A Confession of Faith, Of the Holy Separated Church of GOD. I Believe (a) 2 Cor. 4. 13. in one (b) 1 Cor. 8. 6. Eternal Immortal invisible and only wise God (c) 1 Tim. 1. 17. whose name alone is Jehovah (d) Psal. 83. 18. Isa. 37. 20. The Infinite (e) Job 5. 9 Psalm. 147. 5. foreseer (f) Gal. 3. 8. 2 Tim. 3. 16, 17. Isa. 48. 3, 5-8. and Almighty (g) Gen. 17. 1. Creator (h) Isa 40, 28. Eph. 3. 9 Rev. 4. 11. preserver (i) Neh. 9 6. (Psal. 36. 6. Job 7. 20. and governor (k) Psalm. 2●. 28. Isa. 9 7. Act. 17. 26. of all things, both in heaven, and earth, Who is distinguished into three which bear record in heavn, the Father, the word, and the holy Spirit (l) 1 Joh. 5. 7. And that the Eternal (m) John 1. 1, 2, 3. Son, of the Eternal Father, to manifest the free (n) Rom. 5. 15, 16. and everlasting love (o) Jer. 31. 3. and manifold (p) Neh. 19 rich (q) Eph. 2. 4. mercies (r) Zech. 1. 16. of God (s) Rom. 12 1. Isa. 54. 7, 8. & 55. 3. unto the sons of men (t) Rom. 11. 32. willingly came (u) Psal. 40. 8, 9 and miraculously (w) Luk. 1. 34, 35. took (x) Heb. 2. 14, 16, 17. John 1. 14. upon him (y) Phil. 2. 7, 8. our nature of Creation (z) Heb. 4. 15. And was conceived by the power of the holy Ghost (a*) Mat. 1. 18, 20. in the womb (b*) Lu. 1. 31. of the Virgin Mary (c*) v. 27. of whom he was also born (d*) v. 35. & 2. 7, 11. that he might not only be our God, but also our Emanuel, even God with us (e*) Mat 1. 23. being sent of God (f*) Joh. 17. 3 into the world (g*) John 10. 36. and given (h*) John 6. 32, 35. Rom. 8. 32. from him (i*) Joh. 7. 29. that whosoever believeeth in him should not perish (k*) Joh. 3. 15. but haveeverlasting life (l*) v. 16. And for the satisfaction of God's Justice (m*) Rom. 8. 33, 34. Acts 13. 38. 39 for all (n*) Mich. 7. 19 1 Joh. 1. 7. 9 our sins and (o*) Gal. 1. 4. 1 Pet. 2. 24. iniquities (p*) Isa. 53. 5, 6. and to make (q*) Eph. 2. 13. 15. Joh. 17 23. a perfect (r*) Heb. 7. 19, 22, 27. peace (s*) Mich. 5. 5 Eph. 2. 14, 15. ●hil. 4. 7. and full reconciliation (t*) Dan. 9 24. between (u*) 1 Tim. 2. 5. God and the sons of men (w*) Mark. 3. 28. Psal. 68 19 that so they might become the sons of God by faith in his name (x*) Joh. 1. 12. 1 Joh. 3. 1. (y*) Gal. 3. 26. (z*) John 20. 31. Acts 10. 43. This blessed (a**) Luke 19 38. Ps. 21. 7. Saviour (b**) 1 Joh. 4. 14. of Saints (c**) Mat. 1. 21. The Anointed one of the God (d**) Acts 10. 38. of Jacob humbled himself (e**) Phil. 2. 8▪ exceedingly, and bore our griefs, and carried our sorrows (f**) Isa. 53 4. And though he was always pure, even fully without sin (g**) 1 Pet. 2. 22. yet according to the Father's appointment (i**) 1 Thes. 5. 9 his own self bore our sins in his own body on the tree (k**) 1 Pet 2. 24. and was an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet smelling savour (l**) Eph. 5. 2. for us, which made us acceptable to God (m**) 1 Pet. 2. 5. and was Crucified (n**) Mat. 27. 35. And pouring out his soul unto death, Dyed, Commending his spirit into the hands of his heavenly Father (o**) Luk. 23. 46. He bowed his head, And gave up the Ghost, Was pierced in his Side, Taken down from the Cross, And buried immediately, But he risen again the third day according to the Scriptures (p**) 1 Cor. 15. 4. the Evening and the Morning being counted for the complete Day, as it was in the beginning before the Sun or Moon was created (q**) Gen. 1. 5, 8, 13. Which Day (r**) Levit. 23. 11, 14, 16, 21, 32, 39 he hath made (s**) Psal. 118. 24. holy (t**) Isa. 58. 13. for man to rest from all servile work (u**) Psal. 84. 11. and to spend in the worship (w**) Psal 92. Acts 2. and service of God, And after he had showed himself alive, unto his chosen Apostles, by many infallible proofs, (x**) Acts 1. 2, 3. 1 Cor. 15. 5, 6, 7. He ascended (y**) Acts 1. 9-11. Luk. 24. 51. up on high (z**) Eph. 4. 8. v. 10. above into the glorious Heavens (a***) Heb. 8. 1 & 9 24. 1 Pet. 3. 22. Acts 2. 34. & 3. 21. where he is even at the right hand of God (b***) Mark 16. 19 Acts 7. 56. 1 Pet. 3. 22. making intercession for us (c***) Rom. 8. 34. who gave Commission unto his Disciples (d***) Mat. 28. 16, 19 that they should teach his disciples to do and observe all things whatsoever he commanded them (e***) v. 20. And sent the Spirit of Truth (f***) Acts 2. according to his Promise (g***) Joh. 14. 16, 17, 26. & 15. 26. & 16. 7. to lead them into all truth And to abide with (h***) Mat. 28. 18, 19, 20. Eph. 4. 8. 12. Psal. 16. 3. them, for their comfort, all the time of his absence from them, And to confirm their holy actions, amongst which, to erect Congregations of Saints, here, on Earth (h) with Ministers (i***) Rev. 1. 20. Tit. 1. 5. And administrations (k***) 1 Cor. 12. 5. was a special thing (l***) Eph. 4. 14-16. In which Most Excellent State (m***) Psal. 87. & 84. 11. they holding Repentance from dead works, and Faith towards God, the Doctrine of Baptisms, and the Laying on of hands, the Resurrection from the dead, and eternal Judgement, must go on to Perfection (n***) Heb. 6. 1, 2. in the constant and continual Practice of the Great Mystery of Godliness, according to the Direction of the blessed Word and Spirit (o***) 1 Tim. 3. 14-16. & 4. 1-13-16. By which the Man of Sin (p***) 2 Thes. 2. 3-12. in The Mystery of Iniquity is discovered to be a Church of Malignant men (q***) Ps. 26 5. compacted together as One Man, to establish Iniquity by a Law and to set up spiritual wickednesses, in high places, Living in ●●de, idleness, and fullness of bread, and being without compassion of the poor, ful● of Trianny, and violent rage against the Righteous (r Rev. 12, 6, 7, 12, 15, 17. and ●●ing their Righteous Souls with their Inclean Conversations Shedding the blood of the precious Saints and Prophets (s***) Rev. 16. 6. & 17. ●. Therefore these 〈…〉 ●re spiritually called Sodom and Egypt where our Lord was Crucified (t***) Rev. 11. 8. Bearing the names of The Be'st (u***) Rev. 13. 1. 11, 14, 15. Whore (w***) Rev. 17. 1. of Babylon (x***) Rev. 17. 5, 18. & False ●rophe● (y***) Rev. 16. 13. & 19, 20. whose end is utter destruction (z***) Rev. 18. & 19 And therefore I am throughly convinced in Conscience of the falseness of the malignant Church of England, And of the evil of all other States which are contrary to Christ's Institutions, knowing that our great high Priest, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, and separated from sinners (a****) Heb. 7. 26. would have his people avoid all manner and measure of spiritual Communion (b****) 2 Cor. 6. 14-17. with such, he having called us (c****) Rev. 18. 4. from the fellowship of Devils (d****) 1 Cor. 10. 20, 21. and wicked men (e****) 2 Cor. 6. 17. that we may not in a way of spiritual worship sit with mortal men of false vanity, nor go in with dissemblers, but hate the Church of evil doers, and not fit with the wicked. (f****) Psal. 26. 4, 5. Therefore according to Christ's Institutions and Commandments being with my Seed (g****) Exo. 10. 9 and substance (h****) V 25, 26. fully separated, not only from them, but also from those, who communicate with them, either in their Public Congregations, or private societies; I do resolve, through the grace of the ever-living-God, who hath brought me out of Babel, never to return to their vain inventions, their humane devises, abominable Idolatries, nor superstitious high places which were built and dedicated to Idolatry, but to abstain from all appearance of evil (i****) 1 Thes. 5. 22. and to worship God only in spirit and truth (k****) Joh. 4. 24. according to that manner, which he hath prescribed in his word, without adding or diminishing. (l****) Deut. 4. 2. Prov. 30. 6. Rev. 22. 18, 19 And through the light of the holy Scriptures, I clearly see, not only the necessity of this holy way of Separation, in obedience to the heavenly Call, but also the great need of continuing in Christian Fellowship, Communion, and Society of Saints, And that to be of the Visible Particular Church of Christ, is most needful for the Sain●s edification in this life; For to that heavenly company is committed the Oracles of God (m****) Rom. 3. 2. By them the Kingly, Priestly, Prophetical, and Apostolical Offices of Jesus Christ is to be set forth; For the King and Lord of all administrations (n****) 1 Cor. 12. 5. who is that great Prophet (o****) Acts 3. 22, 23. And the Apostle and high Priest of their profession (p****) Heb. 3. 1. hath set in the Church first Apostles, secondarily Prophets (q****) 1 Cor. 12. 28. than Evangelists, Pastors, and Teachers (r****) Eph. 4. 11. For the gathering together, and perfecting, of the Saints, and for the work of the Ministry, and for the edification of the body of Christ (s****) Eph. 4. 11. until the end of the world (t****) V 13. Mat. 28. 19, 20. Elders hath he also appointed to be Rulers of his people (u****) 2 Tim. 5. 17. Rom. 12. 8. And Deacons (w****) Acts 6. 3-5. Phil. 1. 1. 1 Tim. 3. 8-13. to provide for the Congregation of his poor, that they may ●● called the City of righteousness, the faithful City (x****) Isa. 1. 26. the habitation of Justice, and mountain of holiness (y****) Jer. 31. 23. the excellent (z****) Psal. 84. & 87. Kingdom of gra●e, wherein they may enjoy all the Ordinances of God (a*****) Mat. 28. 19, 20. 1 Cor. 3. 21, 22. according to their capability, with their communicable Harmony (b*****) 1 Cor. 14. 26. Eph. 5. 19 Col. 3. 16. Diversities of gifts (c*****) 1 Cor. 12. 4. Differences of Administrations, (d*****) V 5. and Operations (e*****) V 6 according to the gracious dispensations of the Spirit of God (f*****) V 11. But the sweetest thing is Christ's name (g*****) Cant. 1. 3. Isa. 9 6. and presence (h*****) Mat. 18. ●0. whereby it is known to be Zion (i*****) Psal. 76. 1, 2, 3. with whom he hath promised to be (k*****) 132. 13. and delighteth to sit (l*****) 14. even unto the end of the world (m*****) Mat. 28. 20. though they be never so few in number (n*****) 18. 20. And I am more and more possessed with the thought of the excellency thereof, And of the sweet-closing-neer-communion which the Saints of God have with Christ therein (o*****) Cant. Ps. 45. Rev. 14. 15 who allows ●f particular Churches in any Nation (p*****) 1 Cor. 16. 1. 2 Cor. 8. 1. 1 Thes. 2. 14. as he did of the Seven Churches in Asia (q*****) Rev. 1. 11. 20. & 2●. 16. if so be that the great distance of place, exceeding a Sabbath day's journey (r*****) Acts 1. 12. drive them, or the greatness of their number (s*****) Isa. 49. 20. draw them, to branch out themselves into particular Societies, for their ●etter edification. The Body or Church of Christ being always one, (t*****) Eph. 4. 4. as at the first so at last, as there is one Spirit, And this Church, or Kingdom of heaven, now upon Earth, is to keep and seek for all the commandments of the LORD their God (u*****) 1 Chro. 28. 8. And to hold fast (w*****) Heb. 10. 23. the Covenant (x*****) Jer. 50. 5▪ of their Fellowship (y*****) 2 Cor●n. 8. 5. wherewith in the presence of the great God, whose glorious fullness the heaven and the Heaven of heavens cannot contain (z*****) 1 King. 8. 27. they have solemnly bound themselves together, with their Posterity (a******) Deut. 29. 11. in this excellent State and Order of the Gospel, Unto ●hich my soul is united, For the partaking of all his Promises (b******) 2 Cor. 1. 20. 1 Cor. 3. 21, 22. and enjoyment of all his holy Ordinances (c******) Mat. 28. 19, 20. 1 Cor. 11. 2. powerfully (d******) 1 Co●. 4. 20. 1 Thes. 1. 5. According t● his own Institutions, And so to walk in all his ways (e******) Deut. 10. 12. According to his Revealed (f******) Phil. 3. 15. Will (g******) Rom. 12. 2. Earnestly desiring, expecting, and longing af●er, and patiently waiting and looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of that great God, and our Saviour Jesus Christ (h******) Tit. 2. 13. who shall co●e (i******) Acts 1. 11. the second time, from heaven (k******) Heb. 9 28. 1 Thes. 1. 10. in glory (l******) 1 Thes. 4. 16. Mat. 25, 31. with all his Saints (m******) Zech. 14. 5. 1 Thes. 3. 13. and all the holy Angels with him (n******) Mat. 25. 31. To judge both the living and the dead (o******) 2 Tim. 4. 1. And shall in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye (p******) 1 Cor. 15. 52. change (q******) V 51. our vile (r******) Philip. 3. 21. and earthly bodies, (s******) 1 Cor. 15. 47. And make them immortal (t******) V 53, 54. and spiritual (u******) Ver. 44. ●ven like unto his glorious body (w******) Phil. 3, 21. And shall reward every man according to his works (x******) Mat. 16. 27. The wicked (y******) & 13. 49. with everlasting punishment (z******) Mat. 25. 46. who shall suffer the vengeance of eternal fire (a) Judas 7. 2 Th. 1. 8. in hell (b) Ps: 9 17, 18. Rev. 20 13, 14. But the Saints shall inherit eternal Salvation (c) Heb. 5. 9 through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ (d) Acts 15. 11. who●e love (e) Rom. 8. 35-39. passeth knowledge (f) Ephes. 3. 19 And always be in the favour of God the father, whose peace passeth all understanding (g) Phil. 4. 7. And enjoy the eternal glor● (h) 1 Pet. 5. 10. and brightness, and fullness (i) Eph. 3. 19 and be filled with all the sweetness of the comfortable (k) Luke 16. 25. fellowship, of the eternal Spirit (l) Phil. 2. 1. With all th● holy Angels and glorified Saints in heaven (m) 1 Thes. 4. 14. 18. For ever and ever (n) Rev. 22. 5. more. (h) 1 Cor. 15. 3, 4. [o] v. 21. Amen.