1646 Confession

The First London Baptist Confession of Faith was published in 1644. The second edition, "corrected and enlarged," was published in 1646. Later in the year 1646 an Appendix to the Confession, written by Benjamin Cox, was published. The Appendix, described as "A More Full Declaration of the Faith and Judgment of Baptized Believers," contained twenty-two additional articles. Two of those articles from the Appendix (Article 9 and Article 10) are being set forth as an addendum to this revision of the Confession.

This 1646 edition of the Confession and the two articles from the Appendix have been edited to make them more readable in today's language. The language, punctuation, and sentence structure have been modified in places, but care has been taken to make no changes to the doctrine of the Confession. Roman numerals for each article have been replaced by ordinary numbers. The captions of the articles and the Table of Contents were not part of the original Confession. They have been written for this revision to briefly describe, at least in part, the contents of the articles and to make navigation of the Confession easier.

It is this believer's opinion that the 1646 Baptist Confession of Faith is a faithful and, in many places, remarkably beautiful statement of biblical doctrine. We owe a debt to the men who wrote it. May the Lord continue even now to bless their labors.

Soli Deo Gloria

[Note: Setting internal anchor links on this platform is not simple. So, to navigate through the Confession without constantly scrolling up and down: (1) put your cursor over the desired chapter title and click 3 times to select it; (2) open the page-search bar by using the keyboard command Ctrl+F or, if using a MAC, Command-F; (3) use the down arrow to go to the selected section of the Confession.]

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Preamble

1. God and His Attributes

2. The Trinity

3. God's Decrees

4. Creation and Fall of Man

5. God's Providence

6. Salvation by Grace Alone through Jesus Christ

7. Eternal Life or God's Vengeance, Dependent on Knowing God and Christ

8. The Scriptures

9. Christ, the Son of God and the Son of Man

10. Christ, Mediator of the New Covenant

11. Christ, Appointed Mediator from Eternity

12. Christ, Called by God to be Mediator and Made a Sacrifice for Sin

13. No Other Mediator but Christ

14. Christ's Three-fold Office of Prophet, Priest, and King

15. Christ Our Prophet

16. Necessity That Our Prophet Be Both God and Man

17. Christ Our Priest

18. Christ a Priest in Both His Divine and Human Natures

19. Christ Our King

20. Christ's Kingly Power More Fully Manifested at His Coming in Glory

21. Salvation of Christ's Elect Purchased by His Death

22. Faith the Gift of God

23. God's Preservation of All Who Have Faith

24. Belief and Conversion Accomplished by the Resurrection Power of Christ

25. The Free Preaching of the Gospel Without Pre-Conditions

26. The Soul Carried On Through All Circumstances by God's Power, All of Grace

27. Believers United to God, Made Sons of God and Joint Heirs with Christ

28. Justification by the Blood of Christ, Applied Through Faith

29. Sanctification a Spiritual Grace of the New Covenant

30. Peace with God and Reconciliation a Privilege for All Believers in the New Covenant

31. Continual Warfare of Believers Against Sin, Self, the World, and the Devil

32. Believers Assisted and Preserved Only by the Strength of Christ

33. The Church, Christ's Spiritual Kingdom on Earth

34. The Church, Recipient of Christ's Blessings and Protection

35. The Life of Christ's Servants in the Church

36. Power of Every Church to Choose Elders and Deacons

37. Ministers to Care for the Flock

38. Ministers to Have Their Needs Supplied Freely by the Church

39. Baptism an Ordinance of the New Testament

40. Baptism by Immersion in Water

41. Who May Administer Baptism

42. Power of Each Congregation to Receive and Cast Out Members

43. All Members Subject to Discipline Without Partiality

44. Authority and Duty of All Members to Watch Over One Another

45. Gifted Men to Preach and Teach Publicly

46. Separation from the Church Only After Redress Has Been Sought

47. Relations with Other Churches in the Common Faith

48. Civil Government Ordained by God

49. Believers to Obey God Rather Than Men

50. Christians as Rulers or Civil Officers; the Lawfulness of Oaths

51. The Duty of Believers to Others

52. Resurrection and Judgment

The Conclusion

Appendix 9. Believers Not Under Law but Under Grace, Yet Not Lawless

Appendix 10. Relationship of Believers to the Law of Moses

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Preamble

A confession of faith of seven congregations or churches of Christ in London, which are commonly but unjustly called Anabaptists; published for the vindication of the truth and information of the ignorant; likewise for the taking off those aspersions which are frequently, both in pulpit and print, unjustly cast upon them. Printed at London, Anno 1646.

1. God and His Attributes

The Lord our God is but one God, whose subsistence is in Himself and whose essence cannot be comprehended by any but Himself. He alone has immortality, dwelling in the light which no one can approach. He is in Himself most holy; every way infinite in greatness, wisdom, power, and love; merciful and gracious; long-suffering and abundant in goodness and truth. He gives being, moving, and preservation to all creatures.

1 Cor. 8:6; Isa. 44:6, 46:9; Exod. 3:14; 1 Tim 6:16; Isa. 43:15; Ps. 147:5; Deut. 32:3; Job 36:5; Jer. 10:12; Exod. 34:6-7; Acts 17:28; Rom. 11:36.

2. The Trinity

In this divine and infinite Being there is the Father, the Word, and the Holy Spirit. Each has the whole divine Essence, yet the Essence undivided. All are infinite and without any beginning, therefore but one God, who is not to be divided in nature and being, but who is distinguished by several distinctive relative characteristics.

1 Cor. 1:3; John 1:1, 15:26; Exod. 3:14; 1 Cor. 8:6.

3. God's Decrees

Before the world was, God decreed in Himself concerning all things, whether necessary, accidental or voluntary, with all the circumstances of them, in order to work, dispose, and bring about all things according to the counsel of His own will, to His glory. (Yet He is not the author of sin nor does He have fellowship with any in their sin.) In this is manifested His wisdom in disposing all things, and His unchangeableness, power, and faithfulness in accomplishing His decree. Before the foundation of the world, God foreordained some persons to eternal life through Jesus Christ, to the praise and glory of His grace, leaving the rest in their sin to their just condemnation, to the praise of His justice.

Isa. 46:10; Eph. 1:11; Rom. 11:33; Ps. 115:3, 135:6, 33:15; 1 Sam. 10:9,26; Prov. 21:6; Exod. 21:13; Prov. 16:33; Ps. 144; Isa. 45:7; Jer. 14:22; Matt. 6:28-30; Col. 1:16-17; Num. 23:19-20; Rom. 3:4; Jer. 10:10; Eph. 1:4-5; Jude 1:4,6; Prov. 16:4.

4. Creation and Fall of Man

In the beginning God made all things very good. He created man after His own image, filled with all suitable perfection of nature and free from all sin. But man did not remain long in this honor, Satan using the subtlety of the serpent to seduce first Eve, then by her seducing Adam, who, without any compulsion in eating the forbidden fruit, transgressed the command of God and fell. By this, death came upon all Adam's posterity, who now are conceived in sin, are by nature the children of wrath, are the servants of sin, and are the subjects of death and other miseries in this world and forever, unless the Lord Jesus Christ sets them free.

Gen. 1:1; Col. 1:16; Isa. 45:12; 1 Cor. 15:45-46; Eccles. 7:29; Gen. 3:1,4-5; 2 Cor. 11:3; 1 Tim. 2:14; Gal. 3:22; Rom. 5:12,18-19, 6:22; Eph. 2:3.

5. God's Providence

In His infinite power and wisdom, God disposes all things to the end for which they were created: therefore, neither good nor evil befalls anyone by chance or without His providence, and whatever befalls the elect is by His appointment, for His glory, and for their good.

Job 38:11; Isa. 46:10-11; Eccles. 3:14; Mark 10:29-30; Exod. 21:13; Prov. 16:33; Rom. 8:28.

6. Salvation by Grace Alone through Jesus Christ

All the elect, being loved of God with an everlasting love, are redeemed, made alive, and saved, not by themselves nor by their own works, lest anyone should boast, but only and wholly by God. This is of His own free grace and mercy through Jesus Christ, whom God made to us wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption, that all in all, he who rejoices might rejoice in the Lord.

Jer. 31:2; Eph. 1:3,7, 2:8-9; 1 Thess. 5:9; Acts 13:48; 2 Cor. 5:21; Jer. 9:23-24; 1 Cor. 1:30-31; Jer. 23:6.

7. Eternal Life or God's Vengeance, Dependent on Knowing God and Christ

And this is eternal life, that we might know Him the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom He has sent. On the contrary, the Lord will render vengeance in flaming fire to those who do not know God and do not obey the gospel of Jesus Christ.

John 17:3; Heb. 5:9; 2 Thess. 1:8; John 6:36.

8. The Scriptures

The rule of this knowledge, faith, and obedience concerning the worship of God, in which is contained the whole duty of man, is not men's laws or unwritten traditions, but only the word of God written in the holy Scriptures. In them is plainly recorded whatever is necessary for us to know, believe, and practice. These Scriptures are the only rule of holiness and obedience for all saints, to be observed at all times and in all places.

Col. 2:23; Matt 15:6,9; John 5:39; 2 Tim. 3:15-17; Isa. 8:20; Gal. 1:8-9; Acts 3:22-23.

9. Christ, the Son of God and the Son of Man

The Lord Jesus Christ, of whom Moses and the Prophets wrote and whom the Apostles preached, He is the Son of God. He is the radiance of God's glory and the exact imprint of His nature. He is the One by whom God made the world and who upholds and governs all things which He has made. When the fulness of time had come, He was born of a woman, of the tribe of Judah, of the seed of Abraham and David. He was born of the virgin Mary, the Holy Spirit coming down upon her and the power of the most High overshadowing her. And He was also tempted as we are, yet without sin.

Gen. 3:15, 22:18, 49:10; Dan. 7:13, 9:24, etc.; Prov. 8:23; John 1:1-3; Heb. 1:8; Gal. 4:4; Heb. 7:14; Rev. 5:5; Gen. 49:9-10; Rom. 1:3, 9:10; Matt. 1:16; Luke 3:23,26; Heb. 2:16; Isa. 53:3-5; Heb. 4:15.

10. Christ, Mediator of the New Covenant

Jesus Christ is made the mediator of the new and everlasting covenant of grace between God and man, always to be perfectly and fully the prophet, priest, and king of the Church of God forevermore.

1 Tim. 2:5; Heb. 9:15; John 14:6; Isa. 9:6-7.

11. Christ, Appointed Mediator from Eternity

To this office He was appointed by God from everlasting. Regarding His manhood, He was from the womb called, separated, and anointed most fully and abundantly with all necessary gifts, God having poured out His Spirit upon Him without measure.

Prov. 8:23; Isa. 42:6, 49:15, 11:2-5, 61:1,2; Luke 4:17,22; John 1:14,26, 3:34.

12. Christ, Called by God to be Mediator and Made a Sacrifice for Sin

Concerning His mediatorship, the Scripture holds forth Christ's call to His office. For no man takes this honor upon himself, but He who is called by God, as was Aaron. This is an action of God, by which, a special promise being made, He ordains His Son to this office. The promise is that Christ should be made a sacrifice for sin, that He should see His seed and prolong His days, and that the pleasure of the Lord shall prosper in His hand. All of this is of mere free and absolute grace towards God's elect, without any condition foreseen in them to procure it.

Heb. 5:4-6; Isa. 53:10-11; John 3:16; Rom. 8:32.

13. No Other Mediator but Christ

This office to be mediator, that is, to be prophet, priest, and king of the Church of God, is so proper to Christ that neither in whole nor in any part can it be transferred from Him to anyone else.

1 Tim. 2:5; Heb. 7:24; Dan. 7:14; Acts 4:12; Luke 1:33; John 14:6.

14. Christ's Three-fold Office of Prophet, Priest, and King

This office to which Christ is called is threefold: a prophet, priest, and king. This number and order of offices are necessary, for because of our ignorance, we stand in need of His office as prophet; because of our great alienation from God, we need His office as priest to reconcile us; and because of our aversion and utter inability to return to God, we need His office as king to convince, subdue, draw, uphold, and preserve us to His heavenly kingdom.

Deut. 18:15; Acts 3:22-23; Heb. 3:1, 4:14-15; Ps. 2:6; 2 Cor. 5:20; Acts 26:18; Col. 1:21; John 16:8; Ps. 110:3; Song. 1:3; John 6:44; Phil. 4:13; 2 Tim. 4:18.

15. Christ Our Prophet

Concerning the prophecy of Christ, it is that by which He has revealed the will of God, whatever is necessary for His servants to know and obey. Therefore He is called not only a prophet and teacher, the apostle of our profession, and the angel of the covenant, but also the very wisdom of God, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. And He forever continues revealing the same truth of the gospel to His people.

John 1:18, 12:49-50, 17:8; Deut. 18:15; Matt. 23:10; Heb. 3:1; Mal. 3:1; 1 Cor. 1:24; Col. 2:3.

16. Necessity That Our Prophet Be Both God and Man

That He might be a prophet complete in every way, it was necessary that He should be God and also that He should be man. For unless He had been God, He could never have understood the will of God perfectly; and unless He had been man, He could not have unfolded it suitably in His own person to men.

John 1:18; Acts 3:22; Deut. 18:15; Heb. 1:1.

Note:

That Jesus Christ is God is wonderfully and clearly expressed in the Scriptures. He is called the mighty God, Isa. 9:6. That Word was God, John 1:1. Christ, who is God over all, Rom 9:5. God manifested in the flesh, 1 Tim. 3:16. The same is true God, 1 John 5:20. He is the first, Rev. 1:8. He gives being to all things, and without Him was nothing made, John 1:2. He forgives sins, Matt. 9:6. He is before Abraham, John 8:58. He was and is and ever will be the same, Heb. 13:8. He is always with His to the end of the world, Matt. 28:20. These things could not be said of Jesus Christ, if He were not God. And to the Son He says, Your throne, O God, is forever and ever, Heb. 1:8, John 1:18.

Also, Christ is not only perfectly God, but perfect man, born of a woman, Gal. 4:4. Made of the seed of David, Rom 1:3. Coming out of the loins of David, Acts 2:30. Of Jesse and Judah, Acts 13:23. In that the children were partakers of flesh and blood, He Himself likewise partook of the same, Heb. 2:14. He took not on Him the nature of angels, but the seed of Abraham, Heb. 2:16. So that we are bone of His bone, and flesh of His flesh, Eph. 5:30. So that He who sanctifies and those who are sanctified are all of one, Heb.2:11. See Acts 3:22, Deut. 18:15; Heb. 1:1.

17. Christ Our Priest

Concerning His priesthood, Christ, having sanctified Himself, has appeared once to put away sin by that one offering of Himself a sacrifice for sin. By this sacrifice He has fully finished and suffered all things God required for the salvation of His elect, has removed all rituals and shadows, and is now entered within the veil into the holy of holies, which is the presence of God. Also, He makes His people a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Him. Neither does the Father accept, nor does Christ offer to the Father, any other worship or worshippers.

John 17:19; Heb. 5:7-10,12; Rom. 5:19; Eph. 5:2; Col. 1:20; Eph. 2:14, etc.; Rom. 8:34; Heb. 9:24, 8:1; 1 Pet. 2:5; John 4:23-24.

18. Christ a Priest in Both His Divine and Human Natures

This priesthood was not legal or temporary but, according to the order of Melchizedek, is stable and perfect, not for a time but forever, which is suitable to Jesus Christ, as to Him who lives forever. Christ was the priest, sacrifice, and altar. He was a priest according to both natures. He was a sacrifice according to His human nature, where in Scripture it is attributed to His body, to His blood; yet the effectiveness of this sacrifice depended upon His divine nature, so it is called the blood of God. He was the altar according to His divine nature, it belonging to the altar to sanctify what is offered upon it, and so it ought to be of greater dignity than the sacrifice itself.

Heb. 7:16, etc.; Heb. 5:6, 10:10; 1 Pet. 1:18-19; Col. 1:20,22; Heb. 9:13; Acts 20:28; Heb. 9:14, 13:10,12,15; Matt. 23:17; John 17:19.

19. Christ Our King

Concerning His kingly office, being risen from the dead and ascended into heaven, and having all power in heaven and earth, Christ spiritually governs His church and exercises His power over all, angels and men, good and bad, to the preservation and salvation of the elect, and to the overruling and destruction of His enemies. By this kingly power He applies the benefits, virtue, and fruits of His prophecy and priesthood to His elect, subduing their sins, preserving and strengthening them in all their conflicts against Satan, the world, and the flesh, and keeping their hearts in faith and filial fear by His Spirit. By this His mighty power He rules the vessels of wrath, using, limiting, and restraining them as it seems good to His infinite wisdom.

1 Cor. 15:4; 1 Pet. 3:21-22; Matt. 28:18-19; Luke 24:51; Acts 1:1, 5:30-31; John 19:36; Rom. 14:9; John 5:26-27; Rom. 5:6-8, 14:17; Gal. 5:22-23; Mark 1:27; Heb. 1:14; John 16:15; Job 2:8; Rom. 1:21, [Rom. 9:17-18]; Eph. 4:17-18; 2 Pet. 2.

20. Christ's Kingly Power More Fully Manifested at His Coming in Glory

This His kingly power shall be more fully manifested when He shall come in glory to reign among His saints, when He shall put down all rule and authority under His feet, that the glory of the Father may be perfectly manifested in His Son, and the glory of the Father and the Son in all His members.

1 Cor. 15:24,28; Heb. 9:28; 2 Thess. 1:9-10; 1 Thess. 4:15-17; John 17:21,26.

21. Salvation of Christ's Elect Purchased by His Death

By His death, Jesus Christ purchased salvation for the elect whom God gave to Him. These only have interest in Him and fellowship with Him. For them He makes intercession to His Father in their behalf, and to them alone does God apply by His Spirit this redemption, as also the free gift of eternal life is given to them, and to no one else.

Eph. 1:14; Heb. 5:9; Matt. 1:21; John 17:6; Heb. 7:25; 1 Cor. 2:12; Rom. 8:29-30; 1 John 5:12; John 15:13; John 3:16.

22. Faith the Gift of God

Faith is the gift of God, produced in the hearts of the elect by the Spirit of God. By this faith they come to know and believe the truth of the Scriptures and the excellency of them above all other writings and all things in the world, as the Scriptures hold forth the glory of God in His attributes, the excellency of Christ in His nature and offices, and the power and fullness of the Spirit in His workings and operations. And so they are enabled to cast their souls upon His truth thus believed.

Eph. 2:8; John 6:29, 4:10; Phil. 1:29; Gal. 5:22; John 17:17; Heb. 4:11-12; John 6:63.

23. God's Preservation of All Who Have Faith

All those who have this precious faith produced in them by the Spirit can never finally nor totally fall away, seeing the gifts of God are without repentance, so that He still brings forth and nourishes 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 fastened upon. Notwithstanding, even though through unbelief and the temptations of Satan, the sensible sight of this light and love be clouded and overwhelmed for a time, yet God is still the same, and they shall be sure to be kept by the power of God to salvation, where they shall enjoy their purchased possession, they being engraved upon the palms of His hands, and their names having been written in the book of life from all eternity.

Matt. 7:24-25; John 13:10, 10:28-29; 1 Pet. 1:4-6; Isa. 49:13-16.

24. Belief and Conversion Accomplished by the Resurrection Power of Christ

Faith is ordinarily brought forth by the preaching of the gospel, or word of Christ, without respect to any power or capacity in the creature. But the creature, being wholly passive and dead in trespasses and sins, believes and is converted by no less power than that which raised Christ from the dead.

Rom. 10:17; 1 Cor. 1:28; Rom. 9:16; Ezek. 16:16; Rom. 3:12, 1:16; Eph. 1:19; Col. 2:12.

25. The Free Preaching of the Gospel Without Pre-Conditions

The preaching of the gospel to the conversion of sinners is absolutely free, in no way requiring as absolutely necessary any qualifications, preparations, terrors of the law, or preceding ministry of the law. But it requires only and alone the naked soul, a sinner and ungodly, to receive Christ crucified, dead and buried, and risen again, who is made a prince and a Savior for such sinners as shall be brought to believe on Him through the gospel.

John 3:14-15, 1:12; Isa. 55:1; John 7:37; 1 Tim. 1:15; Rom. 4:5, 5:8; Acts 5:30-31, 2:36; 1 Cor. 1:22,24.

26. The Soul Carried On Through All Circumstances by God's Power, All of Grace

The same power that converts to faith in Christ carries on the soul through all duties, temptations, conflicts, and sufferings, and whatever a believer is, he is by grace and is carried on in all obedience and temptations by grace.

1 Pet. 1:5; 2 Cor. 12:9; 1 Cor. 15:10; Phil. 2:12-13; John 15:5; Gal. 2:19-20.

27. Believers United to God, Made Sons of God and Joint Heirs with Christ

All believers are by Christ united to God, by which union God is one with them, and they are one with Him. All believers are the sons of God and joint heirs with Christ, to whom belong all the promises of this life and that which is to come.

1 Thess. 1:1; John 17:21, 20:17; Heb. 2:11; 1 John 4:16; Gal. 2:19-20.

28. Justification by the Blood of Christ, Applied Through Faith

Those who have union with Christ are justified from all their sins by the blood of Christ. This justification is a gracious and full acquittal of a guilty sinner from all sin, by God, through the satisfaction that Christ has made by His death for all their sins, and this is applied (in manifestation of it) through faith.

1 John 1:7; Heb. 10:14, 9:26; 2 Cor. 5:19; Rom. 3:23; Acts 13:38-39; Rom. 5:1, 3:25,30.

29. Sanctification a Spiritual Grace of the New Covenant

All believers are a holy and sanctified people. This sanctification is a spiritual grace of the new covenant and an effect of the love of God manifested in the soul, by which the believer presses after a heavenly and evangelical obedience to all the commands which Christ, as head and king in His new covenant, has prescribed to them.

1 Cor. 12; 1 Pet. 2:9; Eph. 1:4; 1 John 4:16; Matt. 28:20.

30. Peace with God and Reconciliation a Privilege for All Believers in the New Covenant

Through the knowledge of that justification of life given by the Father and brought forth by the blood of Christ, all believers have as their great privilege of that new covenant peace with God and reconciliation, by which they who were far off are brought near by that blood and have peace passing all understanding: yes, joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have received atonement.

2 Cor. 5:19; Rom. 5:9-10; Isa. 54:10; Eph. 2:13-14, 4:7; Rom. 5:10-11.

31. Continual Warfare of Believers Against Sin, Self, the World, and the Devil

In the time of this life, all believers are in a continual warfare and combat against sin, self, the world, and the devil. They are liable to all manner of afflictions, tribulations, and persecutions, being predestined and appointed to them. Whatever the saints possess or enjoy of God spiritually is by faith, yet outward and temporal things are lawfully enjoyed by a civil right by those who have no faith.

Rom. 7:23-24; Eph. 6:10-11, etc.; Heb. 2:9-10; 2 Tim. 3:12; Rom. 8:29; 1 Thess. 3:3; Gal. 2:19-20; 2 Cor. 5:7; Deut. 2:5.

32. Believers Assisted and Preserved Only by the Strength of Christ

The strength by which the saints are enabled to face all oppositions and trials is only by Jesus Christ, who is the captain of their salvation, being made perfect through sufferings. He has engaged His faithfulness and strength to assist them in all their afflictions, to uphold them in all their temptations, and to preserve them by His power to His everlasting kingdom.

John 16:33, 15:5; Phil. 4:11; Heb. 2:9,10; 2 Tim. 4:18.

33. The Church, Christ's Spiritual Kingdom on Earth

Jesus Christ has here on earth a spiritual kingdom, which is His Church, whom He has purchased and redeemed to Himself as a special inheritance. This Church is a company of visible saints, called and separated from the world by the word and Spirit of God to the visible profession of faith of the gospel. They are baptized into that faith, and are joined to the Lord and to each other, by mutual agreement in the practical enjoyment of the ordinances commanded by Christ their head and king.

Matt. 11:11; 2 Thess. 1:1; 1 Cor. 1:2; Eph. 1:1; Rom. 1:7; Acts 19:8-9, 26:18; 2 Cor. 6:17; Rev. 18:4; Acts 2:37, 10:37; Rom. 10:10; Matt. 18:19-20; Acts 2:42, 9:26; 1 Pet. 2:5.

34. The Church, Recipient of Christ's Blessings and Protection

To this Church He has made His promises and gives the signs of His covenant, presence, acceptance, love, blessing, and protection. Here are the fountains and springs of His heavenly graces flowing forth to refresh and strengthen them.

Matt. 28:18, etc.; 1 Cor. 11:24, 3:21; 2 Cor. 6:18; Rom. 9:4-5; Ps. 133:3; Rom. 3:7,10; Ezek. 47:2.

35. The Life of Christ's Servants in the Church

All His servants of all estates are to acknowledge Him to be their prophet, priest and king. They are called to this to be enrolled among His household servants, to present their bodies and souls, and to bring their gifts which God has given them. They are to be under His heavenly conduct and government. They are to lead their lives in this walled sheepfold and watered garden. They are to have communion here with His saints that they may be assured that they are made fit to be partakers of their inheritance in the kingdom of God. And they are to supply each other's needs, inward and outward, and although each person has a propriety in his own estate, yet they are to supply each other's needs according as their necessities shall require, so that the name of Jesus Christ may not be blasphemed through the necessity of any in the Church. And also having come, they are here by Himself to be bestowed in their several order, due place, and particular use, being fitly compacted and knit together according to the effectual working of every part, to the edifying of itself in love.

Acts. 2:41,47; Isa. 4:3; 1 Cor. 12:6-7, etc.; Ezek. 20:37,40; Song. 4:12; Eph. 2:19; Rom. 12:4-6; Col. 1:12, 2:5-6,19; Acts 20:32, 5:4, 2:44-45, 4:34-35; Luke 14:26; 1 Tim. 6:1; Eph. 4:16.

36. Power of Every Church to Choose Elders and Deacons

Being thus joined, every church has power given them from Christ for their wellbeing, to choose among themselves fit persons, being qualified according to the word, for elders and deacons. These Christ has appointed in His testament for the feeding, governing, serving, and building up of His Church. And no one has any power to impose on the church either these or any other.

Acts 1:23,26, 6:3, 15:22,25; Rom. 12:7-8; 1 Tim. 3:2,6-7; 1 Cor. 12:8,28; Heb. 13:7,17; 1 Pet. 5:1-3; 4:15.

37. Ministers to Care for the Flock

The ministers lawfully called, as described, ought to continue in their calling and place according to God's ordinance. They are carefully to feed the flock of God committed to them, not for shameful gain, but eagerly.

Heb. 5:4; John 10:3-4; Acts 20:28-29; Rom. 12:7-8; Heb. 13:7,17; 1 Pet. 5:1-3.

38. Ministers to Have Their Needs Supplied Freely by the Church

The ministers of Christ ought to have whatever they shall need supplied freely by the church, so that according to Christ's ordinance they who preach the Gospel should get their living by the gospel, according to the law of Christ.

1 Cor. 9:7,14; Gal. 6:8; Phil. 4:15-16; 2 Cor. 10:4; 1 Tim. 1:2; Ps. 110:3.

39. Baptism an Ordinance of the New Testament

Baptism is an ordinance of the New Testament, given by Christ to be dispensed upon persons professing faith, or who are made disciples. Upon profession of faith, they ought to be baptized and afterward to partake of the Lord's Supper.

Matt. 28:18-19; John 4:1; Mark 16:15-16; Acts 2:37-38, 8:36-37, etc.

40. Baptism by Immersion in Water

The way and manner of dispensing this ordinance is by dipping or plunging the body under water. It being a sign, it must answer the things signified, which is that interest the saints have in the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ: and that as certainly as the body is buried under water and risen again, so certainly shall the bodies of the saints be raised by the power of Christ in the day of the resurrection to reign with Christ.

Matt. 3:16; Mark 1:9 reads (into Jordan) in Greek; John 3:23; Acts 8:38; Rev. 1:5, 7:14; Heb. 10:22; Rom. 6:3-6; 1 Cor. 15:28-29. The word baptizo signifies to dip or plunge (yet so as proper garments be upon both the administrator and the subject with all modesty).

41. Who May Administer Baptism

The person designed by Christ to dispense baptism the Scripture holds forth to be a disciple. Baptism is nowhere tied to a particular church officer or person extraordinarily sent the commission enjoining the administration, but it is given to those who are considered disciples, being men able to preach the gospel.

Isa. 8:16; Eph. 2:7; Matt 28:19; John 4:2; Acts 20:7, 11:10; 1 Cor. 11:2, 10:16-17; Rom. 16:2; Matt. 18:17.

42. Power of Each Congregation to Receive and Cast Out Members

Christ has likewise given power to His Church to receive in, and cast out, any member who deserves it. This power is given to every congregation and not to one particular person, either member or officer, but in relation to the whole body, in reference to their faith and fellowship.

Rom. 15:2; Matt. 18:17; 1 Cor. 5:4,11,13, 12:6, 2:3; 2 Cor. 2:6-7.

43. All Members Subject to Discipline Without Partiality

And every individual member of each church, however excellent, great, or learned, is subject to this censure and judgment. Yet the church ought not to proceed against her members without great care and tenderness, and due advice, but rather by the rule of faith.

Matt. 18:16, 17:18; Acts 11:2-3; 1 Tim. 5:19, etc.; Col. 4:17; Acts 15:1-3.

44. Authority and Duty of All Members to Watch Over One Another

Christ, for the keeping of this church in holy and orderly communion, places some special men over the church. By their office they are to govern, oversee, visit, and watch. So likewise for the better keeping of it in all places by the members, He has given authority and laid duty upon all to watch over one another.

Acts 20:27-28; Heb. 13:17,24; Matt. 24:45; 1 Thess. 5:2,14; Jude 1:3,20; Heb. 10:34-35 [cf. Heb. 10:24,25], Heb. 12:15.

45. Gifted Men to Preach and Teach Publicly

Also those to whom God has given gifts in the church may and ought to preach according to the proportion of faith and to teach publicly the word of God for the edification, exhortation, and comfort of the church.

1 Cor. 14:3, etc.; Rom 12:6; 1 Pet. 4:10-11; 1 Cor. 12:7; 1 Thess. 5:19, etc.

46. Separation from the Church Only After Redress Has Been Sought

Thus, being rightly gathered and continuing in the obedience of the gospel of Christ, none are to separate for faults and corruptions until they have in due order, and tenderness, sought redress for them. For as long as the church consists of persons subject to failings, there will be differences in the truly constituted church.

Rev. 2, 3; Acts 15:12; 1 Cor. 1:10; Heb. 10:25; Jude. 1:19; Rev. 2:20-21,27; Acts 15:1-2; Rom. 14:1, 15:1-3.

47. Relations with Other Churches in the Common Faith

Although the particular congregations be distinct and several bodies, each one like a compact and knit city within itself, yet they are all to walk by one rule of truth. So also are they (by all convenient means), if necessity requires it, to have the counsel and help of one another, as members of one body, in the common faith, under Christ their head.

1 Cor. 4:17, 14:33,36, 16:1; Ps. 122:3; Eph. 2:12,19; Rev. 21; 1 Tim. 3:15, 6:13-14; 1 Cor. 4:17; Acts 15:2-3; Song. 8:8-9; 2 Cor. 8:1,4, 13:14.

48. Civil Government Ordained by God

A civil government is an ordinance of God, set up by Him for the punishment of evildoers and for the praise of those who do well. In all lawful things commanded by them, subjection ought to be given by us in the Lord, not only for wrath, but for conscience sake. And we are to make supplications and prayers for kings and all who are in authority, that under them we may live a quiet and peaceable life, in all godliness and honesty.

Rom. 13:1-2, etc.; 1 Pet. 2:13-14; 1 Tim. 2:1-3.

Note:

The supreme government of this kingdom we acknowledge to be the king and the now established parliament freely chosen by the kingdom, and we are to maintain and defend all civil laws and civil officers made by them, which are for the good of the commonwealth. And we acknowledge with thankfulness that God has made this present king and parliament honorable in throwing down the ecclesiastical hierarchy, because of their tyranny and oppression over us, under which this kingdom long groaned. For this we are ever engaged to bless God and honor them for the same. And concerning the worship of God, there is but one lawgiver, who is able to save and destroy, James 4:12; who is Jesus Christ, who has given laws and rules sufficient in His word for His worship. And for any to make more would be to charge Christ with lack of wisdom, or faithfulness, or both, in not making laws enough, or laws not good enough for His house: surely it is our wisdom, duty, and privilege to observe Christ's laws only, Ps. 2:6,9,10,12. So it is the ruler's duty to tender the liberty of men's consciences, Eccles. 8:8 (which is the tenderest thing to all conscientious men, and most dear to them, and without which all other liberties will not be worth the naming, much less enjoying), and to protect all under them from all wrong, injury, oppression, and molestation. So it is our duty to be lacking in nothing which is for their honor and comfort, and for whatever is for the wellbeing of the commonwealth in which we live. It is our duty, and we believe it to be our express duty, especially in matters of religion, to be fully persuaded in our minds of the lawfulness of what we do, as knowing whatever is not of faith is sin. And as we cannot do anything contrary to our understandings and consciences, so neither can we forbear the doing of that which our understandings and consciences bind us to do. And if the ruler should require us to do otherwise, we are to yield our persons in a passive way to their power, as the saints of old have done, James 5:4. And thrice happy shall he be who shall lose his life for witnessing, though but for the least tittle, of the truth of the Lord Jesus Christ, 1 Pet. 5; Gal. 5.

49. Believers to Obey God Rather Than Men

But in case we do not find the government to favor us in this, yet we dare not suspend our practice, because we believe we ought to go in obedience to Christ, in professing the faith which was once delivered to the saints, which faith is declared in the holy Scriptures, and this our confession of faith a part of them. And we are to witness to the truth of the Old and New Testaments to the death, if necessity requires it, in the midst of all trials and afflictions, as His saints of old have done: not accounting our goods, lands, wives, children, fathers, mothers, brothers, sisters, yes, and our own lives dear to us, so that we may finish our course with joy, remembering always that we ought to obey God rather than men, who when we have finished our course and kept the faith, will give us the crown of righteousness. To God we must give an account of all our actions, and no man is able to discharge us from this.

Acts 2:40-41, 4:19, 5:28-29, 20:23; 1 Thess. 3:3; Phil. 1:28-29; Dan. 3:16-17, 6:7,10,22-23; 1 Tim. 6:13-14; Rom. 12:1,8; 1 Cor. 14:37; Rev. 2:20; 2 Tim. 4:6-8; Rom. 14:10,12; 2 Cor. 5:10; Ps. 49:7, 50:22.

50. Christians as Rulers or Civil Officers; the Lawfulness of Oaths

It is lawful for a Christian to be a ruler or civil officer. It is also lawful to take an oath, so long as it be in truth, and in judgment, and in righteousness, for confirmation of truth and ending of all strife. But by wrath and vain oaths the Lord is provoked, and this land mourns.

Acts 8:38, 10:1-2,35; Rom. 16:23; Deut. 6:13; Rom. 1:9; 2 Cor. 10-11; Jer. 4:2; Heb. 6:16.

51. The Duty of Believers to Others

We are to give to all men whatever is their due, as their place, age, and estate require. We are to defraud no one of anything, but to do to all men as we would have them do to us.

1 Thess. 4:6; Rom. 13:5-7; Matt. 22:21; Titus 3; 1 Pet. 2:15,17, 5:5; Eph. 5:21,23, etc. , Eph. 6:1,9; Titus 3:1-3.

52. Resurrection and Judgment

There shall be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust, and everyone shall give an account of himself to God, so that everyone may receive the things done in his body, according to what he has done, whether it be good or bad.

Acts 24:15; 1 Cor. 5:10; Rom. 14:12. [Matt. 25; Rev. 22:11-15]

The Conclusion

Thus we desire to give to Christ that which is His, and to all lawful authority that which is their due; to owe nothing to anyone but love; to live quietly and peaceably, as it becomes saints, endeavoring in all things to keep a good conscience, and to do to everyone (of whatever opinion they may be) as we would have them do to us, that as our practice is, so it may prove us to be a conscionable, quiet, and harmless people (in no way dangerous or troublesome to human society); to labor and work with our hands that we may not be chargeable to any, but to give to him who needs, both friends and enemies, accounting it more excellent to give than to receive. Also, we confess that we know but in part, and that we are ignorant of many things which we desire and seek to know; and if any shall do us that friendly part to show us from the word of God that which we see not, we shall have cause to be thankful to God and them; but if any man shall impose upon us anything that we see not to be commanded by our Lord Jesus Christ, we should in His strength rather embrace all reproaches and tortures of men, to be stripped of all outward comforts, and if it were possible, to die a thousand deaths, rather than to do anything against the least tittle of the truth of God or against the light of our own consciences. And if any shall call what we have said heresy, then do we with the Apostle acknowledge that, after the way they call heresy, we worship the God of our fathers, disclaiming all heresies rightly so called, because they are against Christ. And we are to be steadfast and unmovable, always abounding in obedience to Christ, as knowing that our labor shall not be in vain in the Lord.

Psalm 74:21-22

Arise, O God, plead Your own cause; remember how the foolish man blasphemes You daily. O let not the oppressed return ashamed, but let the poor and needy praise Your name.

Come, Lord Jesus, come quickly.

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Appendix 9. Believers Not Under Law but Under Grace, Yet Not Lawless

Though we who believe in Christ are not under the law but under grace, yet we know that we are not lawless or left to live without a rule: "not without law to God, but under law to Christ." The Gospel of Jesus Christ is a law or commanding rule to us, by which, and in obedience to which, we are taught to live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present world, the directions of Christ in His evangelical word guiding us to and in this sober, righteous, and godly walking.

Rom. 6:14; 1 Cor. 9:21; Titus 2:11-12; 1 Tim.1:10-11.

Appendix 10. Relationship of Believers to the Law of Moses

Though we are not now sent to the law as it was in the hand of Moses to be commanded by it, yet Christ in His Gospel teaches and commands us to walk in the same way of righteousness and holiness that God by Moses commanded the lsraelites to walk in: all the commandments of the Second Table are still delivered to us by Christ, and all the commandments of the First Table also (as touching the life and spirit of them) in this epitome or brief sum, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets."

Matthew 22:37-40; Rom.13:8-10; Galatians 5:14.