John 2. 2. 20. 27. full perswasion 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 6. The whole Councel of God concerning all things i 2 Tim. 3. 15 16 17. Gal. 1. 8 9. necessary for his own Glory Mans Salvation Faith and Life is either expressely set down 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 Nevertheless we acknowledge the k John 6. 45. 1 Cor. 2. 9 10 11 12. inward illumination of the Spirit of God to be necessary for the saving understanding of such things as are revealed in the Word and that there are some circumstances concerning the worship of God and government of the Church common to humane actions and societies which are to be l 1 Cor. 11 13 14. ch 14. 26. 40. ordered by the light of nature and Christian prudence according to the general rules of the Word which are always to be observed 7. All things in Scripture are not alike m 2 Pet. 3. 16. plain in themselves nor alike clear unto all yet those things which are necessary to be known believed and observed for Salvation are so n Ps 19. 7. and 119. 130. 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 8. The Old Testament in o Rom. 3. 2. Hebrew which was the Native language of the people of God of old 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 p Isa 8. 20 authentical so as in all controversies of Religion the Church is finally to appeal unto them q Act. 15. 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 r John 5. 39. and search them therefore they are to be translated into the vulgar language of every Nation unto which they s 1 Cor. 14 6 9. 11 12. 24 28. come that the Word of God dwelling t Col. 3. 16 plentifully in all they may worship him in an acceptable manner and through patience and comfort of the Scriptures may have hope 9. The infallible rule of interpretation of Scripture is the u 2 Pet. 1. 20 21. Act. 15. 15 16. Scripture it self And therefore when there is a question about the true and full sense of any Scripture which is not manifold but one it must be searched by other places that speak more clearly 10. The supream judge by which all controversies of Religion are to be determined and all Decrees of Councels opinions of antient 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 x Mat. 22. 29. 31. Eph. 2. 20 Acts 28. 23. Scripture so delivered our faith is finally resolved CHAP. II. Of God and of the Holy Trinity 1. THE Lord our God is but a 1 Cor. 8. 4 6. Deut. 6. 4. one only living and true God whose b Jer 10. 10. Isaiah 48. 12. subsistence is in and of himself c Exod 3. 14. infinite in being and perfection whose Essence cannot be comprehended by any but himself d Joh. 4. 24. a most pure spirit e 1 Tim. 1. 17. Deut. 4. 15 16. invisible without body parts or passions who only hath immortality dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto who is f Mal. 3. 6. immutable g 1 King 8. 27. Jer. 23. 23. immense h Ps 90. 2. eternal incomprehensible i Gen. 17. Almighty every way infinit k Isa 6. 3. most holy most wise most free most absolute l Ps 115. 3. Isa 45. 10. working all things according to the councel of his own immutable and most righteous will m Pro. 16. 4. Rom. 11 36. for his own glory most loving gracious merciful long suffering abundant in goodness and truth forgiving iniquity transgression and sin n Exod. 34. 6 7. Hebr. 11. 6. the rewarder of them that diligently seek him and withall most just o Neh. 9. 32 33. and terrible in his judgements p Ps 5. 5 6. hating all sin and who will by no means clear the q Exod. 34. 7. Nahum 1 2 3. guilty 2. God having all r Joh. 5. 26. life Å¿ Ps 148. 13. glory t Ps 119. 68. goodness blessedness in and of himself is alone in and unto himself all-sufficient not u Job 22. 2 3. standing in need of any Creature which he hath made nor deriving any glory from them but onely manifesting his own glory in by unto and upon them he is the alone fountain of all Being x Rom. 11. 34. 35 36. of whom through whom and to whom are all things and he hath most soveraign y Dan. 4. 25. and v. 34 35. dominion over all creatures to do by them for them or upon them whatsoever himself pleaseth in his sight z Heb. 4. 13. all things are open and manifest his knowledge is a Ezek. 11. 5 Act. 15. 18. infinite infallible and independant upon the Creature so as nothing is to him contingent or uncertain he is most holy in all his Councels in b Ps 145. 17. all his Works and in all his Commands to him is due c Rev. 5. 12 13 14. from Angels and men whatsoever worship service or obedience as Creatures they owe unto the Creator and whatever he is further pleased to require of them 3. In this divine and infinite Being there are three subsistences d 1 Joh. 5 7. Mat. 28. 19. 2 Cor. 13. 14 the Father the Word or Son and Holy Spirit of one substance power and Eternity each having the whole Divine Essence e Exod. 3. 14. Joh. 14. 11. 1 Cor. 8. 6 yet the Essence undivided the Father is of none neither begotten nor proceeding the Son is f Joh. 1. 14. 18. Eternally begotten of the Father the holy Spirit g Joh. 15. 26. Gal. 4. 6. proceeding from the Father and the Son all infinite without beginning therefore but one God who is not to be divided in nature and Being but distinguished by several peculiar relative properties and personal relations which doctrine of the Trinity is the foundation of all our Communion with God and comfortable dependance on him CHAP. III. Of Gods Decree 1. GOD hath a Is 46.
unto him f Joh. 1. 1. 14. Gal. 4. 4. mans nature with all the Essential properties and com mon infirmities thereof g Rom. 8. 3. Heb. 2. 14. 16 17. ch 4. 15. yet withou sin being conceived by the Holy Spirit in the Womb of the Virgin Mary the Holy Spirit coming down upon her and the power of the most High overshadowing her h Luk. 1. 27 31. 35. and so was made of a Woman of the Tribe of Judah of the Seed of Abraham and David according to the Scriptures So that two whole perfect and distinct natures were inseparably joined together in one Person without conversion composition or confusion which Person is very God and very Man yet one i Rom. 9. 5. 1 Tim. 2. 5. Christ the only Mediator between God and Man 3. The Lord Jesus in his humane nature thus united to the divine in the Person of the Son was sanctified anointed k Ps 45. 7. Act. 10. 38 Joh. 3. 34. with the Holy Spirit above measure having in him l Col. 2. 3. all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge in whom it pleased the Father that m Col. 1. 19 all fullness should dwell To the end that being n Heb. 7. 26. holy harmless undefiled and full o Joh 1. 14. of Grace and Truth he might be throughly furnished to execute the office of a Mediator and p Heb. 7. 22. Surety which office he took not upon himself but was thereunto q Heb. 5. 5. called by his Father who also put r Joh. 5. 22. 27. Mat. 28. 18. Act. 2. 36. all power and judgement in his hand and gave him Commandement to execute the same 4. This office the Lord Jesus did most s Ps 40. 7 8. Heb. 10. 5-11 Joh. 10. 18. willingly undertake which that he might discharge he was made under the Law t Gal. 4. 4. Mat. 3. 15. and did perfectly fulfill it and underwent the u Gal. 3. 13. Isa 53. 6. 1 Pet. 3. 18. punishment due to us which we should have born and suffered being made x 2 Cor. 5 21. Sin and a Curse for us enduring most grievous sorrows y Mat. 26. 37 38. Luk. 22. 44. Mat. 27. 46. in his Soul and most painful sufferings in his body was crucified and died and remained in the state of the dead yet saw no z Act. 13. 37. corruption on the a 1 Cor. 15. 3 4. third day he arose from the dead with the same b Joh. 20. 25. 27. body in which he suffered with which he also c Mark 16 19. Act. 1. 9 10 11. ascended into heaven and there sitteth at the right hand of his Father d Rom. 8. 34. Heb. 9. 24 making intercession and shall e Act. 10. 42. Rom. 14. 9 10. Act. 1. 10 return to judge Men and Angels at the end of the World 5. The Lord Jesus by his perfect obedience and sacrifice of himself which he through the Eternal Spirit once offered up unto God f Heb. 9. 14. ch 10. 14. Rom. 3. 25 26. hath fully satisfied the Justice of God procured reconciliation and purchased an Everlasting inheritance in the Kingdom of Heaven g Joh. 17. 2. Heb. 9. 15. for all those whom the Father hath given unto him 6. Although the price of Redemption was not actually paid by Christ till after his Incarnation * 1 Cor. 4. 10. Heb. 4. 2. yet the vertue efficacy and benefit thereof were communicated to the 1 Pet. 1. 10 11. Elect in all ages successively from the beginning of the World in and by those Promises Types and Sacrifices wherein he was revealed and signified to be the Seed of the Woman which should bruise the Serpents head h Rev. 13. 8. and the Lamb slain from the foundation of the World i Heb. 13. 8. Being the same yesterday and to day and for ever 7. Christ in the work of Mediation acteth according to both natures by each nature doing that which is proper to it self yet by reason of the Unity of the Person that which is proper to one nature is sometimes in Scripture attributed to the Person k Joh. 3. 13. Act. 20. 28. denominated by the other nature 8. To all those for whom Christ hath obtained eternal redemption he doth certainly and effectually l Joh. 6. 37. ch 10. 15. 16. ch 17. 9. Rom. 5. 10. apply and communicate the same making intercession for them uniting them to himself by his spirit m Joh. 17 6. Eph. 1. 9. 1 Joh. 5. 20. revealing unto them in and by the word the mystery of salvation perswading them to believe and obey n Rom. 8. 9. 14. governing their hearts by his word and spirit and o Ps 110. 1. 1 Cor. 15. 25 26. overcoming all their enemies by his Almighty power and wisdom in such manner and wayes as are most consonant to his wonderful and p Joh. 3. 8 Eph. 1. 8. unsearchable dispensation and all of free and absolute Grace without any condition foreseen in them to procure it 9. This office of Mediator between God and Man is proper q 1 Tim. 2. 5. onely 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 transfer'd from him to any other 10. This number and order of Offices is necessary for in respect of our r Joh. 1. 18. ignorance we stand in need of his prophetical Office and in respect of our alienation from God s Col. 1. 21. Gal. 5. 17. and imperfection of the best of our services we need his Priestly office to reconcile us and present us acceptable unto God and in respect of our averseness and utter inability to return to God and for our rescue and security from our spiritual adversaries we need his Kingly office t Joh. 16. 8. Ps 110. 3 Luk. 1. 74. 75. to convince subdue draw uphold deliver and preserve us to his Heavenly Kingdome CHAP. IX Of Free Will 1. GOD hath indued the Will of Man with that natural liberty and power of acting upon choice that it is a Mat. 17. 12. Jam. 1 14. Deut. 30. 19. neither forced nor by any necessity of nature determined to do good or evil 2. Man in his state of innocency had freedom and power to will and to do that b Eccl. 7. 29. which was good and well-pleasing to God but yet c Gen. 3. 6 was mutable so that he might fall from it 3. Man by his fall into a state of sin hath wholly lost d Rom. 5. 6. ch 8. 7. all ability of Will to any spiritual good accompanying salvation so as a natural man being altogether averse from that good e Eph. 2. 1. 5. and dead in Sin is not able by his own strength to f Tit. 3 3 4 5. Joh. 6. 44. convert himself or to
10. Eph. 1. 11. Heb. 6. 17. Rom. 9. 15 18. Decreed in himself from all Eternity by the most wise and holy Councel of his own will freely and unchangeably all things whatsoever comes to passe yet so as thereby is God neither the author of sin b Jam. 1. 15 17. 1 Joh. 1. 5. nor hath fellowship with any therin nor is violence offered to the will of the Creature nor yet is the liberty or contingency of second causes taken away but rather c Act 4. 27 28. Joh. 19. 11. established in which appears his wisdom in disposing all things and power and faithfulness d Numb 23. 19. Eph. 1. 3 4 5. in accomplishing his Decree 2. Although God knoweth whatsoever may or can come to passe upon all e Act. 15. 18. supposed conditions yet hath he not Decreed any thing f Rom. 9. 11. 13. 16. 18. because he foresaw it as future or as that which would come to pass upon such conditions 3. By the decree of God for the manifestation of his glory g 1 Tim. 5. 21. Mat. 25. 41. some men and Angels are predestinated or fore-ordained to Eternal Life through Jesus Christ to the h Eph. 1. 5 6. praise of his glorious grace others being left to act in their sin to their i Rom. 9. 22 23. Jud. 4. just condemnation to the praise of his glorious justice 4. These Angels and Men thus predestinated and fore-ordained are particularly and unchangeably designed and their k 2 Tim. 2. 19. Joh. 13. 18. number so certain and definite that it cannot be either increased or diminished 5. Those of mankind l Eph. 1. 4. 9. 11. Rom. 8. 30. 2 Tim. 1. 9. 1 Thes 5. 9. that are predestinated to life God before the foundation of the world was laid according to his eternal and immutable purpose and the secret Councel and good pleasure of his will hath chosen in Christ unto everlasting glory out of his meer free grace and love m Rom. 9. 13. 16. Eph. 1. 6. 12. without any other thing in the creature as a condition or cause moving him thereunto 6. As God hath appointed the Elect unto glory so he hath by the eternal and most free purpose of his will fore-ordained o 1 Pet. 1. 2. 2 Thes 2. 13. all the means thereunto wherefore they who are elected being faln in Adam p 1 Thes 5. 9 10. are redeemed by Christ are effectually q Rom. 8. 30. 2 Thes 2. 13. called unto faith in Christ by his spirit working in due season are justifyed adopted sanctified and kept by his power through faith r 1 Pet. 1. 5. unto salvation neither are any other redeemed by Christ or effectually called justified adopted sanctified and saved but the Elect s Joh. 10. 26. Joh. 17. 9. Joh. 6. 64. only 7. The Doctrine of this 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 yeilding obedience thereunto may from the certainty of their effectual vocation be assured of their t 1 Thes 1. 4 5. 2 Pet. 1. 10. eternal election so shall this doctrine afford matter u Eph. 1. 6. Rom. 11. 33. of praise reverence and admiration of God and x Rom. 11. 5 6. of humility diligence and abundant y Luk. 10. 20. consolation to all that sincerely obey the Gospel CHAP. IV. Of Creation 1. IN the beginning it pleased God the Father a John 1. 2 3. Heb. 1. 2. Job 26. 13 Son and Holy Spirit for the manifestation of the glory of b Rom. 1. 20. his eternal power wisdom and goodness to Create or make the world and all things therein c Col. 1. 16. Gen 2. 1 2. whether visible or invisible in the space of six days and all very good 2. After God had made all other Creatures he Created d Gen. 1. 27. man male and female with e Gen. 2. 7. reasonable and immortal souls rendring them sit unto that life to God for which they were Created being f Eccles 7. 29. Gen. 1. 26 made after the image of God in knowledge righteousness and true holyness having the Law of God g Rom. 2. 14 15. written in their hearts and power to fulfill it and yet under a possibility of transgressing being left to the liberty of their own will which was h Gen. 3. 6. subject to change 3. Besides the Law written in their hearts they received i Gen. 6. 17. ch 3. 8 9 10. a command not to eat of the tree of knowledge of good and evil which whilst they kept they were happy in their Communion with God and had dominion k Gen. 1. 26 28. over the Creatures CHAP. V. Of Divine Providence 1. GOD the good Creator of all things in his infinite power and wisdom doth a Heb. 1. 3. Job 38. 11. Isa 46 10 11. Ps 135. 6. uphold direct dispose and govern all Creatures and things from the greatest even to the b Mat. 10. 29 30 31. least by his most wife and holy providence to the end for the which they were Created according unto his infallible foreknowledge and the free and immutable Councel of his c Eph. 1. 11. own will to the praise of the glory of his wisdom power justice infinite goodness and mercy 2. Although in relation to the foreknowledge and Decree of God the first cause all things come to pass d Act. 2. 23. immutably and infallibly so that there is not any thing befalls any e Pro. 16. 33. by chance or without his Providence yet by the same Providence he ordereth them to fall out according to the nature of second causes either f Gen. 8. 22. necessarily freely or contingently 3. God in his ordinary Providence g Act. 27. 31. 44. Isa 55. 10 11. maketh use of means yet is free h Hos 1. 7 to work without i Rom. 4. 19 20 21. above and k Dan. 3. 27. against them at his pleasure 4. The Almighty power unsearchable wisdom and infinite goodness of God so far manifest themselves in his Providence that his determinate Councel l Rom. 11 32 33. 34. 2 Sam. 24 1. 1 Chro. 21. 1. extendeth it self even to the first fall and all other sinful actions both of Angels and Men and that not by a bare permission which also he most wisely and powerfully m 2 Kings 19. 28. Ps 76. 10. boundeth and otherwise ordereth and governeth in a manifold dispensation to his most holy n Gen. 50 20. Isa 10 6 7. 12. ends yet so as the sinfulness of their acts proceedeth only from the Creatures and not from God who being most holy and righteous neither is nor can be the author or o Ps 50. 21 1 Joh. 2. 16. approver of sin 5. The most wise righteous and gracious God
prepare himself thereunto 4. When God converts a sinner and translates him into the state of Grace g Col. 1. 13. Joh. 8. 36. he freeth him from his natural bondage under sin and by his grace alone enables him h Phil. 2. 13. freely to will and to do that which is spiritually good yet so as that by reason of his i Rom. 7. 15. 18 19 21. 23. remaining corruptions he doth not perfectly nor only will that which is good but doth also will that which is evil 5. The Will of Man is made k Eph. 4. 13. perfectly and immutably free to good alone in the state of Glory only CHAP. X. Of Effectual Calling 1. THose whom God hath predestinated unto Life he is pleased in his appointed and accepted time a Rom. 8. 30. Rom. 11. 7. Eph. 1. 10 11. 2 Thes 3. 13 14. effectually to call by his word and Spirit out of that state of sin and death in which they are by nature to grace and Salvation b Eph. 2. 1-6 by Jesus Christ inlightning their minds spiritually and savingly to c Act. 26. 18. Eph. 1. 17. 18. understand the things of God taking away their d Ezk. 36 26. heart of stone and giving unto them an heart of flesh renewing their wills and by his Almighty power determining them e Deut. 30 6. Ezek. 36. 27. Eph. 1. 19. to that which is good and effectually drawing them to Jesus Christ yet so as they come f Ps 110. Cant. 1. 4. most freely being made willing by his Grace 2. This Effectual Call is of God's free and special grace alone g 2 Tim. 1. 9. Eph. 2. 8. not from any thing at all foreseen in man nor from any power or agency in the Creature coworking with his special Grace h 1 Cor. 2. 14. Eph. 2. 5. Joh. 5. 25. the Creature being wholly passive therein being dead in sins and trespasses until being quickned renewed by the holy Spirit he is thereby enabled to answer this call and to embrace the Grace offered and conveyed in it and that by no less i Eph. 1. 19 20. power then that which raised up Christ from the dead 3. Elect Infants dying in infancy are k Joh. 3. 3 5 6. regenerated and saved by Christ through the Spirit who worketh when and where and l Joh. 3. 8. how he pleaseth so also are all other elect persons who are uncapable of being outwardly called by the Ministry of the Word 4. Others not elected although they may be called by the Ministry of the word m Mat. 22 14. ch 13. 20 21. Heb. 6. 4 5. and may have some common operations of the Spirit yet not being effectually drawn by the Father they neither will nor can truly n John 6. 44 45. 65. 1 Joh. 2. 24 25. come to Christ and therefore cannot be saved much less can men that receive not the Christian Religion o Act. 4. 12. Joh. 4. 22. ch 17. 3. 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 CHAP. XI Of Justification 1. THose whom God Effectually calleth he also freely a Rom. 3. 24. ch 8. 30. justifieth not by infusing Righteousness into them but by b Rom. 4. 5 6 7 8. Eph. 1. 7. pardoning their sins and by accounting and accepting their Persons as c 1 Cor. 1. 30 31. Rom. 5. 17 18 19. Righteous not for any thing wrought in them or done by them but for Christ's sake alone not by imputing faith it self the act of beleiving or any other d Phil. 3. 8 9. Eph. 2. 8 9 10. evangelical obedience to them as their Righteousness but by imputing Christs active obedience unto the whole Law and passive obedience in his death for their whole and sole Righteousnnss they e Joh. 1. 12. Rom. 5. 17. receiving and resting on him and his Righteousness by Faith which faith they have not of themselves it is the gift of God 2. Faith thus receiving and resting on Christ and his Righteousness is the f Rom. 3. 28. alone instrument of Justification yet it is not alone in the person justified but is ever accompanied with all other saving Graces and is no dead faith g Gal. 5. 6 Jam. 2. 17 22. 26. but worketh by love 3. Christ by his obedience and death did fully discharge the debt of all those that are justified and did by the sacrifice of himself in the blood of his cross undergoing in their stead the penalty due unto them make a proper real and full satisfaction h Heb. 10. 14. 1 Pet. 1. 18 19. Isa 53. 5 6. to Gods justice in their behalf yet in asmuch as he was given by the Father for them and his Obedience and Satisfaction accepted in their stead and both i Rom. 8. 32. 2 Cor. 5. 21. freely not for any thing in them their Justification is only of Free Grace that both the exact justice and rich Grace of God might be k Rom. 3. 26. Eph. 1 6 7. ch 2. 7. glorified in the Justification of sinners 4. God did from all eternity decreeto l Gal. 3. 8. 1 Pet. 1. 2 1 Tim. 2. 6. justifie all the Elect and Christ did in the fulness of time die for their sins and rise m Rom. 4. 25. again for their Justification Nevertheless they are not justified personally untill the Holy Spirit doth in due time n Col. 1. 21 22. Tit. 3. 4 5 6 7. actually apply Christ unto them 5. God doth continue to o Mat. 6. 12. 1 John 1. 7. 9. Forgive the sins of those that are justified and although they can never fall from the state of p Joh. 10 28. justification yet they may by their sins fall under Gods q Ps 89. 31 32 33. Fatherly displeasure and in that condition they have not usually the light of his Countenance restored unto them untill they r Psal 32 5. 51. Mat. 26. 75. humble themselves confess their sins beg pardon and renew their faith and repentance 6. The Justification of Believers under the Old Testament was in all these respects s Gal. 3. 9. Rom. 4. 22 23 24. one and the same with the justification of Believers under the New Tement CHAP. XII Of Adoption ALL those that are justified God vouchsafed in and for the sake of his only Son Jesus Christ to make partakers of the Grace a Eph. 1. 5. Gal. 4. 4 5. of Adoption by which they are taken into the number and enjoy the Liberties and b Joh. 1. 12 Rom. 8. 17 Priveledges of Children of God have his c 2 Cor. 6. 18. Rev. 3. 12. name put upon them d Rom. 8. 15. receive the Spirit of Adoption e Gal. 4. 6. Eph. 2. 18 have access to the throne of Grace with boldness are enabled to
cry Abba Father are f Ps 103. 13. pitied g Prov. 14 26. protected i 1 Pet. 5. 7. provided for and k Heb. 12. 6. chastned by him as by a Father yet never l Is 54. 8 9. Lam. 3. 31. cast off but sealed m Eph. 4. 30. to the day of Redemption and inherit the promises n Heb. 1. 14. ch 6. 12. as heirs of everlasting Salvation CHAP. XIII Of Sanctification 1. THey who are united to Christ Effectually called and regenerated having a new heart and a new Spirit created in them through the vertue of Christ's death and Resurrection are also a Act. 20. 32. Rom. 6. 5 6. farther sanctified really and personally through the same vertue b Joh. 17. 17. Eph. 3. 16 17 18 19. 1 Thes 5. 21 22 23. by his word and Spirit dwelling in them c Rom. 6. 14. the dominion of the whole body of sin is destroyed d Gal. 5. 24. and the several lusts thereof are more and more weakned and mortified and they more and more quickened and e Col. 1. 11 strengthned in all saving graces to the f 2 Cor. 7. 1. Heb. 12. 14. practice of all true holyness without which no man shall see the Lord. 2. This Sanctification is g 1 Thes 5. 23. throughout in the whole man yet imperfect h Rom. 7. 18 23. in this life there abideth still some remnants of corruption in every part whence ariseth a i Gal. 5. 17. 1 Pet. 2. 11. continual and irreconcilable war the Flesh lusting against the Spirit and the Spirit against the Flesh 3. In which war although the remaining corruption for a time may much k Rom. 7. 23 prevail yet through the continual supply of strength from the sanctifying Spirit of Christ the l Rom. 6. 14. regenerate part doth overcome and so the Saints grow in Grace perfecting holiness in the fear of God m Eph. 4. 15. 16. 2 Cor. 3. 18. ch 7. 1 pressing after an heavenly life in Evangelical Obedience to all the commands which Christ as Head and King in his Word hath prescribed to them CHAP. XIV Of Saving Faith 1. THE Grace of Faith whereby the Elect are enabled to beleive to the saving of their souls is the work of the Spirit of Christ a 2 Cor. 4. 13. Eph. 2. 8. in their hearts and is ordinarily wrought by the Ministry of the b Rom. 10 14. 17. Word by which also and by the administration of Baptisme and the Lords Supper Prayer and other Means appointed of God it is increased c Luk. 17. 5. 1 Pet. 2. 2. Act. 20. 32. and strengthned 2. By this Faith a Christian believeth to be true * Act. 24. 14. whatsoever is revealed in the Word for the Authority of God himself and also apprehendeth an excellency therein d Ps 19. 7 8 9 10. Ps 119. 72 above all other Writings and all things in the world as it bears forth the Glory of God in his Attributes the excellency of Christ in his Nature and Offices and the Power and Fullness of the Holy Spirit in his Workings and Operations and so is enabled to e 2 Tim. 1. 12. cast his Soul upon the truth thus beleived and also acteth differently upon that which each particular passage thereof containeth yeilding obedience to the f Joh. 15. 14. commands trembling at the g Is 66. 2. threatnings and embracing the h Heb. 11. 13. promises of God for this life and that which is to come But the principal acts of Saving Faith have immediate relation to Christ accepting receiving and resting upon i Joh. 1. 12. Act. 16 31. Gal. 2. 20. Act. 15. 11. him alone for Justification Sanctification and Eternal Life by vertue of the Covenant of Grace 3. This Faith although it be different in degrees and may be weak k Heb. 5. 13. 14. Mat. 6. 30 Rom. 4. 19 20. or strong 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 l 2 Pet. 1. 1. and common grace of temporary beleivers and therefore though it may be many times assailed and weakned yet it gets m Eph. 6. 16. 1 Joh. 5. 4 5. the victory growing up in many to the attainment of a full n Heb. 6. 11 12. Col. 2. 2. assurance through Christ who is both the Author o Heb. 12. 2. and finisher of our Faith CHAP. XV. Of Repentance unto Life and Salvation 1. SUch of the Elect as are converted at riper years having a Tit. 3. 2 3 4 5. sometimes lived in the state of nature and therein served divers lusts and pleasures God in their Effectual Calling giveth them Repentance unto Life 2. Whereas there is none that doth good and sinneth b Eccl. 7. 20. not and the best of men may through the power and deceitfulness of their corruption dwelling in them with the prevalency of temptation fall into great sins and provocations God hath in the Covenant of Grace mercifully provided that Beleivers so sinning and falling c Luk. 22. 31 32. be renewed through Repentance unto Salvation 3. This saving Repentance is an d Zech. 12. 10. Act. 11. 18. evangelical Grace whereby a person being by the Holy Spirit made sensible of the manifold evils of his fin doth by Faith in Christ humble himself for it with godly sorrow detestation of it and self abhorrency e Ezek. 36. 31. 2 Cor. 7. 11. praying for pardon and strength of grace with a purpose and endeavour by supplies of the Spirit to f Ps 119 6. Ps 119. 128. walk before God unto all well pleasing in all things 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 mans duty to repent of his g Luk. 19. 8. 1 Tim. 1. 13. 15. particular known sins particularly 5. Such is the provision which God hath 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 h Rom. 6. 23. damnation yet there is no sin so great that it shall bring damnation on them that i Is 1. 16. 18. Is 55. 7. repent which makes the constant preaching of Repentance necessary CHAP. XVI Of Good Works 1. GOod Works are only such as God hath a Mic. 6. 8. Heb. 13 21. commanded in his Holy word and not such as without the warrant thereof are devised by men out of blind zeal b Mat. 15. 9. Isa 29. 13. or upon any pretence of good intentions 2. These good works done in obedience to Gods commandments are the fruits and evidences c Jam. 2. 18. 22. of a true and lively faith and by them Believers manifest their d Ps 116.
the substance of it was revealed and therein Effectual for the Conversion and Salvation of Sinners 2. This Promise of Christ and Salvation by him is revealed only by c Rom. 1. 17. the Word of God neither do the Works of Creation or Providence with the light of Nature d Ro. 10. 14 15 17. make discovery of Christ or of Grace by him so much as in a general or obscure way much less that men destitute of the Revelation of him by the Promise or Gospel e Pro. 29. 18. Isa 25. 7. with ch 60. 2 3. should be enabled thereby to attain saving Faith or Repentance 3. The Revelation of the Gospel unto Sinners made in divers times 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 meerly of the f Ps 147 20. Act. 16. 7. Soveraign Will and good Pleasure of God not being annexed by vertue of any Promise to the due improvement of mens natural abilities by vertue of Common light received without it which none ever did g Rom. 1. 18 c. make or can so do And therefore in all Ages the preaching of the Gospel hath been granted unto persons and Nations as to the extent or streightning of it in great variety according to the Councell of the Will of God 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 Quickned or Regenerated there is moreover necessary an effectual insuperable h Ps 110. 3. 1 Cor. 2. 14. Eph. 1. 19 20. work of the Holy Spirit upon the whole Soul for the producing in them a new spiritual Life without which no other means will effect i Joh. 6. 44. 2 Cor. 4. 4 6. their Conversion unto God CHAP. XXI Of Christian Liberty and Liberty of Conscience 1. THE Liberty which Christ hath purchased for Believers under the Gospel consists in their freedom from the guilt of Sin the condemning wrath of God the Rigour and a Gal. 3. 13. Curse of the Law and in their being delivered from this present evil b Gal. 1. 4. World Bondage to c Act. 26. 18. Satan and Dominion d Rom. 8. 3. of Sin from the e Rom. 8. 28. Evil of Afflictions the Fear and Sting f 1 Cor. 15. 54 55 56 57. of Death the Victory of the Grave and g 2 Thes 1. 10. Everlasting Damnation as also in their h Rom. 8. 15. free access to God and their yielding Obedience unto him not out of a slavish fear i Luk. â— 74 but a Child-like love and willing mind All which were common also to Believers under the Law k Gal. 3 9 14. for the substance of them but under the new Testament the Liberty of Christians is further enlarged in their freedom from the yoke of the Ceremonial Law to which the Jewish Church was subjected and in greater boldness of access to the Throne of Grace and in fuller Communications of the l Joh. 7. 38 39. Heb. 10 19 20 21. Free Spirit of God then Believers under the Law did ordinarily partake of 2. God alone is m Jam. 4. 12 Rom. 14. 4. Lord of the Conscience and hath left it free from the Doctrines and Commandments of men n Act. 4. 19 5. 29. 1 Cor. 7. 23. Mat. 15. 9 which are in any thing contrary to his Word or not contained in it So that to Believe such Doctrines or obey such Commands out of Conscience o Col 2. 20 22 23 is to betray true liberty of Conscience and the requiring of an p 1 Cor. 3. 5. 2 Cor. 1. 24. implicit Faith and absolute and blind Obedience is to destroy Liberty of Conscience and Reason also 3. They who upon pretence of Christian Liberty do practice any sin or cherish any sinfull lust as they do thereby pervert the main design of the Grace of the Gospel q Rom. 6. 1 2. to their own Destruction so they wholy destroy r Gal. 5. 13. 2 Pet. 2. 18 -21 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 Righteousness before him all the days of our Life CHAP. XXII Of Religious Worship and the Sabbath Day 1. THE light of Nature shews that there is a God who hath Lordship and Soveraigntye over all is just good and doth good unto all and is therefore to be feared loved praised called upon trusted in and served with all the Heart and all the Soul a Jer. 10. 7. Mar. 12. 33. and with all the Might But the acceptable way of Worshipping the true God is b Deut. 12 32. instituted by himself and so limited by his own revealed will that he may not be Worshipped according to the imaginations and devices of Men or the suggestions of Satan under any visible representations or c Exo 20. 4 5 6. any other way not prescribed in the Holy Scriptures 2. Religious Worship is to be given to God the Father Son and Holy Spirit and to him d Mat. 4. 9 10. Joh 6. 23. Mat. 28. 19. alone not to Angels Saints or any other e Rom. 1. 25. Col. 2. 18. Revel 19. 10. Creatures and since the fall not wihtout a f Joh. 14. 6. Mediator nor in the Mediation of any other but g 1 Tim. 2. 5. Christ alone 3. Prayer with thanksgiving being one special par of natural worship is by God required of h Psal 95. 1-7 Psal 65. 2. all men But that it may be accepted it is to be made in the i Joh. 14. 13 14. Name of the Son by the help k Rom. 8. 26. of the Spirit according to l 1 Joh. 5. 14. his Will with understanding reverence humility fervency faith love and perseverance and when with others in a m 1 Cor. 14. 16 17. known tongue 4. Prayer is to be made for things lawful and for all sorts of men living n 1 Tim. 2. 1 2. 2 Sam. 7. 29. or that shall live hereafter but not o 2 Sam. 12. 21 22. 23. for the dead nor for those of whom it may be known that they have sinned p 1 Joh. 5. 16. the sin unto death 5. The q 1 Tim. 4. 13. reading of the Scriptures Preaching and r 2 Tim. 4. 2. Luk. 8. 18. hearing the word of God teaching and admonishing one another in Psalms Hymns and Spiritual songs singing with grace in our Hearts to s Col. 3. 16. Eph. 5. 19 the Lord as also the Administration t Mat. 28 19 20. of Baptism and u 1 Cor. 11 26. the Lords Supper are all parts of Religious worship of God to be performed in
to the internal work of the Spirit and truth of grace may be called invisible consists of the whole a Heb. 12. 23. Col. 1. 18. Eph. 1. 10 22. 23. ch 5. 23 27 32. number of the Elect that have been are or shall be gathered into one under Christ the head thereof and is the spouse the body the fulness of him that filleth all in all 2. All persons throughout the world professing the faith of the Gospel and obedience unto God by Christ according unto it not destroying their own profession by any Errors everting the foundation or unholyness of conversation b 1 Cor. 1 2. Act. 11. 26. are and may be called visible Saints c Rom. 1. 7. Eph. 1. 20 21 22. and of such ought all particular Congregations to be constituted 3. The purest Churches under heaven are subject d 1 Cor. 15. Rev. 2. ch 3. to mixture and error and som have so degenerated as to become e Rev. 18. 2. 2 Thes 2. 11 12. no Churches of Christ but Synagogues of Satan nevertheless Christ always hath had and ever shall have a f Mat. 16. 18. Ps 72. 17. Ps 102. 28. Rev. 12. 17. Kingdome in this world to the end thereof of such as believe in him and make profession of his Name 4. The Lord Jesus Christ is the Head of the Church in whom by the appointment of the Father g Col. 1. 18. Mat. 28. 18 19. 20. Eph. 4. 11 12. all power for the calling institution order or Government of the Church is invested in a supream soveraigne manner neither can the Pope of Rome in any sense be head thereof but is h 2 Thes 2. 3-9 that Antichrist that Man of sin and Son of perdition that exalteth himself in the Church against Christ and all that is called God whom the Lord shall destroy with the brightness of his coming 5. In the execution of this power wherewith he is so intrusted the Lord Jesus calleth out of the World unto himself through the Ministry of his word by his Spirit i Joh 10. 16. chap. 12 32. those that are given unto him by his Father that they may walk before him in all the k Mat. 28. 20. ways of obedience which he prescribeth to them in his Word Those thus called he commandeth to walk together in particular societies or l Mat. 18. 15-20 Churches for their mutual edification and the due performance of that publick worship which he requireth of them in the World 6. The Members of these Churches are m Rom. 1. 7. 1 Cor. 1. 2. Saints by calling visibly manifesting and evidencing in and by their profession and walking their obedience unto that call of Christ and do willingly consent to walk together according to the appointment of Christ giving up themselves to the Lord one to another by the will of God n Act. 2. 41 42. ch 5. 13. 14. 2 Cor. 9. 13. in professed subjection to the Ordinances of the Gospel 7. To each of these Churches thus gathered according to his mind declared in his word he hath given all that o Mat. 18. 17 18. 1 Cor. 5. 4 5. with v. 13. 2 Cor. 2. 6 7 8. power and authority which is any way needfull for their carrying on that order in worship and discipline which he hath instituted for them to observe with commands and rules for the due and right exerting and executing of that power 8. A particular Church gathered and compleatly 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 them with or calls them to to be continued to the end of the World are p Bishops or Elders r Act. 20 17 with v. 28. Phil. 1. 1. and Deacons 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 q Act. 14 23. See the original suffrage of the Church it self and Solemnly set apart by Fasting and Prayer with imposition of hands of the r 1 Tim. 4. 14. Eldership of the Church if there be any before Constituted therein And of a Deacon s Act. 6. 3. 5. 6. that he be chosen by the like suffrage and set apart by Prayer and the like Imposition of hands 10. The work of Pastors being constantly to attend the Service of Christ in his Churches in the Ministry of the Word and Prayer t Act. 6. 4. Heb. 13. 17. with watching for their Souls as they that must give an account to him it is incumbent on the Churches to whom they Minister not only to give them all due respect u 1 Tim. 5. 17 18. Gal. 6. 6 7. but also to communicate to them of all their good things according to their ability so as they may have a comfortable supply without being themselves x 2 Tim. 2. 4. entangled in Secular Affairs and may also be capable of exercising y 1 Tim. 3. 2. Hospitality toward others and this is required by the z 1 Cor. 9. 6 -14 Law of Nature and by the Express order of our Lord Jesus who hath ordained that they that preach the Gospel should live of the Gospel 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 work of Preaching the Word is not so peculiarly confined to them but that others also a Act. 11. 19 20 21. 1 Pet. 4. 10. 11. gifted and fitted by the Holy Spirit for it and approved and called by the Church may and ought to perform it 12. As all Believers are bound to joyn themselves to particular Churches when and where they have opportunity so to do So all that are admitted unto the priviledges of a Church are also b 1 Thes 5. 14. 2 Thes 3. 6. 14 15. under the Censures and Government thereof according to the Rule of Christ 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 c Mat. 18. 15. 16 17. Eph. 4. 2 3. in the further proceeding of the Church 14. As each Church and all the Members of it are bound to d Eph. 6. 18. Ps 122. 6. pray continually for the good and prosperity of all the Churches of Christ in all places and upon all occasions to further it every one within the bounds of their places
and callings in the Exercise of their Gifts and Graces so the Churches when planted by the providence of God so as they may injoy opportunity and advantage for it ought to hold e Rom. 16. 1 2. 3 Joh. 8 9 10. communion amongst themselves for their peace increase of love and mutual edification 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 censures not agreeable to truth and order it is according to the mind of Christ that many Churches holding communion together do by their messengers meet to consider f Act. 15. 2 4 6. 22 23. 25. and give their advice in or about that matter in difference to be reported to all the Churches concerned howbeit these messengers assembled are not entrusted 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 or g 2 Cor. 1. 24. 1 Joh. 4. 1 to impose their determination on the Churches or Officers CHAP. XXVII Of the Communion of Saints 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 a 1 Joh. 1. 3. Joh. 1. 16. Phil. 3 10 Kom 6. 5 6. fellowship in his Graces sufferings death resurrection and glory and being united to one another in love they b Eph. 4. 15 16. 1 Cor. 12. 7. 1 Cor. 3 21 22 23. have communion in each others gifts and graces and are obliged to the performance of such duties publick and private in an orderly way c 1 Thes 5. 11. 14. Rom. 1. 12. 1 Joh. 3. 17. 18. Gal 6. 10. as do conduce to their mutual good both in the inward and outward man 2. Saints by profession are bound to maintain an holy fellowship and communion in the worship of God and in performing such other spiritual services d Heb. 10 24 25. with ch 3. 12 13. as tend to their mutual edification as also in relieving each other in e Act. 12. 29. 30. outward things according to their several abilities and necessities which communion according to the rule of the Gospel though especially to be exercised by them in the relations wherein they stand whether in f Eph. 6. 4. families or g 1 Cor. 12. 14. -27. Churches yet as God offereth opportunity is to be extended to all the houshold of faith even all those who in every place call upon the names of the Lord Jesus nevertheless their communion one with another as Saints doth not take away or h Act. 5. 4 Eph. 4. 28 infringe the title or propriety which each man hath in his goods and possessions CHAP. XXVIII Of Baptism and the Lords Supper 1. BAptism and the Lords Supper are ordinances of positive and soveraign institution appointed by the Lord Jesus the only Law-giver to be continued in his Church a Mat. 28 19 20. 1 Cor. 11. 26. to the end of the world 2 These holy appointments are to be administed by those only who are qualified and thereunto called according b Mat. 28. 19. 1 Cor. 4. 1. to the commission of Christ CHAP. XXIX Of Baptism 1. BAptism is an Ordinance of the New Testament ordained by Jesus Christ to be unto the party Baptized a sign of his fellowship with him in his death c Rom. 6. 3. 4 5. Col. 2. 12. Gal. 3. 27. and resurrection of his being engrafted into him of d Mar. 1. 4. Act. 26. 16. remission of sins and of his e Rom 6. 2 4. giving up unto God through Jesus Christ to live and walk in newness of Life 2. Those who do actually professe f Mar. 16. 16. Act. 8. 36 37 repentance towards God faith in and obedience to our Lord Jesus are the only proper subjects of this ordinance 3. The outward element to be used in this ordinance g Mat 28. 19 20. with Act. 8. 38. is water wherein the party is to be baptized in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit 4. Immersion or dipping of the person h Mat. 3. 16. Joh. 3 23. in water is necessary to the due administration of this ordinance CHAP. XXX Of the Lords Supper 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 shewing forth the sacrifice of himself in his death a 1 Cor. 11. 23 24. 25 26. confirmation of the faith of believers in all the benefits thereof their spiritual nourishment and growth in him their further ingagement in and to all duties which they owe unto him b 1 Cor. 10. 16 17. 21. and to be a bond and pledge of their communion with him and with each other 2. In this ordinance Christ is not offered up to his Father nor any real sacrifice made at all for remission of sin of the quick or dead but only a memorial of that c Heb. 9. 25 26. 28. one offering up of himself by himself upon the crosse once for all and a spiritual oblation of all d 1 Cor. 11. 24. Mat. 26. 26 27. possible praise unto God for the same so that the Popish sacrifice of the Mass as they call it is most abominable injurious to Christs own only sacrifice the alone propitiation for all the sins of the Elect. 3. The Lord Jesus hath in this Ordinance appointed his Ministers to Pray and bless the Elements of Bread and Wine and thereby to set them apart from a common to an holy use and to take and break the Bread to take the Cup e 1 Cor. 11. 23 24 25 26 c and they communicating also themselves to give both to the Communicants 4. The denyal of the Cup to the people worshiping the Elements the lifting them up or carrying them about for adoration and reserving them for any pretended religious use f Mat 26. 26 27 28. Mat. 15. 9. Exod. 20. 4 5. are all contrary to the nature of this Ordinance and to the institution of Christ 5. The outward Elements in this Ordinance duely set apart to the uses ordained by Christ have such relation to him crucified as that truely although in terms used figuratively they are sometimes called by the name of the things they represent to wit the g 1 Cor. 11. 27. body and Blood of Christ albeit in substance and nature they still remain truly and only h 1 Cor. 11. 26. v. 28. Bread and Wine as they were before 6. That doctrine which maintains a change of the substance of Bread and Wine into the substance of Christs
to quicken all that we may have influence upon to the same work that if the will of God were so none might deceive themselves by resting in and trusting to a form of Godliness without the power of it and inward experience of the efficacy of those truths that are professed by them And verily there is one spring and cause of the decay of Religion in our day which we cannot but touch upon and earnestly urge a redresse of and that is the neglect of the worship of God in Families by those to whom the charge and conduct of them is committed May not the grosse ignorance and instability of many with the prophaneness of others be justly charged upon their Parents and Masters who have not trained them up in the way wherein they ought to walk when they were young but have neglected those frequent and solemn commands which the Lord hath laid upon them so to catechize and instruct them that their tender years might be seasoned with the knowledge of the truth of God as revealed in the Scriptures and also by their own omission of Prayer and other duties of Religion in their families together with the ill example of their loose conversation have inured them first to a neglect and then contempt of all Piety and Religion we know this will not excuse the blindness or wickedness of any but certainly it will fall heavy upon those that have thus been the occasion thereof they indeed dye in their sins but will not their blood be required of those under whose care they were who yet permitted them to go on without warning yea led them into the paths of destruction and will not the diligence of Christians with respect to the discharge of these duties in ages past rise up in judgment against and condemn many of those who would be esteemed such now We shall conclude with our earnest prayer that the God of all grace will pour out those measures of his holy Spirit upon us that the profession of truth may be accompanyed with the sound belief and diligent practise of it by us that his name may in all things be glorified through Jesus Christ our Lord Amen THE CONTENTS CHAP. 1. Of the Holy Scriptures page 1 2. Of God and of the Holy Trinity 9 3. Of Gods decrees 13 4. Of Creation 5. Of Divine Providence 19 6. Of the Fall of Man of Sin and of the Punishment thereof 23 7. Of Gods Covenant 26 8. Of Christ the Mediator 28 9. Of Free-will 35 10. Of Effectual Calling 37 11. Of Justification 40 12. Of Adoptions 43 13. Of Sanctification 44 14. Of Saving Faith 46 15. Of Repentance unto Life and Salvation 49 16. Of Good works 51 17. Of Perseverance of the Saints 56 18. Of the Assurance of Grace and Salvation 59 19. Of the Law of God 62 20. Of the Gospel and of the extent of the Grace thereof 67 21. Of Christian Liberty and Liberty of Conscience 70 22. Of Religious Worship and the Sabbath day 73 23. Of Lawful Oaths and Vows 78 24. Of the Civil Magistrate 81 25. Of Marriage 83 26. Of the Church 85 27. Of The Communion of Saints 94 28. Of Baptism and the Lords Supper 96 29. Of Baptism 97 30. Of The Lords Supper 98 31. Of The state of Man after death and of the Resurrection of the dead 103 32. Of The Last Judgment 105 An Appendix concerning Baptism 109 A Confession of FAITH CHAP. I. Of the Holy Scriptures 1. THe Holy Scripture is the only sufficient certain and infallible a 2 Tim. 3 15 16 17. Isa 8. 20. Luk. 16. 29 31. Eph. 2. 20 rule of all saving Knowledge Faith and Obedience Although the b Rom. 1. 19 20 21. c. ch 2. 14 15. Psal 19. 1 2 3. 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 unexcusable yet are they not sufficient to give that knowledge of God and His will which is necessary unto Salvation c Heb. 1. 1. Therefore it pleased the Lord at sundry times and in divers manners to reveal himself and to declare that His will unto his Church and afterward for the better preserving and propagating of the Truth and for the more sure 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 d Pro. 22. 19 20 21. Rom. 15. 4. 2 Pet. 1. 19 20. writing which maketh the Holy Scriptures to be most necessary those former ways of Gods revealing his will unto his people being now ceased 2. Under the Name of Holy Scripture or the Word of God written are now contained all the Books of the Old and New Testament which are these Of the Old Testament Genesis Exodus Leviticus Numbers Deuteronomy Joshua Judges Ruth 1 Samuel 2 Samuel 1 Kings 2 Kings 1 Chronicles 2 Chronicles Ezra Nehemiah Esther Job Psalms Proverbs Ecclesiastes The Song of Songs Isaiah Jeremiah Lamentations Ezekiel Daniel Hosea Joel Amos Obadiah Jonah Micah Nahum Habakkuk Zephaniah Haggai Zachariah Malachi Of the new Testament Matthew Mark Luke John The Acts of the Apostles Pauls Epistle to the Romans 1 Corinthians 2 Corinthians Galatians Ephesians Phillippians Colossians 1 Thessalonians 2 Thessalonians 1 Timothy 2 Timothy to Titus to Philemon the Epistle to the Hebrews the Epistle of James The first and second Epistles of Peter The first second and third Epistles of John the Epistle of Jude the Revelation All which are given by the e 2 Tim. 3. 16. inspiration of God to be the rule of Faith and Life 3. The Books commonly called Apocrypha not being of f Luk. 24. 27. 44. Rom. 3. 2. Divine inspiration are no part of the Canon or rule of the Scripture and therefore are of no authority to the Church of God nor to be any otherwise approved or made use of then other humane writings 4. The Authority of the Holy Scripture for which it ought to be believed dependeth not upon the testimony of any man or Church but wholly upon g 2 Pet. 1. 19 20 21. 2 Tim. 3. 16. 2 Thes 2. 13. 1 Joh. 5. 9. God who is truth it self the Author thereof therefore it is to be received because it is the Word of God 5. We may be moved and induced by the testimony of the Church of God to an high and reverent esteem of the Holy Scriptures and the heavenliness of the matter the efficacy of the Doctrine and the Majesty of the stile the consent of all the parts the scope of the whole which is to give all glory to God the full discovery it makes of the only way of mans salvation and many other incomparable Excellencies and intire perfections thereof are arguments whereby it doth abundantly evidence it self to be the Word of God yet notwithstanding our h Joh. 16. 13 14. 1 Cor. 2. 10 11 12. 1
doth oftentimes leave for a season his own children to manifold temptations and the corruptions of their own heart to chastise them for their former sins or to discover unto them the hidden strength of corruption and deceitsulness of their hearts p 2 Chro. 32. 25 26. 31. 2 Sam. 24 1. 2 Cor. 12. 7 8 9. 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 So that whatsoever befalls any of his elect is by his appointment for his glory q Rom. 8. 28. and their good 6. As for those wicked and ungodly men whom God as a righteous judge for former sin doth r Rom. 1. 24. 26. 28. ch 11. 7 8. blind and harden from them he not only withholdeth his s Deut. 29. 4. Grace whereby they might have been inlightned in their understanding and wrought upon in their hearts But sometimes also withdraweth t Mat. 13. 12. the gifts which they had and exposeth them to such u Deut. 2. 30. objects as their corruptions makes occasion of sin and withall x Psal 81. 11 12. 2 Thes 2. 10 11 12. gives them over to their own lusts the temptations of the world and the power of Satan whereby it comes to pass that they y Exod. 8. 15. 32. Is 6. 9 10. 1 Pet. 2. 7 8. harden themselves even under those means which God useth for the softning of others 7. As the Providence of God doth in general reach to all Creatures so after a most special manner it taketh care of his z 1 Tim. 4. 10. Amos 9. 8 9. Isa 43. 3 4 5. Church and disposeth of all things to the good thereof CHAP. VI. Of the fall of Man of Sin and of the Punishment thereof 1. ALthough God created Man upright and perfect and gave him a righteous law which had been unto life had he kept it a Gen. 2. 16 17 and threatned death upon the breach thereof yet he did not long abide in this honour b Gen. 3. 12 13. 2 Cor. 11 3. Satan using the subtilty of the serpent to seduce Eve then by her seducing Adam who without any compulsion did wilfully transgress the Law of their Creation and the command given unto them in eating the forbidden fruit which God was pleased according to his wise and holy Councel to permit having purposed to order it to his own glory 2. Our first Parents by this Sin fell from their c Rom. 3. 23. original righteousness and communion with God and we in them whereby death came upon all d Rom 5. 12. c. all becoming dead in Sin and wholly defiled e Tit. 1. 15 Gen. 6. 5. Jer. 17 9. Rom. 3. 10-19 in all the faculties and parts of soul and body 3. They being the f Rom. 5. 12-19 1 Cor. 15 21 22 45. 49. root and by Gods appointment standing in the room and stead of all mankind the guilt of the Sin was imputed and corrupted nature conveyed to all their posterity descending from them by ordinary generation being now g Ps 51. 5. Job 14. 4. conceived in Sin and by nature children h Eph. 2. 3. of wrath the servants of Sin the subjects i Rom. 6. 20. ch 5. 12. of death and all other miseries spiritual temporal and eternal unless the Lord Jesus k Heb. 2. 14. 1 Thes 1. 10. set them free 4. From this original corruption whereby we are l Rom. 8. 7. Col. 1. 21. utterly indisposed disabled and made opposite to all good and wholly inclined to all evil do m Jam. 1 14 15. Mat. 15. 19. proceed all actual transgressions 5. This corruption of nature during this Life doth n Rom. 7. 18. 23. Eccles 7. 20. 1 Joh. 1. 8. remain in those that are regenerated and although it be through Christ pardoned and mortified yet both it self and the first motions thereof are truely and properly o Rom. 7. 24. 25. Gal. 5. 17 Sin CHAP. VII Of Gods Covenant 1. THE distance between God and the Creature is so great that although reasonable Creatures do owe obedience unto him as their Creator yet they could never have attained the reward of Life but by some a Luk. 17. 10. Job 35. 7. 8. voluntary condescension on Gods part which he hath been pleased to express by way of Covenant 2. Moreover Man having brought himself b Gen. 2. 17. Gal. 3. 10. Rom. 3. 20 21. under the curse of the Law by his fall it pleased the Lord to make a Covenant of Grace wherein he freely offereth unto Sinners c Rom. 8. 3. Mark 16. 15. 16. Joh. 3. 16. Life and Salvation by Jesus Christ requiring of them Faith in him that they may be saved and d Ezek. 36. 26 27. Joh. 6. 44 45. Ps 110. 3. promising to give unto all those that are ordained unto eternal Life his holy Spirit to make them willing and able to believe 3. This Covenant is revealed in the Gospel first of all to Adam in the promise of Salvation by the e Gen. 3. 15. seed of the woman and afterwards by farther steps untill the full f Heb. 1. 1. discovery thereof was compleated in the new Testament and it is founded in that * 2 Tim. 1. 9. Tit. 1. 2. Eternal Covenant transaction that was between the Father and the Son about the Redemption of the Elect and it is alone by the Grace of this Covenant that all of the posterity of fallen Adam that ever were g Heb 11. 6. 13. Rom. 4. 1 2 c. Act. 4. 12. Joh. 8. 56. saved did obtain life and a blessed immortality Man being now utterly uncapable of acceptance with God upon those terms on which Adam stood in his state of innocency CHAP. VIII Of Christ the Mediator 1. IT pleased God in his eternal purpose to chuse and ordain the Lord Jesus his only begotten Son according to the Covenant made between them both a Is 42. 1. 1. Pet. 1. 19 20. to be the Mediator between God and Man the b Act. 3. 22. Prophet c Heb. 5. 5 6. Priest and d Ps 2. 6 Luk. 1. 33 Eph. 1. 23 Heb. 1. 2. Act. 17. 31 King Head and Saviour of his Church the heir of all things and judge of the world Unto whom he did from all Eternity e Is 53. 10. Joh. 17. 6. Rom. 8. 30. give a people to be his seed and to be by him in time redeemed called justified sanctified and glorified 2. The Son of God the second Person in the Holy Trinity being very and eternal God the brightness of the Fathers glory of one substance and equal with him who made the World who upholdeth and governeth all things he hath made did when the fullness of time was come take
12 13. thankfullness strengthen their e 1 Joh. 2 3. 5. 2 Pet. 1. 5-11 assurance edifie their f Mat. 5. 16. brethren adorn the profession of the Gospel stop the mouths of the adversaries and glorifie g 1 Tim. 6. 1. 1 Pet. 2. 15. Phil. 1. 11 God whose workmanship they are created in Christ Jesus h Eph. 2. 10. thereunto that having their fruit unto holiness they may have the end i Rom. 6. 22. eternal life 3. Their ability to do good works is not at all of themselves but wholly from the Spirit k Joh. 15. 4. 6. of Christ and that they may be enabled thereunto besides the graces they have already received there is necessary an l 2 Cor. 3. 5. Phil. 2. 13. actual influence of the same Holy Spirit to work in them to will and to do of his good pleasure yet are they not hereupon to grow negligent as if they were not bound to perform any duty unless upon a special motion of the Spirit but they ought to be diligent in m Phil. 2. 12. Heb. 6. 11 12. Isa 64. 7. stirring up the Grace of God that is in them 4. They who in their obedience attain to the greatest height which is possible in this life are so far from being able to superrogate and to do more then God requires as that n Job 9. 2 3. Gal. 5. 17. Luk. 17. 10. they fall short of much which in duty they are bound to do 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 them and the glory to come and the infinite distance that is between us and God whom by them we can neither profit nor satisfie for the debt of our o Rom. 3. 20. Eph. 2. 8 9. Rom. 4. 6. former sins but when we have done all we can we have done but our duty and are unprofitable servants and because as they are good they proceed from his p Gal. 5. 22 23. Spirit and as they are wrought by us they are defiled q Isa 64. 6. Ps 143 2. and mixed with so much weakness and imperfection that they cannot endure the severity of Gods judgement 6. Yet notwithstanding the persons of Believers being accepted through Christ their good works also are accepted in r Eph. 1. 6. 1 Pet. 2. 5. him not as though they were in this life wholly unblameable and unreprovable in Gods sight but that he looking upon them in his Son is pleased to accept and reward that which is s Mat. 25. 21. 23. Heb. 6. 10 sincere although accompanied with many weaknesses and imperfections 7. Works done by unregenerate men although for the matter of them they may be things which God commands and of good use both to themselves and t 2 King 10. 30. 1 King 21. 27 29 others yet because they proceed not from a heart purified by u Gen. 4. 5. Heb. 11 4. 6. faith nor are done in a right manner according to the w 1 Cor. 13. 1. word nor to a right end the x Mat. 6. 2. 5. glory of God they are therefore sinful and cannot please God nor make a man meet to receive grace from y Amos 5 21 22. Rom. 9. 16 Tit. 3. 5. God and yet their neglect of them is more sinful and z Job 21. 14 15. Mat. 25. 41 42 43 displeasing to God CHAP. XVII Of Perseverance of the Saints 1. THose whom God hath accepted in the beloved effectually called and Sanctified by his Spirit and given the precious faith of his Elect unto can neither totally nor finally fall from the state of grace a Joh. 10. 28. 29. Phi. 1. 6. 2 Tim. 2. 19. 1 Joh. 2. 19. but shall certainly persevere therein to the end and be eternally saved seeing the gifts and callings of God are without Repentance whence he still begets and nourisheth in them Faith Repentance Love Joy Hope and all the graces of the Spirit unto immortality and though many storms 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 fastned 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 from b Psal 89. 31 32. 1 Cor. 11. 32. them yet he is still the same c Mal. 3. 6 and they shall be sure to be kept by the power of God unto Salvation where they shall enjoy their purchased possession they being engraven upon the palm of his hands and their names having been written in the book of life from all Eternity 2. This perseverance of the Saints depends not upon their own free will but upon the immutability of the decree of d Rom. 8. 30. ch 9. 11. 16. Election flowing from the free and unchangeable love of God the Father upon the efficacy of the merit and intercession of Jesus Christ e Rom. 5. 9 10. John 14. 19. and Union with him the f Heb. 6. 17 18. oath of God the abiding of his Spirit the g 1 Joh. 3. 9. seed of God within them and the nature of the h Jer. 32. 40. Covenant of Grace from all which ariseth also the certainty and infallibility thereof 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 i Mat. 26. 70 72. 74. sins and for a time continue therein whereby they incur k Is 64. 5. 9. Eph. 4. 30 Gods displeasure and grieve his holy Spirit come to have their graces and l Psal 51. 10. 12. comforts impaired have their hearts hardened and their Consciences wounded m Psa 32. 3 4. hurt and scandalize others and bring temporal judgements n 2 Sam. 12 14. upon themselves yet they shall renew their o Luk. 22. 32. v. 61 62. repentance and be preserved through faith in Christ Jesus to the end CHAP. XVIII Of the Assurance of Grace and Salvation 1. ALthough temporary Believers and other unregenerate men may vainly deceive themselves with false hopes and carnal presumptions of being in the favour of God and state of salvation a Job 8. 13. 14. Mat. 7. 22 23. which hope of theirs shall perish yet such as truely believe in the Lord Jesus and love him in sincerity endeavouring to walk in all good Conscience before him may in this life be certainly assured b 1 Joh. 2. 3. ch 3. 14 18 19. 21. 24. ch 5. 13. that they are in the state of Grace and may rejoyce in the hope of the glory of God which hope shall never make them c Rom. 5. 2. 5. ashamed 2. This certainty is not abare conjectural and
probable perswasion grounded upon d Heb. 6. 11. 19. a fallible hope but an infallible assurance of faith founded on the Blood and Righteousness of Christ e Heb. 6. 17 18. revealed in the Gospel and also upon the inward f 2 Pet. 1. 4 5 10. 11. evidence of those graces of the Spirit unto which promises are made and on the testimony of the g Rom. 8. 15 16. Spirit of adoption witnessing with our Spirits that we are the children of God and as a fruit thereof keeping the heart both h 1 Joh. 3 1 2 3. humble and holy 3. This infallible assurance doth not so belong to the essence of faith but that a true Believer may wait long and conflict with many difficulties before he be i Isa 50. 10. Ps 88. Psa 77. 1-12 partaker of it yet being enabled 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 k 1 Joh. 4 13. Heb. 6. 11 12. attain thereunto and therefore it is the duty of every one to give all diligence to make their 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 chearfulness in the duties of obedience the proper l Rom. 5. 1 2. 5. ch 14 17. Ps 119. 32. fruits of this Assurance so far is it m Rom. 6. 1 2. Tit. 2. 11 12. 14. from inclining men to looseness 4. True Believers may have the assurance of their Salvation divers ways shaken diminished and intermitted as n Cant. 5. 2 3. 6. by negligence in preserving of it by o Ps 51. 8. 12. 14. falling into som special Sin which woundeth the Conscience and grieveth the Spirit by some sudden or p Psa 116. 11. Ps 77. 7 8. Ps 31 22. vehement temptation by Gods withdrawing the q Ps 30. 7 light of his countenance and suffering even such as fear him to walk in darkness and to have no light yet are they never destitute of the r 1 Joh. 3. 9. seed of God and Life s Luk. 22. 32. of Faith that Love of Christ and the brethren that sincerity of Heart and Conscience of duty out of which by the operation of the Spirit this Assurance may in due time be t Ps 42. 5. 11. revived and by the which in the mean time they are u Lam. 3. 26. 27-31 preserved from utter despair CHAP. XIX Of the Law of God 1. GOd gave to Adam a Law of universal obedience a Gen. 1. 27. Eccl. 7. 29. written in his Heart and a particular precept of not eating the Fruit of the tree of knowledge of good and evil by which he bound him and all his posterity to personal entire exact and perpetual b Rom. 10 5. obedience promised life upon the fulfilling and c Gal. 3. 10. 12 threatned death upon the breach of it and indued him with power and ability to keep it 2. The same Law that was first written in the heart of man d Rom. 2. 14 15. continued to be a perfect rule of Righteousness after the fall was delivered by God upon Mount Sinai in e Deut. 10. 4. Ten Commandments and written in two Tables the four first containing our duty towards God and the other six our duty to man 3. Besides this Law commonly called moral God was pleased to give to the people of Israel Ceremonial Laws containing several typical ordinances partly of worship f Heb. 10. 1. Col. 2. 17. prefiguring Christ his graces actions sufferings and benefits and partly holding forth divers instructions g 1 Cor. 5 7. of moral duties all which Ceremonial Laws being appointed only 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 h Col. 2. 14 16 17 Eph. 2. 14. 16. abrogated and taken away 4. To them also he gave sundry judicial Laws which expired together with the state of that people not obliging any now by vertue of that institution their general i 1 Cor. 9. 8 9 10. equity onely being of moral use 5. The moral Law doth for e-ever bind all k Rom. 13 8 9 10. Jam. 2. 8. 10 11 12 as well justified persons as others to the obedience thereof and that not only in regard of the matter contained in it but also in respect of the l Jam. 2 10 11. authority of God the Creator who gave it Neither doth Christ in the Gospel any way dissolve m Mat. 5. 17 18 19. Rom. 3. 31. but much strengthen this obligation 6. Although true Believers be not under the Law as a Covenant of Works n Rom. 6. 14. Gal. 2. 16. Rom. 8. 1. cha 10. 4. to be thereby Justified or condemned 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 o Rom. 3. 20. chap. 7. 7. c. discovering also the sinfull pollutions of their Natures Hearts and Lives so as Examining themselves thereby they may come to further Conviction of Humiliation for and Hatred against Sin 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 Threatnings of it serve to shew what even their Sins deserve and what afflictions in this Life they may expect for them although free'd from the Curse and unallayed Rigor thereof The Promises of it likewise shew them Gods approbation of Obedience and what blessings they may expect upon the performance thereof though not as due to them by the Law as a Covenant of Works so as mans doing Good and refraining from Evil because the Law incourageth to the one and deterreth from the other is no Evidence of his being p Rom. 6. 12 13 14. 1 Pet. 3. 8 -13 under the Law and not under Grace 7. Neither are the forementioned uses of the Law q Gal. 3. 21. contrary to the Grace of the Gospel but do sweetly comply with it the Spirit of Christ subduing r Eze. 36. 27. and inabling the Will of man to do that freely and chearfully which the will of God revealed in the Law requireth to be done CHAP. 20. Of the Gospel and of the extent of the Grace thereof 1. THE Covenant of Works being broken by Sin and made unprofitable unto Life God was pleased to give forth the promise of Christ a Gen. 3. 15. the Seed of the Woman as the means of calling the Elect and begetting in them Faith and Repentance in this Promise the b Rev. 13. 8. Gospel as to
admonition of the Lord to teach them his fear both by instruction and example and should we set light by this precept it would demonstrate that we are more vile then the unnatural Heathen that like not to retain God in their knowledge our baptism might then be justly accompted as no baptism to us There are many special promises that do incourage us as well as precepts that do oblige us to the close pursuit of our duty herein that God whom we serve being jealous of his Worship threatens the visiting of the Fathers transgression upon the children to the third and fourth generation of them that hate him yet does more abundantly extend his mercy even to thousands respecting the off-spring and succeding generations of them that love him and keep his commands When our Lord rebuked his disciples for prohibiting the access of little children that were brought to him that he might pray over them lay his hands upon them and blesse them does declare that of such is the Kingdom of God And the Apostle Peter in answer to their enquiry that desired to know what they must do to be saved does not only instruct them in the necessary duty of repentance and baptism but does also thereto encourage them by that promise which had reference both to them and their children if our Lord Jesus in the forementioned place do not respect the qualities of children as elsewhere as to their meekness humility and sincerity and the like but intend also that those very persons and such like appertain to the Kingdom of God and if the Apostle Peter in mentioning the aforesaid promise do respect not only the present and succeeding generations of those Jews that heard him in which sense the same phrase doth occurre in Scripture but also the immediate off-spring of his auditors whether the promise relate to the gift of the Holy Spirit or of eternal life or any grace or priviledge tending to the obtaining thereof it is neither our concerne nor our interest to confine the mercies and promises of God to a more narrow or lesse compasse then he is pleased gratiously to offer and intend them nor to have a light esteem of them but are obliged in duty to God and affection to our children to plead earnestly with God and use our utmost endeavours that both our selves and our off-spring may be partakers of his Mercies and gracious Promises yet we cannot from either of these texts collect a sufficient warrant for us to baptize our children before they are instructed in the principles of the Christian Religion For as to the instance in little children it seems by the disciples forbidding them that they were brought upon some other account not so frequent as Baptism must be supposed to have been if from the beginning believers children had been admitted thereto and no account is given whether their parents were baptised believers or not and as to the instance of the Apostle if the following words and practise may be taken as an interpretation of the scope of that promise we cannot conceive it does refer to infant baptism because the text does presently subjoyn Then they that gladly received the word were baptised That there were some believing children of believing parents in the Apostles dayes is evident from the Scriptures even such as were then in ther fathers family and under their parents tuition and education to whom the Apostle in several of his Epistles to the Churches giveth commands to obey their parents in the Lord and does allure their tender years to hearken to this precept by reminding them that it is the first command with promise And it is recorded by him for the praise of Timothy and encouragement of parents betimes to instaruct and children early to attend to godly instruction that 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 from a child he had known the holy Scriptures The Apostle John rejoyced greatly when he found of the children of the Elect Lady walking in the truth and the children of her Elect Sister joyn with the Apostle in his salutation But that this was not generally so that all the children of believers were accounted for believers as they would have been if they had been all baptised may be collected from the character which the Apostle gives of persons fit to be chosen to Eldership in the Church which was not common to all believers among others this is expressely one viz. If there be any having believing or faithful children not accused of Riot or unruly and we may from the Apostles writings on the same subject collect the reason of this qualification viz. That in case the person designed for this office to teach and rule in the house of God had children capable of it there might be first a proof of his ability industry and successe in this work in his own family and private capacity before he was ordained to the exercise of this authority in the Church in a publick capacity as a Bishop in the house of God These things we have mentioned as having a direct reference unto the controversie between our brethren and us other things that are more abstruse and prolix which are frequently introduced into this controversie but do not necessarily concern it we have purposely avoided that the distance between us and our brethren may not be by us made more wide for it is our duty and concern so far as is possible for us retaining a good conscience towards God to seek a more entire agreement and reconciliation with them We are not insensible that as to the order of Gods house and entire communion therein there are some things wherein we as well as others are not at a full accord among our selves as for instance the known principle and state of the consciences of diverse of us that have agreed in this Confession is such that we cannot hold Church-communion with any other then Baptized-believers and Churches constituted of such yet some others of us have a greater liberty and freedom in our spirits that way and therefore we have purposely omitted the mention of things of that nature that we might concurre in giving this evidence of our agreement both among our selves and with other good Christians in those important articles of the Christian Religion mainly insisted on by us and this notwithstanding we all esteem it our chief concern both among our selves and all others that in every place call upon the name of the Lord Jesus Christ our Lord both theirs and ours and love him in sincerity to endeavour to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace and in order thereunto to exercise all lowliness and meekness with long-suffering forbearing one another in love And we are perswaded if the same method were introduced into frequent practise between us and our Christian friends who agree with us in all the fundamental articles of the Christian faith though they do not so in the subject and administration of baptism it would soon beget a better understanding and brotherly affection between us In the beginning of the Christian Church when the doctrine of the baptism of Christ was not universally understood yet those that knew only the baptism of John were the Disciples of the Lord Jesus and Apollos an eminent Minister of the Gospel of Jesus In the beginning of the reformation of the Christian Church and recovery from that Egyptian darkness wherein our forefathers for many generations were held in bondage upon recourse had to the Scriptures of truth different apprehensions were conceived which are to this time continued concerning the practise of this Ordinance Let not our zeal herein be misinterpreted that God whom we serve is jealous of his worship By his gracious providence the Law thereof is continued amongst us and we are forewarned by what hapned in the Church of the Jews that it is necessary for every generation and that frequently in every generation to consult the divine oracle compare our worship with the rule and take heed to what doctrines we receive and practise If the ten commands exhibited in the popish Idolatrous service books had been received as the entire law of God because they agree in number with his ten commands and also in the substance of nine of them the second Commandment forbidding Idolatry had been utterly lost If Ezra and Nehemiah had not made a diligent search into the particular parts of Gods law and his worship the Feast of Tabernacles which for many centuries of years had not been duly observed according to the institution though it was retained in the general notion would not have been kept in due order So may it be now as to many things relating to the service of God which do retain the names proper to them in their first institution but yet through inadvertency where there is no sinister design may vary in their circumstances from their first institution And if by means of any antient defection or of that general corruption of the service of God and interruption of his true worship and persecution of his servants by the Antichristian Bishop of Rome for many generations those who do consult the Word of God cannot yet arrive at a full and mutual satisfaction among themselves what was the practise of the primitive Christian Church in some points relating to the Worship of God yet inasmuch as these things are not of the essence of Christianity but that we agree in the fundamental doctrines thereof we do apprehend there is sufficient ground to lay aside all bitterness and prejudice and in the spirit of love and meekness to imbrace and own each other therein leaving each other at liberty to perform such other services wherein we cannot concur apart unto God according to the best of our understanding FINIS