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 .237/ 
 
 
H E 
 
 Biiptift confejfion of faith: 
 
 rth in 164.5 > aftttwards enlarged, 
 
 publi&cd by an aflcmbly of tielcgates 
 
 -1 Great Eritain) met Vn Lon- 
 
 July ;, I6S9 5 adapted by the aflbciation 
 
 12, 1743 y and novf 
 
 churches of the fame denominate 
 
 .'can colonics. 
 
 I, A fliort treatift of 
 
 "ne 
 
 :c!phia> printed by Ar.t. Armhrttflcr in Rac*- 
 f;nct> 1765. 
 
C 3 ) 
 
 THE 
 
 Baptift confeffiofi of faith. ] 
 
 CHAP. I. 
 Of th$ HOLY SCRIPTURES. 
 
 THE Holy Scripture is the only fufficienr, cer- 
 tain, and infallible, (a) rule of all faving 
 knowledge, faith, and obedience s alrho the 
 (J?\ light of nature, and the woiks of creatioa and 
 providence do fo far manifeft the goodneis, wif- 
 dom and power of God, as to leave men unexcufable; 
 yet are they net (wfruientto give that knew-e^ge of 
 God and his will, which is need? :on. 
 (r) Therefore it ple-fcd the lord at fuhefry timet, 
 and in divers manners, to rcj^eal hirr.felf, *nd to 
 declare that his wilUim* his v»r.] 
 for the better pr< f :h« 
 truth, and for the mere lure eftablilhment, a 
 • 
 
 a 2 Tim. 3. 19 16, 17. 2 fa. 8. 20. tuft 16. 20, 
 2 20. b Rem. 1. 19 20, 21? &c, ch. Z 9 
 14 ? I<. Pfklm 19. I 2, 3. c LYy. 1. J. 
 
I 4 C/ tls Holy Scripture. 
 
 fort of the church againft the corruption of the flefa, 
 and the malice of Satan, and of the world, rocom- 
 tnit the fame wholly unto (d) writing; winch 
 maketh the holy Scriptures to be moft ncceflary, 
 thofe former ways of God's revealfng his will unto 
 his people being now ceifed, 
 
 i. Under the name of holy Scripture, or the 
 word of God written, are now contained all the 
 books of the old and new Teftamcnt, which are 
 thefe : 
 
 Of the OLD TESTAMENT. 
 
 Genefn, Zxetjus, Leviticus, Numbers y Deuteronomy, 
 Jefouab, Judges Ruth, i Samuel 2 Samuel, I Kings, 
 2 Kings, 1 ChrlnicUs> 2 Chronicles, Ezra, Kehemiahy 
 Eft.oer, Job, Vjalms, Pro-vtrb i9 Bcckjiofies> 1 he Song 
 of Songs. Ijn'tah, Jeremiah, Lamentations, Eze iel % 
 Daniel, Hofea, J»tl, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Aiicak* 
 Nahum y Hakikkuta Zefbaniah, Haggai, Zacbariah* 
 Malachi, 
 
 O/WN/Ef TESTAMENT. 
 
 Matthew, Mark* Luke, John, The Acts of the 
 Apojiles, PahTj ZfiJILe to the Rcm*ns, Corinthians* 
 2. Corinthians, Galatians^Tfibefiam, Ehiltptia??s, Cif- 
 lojpans, 1 Thejfilonians, 1 Theffalonians } 1 Th 
 
 2 Timothy 
 
 d ?rcv. 22.29, : 5. 4. % ft** I* 
 
 19) 50. 
 
:?t) Scriptures. ^ 
 
 thg 
 
 M . e of James, the firff and feconi 
 
 tnel amd third cpt files ef 
 
 ]oh.. lie tfjttihi m. All whick 
 
 arc the (#J iiifpirarion of God, to be the 
 
 :ul? of faith and life. 
 
 %„ The books commonly called Jtpoerypha, nnt 
 
 kg of if) divine infpiration, arc no parr of the 
 
 n (or rule) of rhc Scripture^ and therefore arc 
 
 o the church of God, nor to be 
 
 any otherwife approved] or nude ufc of than other 
 
 human v%; 
 
 4. Tht authority of the Holy Scripture, for which 
 it ought to be believed, dependcrh nor upon the 
 teftimonv of any man, or chinch, but wholv upon 
 (g) is troth ir felf) the author there- 
 
 of* • it is the word of God. 
 
 c,. \Y'e may be moved and induced by the teftl* 
 monyef the church of God to an high and reverent 
 eitccm of the Holy Scripture ; ar.d the heavcnlistfs 
 atrcr, the efficacy of the doctrine, and the 
 c ft le, the confenr of a/1 the parts, 
 the fcopc of tie whole, (which is to give allg 1 
 to God ) the full difcovery ir makes of the only way 
 of man's GrJvation, and man irrc mparaWo 
 :cs> and intirc peifcc'tions thereof, are ar- 
 gents whereby it do;h abundantly evidence it feff 
 to 
 
 e 2 Tim. $. *6, f 7.// V 24. 27. 44. Rom. }. 3* 
 £ 2 Pet. 1. 19,20. w. 2 Ur», J. l6> Z2. Ti 
 2. 13. 1 y$hn 5, 9, 
 
6 Of the Holy Script i 
 
 to be the word of God > vet fiocwithftanding; our (h) 
 full perfusion, and afluradrc of rhc infallible tra 
 a*d divine authority thereof) is from the inward i*ork 
 of the holy Spirit, bearing wirnefs by and * 
 word in ©ur hearts. 
 
 6. The whole counfel of God concerning all 
 things ($) necefiary for his own gion, nun's tal- 
 vation, faith and life, is cither expreflv fee down, 
 or neceflarilv contained in the Holy Scripture; un- 
 to which nothing atanytimeis tobeaddech whether j 
 by new revelation of the Spirit, or traditions of 
 men, 
 
 NcYc&hclefs we acknowledge the (>f) in 
 rninarion of the Spirit of God, to be necefl 
 for the fav>ng undtrlianding of fuch rhings a> 
 levelled in the word) and that there are foine cir- 
 fiances concerning the worfhip of God, and 
 government of the chinch, common to human 
 actions and lonelier which are to be(/) ordered 
 i t [j - ; of nature, and chrtftian prudence, 2K> 
 cording to the general rules of 'the word, which . 
 fl*way$ to be observed. 
 
 7, Ali thing* in Scripture arc noralike ( m) plain 
 itmfelveSj nor alike clear unto all, yet th 
 
 gs vlach are ncccflary to be known, believed, 
 
 and 
 
 h J*ln l6. I 3 ; 14. I Cor. 2. 10, 1 1, it. 1 
 I* 2> 20. 27. i %fim. j., 15, 16, 17. 1*9. GmL I. 
 
 % 9. k John 6. 45. I Cor. 2. 9, 10, 1 1, 
 12. 1 I Cor. 11. ij, 14. & C 40, 
 
 IB I ?«/, 3. l6? 
 
Of the Holy Strip tares. 7 
 
 cleailv pro- 
 cc ofScsipture 
 e learned, but the 01 
 means, may attain to a ( 
 ficicfli ondi hem. 
 
 g. The ol :l*« in(o) liibrew, ( 
 
 native language of the , cf old) 
 
 and the r. ., hich (ar the tin c 
 
 of m r.nuwn to the 
 
 nations, being immediately b» Ccd, and 
 
 by . providence kc] . all 
 
 as in all 
 of religion, the church is finally to 
 nro them (7 >. But becanfe l 
 n to all ti a 
 u hate a right utito, riptures, 
 
 arr cnmr..anotri in tl.e l <J co read 
 
 h them, \ they are 1 ,.t<^ 
 
 • ci\ nation, unto which 
 
 C r ) 
 
 fitifull) in all, 1 in an ac- # 
 
 v c and con. 
 he Scriptures may hope. , 
 9. The r r Scripture 
 n )Script'jrc icfelf: and therefore when tli 
 is a about the any 
 A 4- & 
 
 n Pjalm 19. 7, ^119. i]0. o Rcso % }. 1. 
 p \ja. 8- 20. q ^/7; if. 15. r 3*A* j. 59. 
 s 1 C^. 14. 6. 9. u, 12; 14, 28. I Cel. 3. i6 # 
 
8 Of the Kolj Scriptures. 
 
 Scripture, (which is not manifold but erne) it muft 
 be iearched by other places, that fpeak more clearly, 
 10. The fupream judge by whicfe all xonttovt riies 
 ^*C«iigiofl arc ro be determined, and all cccrces of 
 councils, opinions of antiem writers, do6hines\>f 
 men, and fpirits, are to be examined, and in wiioft 
 femence we are to reft, can be no other but :he ho- 
 ly Scripture delivered by the fpirie, into which (xj 
 Scripture fo delivered, our faith is finallv refclvcd. 
 
 CHAP. II. 
 
 * 
 
 Of GOD) and ef the holy Trinity. 
 
 I. f | "^ H E Lord our God is but (a, one only living, 
 and rrue God; whofe (b) (ubliilence is in 
 and ofhitnfeif, (c) infinite in being, and 
 perfection, whole effence cannot be comprehended 
 by any bin him ft If i (d) a moft pure {pirn, (e) in- 
 vifible, without body, parts, or paffions, who only 
 hatb immortality., dwelling in the right, which no 
 man can approach unco, who is (/ ) in murable, 
 (3) immenfe, (&) eternal, incomprehensible, (/) 
 
 almighty, 
 
 # 
 x Mat, 12. 29. jx. Ebb. 2. 20. J(&j ig. 2\\ 
 a I Cor, g. 46. Dent. 6. 4* b Jer. 10. 10, 
 If a. 48. 12. c Excd, 3. 14. d John 4. 24. c 
 I lim 1. 17. Deur. 4. i$, 16. f AUl, 3, 6. g 
 1 Kin& g # 27. Jer> 2$. 2 J. h P/*/in go. i. i 
 G*tf. 17,1. 
 
Of Gtd, *nd of the H. Trinity. 9 
 
 way infinite, (v) meft holy, moft 
 , iiie>ll abfolute, (/) working all 
 . to the counfcl ofbis ov\n immuta- 
 ble and meft righteous will (w) for Lis owl 
 
 lj long fur: 
 abundant in goodrefsand truth, foigiving iniquity, 
 greflion and fin, (») the rewardcr of them tha: 
 diligently fcek him, and wittial meft juft, (*) 
 and rcrrihlc in his judgments, (/>) hating all iin, 
 and wi!! by no means clear the ( q ) f*i*ty. 
 
 2. God, having all ( r) life, (s y glory (f) 
 
 ffdnefs, in and of him (elf. is 
 
 in. and un:o hiir.fclf all-fufficient, not(«) (land- 
 
 ing in need of any creature which he hath made, 
 
 living any fclory from them, but only cmni- 
 
 untOi and upon them, 
 
 he is the alone fountain of all being, (.v) of whom, 
 
 through v\hom and to whom arc all things, and he 
 
 hath meft fovereign (y)dominicifi overall creatures, 
 
 to do by them, ror them, or upon them, wlmtfo- 
 
 ever bimielf pTeafeth ; in his fight (i) all things 
 
 are open and maniicrT, his knowledge is (4) infinite, 
 
 • A c. infallible 
 
 k lfa. £. j. I Vjalm 115. ;, //1. 46. r o. v.\ 
 
 ,16.4. Rom. 11*36. n Ex*d»\4 6,7. Htb. 
 
 ir. 6. o Keh 9. 32. 31. p rjzlw f. $ 6*. q 
 
 :6. s Vial. 
 148. I}, t V . b, 22. 2. J. X 
 
 ' '-. J j, 
 '8- 
 
lo of God, and of the H. Trinity* 
 
 infallible, and independent upon the creature, fo as 
 nothing is to him contingent or uncertain; he is 
 moil holy in all his counltls, in (b) all his works, 
 and in all his commands ; to him is due (c) from 
 angels and men, whatfoever worfliip, fervice, or 
 obedience, as crearures they owe unto che creator, 
 and whatever he is further pleafed to require of them. 
 }, In this divine and infinite being t'sere are three 
 fubiiftsnces, (^) the father, the word, for Son) 
 and Hoi) Spirrr, of one fub (lance, power and eter- 
 nity, each having the whole divine eilence, (<?) yet 
 the effence undivided, the father is of n©ne neither 
 begotten, nor proceeding, the Son is (/) eternal- 
 ly begotten, of the Father, the Holy Spirit (g ) pro- 
 ceeding from the Father and the Son, ali infinite, 
 without beginning, therefore but one God, who 
 is not to be divided in nature and being, but dif- 
 tinguimed by ftvcral peculiar, relative properties, 
 and perfonal relations 3 which doctrine of the trinity 
 is the foundation of all our communion with* God* 
 and comfortable dependance on him. . 
 
 CHAP. 
 
 b Pfdm 145, 17, c Rev. e 12. 13. 74. d 
 I, John 5. 7. Mat. 28. 19. 2 Cor. 15. 14* 
 e Exod. 3, 14. John 14. 11. 1 Cor. %. 6. 
 f Jch/y i # 14, ig. g John 15,26. Gal. 4. 6* 
 
( II ) 
 
 CHAP. III. 
 
 Of God's Dccrtt. 
 
 \ x f~^ OD hath (a) decreed in himfclr, from 
 \J" all eternity, b? the aaoft wife anJ holy 
 counfel of his own will, freely and un- 
 changeably, all things vvbatfocver come to pals ; 
 ft as thereby is God neither the author of (In, 
 (£) nor hath fellowship with any therein, nor is 
 violence offered to the will cf the creature, nor 
 yet is liberty, cr contingency of fecond caufes 
 taken away, but rather (£) cftablimcd, in which ap- 
 pears his wifdom in difpofing all things, and power, 
 and faithfulnefs (<tf) in accompiifhirg his decree. 
 
 2. Although Goi knowcth whatloevcr may, or 
 can come to pafs upon all (r J fuppofed conditions 5 
 jet hath he not decreed any thing, (/) becaufe he 
 forefiw it as fttture, or as that which would come 
 to pafs upon fuch conditions. 
 
 j. By the decree of God, for the manifeftation 
 of his glory. Q) fomc men and angels are prc- 
 deftina:ed, or fore-ordained to eternal Life, through 
 Jefus Chnft, to the(/; / )p:aifcofhis glorious grace j 
 
 others 
 
 a I/*. 46. 10. Epb t 1. 11. Hcb. 6. 17, Rom 9. 
 IS» 18. b Jam. i. 15. 17, 1. john 1. c. c Ails 
 4.27, 28. John 10, u, d Numb. 2?. 19. Bph 1, 
 J. 4. c. e Acts 19. 18. f Rom 9. 1 , 1 3, 16. 18. 
 £ l Ttw. j t 2I» MM* % 2J. 41, h Eph.l.t>6., 
 
12 Of God's dec res. 
 
 others being left to act in rheir fin to their (*) juffc 
 condemnation, to the praife of his glorious jufticc. 
 
 4. Thefe angels and men thus pre -detonated, 
 and fore ordained, are parrkalailv, and unchangeab- 
 ly defignedj and their (/) number fo certain, and 
 definite, that it cannot be either increafed, or di- 
 miniilied, 
 
 5. Thofe of mankind, (I) that arc pre-dcftinaT-* 
 cd to life, God before the foundation of 'the vnorld 
 was laid, according to his eternal and immutable 
 purpoie, and the fecret counfel and good pltaiurc 
 of his will, hachchofen in Chrift unto cverlafting 
 gloiy, out of his mere free grace and love; (w) 
 without any other thing in the creature as a c. 
 Virion ot caufe moving him thereunto. 
 
 6. As God hath appointed the elect unto glorv, 
 fo he hath by the eternal and molt tree fmrpofc of 
 his will, fore-ord.aned (#) all the mean* therein 
 wherefore they who are elected, being rall'n in Ada* 
 (/>) arc redeemed by Chrift, are cffcdtually (q) cal- 
 led unto faith in Chrilfc, by his Spirit working in 
 due (eafon, arc juftified, adopted, iancliikd, and 
 kept by his power throng!: faith [r) unto falvation.j 
 neither arc any other redeemed by Cbiift, cr effec- 
 tually 
 
 i Rom 9.22, 2$. Jude ^ k 2 Tim 2. 19. Joh* 
 IJ,r8 1 E/>/>. I. 4. 9> U- Rem. g. 30 2 lim. 1. 9. 
 XTkcf 5. 9. m Rom, 9. 13. 16. Epb % 6. 12. 
 O I let 1 2. 1 hef 2 I}, p 1 j^Wf 5 9. I?, 
 q &w». 8 # 30, 2 !&<# 2, 13. r aP^ 1. 5. 
 
v of prc- 
 . cd with fpccial prudence 
 6k Cod rc- 
 :d, and ) mcc there- 
 
 in che ceitair.ty of their eft 
 :red of tl J election; 
 
 io ihi of puifc. 
 
 reverence, and adir.iiarion of G^d, and (\ 
 
 C H A r. IV 
 Of Ctearitu* 
 
 
 God the l 
 i:, for the man ifc (la- 
 eternal power, wildom* 
 ue or ma r ;$ the world, and all 
 CO whether vihVc cr inviliblc, in 
 tvs, and all very good. 
 i. Ali^i God had nude a!l other creatures, he 
 i (</) man, male and female, with (e) iea- 
 
 b h fo pAlc 
 
 10. 26. y^;. 17.9. y^/>;j 6. ^4, t j 
 5- 2 Pw'f. i. 10. u Ef>h. I. 6. Rom. u* 
 3 J. x Row. |2. y 6. > Late 10. 20. a Jchn\. 
 KeK I. 2.Jol>26. n.bKom.i.zo. c O/, j^ 
 J*, Gf*. 5. ij 2. d Qcn % j, 27. c G** t 2.7, 
 
14 creation* 
 
 fonablc and immortal fouls, rendiing them fit unto 
 iha: life to God, for which they were ere*: 
 ^f) made after ihc image of God, in knowledge, 
 r.ghteoulntfs, and. true holincfi; having the law 
 cr Goj, (<g) written in their hear;*, and power to 
 I ; and yet under a poilibiljt) of tianfgreiTing, 
 left to the liberty of their own wijl, 
 was (&) fubjed to change. 
 
 3. Eeiides the law written in their hearts, they 
 ^revived (*'.) a command not to eat of the rree of 
 knowledge or' good and evil; which whiTft chcy 
 kept, they were happy in their communion with 
 God, and had doninion(^) over the creatures. 
 
 CHAP. V. 
 O/ diving providence* 
 
 *• f~** O D the good creator of all things, in 
 
 ^— * bis infinite power and.wifdom, doth < a ) 
 
 uphold, direct, difpofc, and govern all creatures, 
 
 and things, from the grearcft even to the(£) leait, 
 
 by his moft wife and holy providence, to the end 
 
 for which they were created* according unto kts 
 
 ^^^ infallible 
 — . , __ — 
 
 I Ecclef 7. 29. Gen. 1. 26 g Rom 2. 1 4. I c. 
 h Gen. 3. 6. i Ge*. 6. 17. & Ch. } . 8> 9» ■ *« 
 k G*fl. 2. 26, 28. a J*«£ # r. v J*£» $8- '!■ 
 J/*. 46.10, 11. P/i//» ij. c. 6. b Mttth. 10.26, 
 Jo, ji. 
 
1$ 
 
 villi to the priife of tlic 
 
 n ro the fore-knowledge, 
 id> the fi: it ciuic. all things c 
 
 isnot 
 Ht his 
 - 
 :o fill o i: C of fecend 
 
 caufcs- :r,ilp\ 
 
 ;. God in iii or »« (g) inakerh 
 
 tift of means i \c: is free ( /; ) ro woik vs. 
 (i ) above, zr\£(k ) againft rhem at his pleasure. 
 4.. 1 . tdom,and 
 
 nfelves 
 ,-, that his determinate counid (/) 
 ■ .1 all other 
 ns both of angels and men i [andr- 
 
 . ich alio he raoft wifely 
 rrrally (m) bomderh, anjotl-.crwife orde- 
 : 
 I ( n) en. Is: vet fo, as the (infulnefs 
 
 only from the ctea 
 m iLa and 
 
 c Epb. 1. 11. d A&$ 1.2%, e Prc-j 16. 33. f 
 Gen. 8- 22. £ ^tfj £7. } !. j 5 . 10, 1 1 # 
 
 -. k !>;*. 
 
 1. is 
 
 I 
 
\C Of divine pr«~j?den:e. 
 
 and not from God; who being moft holy and 
 righteous, neither is ncr can be, the author or (o) 
 ppprever of fin. 
 
 5. The m oft wife, righteous, and gracious Gpdt 
 Apth oftentimes, leave for a feaion his own children 
 to manifold temptations, and' the conuptiens of 
 their own heart, ro chaflife them for former fins, or 
 to dHcover unto them the lidder firerght of cor. 
 ruption, and deeeirfulnefs of their beans, .'/> v that 
 they mar be humbled; and to raife them to a 
 mose c!o'e and cor. dan t dependence fcr t! eir fnp^ 
 port upon himfelf; and to. make them more watch- 
 ful againfl all future cccaticr.s of fin, and for other 
 Juft &v,£ Lc?ly ends. 
 
 So that whatfoever befalls any of his cVCt is by 
 his appointment, for lis glory, ( cj J and their good* 
 
 6. As fot rhofe wicked and ungodly men., wh^m 
 Cod a', a righteous j;dge, for former fn rfotl (r) 
 blind and harden ; from them he not only 
 hoJdcth his ( s) gra^c, whereby they might have 
 been enlighrned in their underftanding, and wrought 
 rpon in their hearts; but fometimes alfo withdraw- 
 rth.(r) the gifts which they had, and expofeth 
 them to fiich [u] obje&s as their corruptions make 
 eccafion cf tin > and withal, (x) gives them .over 
 
 to_ 
 
 o Vfalm 50 2\ l^fabn t. 16. p 1 Chron. 32. 
 2 $,16,] 1. 2 Sam. 24 1. 2 Ccr. 12. 7,8. 9 c\Rom. 
 g. 23. r Rom, 1, 14. iy. 23 Ch. 11 7 8. 5 Debt. 
 2.9.4. r A**^*. r *- I2 » K ^ ' f7 2 P- ir 
 12. ij.% P v tf/,v;gi.ii 12* 2lhc£.t.l?, ii r .t2. 
 
Of tbef*U of m*n, of y n> an4 t? 
 
 bi ami temptations of - 
 
 us to pafs, 
 ntclves, even u 
 
 ; ing or others. 
 >th in genera! 
 i :c fpecia] 
 ?, and difj 
 good thereof. 
 
 C H A P. VI. 
 
 *• cf fin, and of the pHnijkmei 
 
 - / 
 
 J. A Lchough Gcdire:*tt.i m*n upright, an 
 L k 
 
 kept it, ( j 
 neJ death upon the breach thereof* yel he uid n 
 ic in rliis honour; (£) Sjtan uiing i 
 
 it to feduce Eve> then by bei 
 fediK. ; , *ho wit! out any compulsion, di 
 ;efs the law of rhcii 
 1 nand given unto them, in eating die forbid- 
 den fruit i which God was pleafcd according to his 
 wifc and holy counfel to permit; hatirg purpofc 
 to otvlcr k* to bis owr, glory, 
 B t 2. G >i 
 
 y Exod.%. ic, ;a. ifk 6. ?> 10. i Vet, a. ;■ 
 2 i Tim. 4 io.^f/awo.g, o. //*4*. ]*4> $. «* C 
 
 2t-i6»i7-» k G*». 3 i2> ij. z Or, 1 1 . 
 
Ig Of the pumjhmsnt thereof, 
 
 2. Our fitft partnts by this fin, fell from thcit 
 (f) original rightcoufnefs ao<i .cpminiUlipn with 
 God, and we in them, whereby death came upon 
 all; (d) all becoming dead in ft n , and wh'olly de- 
 filed, (e) in all the faculties* and parts of foul and 
 body. 
 
 3. They being the [f) root, and, by God's ap- 
 pointment, itanding in the room, and (lead of all 
 mankind j the guilt of the fin was imputed, and 
 corrupted nature conveyed to all their pofterity, de- 
 fending; from rhem by oriinary generation, being 
 now (g) conceived in fin, and by nature children 
 (/•) of wrath, the (ervancs of [in, the fubjcdU (/) 
 of death, and all other miieiies, fpiritiual, tempo- 
 ral and eternal, unj'efs the Lord Jejus (J) let theui 
 free. 
 
 4.. From this original corruption, whereby we arc 
 (/) utterly indifpofed, diiabled, and made oppofite, 
 to all good, and wholly inclined to all evil> do ( m ) 
 proceed all a&ual tun Igit (Turns. 
 
 $. This corruption of nature, during this Jif c , 
 doth ( n ) remain in thofe that are regenerated : and 
 although it be through Chrijl pard med, and morti- 
 fied, 
 
let both itfclf, « .otions tl : 
 
 arc tr : 
 
 C H 
 Of G 
 
 1 4 r~TA H E difbrce between a creature 
 
 is fo great that although rcaf<»nub!e cra- 
 tftres Jo owe obdikncr unto hill 
 
 creator, »uld never have attained t\ e 
 
 lite, but by fomc (a) voluntary con. 
 
 c<i to expiefs, by way or crv$m090, 
 i. Moreover, m*n 'living bfcui: 
 
 the curje ot the law bv his tail, it p\ 
 
 trd to make a cwtriAiit of^r,. tin he 
 
 freel) off* reth uflto finntts f c ) lib on by 
 
 0;;-/j?, requiring of' them faith in biro, thit 
 
 may be laved; and (d) p'omifing to give 
 
 unto all thefe that are ordained unto eternal /*/>> 
 
 his holy /fir it, to make them willing, and able to 
 
 believe. 
 
 ;, This eo-jenxnt is revea'ed in the £ofpel firft 
 of all to Adam in the pton.ife of falvation bv the 
 M- 'the 
 
 o Rom. 7. 24, 2v Gal. f. 17^ a tuti 17. 10, 
 Job $$• 7- • 3 K G*4 ;. 'O. Rim.f. 
 
 2oii t c k*m. 8- }♦ ***>* 16 ie, 16. y#*» } # 
 .x6,d£*^'. 36,26. XT* J^9>44 45. /*/*//» no. j* 
 
•2^ Of Go J' $ covenant* 
 
 (t) feed of the woman and afterward by farther 
 
 iicps, untill the fail (/) difcovery thereof was 
 
 conapjea/ed in the new teftament; asd it is founded 
 
 in that (*j eternal covenant traniaction, tl^at was 
 
 sen the T&thtr and tlie Son abouc the rcden-p- 
 
 tion of the eltcf^ and it is alore by the glace of 
 
 this covtnanti rhat all of ihe pofUrity of fallen 
 
 Adam> that ever were <%) laved, did obtain life 
 
 and bleiled immortalit) ; man being now utterly 
 
 uncapa&ls of acceprance with God upon thok fuerms 
 
 on which Adam flood in his itate of innocency. 
 
 G H A P. VJII-r 
 
 0/ Chrijl the jheiUtcK 
 
 1. |T plcafeth God > in his ctcr . ;e, to 
 A chufc and ordiio the Lord Jcju^ his only 
 begotten }on> according to the covenant made be- 
 tween them both, (*) to be the mediate* between 
 Go^and mxn\ the i &J prophet, (<r) pricftand(V) 
 king; head and faviour of his church, the heir of 
 all things, andjuigp of the world i unto whom he 
 <Ud 
 
 e Gen, J* 1$; f Hcb. i,-i. * 2 lim. i 4 £. Ti> # i* 
 2 g tf#£. II. 6. I}. Kern. 4. i>z.&c.A&s4 12* 
 J*£/?8.'c6.' a i/ki 42 l« b iPet.j. 9, io« £#«£. 
 S- f> *• d Pfal.2.6. Luke 1. 33. £/>£. 1. ^.Htb, 
 1.2,.. Acts 17.31. 
 
tttor. 21 
 
 i to be ius 
 time redeemed, called, 
 
 2. 1 
 
 I 
 
 of one fubfhr.ee, and 
 
 W \\Q Up- 
 
 •c with J 
 
 snd fcn*,mcn i? of ( ?) \a without 
 
 conceived by the Mfffh wpmb 
 
 rhc /x'// < // /r// ' coming down 
 
 upon I ; the mofi ligh over- 
 
 her (A) ar.d fo w.^s nude cfa w* 
 of the . rhe C^cd o <f?» and 
 
 i that two 
 
 [n<9 natures, were infepa- 
 
 •: ether in i it con- 
 
 h pcrfrn is 
 
 m*n } vet one (/') Cbriji 
 
 }. 1 human nature thus 
 
 K was 
 
 ab 
 
 e 1/4 g. joif I 
 
 4- J6\ 17. 
 
2 2 Of &Jfifl Ator. 
 
 above mcaflire; having in him ( /) a J| rhe creatures 
 ©f wifdom and knowledge ; in whomir pleated tJ 
 fo*r, chat O )ali fulnefs iWald dwell 
 being (») holy, harmfefs, undefiled, and fal 
 of grace, and m*/^, he might be throughly furnith- 
 ed to .execute t' e office of a mediator, an : 
 furety, which office 
 
 was hereunto (^) called by hi$ father* who alio 
 put (r) ail power and judgment in his hand, and 
 gave him commandment to eveevre rhe fame. 
 4. Thifc, office rhe Lord ftfus did naoft ( s 
 ling! y undertake, which that he might cifchargehe 
 was made under the law, (>) and did perfectly faiffl 
 it, and underwent the (u) puni&ment due to us,. 
 which we fliould have born and fuffcrcJ, being 
 made (x) fin and a curfe tor us; end' 
 £riev< is (y ) in his foul ; and mofr painmi 
 
 Coffering s in his b >d) ; was rrucMicd, and died, and 
 xe nained in the flaw of the dexdi yet (aw no (z.) 
 corruption; on the (#; third day he arofe fr 
 dead, wiin tie Lme (£j bo<Jv in which he . 
 cd$ with which he alio {c) aicendec into heaven; 
 
 and 
 
 ' &l m 2. ;, m O?/. 1. 19. r ri<?^, 7. 16. o 
 X. 14, p Het.7.vt..nHeb.c' m <\ r folmf. 21, 27. 
 !***/. 28.18 A# 2 36. s Pjalm+o. 1%. Heb. 10. 
 5 - 11. •/otoi 10. 1 3 t Ga& 4.4 Mat, y. is u 
 G*/. 3. 1 j. //* ST. 6. 1 Pet. ;. 18. x 2 C<w\ c, 21. 
 J- Matt. 26. }7> |I. L**e 2:. 44.. Mitt 2 
 z ^#513. if, a 1 C^. t v =, 4. b ^'W/« 20, 2s 27. 
 c A*/*/* 16. 16. ^^ 1. 9; 10; 11. 
 
* r ( d ) 
 
 :!d. 
 S Tl :rfccT: ^bctiicnccand 
 
 ugh the eternal 
 
 o Co^, (/) hath fu!i\ &«. 
 
 - nciiiation, 
 
 ami purchased an evc ! .nrheking- 
 
 aven, (g ) 1 • ic whom the l . 
 
 en unto him. 
 
 i was not 
 \ ar7iaticn t 
 virtuc> eft c act, and benefit tl 
 
 ft in all ages (ucci/livclj, 
 in and b) 
 •. iicietn he was reveal. 
 of the woman, which 
 ;; c the (ei pint's hcac ; (b) and the 
 
 , arJtfor e-jer. 
 
 - c brilti'i :!c wotk of medtxrton avffeth accor- 
 
 :ii natures by each nature doing thac 
 
 i is propel toitfelf; } cr bj rcafojj of the unity 
 
 loo, that •■ . icpcr ro one nature, 
 
 aes in Jcripttoc attributed to the perfon 
 
 ( o 
 
 8» To 
 
 "K 8 54. ^^.9.2 42. K*tf*. 
 
 14. 9*10, ^#j I. 10, t" £te£. 9. 14. Cb. io # 14. 
 
 rjn 17,2. /ir^.9 # If. * J Or, 
 
 1. 1 *>et m 1. 10. 11. h Rtv. 13. 8. i 
 
 1 J, 8. k J^» ;. 15. Aftiio, 18. 
 
2 4 Of Chrift tie mediator \ 
 
 8 To all thofc for whom Chrift hath obtained c 
 teriul redemption, he doth certainly and effectual 
 ly (/) apply, and communicate the fame ; making 
 interceffion for them; uniting them to bimfelf h) 
 hisSpiiiti (m) revealing unto them, in and bj rh< 
 word, the myftery of (aivarion; perfwacfirig them tc 
 bdieve, and obey* (#) governing their, hearts b) 
 his word and fpijit, and (0) overcoming all their 
 enemies by his almighty power, and wifdorni ir 
 fuch manner and ways, as are moll confonant tohif 
 wonderful,- and (/>) unfearchablcdifpenfar.ien > and 
 all of free, and abiolute grace, without any conditi 
 on fcrefeen in them, to procure it. 
 
 9, This office of mediator between God and man, 
 is proper (q ) only to Chrift, who is the prophet, 
 prieft, and king of the church of God.i and may 
 not be either in whole, or any part thereof ttans^er- 
 r'd from him to any orher. 
 
 10. This nuiibcr and order of offices h ntcefla- 
 ry j for in refpect; of onr (r) ignorance, wc ftaud 
 in need of his prophetical office ; and in refpeel: of 
 our alienation from God ; (5) and imperre&ion of 
 the beftof our fervices, we need his piieitiy office, 
 to reconcile 11s and prefenr us, acceptable unto God : 
 and in refpeel of our averfenefs, and utter ina- 
 bility 
 
 1 John 6, 37. Chap. 10, rj, 16. & Ch h 17. 9 
 K&m. $. io* m John 17.6. Eph+ 1. 9- *Jobn 5. 
 20. n Rem.$. 9, 14. pfalm. no, r. 1 Cor. 5.2^ 
 26. pjohn 3. g. Epb. 1. 8. q 1 Tim. 2. 5. tjohn 
 I« J8. i'.C*k r t 21. Gal. 5. 17 
 
ro return to God, and for our refcue, andfevj- 
 »m fpiritua] adversaries, wc nt*cd his 
 vC, fuklur, draw, u 
 , and pjcfc heavenly kingdodu 
 
 CHAT. IX. 
 
 0/ />** wiUt 
 
 i, (T^O ^ ' iat ^ i»«focd the will oi 
 
 \JT that natural liberty ard power of a 
 
 upon choice, that ic is <a) neither for* 
 ccd, nor b\ any nectlfity of nature deicimincd to do 
 good or evil. 
 
 Un in his ftarc of innoceney, had freedom, 
 
 ard power, to will, and to do, that (£) which was 
 
 gooa, and rtelp leafing to God i but )cc r vv.s 
 
 >!e. fo chat he might fall from it. 
 
 Ian by l>i$ fti! into a ftateof fin, hath whof- 
 
 ly loft [d all ability of will, to an\ (piritual gi oJ 
 
 ring fa I rationj fo as a natural man 
 altogether averfe from that good, e and dead in 
 hn, is notable, by his own ftxengthi ro ' f con- 
 vert hiniicrf, or to prepare bimieli thereunto. 
 C 4. >X f "cn 
 
 hn 16 8* ffalw no. }. Ltt'e 74. 7*. a 
 17- 12. Jaw, r. 14 Dtut jo. ro. b £r- 
 */*;. 7. 29. c Ge*. $.6. d tow. c. 6. O;. g. 7, 
 ?. 2. 1 j, f 1/7. 3. 3, 4, j, John 6. 44. 
 
26 Oftjft&ual calling. 
 
 4, Wncn God cenveits a firmer, and tranfiates 
 him into the ftate of grace, Q) he freeth him rrom 
 bis natural bondage under fin, and by his giace a- 
 lone, enables him (£) freely to vyill, and to do 
 that which is fpiriruallv good; vet fo as that, by 
 reafon of his ( /) remaining corruption*, he doth 
 not perfectly nor- only will char which is good, 
 bur doth alfo will that which is evil. 
 
 5* The will of man is made (k) perfectly and 
 immutably free to good alone in the ftatc of glory 
 only. 
 
 CHAP. X. 
 
 Of ejfiftual calling. 
 
 l 4 r*TlHofe whom God hath predeftinated unto 
 life, he i's pleafed in his appointed and 
 accepted time (a) effectually to call by 
 his word and fpirit, out of that ftate of Cn and 
 death, in which they arc by nature, to grace and 
 falvation (£) by Jefus Chrift, cnlightnirg their 
 jninds, fpiritually and favingly, io(c) underftand 
 
 the 
 
 g Col. i. i^>Jobn%. 36. h Phi 2. lj.i Row. 
 £. 1*5, l8> J9> 22,2;. k Epb. 4. 15. A f#w. 8. 
 30. Rom. 1 r« 7. Epb, i, 10. 11.2. Theffi, J. 1;, 
 14. b Epb. 2. .V-6. c A8s 26. 18* fyh *• 7- 
 J8. 
 
Of effel H*l celling 27 
 
 1 king «w*f 
 ftonc, 1 n a heart of ftrflu r; 
 
 ermi- 
 vi, and cl 
 
 they 
 . being made willing b;» bif 
 
 pace. 
 
 2. This cffe&aal call is of God's free and fpecial 
 
 • 
 
 . po sl: v»: agency in the 
 co werki bis fpecia) grace; ( 
 
 re being wholly paJEtc therein, bungdeaJin 
 fins and rrefpafles, until being quick ncd and 1 
 cd bv ifitj he is thereby enabled to an- 
 
 this call, and to embrace the « r ace offered 
 ed in ir, and that bv no lets ( i ) power 
 which raiftd up Chrift fionvfhe dead. 
 % HJccl infants dj ing in infancy, are ( A ) legtnc- 
 fatcd and faved by Cluift thro' the Spirit, who 
 .% hen, and where, and (/) how he 
 plealet!: : To alfj are all other fled peifons, who 
 aie uncapablc of being outwardly called by t: 
 :ac word, 
 4. Ochcis not cycled, aitho* they may be called 
 
 by 
 
 d Ezti 1 6. 26, e D.nt % jo, 6. ?•**. }5. 27. 
 r. 19. I Tj*lm 11, % 5% £s*t< U 4. £2 
 
 1. 0, E f' ; 2. 3. h 1 Cjr. 2. 14 ^A 2. $, 
 9. IV i ^ 7. 129 ;^, k ;,;'] 
 6, 1 John j. S. 
 
23 Of JHJlificaticu. 
 
 hy the mini dry of the word, (w)*and mar have 
 iome common operations of the fpiriu yet, not 
 being effectually drawn by the father, they neitiier 
 will, nor can truly { n come coChriit; and there- 
 for* cannot be iavcd : much lefs can men that re- 
 ceive net rhe chriftian religion o\ be (z\z&» be 
 they never io diligent to frame their lives according 
 to the light of nature, and the law of that religion 
 th:v do profefs. 
 
 CHAP. XI. 
 
 Of j-uftifieation. 
 
 j, rTlH O 5 E whom God eifedually calletS 
 he alto freely {a juftificth, Hot by mhi- 
 fog righteoufnefs into them, butby;£) 
 pardoning their fins, and by accounring and accep- 
 ting their perfens as ( c ) righteous j not for any 
 thing wrought in them, or done by them, but for 
 ift's fake alone? not by imputing faith itielf 
 the aft of believing, or any other (d) evangelical 
 obedience to them, as their righteoufnefs, but by 
 
 imputing 
 
 m HtkK 22. 4. C'. I J. 20 2i. Heb. 6. 4. e # 
 n ]oh» 6. 44. 4S> 6 v rj«**.a. -4' 25. ° Afts\. 
 12. ]obn 4> 21. Ch m 17. 5. a Rom. %. 24. Cb* 
 g. joi b Rom. 4. v *> 7* 8« EpK V 7* c * Cr?r - 
 I. 30. $r. Ron* <>. 17, is, 19. d AMI J* 8> 9» 
 ^ a. 3, 9* 10. 
 
0/ '*. 
 
 imputing ChriiVs a&ivc obedience onto t!*e whole 
 
 ;nd ptfTWt ct in his death, for 
 
 whole and fole rightcoufnefs J thej ( ) receiving 
 
 - on him, and his righteoufnek by 
 which they Lave not of thcmfelvcs i it is the gift 
 of God. 
 
 2. Fait* thus receiving and refringon Chrifl and 
 his righreoufncf r >, is the [f) alone inftrument of 
 juflification : yet ic is not abne in the pcrfon jus- 
 tified, but is ever :u : companicd with all other faving 
 f;raccs, and is n© dead faith, I g) but worketh by 
 ovc. 
 
 }. Chrifl, by his obedience and death, didfuHj 
 difebarge the debt of allrhofe thacare juftified; and 
 did by the facrificc of himfelf, in the blood of his 
 crofs, undergoing in their*(tcad the penalty due un- 
 to them, make a proper, real and full fnis faction 
 /; to God's julhce in their behalf; yet inafmuch 
 as l.e was gi\en by tie Father for them, and his o- 
 bedience and fatisracYion accepted in their (lead, anj 
 both(/) freely, not for any thing in them, their juf- 
 lification is only cf fiee grace, that bo:h the exact- 
 juftice and rich grace of God rr.ight be k glo- 
 rified fa ation of finneis. 
 
 4. God did fvoro all eternity decree co J )u\- 
 Ci *fy 
 
 :hn i. ii . f Rom. j. 23- g 
 
 QaL c;^ 6. Jama z 16. h Heh.ii- 14. 
 
 I fez. i. 18. 19. If**, f $. 5 6. i Rem. 8- }2. I Cor. 
 9. Si. k Rem. j. 26. Eph. r. 6, 7, Cba. %. J; 
 
fco Of Adoption. 
 
 tiry all the demand ChriftdiJfa the fulncfs of time 
 die for their fins, and (ai) rife agiin for th^ir j if- 
 rification; nevertheless thev are notjuftified perfo* 
 Uallf, until the holy Spirit doth in due time ( » } 
 a&uallv apply Chrift unto rhem. 
 
 $. God doth continire to {* ) forgive the fins of 
 thofc that art juftified; and although thev can never 
 fail from the (late of (/>)) j-iftification, yet they may 
 by their fins fall under God's (^) fatherly difplca- 
 fure; and in that condition, they have nor ufuaily 
 rhe light of his countenance reftored unto them, 
 until they (r) hfimble themfelves, confefs thtir 
 fins, b^g pardon, and sene at their faith and repen- 
 tance. 
 
 6 The juftificauVfi of believers under the old 
 tcPurrum, was :n all tittle refpeds ( s) one and rhe 
 ftrre with the justification or believers under the 
 new tc (lament.. 
 
 A 
 
 C H A P. XII. 
 
 Of *dipti9m 
 
 L L rhofe that are juftified, God vouchfafed in 
 and ror the fake o; iiis only fen J* #' Chrtfi, 
 
 to. 
 
 rn L\om. 4. 2f. n Col. i 21,12. Tit. ; 4 $,6, 
 7 # . o Mat. 6. 12. Ij'ol?ii.J9. p John 10. ig. 
 q //*/;» 89 j i,j 2. 3 J t Pfalm }i. S.&$l. Mat. 
 a6. 7c # s G*/. 3*9. taw. 4. 22. 23. 2 f. 
 
.idepticn. j j 
 
 to make parrakers of the price (a) of nd 
 ire taken into I 
 
 \ t lh< 
 
 thefpirit o'\ a4 >ption, ( e ) ha*c accefe to the throne of 
 . wirhboldncfs; u to cry.y/ 
 
 ') [': r ic* : , ;'<=) protected, (#) provided tor, 
 and ( him, as bf \ tarhcj ; - et never 
 
 (/J call off, butfcalcd (/tf)to the day of re, 
 tion, and inherit thepromifes, (*) as heirs of ever* 
 lading falvati 
 
 C H A P. XIII. 
 Of fanHtification* 
 
 *. f I ^ HEY who are anited to Chriir, effco 
 
 I tiulljr ca'icd, and re. haying a 
 
 new beast and a ne« fpirit cleared in thevn, 
 
 through the virtue of Quid's death and rtfune&i- 
 Ite alfo Qm ) farther fardificd, really and per- 
 
 fonally, through the 6n e virtue* (&) by his word 
 
 Cj and 
 
 a Epbef i c. G*/. 4 4, c # b John j. 12. Bern. 
 8.1". c 2O.6. 18 ft*t> 3. '2. d / ;*. 8-^f. 
 tG*i + 6 £/>//* . 2. 18 f P/V06 cj 1 j. g Pr^i/. 
 14 26. i l ret. j. 7. k lice. 12. 6. 1 Jjatdb C4. 
 8, 9. £«*. j. jr. m Fffc. 4, ;o, n Heb. r. 14. 
 Ca?a/>. 6. 12 ayf/?<20 32. few 6 <;> 6 bjtbmij. 
 
J % Of fan&ificai ion. 
 
 and fpirit dwelling in them; (r) the dominion of 
 the whole body of fin is deftroved, (d) and thefe- 
 vcral iufts thereof, are more and more weakned, and 
 mortified; and they more and more quickned, and (.* ) 
 ftrengrhned in all faving graces, to the (/) prac- 
 tice of all true holinefs, without which no man mall 
 fee the Lord. 
 
 t. This fan edification is (g) throughout in the 
 whole man, yet imperfect (/?) in this life > there 
 abideth (till fomc remnants of corruption in every 
 part, whence arifeth a (#) continual and irreconci- 
 lable war; the flefli luftin^ againft the fpirit, and 
 the fpirk againft the flcih. 
 
 j. In which war, although the remaining cor- 
 ruption for a time way much (&) prevail, yet 
 through the continual fupply of ftrength, from the 
 fan&ify ing fpirit of Chr >ft, (/) the- regenerate part 
 «Joth overcome; and fo the faints grow in grace, per- 
 fecting holinefs in the fear of Gcd, ( m) pre lung af- 
 ter an heavenly life, in evangelical obedience to all 
 the commands which Chrift, as head and king, in 
 his word hath prefcribed. to them, 
 
 CHAP, 
 
 — i —————— — — . ii *• 
 
 c Rem. 6. 14* d Gal. y. 14. 24. e Col. 1. n. f 
 2 Cor. J. 1. Heb. 12. 14. g 1 Theft 5.2J. h Rom. 
 7. 1$. *. 1 Gal. 5. 17. I Pet. 2. ». k Rom. 
 7. %l. 1 Row. 6. 14, id £/>£. 4, 15, 16. 2 Ctfr* 
 |.l8* Cia^-J. I, 
 
C 33 ) 
 
 CHAP. XIV. 
 
 Of/dvini faith. 
 
 J. r 1 ^ H I grace of /.##/£, whereby the elefl arc 
 
 JL enabled co believe to the laving of lheir 
 
 fouls, is the work or the fpirit of Chrtjf (a ) in 
 
 s, and is ordinarily wrought by the mini- 
 
 (try of the (£J word; by which alfo, and by rhe 
 
 iitratiun of iaftijm, and the Lord's fi 
 
 and other rrrtAns appointed of God> it is in- 
 
 crcaled, (r) and llrengthned. 
 
 2. By this /*#/£, a chriftian believeth to be true, 
 * whatfoever is revealed in rhe word, for the au- 
 thority of God himfelTj and alfo apprchendcth an 
 excellency therein (</) above all other writings'* 
 and all things in the world: as it bears forth rhe 
 glory of God in his attributes, the excellency of 
 Cbrift in his nature and offices, and the power and 
 fulneTsof the holy Spirit in his workings and ope- 
 rations; and fo is enabled to(0 caft his foul upon 
 the truth thas believed, and alio a&eth differently 
 upon i\ h each particular paflige thereof 
 
 containcrh I (/) com- 
 
 mands* tu (i) rhreatnings. and ciu- 
 
 C $ icing 
 
 a 2 Or. 4 ij, £/>';. z 8. b Rom. io # 14. 17, 
 1 17. 5. i.2V/« 2. 2. -r4£; 20. ;2. * vf?/ 
 14, 14. d tfmlm 19. 7, 8> 9- io- ?>/» 119. 7*. 
 c i I*/*, r. ia. f y^* IS* *4. g Jj\66. 2. 
 
J 4 Of repentance un*o lift and falvat h». 
 
 bracing the(&) promifes of God, for this life, and 
 that which it ro come: but the principal acls of 
 faving faith, hath immediate reLtion to Chr$ft> 
 accepting, receiving, and reding upon (#) him a- 
 Ir.ne, for jaftificadon, fandificarion, and eternal 
 Jife, hi virtue of the covenant of grace. 
 
 ; This faith, although it be different in de- 
 g ec c , and mar be weak, (.£) or ftrong, yet it is in 
 the ieaft degree ol it, different in the kind, and na- 
 ture of ir (as is all other Living grace) 'iom the fafffi 
 ( ) and common grace of temporal) believers i and 
 re, tho' itma\ be many times aflailed and 
 wcaknedi yet it gets (#* ) the victory, growing; 
 up in many to the attainment of a hill (*) aflu- 
 rance through Chrifii w ho is both the au;hoi (<?) 
 and finiflier of out faith. 
 
 CHAP. XV. 
 Of repentance unto life and falvat ion* 
 
 *• C U C H of the elect as are converted ar ri- 
 ^ per yeais,. having (*) fomcrimes lived in 
 
 the fta:e of nature, and therein ferved divers lufts 
 and 
 
 h tf*£.n, rj. i John i. 12, A8si6. jf. G»l. 
 £. 20. Acl> I>, ii. k Heb. $, i j, 14: Matt. 6. 
 j.o. Fiom, 4 19. 20. 1 2 Fet, 1. |. m T.ph.d. 16. 
 lj^*S*4*S- n Fieb.6.11, iz* CoJ.2.2*0 Reb. 
 ia. 1. a lit. }.. 2, 3»4> 5- 
 
Ofrefentance unto life and fu'vation. J 5 
 
 pleafurei, God in chcii c feci nai calling givcth 
 them repenr^nce unto lite. 
 
 2. Whereas there is none that doth good, and 
 (innctli (£ ) not, and thebeft of men may, through 
 ri.e power and deccirfulnefs of their cotruptu n 
 
 "ing in them, with the prevailency of temp- 
 
 n, tall into grcarcr fins and provocations, 
 God hath in the covenant of grace, mercifully 
 provided that brlicvers (o finning and falling,^) 
 be renewed through repentance unro falvarion. 
 
 ;. This faving repentance is an ( d) evange- 
 lical grace, whereby a per (on, being by rhe holy 
 Spirit, made fenhble or the manifold evils of his 
 fin, doth, by faith in Chrift, humble himfelf for 
 it, with gcdly lonow, deteilarion of ir, and felf- 
 abhorrencyj (*) praving foi paidon ard ftrcngtb 
 of grace, wirh a pwpoie and endeavour b> fup- 
 plies of the jfvit to (/) walk before God unio 
 all well plealing in all things. 
 
 4, As cepefltanee is re be continued through the 
 whole tourfe of oui \w \ \ -c of the 
 
 boo) of death, and tl c \ (hereof; fo it is 
 
 ever^ man's 1 pent ci his (3) particular 
 
 • n fim, jar ic 'arly. 
 c. Such js the provifon which God hath m.^de 
 •ft in rhc covenant <>t grace, for tlic 
 
 P rc \ 
 
 h Eel 7. 20. c Lue 11. ;i> \\ \ Zch. 
 12. jo Ads \\ t 18. e Ezji 36 j 1. 2 -. • r. 
 
 f ?J*lm 119. 6. Fjdlm 119. ng. j; EmU *o. 8, 
 I Itm. 1 j. 15. 
 
%6 Of icod works, 
 
 prefervarion of believers unto falvation, char al- 
 though there is no fin Co fm-all, but it deferves 
 (/.?) damnation; yet there is no fin fo greac, that 
 it fhall bring damnation on them that (/') re- 
 pent; which makes the conftant preaching of re- 
 pentance neceffary. 
 
 CHAP. XVI. 
 Of good works 
 
 l * f^l OOD works art only f«ch as God hath 
 ^-* (a) commanded in his holy word, and 
 rot fuch as without the warrant theteof, are de- 
 vifed by men, out of blind zeal, (&) or upon any 
 pretence of good intentions, 
 
 2» Thefe good works, done in obedience to 
 God's commandmencs, are the fruirsand evidences 
 (<:) of a true and licvely faith; and by them be. 
 Jievers manifeft their £d) tbankfulnefs, ftrengthen 
 their (e) aflurancc, cdifie their (f) brethren, adorn 
 the proFcllion of tie gofoel, ftop the mouths of the 
 adverfaries, and glorifle (?) God whofe workman- 
 flifp they are, created in Chrifl Jefus (/^thereun- 
 to, 
 ■ « > » h i»»^^— ^— — — — ■ ■ ■ ■ — — —^— i — — —— — ^ 
 
 h Horn. C 2;. i if a. 1. 16, 17. If*. $$. 7. aMic 
 6. 8- W^. l}.2r. b Mar, iy. 9. I/a, 19, j j. c Jam. 
 2. 18. 2-2. d Pfalm 116. I2> If. c 1 J ohm. J> $. 
 1 P^, I, 5--ii> f Mat. c. \(u 'g 1 Tim. 6. I. J 
 Vet. i # 1 j* P/tf7. 1. 1 1, h £/>/?*/. 2, io* 
 
Of good work:. 5^ 
 
 their fruit unro hoiifiefsj t!»«v may 
 
 i ) ctctrul 
 
 ;. 1 icy to Jo good works, is not at all 
 
 Ives, but wholly from the (pint (*)of 
 
 ; and that the/ n?ay be enabled thereunto, be- 
 
 ucs rlicy have already received, there is 
 
 actual influence of the fame l.ol/ 
 
 Spiiic to woik in them to will, and to do oi his goo J 
 
 plcafure ; yet arc they not hereupon to grow ncgli- 
 
 .:re not bound to perform any duty, 
 
 a [\ ecial morion of the Spirit, but they 
 
 be diligent in (/w) ilirring up the grace 
 
 of God that is in them, 
 
 i. They who in their obedience attain to the 
 
 greateft beighth which is pofiiblc in this life, are fo 
 
 •m being able to fupcrcrogarc, a*d to do* 
 
 more 1 requires, as that { n) they fall fhoic 
 
 of much v\!.kh in duty they arc bound to do, 
 
 <;. \X'c cannot by our beft works ifccrit pardon 
 
 of fin, or eternal life at the hand of God, by r< 
 
 of the gicat disproportion that is between them and 
 
 the gloiy to cone, and the infinite dittance c 
 
 between us and God, whom b> them we can neither 
 
 nur fatibfy, for the debt of our (0) former 
 
 vve havt done all we can, we have 
 
 done but our duty, and are unprc ritablc (ervanrs: 
 
 D and 
 — • ,,n 
 
 c. 21. k Joh*i$* 4,c. 1 iCo\^. c; # 
 ij. m Phil. 2. 12. H§h* 6» Hi 12. 1/1.64. 
 7. n 'Job?. 2, $. G^/. v 17. L;:.e 1J, 10. o Rom* 
 1> ^O. Efbi 2, 8> 9. Rom. 4,6, 
 
J 3 Of good works. 
 
 and becaufc as they arc good, they proceed from 
 his (?) fpirit, and as they are wrought by us, 
 they arc defiled, (9^ and mixed with fo much weak- 
 nefs and impel fe&ion, that they cannot endure the 
 fevtrity of God's judgment, 
 
 6. Yet notwithftanding the perfons of believer* 
 being accepted through Chrift, their good works 
 alfoare accepted ia (r) faimj not as though they 
 were in this life wholly unblameable and unrepro. 
 vablc in God's fight* but that he looking upon them 
 in his Son, is pleafed to accept and reward that 
 which is (i) finccre, although accompanied with 
 many weaknefles and imperfections. 
 
 7. Wetks done by u&regeneratc rren, although 
 for tht matter of them, they may be things which 
 God commands, and of good ufc, both to them* 
 fclves and f *) others; yet bceanfe they proceed 
 not from a heart purified by (*) faith, nor are 
 done in a light manner according to the (5^) 
 word, nor to a right end the (#) glory of God, 
 they are finful, and cannot pleafe Go*!, nor make a 
 man mttt to receive grace from (y) God; and 
 yet their neglect of them is more finful, and (*,) 
 difpleafing to God. 
 CHAP. 
 
 p Gal, 5. 22. 2} # q If*. 64, 6. Vfalm 145 2. r 
 2pb.l.6. I ?*/• 2. $♦ S MAtt. 2{.2t,2;. Heb % 6. 
 jo. t 2 Kings 10, 30. PKbigs zi. 17, 29. u G*. 
 4.9. He£. 11.4,6. yv 1 Or. 1 j, 1. x M*tt.6. 2,$, 
 y Amos $, 21,11, LJ>m><), 16- r*>«;. f. z Job. l>l« 
 14, 15, MMt.2<i. 4 l >4^ 43* 
 
C 39 ) 
 
 CHAP. XVII. 
 
 Of perfevtratee *f the JAints, 
 
 I. r I ^Hofc whom God hath accepted in the be!o- 
 X ved. effectually called and Ian elided by his 
 fpirit, and given the precious faith of his elect un- 
 to, can neither totally nor finally fall from the (late 
 of grace. ( *) but (ball certainly pcrfevcrc therein 
 to thr .-rd> and be eternally faved, feeing the gifts 
 and call ngs of God are without repentance, (whence 
 he fti 1 begcis and nourilhcth in them faith, repel* 
 ranee. lo\C> j^y» hope, and all the graces t 
 fpirit into immortality) and though many ftorms 
 and Mo ds arifc and beat againil them, yet they 
 (ha)l never be able to take them off that foundation 
 and rock which by faith they are fattened upon: not- 
 wichfbnJing, through unbelief and the temptations 
 of Sarin, thcfcntiblc tight of the light and love o£ 
 Go i, may for a time be clouded, and obfeured from 
 (b) them, yctieisftill the fame ( c ) and they lhall 
 be uic to be kept bv rhe power or Cod unto falva* 
 tion, where thev (ball enjoy thcit purchafed poffef- 
 lion, they being engraven upon the palm of his 
 hand;, und their names having b*en written in the 
 book af life irom all eternity. 
 Dj; 2. Thit 
 
 a "fohn io. 28 29 T'biL 1. 6. 2 Tim. 219, : 
 2> 19. b Pj*t»> 89. J 1. 3 x. iG?r. ir,22. cMii. ]•• 6. 
 
4<> Of perfeveranc* tf the f flints, 
 
 2. This perfeverance of tue faints, depends not 
 upon their own free will, but upon the iaimutabi- 
 Jity of the decree of (^) election, flowing from 
 the free and unchangablc love of God the father, 
 upon the efficacy of the merit and intercdHon of 
 Jcfus Chrift ( e ) and union wioh him, the (/) oath 
 of God, the abiding of his fpirit> and the (j) 
 feed of God within them, and the nature of the (f) 
 covenant of grace* {xt>m all which ariferU alto the 
 certainty and infallibility thereof. 
 
 j„ And though they may, through the remptati- 
 cn of Satan, and of the world, the prtvalency cf 
 co txtiption remaining in them, and the neglcd of 
 means of their prefervation, fj!, into grievous ( i) 
 fins > and fot a time continue therein > whereby they 
 incvr (/£) Cod's difpleafurc, and grieve his hoiy 
 ipi rit, come to have their graces and (/> comforts 
 im paired, have their hearts hardened, andthefceqn* 
 fcic nces wounded, (*«) hurt, and fcandalize ethers, 
 and bring temporal judgments (n) upon them fe Ives, 
 yet they (hall renew rheir (e) repentance, and be 
 pre ferved, through faith in Chrift Jcfus, to rhe ?nd. 
 ^^^ CHAP. 
 
 d R^m 3^3. Cb*p. o, ii, i<. e Rom, c. 9, 
 10. John 14. ic. f Heb. 6. 17, 18. g 1 Join $. 9. 
 h Jer, $t. 40. i Matt, 26.70, 75. 74. k lfa, C 4.. 
 ^9. £/&.'4 ;c. 1 Pfa> ^i, 10. j 2- m />/*♦ $ z. j, 4. 
 fc 2S*/?? 52.24 o Lu':$2%.\t h ?wd *.6u G2* 
 
( 4i ) 
 
 c H A p. xviir. 
 
 0/ : ice of gr.ict and f*lu*tion. 
 
 !• A Lthoogh Temporary believers, and c: 
 
 Ji\. vinre^'-nerare men, may vainly deceive 
 
 themfclvcs with fal(e hopes, and carnal prefnrrpti- 
 
 or" bti.ng in tl c Favour of Cod, and Ilate of 
 
 ich Lope of theirs, (hall f cxifh ; 
 
 jet fiich as truly believe in the Lord Jefus, and 
 
 love bias h (incerity, endeavcurinp ro walk in all 
 
 d confeience before him, may in tl is Jife be 
 
 \in\y afliircd, (A) that they are in tl c (late of 
 
 v rejoice in the hope of the g!°ry of 
 
 God, which hope (hall never make them (O aflu- 
 
 2. This crrainrv is rori bare conjectural and pro- 
 bable per fuahV ed upon (d) a fallible hope, 
 bur an in: d on tl e 
 ghteoufnefs of CI till (c ) trvealed ia 
 ihegofpel; and alfc upon tl c inward (Yj evidence 
 of thole graces of tbt (; irfr unto i*H Set 
 are made, and on the - Ire (£) fpirjl 
 of adoption, witneffirg vtitu our fpiits, tbar we 
 D $ arc 
 
 4 8 fh T 4. M '* 7- 2a* *f, k I ^°^ n 2i 
 j. r'\ ?. 14. 18, ■ 9.11,24. Ch.$ P ii % c Rem (* 
 
 2, f. d Hf£. 6. ii, 19. e Heb.6. 17, 18. £ a P*** 
 
 I. 4) 5> io> u> g R^»i 1 15- 1$. 
 
4* Of ajjurancc cf grace and f*lv*tien. 
 
 are the children of God; and, as a Truic thereof, 
 keeping the heart both (£) humble andhoJy. 
 
 3, This infallible aiThrance doth not fo belong 
 to the elTence of faith, bur that aortic believer may 
 wait long; and conflict with mam difficulties, be 
 fore he be (1) partaker of it; yet being enabl 
 thefpirit, to know the things which are freely given 
 him of God, he may, without extraordinary reve- 
 lation, in the right ufe of means ( k ) attain 1 
 unto j ard therefore it is the dcty of every one, t» 
 give all diligence to make their calling ard election 
 fure, that thereby i is hem may be enlarged 10 
 peace and joy in the holy fpiric, in love a~d thank- 
 fulnels to God- an'd in ftrengrh and cheaifulnefs in 
 the cjjries of obedience, the proper (/} frurs of 
 this aiTurince; fo far is it (#?) from inclining men 
 toleofnefs. 
 
 4. True believers may have the alTurancc of 
 their falvation divers ways fhaken, diminimed, 
 and intermitted; as ( n ) by negligence in pre(er- 
 vin* ofit, bv (0 ) falling into foxe fpecial fin, 
 which woandeth the conscience, and grievcrh the 
 fpiri-; by fomefudden, or {£ verier: 
 
 - j b y 
 
 h 1 John 3. 1,2,3. i Ifa. co. 10. Pfxlm S3 & 
 Tfalmyj I — n. k 1 John 4. ij. Heb. 6 f ll, 12. 
 1 Rom.$. 1,1, e. Ch. i±. 17, Pfalm 1 19, 32. in Fsm. 
 6. fi 2. Ti\ 2 ; 11, 12? 14. n Cant. 5. 1, j, 6. o 
 Tj'alm 51. 8, 1 a, 14. p P/*. 116. ix. P,*. 77. 7. 8, 
 j/tf/w 3 I. 22. 
 
Of the Ian t{< 4 3 
 
 . c, and fufi 
 
 ivc no lij arc rhejr nc- 
 
 - tC of the (r) feed Ct CoJ. : 
 
 ( htift, and the brethfti 
 
 - Iicnrr, a . " > out of 
 
 .isailuiancc 
 in due time be (r ) 
 
 e ( i ) preferred from inter 
 >air. 
 
 CHAP. 
 
 Of the Un> cf Go.l. 
 
 I, (~^0 D gave to Ad*m a law ofunivcrfal obc- 
 >J" dience, ten in id's heart, and a 
 
 parrienlat pfectpl of nor eating the frtrff oftkt tree 
 . of good and cviJ ; by which he bound 
 1 iti, and p< i tortal, enriic, c 
 
 Irtd p< rpetua! (£) obedience; promiled life upon 
 the tuiiiling, and (c) threatned death upon the 
 breach of it, and indued him wi:ii power and abili- 
 ty to keep k. 
 
 2. Ti.c lame tar/ that was flrft wiirten in the 
 D_4 heart 
 
 c] Tf*'m ;o. 7. r j Join}. 9. s Luke 22. }2. t 
 ¥f*lm 42. j, 1 1. u £*">. $• 2 ^ 27 -- }i. 1i Ct** I, 
 27. Ecclt,y.29* b ***».!©, $, c G*/. j, Jc,,t2» 
 
44 
 
 Cf the l%w of God. 
 
 heart of man (/) continued to be a petfcot rule ef 
 
 righteouihefs after the fail, and fl 
 
 Cod upon mount ?£***, m (* ) ten command 
 
 and written in two tables, the four firft con:, 
 
 our duty towards God, and the other lix o*r dory 
 
 to matii 
 
 3. Bciides this law, com n. only called moral, 
 Cod was pleafed to give to the peoj <l ce- 
 remonial laws, containing fereral tj p*ca! ordinances, 
 pa:tly oi wormip, (/; prefigyrir ? Chnft, bitgr* 
 ccs, actions, fuiFertngs, and benefits* an! purrly 
 holding forth dfrers inft radians (j) of moral-du- 
 ties, ail which ceremonial laws being appointed 
 •nlj to the tim^ of reformation, are, by T 
 
 the true median, and onlv lawgiver. w'~ 1 was rurni- 
 (bed with power from the father for that end, (h) 
 abrogated and taken away. 
 
 4. To them alfo he gave funiry judicial lavrs, 
 which expired together wirli the (tare of that 
 
 p!e, not obliging any nj>w bv 
 
 tutionj their genera! ( i) equity only being oi 
 
 ral ufe. 
 
 y. The moral law doth for ever bird 1&\ ( k) as 
 well juflified perlons as others, to the obrdic :c 
 thereof, an*d that not only in regard o( the matter 
 contained in it, butalio itrrefpccl of the (/) aticho- 
 rity_ 
 
 d Rom. 2, 14, ic. e Dent ro. 4. f Heh 10 T. 
 Col.2. 17. g 1 Or. c. 7. h O/ 1.14 :6 * 7 
 2,14, 16. i 1 Or. 9 i,S :o. kfam Jl&jplC* 
 
Of tie liw of God. 4 c 
 
 tor» who give its fa 
 Ckrif in the gofpclany way diiioive, (r») but much 
 ftrengchen tins cb'jg-iri^n. 
 
 6. Although true bditvers re not under the law. 
 
 as a covenant of works* (») cobc therecs juftificd 
 
 or condemned, ?ct ii i< of p.ear nfc ID them, as 
 
 t, as a rolt of life, in for* 
 
 tl tin ' l tl c will of Co J, and 
 
 rcdh and bir^s I ilk Accordingly; (0) 
 
 difc«vcria . icii nat ires, 
 
 and lives, foas examining rhemfclvci the 
 
 the) may come ro further conviction of bum 
 
 en for, and barred again ft fin • together with a 
 
 clearer fight of the nzed they have or Chiift, and 
 
 lion of his obedience: it is likewile of 
 
 the regenerate, to icft aifl rluir corrup:ion c , 
 
 ir. that ; andthe chrratnirgs of it fervc 
 
 tn thcil £ns 'cfcrvr, and wh?t af- 
 
 may ex peel: for them, al- 
 
 jh freed from the curie and un allayed iigour 
 
 thereof. The prom if es of it likewise flicw them 
 
 ion of obedience, and what bh flings 
 
 t€t ?ipon the performance thereof, 
 
 I as due to them b. the law as a cotc- 
 
 fo ?r rain's doing co< lc ) and rc- 
 
 rh iD 
 
 the one, a- 1 cvi- 
 
 D ; dmce 
 
 '.14. 
 
 *. 8- I» C 4^10.4. o iv0/7J. 3.2 5, 
 
46 Of the gofpeh and cf the 
 
 dcncc of his being (/>) under the lav?, and not un- 
 der grace. 
 
 7. Neither are the fotemenrioned ufes of tic 
 law (^)cc*ntrary to the grace of the gHpel, but do 
 fweetly comply with ir, the fpirir of Chtift fubduing 
 (r) and inabbng the will of man to do that freely 
 and clicarfttllv, which the will of God. revealed in 
 the law, rccjuireth to be done. 
 
 C H A P. XX. 
 
 Of th gofpel> and of the extent $f the grace thereof* 
 
 l« ' I *H E covenant of works being broken by 
 JL fin, and made unprofitable unto life, God 
 was pleafed to give forth the promifc cf Cbrift, 
 (a) the feed of the woman, as the means of calling 
 the eledt. and begetting in them fairh and repen- 
 tance ; in this promife, the (£) gofpel, as to the 
 iubftancc ofit, was revealed,, and therein effe&ual, 
 for the converfion and faltatfon of finncrs. 
 
 This promife of Ch*ifi and falvarion by him, is 
 revealed only by (^) the word of God; ntichei do 
 th<e works of creation, or providence, with the 
 
 light 
 
 f> Rom. 6 12,13, 74. 1 fei % 3. %. -1$. cj Gc-.\ 
 ?. 21. t Ezet. J7-2I. a G«»*J. IU b Rcv<ll.%. 
 C Ro;n, 1, 17. 
 
extent ff the gr*ce thereof. 47 
 
 ^f nature, (<0 make dil Chrift, or 
 
 1 e bj Mm, lo much as in a general, or ol>- 
 Icls, that men, deftnure of the reve- 
 the promifc, orgofjxl, (e) (hould 
 be enabled thereby, to attain faving faith, ot repen- 
 tance. 
 
 j. The revelation of rke £ofpel unto finncrs, 
 made in divers times, and by fundry parts, with 
 viicion oi ptcmiiles, and precepts, for the o- 
 lcc required therein, as to rhe nations, and 
 is, to whom it is earned, is meerly of the 
 (/) foveteign v% i !] and good pleafure or God, not 
 annexed by virtue of am promifc, to the 
 due improvement of men's natural abilities, by vir- 
 comrr.on light received without it; which 
 HOIK ever did(jj) make, or C3n (o do : andthcie- 
 foic in al! ages the preaching of the gcfpel hath 
 granted utito pcrlbns and nations, as to ihc 
 extent, of fticightning ©f it, in great variety, ac- 
 cording to the counfel of the will of God. 
 
 4. Although the gofpcl be the only outward 
 of revealing Chrift:, and faving g;ace, and 
 is as Inch, aboundantly fulTicienr thereunto ; yet that 
 men, who are dead in trc!p.ifies, ma\ be bom again, 
 quickred or regenerated, there is moreover nccellary, 
 an effectual infuperablc (h) work of rhe holy 
 Spirit, 
 
 d P\om. 10. 14. h'» 17. ?rov> 29. 18. #i« 2v 7. 
 with Cb 60.2. ] f rf*lm 147, 10. Aclj 16 
 Rem. I. !%>&c, h ?J Aim lip. J. 1 Cor. 3. 14. Efh. 
 I.I9» 2Q# 
 
43 Ofckrifitt* liberty, tndtiforty rf confe'tenee. 
 
 Spirit, upon the whole foul, for the producing in 
 them a new f\ ;: without which no other 
 
 me*ns will c#ed (/') their conversion unto God. 
 
 CHAP XXI. 
 Of thrift i a,n liberty > and liberty of confeience, 
 
 *- r I^HE liberty which Chrifi hath purchafed for 
 •*- believers under the gofpel, confifts in their 
 freedom fiom the guilt of fin, the condemning 
 wrath of G - :^our and (*) helaw, 
 
 and in theit being delivered from this prefent evil 
 {b) world, bondage to CO ' ' dominion 
 
 (a)oi<]n } from 'rhc ( e) evil c f afflictions, the 
 fear, and (ting (/) of death, the vi&oiyof the 
 and (g) everlallirtg damnation; as alfo in their 
 (/?) tree accefs to God, and theit fielding obedi- 
 ence unto him, not our of aflfcvifli fear, (/) buta 
 ; like love, and willing mind, 
 Al! which were common aHfoto under 
 
 the law O ) for the ftibftance of them ; but 
 thentvY tefhment, rhc- liberty of c is fur- 
 
 ther enlarged in their freedom fro i of the 
 
 ceremonial law, to which the jewfi church was 
 
 fuh jeered 
 
 i %£»&»•& 2^.4.4 6. *Q*k I H hGal. 
 I # 4. c Acts zCii% M d torn* 8. V c JM». 8- *?« 
 f iC^r, I5.S4.S5 jM* S *»»/•'. 10. hSM. 
 8,15. e £^i?7$rt 3^**4- '& k G***J i 9>*4' 
 
49 
 
 to tat 
 
 in fulhr communications of 
 belicvcis under 
 v- of. 
 
 . cute, an I 
 eft it hee from die doctrines and comnund- 
 rnems of men (») which ire ii ng contrary 
 
 to his \*ord, 01 not c in ir. S > 
 
 lieve ! 
 
 ce, O) is to betray true liberty ofcon- 
 
 fciencv; ind Mi'h. 
 
 bedience, is to deftroy li- 
 
 ;. 'i i upon pretence 
 
 t , a-s 
 prevent the u 
 ■. 
 fo thev who . ( r) the end 
 
 cred one of the 
 
 e 'he I'Mil 
 
 -, in holii nefs before 
 eur livtf. 
 B CHAP. 
 
 . r. jg ;o. ;;rv ro re :n 21. m 
 14 4 n 
 7 2] Ail'/, ic, 9. 1 to 22 :]. pi Con 
 
 -. 6. 1, 2. 1 GW. 5.13, 
 :. i3» *»• 
 
 
C 5 
 
 o ) 
 
 
 C H A P. XXI 
 
 Of religions Wdrfhlp, and the S*W>*th Jay. 
 
 M* ' I ^ H £ light of nature fl;ews that there is 
 JL a God, who hath lordfhipand fovcrcignty 
 over ail; is ]uft, % good, and doth good unto alii 
 and is therefore co be feared, ioved, praifed, called 
 upon, tiiifted in, and farved, with ail the heart, 
 and all the foul (#) and with all tr.e might. Bin 
 the acceptable way of woiihiping the true God, is 
 ($J|nftitutcd by hii^felf, and fo limited bv his 
 cwn revealed wi.l, that he uaav not be woiiiipcd 
 according to the imaginations and deviecs of jr;en> 
 or thcfuggelhons or Saran, uadsxany viable repie- 
 fentarions, or (r) any other v^ay, not prefciibed in 
 the he! j- fcriptiires, 
 
 Retire u worfiiip is to be ohznivGod the father) 
 fin and holy jp hit , and ro him ( *0 alone, nor to 
 angels, Jahits, or an;-- other (£) tr%Aiw**\ and (inee 
 the falh not without a (/) mediator* nor in the 
 fmdi&so* or any other but (g) Chiiu alone. 
 
 5. praver, with rhanktutnets, being one fpecial 
 pare ofnamral WctOilp* is by God required ot(h) 
 ____ all 
 
 a y*r. 10. 7^ Mark j%. 5 $ t h Dent, n, $ 1, c Ex* i t 
 S.O'4%- <u 4Ai*U.4. q 10, Jehnb. 2$. Matt. 23. 
 x p. e Rem. 1. 2$. Col 2. rg. Rtv, 19.10. f 
 41,6, g 1 Tim. 2. i+kJ>f*fo>9$. 1,7. tffdm 69 2. 
 
Of reltg:<*Ms Wttjh K *v *th D*y, $1 
 
 a r I, i: is to fee 
 
 rhf (#) m > b) the help (* ) 
 
 i under- 
 ftar , faith, love, 
 
 an.; ; knoitn 
 
 be made for things lawful, and inc 
 
 «]] : , [a / (hall livchcrc- 
 
 nrr for thofe of w'.oin 
 
 ic m hr.ncd (^ ) thefin 
 
 uru« 
 
 5, Tl.c (^) rsadftiffGf the failures, preaching* 
 
 ', teaching ard aJ^ 
 other in p&lmsj hymns, and {\A» 
 <n our hearts to (s } 
 tbcLoi ; as alfo ike acininjftracion (r)ot 
 
 cr, are all parti of religious 
 *c. 1 pciformcd in obedience t© 
 
 him, nil ending, fai:h, reverence, and gcd* 
 
 ly fear; moreover, (olcmn humiliation, (*) wita 
 fallings, and thanklgivir.g, upon (7 ) fpecial oc- 
 ^ai.. bl to be uled in an holy and rcHgioul 
 
 manr 
 
 6. Neither pray en norany other partof religions 
 
 t. 2 w< • 
 
 4- H> 14 k £<?;». 8. zC. 1 zjshn e, 14* 
 r. 14.16,17. n 1 7/;;; 2, 1 . 1, 25^.7/7.7.29. 
 
 O 2$*'^. 12. H t 22 2). p I y^bi v 16, (| I 1 
 4. 1 J. 1 1 4.2. £" *8- /8' s Cr/. }. i(5. 
 
 <j. r;. t //*/. 23. 19 20. 1 
 4. f6, j : <ii2> 12. y 15, 1. e&v. P 
 
5 1 Of r t lig lo us ;; -o rjh if , a n rf tie f*lb*iY ■. \ 
 
 worfliip, is new, under the gofpel, tied unto : <u 
 made rmore acceptable by any place in which ir is 
 (& ) performed, or towards which it is directed i but 
 God is. to be worfhiped evcrv where in 
 and in truth; as in ( a*) private for, ilies (£) dai- 
 ly, and fr) in fecret ea«honc by himfelf, (o more 
 folcmnly ia the public alTtmblics, which are not 
 carelefly, n^r wilfullv, to be (^) neglected or for Ta- 
 ken, when God by his word or providence a 
 thereunto, 
 
 7, As it is of the law of nature, that, in general, 
 2 proportion of time, by Gcd's appointment be ice 
 apart ror the woifnip of God, fo by his wc: 
 
 a ptrTirive, moral, and perpetual commandment, 
 ig all men, in all ages^ he bath particularly 
 appointed oneway in (even for a (e) fabbath to be 
 kept hoi) unto him, which from the beginning of 
 the world, to the r^furreclicn <*f Chrift, was the 
 laft cay of the weekj and from chc refurrc<ftion of< 
 Chriff, was changed into the full day of the week, 
 (/) which is called the Lords davj and is to be 
 c^nrinaH to the end of the world, as the chii'iria^ 
 
 . ns the obdrvation of the iaf-: c. 
 peek being Voolifhed* 
 
 8. The S~bba:h is then kept holy unto the Lord, 
 f^hen men, afrer ' a due prepaiing of their hearrs, 
 
 and 
 
 z John 4. 2 1. MaI. i. u. i Tim, j # s. a A<3s ro. 
 2. b My.t. 6. ii. ?jaL $e # 17, c Mat 6. 6, d 
 so. 2c, Acts 2. 4:. e £.vw%f. 20. St f iCor. 16. 1,2. 
 Ails 2,0 ; t &*V, '.10. 
 
of f f*lms, &c. 
 
 U 
 
 and o* i cir cor.mon affairs aforcli and, rio 
 
 not on c an hoi) Q) reft all the day, from 
 
 .is ard thoughts, about their 
 woi'ti ment and rccr- 
 
 taken up t ; c puMic and piivatc 
 
 excr cites of lus worfhip ar.d in tic duties fij of 
 ncccflicy and mercy. 
 
 C H A V XXIII. 
 Of (inging+f ' pfalms, Sec, 
 
 , V\7yi; believe that (*) fining tie pratfes of Go4 
 
 \y is a l-.oly ordinance of Ciiiifc, and nor a 
 1 uiigicn, or a rnoraj . 
 
 .nder divine infant ion, 
 'of Chrifi. to 
 [trial fengs; and that the 
 ivhoW ^ETiblics (aswv' 
 
 he to (/) : ; f\ | rajfa 
 
 e received, Mc:c- 
 
 r, i: was rtprefentative 
 
 hrlft with J is d 
 I celebrated the fa*' 
 ppcr; ~s a comma:. c 
 ;i*e token of r< - 
 . JEj CHAP, 
 
 . qS. i ; :. i e, , 13- h Mat. 1 ; 
 
 1 5 '.-•/. ;♦ 16, b ft 
 
 jo, #**, 
 
( H ) 
 
 CHAP. XXIV. 
 
 Of lawful oaths and vows. 
 
 r. A Lawful oath is a part of religious worfhip, 
 <*- ^ (a) wherein the peifon fv*tarin£ in ti 
 xighteoufnefs, and judgment, f Jemmy calieth G.-i 
 to witnefs what he fweareth; (£^and to judge him. 
 according; to the truth or faUeoefs thereof. 
 
 i. The name of God only is that b) which men* 
 ought to fwcaij an^ therein iris to be u(ed with a! 
 holy fear and revctenaei therefore to fwear vainly 
 or raftily by that glorious and dreadful name, or 
 to fweai at all b\ any other thing, is iinf;J scni to 
 be (r) abhorred j jet as in matter of weight and 
 moment* for confirmation of truth, Qd) and end- 
 ing all ftrife, an oath is warranted by the word of 
 Godi fo a lawful o ail* being iinpofed, (e) by law- 
 ful authority* In facK nutters* ought to 
 
 £. Whi •foev.er taketh an oath, warranted by the 
 wer4 of God, eughr duly to confide? the weighti- 
 Befs of fo foleii.n an acl. ^nd therein to avouch 
 nothing but what he knoweth ro be the truth; for 
 that by rafla, falfe, an*! vain oaths, the ■ /) Lord is 
 provoked, ar/d cr them this land mourns* 
 
 4 An 
 
 a Ixod. 10,7. DiHt 10, 20. Jtr. 4. 2. b 2 QLro t 
 6.12 2}. c lUf. ;. 24* 37. /**&« $.12. d neb* 
 6. 16. 2 C^, i. 2}. c AV/\ i|«. 25* f L*w i?, 
 
Of : 5 | 
 
 4. An oath is ro be taken in t-Ve pi 
 
 I ivoftisj without c ] :i vucaiiun, 
 i. 
 9. A .( .v, n\ U b ii noi K> Be n 1 crea- 
 
 ture. I I alone, ( f 
 
 '..uc and : s : but 
 
 cal vows, ( r) ctial fing'c 
 
 li 
 
 far fn being degrees 
 
 ire fupetftitious, (/) and fintul (hares, in 
 •rnic . ;;c hiiiilwlf. 
 
 c a A p. :• 
 
 Of the ci*tl mmpfirMitm 
 
 U /^OD, t-e fupicire !oid, aro kii>p #f all the 
 VJ world, hath ordained vivil (* ) maglftiatcs 
 
 to b: under him, over the peoj !e, for lis cwn g!crv, 
 good ; an«J to ti is end hath ar:ned cluirt 
 wi h tbi po*ir ct the Lword, for defence and c»* 
 coin, uf tfcerh thjft do goed, and for the 
 
 punifniv.ent vi c vi\ dotrs< 
 
 ,♦. It is lawful tot chtiftiansco accept and execute 
 
 office of a v, v>hcn called rh ere unto j in 
 
 the 1 :nt whereof, as rhej orj;ht cfpecialljr 
 
 to 
 
 g Pfal 2^.4. h JV^':6. 11. GcM R # ftO ? 29« 
 22. i 1 C>. ;. ; 9, k Jjt. 4. rg f 1 M.r, 19 u* 
 a *#jar, ij. 1, 2. 3, 4. 
 
 • 
 
ro maintain (") juflficcj and peace, according to 
 the wholcfome laws of ea.h kingdom, and con 
 
 fo for that end they may lawfully no/v un- 
 ci ji the new tefhment (c) wage war upon juft and 
 ary occafions. 
 ;. Civil ma? ift rates being fet Up bv God, for 
 :J, fcbjeclion in ail lawful things 
 co ai man Jed by them, ought to boieloed by u<« in 
 the Lord, not only tor wrath (d r con- 
 
 Lciencc fake ; and we ought to make Amplications 
 and prayers for kings, and a ; l that are in authority 
 (t) that tinder them we maj| live a quiet and peace- 
 able life, in all gcdlinefs and henefty; 
 
 C H A P. XXVI. 
 
 Of marriage, 
 
 i # X /f*Aniacje is f o be betweenor :• one 
 
 X\i v>ow(*n\ (*) neither is it law( 
 man ro have rfloie than one wife* nor for any wo- 
 man to have more than or.« hup and at the 
 tirae. 
 
 2. Marn??e wa: 01 I help ( b) 
 
 of X^ Wand n ; //£, (*;fprtfce lAttetfc of mankind 
 
 wicn 
 
 b i Sfm\;il. ;. f/*/. 82. 3: 4- c ***« 5- r 4- d 
 *. i;.^6>7. iff/. 2. I?, e i 7i.-». 2, i>*. 
 
 a G*».2.24. jfat.1.11, Mfit. 10.5 6. bG*».Z, 
 
 3 g, c Ge». 1, 28. 
 
irch. 1 7 
 
 venting of 
 
 )• II * rrv, 
 
 ni'cnc; 
 
 yet it ■ ry in 
 
 the L*rd,* 2nd.. *4 profefsthe rruere. 
 
 :Id not matry wirl. * ) or iJo- 
 
 >C unequally 
 
 with fuch ;s aic wicked in 
 
 their life, or a 
 
 4. Marriage ought not ro be within the degrees 
 
 rjfanguinity ( h ) or . .ibid Jen in the 
 
 word i nor can fuch inccfluous rr.*rria?e ever be 
 
 /an or confent of 
 parries, (/) Co as tb< ,c together 
 
 is man anj m 
 
 C H A P. XXVII. 
 0/ 
 
 *. ' J ^ H 
 
 JL [ ■* ti.e 
 
 of t] . E oi 
 
 tl at 
 
 d \.C*f;?* 2 % e > ' ; 15. 4. 1 Tim\4< J?*f* 
 . , ? , : ; 26, 27. h - 
 1. a #«& 3 2. 1 !« l£. 
 
si 
 
 Of the church. 
 
 that have been, arc, Of (hall be gathered into one, tm- 
 «cr Chrift> the head thereof; and is the fpoufc, the 
 body, the fulnefs ot him that fillctli all in all. 
 
 2. AH pferibns, throughout the world, profemng 
 the faith c.f the gofpe.!, andobediencc unto God by 
 Chriit, according unto it, not de&ro) irg thci* own 
 proldfion by any errors everting the foundation, or 
 Uiihoiinefs of conversion, (£)are, and ma\ be 
 Called vt&blc him:,; (c) and r>f (uch ought all par* 
 ticular congregations to be conftitffrcd, 
 
 3, The pureft churches under heaven are fubjccl 
 (#') co mixture, and ertor; and forne have (o de- 
 gc Lecated ;s to become (*> no churches of Chrifti 
 |at fynagogues of A«*.*/?; nevertheiefs Chrift always 
 harh had, and ever iu.il] have a (/) kingdom in 
 this world, io»th* end thereof of iuch u believe 
 in bira, and make profeilion or his name, 
 
 4* The lord. Jelu.s Chrlft is the head of the church, 
 in whom, by t\i^ appointment of the Father, (^) 
 all pow:r for tbe calling, indication, order, or go- 
 vernment of the church, is invefted in a fupreme and 
 foverdgn manner, neither can the Pope of Rome 
 in any fenfe be head the-ieof, »at is('#) that an* 
 tichrift, that man of hn> and ion of perdu ion y that 
 
 exs-lreth 
 
 b I C-r 9 1.2 Atts 11,26. c Rem, i. 7, Eph. I, 
 2 2 :> 22. d I Cor. i 5. Rev, 2 % *nd chap, $ # e Rev. 
 
 13. 2. 2 Thejfc 2. 1 1, ra, f Jtf**. 16 j 8. ty*/« 72. 
 
 *7. & ?f*l y°2. 18. ^vtv, 12. 17, g C»//. 1. id. 
 
hMrth. 59 
 
 oxd Hull di 
 
 f . 1 er whcrenirh- kc 
 
 otd Jcfos ca c h, our < 
 
 i;y oi his 
 i - fjurit, (f thofc tli-r trc gircn 
 him, k 
 
 in all r obedience, which he prefer i- 
 
 bcrh ro chcrr n thus caled, he 
 
 comn: icrics, 
 
 it murmi edification and 
 -^f that public worihip, wL-ch 
 lie requifcth cf si. em in the world. 
 
 6 t rs of rhefc chinches arc (*w)4 
 
 Iv irurfiftfl . 
 
 - ' 
 u 
 
 cnt of 
 ves c > tie Lord and one 
 d, (* ) in p!( 
 Cubjcfl cs or rn< 
 
 7 # Tv> each of • thcie chnrebe d ac- 
 
 dcclircd in lis ifordj 
 given ali ;ha: ( c ) powtr a? J lUtlioritJ, 
 _ any 
 
 & dap. 12, ^2* k AJ*t. fg. 20. 
 
 t A^.i<.ij, 2C m^w, rj, i Or, i 2.nAfts 
 2.41 o. r j. o M*/. ;8* 
 
 17.2?. iC^, c»4 5 brfWti], 2 CVr 1. 6, 
 
 7* 8. 
 
€o Of the church. 
 
 any way heedfrtl for their (having on rfrat order in 
 woruhip and discipline, which he Lath in ft i tared for 
 tli&m to obfcrve, with commands and rules, for the 
 due and right exerting an<J executing of that pow- 
 er. 
 
 8. A particular church gathered, and romplearly 
 organized according to the irmdof Chrijty confifts 
 of officers and members : and the officers app 
 
 by Chrifi robe chofen and fct apart by the c 
 [ fo ailed and gathered ] for the peculiar adminiftra- 
 tion of ordinances, and execution of power, or 
 duty, which he intrufts them with, or calls them 
 to, to be continued to the end tff the world, are 
 (/>) biftiops, or ciders, and deacons. 
 
 9. The way appointed by Chrifi for the balling 
 of any peifon. fitted and gifted iff the holy Spirit* 
 unto the office or bifhop, cr elder, in a church, is, 
 that he be cRolen thereunto [v.- the common (^) 
 |uffrag€ of the church itfelfj and (oirmn!v f.?t apart 
 by fafting and prayer, with imp Tuion of hands of 
 the (r) e' lerfhip of the church, if there be an\ be- 
 fore configured therein: and of a deacon (*) that 
 he be chofen by t' e like (ufFrage, and fer apart by 
 prayer, and the like i 
 
 to. The work ofpdtVrs being ccmfhr.tly to at- 
 tend the iervice of Chnft in ! is cl in the 
 miftiftry of the word, and prayer, (*) with ware h- 
 
 i n cr 
 
 „. _____ _. _^^_«_ P. _ 
 
 p Aft. 20 1 J. i+frh verfe 28. Phil. t. 1. q Acls 
 14. 2 V Sge-tfo original r 1 ?*«*. 4. 14. $ Act* 6. 
 J> c, 6. t -45; 6. 4. Rcl< J}. 17. 
 
/ chnrd). 6t 
 
 \y\» fvr click fouls, *as rhcy rhat mnft *;ve an ac- 
 
 . 1 1 i: is i n€S to 
 
 ifter, n k i re tkeit) a 
 
 : (//) but a. Co to communicate to tUm of 
 
 all thcii £o g ru clicir abilirv, io 
 
 :m> hive j con n it o t be- 
 
 Jvts(x) entangled ju fccalar affairs j and 
 
 I required b> ihc I fc 
 
 .Mel's oi.Jcr ur ot Li id 
 fh'.c tacs tiiir j»:c*. I 
 ' gofpcl, 
 I r. . Li he HlCU.nbcQi o"! r:e Ivfh ^ps or 
 
 nt ir* prca< 
 K the wo | :a - 
 
 i jarlt confined to 
 bit tba kied by ti.e 
 
 iot it, an bv the 
 
 op rrfoi m ir. 
 j 2. As ill believm arej 
 
 icn and wberc 
 Co ail chat *re admitted unpi 
 Ufa I £ ) andei fl e 
 tvernmohc thcrcofj according to t! e 
 
 I 5. No cUurcb-ftK mints, itponanj offence tal t.n 
 
 ' b* 
 
 u t lim <j 17, j R. G n 6 :>• 7. K 2 ^itfJ. 2. 4. 
 y 1 Jim j 2 z 1 Car 6. i 4 t I r. J 9, 
 
 fco* 11 1 <>/. 4 iw\ Ji. u i -/« £ ). 14. z 
 ?.6, 14 IS- 
 
6z Of the churchy 
 
 fey them, baving performed theft duty required of 
 them towards theperfba they are offended at, ought 
 to difturb any church order, or abfent thcmfclvcs 
 from theaiTeinbu'cs of thechurch, or administration 
 of any ordinances, upon the account of fuch offence 
 at any of their fellow-members, but to wait upon 
 Chriih (^)in further proceedings of the church. 
 
 14. As each church, and all the members of it, are 
 bound to(^) pray condnually, for the good and 
 proCperity of all the churches of Cbrift, in all 
 places, and upon alloccafions to further, [everyone 
 within the bounds of their places and callings, in the 
 cxercife of their gifts and graces] fo the churches 
 [when planted by the providence of God, foasrhcy 
 may enjoy opportunity and advantage for it] ought to 
 hold(*; communion amongft thcmfclvcs, for their 
 peace, incieafe of love and mutual edification. 
 
 19. In cafes of difficulties or differences, either 
 in point of doctrine or adminiftrationi wherein ci- 
 ther the churches in general arc concerned, or any 
 one church, in their peace, unian, and edification; 
 or any member, or members of any church are in- 
 jured, in ©r by any proceedings in cenfures not a- 
 grceable to truth and order : it is according to the 
 mind of Cbrift, that many churches holding com- 
 munion together, do by their mtffengers meet to 
 confider, 
 
 
 
 c Mitt. lS> t ^, 16,17. E?.b.4. z> J. d£/>/; 6. 18. 
 Tfalw, 131, 6. e Rom. i6 f I, f # $. John 8- 9« 
 
Of tht communion of /amis* 6} 
 
 er, ( f) ami give ti e:r a.jvice in or abnut that 
 matter, nee. t© be ftponed to all the choreics 
 
 concerned; howbeit theie mcfkngcis aflcmbhd, 
 are not inrrulred with any church-power propcrlv io 
 
 , cv with any jtiriQi flion oTer the el urcl.es 
 tK-rrnfrlves. to cxercifc any •er.fures eirhei over any 
 
 ics, otpttfonti pt(g) tp-impafe their deter- 
 mination on ;hc churches ur officers. 
 
 CHAP. JXXVI1I. 
 C/ /£# communion of fonts. 
 
 I. ALL Ciints that are united to Jcfus Chrift 
 j[\ their head, by his fpirit, and faith, al- 
 ii the) are not marie thereby one prrfon wit* 
 have (a } fdlowfliip in his graces, (uforings. 
 
 reforrcclion and glory ; and being united to 
 one ano:hcr in love, they b) have communion in 
 each et. cis gifts mA prices, and arc obliged to the 
 p^ifonmncc or fjch duties, publie and private, in 
 fen orderly way, (c ) as do conduce to their mutual 
 good, both in the inward and outward man. 
 F_2 2. Saints 
 
 f M&i iv 2 4 *. *^d 21,1 r', 25. g 2 Osr % \. 24, 
 I fib* 4 I. a I Join i. ;. John i . j 6. J ■ 
 
 6 ^ 6. b Lp : \ 4. \ J, J S. iGr.u. 7, 
 I Cjt. ;. ii ii> « ;. c 1 ;/';?. f. j 1 14. ftf 
 
 II. 1 y*;.-w 1, 17. 1 8- GaL 6.10. 
 
e 
 
 $4, Of faftifm and the Lords fufttr. 
 
 2. Sair.ts bv proftfCon, \ire b^und to maintain an 
 holy ftllowltip and cow it ruftipn in rir« w orftttp of 
 God, and in performing fecli c\er fpiritual fe'nrh 
 Ccs, (</) as i?nd co rh:ii irttinij] edification i as&ftb 
 
 in relieving each other rn («?) outward things, ac- 
 cording to tbeir f.veral abilities, ard ruceflitics; 
 which communion, according co x e goff* 
 
 especially to be exerciUd 
 
 wherein tl.ey ftjinJ, wherher in ( /) rallies, 01 ( jj) 
 
 churches, yet as God offer eth bppontmfty', r, to he 
 
 extended to all the bpujrhcnld of faith; even al: r'.o'e 
 
 who in every place call up-n the name of the Lord 
 
 Jtfus; ncveuhelefs their communion- re with an©* 
 
 ileras faints, doth net rake away, or ( 
 
 t-he circle or rajop^rty which each mail hath in his 
 
 goods and pciLilions, 
 
 CHAP. XXIX. 
 Oftytifmsni the Lords fo?f>*\ 
 
 I. T^ Apcifn and the Lord's (upper, are©rcinan- 
 [j ces of pohcive and Sovereign inftitaaon, 
 appointed by the Lcrd Jefus tl.t only law- 
 giver, to be continued in his church (a) to the end 
 of the A-ot'c l. 2. Thefe 
 
 d Ht!>. 10. 24*2$. Hfifb Chap. ;. It, l? # c Afts 
 J 2 Z9 ;o/r £/\6-4. £ f Cor. 1%. 14. 17. h A 3s 
 
Of itftifa 6 c 
 
 t Tlrxfc holvappoinrivcncsare to be adminiftrei 
 b* thofe only, vtho arc qualified, and thercuniocalU 
 cd according (i) to thccoimnifllon of Chrift # 
 
 CHAP. XXX. 
 
 Of bAftifm, 
 
 I. VV\ptiftn is an ordinance of the ne* reft*- 
 
 |3 ment, < rdaiscd by JcfusChrift, to be unto 
 
 the partv baptized, align of his fellowflv;> 
 
 with him in -ms Jcach (a ) and re(urre<ftion; of 
 
 his b al cd into i,im> of (£) [cmifliorr of 
 
 iln-; m I or h#s (r y„ivii'g up himfclf wnto God, 
 
 tl.ro Jcftn C hrift, to live afd walk in newntfs of life. 
 
 z. Th^lc a'Iio do afttully pr<4"{s (i) repen- 
 
 Hmcc towards Gcd, faith in, and obedience to our 
 
 .<fc thcoptj proper (ubjccU of this OC- 
 
 ilinanct. 
 
 j. Ti c oit*atd element, to be u(cd in this 
 nance, Qt) . .\hrtein tl\c paxcy i^:>> be 
 
 tizid, in :. of ti.e .u.lct, and of the fon, 
 
 and or the hoi fpirit. 
 
 4» librae rkon, or dipting; of the perfo* ( f) [{ 
 F 3 water, 
 
 b Afritt 2>. 19- ' Cfcr, 4 I. a K<^. 6 - ]. 4. $," 
 
 ; 27 b M*rk 1. 4 A0s2b, 16. 
 
 c fc#*i. ^'^4. d AUrl 16. 6. >*#.. 8- J7 J8 t 
 
 MAttJtl&i 19,20. Wff6 ^tf* o- }S« f M*tth, J, l4 
 
 y#W 3. X}, 
 
H Of lading *n*f l.andK 
 
 water, is necefTary to the due adoiiniftrarion oft! i$ 
 ordinance. 
 
 CHAP. XXXI. 
 
 Of laying on of hwdu 
 
 XXJ E bc'icvc that (a} laying on of hands* [ *ith 
 *^ prayer] upon b abt iz,ed believers, asjuch, is an 
 ordinance cf Chrift, and ought to be (ubmitt-ed un- 
 to by all foch peifons that are admitted to pa-rtake 
 cf. the Lord's fuppcr; and that the tnd of this or- 
 dinance is not for the extraordinary gifts of the 
 fpirit, but for (by a farther reception of the holy 
 Spiw't of promife, or for the addition of tht 
 graces of the Spin":, and the influences thereof j to 
 confirm, ftrengh&en, and comfort thtrn in Chrift 
 Jefus; it being Tatified and eftabliflied by the (c ) 
 extraordinary gifts, of the fpirit in the primi- 
 tive times, to abide in the church, as meering to- 
 gether- on the firft day of the week was Acls ? 9 . ** 
 that being the day cf worftiip, or chriftian Sabbath 
 nndrr the gofpel; and as preaching the word v\a*> 
 A&s, \ o. 44, and as baptifm was, Mat, 3. 16. and 
 prayer was ABi^^\\. and hnging pfaJm?, &c. was 
 Acts 1$. 2t 4 26. fo thfs of laying on of hands was, 
 Acli% & ch. jo. for as the whole gofpel tras can- 
 
 firm e A* 
 
 — _ i . ■ ■ ■ 
 
 a IJtb. $.12 *nd 6. 1,2. Ac7s % .17. i.g, and 
 JS>>6* b Efki.ijj 14, c 4L&i.**dJ9'6> 
 
firm , :\fid dryer; mh*c!fs 
 
 Mnd gi'ts of t l jras every 
 
 c in Jikc manocf coq^irmed in particular. 
 
 C H A P. XXXIT. 
 c/ //>* L*r/j [*}&*• 
 
 i 4 rT^ H E fupper of the L«t<f Jcfo*i ivasmfl I 
 
 •JL ed bv hirn. the fame night wherein he was 
 betrayed, to be obferved in his churches unto the 
 end of the world, for the perpetual remembrance, 
 and ifccwing forth the facrificc cf limfelf in Lis 
 death, (4) confirmation of the faith of belivtrs 
 in all the benefits thereof, their Ipiiitual nouriftir 
 Went, and growth in him, their fr.icher ingagc- 
 rr.ent in and to all duties which they ovrc unto him ; 
 (b) and to be a bond and pledge of their com- 
 Muaion with him, and with each Other, 
 
 2. In this ordinance Cr.iifl is not offered cp to his 
 father, nor any real facrifice made ^t all for renfif- 
 fion of in : of the quick or dead, but on-Iy a 
 memorial of that (O one offering up of himfeff, 
 by himfclf, upon the crofs, once for a!!; and a 
 fpititual obiarion of all (#/) poflible praife unto 
 F_4 God 
 
 A Heb. a. J.4. a iOr 11,1^24,1^, b I Or. 
 10. 16, 17. ai. c Htb.y, $5, ;6, 28- A * C§r. jj f 
 *4, >/**/. 26,26, 27. . 
 
63 Of th$ Lords furper. 
 
 God <or the fxnt. So t!nt the ^*j& facrifkc of 
 the ma!i [is the* call ir] h rooft abominable, in- 
 jurious to Cbfrtlt's own only (artifice, the alone 
 tiation for iij rhe fins of the ek-J. 
 
 5. The Lord Jcfus bath in this ordinance, ap- 
 i lis nimicers t) pray, and bleis the ele- 
 ments ©f bread and wine, and thereby ro (et rhem 
 apart Uo n a common to an holy life, and to take 
 and break the orerd ; to take the cup (?) and. tier 
 c 1 1 n indicating alio thcaiftlves] to give botn to the 
 communicants. 
 
 4 The denial of the cup to the people, wor(hip« 
 ing the eie went*, the lifting tiicrxi Dpi or carry- 
 ing tern about for adorati< r\ and refervin^ the n 
 for any pretended religious ufc, (/)arcalJ eonrrary 
 to the nature of this ordinance, and to the initia- 
 tion 01 Cbrilfc; 
 
 c. The outward elements in this ordinance, dvfif 
 fet apart to the uies ordfcined by Chriit, have focti 
 relation to him crucified* as that truly* although in 
 terms u'.ed figuratively, they are (orrctimes called 
 by the name of the things thev rcpicfent, to 
 the ( g) body and blood of Chi lit, atbek in (ub- 
 ftance and nature, thev ftill renoaki rriur and only 
 (£) bread and wine, as they were before. 
 
 (», The doctrine which" maintains a change o^ the 
 fubftance of bread and wine, iato the fubrnnce of 
 C hrjft's 
 
 e I Cor. 11.. 23. 24, 2f» 26. c^A f J#**f. 26. 
 26,27,28. Matt. 15.9. Exod .20 4. St 2 l Ccr 9 
 Hi 17 . hi CW. imS.'O 1 Vcr. %$. 
 
Of the LsrtTsJtipfer. 6) 
 
 - calfcJ rnnfub- 
 a ; :icft> cr b^ an? 
 ftli , is re] (0 a ^ ne » 
 
 buc even rr 
 
 eth t r ( ; nature df the < . aod hath btcn, 
 
 and is tl e eaufc of manifold fuperftiiions! )ea, of 
 grofs : 
 
 -. Hforth) receiver*, outwardly partaking i 
 m i is ordinance, do 1 1 . v n all 
 
 lira!!/ 
 rporaMv, bat fpifirualK recciv< 
 on Cbrift crucified, (/) and a] of Lis 
 
 , the body and blood of Chuftbeing r>,tn noc 
 corporally cr carnally, but : . prtfcflt 1 
 
 fait b of believers in i rnients 
 
 thcmfelvcs are ro tl eir outward fenfe*, 
 
 8. AH i pcrfons, as they art 
 urfit to erijfoj communion (wj with Chriit, fo a r c 
 i •. • d'srable, and carrot wit&- 
 oni great fin againft him, v\kile they remain (:'c u , 
 pirrake cf rhefe ho!v mxlKrics (;?) or be ad 
 tl.creu 1: receive un/.on/ ily, 
 arc Parley of the bodv and b!< |, car- 
 ing and drinking judgment t 
 W C H A P. 
 
 i ^^ }. 2r. tmh 2\. (>. & tfa\ ;o. k i Cor. 
 . 2c. 1 i Cor. jo. 1 5. c£, t r. 2$, --- 26. jm 
 a Or. 6. 14. j c. n 1 Or. xi. 29. Mau,?. 6. 
 
 
C 70 ) 
 
 CHAP. XXXIIL 
 
 Of the ft ate of man nfter death, and of the refurret* 
 ti(m of the diad* 
 
 *' i I * * ^ "bodies of men a f ter death return to 
 
 JL duft (a) and fee corruption j but their fouls*, 
 [ which neither die nor ilcep] having an immoral 
 fubiiitvnce, immediately (&, return to God who 
 gave them : the fouls or the righteous bcin^ than 
 madeprrfe&in holinefs, are received into paradife, 
 where they are with Chrift, and behold the face of 
 God in light and (O glory, wakingfor the full re- 
 demption oi their bodies 5 and the fouls of the wick- 
 ed are caft into hcH, where they remain in torment 
 and utter darknefs, referved to (d) the judgment of 
 the guatday; bdides ihefe two peaces, for fouls | 
 fcparared from their bodies, the fcripcurc acknow- 
 kdgeth none. # 
 
 2. At the laft day, fuch of the faints as are found 
 alive, (lull not deep, b^t be (*) changed; and all 
 the dead foall be raifed up with the felf-iame bodies, 
 and (/') none oth?r ; although with different (#) 
 qualities, which mall be urriced again to their fouls 
 ior ever, 2 The 
 
 a Gen, 5,19. Afts if. 56. b £ccl 12 7. c Lu K e 
 2\\\. 2C^f,i,6,8 ¥hiL 1,2%. Hjb. 12. i\. 
 d Jud*4+7 m l Fet.\ 9. Lu'.t \6. 2} 24 C l C~r. 
 IS- ci.ci. 1 Thjf,4 17. f Job. 19. 29, 17, g 
 I Cor. 15. 42 4-3* 
 
Of the Ujt judgment. 7 1 
 
 i. 11 e bodic? of the BH > by fhc p<-wer 
 
 .:(}, be tailed to < 
 the jofti by his fpirir, unto honour, (U) and be 
 
 made conformable to lis own glcriou* bod). 
 
 CHAT, *XXIV # 
 
 0/ the l*(t judgment. 
 
 J# /^ O D hath appointed a day.wherein he vsili 
 yj£ e wcrld in rightccuinefs, b) (»i N Jc- 
 
 fui Chrifti to whom all power and judg- 
 ment is given of the Father! in winch day nor only 
 the (*) apefhtc angels ihail be judged, but like- 
 wise all perfons that have lived upon the earth, 
 &all appear before the tribunal of Chiiff, (O to 
 | give an account of their thoughts,- words and deeds, 
 and to receive according to whar the) have done in 
 the body, whether good or evil, 
 
 2. The end of .God's appointing this d t \\y is, 
 for the mamfeftation of the glory of lis meres in 
 the eternal faJvarion of the ek&j (</) and of his 
 jafticd in the eternal damnation of the reprobate, 
 who are wicked and dilobedicnt ; for then mall the 
 righteous go into evcilafting lite, and teeeive that 
 
 fulnefs 
 
 h AB$ 24 ic. John c. 28- 29. Phil. %. 12. a 
 A&* 17. J 1. j ebn v 22. 27. b 1 Cer. 6. ? . J tide 
 6. c ;Cfr. c.io. Ecci. 1 a. 14. //j//. 12. j6. Am* 
 1$. 10,12- -M*". 25. $2, e^*. d tow. 9. 22,2}. 
 
»« 
 
 0/ /£e ia/2 judgment. 
 
 fotneff of Joy trtd glory, with rvrrlafing reward, 
 Jjn rhe prefcnce (O of the Lord : but the wicked 
 v no Know not Cod, and obey not the gofpcl of 
 Tcfus C^rift- fluli be caft into eternal torments, anj 
 (r*) pumped *fith cver!aftingdeftru&ion, front the 
 pfefitifc of &e Lord, And ho:n the glory oi his 
 p iwcr. 
 
 3. As Cfcrift \voVd have us to be certainly p?r- 
 I, that t e a e riidl be adi; ofjudgnent, both 
 ( >) to deter all men from fin, and, for the greater 
 / k ) confoiftjon > f i%e g dl i ii their advafity, 1» 
 wll: he have r' 1 at div unkn >'vrn to men, that tncy 
 [kike off all ck\r:\\ fecurrr ? and be aUavs 
 qrarrhtuli bec^nfe the) know t*>t a: whatboar the 
 f A Lord will come* and may c*er be prepared ro 
 fa) (.:) come Lord Jtj*h cutne quic'.lj. Am-n, 
 
 26 Mir. 9.43 2 Tff ! ~ 8- 9 I o. g 2 C*r. <* 
 ic -if. h 2Thf.i^ (>• 7 i AtfJrt*}. 35,56.37. 
 &***« i$.3v> 6 - * &' J * 22, 20# ' 
 
 P«?J| 
 
( 73 ) 
 
 Short treatife of church-difcipHtoe. 
 
 Concerning a true And orderly g'{( el church. 
 
 BEFORE chert can he any orderly dis- 
 cipline among a chriftian aflcmb'v, they 
 mud be orderly conftirutcd inro a churcrt 
 fUrc, according t& thcinftiitition oi Chrift 
 in (he go!, 
 
 t. Avifible gefpe! cfcvftf) is made h\ gathering 
 
 divers (cried peiic.ns unto Jcfus Cf rirt, in a (piri : 
 
 tual bodv, ard relation to him as their political 
 
 head, Ezei\ ^ , x % j^f 2 J# hifllfclf being 
 
 he great flvpherd, that firft fecks them, and pre- 
 
 Dares tl em bv the work of renewing grace, ibrluch 
 
 tual building 
 
 1. Chrift as th« mediator rf the new covcranf, 
 
 wdcreth rhe everlafting gofpe! to be \ r »c ] ed, an J 
 
 il with his holy Spiii^blclTeth h to 
 
 ►he turning or men from darknefs to lighr, wcrk- 
 
 B ing 
 
74 -* fi"t trta/ifi 
 
 ing faith and lore in them. Eph. *. 17. Afti 26 f. 
 
 j. When finners arc thus wrought upon effectu- 
 ally, to fuch a fuitable number, as may be an eflcn- 
 tial church, 1. §„ fo many as may act properly and 
 orderly as a church, hlxth \% if,— 17. that then 
 it will be proper for them by their mutual confent, 
 to propofe to be conftkured a church, or that o- 
 thers feeing the expediency thereof may encourage 
 the fame. Acts 1 1 
 
 4. For the accompliflment of fo glorious a work, 
 it is necelTary that a day of fjftipg and prayer be 
 appointed bv and among fuch believers, and that 
 fuch procure fuch neighbouring helps as they can, 
 cfpecully of the mimftry. Afts 8 14. I Mef, 
 
 5 The perfons being firft orderly baptifed, accor 
 ding to tre command of Chrift in Mtth. 28. 19* 
 and b^ingall fuisiled of the graces and qualifications 
 of each" other, and b-jng willing in the feir of God 
 to take the laws of Ch rift upon rhem, and do* by 
 one naurual confent give up themfelves ro the Lord, 
 and r o 'tv- ano: icr in the Lord, 2 Or. g- <;. fo- 
 lcmnlv fubiniding to the government oficbwft in 
 his church, and being unired, thev are to be de- 
 elated a aofpcl-cKu;ch of Jefus Crtrift, Phil- 2 2. 
 j, 4. Rom 4ti 7. Clhxpi 12. 1. A&*. 2 4'- 42. 
 
 6 h uunbrr of belic/rrs thusunixed uniler Thrift 
 their medical head, are become a church tiThethh 
 and as (uch is the firft and p«f*pet fubjefr of rhe 
 k«yfc» and have power and privilege to govern 'hem- 
 
 felves 
 
$f church-difciplinc. 7f 
 
 frlves, and ro clmofe our rleir own miniftcrul of- 
 ficer*. Atti 14. 2 }. Chnp. 6. J. 
 
 Qevcerning /ninf(lers> &c 
 
 AC H U R C H thus conftiruTccf, isnoryct 
 complearcd, while wanting fuch rriniftcrial 
 helps, as Chrift hath appointed for irs growth and 
 well being; and wanting c!<le*s and dcicors to offi- 
 ciate among theirr. Men, tnt» muff, be, that arc 
 qualified for the work; theirqmhficationsait plain- 
 ly and fa'Pv fee down in holv fcriptmes I Tim. $• 
 s— 7. Tr>. 4. t~ 10. a'l Wfhfcn ir.Utt be fc.und in 
 them, in tome good degree and it is the dot) or the 
 church 'o try the perlons, bv tie rue or the word# 
 
 ubjeftion. But what mail a chinch do, in cafe 
 rhc\ can have nunc among tlien) fit to bear office 
 acroi ling ro tie rule or the w rd ? 
 
 Anfw. (r.) That to expect to have officers per- 
 fect in the hi^heft decrees of thofc qua ificati<ns, 
 wcie to expect apod- >lical and extraortiinaxy ceafed 
 gifts in ordinajy rijr.es. (2 ) U rone among the 
 members of a church be found fit in Come meafarc 
 f»>r rue mlmftry, a neighbouring church mav and 
 ough:, ifpufllble, to (upply them, C*nt. 8. 8. f}J 
 lee fuch as tlies have, if they have any that item 
 hopeftrl, be 1 while upon tryah anJ the ptrfon thac 
 the Lord (liil! chufe, will flcurifli in fome good 
 mealurc with Aaron's rod among the tods of the 
 tribes. 
 
 a. A 
 
 
76 Ajhotttrettif* 
 
 2. A church being de&itufie of mlnifterial fcefps, 
 Biiy, after mature and often deliberate confutation^ 
 and ftrious prayers to God, pi?*h upon fomeperfon 
 er p?rfons in particular, giving him 01 t !i cm a lolemn 
 invitation to the woik cf the miniftry upon tnal y 
 and if fuch accept of the church's* call, let fuch 
 be upon ryal, to fee if fuch fear God, make god- 
 Jincfs their buiinefs. and be adicted to the n-arjk 
 of the miniftry, feeking to further the inter eft of 
 Chrift, and the edification of his people in found 
 and wholefome do&iine; and to fee if any vices or 
 imoraUry appear in their advances., i. Cor. jg. 
 +Lil. i. 2">, 21. Read the qualifications in 1 Tim. 
 *. And in cafe a church mould call a pcrfon.ro be 
 their miniiter, who is a mcrr bcr of fomc fifker- 
 church, and he accept then call to he their mjnif- 
 tcr> le muft in the tuft place gfVjt himfelf a mem- 
 ber with the church io calling him, thar fo they 
 mav chafe him a -nong themfclves, as Afts 6. J. 
 
 After .kwi.ng uken all dut-care to chufe one tor 
 the woik of the miniftry, they arc, by and with the 
 unanimous confent or fuffrag.e of the church, to 
 proceed to his ordination; which is a folemn fer- 
 ting apart of iuch a pe (on for the facred function ( in 
 this wifey by fettin* aparra day offaftiig and pray- 
 er, Afti 1$. 2, 5. the whole church being prefent, 
 he is to have t'.e hands of the prefbytcry of that 
 chinch (or neighbouring eiders called and authorir 
 7,zd by that church) whereof fuch a pcrfon is a mem* 
 ber, Lolemnly laid upon him, j Jim. c. %l. lit. 
 j t . e,. ABs 14. 2 J. I* Tin. 4. 14* and thus Inch a 
 
 perfon 
 
ijf Aufth 
 
 perfoa k to be recommended into the work of 
 L©rd, an J to cake particular cue of the flock 
 of wkom be isthis choicfl, Atl> 20. 28. 
 
 4. The minifter being thus put upon his work, 
 proceeds (^ to preach rhe word of God unrothem : 
 thereby to feci the flock, and therein ought to be 
 1 ful and laborious, ftudving to ihew himfclf a 
 w itkman thac ncedcth not to be aihamed, rightly 
 dividing the word or' truth, 2 Tim* 2, If. * s he is 
 a iKwaid of God in the m) (ferries of the gofprl,- 
 I Cor, 4, 1 2. and therefore ought to be a man of 
 •d underjtanding and experience, be found 
 the faith, not a novice, or a double- minded un» 
 (table man, nor fuch as is light Ipiriiedor «fa tful- 
 l>w u'.der (landing, but one that is learned in the 
 irr fteries of the kingdom, becaufc he is to feed the' 
 people wich knowledge and understanding, Jer. j;- 
 15. he muff be faithful in declaring the whole 
 eounfelof God, Acts 20. 20. he is to inihuci them 
 in all godlincfs, fa\ ing before them their manifold 
 duties, and to uige them upon their cor.fcieno 
 Jit, 2. I- if. 1. ?*i*k 4-6 (2) he muff watcfe 
 over them, as one that miiftgive an account to God, 
 Btb. 1 j. 17. fuch muff have an eye upon every mem- 
 ber to fee bo* they behave in the houfe of God, 
 where the prefence of the Lord is more emincr.tljrv 
 and where a ! fo the angels do ahways attend,* and al~ 
 fo their b'.haviour in the families they belong re 
 and their con verfation abroad: according to their 
 capacities, they are not ro rleep under their charge, 
 (i) He is to viAt his flock, to know tbeir ftate, in A 
 
78 A fior: trtmtifc 
 
 erder to minift-rfuicable doctrinal relief umo them, 
 and that he m ay know what difordcrs there may be 
 amonglt rh«m, that the unruly may be reproved* 
 Vrov, 27. 13. 1 Tocff. c. 14, ic. (4) He is coad- 
 minister all the ordinances of Chuftamongfl them: 
 as boprifm, and the Lord's fcpper, and herein he 
 *null be careful to .follow the primitive pattern, 
 thereby to hold forth the great end, whcrcroic they 
 were ordained. (<;) He muft be rnftan-c with God, 
 in his prayers for and with them, as openunitv may 
 fcrve, . (6) He mud mew them a good example in 
 al! refpects, in conversation, (obrietv, charkv, faith, 
 and purity, 1 Tim. 4, 12 behaving hirniclrirnpar- 
 riaJ unto all, nor, pr.-fer ring the rich before the pour, 
 nor lordiflg it over God's heritage, nor-airume gi ea- 
 ter power thin God hath given him, James 2. 4. 
 I Tim, 5 n. 1. Pet. 5. j, 5. 
 
 Of ruling eldtrs. 
 
 RULING ciders are fuch perfons as ate 
 endutdwith gilt>, roafnft the paftec or teach- 
 er in the government or the church; it was as 
 a ftatutt inliraef, Exod. 18 Di*t.$ rj The works 
 t>f teaching and ruling belong both to the paftor, 
 but in cafe he be unable, or the work of ruling too 
 
 i»reat for him, Cod hath provided fuch for his af- 
 iftance, and they are called ruling elders, 1 /*># t # 
 17. helps, 1 C*r. 12. 2$. governments, or he 
 thatxulctb* torn. xa. 8. They zzz qualified Tor, 
 
 tad 
 
#/ chare !rnc. 7f 
 
 amd called unto, one put of die work: .nn J experi- 
 ence teacheth us the life and I :uch iulcrs 
 in tiic church* in eating clic palt p or teachei 
 
 the honouf ofi Their cjua- 
 
 ire fuch as are r< > rule, askrrow- 
 
 nJ as tf> ciie man- 
 ner oj i.rion umo 
 other . irig and pra. er, 
 with imposition of hands. Thei onK relateth 
 toruleand order, in the chuich of Gorf, and doth 
 nor include i c ehtuch findcth they 
 have gifts and abilities to be ufcful in teaching, they 
 mav be put upon trval, and it approved, ti,ev may 
 be called and folemnlv fet apa»t by ordination, k 
 being wholly adiftinct olftct r'rom the former, which 
 nlv to rule well, and not CO labour in word and 
 doctrine. 
 
 Cf deacons. • 
 
 DE A C O N S are men called forth bv the 
 church* to fc:ve in the out war 4 concern* 
 thereof > whotcoffice is ro lerve tables. A&$ 
 6 2- 7. they are to be ennufted with the frock of 
 the chinch, out of which flock they arc to affill the 
 members of the church, and to provide bread 
 and wine ror the Lord's table, and alio -o have re- 
 gard to the mini tier's table; and moirovtr they 
 fhould fee that ail the members of the chinch do 
 contribute towards the proper ufes or the church, 
 
 (that 
 
8® A % Jkort treatifi 
 
 (that therefrom x\ neccflTary occasions may be Ap- 
 plied ) as God hath given them, they to the po«r> 
 fo that none be negle&ed, i Cor. if. 2. h) the 
 faithful difciurse of which office they (hall pur* 
 chafe to chemfelvcs a good degree and great bold- 
 nefs in die faith, i Tim. j i;. The qualifications 
 or chafe officers are kid down i Tim, j* 8 - i}. 
 A&s 6. JJ— gi 
 
 O/ f£* admtjftoH of church mgmbert, 
 
 TH E Lord Tefus Chrift hath committed the 
 ufc and power of the keys, in tmtters of go- 
 vernment, to every virible congregational church, 
 to be ufed. according to the rules and directions that 
 he ha^h given in his word, in his name and to his 
 glory: the keys are the power of Chrift, which 
 lie harh given to every particular congregation, to 
 open and (hut itfelt by} and ro do all t.iings in 
 6rd&r to the great things propofed, viz. his glory 
 &»d his peoples fpiritnal benefit, in peace and purity, 
 lj*$ 9. 7. Chap. ZZ, 22. ReViL.}. 7. Heb'> ;. 
 6, Epb, 1. j?- 22. Math* 1 6, 19. Jchn 20 2;* 
 By virtue of the chartex* arsd pjowcr afore- 
 faid, which Chrift hath given to his church, hisfpi- 
 litual corporation, they are enabled to rccvive mem- 
 bers in, and to exclude unworthy members as oc-- 
 coflon may require, as way appear by divers exam- 
 ples, Horn. 14. I. A6t$ 2. 41. 1 Cor, 5. 4, 9. 
 Jd4f. 18. It alM 2. 6, 14^ 
 
 I* 
 
of church difcipli/tc. 8' 
 
 isca r c, a ith to do, either with non- 
 
 jnembets, or tho(c thirarc rr,ernbcrsf>l othef church- 
 es ; is to non-members propofing fh on into 
 r c c uccki the paftor, teacher and elects or the 
 Itch ate robe a'Cjiuinted therewith, and the bo- 
 dv or rb« rhusch alio, in ouier that rhcy may know 
 the in icnd of inch pcrfon or } erfons. A conveni- 
 ent meeting is necclfarv. When chcchutch is come 
 together, and rLc perfon propofing being prefent, 
 after praver to God for di.e&ioa, rhe ir.irifler or 
 paftor of rre c'.urch, is to pur ftveial q':dtions ro 
 t.c pcrfon propofing. (i) Concerning the pround 
 and reafon of his hope, i Ve\ 3. J c_ *he r crn is 
 to be enquired, what experience he hath o the ma- 
 nifold giac&s t>( tie h< I) \\ -:rir, A'orkiny in him 
 repentance fr^m jdad works as Acis 2. ;8. H§k. <•», 
 2. md fai'h rowuds cur Lcrdjcfus Chriiun wha 
 alone is fa'vaticn hoped f<-r, ^ 20. 1 1, il.tlcm. 
 «,. f U r< be font* good grounds in 
 the jijdgmenr of charity, rha.t fuca an 1 ^c is a new 
 creature, the door of adn iflton is i& 
 for that would be abuiing the privileges of the 
 houfe of (Jod, therefore all due and ic^uiii care, 
 is rotten, rfsl t6 16. ABs^. 27. 
 
 1 //>■. v 5T1ut competence of knowledge, in the prin • 
 eipal docfrincs of faith and order, fuel hi rh acquired, 
 iTim. 2>4-6 whether tech pcrfon be well infhuclcd 
 in the knowledge of God, in his glorious attributes, 
 in the do&rine of tie trinity, or ore G:>d in three 
 pcifons, the pcrfon, natures and offices of Chrifti 
 the nature of the lawi of original fin; of the 
 pollution oF man, by reafon of fin, and loft an^ 
 
%t Afhort tretrift 
 
 undone eftatc thereby, and of his beirg a child of 
 wrarh by nature; or the nature of the redemption 
 wrought by Chrift, his fufficiency to fatisfie divine 
 jufticej o£ the reconciliation of finners to God, by 
 the death of his fon; of our fins being imputed 
 to Chrift, and his rightcoufnefs imputed to us for 
 justification, bring received by faith alone ; of the 
 refurte&ion of Chrift'* body, and his afcenfion in- 
 to heaven, and of his coming tiaence the fecond 
 time, to judge rhe quick and the deid; and of 
 the refurreclion of the dead bodies of men, and of 
 the eternal judgment; and of fuch propofing pet- 
 fon's refolution to perfeverc in the profeflion of 
 thefe truths unro the end* Such things are need- 
 ful to be enquired into, by rcafon that too many 
 in our day do build their conversion upon their 
 conviftions, and fomc genera! notions of the chtif- 
 mn religion when indeed they arc utter ftrangers 
 unto and vcrv ignorant of the great myft'eries of 
 the gofpeU Y<t great care is to be taken that th« 
 weak be not dilVouragcd, for the fmoaking- flax is 
 nor to be crienc icd, nor the bruifed reed to be 
 broken but Rich ignorant perfons are to be raug ! t 
 b^ geml« inltru&ions, and means ought to be uitd 
 for their hirrherance irv rhe knowledge of divine 
 truths, M^ttb.2%. 19. and* where thtieis the be- 
 ginnings of true and faving grace in the heart, fuch 
 will with a fyirkual appetite, receive the fincere 
 milk of the word, that they may grow thereby, 
 i Pet. t\ 2 and a church oiighr to be careful not 
 so reject thofc, whom they judge to have the lead 
 
 de&ree 
 
*/ church difcipline. 1} 
 
 degree of the work of (aving pace, wrought ill 
 them, i?wi, 14. r. 
 
 rdly. Enqairy muft bt made whether fuch a 
 pcrfon's life and con?cifation is anfwcrablc to iuch 
 a profeflton, tha: he b.- likely toadoin the gofpcl 
 with a holy convention, lit. a. 1 1 — i ^ Ch*f>+ 
 j. 8. This regular catcfulr 4 ds if an ladilpcnhbl* 
 dut\ of all regular churches to ufc in t: .c admiflion 
 ©r members ; and tho' all due care be ufed, )«t 
 fome unlound ami rotten proltflors will creep 
 in una.vaies, and have citptinro the pureft churches. 
 Jade vcr. 4 i obn 2. 19 Act* e. Ails 20. 19, JO, 
 Cat 2 4. and thr fallibility or churches in this 
 matter, is not to be urged, as an argument or ground 
 to negied the dut» imuaibent on rhe churches, ac- 
 cording to the rule of the word. 
 
 And after (u h examinau. n, the rjucfUon is tnbe 
 put to ;he church, whct.'ie: tbc] a;ea!i ;ati^fitd wi h 
 the partA conLffion and convert nion; and il the 
 a^fwer be in rhe afrit n -stive, then the paftor or 
 Oljniftci is to proc-ed, to atk the pact* pn pofing, 
 if he be willing!' ido.v.d t as Cod fball give abili- 
 t) ) to walk in a pi«>tc fled fubjrclion ro the com- 
 mands and i-fticjtjons ot Chrift revealed in the 
 g Ipe'. and to give himself a member of that chinch 
 in particular, /tf.'M2, 1. Chap ic.7.8.9. 2 Cor. 
 8 c. and to continue in the communion, faah 
 nd order thereof according tn the gofpcl rules- 
 and directions, a' d after the pen'on is baptifed ac- 
 cording to t ! e inftj uuon and command ot CI. till, 
 and com* under the impohrion of tuc hands of the 
 
 elders 
 
84 A jhort trettife 
 
 ciders •( the church, according to the practice of 
 the apoftles, Afts%. 14--17. Hebr.69. the paftor, 
 minifter or elders, as presiding in the ads of the 
 church's power, do receive fach an oncintothe com- 
 munion and felbwfhip of that church in particular* 
 Bur if the church is not fatified with the perfons's 
 <onfciTijn or con-verfation it is proper (if the ob- 
 jections be of any weight) to defer -che party's ad- 
 RiiiTion until a more ample fatisfa<5tion can be given, 
 that all, if poflible, may receive fach with freedom 
 in love, and io as to difchargcall gofpel duties to«- 
 watds hira, as may promote his edification in th« 
 faith and his intrcafe ir\ grace, 2 Or. 1. 24, Chap* 
 IO. 8- 
 
 And concerning thofe that are members of fiftet 
 churches, their ad million is either tranfiemand oc- 
 casional admiffion; or when any per fan is difmif- 
 fed wholly fro to one church, and tranfmitud 01 
 recommended Co another church of the fame 
 faith, order and pradHce* ( 1 ) Such as are and 
 cominue membcis of o;her regular churches, may 
 (where they are weil known) be admitted into 
 tranuent communion, without a letter ot recom- 
 mendation from the church thev belong unro : 
 bat from <thofe that a church hath no. knowledge of, 
 a rcftimonial letter is neceilar?, that a church may 
 not be impofed on by any loofe cr diforderly per- 
 fons. (2) Thofe wh^fe refiinece is r?move*J, of 
 place of abode is more cofcytnicritfo he with another 
 congregation man that of whi^h thcr are memb.is, 
 ate, upon their requcft made to the church where- 
 
 of 
 
#/ shureh difcipline, gc 
 
 of fucli arc members, to be difmilTcd, and to have a let 
 tcr from that church thev were members of fabficribcj 
 bv the officers and members, and directed :o rhe ch urch 
 theperton isdifmirted unto ; whereby the party 
 is discharged from his or her original relation of par- 
 r memberfhip to that church, and is transfer- 
 red to rhc conftant communim, watch, and care 
 of the other church : fuch perfons arc to be receiv- 
 ed upon their propolal, according to the crcden- 
 . they bring; except rhe church they apply un- 
 to, hath a fpecial reafon to defer or refufe. 
 
 As if appears to be the practice of believers, in the 
 irivc times, to give thcmfelves members of 
 .cular churches, Atts i. 4t. Chap. c,. fj, 14, 
 it appears alio that in the apoft'es days, there were 
 many diftind and difhnc particular churches as i 
 Cor. i # 2. G*l. I. i. I. Cor. 16. I. Phil. I, I. 
 which churches are fcveral corporations of menpro- 
 fdfing repentance from dead works, and faith in our 
 kfos Chrift, and incorporated by mutual con- 
 Cent (as before mentioned whofe end is to glonfie 
 God by obedience to i .is revealed Will, and to tl.elr 
 own edification in the faith, and the good of others ; 
 fo it is the durv o^ believer* tc give thcmfelves in 
 particular member fhip, in tuci a particular church as 
 ipprar bv the word of God to be oitrnd )X 
 . fundamental articles of thechriftiar religion, 
 H to practice according to the mi ;{t de- 
 
 ar cd w teftament, in al! gefj elhftkuu- 
 
 oih and w. ifliip. 
 
 From which c^nflderarinns it ippciH H e rcaforis- 
 bL- duty of ever, believer to give hi ii&U a tnembcf 
 
 I 
 
$6 A Jhort treati/e 
 
 #o fuch an orderly church, as is moft conveniently 
 iituated (that is, meeting nigheft. the place of his 
 •r her residence) for which then arc the fe apparent 
 reafons. (i) For men to give thcmfelves members 
 of a diitant church, when another of the fame faith 
 and gofpel-oi dcr is nighcr, is for fueh a pcrfon, to 
 put himfelf under a necefliry of negle&ing the or- 
 dinary appointed meetings of that church, whereofc 
 he is a member, and whereof the particular charge 
 is given, Heb. io* 2U that he might attend and 
 wait in the ufc of God's appointed means, for his 
 edification by the miniftry of that church. (3) 
 Such pats himfelf under a wilful ncceffity to negled 
 his duty of care over, and conftant communion with 
 his fellow members, and wilfully deprives himfelf 
 ©f their care over him, advice, christian converting, 
 and brotherly loving inftrudions and counfels, that 
 by the bleffingof God might increafc hisknowlegc, 
 grace and comfort. (3) Such cannot be affi/hntto 
 the chuich in difcipline, contribution, and the like 
 ihitles, nor cannot be taken care oU and be aiTtfted 
 /(without much unnecefiary trouble) by the church, 
 in cafe of need. (4) Such a piaclice tends due&ly 
 ,to the conftifion of churches, and all church or^er, 
 and fuits well with the humour of noify, lifeleffc, 
 Joofe, cr covetous niggardly pcrfons. (5) It is a 
 way that the church cannot find what ufeful tallents 
 ,fuch jKifons may have, ro the benefit of the body 
 of the chrrch. (6) It is cafiing great contempt 
 upon the nearer church, in her minijfhy and ^rder, 
 And the iiks* 
 
 And 
 
 J 
 
#/ chi rc!i-<h7 iplinr g7 
 
 And here it h further to be considered, rfiff as it 
 is expedient for pcif nsro <:ivc rhcmfelves member* 
 nMrch reguhr churches, with which they may keep 
 the moft intimate fc Uowfliip and communion in all 
 the parts of religious woiftip. So it is highly 
 rcafrmablc thai I at aft members of fuch re- 
 
 s wherethe word is pttrcty preached tti€ 
 ordinances of the g"fpeJ dulv adminiftred, and gofpel 
 di'cipline is impjrtiallv pradifed i fhould continue 
 il membcrfhip with fuch churchsj altho' there be 
 ikncfo imperfection and frailty, in the particu- 
 lar practical acls thereof; which while the affairs of 
 the church are managed by men, even rheu holy 
 vvill have iniquity as of old, F.xod. 28- ?3« 
 ic is therefore unreiioBiblt to difmifs any nscmber, 
 from a church tint is near to anv one's r?fidence, 
 to a church more rcmore, upon difgufr taken at rf,c 
 management of iome particular cafe, wherewith Cvc\\ 
 is woe well pkafed, and for inch canfc demands dif- 
 miffioni a-d it is unreafonable alfo to grant dif- 
 miflion t« fjcli a member, who fhould demand a 
 difmiiTion in peremptory manner, without giving a 
 rcalon Fof fych a demand; in either of which cafes, 
 ' h a (Jilmito^Il not to h : grinrrd, (j) FeQufc fc? 
 fo doing the grcateft a nfufion would be introduced : 
 foroF.c member would thus bedilmifled to onediftint 
 church, and another ro another difbmt church, and t! • 
 otiier churches doing the like, k can end in nothing 
 Jefs than the confuhon of every church. (2) The 
 fame libertv that members have, ptftors, miltiftdfct 
 ruling elders, and deacens liavc alfoj thereby any 
 
 rch 
 
83 A foort trettift 
 
 church may difmifs her members until me i* unable 
 to maintain worfhip and communion: for thofc 
 that relice near, are become msrobers of a remote 
 body> and fo unconcem'd, and thofe that are mem- 
 bcres live remote and k> under an impoiTibility to 
 occupy their place, (\) This in the tendency of it, 
 is to remove the bounds of churches, which is to 
 contift of fuch members, as can, with the utmoft 
 conveniency, meet together in one p1ace> for both, 
 worfhip and :ovemment> j Cor. 11.20. Chap. 14. 
 33. (4) This hath a tendency to alter the conftitu- 
 tion of particular churches, from being congregati* 
 onal corporations) into rhe national or univerfal no- 
 tien of rhe church \ which unfverlal church we be- 
 lieve t® be the myftical body of Jefus Chrift, which 
 as fuch is nor the feat of inftituted worihip and 
 ordinances, Alfo it is not reafonableto diimifs to 
 the world at large, nor to difmifs a member to a 
 church, with which tfce church difmiffiug, cannot 
 hold commufiion. 
 
 Of the duties of church- members. 
 
 TH E members of churches, owe all their du- 
 ties in a way of obedience to the will of God 
 ie\ e iled in his word, and their duties are to bepeiror- 
 audj in love to our Lord jtfus Chrift, John 14. i$# 
 WiiO is the great prophet, prieft and king of his 
 chuichi which he hath purchased with his own blt>od# 
 ASi 2,0. 2i* Rtv. 1, $. a. Cor. 5. 15. am© whom 
 
 3(11 
 
of church-difciplinc. |o 
 
 all power in heaven and earth is given, Mstk. ig. 
 l8- and is thrrcfoic our Lord and lawgiver, //*#, 
 5 j. 22. who alone is head of his church, Ephef, 
 I. 22. his perfon is to be honoured, and aJl his 
 commands are to be obferved, Meh. i. 2. John e. 
 2t. all worlliip is to be afcribed unro him. as God 
 ble(Ted for ever, Rom, 9. r . all church members* 
 therefore, are under the ftrifteft obligations to do 
 and cbferve whacfecver Chiift enjoy ncth on the*), 
 as mutual duties towards one another. 
 
 The officers of the church, whom Chrift hath ap- 
 pointed, arc to be refpefted. (1) The deacons of 
 the chyrch (tho 1 they officiate but in the outward 
 concerns of the church, as in the fc<5Hon about dea- 
 cons is noted) if they are faithful, do purchafc un- 
 to themfclvcs a good degree, 1 Tim. j. ij. arc 
 therefore to be reipecled. (2) Ruling elders alf® 
 arc ro be refpe&ed, feeing they are fitted of God, 
 and called by the church to go before the church, 
 or to prefide in acls of government and rule, 1 Tim. 
 ?• !/• 0) Miniftcrs, who are the (rewards of the 
 myfteritsof the gofpel, are in an eminent manner 
 to be regarded, as being the erabaiTadors of peace, 
 t Cor. c. 20. tho' they arc not to hunt for it> as 
 the pharifeesof old, Math 2J. c. 5, 7, Tht d«- 
 tics of church members, towards their elders, teach- 
 ers, minitUrs and paftors, may be inclnded in their ' 
 (1) Praying foi them, that God wouki openxcteox 
 of utterance unto them, to unfold the myfteireS 
 If£. 6. ig» *9> 2°. (a) To obey them in rh<*. 
 lord> in whatlbevcichev admonitK them* according^ 
 
po A jkort rreatije 
 
 to the word of God, Heb. ij. 17, 22. (^Infl- 
 owing their example and footfteps, as far as war- 
 ranted by the word, 1 Cor, 4, 16. Chap. 11. i» 
 
 P/?/7* 3. 17. Heh.ii* 7. (4) In (landing by them, 
 iu all their tryals and afflictions, and in defending 
 them in all good caules, as far -as in them lies; in 2 
 Tim. I, i.e. thofe of Aji* *rc blamed, for turning 
 away, or not (landing by the apoftlc. (j) Tn not 
 expofing their perfons for. their infirmities, as 
 far as may be, confidering the profperity of rhc gof- 
 pel much depends on their good report, Acls i\\ 
 5; (6) In contributing towards their maintenance, 
 that they may attend wholiy on teaching and give 
 themfelves-to the rainidry of the vvord and to prav- 
 er, jicls 6. 4^ the reafons thereof is evident by a 
 threefold law* (1) the law of nature, from whence 
 theapoftle argues, r Cor. 9. y.-~ n. (2) The le- 
 vitical law, 1 Cor. 9. 1$. (5) The gofpel enjoyn- 
 e*b and xequketh the fame, Gal. 6. 6. 1 Cor. 9. 
 1 4. Let thefe above-cited places of fcripture, be 
 coniidered, with- many other of like importance^ . 
 and the natare and tendency of the work of the mi- 
 niftry be well weighed, and it will be clear th.ir ic 
 is a duty required of Gcd hiir.felf; and that not in 
 a way of alms, as to the poor, which is another 
 {landing ordinance of Chriii, but is to be perform- 
 ed in love to Chrift, arfc) obedience to his laws, in 
 order to fupport and carry the mtcrell of the gof- 
 peL. Yet tins is not to be given to any one that 
 Aiay pretend ro be a minifter, or thrufl. himfelf 
 ^£ona church, or to fach.as ran without * njiiTion 
 
*/ church dii ?I 
 
 Vithv lucres (akc> but churches ought ro rake a 
 fptcial care who ro call fAth o the work or rhc 
 miniftp , g to the rule or n given 
 
 bv ini;>iution or God, be rfic\ Pruned or unlearned 
 as to human l< bi tl tj rich 01 poor, as to 
 
 liberality of the people ( if they be able) 
 aid (ut mount the neceffity of the minifter, 
 fb as that be ma) cxercife ti.ofe a<frs of love and 
 picalitv, as is required of tucu, that therein he 
 ma\ be exemplary in good works, &c. Moreover 
 (e that attend on their miniftty, to 
 afl.lt be rein i Gsl. 6. 6, and as people do fuw, fo 
 fliall rhe\ reap- GaI. 6. 7. ^ud 8. vide Confejfion 
 of faith, Chap.tC §. 10. When people negled their 
 duty towards their minifters, (uch miniftcrs muft of 
 ne-ceffity neglect their ftudies, and betake to other 
 iecular employments to fupporc flu mic Ives and fa- 
 milies, or be worfe than infidels J then fuch people 
 mud be great (phitual lofers in iheir edification : 
 yet when and where a church is not able to raife 
 a com for cable maitenance for to iupport their n > 
 niiler, there it is not only lawfu 1 , but the duty of 
 fuch miniiters to labour with their hands; for ro 
 leave fuch a congregation deftirure, to fonguifli 
 without the miniftn, would be very uncharitable^ 
 and fmell very much or h! hy lucre; and ro expert 
 from a people, more than they are able, would be 
 c^preflion or cxiortion. 
 
 of 
 
92 A [hart trtatifi 
 
 Of the manifold duties of cbriftitnS) eff tially to 
 the houfkould of faith. 
 
 SO M E of them arc thefe. ( i ) Lave unfeigned 
 and without diflimularion, for all their things 
 ought to be done in love, "John i}„ 54, 3 c. 
 Rom. I2 r 9, 10.^, 1 J.8>9. 10, (2) To layout to 
 keep the unity of the fpirit in the bond of peace, 
 Ep':ef 4.;. (3) Endeavour for the edification, and ipi- 
 rituai benefit of the whole body, that they all may 
 grow up to be a holy temple in and for the Lord, 
 I Cor. 14,12, 26, Ephef 4 12, 16, 29. chap 2 21* 
 ti. (4) That they ail watch over one anothet 
 for good, Phil. 2. 3, 4. (f) That they do pray 
 with and for one another, James 5*16. (6) That 
 they neglecl sot the affembling of themfelves to- 
 gether, for the celebrating of divine worfhip, and (© 
 promote one anothers fpiritual benefit, Heb t 20 2$. 
 Acis 2. 42. {*/ ) That they ufe all means to keep 
 the houfc of God in due order and cleanefs, walk- 
 ing Hnoffenfive towards one another, and ail others, 
 with confeientious diligence, and fo unanimoufly :o 
 contend for the faith and truth ence delivered to 
 the faints, in the purity thereof, according to the 
 holy fcripture, Pjal. 93. $, Zech. 14, 20, 21* I 
 Cor, 14. 33, 40, Chap. 11. 2* 
 
 Of church cemfures, 
 
 HAVING fpoken of the gathering together 
 of a particular gofpel ckurch, and it's officers, 
 G 5 «*4 - 
 
0f chut< . h -difcipline* 9? 
 
 and the rules whereby wc arc to be cniidcd in ehooi- 
 ing and ordaining ofthem, and of the admiffion of 
 members, &c. it is meet to give a m<>it view of a 
 church's duties and authority, in reff cftof cenfurcs 
 upon offender*. 
 
 lirf}, of admonition. 
 (i) Admonition is a holy, tender and wife en- 
 deavour, to convince a brother, that hath offended in 
 natter of h£l, or eKc is fallen into a way, where- 
 in to contfnue is like to be p-reju iicial to the party 
 himfelfor Ionic others j where the nutter, whate- 
 ver it be, and the (inrulncfs thereof, with the ag- 
 gravating circumftanccs attending it istebe charg- 
 ed on his conference, in the fight of God, with 
 due application of the word of God, which con. 
 cerns his condition ; thereby leading him to his 
 duty aid true reformation. (2) A dnionirioti is 
 private by one or more of the bre-I.ren or more 
 public by the whole church. (1) VC'h-n one 
 brother tp.fpaiTes again ft another, the offended 
 brother is not to divulge the offence, but to go 
 in a gofpcl wav to the nfii >»«•• «rwJ •.-, ( -'^ | -5 
 endeavour to reclaim his brother j and if he repenrsj 
 the offended brother ought to forgive him, Ala;th. 
 18. r S . Lu e 17. j. b«t if the offending brother 
 will not hear, then the orftndcd brother ought to take 
 # two or three other brethren, and them luch as mar 
 be moft likely to gain upon the offender 5 but if 
 this ad-monition alio takes no effect, it is to be 
 brought before the church, Math, r 8. 16, 17. (2) 
 The church when matters come thus before rhem, 
 fcall admonifh and endcarour to reclaim the of- 
 fender* 
 
94 <A fort treatise 
 
 fender, in the fpirit of rnecknefs ; and if the brother j 
 that offended continues obftinate and impenitent, 
 the church is directed to exclude him, kitth. 18.17. I 
 (f ) From whence it follows, every church mem- 
 ber has fomewhat to do in his place, Bcb, \z % if. 
 (2) In c*(c of privire offences it is prep aft erou-s 
 to pab'ifh t! en or acquaint the church or the el- 
 ders thereof therewith, before the two lower de- 
 grees of admonition arc dulv accoHijMiflied, and the 
 offended has neglcdcd to hear. £f) Thar when 
 matters are thus regularly brotrghf to fht church* 
 then private proceedings may reafe.. (4) That when 
 private offences are brought to the church wi 
 out fuch proper privare prOceeiutc, tk*i chc church 
 may and ought to refute it, as not corning according 
 to gofpel-rule aforefaid. in M»t, ig. ( c ) ItM wnen 
 thofe things that begin in private are thus rcgnl^rl/ 
 brought into the church, they mud be received a^d 
 adjudged according ro the fiid rale, M*t$ *8 So 
 that it may and doth oftentimes fall out, that thofe 
 things that be^in with pi ivate admonition, do end 
 
 Secondly, of fufpcnu'ott. 
 O) A fafpenfion may be, when the church is in- 
 fromed that a member hath aclcd amifs, either 
 in matters of faith or pradicc, and not having fatif- 
 fa&^ry proof whether the information is true or 
 falfe, and the cafe requiring time to enquire therein, 
 it is expedient to fiafpend fuch a perfon from core- 
 munion at the lord's table, until the elders of the 
 church, can make fuira-fele enquiry; as might be fig- 
 
 nificd 
 
*f l re # e, 
 
 tbl h«v in the cafe of icprof). Ltv. Jjth 
 r 4r chaprers. 
 (i) Sufptnfion is rather role looked upon t© be, 
 a c\ urch (1 rh dtbar a U ember from commu- 
 nion for to/rc ittfgalarity that hr ma) be f.uilry of, 
 
 j er doth not h as Co bl 
 
 for the great lentence of cxcomooicatiofli i but that 
 tbepetfon for fuel iitfgularityj < ught ro bedebar- 
 red ©f rl c | rivilcgc ©flpecial comn anion and ex- 
 
 &f i fine, in order to his humiliation, i 
 
 %. 6> 7, jo, iia 14, iv (ueh is not robe ace© on- 
 
 tcd as an tmmv, burro be exhorred as a blather in 
 
 tho' not in comrr.unior $ but if fuch an one 
 
 remain impenitent and incorrigible, the church (af- 
 
 IC waiting for his reformation) is to proceed 
 
 to excommunication, M*th;i$. j~. for that wool d 
 
 be a not bearing the chinch jnthe higheft degree. 
 
 xrdlffi °f excommunication. 
 
 Excommunication is a judicial act or ccnlure of 
 
 the church, upon an offender, by the authority of Je- 
 
 fus Thrift, and by his direction, delivered re his 
 
 church by himfelf or his apoftles, in the new tc(- 
 
 tament, which a gofpe] church ought to pur in 
 
 e, when matters of fad require, according to 
 
 gcrfpd ruie: as firft, when a member (after all due 
 
 admonition ) continues obftinare, and will hear co 
 
 reproof, Mwt % 18. 17* Secondly, When a member 
 
 hath coin muted a grofs fin, which is directly again ft 
 
 -.v, and being notorious and fcandalous, 
 
 and proved bpyond difpOtCs 1 Cor. 5, 4, c # 1 Tim M 
 
 . i Cur. 10, 6. ti:en a church is i mine diar. ly 
 
 to 
 
9 6 A flnrt treat ije 
 
 to proceed unto cenfure (notwithftandig any prc-i 
 fenc figns of conviction or remorfe) for the necef-1 
 fary vindication of the glory of God, the vmdi-1 
 cation of the church alfo, and their holy profeillon;] 
 and to manifeft their juft indignation and abhor- 
 rence againit fuch wickednefs, i Cer c. i — 1%> 
 Thirdly, When amembetis found to be erroneous, j 
 defective, or heretical in fomc fundamental point, 
 or to fwerve from the right faith, in the principles 
 of the chriftian religion, i Tim. i. 19, 2«. 
 
 The manner of proceeding unto this great and 
 awful inftituted ordinance, is: the chwrch being ga- 
 thered together; the offender alfo having notice to 
 come to make his anfwer and defence (if he comes 
 not, he aggr»avaets his offence by defpifing theautho* 
 rity of Chrift in his church) the body of the church 
 is to have knowledge of the offender's crime fully * 
 and the full proof thereof as of plain matter of fa&s 
 and after mature deliberate eonfideraticm an-d con- 
 futing the rules of diredion given in the word of 
 God (whether the offender be prefent or abfent)thc 
 minifler or elder puts the queftion to the whole 
 church, whether they judge the perfon guilty of fuch 
 crime now proved upon him, is wonhy of the cen- 
 fure of the church for the lame? to which the mem- 
 bers in general give their judgment; which if it be 
 in the affirmative, then the judgment of the mem- 
 bers in general being had, or the majority of them, 
 the paftor, minifler, or elder fums up thelentence 
 ot the church, opens the nature or the crime, with 
 the fuitablenefs of the cenfure, according to gofpel 
 
 rule J 
 
of cl euh-difc'j i: c. 9J 
 
 proceeded* \ proper time is 
 in exeedtiot), ac 
 
 le pa ft or, uuniitcr or elder of the clun 
 
 to lav open the lui- 
 
 1, with all the aggravating cir- 
 
 r'^ereof, and (hewi^ w a: an ab • 
 
 an offender is become to r 
 
 on, * our ic is to. God, <£v. applying the 
 
 ilar places or fcripture that are proper to the 
 
 1 charge the offence home upon the 
 
 if pief:nt, that others 
 
 g a'io the infill nat ire of this 
 
 grear cenfurc. and the main end thereof-, for the 
 
 ialvrtiun and not the defhudjori oi the (oui, aid 
 
 Mich foiemnirv in rbe wl sill g 
 
 up >n God rot bis gracious ptdlrnce, and his 
 
 I is lacrcd or n incc • 1 if 
 
 end ti 1 
 
 mch harh 
 mich the great humili 1 1 .1 ©Ml 
 
 and Qi'c ; r in 
 
 The fo 4 paft >x mi 1 c 
 
 Chsiit, i n 
 Ij and bv and vi h 1 | 
 
 t> rbe' judicial fententfc oft , cuts d 
 
 les del) an one fro* 
 
 m Dunion < r cic 1 hatch b^ 
 f . t;ar ( :cn a peti in is not «Ik e 
 
 be looked o I, drcinc 
 
 1 a church, uxicii <^ 
 Ktn .x^JLxn oy :q:ct< anu. 
 
 I \( hick 
 
99 Ajkort treatife 
 
 Which exclusion carries in it the full fenfc ©f out 
 fcord't words, M*t. ig. ij. Let him be unto the* 
 Ms an heathen man and * publican* or of theapoftle, 
 t Cot. j. $. to deliwr jueh an one to latum which 
 is an authoritative putting of fuch a pcrfon out of 
 ihc communion of the church, the kingdom of hea- 
 ven; into the world, the kingdom of Satan, the prince 
 *f the power of the air, the (pirit that now workcth 
 %n tht children of diiobeditnee, in order to his be* 
 ing humbled and broken under a fight and fenfc of 
 his fins, which is meant by thedeftruclionotthe flefti, 
 tnd to the end that the fpirit *»a; be fated in the 
 day of the Lord. 
 
 Amongft the many diiordcrs, which church-mem- 
 bers may be guilty of, and for tht obftinate con- 
 tinuance therein a church may and ought to ufe the 
 Jower that Chrift hath given to exclude them from 
 ei communion ; that is ene, which is when a mem- 
 ber doth feclude himfelt and that not in any regu- 
 lar way, but contrary to all rule and order : for 
 ojhen a church-member, by reaion of iomc offence 
 fco hath taken at the church orfomeof tht members 
 thereof, and hath not done his duty according to the 
 rule of the word, or elfe is a dying away in re- 
 ligion, by one means or another, a* by the love of 
 the world, change of condition in marriage, not 
 kaving his expected preferment in the church, or the 
 like, doth as it were excommunicate himfejf, the 
 chureh according to their duty ought to ufe their 
 endeavours to reclaim fuch; which endeavours, if 
 the; prove fruitlcfs, and the party obfhnarr, the 
 anarch ought not to acquiefce in his irregular 
 fiep&ittte from thciDt as if all tiicir bonds of (tk4* 
 
of church-crifciph'ne. IcJ 
 
 on and duty were over, ar.d no more was to b# 
 party hath uiliiped the power of 
 . the chuich therefore muft main* 
 tan the powei trtai Chfift h*tb committed unto \t% 
 tru>' i: canrsor hinder tn; inordinate and unruh paf- 
 s of luch an one if Gad leaves kirn to it. He 
 I run away from the church, renting himfelflchii'- 
 rruticaliv orf y bicakin^ thro' a!i order and covenant 
 Rations in oppoiition to brotherly tnJeavourfc 
 to hindrr him, and to ftav him in his pUceJ the 
 church is to proceed judicially to turn the key upon 
 a (infui diicrderlv departer; and publickly to 
 declare, thit as (uchan one bv name hath bicn guil- 
 ty .of Inch a thing (naming his diforder) he i* no 
 Jevigcr in their communion, nor under their watch 
 and caiCi &c % and that fueh a per Ton is not t<> fcturfi 
 to heir communion, until he hath given fatisfaftion 
 i the church, Rem. 16. 17. Such a reparation of 
 dcpaiture is very iinfut, tor thele and the like rca- 
 fons. (1) Becaufc the church is a corporation pa* 
 vilcged wich JaAS and rules for admittance and 3i- 
 DUCtancc. which ought to be obft tved # Matth. ig, 
 torn. 12. 4, c.. it) Mich a departure is rude k in- 
 decent, therefore difhonourablc, r Or. 14. 40, (}) 
 Became if membcts may take this liberty, all the 
 officers of the church, miniftcis, ruling elders &dea* 
 cons may rake the fame liberty, which would foon 
 on church any church, or at leaft be deftruclirt to 
 its beamy, tomrorr A edification, Joh. t. 67. (4) 
 I All members do covenant the contrary> Ifst. 44 f s 
 \ and therefore it is a breach of covenant* which i* 
 
 ; 
 
Id A J!:ort treatife 
 
 a b!*ck charter, 2 Tim. 3. ; (cj It defrroys 
 totally the relation between cldeisand people, Ki.ich 
 God hath onair.td, Mattfoj, 36. (6) It is anuluip- 
 ing of the ke\s* or lather fttaJing <;f them, Amos 
 6. i}/ (7J It is fcr.ifm : if there is inch a thing in 
 the world> it is of particular churches, 1 Cor. 11. 
 Ig. cli. 12. %u {%) It is a high contempt of Chrift 
 in the government of his church, jude 18* Q- 2 ?et> 
 2 JO, 11. (9) Ir is to break the fbrT of beauty 
 £wvtnant] and of bands and brotherhood too, Zecb . 
 1^. jo 14. (10) Ic argues either fome great un- 
 dilccvered guilt lyin^ on the party., or fume by 
 ends in his fir ft (eeking admi/licn into fueh 2 church*. 
 Ail which put together, it declares • tjhe great unity 
 ©fa congiegational g.ofpel-churck ; asd the finfulncfs 
 of inch diioicetly peiions in breaking off without 
 a juft taufe : -but if any chinch becomes heretical m 
 p&intip'es cr idolatrous in w'orfliip. or immoral in 
 life, it is lawful for per (oris, alter they -tave difchar- 
 ged their conscience and duty in reproving and bear- 
 ing witnefs againft inch grolV defections, to departs 
 
 Qdier diftrdus a«d caufes of di r cordsin chutehes 
 3te theic,and man v of the like ; (j) When members of 
 churches, by their ignorance of the rules ofdifci- 
 phne & right government of the church of Ci-rift, 
 do not 3d according to tbei.r dutv j particularly 
 when th^LZ rule, M*t*h, 18. ic» 16, is not obfervvd ; 
 and -hit is, either .1)- \Y h«n offended members, in. 
 ftead of going; to the offender, to tell.hin* hi* fault, 
 Wi4i be divulging it diiorcerly to others wK'her 
 
if church difcipfine. ItX 
 
 member* #rnonracmbers. (a> When offended nun* 
 bers inftcad of acting according to the lai i rule, da 
 conceal the matter from the offender and every bo- 
 dy clie, Icit thev mould be looked upon as conten- 
 tious perfons; and rhereby they lufleriin upon their 
 brother, and arc become guilty of other men'* fins, 
 and rhereby thev fuifcr the name of God, their hoLy 
 profeflion, and the church, to lie undct * reproach 
 by their negled; either of which ways is yery firv 
 {ul. at being conmry to the cxprefs rule given hj 
 our Lord Chrift; and fiich ought (as being thcrcb/ 
 become offenders tl.cmiclvcs) to be in a gofpd-way 
 dealt with. 
 
 (a) ty hen an elder or a church do know that Tome 
 of the members arc immoral and fcandalous in lifc t 
 or heretical in marten of faith aid judgement, and 
 yet bear with them, oc connive at tbcrn. 
 
 (j) When members of churches take liberty r# 
 go to hear to other placet, when the church it af- 
 ic.nbled to worflnip God, which is dircclly contrary 
 to Htb. 10. i%, and is no ltfs that breaking co- 
 venant *irh the church thev belong unto, and may 
 foi n dillMvc and unchurch any particular church J 
 for, by the fame rule that one member takes fuch 
 libcrtv, another may, \e*> all the members may, 
 •mil their afl-mbling entirely ccafc And) more- 
 over it is cafting great contejrpt on the rainiftrf 
 of fuch a church, and mar caufe others to be difaf* 
 fedted, t » the dextrine taught in fuch, tho* founi 
 and orthodox. Yet no re 11 taint ought to belaid on 
 members g^ing to hear at other placet, where found 
 dwcUinc is uug;n, at other ci*ts> (4) When 
 
i©J 
 
 A Jhort trettift 
 
 (4) 'When members rake liberty to go to hear 
 men chat are corrcpr in do&riri.e, and (o fuck in fume 
 unfound notions oi religion, and entxavour to cor- 
 rupt oners with w hat they hare imbibed thtrnfelves. 
 And ala. ! how inany in our unhappy da) sate ccr- 
 rup ed with Armmianijmj Socinianijm, and what 
 riot ? Such cauie rroubk and. great diiordciS; 
 
 (e) Another disorder that may caufe difcord, is, when 
 members are received witbout the general and un- 
 animous confentot thc.church i cr when any arc ad- 
 mitted, widr whofe confeflion or life & convention, 
 xhc gencrs,liry of the members are not iatis fled : or 
 when elders and minifters or leaders of .the church, 
 are iemiis and carelcfsin the reception of members* 
 , (d| When a church (hall receive a charge againft 
 $ member (it being an offence given by one bro- 
 ther to another brother) before an: orderly procedure 
 has been made by the. offended brother, according 
 to the rule, Matth.^it. 
 
 I (7) 'When judgment paiTes with partiality, or 
 . /bxne are connived at ouooi favour or afTe&ion, and. 
 others ecn fared c*u of envy c r without due conviction, 
 Levi was not to know his father.* mother or chilcrsn 
 ir* judgment. Deut. ;^. g£ 
 
 (8.) .When the charges of a church arenot equally 
 bfcrni by t) c members according. to their fcyeral 
 abJkles, but fomeaie.burthencd when others do lit- 
 de or .nothings 
 
 * (9) 'When accusations a*e received againft an el-. 
 .4&i,XQMMi to the. rule, i Tim. 5. }i. which .re- 
 
 guises 
 
•f i c 4 
 
 Mires two or rhrcc wi?ne!T< carter of facT 
 
 n >i of tl 
 
 I 
 
 f 4. 1 1 
 
 <J. is i: v ro diVulgt 
 
 .ts of a far atel llumc cfo 
 
 (j 1) \Y, hen c. 
 
 arc not ca ~sd Kcj : 
 
 In all thele apd jn^ of tike na- 
 
 uiai churcl cs ouelu ro 
 
 -• focarioii, 
 
 and acco • of rhe wofld 
 
 of Gfd, prcv< nred, &: 1 
 
 'd in mace <5c 
 , ir^ of the body oi the chiuh 
 vi Chiift in love. 
 
 Of the communion #/ churches. 
 
 Every particular r*fl)gr*gaM*J aJ church incorpo- 
 cd by and according to the ir.ftiturjon of 
 utt in the Goipcl, andauh organizes actdfu 
 the partem or the primitive chu relict,- fafth 
 rponcrtiomChuiUo call and oitain irs own 
 
 officii 
 
2CC. 
 
 A Jhort trettejs 
 
 officers; fo that no man or fcr of men have autho- 
 rity to chufe officers for them, or impofcany offi- 
 cers on them, without tkeir previous knowledge and 
 volunrary c*nhm, A$s 6.$. Deacons are to be chofen 
 by the multitude, Acln^. 2$ Elders wete ordained 
 in every church by election or fuffragc of the church J 
 and every parricu'ar church, as iuch, aiTembled with 
 her proper elders, hath fuficienc po*er to receive 
 memoers, Att, 1.41 Horn. 14, 7 And in the ex- 
 crcife or any ads of difcipiine, fuch a church being 
 convened *vithher own officers or elders in the name 
 or Chrift. may act according to gofpel rule in any 
 cafe, even to excommunicaie fuch members as arc 
 found to bz ebftinate in diford'jrs, or heretical in 
 principles, aker due admonition; or fuch as are 
 guiles or grod md fcand^lous immoralities in con- 
 vention, &r. independant on any other church- 
 power (uperior to irfclf, or higher judicatory lodg- 
 ed in any nun or an) fet of men, by an) inftitut-on of 
 Cruiii: and therefore the eldcrsof a church, meeting 
 in the abfer.ee of the members, or convened with the 
 elders of other churches, are nor entrufted with a 
 power to aft for a church in admiilion ot members, 
 ordination, or cenlures, &c. and it is rhe duty 
 of (uch a church to admonifh any of her mem- 
 bets or officers, their teacher or paftor, Col. 4. 17. 
 and exclude any too, when their crimes require, 
 according to the rule of the gcfpcl. And fuch par* 
 ticuku congregational churches, conftintted and or- 
 ganized according to the mind of Chrift revealed in 
 the Btweftamrrtt, are all caual in power and dig* 
 JUij>.aad nc read of do di (parity betweca them, ot 
 
*/. : ^c. t%6 
 
 them, chat fhotild r<-s r :c a <Hf- 
 | 
 
 f one church th.»u!d be i 
 rs mould be a< 
 'ion, altho* they nav 
 :nd lllcfulnefs. ^ 
 l-.uulus, ,. [11 got 
 
 flic«j may and i 
 her in many duties which may 
 cfirandedi 
 
 or gifts, m*y 
 ghr, if p' ffible, to fuppl) anathef chat lickcth, 
 C*nt. 8 8, the) atual giving & n 
 
 < //. 4. If. and nui" ionj rccorrrren- 
 
 dati^n (. r dil rtifl n embers from one c 
 
 re. It i 
 arc ro: :o be di 
 fid as 1 
 
 • in. 
 By 1 *f fuch cc 
 
 1 iuJi t hill 
 
 e ar the U.n-'s tar, Ic - 
 church 1 f 
 
 cit, b) v. 
 the c fi: 
 
 . in r y ;.<ft 
 
 ted i n 
 
 cd in the t 
 
 :.«ey 
 
107 
 
 A Jhoft treatife 
 
 may have opportunity and advantage fo to do) fhould 
 by their mutual agreement appoint proper times 
 and places, to meet by their rcfpe&ive mcilengers or 
 delegates, to conlider of fuch things as may be for 
 the common benefit of all fuch chttrcbes, for their 
 peace, profperitv, and mutual edification, and what 
 may be for' the furtherance of the gofpel, and the in- 
 terefl of Chrift in the world. 
 
 And foraCmuch as it falls our many times that par- 
 ticular churches have to do with doubtful and difficult 
 matters, or differences in point of do&rine or ad mi* 
 niftration (like the church of ' Antioch of old), where- 
 in either the churches in general are concerned, or 
 any cRe church* i^ their peace, union or edification) 
 or any member or members of a church are injured, 
 in or by any proceeding in cenfures not agreeable 
 to gofpel rule and order ; it is according to the mind 
 of Chtift, that many churches holding communion 
 together,, fhould meet by their meffengers and dele- 
 gates to cr nlider of, and to give advice in or about 
 fuch matters in difference; and their fentiments to 
 be reported to all the chinches concerned-: and fuch 
 meffengers and delegates, convened in the name of 
 Chrift, by the voluntary confent of the fettral church- 
 es in filch mutual communion, may declare dc de- 
 termine of the mind ot the holy G oft, revealed in 
 fcripture, concerning things in difference; and maj 
 decree the observation of things that arc true and 
 neceffary, becaufc revealed and appointed in thefcrip* 
 ture. And the churches will do well to receive, own 
 andobfervc fuch determination*, on the evidence and 
 
 authority 
 
.hurch difciplinc. log 
 
 hority of the mind of the holy Ghoft in them as 
 in Aclsie,. 29. Yet fuch delegates thus adcwiblcd, 
 arc not intruded or aimed with an* coercive power, 
 PI any (upctior jurifdidion over the churches con- 
 cerned, fo as to impofe their determinations on them 
 or their officers, under the penalty of excommuni- 
 c ttion, or the like. See th< ConffJfton> Ciap. 16. 
 $J4* xc. Ste ulfo Dr. Owen, on the nature of 
 the £(>Jffl church, chapr. 1 1. and Dr. Goodwin, Vol, 
 4. Bo. c, clup 8^ 9> 10, Hi eye, of the govern* 
 mtnt of the churches oj Chriil. 
 
 THE END. 
 
 The Contents. 
 
 Oftht hoty fcripture$. Page j 
 
 , i, and the heHy Trinity. f 
 
 Qf G*ds Decree. H 
 
 Qf Creation. Xj 
 
 Cf divine providence, 1^ 
 
 O/ the jail, of fin, and its funifhment \-j 
 
 O/ Grd's covenant. jp 
 
 O/ Chrifl the me d at or, 20 
 
 O/ jree will, 2C, 
 
 Cf eff ft* 4/ calling, 26 
 
 O/ )Ujitfication. 2% 
 
 ioptton, jO 
 
 Oj j**8*fie*tiwn, }l 
 
 i 0/ 
 
Offyvsng faith. 
 
 Oj refentsnce nnt7 life and falvxthn 
 
 Of go d wot !'/. 
 
 Of perfcverance of the faints. 
 
 Of the affurnnce of grace and falvathn m 
 
 Of the Law of G d, 
 
 Or the gojfeli and of the extent of the grace th: v eof 4.5 
 
 Of c- njthn li!?ery, and. ente, 
 
 O* re Li J us worjhip, and the J abb at h day. 
 
 Of fi ii'il of pjalms, &c. 
 
 O/ l*>vjf'*l oaths ant tjou *+ 
 
 O- the civil majorat e % 
 
 Of m&rriage. 
 
 Of the church* 
 
 Of the comnrUnion of faints.. 
 
 O] biprt m a ,d the Lords fuyper. 
 
 C ; ^-ti/.n. 
 
 Of Laying on o r hath. 
 
 Of toe L ra*i fstpger, 
 
 Offbe (tate - man after death* and refurrefthn. 
 
 Of the la. 1 ju -g nent. ' % 
 
 I C * true and orderly gojf el y&Httin 7 % 
 
 C'nceritn* miv:;j;ers, &c. 75 
 
 p/ ru ii] eUers, 78 
 
 j Of deavot*. 79 
 
 O the ad vtfflon f -' n*ch members. go 
 
 O/ the duties oj care 88 
 
 Of the duties of c rijians &c. 92 
 
 O f ek toe j ct n j ures. 91 
 
 Q> f,?e c mwuniori of cku ches. 1 04 
 
 Enaium. iw indtnd itt&tntent* p. 'Sl.i 7*