THE PROFESSION OF THE FAITH OF THAT REVEREND and worthy Divine Mr. J. D. sometimes Preacher of Stevens Coleman-street. LONDON. Made publicly before the Congregation at his Admission into one of the Churches of GOD in NEW-ENGLAND. Containing twenty several heads as it was drawn from his own Copy. viz. 1. Concerning the Scriptures. 2. Concerning the Godhead in the unity of essence, and Trinity of persons. 3. Concerning the Decrees of God. 4. Concerning the Creation, and Providence. 5. Concerning the fall of man and original sin. 6. Concerning man's Restitution. 7. Concerning the Person and natures in Christ. 8. Concerning the offices of Christ. 9 Concerning Christ's prophetical office. 10. Concerning the Priesthood of Christ. 11. Concerning Christ's kingly office. 1. in general. 12. Concerning his Kingdom. 2. In special. 13. Concerning the Application of Redemption. 14. Concerning a particular instituted Church, and the Privileges thereof. 15. Concerning the manner of gathering a Church. 16. Concerning the Sacraments. 17. Concerning the power of every Church. 18. Concerning the communion of Churches. 19 Concerning Church Officers. 20. Concerning giving every man his due. LONDON: Printed for John Handcock at the Bible in Burchin-Lane. 1642. I believe with all my heart, and confess with my mouth. 1▪ Concerning the Scriptures. THat all Scripture is by divine inspiration, or inbreathing of God (by Scripture I mean the books of the old Testament as Moses and the Prophets, and of the new Testament) and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works. 1 Tim. 3.16, 17. and that in all things which concern faith, and obedience, whether in God's worship, or in the whole conversation of men, it holdeth forth a most perfect rule, whereunto nothing may be added, not from it may aught be diminished. Deut. 4.2. Revel. 22.18, 19 Which also is so clear in all truths necessary to salvation, that the entrance into it giveth light, yea, understanding to the simple. Psal. 19 7. 2. Concerning the Godhead in the Unity of Essence, and Trinity of Persons. That God is a Spirit most holy, immutable, eternal, every way infinite, in greatness, goodness, power, wisdom, justice, truth, and in all divine perfections, 1 Tim. 6.15, 16. Joh. 4.24. Isa. 6.6. Exod. 34.6, 7. And that in this Godhead are three distinct Persons, coeternal, coequal, and coessential, being every one of them one and the same God, not three Gods, and therefore not divided in essence, nature, or being, Deut. 4.3. but distinguished one from another by their several, and peculiar relative property, the Father is of none but of himself, the Son is begotten of the Father before all worlds; the holy Ghost proceedeth from the Father and the Son▪ from all eternity, and together are to be worshipped and glorified. 3. Concerning the Decrees of God. That God hath unchangeably decreed in himself from everlasting, touching all things, great and small, necessary, contingent, and voluntary, with all the circumstances of them, to work, and dispose them according to the counsel of his own will (yet without being Author of, or having fellowship with the sins of any) to the praise and glory of his great Name. And touching the eternal estate of men that God hath according to his most wise, free, and unchangeable purpose in himself, before the foundation of the world chosen some in Jesus Christ to eternal life, to the praise and glory of his grace, and rejected or reprobated others to the praise of his justice. 4. Concerning Creation, and Providence. That in the beginning God made by his Word all things of nothing very good, and made man male and female after his own Image righteous; and as a faithful Creator doth still uphold, dispose, and govern all things to the ends for which they were created, having care especially for man, and amongst men chief for the righteous and believers; so that neither good nor evil befalls any man without God's providence. 5. Concerning the fall of man and original sin. That inasmuch as Adam was the root of all mankind, the law and covenant of works was given to him, as to a public person, and to an head from whence all good or evil was to be derived to his posterity: seeing therefore that by the subtlety of the Serpent, which Satan used as his instrument, first Eve, than Adam being seduced, did wittingly and willingly fall into the disobedience of the Commandment of God; Death came upon all justly, and reigned over all, yea, over Infants also which have not sinned after the like manner of the transgression of Adam: hence also it is, that all since the fall of Adam are begotten in his own likeness, after his Image, being conceived and born in iniquity, and so by nature children of wrath, dead in trespasses and sins, altogether filthy and polluted throughout in soul and body; utterly averse from any spiritual good, strongly bend to all evil, and subject to all calamities due to sin in this world, and forever. 6. Concerning man's Restitution. That all Mankind being thus fallen, yet the elect, and only they, are redeemed, reconciled to God, and saved not of themselves, neither by their own works, but only by the mighty power of God, of his unsearchable, rich, free grace and mercy through faith, in Jesus Christ, who of God is made unto us wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption; in the relation both of a surety to satisfy God's justice for us, and of an head to restore the Image of God that was lost, and repair the nature that was corrupted in us. 7. Concerning the Person and natures in Christ. That the Lord Jesus of whom Moses and the Prophets wrote, and whom the Apostles preached, is, as touching his Person, the everlasting Son of God the Father by eternal generation, coessential, coequal, and coeternal, God with him, and with the holy Ghost: by whom he made the world, and by whom he upholdeth and governs all the works he hath made: who also when the fullness of time was come, was made of a woman, of the Tribe of Judah, of the seed of David and Abraham, viz. of Mary that blessed Virgin, by the holy Ghost coming upon her, and the power of the most high over-shadowing her; and was in all things like unto us, sin only excepted: so that in the person of Christ the two natures, the divine, and humane, are truly, perfectly, indivisibly, and distinctly united. 8. Concerning the Offices of Christ. That Jesus Christ is the only Mediator of the new Testament, even of the Covenant of grace between God and man; the Prophet, Priest, and King of the Church of God for evermore; and this office is so proper to Christ, as, neither in the whole, not any part thereof, it can be transferred from him to any other. And to this office he was from everlasting, and in respect of his Manhood, from the womb, called, separated, and anointed most fully with all necessary gifts, as it is written, God hath not measured out of the Spirit unto him. 9 Concerning Christ's prophetical Office. That Christ hath perfectly revealed the whole will of God, so far as it is needful for his people either jointly, or severally to know, believe, or obey, and that he hath spoken, and doth speak to his Church, in his own ordinances by those instruments whom he sendeth, and by his Spirit. 10. Concerning the Priesthood of Christ. That Christ being consecrated hath appeared once to put away sin▪ by the offering and sacrificing of himself, and hath fully performed and suffered all those things, by which, God through the blood of his cross, in a sacrifice of a sweet smelling savour, might be reconciled to his elect; and having broken down the partition wall, and finished and removed those ceremonial rites, and shadows, is now entered into the most holy place, (not made with hands) to the very heavens and presence of God, where he for ever liveth, and sitteth at the right hand of Majesty, to make intercession for such as come unto the throne of grace by that new and living way: and he maketh his people a spiritual house, and an holy Priesthood to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through him. 11. Concerning Christ's Kingly Office. 1. In general. That Christ being risen from the dead ascended up to heaven, set at the right hand of God the Father, hath all power in heaven and earth given to him, and doth exercise his power in his government of this world over all Angels and men, good, and bad, to the preservation and salvation of his elect, and to the ruling and destruction of the reprobate: communicating and applying to his elect, the benefits, virtue, and fruit of his prophecy, and priesthood to their regeneration, justification, sanctification, preservation, and strengthening in all their spiritual conflicts against Satan, the world, and the flesh, continually dwelling in them by his holy Spirit, begetting and nourishing in them faith, hope, love, repentance, obedience, with peace and joy unto immortality: but on the contrary, limiting, using, restraining the reprobates his enemies by his mighty power, as seemeth good in his divine wisdom and justice, to their seduction, hardening, and condemnation, till his appearing in glory with his mighty Angels to judge both quick and dead; where he will be and separate all his elect from them for ever, punishing the wicked with everlasting perdition from his presence; and joining together the godly with himself in endless glory. 12. Concerning his Kingdom. 2. In special. That in the mean time besides his absolute rule in the world, Christ hath here on earth a spiritual Kingdom in his Church, which he hath purchased and redeemed to himself as a peculiar inheritance; into the body whereof he doth by the power of his Word and Spirit, gather his people, talling them through the ministry of the Gospel out of the world, and from idolatry, superstition, and from all works of darkness to fellowship with Jesus Christ, and by him with the Father, and the holy Ghost, and with his people, making them a royal Priesthood, an holy nation, a people set at liberty to show forth the virtues of him that hath called them out of darkness into his marvellous light, and uniteth them together as members of one body in his faith, love, and holy order unto all general and mutual duties: and instructs and governs them by those instruments and ordinances which he himself hath prescribed in his Word for the edification of his body the Church. 13. Concerning the Application of Redemption. That the holy Ghost is sent by the Father and the Son to make application of Redemption only to those whom the Father hath by his eternal Decree given to Christ, and for whom Christ maketh intercession to his Father, and whom the Father accepts in Christ unto fellowship of the everlasting covenant of his free grace, having called them out of the world to fellowship with Jesus Christ by the Gospel made effectual to that end, by the mighty power and operation of the holy Ghost. Which grace of effectual calling is thus dispensed to a poor lost sinner awakened and humbled by the Law through the effectual working of the spirit of bondage, judging himself worthy to be destroyed for his sins, and seeing himself utterly destitute of all help or hope of himself; The Lord in the preaching of the Gospel by the powerful work of the holy Ghost, revealeth the fullness and all-sufficiency of that grace, and salvation which is laid up in Jesus Christ, as the only suitable good to him, that he also enableth him spiritually and savingly to apprehend Jesus Christ as given him of the Father. And the same Spirit having thus enlightened him, doth leave a supernatural virtue, and impression of God's love upon the some, whereby the soul is drawn to close with Christ, and with that grace of God in him, so entirely that there is now nothing between Christ and the soul but it willingly parts with all things that hinder his enjoying of Christ; and by this effectual calling all that are brought to Christ, are, 1. justified, that is absolved from sin and death, and accounted righteous unto life, for, and through Christ apprehended, received, and relied upon by faith. 2. They are adopted, that is, accepted for Christ's sake to the dignity of God's children; they are also, 3. sanctified, that is, really changed by degrees from the impurity of sin, to the purity of God's Image; and lastly, they are glorified, that is, changed from the misery or punishment of sin, unto everlasting happiness, which gins in the inward sense of God's love to them in Christ, whence they have hope of glory, boldness in access to God certainty of salvation, peace, joy unspeakable; and it endeth in their full perfection in soul and body. 14. Concerning a particular instituted Church, and the Privileges thereof. That it is a company of faithful and holy people, or persons, called out of the world to fellowship with Jesus Christ, and united in one congregation to him as members to their head, and one with another, by a holy covenant for mutual fellowship in all such ways of holy worship of God, and of edification one towards another, as God himself hath required in his Word of every Church of Christ, and the members thereof. 15. Concerning the manner of gathering a Church. That it is the duty of all Christians, having renounced all false ways of idolatrous, Antichristian, and superstitious worship, and of sin, and the world (as to instruct and govern their own families according to God, so) to join willingly together in Christian communion and orderly covenant, and by free confession of the faith, and profession of their subjection to the Gospel of Christ, to unite themselves unto peculiar and visible Congregations, wherein as members of one body, whereof Christ is the head, they are to worship God according to his Word: To this Church he hath given royal privileges, as the holy Oracles, the Promises, the seals of the Covenant, his presence, love, protection, and blessing in a special manner, here all that acknowledge him to be their Prophet, Priest, and King, are to be enrolled amongst his household servants and to present their bodies, and souls, and gifts, and solemn services for a spiritual sacrifice acceptable to God by Jesus Christ. Being thus united, they to whom God hath given gifts to interpret the Scriptures, being approved by the Church, and appointed thereunto, may, and aught to teach publicly the Word of God, by prophesying according to the proportion of faith for edification, exhortation, and comfort of the Church, till such time as men may be had fit to such office or offices as Christ hath appointed to the public Ministry of his Church; and then they are upon due trial to proceed to the choice, and ordination of those officers according to God: and then the officers are to dispense the seals of the covenant, viz. Baptism to the seed of the faithful in their infancy, and to others not yet baptised, when by profession of their faith they are added to the Church: And all of the Church that are of years, and are able to examine themselves, must communicate also in the Lord's Supper in both kinds, viz. bread and wine. 16. Concerning the Sacraments. That they are in the ordinance of God signs and seals of Gods everlasting covenant with us, representing and offering to all receivers, but exhibiting only to true believers the Lord Jesus Christ and all his benefits unto righteousness, sanctification, and eternal life, through faith in his name to the glory and praise of God. 17. Concerning the power of every Church. That Christ hath given the power of choosing Officers, and of receiving in, or calling of any member, to the whole body together of every Church, and not to any one member apart, or to more members sequestered from the whole, or to any other Congregation to do it for them: yet so as every Church ought to use the best help they can hereunto, and the most meet member they have to pronounce the same in their public Assembly, if they want Officers. And to this censure and judgement of Christ, duly and orderly dispensed, every member of the Congregation, yea, and officer also how excellent or learned soever he be, is subject. Yet ought not the Church without great care and advice to proceed against such public persons. 18. Concerning the Communion of Churches. That although particular Churches be distinct and several independent bodies, every one as a city compact within its self, without subordination under or dependence upon any other but Jesus Christ, yet are all Churches to walk by one and the same rule, and by all means convenient to have the counsel and help one of another when need requireth, as members of one body in the common faith under Christ their only head. 19 Concerning Church Officers. That Christ when he ascended up on high gave gifts unto men, and disposed of them in several functions, and for public ordinary ministry, he gave Pastors, Teachers, Elders, Deacons, helpers, for the instruction, government, and service of his Church to the world's end; and that none may usurp or execute a Ministry in the Church, but such as are rightly called by the Church, whereof they stand Ministers, and being so called they ought to give all diligence to fulfil their ministry, and to be found faithful, and unblameable in all things: And that this ministry is alike given to every Church of Christ, with like and equal power, and commission to have and enjoy the same as God offereth fit men, and means, and the same rules are given to all for the election and execution thereof in all places: which rules and laws it is not lawful for those Ministers, or for the Church, wittingly to neglect, or transgress in any part. And those Ministers thus chosen, and executing their office faithfully; every Church is bound to have them in singular love for their works sake, to reverence them according to the dignity of their office which they execute, and to provide for them that they be not entangled with the cares of this life, according to the law of Christ: And this to do not as in way of courtesy or mercy, but out of duty to them in the Lord; and having hope in God that the resurrection shall be of the just and of the unjust; of the just, to the resurrection of life, and of the unjust to the resurrection of condemnation. 20. Concerning giving every man his due. That unto all men is to be given whatsoever is due to them, in regard of their office, place, gifts, wages, estate, and condition; endeavouring ourselves to have always a conscience void offence towards God, and towards men. FINIS.