that the glory of the Father may be full and perfectly manifested in his Sonne and the glory of the Father and the Sonne in all his members XXI That Christ Jesus by his death did bring forth salvation and reconciliation onely for the a John 15.13 Rom. 8.32 33 34. Rom. 5.11 3.25 elect which were those which b Joh. 17.2 with 6 37. God the Father gave him that the Gospel which is to be preached to all men as the ground of faith is that c Matth. 16.16 Luke 2.26 Ioh. 6.69 7.3 20.31 1 Iohn 5.11 Iesus is the Christ the Sonne of the ever-blessed God filled with the perfection of all heavenly and spirituall excellencies and that salvation is onely and alone to be had through the beleeving in his Name XXII That Faith is the a Eph. 2.3 Ioh. 6.29 4.10 Phil. 1.29 Gal. 5.21 gift of God wrought in the hearts of the elect by the Spirit of God whereby they come to see know and beleeve the truth of b Ioh. 17.17 Heb. 4.11 12. Iohn 6.63 the Scriptures not onely so but the excellencie of them above all other writings and things in the world as they hold forth the glory of God in his attributes the excellency of Christ in his nature and offices and the power of the fulnesse of the Spirit in its workings and operations and thereupon are inabled to cast the weight of their soules upon this truth thus beleeved XXIII Those that have this pretious faith wrought in them by the Spirit can never finally nor totally fall away Matth. 7.21 25. Iohn 13.1 1 Pet. 1.4 5 6. Esa 49.13 14 15 16. and though many stormes and floods do 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 but shall be kept by the power of God to salvation where they shall enjoy their purchased possession they being formerly engraven upon the palms of Gods hands XXIV That faith is ordinarily a Rom. 10.17 1 Cor. 1.21 begot by the preaching of the Gospel or word of Christ without respect to b Rom. 9.16 any power or capacitie in the creature but it is wholly c Rom. 2.1 2. Ezek. 16.6 Rom. 3.12 passive being dead in sinnes and trespasses doth beleeve and is converted by no lesse power d Rom. 1.16 Eph. 1.19 Col. 2.12 then that which raised Christ from the dead XXV That the tenders of the Gospel to the conversion of sinners a Ioh. 3.14 15 1.12 Esa 55.1 Ioh. 7.37 is absolutely free no way requiring as absolutely necessary any qualifications preparations terrors of the Law or preceding Ministery of the Law but onely and alone the naked soule as a b 1 Tim. 1.15 Rom. 4.5 5.8 sinner and ungodly to receive Christ as crucified dead and buried and risen againe being made c Act. 5.30 31 2.36 1 Cor. 1.22 23 24. a Prince and a Saviour for such sinners XXVI That the same power that converts to faith in Christ the same power carries on the a 1 Pet. 1.5 2. Cor. 12.9 soule still through all duties temptations conflicts sufferings and continually what ever a Christian is he is by b 1 Cor. 15.10 grace and by a constant renewed c Phil. 2.12 13 Ioh. 15.5 Gal. 2.19 20. operation from God without which he cannot performe any dutie to God or undergoe any temptations from Satan the world or men XXVII That God the Father and Sonne and Spirit is one with a 1 Thes 1. â— Joh. 14.10 20. 17.21 all beleevers in their b Col. 2.9 10. 1.19 Joh. 1.17 fulnesse in c Joh. 20.17 Heb. 2.11 relations d Col. 1.18 Eph. 5.30 as head and members e Eph. 2.22 1 Cor. 3.16 17 as house and inhabitants as f Esa 16.5 2 Cor. 11.3 husband and wife one with him as g Gal. 3.26 light and love and one with him in his inheritance and in all his h Joh. 17.24 glory and that all beleevers by vertue of this union and onenesse with God are the adopted sonnes of God and heires with Christ co-heires and joynt heires with him of the inheritance of all the promises of this life and that which is to come XXVIII That those which have union with Christ are justified from all their sinnes past a 1 Joh. 1.7 Heb. 10.14 9.26 2 Cor. 5.19 Rom. 3.23 present and to come by the bloud of Christ which justification wee conceive to be a gracious and free b Acts 13.38 39. Rom. 5.1 3.25.30 acquittance of a guiltie sinfull creature from all sin by God through the satisfaction that Christ hath made by his death and this applyed in the manifestation of it through faith XXIX That all beleevers are a holy and a 1 Cor. 1.1 1 Pet. 2.9 sanctified people and that sanctification is a spirituall grace of the b Eph. 1.4 new Covenant and effect of the c 1 Joh. 4.16 love of God manifested to the soule whereby the beleever is in d Eph. 4.24 truth and realitie separated both in soule and body from all sinne and dead workes through the e Phil. 3.15 bloud of the everlasting Covenant whereby he also presseth after a heavenly and Evangelicall perfection in obedience to all the Commands f Mat. 28.20 which Christ as head and King in this new Covenant has prescribed to him XXX All beleevers through the knowledge of a 2 Cor. 5.19 Rom. 5.9 10. that Justification of life given by the Father and brought forth by the bloud of Christ have this as their great priviledge of that new b Esa 54.10 26.12 Covenant peace with God and reconciliation whereby they that were afarre off were brought nigh by c Eph. 2.13 14 that bloud and have as the Scripture speaks peace d Phil. 4.7 passing all understanding yea joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ by e Rom. 5.10 11. whom wee have received the Atonement XXXI That all beleevers in the time of this life are in a continuall warfare Eph. 6.10 11 12 13. 2 Cor. 10.3 Rev. 2.9 10 combate and opposition against sinne selfe the world and the Devill and liable to all manner of afflictions tribulations and persecutions and so shall continue untill Christ comes in his Kingdome being predestinated and appointed thereunto and whatsoever the Saints any of them doe possesse or enjoy of God in this life is onely by faith XXXII That the onely strength by which the Saints are inabled to incounter with all opposition Joh. 16.33 and to overcome all afflictions temptations persecutions and tryalls is onely by Jesus Christ Heb. 2.9 10. who is the Captain of their salvation being made perfect through sufferings who hath ingaged his strength to assist them in all their afflictions John 15.5 and to uphold them under
decreed in himselfe from everlasting touching all things effectually to work and dispose them b Eph. 1.11 according to the counsell of his owne will to the glory of his Name in which decree appeareth his wisdome constancy truth and faithfulnesse c Col. 2.3 Wisdome is that whereby he contrives all things d Num. 23.19 20. Constancy is that whereby the decree of God remaines alwayes immutable e Jere. 10.10 Rom. 3.4 Truth is that whereby he declares that alone which he hath decreed and though his sayings may seeme to sound sometimes another thing yet the sense of them doth alwayes agree with the decree f Esa 44.10 Faithfulnesse is that whereby he effects that he hath decreed as he hath decreed And touching his creature man g Eph. 1.3 4 5 6 7. 2 Tim. 1.9 Acts 13.48 Rom. 8.29 30 God had in Christ before the foundation of the world according to the good pleasure of his will foreordained some men to eternall life through Jesus Christ to the praise and glory of his grace h Jude ver 1. 6. Rom. 9.11 12 13. Prov. 16.4 leaving the rest in their sinne to their just condemnation to the praise of his Justice IV. a Gen. 1. chap. Col. 1.16 Heb. 11.3 Esa 45.12 In the beginning God made all things very good created man after his own b Gen. 1.26 1 Cor. 15.45 46. Eccles 7.31 Image and likenesse filling him with all perfection of all naturall excellency and uprightnesse free from all sinne c Psal 49.20 But long he abode not in this honour but by the d Gen. 3.1 4 5 2 Cor. 11.3 subtiltie of the Serpent which Satan used as his instrument himselfe with his Angels having sinned before and not e 2 Pet. 2.4 Jude ver 6. Ioh. 8.44 kept their first estate but left their owne habitation first f Gen. 3.1 2 6 1 Tim. 2.14 Eccles 7.31 Gal. 3.22 Eve then Adam being seduced did wittingly and willingly fall into disobedience and transgression of the Commandement of their great Creator for the which death came upon all and reigned over all so that all since the Fall are conceived in sinne and brought forth in iniquitie and so by nature children of wrath and servants of sinne subjects of g Rom. 5.12.18 19. 6.23 Eph. 2.3 Rom. 5.12 death and all other calamities due to sinne in this world and for ever being considered in the state of nature without relation to Christ V. All mankind being thus fallen and become altogether dead in sinnes and trespasses and subject to the eternall wrath of the great God by transgression yet the elect which God hath a Jer. 31.2 loved with an everlasting love are b Gen. 3.15 Eph. 1.3 7. 2 4 9. 1 Thess 5.9 Acts 13.38 redeemed quickned and saved not by themselves neither by their own workes lest any man should boast himselfe but wholly and onely by God of c 1 Cor. 1.30.31 2 Cor. 5.21 Jer. 9.23 24. his free grace and mercie through Jesus Christ who of God is made unto us wisdome righteousnesse sanctification and redemption that as it is written Hee that rejoyceth let him rejoyce in the Lord. VI. a Joh. 17.3 Heb. 5.9 Jer. 23.5 6. This therefore is life eternall to know the onely true God and whom he hath sent Jesus Christ b 2 Thess 1.8 Joh. 3.36 And on the contrary the Lord will render vengeance in flaming fire to them that know not God and obey not the Gospel of our Lord Iesus Christ VII The Rule of this Knowledge Faith and Obedience Joh. 5.39 2 Tim. 3.15.16 17. Col. 21.18 23 Matth. 15.9 concerning the worship and service of God and all other Christian duties is not mans inventions opinions devices lawes constitutions or traditions unwritten whatsoever but onely the word of God contained in the Canonicall Scriptures VIII In this written Word God hath plainly revealed whatsoever he hath thought needfull for us to know Acts 3.22 23. Heb. 1.1 2. 2 Tim. 3.15 16 17. 2 Cor. 1.20 beleeve and acknowledge touching the Nature and Office of Christ in whom all the promises are Yea and Amen to the praise of God IX Touching the Lord Jesus of whom a Gen. 3.15 22.18 49.10 Dan. 7.13 9.24 25 26. Moses and the Prophets wrote and whom the Apostles preached is the b Prov. 8.23 Joh. 1.1 2 3 Col. 1.1.15 16 17. Sonne of God the Father the brightnesse of his glory the ingraven forme of his being God with him and with his holy Spirit by whom he made the world by whom he upholds and governes all the workes hee hath made who also c Gal. 4.4 when the fulnesse of time was come was made man of a d Heb. 7.14 Rev. 5.5 with Gen. 49.9 10. Rom. 1.3 9.5 woman of the Tribe of e Mat. 1.16 with Luke 3.23.26 Heb. 2.16 Judah of the seed of Abraham and David to wit of Mary that blessed Virgin by the holy Spirit comming upon her and the power of the most High overshadowing her and was also f Esa 53.3 4 5 Phil. 2.8 in all things like unto us sinne onely excepted X. Touching his Office a 2 Tim. 2.15 Heb 9.15 Joh. 14.6 Jesus Christ onely is made the Mediator of the new Covenant even the everlasting Covenant of grace between God and Man to b Heb. 1.2 3 1 2. 7.24 Esa 9.6 7. Acts 5.31 be perfectly and fully the Prophet Priest and King of the Church of God for evermore XI Unto this Office hee was fore-ordained from everlasting by the a Prov. 8.23 Esa 42.6 49.1.5 authority of the Father and in respect of his Manhood from the womb called and separated and b Esa 11.2 3 4 5. 61.1 2 3. with Luk. 4.17.22 Joh. 1.14 16. â— 3.34 anointed also most fully and abundantly with all gifts necessary God having without measure poured the Spirit upon him XII In this Call the Scripture holds forth two speciall things considerable first the call to the Office secondly the Office it self First that a Heb. 5.4 5 6 none takes this honour but he that is called of God as was Aaron so also Christ it being an action especially of God the Father whereby a speciall covenant being made hee ordaines his Sonne to this office which Covenant is that b Esa 53.10.11 Christ should be made a Sacrifice for sinne that hee shall see his seed and prolong his dayes and the pleasure of the Lord shall prosper in his hand which calling therefore contains in it selfe c Esa 42 1â— chusing d 1 Pet. 1.20 fore-ordaining e Joh. 3.17 9 17. 10.36 Esa 61.1 sending Chusing respects the end fore-ordaining the means sending the execution it self f Joh. 3.16 Rom. 8.32 all of meere grace without any condition fore-seen either in men or in Christ himselfe XIII So that this Office to
THE CONFESSION OF FAITH Of those CHURCHES which are commonly though falsly called ANABAPTISTS Presented to the view of all that feare GOD to examine by the touchstone of the Word of Truth As likewise for the taking off those aspersions which are frequently both in Pulpit and Print although unjustly cast upon them ACTS 4.20 Wee cannot but speake the things which wee have seene and heard ISAI 8.20 To the Law and to the testimony if they speake not according to this Rule it is because there is no light in them 2 COR. 1.9 10. But wee had the sentence of death in our selves that wee should not trust in our selves but in the living God which raiseth the dead who delivered us from so great a death and doth deliver in whom wee trust that he will yet deliver LONDON Printed by Matthew Simmons in Aldersgate-streete 1644. TO ALL THAT DESIRE The lifting up of the Name of the LORD JESUS in sinceritie the poore despised Churches of God in London send greeting with prayers for their farther increase in the knowledge of CHRIST JESUS WEE question not but that it will seeme strange to many men that such as wee are frequently termed to be lying under that calumny and black brand of Heretickes and sowers of division or 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 should presume to appeare so publickly as now wee have done But yet notwithstanding wee may well say to give answer to such what David said to his brother when the Lords battell was a fighting 1 Sam. 29.30 Is there not a cause Surely if ever people had cause to speake for the vindication of the truth of Christ in their hands wee have that being indeed the maine wheele at this time that sets us aworke for had any thing by men been transacted against our persons onely wee could quietly have sitten still and committed our Cause to him who is a righteous Judge who will in the great day judge the secrets of all mens hearts by Jesus Christ But being it is not onely us but the Truth professed by us wee cannot wee dare not but speake it is no strange thing to any observing man what sad changes are laid not onely by the world that know not God but also by those that thinke themselves much wronged if they be not looked upon as the chiefe Worthies of the Church of God and Watchmen of the Citie But it hath fared with us from them as from the poore Spouse seeking her Beloved Cant. 5.6 7. They finding us out of that common road-way themselves walke have smote us and taken away our vaile that so wee may by them be recommended odious in the eyes of all that behold us and in the hearts of all that thinke upon us which they have done both in Pulpit and Print charging us with holding Free-will Falling away from grace denying Originall sinne disclaiming of Magistracy denying to assist them either in persons or purse in any of their lawfull Commands doing acts unseemly in the dispensing the Ordinance of Baptisme not to be named amongst Christians All which Charges wee disclaime as notoriously untrue though by reason of these calumnies cast upon us many that feare God are discouraged and forestalled in harbouring a good thought either of us or what wee professe and many that know not God incouraged if they can finde the place of our meeting to get together in Clusters to stone us as looking upon us as a people holding such things as that wee are not worthy to live Wee have therefore for the cleering of the truth wee professe that it may be at libertie though wee be in bonds briefly published a Confession of our Faith as desiring all that feare God seriously to consider whether if they compare what wee here say and confesse in the presence of the Lord Jesus and his Saints men have not with their tongues in Pulpit and pens in Print both spoken and written things that are contrary to truth but wee know our God in his owne time will cleere our Cause and lift up his Sonne to make him the chiefe corner-stone though he has been or now should be rejected of Master Builders And because it may be conceived that what is here published may be but the Judgement of some one particular Congregation more refined then the rest Wee doe therefore here subscribe it some of each body in the name and by the appointment of seven Congregations who though wee be distinct in respect of our particular bodies for conveniency sake being as many as can well meete together in one place yet are all one in Communion holding Jesus Christ to be our head and Lord under whose government wee desire alone to walke in following the Lambe wheresoever he goeth and wee beleeve the Lord will daily cause truth more to appeare in the hearts of his Saints and make them ashamed of their folly in the Land of their Nativitie that so they may with one shoulder more studie to lift up the Name of the Lord Jesus and stand for his appointments and Lawes which is the desires and prayers of the contemned Churches of Christ in London for all Saints Subscribed in the Names of seven Churches in London William Kiffen Thomas Patience John Spilsbery George Tipping Samuel Richardson Thomas Shippard Thomas Munday Thomas Gunne John Mabbatt John Webb Thomas Killcop Paul Hobson Thomas Goare Joseph Phelpes Edward Heath THE CONFESSION Of FAITH of those Churches which are commonly though falsly called ANABAPTISTS I. THat GOD as he is in himselfe cannot be comprehended of any but himselfe a 1 Tim. 6.16 dwelling in that inaccessible light that no eye can attaine unto whom never man saw nor can see that there is but b 1 Tim. 2.5 Eph. 4.4 5 6. 1 Cor. 12.4 5 6 13. Iohn 14. chap. one God one Christ one Spirit one Faith one Baptisme c 1 Tim. 6.3 13 14. Gal. 1.8 9. 2 Tim. 3.15 one Rule of holinesse and obedience for all Saints at all times in all places to be observed II. That God is a Esa 44.67 43.11 46.9 of himselfe that is neither from another nor of another nor by another nor for another b Iohn 4.24 But is a Spirit who as his being is of himselfe so he gives c Exod. 3.14 being moving and preservation to all other things being in himselfe eternall most holy every way infinite in d Rom. 11.36 Act. 17.28 greatnesse wisdome power justice goodnesse truth c. In this God-head there is the Father the Sonne and the Spirit being every one of them one and the same God and therefore not divided but distinguished one from another by their severall properties the e 1 Cor. 8.6 Father being from himselfe the f Pro. 8.22 23. Heb. 1.3 Iohn 1.18 Sonne of the Father from everlasting the holy g Ioh. 15.26 Gal. 4.6 Spirit proceeding from the Father and the Sonne III. That God hath a Esa 45.10 Rom. 11.34 35 36. Mat. 10 19 30