into the world Psal 51.5 John 3.3 5 6. Eph. 2.1 2 3. and death by sin and so death passed upon all men for that all have sinned I believe that man thus fallen not being able to deliver himself from this state of misery Rom. 5.6 for when we were yet without strength in due time Christ died for the ungodly Eph. 2.1 Rom. 8.3 for what the Law could not do in that it was weak through the flesh God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin condemned sin in the flesh God so loved the world that he sent forth his only begotten Son Jesus Christ Joh. 3.16 God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son that whosoever believeth in him Gal. 4.4 5. 1 John 4.9 should not perish but have everlasting life Who took to himself our nature Heb. 2.14 for as much then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood he also himself likewise took
part of the same that through death he might destroy c. And became man 1 Tim. 2.5 there is one God and one Mediatour between God and men the man Christ Jesus Being conceived by the Holy Ghost in the womb of the Virgin Mary Matth. 1.18.20 21. Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise Luke 1.27 31 35 42. When as his Mother Mary was espoused to Joseph before they came together she was found with child of the Holy Ghost for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost and she shall bring forth a Son and thou shalt call his name Jesus c. Made of her substance Rom. 1.3 Concerning his Sonne Jesus Christ our Lord who was made of the seed of David according to the flesh Gal. 4.4 In the fulnesse of time God sent his Son made of a woman and borne of her Matth. 1.25 she brought forth her first-borne Son and he called his name Jesus Luke 2.7 Who being perfect God and perfect man in one person Matth. 1.23 Behold a Virgin shall be with child and shall bring forth a Sonne and they shall call his name Emmanuel John 1.14 Rom. 9.5 1 Tim. 3.16 which being interpreted is God with us Free from sin even in his humane nature and life Heb. 7.26 1 Pet. 2.22 1 John 3.5 2 Cor. 5.21 for he hath made him to be sin for us who knew no sin that we c. Heb. 4.15 he was without sin Having fulfilled all righteousnesse Matth. 3.15 with 5.17 Jesus said unto him suffer it to be so now for thus it becometh us to fulfill all righteousnesse Gave himself a sacrifice for our sins and a ransome for us Eph. 5.2 And walk in love as Christ also hath loved us Heb. 9.14.26.28 Mat. 20.28 1 Tim. 2.6 1 Pet. 3.18 Mat. 26.38 and 27.46 Gal. 3.13 Phil. 2.8 Rom. 3.24 25 26. with 5.9 Heb. 2.17 1 Pet. 3.18 and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet smelling savour By suffering the wrath of God and the death of the Crosse 1 Pet. 2.21 24. Christ hath suffered for us c. who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree c. To reconcile us to God 2 Cor. 5.18 19 21. All things are of God who hath reconciled us unto himself by Jesus Christ and hath given unto us the ministry of reconciliation to wit that God was in Christ reconciling the world unto himself not imputing their trespasses unto them c. And being buried Acts 2.23 24 27. Col. 2.15 Heb. 2.14 yet so triumphed over death that he rose again the third day And that he was buried and that he rose again the third day according to the Scriptures And afterwards ascended up into heaven Luke 24.51 Acts 1.9 11. Mark 16.19 after the Lord had spoken unto them he was received up into heaven c. Where he remaineth Rom. 8.34 Act. 3.21 whom the heavens must receive until the time of the restitution of all things Ruling in equal power and glory with the Father Col. 3.1 Eph. 1.20 21 22. which he wrought in Christ when he raised him from the dead and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places far above all principalities and power and might and dominion and every name that is named not only in this world but also in that which is to come and hath put all things under his feet and gave him to be the head over all things to the Church And making intercession for us Heb. 7.25 Rom. 8.34 who is even at the right hand of God who maketh intercession for us Whence he shall come again 1 Thes 4.14 15 16. Act. 1.11 this same Jesus which is taken up from you into heaven shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven At the appointed day to judge the world in righteousness 2 Thes 1.7 8 9 10. Acts 10.42 with 17.31 John 5.22 27. for the Father judgeth no man but hath committed all judgement unto the Sonne And hath given him authority to execute judgement c. I beleeve that God the holy Ghost who proceedeth from the Father and the Sonne Gal. 4.6 John 15.26 But when the Comforter is come whom I will send unto you from the Father even the Spirit of truth which proceedeth from the Father he shall c. Luke 24.27.44 Rom. 3.22 with 15.4 2 Tim. 3.15 16 17. 2 Pet. 1.19 20 21. Ephes 2.20 Deut. 9.2 Rev. 22.18 19 Ephes 2.8 Acts 13.48 Joh. 6.37 39 44 45. 2 Thes 2.13 Tit. 3.4 5 6 7 Eze. 36 26 27 Nehem. 8.1 2 3 Isa 59.21 Acts 15.21 with 17.11 Mat. 15.10 Mark 7.14 Rev. 1.7 11. Mat. 28.19 20 1 Cor. 12.28 29. Hath fully revealed the truth and will of God contained in the Scriptures of the Old and New Testament Luke 1.70 as he spake by the mouth of his holy Prophets which have been since the world began To be a perfect perpetual and onely rule of Faith and obedience Psal 19.7 The Law of the Lord is perfect Isa 8.20 to the Law and to the Testimony Luke 16.29 They have Moses and the Prophets let them hear them And doth effectually apply to his elect by working Faith in the saving benefits of that redemption purchased by the blood of Christ Eph. 1.5 7 9. Which precious benefits are dispenced by the same Spirit 1 Cor. 6.11 But ye are washed but ye are sanctified but ye are justified in the name of our Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God In the Use of those holy Ordinances John 5.39 Search the Scriptures for in them ye think ye have eternal life and they are they which testifie of me Which Christ hath instituted in his written Word Eph. 4.11.12 And he gave some Apostles and some Prophets and some Evangelists and some Pastors and Teachers for the perfecting of the Saints for the work of the Ministery for the edifying of the body of Christ 2 Tim. 4.2 John 6.44 45. Acts 12.37 with 10.44 26.18 1 Pet. 1.23 25. For the begetting Rom. 10.14 15 17. how then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard and how shall they hear without a Preacher And how shall they preach except they be sent as it is written how beautifull are the feet of them that preach the Gospel of Peace and bring glad tidings of good things So then Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God And encreasing Grace James 1.18 1 Thes 5.19 20. Acts 2.42 46. 1 Cor. 10 16 17 with 11.20 23. 2 Pet. 2.2 As new-born-babes desire the sincere milk of the Word that you may grow thereby Carefully to be observed Isa 2.3 Come ye and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord to the house of the God of Jacob Luke 4.16 Acts 13.14