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The 1689 London Baptist Confession of FaithLinks to Chapters:
THE BAPTIST CONFESSION OF FAITH With Scripture ProofsAdopted by the Ministers and Messengers of the general assembly which met in London in 1689.Chapter 1: Of the Holy Scriptures1._____ The Holy Scripture is the only sufficient, certain, and infallible rule of all
saving knowledge, faith, and obedience, although the 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 inexcusable; yet are they not sufficient to give that knowledge of God and his
will which is necessary unto salvation. 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 writing; which maketh
the Holy Scriptures to be most necessary, those former ways of God's 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 Testaments, which are these: OF THE OLD TESTAMENT: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy, Joshua, Judges, Ruth, I Samuel, II Samuel, I Kings,II Kings, I Chronicles, II Chronicles, Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther, Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, The Song of Solomen, 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, Paul's Epistle to the Romans, I Corinthians, II Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, I Thessalonians, II Thessalonians, I Timothy, II Timothy, To Titus, To Philemon, The Epistle to the Hebrews, 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 of which are given by the inspiration of God, to be the rule of faith and life. 3._____ The books commonly called Apocrypha, not being of 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 than other human 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 God (who is truth
itself), 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 style, 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 man's salvation, and many other incomparable excellencies, and entire perfections
thereof, are arguments whereby it doth abundantly evidence itself to be the Word of God;
yet notwithstanding, our full persuasion 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 counsel of God concerning all things necessary for his own glory,
man's salvation, faith and life, is either expressly 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 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 human actions and societies, which
are to be 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 plain in themselves, nor alike clear unto
all; yet those things which are necessary to be known, believed and observed for
salvation, are so 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 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 authentic; so as in all
controversies of religion, the church is finally to appeal to them. 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 and search them,
therefore they are to be translated into the vulgar language of every nation unto which
they come, that the Word of God dwelling 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 Scripture itself; 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 supreme judge, by which all controversies of religion are to be determined,
and all decrees of councils, opinions of ancient 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 Scripture so delivered, our faith is
finally resolved. Chapter 2: Of God and of the Holy Trinity1._____The Lord our God is but one only living and true God; whose subsistence is in
and of himself, infinite in being and perfection; whose essence cannot be comprehended by
any but himself; a most pure spirit, invisible, without body, parts, or passions, who only
hath immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto; who is immutable,
immense, eternal, incomprehensible, almighty, every way infinite, most holy, most wise,
most free, most absolute; working all things according to the counsel of his own immutable
and most righteous will for his own glory; most loving, gracious, merciful,
long-suffering, abundant in goodness and truth, forgiving iniquity, transgression, and
sin; the rewarder of them that diligently seek him, and withal most just and terrible in
his judgments, hating all sin, and who will by no means clear the guilty. 2._____God, having all life, glory, goodness, blessedness, in and of himself, is alone
in and unto himself all-sufficient, not standing in need of any creature which he hath
made, nor deriving any glory from them, but only manifesting his own glory in, by, unto,
and upon them; he is the alone fountain of all being, of whom, through whom, and to whom
are all things, and he hath most sovereign dominion over all creatures, to do by them, for
them, or upon them, whatsoever himself pleaseth; in his sight all things are open and
manifest, his knowledge is infinite, infallible, and independent upon the creature, so as
nothing is to him contingent or uncertain; he is most holy in all his counsels, in all his
works, and in all his commands; to him is due 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, the Father, the
Word or Son, and Holy Spirit, of one substance, power, and eternity, each having the whole
divine essence, yet the essence undivided: the Father is of none, neither begotten nor
proceeding; the Son is eternally begotten of the Father; the Holy Spirit 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 dependence on him. Chapter 3: Of God's Decree1._____ God hath decreed in himself, from all eternity, by the most wise and holy
counsel of his own will, freely and unchangeably, all things, whatsoever comes to pass;
yet so as thereby is God neither the author of sin nor hath fellowship with any therein;
nor is violence offered to the will of the creature, nor yet is the liberty or contingency
of second causes taken away, but rather established; in which appears his wisdom in
disposing all things, and power and faithfulness in accomplishing his decree. 2._____ Although God knoweth whatsoever may or can come to pass, upon all supposed
conditions, yet hath he not decreed anything, 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, some men and angels
are predestinated, or foreordained to eternal life through Jesus Christ, to the praise of
his glorious grace; others being left to act in their sin to their just condemnation, to
the praise of his glorious justice. 4.______These angels and men thus predestinated and foreordained, are particularly and
unchangeably designed, and their number so certain and definite, that it cannot be either
increased or diminished. 5._____ Those of mankind that are predestinated to life, God, before the foundation of
the world was laid, according to his eternal and immutable purpose, and the secret counsel
and good pleasure of his will, hath chosen in Christ unto everlasting glory, out of his
mere free grace and love, 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, foreordained all the means thereunto; wherefore they who are
elected, being fallen in Adam, are redeemed by Christ, are effectually called unto faith
in Christ, by his Spirit working in due season, are justified, adopted, sanctified, and
kept by his power through faith unto salvation; neither are any other redeemed by Christ,
or effectually called, justified, adopted, sanctified, and saved, but the elect only. 7._____ The doctrine of the 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
yielding obedience thereunto, may, from the certainty of their effectual vocation, be
assured of their eternal election; so shall this doctrine afford matter of praise,
reverence, and admiration of God, and of humility, diligence, and abundant consolation to
all that sincerely obey the gospel. Chapter 4: Of Creation1._____ In the beginning it pleased God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, for the
manifestation of the glory of his eternal power, wisdom, and goodness, to create or make
the world, and all things therein, whether visible or invisible, in the space of six days,
and all very good. 2._____ After God had made all other creatures, he created man, male and female, with
reasonable and immortal souls, rendering them fit unto that life to God for which they
were created; being made after the image of God, in knowledge, righteousness, and true
holiness; having the law of God written in their hearts, and power to fulfil it, and yet
under a possibility of transgressing, being left to the liberty of their own will, which
was subject to change. 3._____ Besides the law written in their hearts, they received 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 over the creatures. Chapter 5: Of Divine Providence1._____ God the good Creator of all things, in his infinite power and wisdom doth
uphold, direct, dispose, and govern all creatures and things, from the greatest even to
the least, by his most wise and holy providence, to the end for the which they were
created, according unto his infallible foreknowledge, and the free and immutable counsel
of his 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 immutably and infallibly; so that there is not anything befalls
any 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 necessarily, freely, or
contingently. 3._____ God, in his ordinary providence maketh use of means, yet is free to work
without, above, and 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 counsel extendeth itself 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 boundeth, and otherwise ordereth
and governeth, in a manifold dispensation to his most holy 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 approver of sin. 5._____ The most wise, righteous, and gracious God doth oftentimes leave for a season
his own children to manifold temptations and the corruptions of their own hearts, to
chastise them for their former sins, or to discover unto them the hidden strength of
corruption and deceitfulness of their hearts, 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, and their
good. 6._____ As for those wicked and ungodly men whom God, as the righteous judge, for
former sin doth blind and harden; from them he not only withholdeth his grace, whereby
they might have been enlightened in their understanding, and wrought upon their hearts;
but sometimes also withdraweth the gifts which they had, and exposeth them to such objects
as their corruption makes occasion of sin; and withal, gives them over to their own lusts,
the temptations of the world, and the power of Satan, whereby it comes to pass that they
harden themselves, under those means which God useth for the softening of others. 7._____ As the providence of God doth in general reach to all creatures, so after a
more special manner it taketh care of his church, and disposeth of all things to the good
thereof. Chapter 6: Of the Fall of Man, Of Sin, And of the Punishment Thereof1._____ Although God created man upright and perfect, and gave him a righteous law,
which had been unto life had he kept it, and threatened death upon the breach thereof, yet
he did not long abide in this honour; Satan using the subtlety of the serpent to subdue
Eve, then by her seducing Adam, who, without any compulsion, did willfully 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 counsel to permit, having purposed
to order it to his own glory. 2._____ Our first parents, by this sin, fell from their original righteousness and
communion with God, and we in them whereby death came upon all: all becoming dead in sin,
and wholly defiled in all the faculties and parts of soul and body. 3._____ They being the root, and by God's 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 conceived in sin,
and by nature children of wrath, the servants of sin, the subjects of death, and all other
miseries, spiritual, temporal, and eternal, unless the Lord Jesus set them free. 4._____ From this original corruption, whereby we are utterly indisposed, disabled, and
made opposite to all good, and wholly inclined to all evil, do proceed all actual
transgressions. 5._____ The corruption of nature, during this life, doth remain in those that are
regenerated; and although it be through Christ pardoned and mortified, yet both itself,
and the first motions thereof, are truly and properly sin. Chapter 7: Of God's Covenant1._____ The distance between God and the creature is so great, that although reasonable
creatures do owe obedience to him as their creator, yet they could never have attained the
reward of life but by some voluntary condescension on God's part, which he hath been
pleased to express by way of covenant. 2._____ Moreover, man having brought himself 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 life
and salvation by Jesus Christ, requiring of them faith in him, that they may be saved; and
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 seed of the woman, and afterwards by farther steps, until the full
discovery thereof was completed in the New Testament; and it is founded in that 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 the posterity of fallen Adam
that ever were saved did obtain life and blessed immortality, man being now utterly
incapable of acceptance with God upon those terms on which Adam stood in his state of innocency. Chapter 8: Of Christ the Mediator1._____ It pleased God, in His eternal purpose, to choose and ordain the Lord Jesus,
his only begotten Son, according to the covenant made between them both, to be the
mediator between God and man; the prophet, priest, and king; head and saviour of the
church, the heir of all things, and judge of the world; unto whom he did from all eternity
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 Father's 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 upon him man's nature, with all the essential properties and common
infirmities thereof, yet without 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; 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 Christ, the only mediator
between God and man. 3._____ The Lord Jesus, in his human nature thus united to the divine, in the person of
the Son, was sanctified and anointed with the Holy Spirit above measure, having in Him all
the treasures of wisdom and knowledge; in whom it pleased the Father that all fullness
should dwell, to the end that being holy, harmless, undefiled, and full of grace and
truth, he might be throughly furnished to execute the office of mediator and surety; which
office he took not upon himself, but was thereunto called by his Father; who also put all
power and judgement in his hand, and gave him commandment to execute the same. 4._____ This office the Lord Jesus did most willingly undertake, which that he might
discharge he was made under the law, and did perfectly fulfil it, and underwent the
punishment due to us, which we should have borne and suffered, being made sin and a curse
for us; enduring most grievous sorrows 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
corruption: on the third day he arose from the dead with the same body in which he
suffered, with which he also ascended into heaven, and there sitteth at the right hand of
his Father making intercession, and shall 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, hath fully satisfied the justice of
God, procured reconciliation, and purchased an everlasting inheritance in the kingdom of
heaven, 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, yet the virtue, efficacy, and benefit thereof were communicated to the 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 which should
bruise the serpent's head; and the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world, 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 itself; yet by reason of the unity of the person,
that which is proper to one nature is sometimes in Scripture, attributed to the person
denominated by the other nature. 8._____ To all those for whom Christ hath obtained eternal redemption, he doth
certainly and effectually apply and communicate the same, making intercession for them;
uniting them to himself by his Spirit, revealing unto them, in and by his Word, the
mystery of salvation, persuading them to believe and obey, governing their hearts by his
Word and Spirit, and overcoming all their enemies by his almighty power and wisdom, in
such manner and ways as are most consonant to his wonderful and 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 only 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, transferred from him to any other. 10.____ This number and order of offices is necessary; for in respect of our ignorance,
we stand in need of his prophetical office; and in respect of our alienation from God, 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 to our averseness and utter inability to
return to God, and for our rescue and security from our spiritual adversaries, we need his
kingly office to convince, subdue, draw, uphold, deliver, and preserve us to his heavenly
kingdom. Chapter 9: Of Free Will1._____ God hath endued the will of man with that natural liberty and power of acting
upon choice, that it is 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
which was good and well-pleasing to God, but yet was unstable, so that he might fall from
it. 3._____ Man, by his fall into a state of sin, hath wholly lost all ability of will to
any spiritual good accompanying salvation; so as a natural man, being altogether averse
from that good, and dead in sin, is not able by his own strength to convert himself, or to
prepare himself thereunto. 4._____ When God converts a sinner, and translates him into the state of grace, he
freeth him from his natural bondage under sin, and by his grace alone enables him freely
to will and to do that which is spiritually good; yet so as that by reason of his
remaining corruptions, he doth not perfectly, nor only will, that which is good, but doth
also will that which is evil. 5._____ This will of man is made perfectly and immutably free to good alone in the
state of glory only. Chapter 10: Of Effectual Calling1._____ Those whom God hath predestinated unto life, he is pleased in his appointed,
and accepted time, 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 by Jesus Christ;
enlightening their minds spiritually and savingly to understand the things of God; taking
away their heart of stone, and giving unto them a heart of flesh; renewing their wills,
and by his almighty power determining them to that which is good, and effectually drawing
them to Jesus Christ; yet so as they come most freely, being made willing by his grace. 2._____ This effectual call is of God's free and special grace alone, not from anything
at all foreseen in man, nor from any power or agency in the creature, being wholly passive
therein, being dead in sins and trespasses, until being quickened and 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 power than that which raised up Christ from the dead. 3._____ Elect infants dying in infancy are regenerated and saved by Christ through the
Spirit; who worketh when, and where, and how he pleases; so also are all elect persons,
who are incapable 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,
and may have some common operations of the Spirit, yet not being effectually drawn by the
Father, they neither will nor can truly come to Christ, and therefore cannot be saved:
much less can men that receive not the Christian religion 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. Chapter 11: Of Justification1._____ Those whom God effectually calleth, he also freely justifieth, not by infusing
righteousness into them, but by pardoning their sins, and by accounting and accepting
their persons as righteous; not for anything wrought in them, or done by them, but for
Christ's sake alone; not by imputing faith itself, the act of believing, or any other
evangelical obedience to them, as their righteousness; but by imputing Christ's active
obedience unto the whole law, and passive obedience in his death for their whole and sole
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 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, 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 to God's justice in their behalf; yet, inasmuch as he was given by the Father
for them, and his obedience and satisfaction accepted in their stead, and both freely, not
for anything in them, their justification is only of free grace, that both the exact
justice and rich grace of God might be glorified in the justification of sinners. (Gal. 3:8; 1 Pet. 1:2; 1 Tim. 2:6; Rom. 4:25; Col. 1:21, 22; Tit. 3:4-7) 5._____ God doth continue to forgive the sins of those that are justified, and although
they can never fall from the state of justification, yet they may, by their sins, fall
under God's fatherly displeasure; and in that condition they have not usually the light of
his countenance restored unto them, until they 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, one and the same with the justification of believers under the New Testament. Chapter 12: 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 of adoption, by which they are taken into
the number, and enjoy the liberties and privileges of the children of God, have his name
put upon them, receive the spirit of adoption, have access to the throne of grace with
boldness, are enabled to cry Abba, Father, are pitied, protected, provided for, and
chastened by him as by a Father, yet never cast off, but sealed to the day of redemption,
and inherit the promises as heirs of everlasting salvation. Chapter 13: Of Sanctification1._____ They who are united to Christ, effectually called, and regenerated, having a
new heart and a new spirit created in them through the virtue of Christ's death and
resurrection, are also farther sanctified, really and personally, through the same virtue,
by His Word and Spirit dwelling in them; the dominion of the whole body of sin is
destroyed, and the several lusts thereof are more and more weakened and mortified, and
they more and more quickened and strengthened in all saving graces, to the practice of all
true holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord. 2._____This sanctification is throughout the whole man, yet imperfect in this life;
there abideth still some remnants of corruption in every part, whence ariseth a 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 prevail,
yet through the continual supply of strength from the sanctifying Spirit of Christ, the
regenerate part doth overcome; and so the saints grow in grace, perfecting holiness in the
fear of God, pressing after an heavenly life, in evangelical obedience to all the commands
which Christ as Head and King, in His Word hath prescribed them. Chapter 14: Of Saving Faith1._____ The grace of faith, whereby the elect are enabled to believe to the saving of
their souls, is the work of the Spirit of Christ in their hearts, and is ordinarily
wrought by the ministry of the Word; by which also, and by the administration of baptism
and the Lord's supper, prayer, and other means appointed of God, it is increased and
strengthened. 2._____ By this faith a Christian believeth to be true whatsoever is revealed in the
Word for the authority of God himself, and also apprehendeth an excellency therein 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 cast his soul upon
the truth thus believed; and also acteth differently upon that which each particular
passage thereof containeth; yielding obedience to the commands, trembliGod. 3._____ This faith, although it be different in degrees, and may be weak 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 and common grace of temporary believers; and therefore,
though it may be many times assailed and weakened, yet it gets the victory, growing up in
many to the attainment of a full assurance through Christ, who is both the author and
finisher of our faith. Chapter 15: Of Repentance Unto Life and Salvation1._____ Such of the elect as are converted at riper years, having sometime 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 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 believers so sinning and falling be renewed through
repentance unto salvation. 3._____ This saving repentance is an evangelical grace, whereby a person, being by the
Holy Spirit made sensible of the manifold evils of his sin, doth, by faith in Christ,
humble himself for it with godly sorrow, detestation of it, and self- abhorrency, praying
for pardon and strength of grace, with a purpose and endeavour, by supplies of the Spirit,
to 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 man's duty to
repent of his 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 damnation; yet there is no sin so great that it shall bring
damnation on them that repent; which makes the constant preaching of repentance necessary.
Chapter 16: Of Good Works1._____ Good works are only such as God hath commanded in his Holy Word, and not such
as without the warrant thereof are devised by men out of blind zeal, or upon any pretence
of good intentions. 2._____ These good works, done in obedience to God's commandments, are the fruits and
evidences of a true and lively faith; and by them believers manifest their thankfulness,
strengthen their assurance, edify their brethren, adorn the profession of the gospel, stop
the mouths of the adversaries, and glorify God, whose workmanship they are, created in
Christ Jesus thereunto, that having their fruit unto holiness they may have the end
eternal life. 3._____ Their ability to do good works is not at all of themselves, but wholly from the
Spirit of Christ; and that they may be enabled thereunto, besides the graces they have
already received, there is necessary an actual influence of the same Holy Spirit, to work
in them to will and to do of his good pleasure; yet they are 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 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 supererogate, and to do more than God requires,
as that 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
satisfy for the debt of our 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 Spirit, and as they are wrought by us they are defiled and mixed with so much
weakness and imperfection, that they cannot endure the severity of God's punishment. 6._____ Yet notwithstanding the persons of believers being accepted through Christ,
their good works also are accepted in him; not as though they were in this life wholly
unblameable and unreprovable in God's sight, but that he, looking upon them in his Son, is
pleased to accept and reward that which is 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 others; yet because they
proceed not from a heart purified by faith, nor are done in a right manner according to
the word, nor to a right end, the glory of God, they are therefore sinful, and cannot
please God, nor make a man meet to receive grace from God, and yet their neglect of them
is more sinful and displeasing to God. Chapter 17: Of The Perseverance of the Saints1._____ 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, 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 fastened 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 them, yet he is still the same, 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 election, flowing from the free and unchangeable love of
God the Father, upon the efficacy of the merit and intercession of Jesus Christ and union
with him, the oath of God, the abiding of his Spirit, and the seed of God within them, and
the nature of the 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 sins, and for a time continue therein, whereby they incur
God's displeasure and grieve his Holy Spirit, come to have their graces and comforts
impaired, have their hearts hardened, and their consciences wounded, hurt and scandalize
others, and bring temporal judgments upon themselves, yet shall they renew their
repentance and be preserved through faith in Christ Jesus to the end. Chapter 18: Of the Assurance of Grace and Salvation1._____ 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, which hope of theirs shall perish; yet such as truly 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 that they are in the state of grace, and may
rejoice in the hope of the glory of God, which hope shall never make them ashamed. 2._____ This certainty is not a bare conjectural and probable persuasion grounded upon
a fallible hope, but an infallible assurance of faith founded on the blood and
righteousness of Christ revealed in the Gospel; and also upon the inward evidence of those
graces of the Spirit unto which promises are made, and on the testimony of the Spirit of
adoption, witnessing with our spirits that we are the children of God; and, as a fruit
thereof, keeping the heart both 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 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, attain
thereunto: and therefore it is the duty of every one to give all diligence to make his
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 cheerfulness in the
duties of obedience, the proper fruits of this assurance; -so far is it from inclining men
to looseness. 4._____ True believers may have the assurance of their salvation divers ways shaken,
diminished, and intermitted; as by negligence in preserving of it, by falling into some
special sin which woundeth the conscience and grieveth the Spirit; by some sudden or
vehement temptation, by God's withdrawing the 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 seed of God and life 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 revived, and by the which, in the meantime, they are preserved from
utter despair. Chapter 19: Of the Law of God1._____ God gave to Adam a law of universal obedience 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
obedience; promised life upon the fulfilling, and threatened death upon the breach of it,
and endued him with power and ability to keep it. 2._____ The same law that was first written in the heart of man continued to be a
perfect rule of righteousness after the fall, and was delivered by God upon Mount Sinai,
in 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,
prefiguring Christ, his graces, actions, sufferings, and benefits; and partly holding
forth divers instructions 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 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 virtue of that institution; their general
equity only being of modern use. 5._____ The moral law doth for ever bind all, 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 authority of God the Creator, who gave it; neither doth Christ in the
Gospel any way dissolve, but much strengthen this obligation. 6._____ Although true believers be not under the law as a covenant of works, 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; discovering also the sinful 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 threatenings of
it serve to shew what even their sins deserve, and what afflictions in this life they may
expect for them, although freed from the curse and unallayed rigour thereof. The promises
of it likewise shew them God's 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 man's doing good and refraining from evil, because the law encourageth to the
one and deterreth from the other, is no evidence of his being under the law and not under
grace. 7._____ Neither are the aforementioned uses of the law contrary to the grace of the
Gospel, but do sweetly comply with it, the Spirit of Christ subduing and enabling the will
of man to do that freely and cheerfully which the will of God, revealed in the law,
requireth to be done.
1._____ The covenant of works being broken by sin, and made unprofitable unto life, God
was pleased to give forth the promise of Christ, the seed of the woman, as the means of
calling the elect, and begetting in them faith and repentance; in this promise the gospel,
as to the substance of it, was revealed, and [is] therein effectual for the conversion and
salvation of sinners. 2._____ This promise of Christ, and salvation by him, is revealed only by the Word of
God; neither do the works of creation or providence, with the light of nature, 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, 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 merely of the sovereign will and good
pleasure of God; not being annexed by virtue of any promise to the due improvement of
men's natural abilities, by virtue of common light received without it, which none ever
did make, or can do so; and therefore in all ages, the preaching of the gospel has been
granted unto persons and nations, as to the extent or straitening of it, in great variety,
according to the counsel 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, quickened or regenerated, there is moreover necessary an
effectual insuperable 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 their conversion unto
God. Chapter 21: Of Christian Liberty and Liberty of Conscience1._____ 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 curse of the law, and in their being delivered from this present evil world, bondage to Satan, and dominion of sin, from the evil of afflictions, the fear and sting of death, the victory of the grave, and ever- lasting damnation: as also in their free access to God, and their yielding obedience unto Him, not out of slavish fear, but a child-like love and willing mind. All which were common also to believers under the law for the substance of them; but
under the New Testament the liberty of Christians is further enlarged, in their freedom
from the yoke of a 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
free Spirit of God, than believers under the law did ordinarily partake of. 2._____ God alone is Lord of the conscience, and hath left it free from the doctrines
and commandments of men 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, is to
betray true liberty of conscience; and the requiring of an implicit faith, an 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
sinful lust, as they do thereby pervert the main design of the grace of the gospel to
their own destruction, so they wholly destroy 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 righeousness before Him, all the days of our lives. Chapter 22: Of Religious Worship and the Sabbath Day.1._____ The light of nature shews that there is a God, who hath lordship and
sovereignty 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,
and with all the might. But the acceptable way of worshipping the true God, is instituted
by himself, and so limited by his own revealed will, that he may not be worshipped
according to the imagination and devices of men, nor the suggestions of Satan, under any
visible representations, or 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 alone; not to angels, saints, or any other creatures; and since the fall, not
without a mediator, nor in the mediation of any other but Christ alone. 3._____ Prayer, with thanksgiving, being one part of natural worship, is by God
required of all men. But that it may be accepted, it is to be made in the name of the Son,
by the help of the Spirit, according to his will; with understanding, reverence, humility,
fervency, faith, love, and perseverance; and when with others, in a known tongue. 4._____ Prayer is to be made for things lawful, and for all sorts of men living, or
that shall live hereafter; but not for the dead, nor for those of whom it may be known
that they have sinned the sin unto death. 5._____ The reading of the Scriptures, preaching, and hearing the Word of God, teaching
and admonishing one another in psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing with grace in
our hearts to the Lord; as also the administration of baptism, and the Lord's supper, are
all parts of religious worship of God, to be performed in obedience to him, with
understanding, faith, reverence, and godly fear; moreover, solemn humiliation, with
fastings, and thanksgivings, upon special occasions, ought to be used in an holy and
religious manner. 6._____ Neither prayer nor any other part of religious worship, is now under the
gospel, tied unto, or made more acceptable by any place in which it is performed, or
towards which it is directed; but God is to be worshipped everywhere in spirit and in
truth; as in private families daily, and in secret each one by himself; so more solemnly
in the public assemblies, which are not carelessly nor wilfully to be neglected or
forsaken, when God by his word or providence calleth thereunto. 7._____ As it is the law of nature, that in general a proportion of time, by God's
appointment, be set apart for the worship of God, so by his Word, in a positive moral, and
perpetual commandment, binding all men, in all ages, he hath particularly appointed one
day in seven for a sabbath to be kept holy unto him, which from the beginning of the world
to the resurrection of Christ was the last day of the week, and from the resurrection of
Christ was changed into the first day of the week, which is called the Lord's day: and is
to be continued to the end of the world as the Christian Sabbath, the observation of the
last day of the week being abolished. 8._____ The sabbath is then kept holy unto the Lord, when men, after a due preparing of
their hearts, and ordering their common affairs aforehand, do not only observe an holy
rest all day, from their own works, words and thoughts, about their worldly employment and
recreations, but are also taken up the whole time in the public and private exercises of
his worship, and in the duties of necessity and mercy. Chapter 23: Of Lawful Oaths and Vows1._____ A lawful oath is a part of religious worship, wherein the person swearing in
truth, righteousness, and judgement, solemnly calleth God to witness what he
sweareth, and
to judge him according to the truth or falseness thereof. 2._____ The name of God only is that by which men ought to swear; and therein it is to
be used, with all holy fear and reverence; therefore to swear vainly or rashly by that
glorious and dreadful name, or to swear at all by any other thing, is sinful, and to be
abhorred; yet as in matter of weight and moment, for confirmation of truth, and ending all
strife, an oath is warranted by the word of God; so a lawful oath being imposed by lawful
authority in such matters, ought to be taken. 3._____ Whosoever taketh an oath warranted by the Word of God, ought duly to consider
the weightiness of so solemn an act, and therein to avouch nothing but what he knoweth to
be truth; for that by rash, false, and vain oaths, the Lord is provoked, and for them this
land mourns. 4._____ An oath is to be taken in the plain and common sense of the words, without
equivocation or mental reservation. 5._____ A vow, which is not to be made to any creature, but to God alone, is to be made
and performed with all religious care and faithfulness; but popish monastical vows of
perpetual single life, professed poverty, and regular obedience, are so far from being
degrees of higher perfection, that they are superstitious and sinful snares, in which no
Christian may entangle himself. Chapter 24: Of the Civil Magistrate1._____ God, the supreme Lord and King of all the world, hath ordained civil
magistrates to be under him, over the people, for his own glory and the public good; and
to this end hath armed them with the power of the sword, for defence and encouragement of
them that do good, and for the punishment of evil doers. 2._____ It is lawful for Christians to accept and execute the office of a magistrate
when called there unto; in the management whereof, as they ought especially to maintain
justice and peace, according to the wholesome laws of each kingdom and commonwealth, so
for that end they may lawfully now, under the New Testament wage war upon just and
necessary occasions. 3._____ Civil magistrates being set up by God for the ends aforesaid; subjection, in
all lawful things commanded by them, ought to be yielded by us in the Lord, not only for
wrath, but for conscience sake;and we ought to make supplications and prayers for kings
and all that are in authority, that under them we may live a quiet and peaceable life, in
all godliness and honesty. Chapter 25: Of Marriage1._____ Marriage is to be between one man and one woman; neither is it lawful for any
man to have more than one wife, nor for any woman to have more than one husband at the
same time. 2._____ Marriage was ordained for the mutual help of husband and wife, for the increase
of mankind with a legitimate issue, and the preventing of uncleanness. 3._____ It is lawful for all sorts of people to marry, who are able with judgment to
give their consent; yet it is the duty of Christians to marry in the Lord; and therefore
such as profess the true religion, should not marry with infidels, or idolaters; neither
should such as are godly, be unequally yoked, by marrying with such as are wicked in their
life, or maintain damnable heresy. 4._____ Marriage ought not to be within the degrees of consanguinity or affinity,
forbidden in the Word; nor can such incestuous marriages ever be made lawful, by any law
of man or consent of parties, so as those persons may live together as man and wife. Chapter 26: Of the Church1._____ The catholic or universal church, which (with respect to the internal work of
the Spirit and truth of grace) may be called invisible, consists of the whole 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 unholiness of conversation, are and may be called
visible saints; and of such ought all particular congregations to be constituted. 3._____ The purest churches under heaven are subject to mixture and error; and some
have so degenerated as to become no churches of Christ, but synagogues of Satan;
nevertheless Christ always hath had, and ever shall have a kingdom 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, all power for the calling, institution, order or government of the church, is
invested in a supreme and sovereign manner; neither can the Pope of Rome in any sense be
head thereof, but is 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,
those that are given unto him by his Father, that they may walk before him in all the ways
of obedience, which he prescribeth to them in his word. Those thus called, he commandeth
to walk together in particular societies, or churches, for their mutual edification, and
the due performance of that public worship, which he requireth of them in the world. 6._____ The members of these churches are 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, and one to another, by the will of God, 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 power and authority, which is in any way needful 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 completely 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 bishops or elders, 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 suffrage of the church itself; and solemnly set apart by fasting
and prayer, with imposition of hands of the eldership of the church, if there be any
before constituted therein; and of a deacon 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, 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, 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 entangled in secular affairs; and may also be capable of exercising hospitality
towards others; and this is required by the 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 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 join themselves to particular churches, when and
where they have opportunity so to do; so all that are admitted unto the privileges of a
church, are also 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, in the further proceeding of the church. 14.____ As each church, and all the members of it, are bound to pray continually for
the good and prosperity of all the churches of Christ, in all places, and upon all
occasions to further 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 enjoy opportunity and advantage for it, ought to hold communion among
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, 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 intrusted 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 to impose their determination on the churches or officers. Chapter 27: Of the Communion of Saints1._____ 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 fellowship in his
graces, sufferings, death, resurrection, and glory; and, being united to one another in
love, they have communion in each others gifts and graces, and are obliged to the
performance of such duties, public and private, in an orderly way, 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 as tend to their
mutual edification; as also in relieving each other in 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 relation wherein they stand, whether in
families, or churches, yet, as God offereth opportunity, is to be extended to all the
household of faith, even all those who in every place call upon the name of the Lord
Jesus; nevertheless their communion one with another as saints, doth not take away or
infringe the title or propriety which each man hath in his goods and possessions. Chapter 28: Of Baptism and the Lord's Supper.1._____ Baptism and the Lord's Supper are ordinances of positive and sovereign
institution, appointed by the Lord Jesus, the only lawgiver, to be continued in his church
to the end of the world. 2._____ These holy appointments are to be administered by those only who are qualified
and thereunto called, according to the commission of Christ. Chapter 29: Of Baptism1._____ 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 and resurrection;
of his being engrafted into him; of remission of sins; and of giving up into God, through
Jesus Christ, to live and walk in newness of life. 2._____ Those who do actually profess repentance towards God, faith in, and obedience
to, our Lord Jesus Christ, are the only proper subjects of this ordinance. 3._____The outward element to be used in this ordinance 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 in water, is necessary to the due
administration of this ordinance. Chapter 30: Of the Lord's Supper1._____ 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, confirmation of the
faith of believers in all the benefits thereof, their spiritual nourishment, and growth in
him, their further engagement in, and to all duties which they owe to him; 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 one offering up of himself by himself upon the cross, once for all; and a spiritual
oblation of all possible praise unto God for the same. So that the popish sacrifice of the
mass, as they call it, is most abominable, injurious to Christ's own 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 a
holy use, and to take and break the bread; to take the cup, and, they communicating also
themselves, to give both to the communicants. 4._____ The denial of the cup to the people, worshipping the elements, the lifting them
up, or carrying them about for adoration, and reserving them for any pretended religious
use, are all contrary to the nature of this ordinance, and to the institution of Christ. 5._____ The outward elements in this ordinance, duly set apart to the use ordained by
Christ, have such relation to him crucified, as that truly, although in terms used
figuratively, they are sometimes called by the names of the things they represent, to wit,
the body and blood of Christ, albeit, in substance and nature, they still remain truly and
only 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 Christ's body and blood, commonly called transubstantiation, by
consecration of a priest, or by any other way, is repugnant not to Scripture alone, but
even to common sense and reason, overthroweth the nature of the ordinance, and hath been,
and is, the cause of manifold superstitions, yea, of gross idolatries. 7._____ Worthy receivers, outwardly partaking of the visible elements in this
ordinance, do then also inwardly by faith, really and indeed, yet not carnally and
corporally, but spiritually receive, and feed upon Christ crucified, and all the benefits
of his death; the body and blood of Christ being then not corporally or carnally, but
spiritually present to the faith of believers in that ordinance, as the elements
themselves are to their outward senses. 8._____ All ignorant and ungodly persons, as they are unfit to enjoy communion with
Christ, so are they unworthy of the Lord's table, and cannot, without great sin against
him, while they remain such, partake of these holy mysteries, or be admitted thereunto;
yea, whosoever shall receive unworthily, are guilty of the body and blood of the Lord,
eating and drinking judgment to themselves.
1._____ The bodies of men after death return to dust, and see corruption; but their
souls, which neither die nor sleep, having an immortal subsistence, immediately return to
God who gave them. The souls of the righteous being then made perfect in holiness, are
received into paradise, where they are with Christ, and behold the face of God in light
and glory, waiting for the full redemption of their bodies; and the souls of the wicked
are cast into hell; where they remain in torment and utter darkness, reserved to the
judgment of the great day; besides these two places, for souls separated from their
bodies, the Scripture acknowledgeth none. 2._____ At the last day, such of the saints as are found alive, shall not sleep, but be
changed; and all the dead shall be raised up with the selfsame bodies, and none other;
although with different qualities, which shall be united again to their souls forever. 3._____ The bodies of the unjust shall, by the power of Christ, be raised to
dishonour;
the bodies of the just, by his Spirit, unto honour, and be made conformable to his own
glorious body. Chapter 32: Of the Last Judgment1._____ God hath appointed a day wherein he will judge the world in righteousness, by
Jesus Christ; to whom all power and judgment is given of the Father; in which day, not
only the apostate angels shall be judged, but likewise all persons that have lived upon
the earth shall appear before the tribunal of Christ, to give an account of their
thoughts, words, and deeds, and to receive according to what they have done in the body,
whether good or evil. 2._____ The end of God's appointing this day, is for the manifestation of the glory of
his mercy, in the eternal salvation of the elect; and of his justice, in the eternal
damnation of the reprobate, who are wicked and disobedient; for then shall the righteous
go into everlasting life, and receive that fulness of joy and glory with everlasting
rewards, in the presence of the Lord; but the wicked, who know not God, and obey not the
gospel of Jesus Christ, shall be cast aside into everlasting torments, and punished with
everlasting destruction, from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power. 3._____ As Christ would have us to be certainly persuaded that there shall be a day of
judgment, both to deter all men from sin, and for the greater consolation of the godly in
their adversity, so will he have the day unknown to men, that they may shake off all
carnal security, and be always watchful, because they know not at what hour the Lord will
come, and may ever be prepared to say, Come Lord Jesus; come quickly. Amen. We the MINISTERS, and MESSENGERS of, and concerned for upwards of, one hundred BAPTIZED CHURCHES, in England and Wales (denying Arminianisim), being met together in London, from the third of the seventh month to the eleventh of the same, 1689, to consider of some things that might be for the glory of God, and the good of these congregations, have thought meet (for the satisfaction of all other Christians that differ from us in the point of Baptism) to recommend to their perusal the confession of our faith, which confession we own, as containing the doctrine of our faith and practice, and do desire that the members of our churches respectively do furnish themselves therewith. Hansard Knollys, Pastor, Broken Wharf, London In the name of and on the behalf of the whole assembly.
E-mail: FirstBaptistChurchOC@gmail.com
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