CONFESSION OF FAITH, 
 
 OWNED AND CONSENTED TO 
 
 ELDERS AJ¥I> ?IESSE*GERS 
 
 <&i)\xtttit8 in the <£oloug of ©outucttcttt, 
 
 IN NEW-ENGLAND; 
 
 ASSEMBLED BY DELEGATION AT SAYBROOK, 
 SEPTEMBER 9TH, 1708. 
 
 Eph. 4 : 5. One Faith. 
 
 Col. 2 : 5. Joying and beholding your order, and the stead- 
 fastness of your faith in Christ. 
 
 NEW-LONDON, CONN. PRINTED, 1710. 
 
 HARTFORD: 
 
 RE-PRINTED BY P. B. GLEASON & CO. 
 
 NO. 146, MAIN-STREET. 
 MDCCCXXXVIII. 
 
ki At a meeting of the General Association of Connecticut, at 
 the house of Rev. Noah Porter, jun., in New Milford, on the 
 third Tuesday of June, 1837— 
 
 11 Resolved, That Rev. Messrs. Hewit, Bacon, and Cleaveland, 
 be a Committee to superintend the publication of an accurate 
 re-print of the Saybrook Platform." 
 
 The foregoing is a true extract from the original Minutes, 
 on file. 
 
 Attest, 
 
 C. CHAP1N, Register of the said 
 
 General Association. 
 
 We the subscribers having examined the following re-print 
 of the "Confession of Faith," and " Heads of Agreement," and 
 11 Articles for the administration of Church Discipline," agreed 
 upon and consented to by the Synod at Saybrook, September 9. 
 1708, — do certify that the same is correctly copied from the 
 edition published at Bridgeport in the year 1810. 
 
 LEONARD BACON, 
 E. L. CLEAVELAND. 
 New Haven, 26th Dec. 1837. 
 
PREFACE, 
 
 Among the memorable Providences relating to 
 our English Nation in the last century, must be 
 acknowledged the settling of English Colonies in 
 the American parts of the world ; among all which 
 this hath been peculiar unto and to the distinguish- 
 ing glory of that tract called New-England, that 
 the colonies there were originally formed, not for 
 the advantage of trade, and a worldly interest ; 
 but upon the most noble foundation, even of reli- 
 gion, and the Liberty of their Consciences, with 
 respect unto the ordinances of the Gospel admin- 
 istered in the purity and power of them ; a happi- 
 ness then not to be enjoyed in their native soil. 
 
 We joyfully congratulate the religious liberty 
 of our brethren in the late auspicious reign of 
 K. William and Q. Mary, of blessed memory, and 
 in the present glorious reign, and from the bottom 
 of our hearts bless the Lord, whose prerogative it 
 is to reserve the times and seasons in his own 
 hand ; who also hath inspired the pious mind of 
 her most sacred Majesty, whose reign we con- 
 stantly and unfeignedly pray may be long and glo- 
 
IV PREFACE. 
 
 rious, with royal resolutions, inviolably to main- 
 tain the toleration. 
 
 Deus enim — hoee Otia fecit. 
 
 Undoubtedly if the same had been the liberty 
 of those times, our fathers would have been far 
 from exchanging a most pleasant land (dulce so- 
 lum patriai) for a vast and howling wilderness ; 
 since for the enjoyment of so desirable liberty, a 
 considerable number of learned, worthy, and pi- 
 ous persons, were, by a divine impulse and extra- 
 ordinary concurrence of dispositions, engaged to 
 adventure their lives, families, and estates, upon 
 the vast ocean, following the Lord into a wilder- 
 ness, a land then not sown ;* wherein innumerable 
 difficulties staring them in the face, were outbid 
 by heroic resolution, magnanimity, and confidence 
 in the Lord alone. Our fathers trusted in the 
 Lord and were delivered, they trusted in him and 
 were not confounded. -\ It was their care to he 
 with the Lord, and their indulgence, that the Lord 
 was with them,% to a wonder, preserving, support- 
 ing, protecting, and animating them ; dispatching 
 and destroying the pagan natives by extraordinary 
 sickness and mortality, that there might he room 
 for his people to serve the Lord our God iw.§ It 
 was the glory of our fathers, that they heartily 
 
 * Jer. 2:2. f Psalms 22 : 4, 5. 
 
 | 2 Chron. 15 : 2. $ Psalms 80 ; 8, 9, 
 
PREFACE. V 
 
 professed the only rule of their religion, from the 
 very first, to be the Holy Scripture, according 
 whereunto, so far as they were persuaded, upon 
 diligent enquiry, solicitous search, and faithful 
 prayer conformed, was their faith, their worship, 
 together with the whole administration of the 
 house of Christ, and their manners, allowance 
 being given to human failures and imperfections. 
 
 That which they were most solicitous about, 
 and wherein their liberty had been restrained, 
 respecting the worship of God, and the govern- 
 ment of the Church of Christ, according to his 
 own appointment, their faith and profession of re- 
 ligion being the same which was generally re- 
 ceived in all the reformed churches of Europe, 
 and in substance the Assembly's Confession, as 
 shall be shewn anon. 
 
 It cannot be denied, that the usage of the Chris- 
 tian Church, whose faith wholly rested upon the 
 Word of God respecting Confessions of Faith, is 
 very ancient, and that which is universally ac- 
 knowledged to be most so, and of universal ac- 
 ceptance and consent, is commonly called the 
 Apostles' Creed, a symbol, sign, or badge of the 
 Christian religion, called the Apostles, not because 
 they composed it, for then it must have been re- 
 ceived into the canon of the Holy Bible, but be- 
 cause the matter of it agreeth with the doctrine, 
 
 and is taken out of the writings of the Apostles. 
 1* 
 
VI PREFACE. 
 
 Consequent hereunto, as the necessity of the 
 Church, for the correcting, condemning, and sup- 
 pressing of heresy and error required, have been 
 emitted, ancient and famous Confessions of Faith, 
 composed and agreed upon by Oecumenical Coun- 
 cils, e. g. of Nice against Arius, of Constantino- 
 ple against Macedonius, of Ephesus against Nes- 
 torius, of Calcedon against Eutyches. And when 
 the light of reformation broke forth to the disper- 
 sing of popish darkness, the reformed nations 
 agreed upon Confessions of Faith, famous in the 
 world, and of especial service to theirs and stand- 
 ing ages. And among those of latter times, pub- 
 lished in our nation, most worthy of repute and 
 acceptance, we take to be the Confession of 
 Faith, composed by the reverend Assembly of Di- 
 vines convened at Westminster, with that of the 
 Savoy, id the substance, and in expressions, for the 
 most part the same ; the former* professedly as- 
 sented and attested to, by the Fathers of our coun- 
 try, by unanimous vote of the Synod of Elders 
 and Messengers of the Churches, met at Cam- 
 bridge, the last of the 6th month, 1648. The 
 latter owned and consented to by the Elders and 
 Messengers of the Churches assembled at Boston, 
 May 12th, 1680. The same, we doubt not to 
 profess, to have been the constant faith of the 
 
 * See the Preface to the Platform of Church Discipline. 
 
PREFACE. Vll 
 
 churches in this Colony, from the first foundation 
 of them. And that it may appear to the Chris- 
 tian world, that our churches do not maintain dif- 
 fering opinions in the doctrine of religion, nor are 
 desirous, for any reason, to conceal the faith we 
 are persuaded of, the Elders and Messengers of 
 the Churches in this Colony of Connecticut, in 
 New England, by virtue of the appointment and 
 encouragement of the Honorable the General As- 
 sembly, convened by delegation at Saybrook, Sep- 
 tember 9th, 1708, unanimously agreed, that the 
 Confession of Faith, owned and consented unto 
 by the Elders and Messengers of the Churches 
 assembled at Boston, in New England, May 12th, 
 1680, being the second session of that Synod, be 
 recommended to the Honorable General Assembly 
 of this Colony at their next session, for their pub- 
 lic testimony thereto, as the faith of the Churches 
 of this Colony ; which Confession, together with 
 the Heads of Union, and Articles for the Adminis- 
 tration of Church Government, herewith emitted, 
 were presented unto, and approved and establish- 
 ed by the said General Assembly, at New Haven, 
 on the 14th of October, 1708. 
 
 This Confession of Faith, we offer as our firm 
 persuasion, well and fully grounded upon the Ho- 
 ly Scripture, and commend the same unto all, 
 and particularly to the people of our Colony, to 
 be examined, accepted, and constantly maintained. 
 
V1J1 PREFACE. 
 
 We do not assume to ourselves, that any thing be 
 taken upon trust from us, but commend to our 
 people these following counsels : 
 
 I. That you be immoveably and unchangeably 
 agreed in the only sufficient, and invariable rule of 
 religion, which is the Holy Scripture, the fixed 
 Canon* uncapable of addition or diminution. You 
 ought to account nothing ancient, that will not 
 stand by this rule,-)- nor any thing new that will. 
 Do not hold yourselves bound to unscriptural rites 
 in religion, wherein custom itself doth many times 
 misguide. Believe it to be the honor of religion 
 to resign and captivate our wisdom and faith to 
 Divine revelation.^: 
 
 II. That you be determined by this Rule in the 
 whole of religion. That your faith be right and 
 Divine, the Word of God must be the foundation of 
 it, and the authority of the Word the reason of it.§ 
 You may believe the most important articles of 
 Faith with no more than a human faith : And this 
 is evermore the cause, when the principle Faith 
 is resolved into, is any other than the Holy Scrip- 
 ture. For an orthodox Christian to resolve his faith 
 into education, instruction, and the persuasion of 
 others, is not an higher reason, than a Papist, 
 Mahometan, or Pagan can produce for his religion. 
 
 *Isa. 8:20. f Rev. 21:18,19. J Jer. 6 : 16 ; Matt. 19 : 8, 
 or 44 : 17. J Matt. 11 : 27 ; 1 John 5 : 9. || Luke 10 : 26. 
 
PREFACE. IX 
 
 Pay also unto God the worship, that will bear 
 the trial of and receive establishment by this rule. 
 Have always in readiness a Divine warrant for all 
 the worship you perform to God. Believe that 
 worship is accepted, and that only, which is di- 
 rected unto and commanded, and hath the promise 
 of a blessing from the Word of God. Believe 
 that worship not divinely commanded is in vain* 
 nor will answer the necessities and expectations 
 of a Christian, and is a worshipping, you know 
 not what.f Believe in all divine worship ; it is 
 not enough that this or that act of worship is not 
 forbidden in the Word of God ; if it be not com- 
 manded, and you perform it, you may fear that 
 you will be found guilty and exposed to divine dis- 
 pleasure. J Nadab and Abihu paid dear for offer- 
 ing in divine worship that which the Lord com- 
 manded them not. It is an honor done unto Christ, 
 when you account that only decent, orderly, and 
 convenient in his house, which depends upon the 
 institution and appointment of himself, who is the 
 only Head and Law-giver of his church. 
 
 III. That you be well-grounded in the firm 
 truths of religion. We have willingly taken pains 
 to add the Holy Scriptures, whereon every point 
 of faith contained in this Confession doth depend, 
 and is borne up by, and commend the same to your 
 
 * Matt. 15 : 9. f John 4 : 22 ; Jer. 7 : 22. \ Lev. 10 : 1, 2. 
 
X PREFACE. 
 
 diligent perusal, that you be established in the 
 truth, and your faith rest upon its proper basis, the 
 Word of God.* Follow the example of the noble 
 Bereans, search the Scriptures, grow in grace 
 and the knowledge of Christ, be not children in 
 understanding, but men. Labor for a sound, con- 
 firmed knowledge of these points in the evidence 
 of them. See that they be deeply rooted in your 
 minds and hearts, that so you be not an easy prey 
 to such as lie in wait to deceive. -\ For the want 
 hereof to be condoled is the unhappiness of many, 
 ever learning, and never coming to the knowledge 
 of the truth.:]: 
 
 IV. That having applied the rule of Holy Scrip, 
 ture to all the Articles of this Confession, and found 
 the same upon trial, the unchangeable and eternal 
 truths of God : § You remember and hold them fast, 
 contend earnestly for them as the faith once de- 
 livered to the saints. Value them as your great 
 charter, the instrument of your salvation, the evi- 
 dence of your not failing of the grace of God, 
 and receiving a crown that fadeth not away.|| 
 Maintain them, and every of them, all your days, 
 with undaunted resolution against all opposition, 
 whatever the event be, and the same transmit 
 
 * Acts 17 : 10, 11 j John 5 : 39 ; 2 Pet. 3 : 18 ; lCor. 14 : 20. 
 f Eph. 4 : 13, 14. 1 2 Tim. 3:7. } Rev. 3 : 3 ; Jude 3. 
 
 || 1 Cor. 15 : 18 ; 1 Cor. 16 : 13 ; Psal. 78 ■ 5. 
 
PREFACE. XI 
 
 safe and pure to posterity : Having bought the 
 truth on no hand sell it. Believe * the truth will 
 make you free : Faithful is he that hath promised : 
 So shall none take away your crown. 
 
 Finally : Do not think it enough that your faith 
 and order be according to the Word of God, but 
 live accordingly.^ It is not enough to believe well, 
 you run yourself into the greatest hazard unless 
 you be careful to live well, and that this be4 all 
 your life and conversation must be agreeable to 
 the rule of God's Word. This is the rule of a 
 Christian conversation and practical reformation. § 
 Rest not in the form of godliness, denying the pow- 
 er of it. Stir up an holy zeal, strengthen the 
 things that remain that are ready to die. Be not 
 carried away with the corruptions, temptations, 
 and evil examples of the times, but be blameless 
 and without rebuke, the sons of God in a froward 
 generation^ they shall walk with me in white, for 
 they are worthy. 
 
 Remember ye our brethren in this colony, that 
 we are a part of that body,1F for which the provi- 
 dence of God hath wrought wonders, and are ob- 
 liged by and accountable for all the mercies dis- 
 
 * John 23 : 23 ; John 8 : 32 ; Heb. 10 : 13; Rev. 3 : 11. 
 f Tit. 2 : 11, 12. \ Gal. 6 : 16 ; Mic. 6 : 8. 
 \ 2 Tim. 3 : 15 ; Rev. 3 : 19 ; Rev. 3:2; Fhil. 2 ■ 15. 
 || Rev. 3:4. 1 Hosea 12 : 2, 3. 
 
Xll PREFACE. 
 
 pensed from the beginning of our fathers settling 
 this country until now. There he spake with vs.* 
 That the practical piety and serious religion of 
 our progenitors is exemplary and for our imita- 
 tion,"]" and will reflect confounding shame on us, 
 if we prove degenerate. The Lord grant that the 
 noble design of our fathers in coming to this land, 
 may not be forgotten by us, nor by our children 
 after us, even the interest of religion which we 
 can never exchange for a temporal interest with- 
 out the foulest degeneracy, and most inexcusable 
 defection.:): To conclude, the solemn rebukes of 
 Providence, from time to time, in a series of judg- 
 ments, and in particular, the general drought in the 
 summer past, together with the grievous disappoint- 
 ment of our military undertaking, the distresses, 
 sickness, and mortality of our camp, cannot success- 
 fully be improved but by a self -humbling considera- 
 tion of our ways, and a thorough repentance of all 
 that is amiss. § So will the God of our fathers be 
 our God, and he will be a wall of fire round about 
 us, and the glory in the midst of us in this present, 
 and all succeeding generations. Amen. 
 
 * Hosea 12 ■ 4. 
 
 f2Tim. 1:5; Job 8 : 8. 
 
 | Exod. 15 : 2, 17 ; Jer. 2 : 21. 
 
 J Isa. 26 : 9 ; Gen. 43 : 23 \ Zech. 2 : 5. 
 
A CONFESSION OF FAITH. 
 
 CHAP. I. 
 
 OF THE HOLY SCRIPTURES. 
 I. 
 
 Although the light of nature, and the works 
 of creation and Providence, do so far manifest the 
 goodness, wisdom, and power of God, as to leave 
 men inexcusable ; a yet they are not sufficient to 
 give that knowledge of God, and of his will, which 
 is necessary unto salvation : b Therefore it pleas- 
 ed the Lord at sundry times, and in divers man- 
 ners, to reveal himself, and to declare that his will 
 unto his Church : c and afterwards, for the better 
 preserving and propagating of the truth, and for 
 the more sure establishment and comfort of the 
 Church against the corruption of the flesh, and the 
 malice of Satan and of the world, to commit the 
 same wholly to writing ; d which maketh the Holy 
 Scripture to be most necessary ; e those former 
 ways of God's revealing his will unto his people, 
 now ceased. f 
 
 a Rom. 2: 14,15; Rom. 1:19,20; Psal. 19 : 1,2,3; Rom. 1 : 
 32 ; chap 2:1. b 1 Cor. 1 : 21 ; chap. 2 : 13. 14. c Heb. 1 : 
 1,2. d Prov. 22 : 19, 20, 21 ; Luke 1 : 3, 4 ; Rom. 15 : 4 ; 
 Matt. 4:4, 7, 10; Isa. 8: 19,20. e2 Tim. 3:15; 2 Pet. 1: 19. 
 fHeb. 1: 1,2. 
 
 2 
 
14 A CONFESSION OF FAITH. 
 
 II. 
 
 Under the name of Holy Scripture, or the word 
 of God written, are now contained all the books 
 of the Old and New Testament, which are these : 
 
 Of the Old Testament. 
 Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuter- 
 onomy, Joshua, Judges, Ruth, 1 Samuel, 2 Sam- 
 uel, 1 Kings, 2 Kings, 1 Chronicles, 2 Chronicles, 
 Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther, Job, Psalms, Proverbs, 
 Ecclesiastes, The Song of Songs, Isaiah, Jere- 
 miah, Lamentations, Ezekiel, Daniel Hosea, Joel, 
 Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habak- 
 kuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, Malachi. 
 
 Of the New Testament. 
 Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, The Acts of the 
 Apostles, Paul's Epistle to the Romans, 1 Corin- 
 thians, 2 Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Phi- 
 lippians, Colossians, 1 Thessalonians, 2 Thessa- 
 lonians, 1 to Timothy, 2 to Timothy, to Titus, to 
 Philemon, the Epistle to the Hebrews, the Epistle 
 of James, the first and second Epistles of Peter, 
 the first, second, and third Epistles of John, the 
 Epistle of Jude, the Revelation. 
 
 All which are given by the inspiration of God, 
 to be the rule of faith and life. S 
 
 g Luke 16 : 29, 31 ; Eph. 2 : 20 ; Rev. 22 ; 18, 19 ; 2 Tim. 
 3:16. 
 
A CONFESSION OF FAITH. 15 
 
 III. 
 
 The books commonly called Apocrypha not be- 
 ing of divine inspiration, are no part of the canon 
 of the Scripture ; and therefore are of no author- 
 ity in the Church of God, nor to be any otherwise 
 approved, or made use of, than other human 
 writings. h 
 
 h Luke 24 : 27, 44 ; Rom. 3:2:2 Pet. 1 : 21. 
 
 IV. 
 
 The authority of the Holy Scripture, for which 
 it ought to be believed and obeyed, dependeth not 
 upon the testimony of any man or church, but 
 wholly upon God, (who is truth itself) the author 
 thereof; and therefore it is to be received because 
 it is the word of God. ! 
 
 i2Pet. 1:19,21; 2Tim.3:16; I John 5:9; lThes.2:13. 
 
 We may be moved and induced by the testi- 
 mony of the Church, to a high and reverend es- 
 teem of the Holy Scripture ; k and the heavenli- 
 ness of the matter, the efficacy of the doctrine, 
 the majesty of the style, the consent of all the 
 parts, the scope of the whole, (which is to give 
 all glory to God) the full discovery it makes of 
 the only way of man's salvation, the many other 
 incomparable excellencies, and the entire per- 
 fection thereof, are arguments whereby it doth 
 
16 A CONFESSION OF FAITH. 
 
 abundantly evidence itself to be the word of God : 
 yet notwithstanding, our full persuasion and as- 
 surance of the infallible truth and divine authority 
 thereof, is from the inward work of the Holy 
 Spirit, bearing witness by and with the word, in 
 our hearts. l 
 
 k 1 Tim. 2 : 15 . 11 John 2 : 20, 27 : John 16 : 13, 14 ; 1 Cor. 
 2: 10,11,12; Isa. 59:21. 
 
 VI. 
 
 The whole counsel of God, concerning all 
 things necessary for his own glory, man's salva- 
 tion, faith and life, is either expressly set down 
 in Scripture, or by good and necessary conse- 
 quence may be deduced from Scripture ; unto 
 which nothing at any time is to be added, wheth- 
 er by new revelations of the Spirit, or traditions 
 of men. m Nevertheless we acknowledge the in- 
 ward illumination of the Spirit of God to be 
 necessary for the saving understanding of such 
 things as are revealed in the word ; n and there 
 are some circumstances concerning the worship 
 of God, and government of the Church, common 
 to human actions and societies, which are to be 
 ordered by the light of nature, and Christian pru- 
 dence, according to the general rules of the word, 
 which are always to be observed. ° 
 
 m 2 Tim. 3:15, 16, 17; Gal. 1:8, 9; 2 Thes. 2 : 2, 15. 
 n John 6: 45; 1 Cor. 2:9, 10, 11, 12. o 1 Cor. 11 . 13, 14, 
 
 and chap. 14:26,40. 
 
A CONFESSION OF FAITH. 17 
 
 VII. 
 
 All things in Scripture are not alike plain in 
 themselves, nor alike clear unto all ; P yet those 
 things which are necessary to be known, believed, 
 and observed, for salvation, are so clearly pro- 
 pounded and opened in some place of Scripture 
 or other, that not only the learned, but the un- 
 learned, in a due sense of the ordinary means may 
 attain unto a sufficient understanding of them. 1 
 
 p 2 Pet. 3.16. q Psal. 11 9 : 105, 130 ; Heb. 2 : 2. 
 
 VIII. 
 
 The Old Testament in Hebrew, (which w T as 
 the native language of the people of God of old) 
 and the New Testament in Greek, (which at the 
 time of writing of it was most generally known 
 to the nations) being immediately inspired by God, 
 and by his singular care and providence kept pure 
 in all ages, are therefore authentical ; r so as in 
 all controversies of religion the Church is finally 
 to appeal unto them. s But because these origin- 
 al tongues are not known to all the people of 
 God, who have right unto and interest in the 
 Scriptures, and are commanded in the fear of God 
 to read and search them, * therefore they are to 
 be translated into the vulgar language of every 
 nation unto which they come, u that the word of 
 God dwelling plentifully in all, they may worship 
 him in an acceptable manner, w and through 
 2* 
 
18 A CONFESSION OF FAITH. 
 
 patience and comfort of the Scriptures may have 
 hope. s 
 
 r Matt. 5 : 18- s lsa. 8 : 20 ; Acts 15 -.15 ; John 5 1 39, 46. 
 tJohn5:39. u 1 Cor. 14:6, 9, 11, 12, 24, 27, 28. wCol. 
 3 : 16. x Rom. 15 : 4. 
 
 IX. 
 
 The infallible rule of interpretation of Scrip- 
 ture, is the Scripture itself ; and therefore, when 
 there is a question about the true and full sense 
 of any Scripture (which is not manifold,) but one 
 it must be searched and known by other places, 
 that speak more clearly, y 
 y 2 Pet. 1 : 20, 21 ; Acts 15 : 15, 16. 
 
 X. 
 
 The Supreme Judge, by whom all controver- 
 sies of religion are to be determined, and all de- 
 crees of councils, opinions of ancient writers, 
 doctrines of men, and private spirits, are to be 
 examined, and in whose sentence we are to rest, 
 can be no other but the Holy Scripture delivered 
 by the Spirit, into which Scripture so delivered, 
 our faith is finally resolved. z 
 
 z Matt. 22 : 29, 31 ; Eph. 2 : 20 ; Acts 28 : 25. 
 
A CONFESSION OF FAITH. 19 
 
 CHAP. II. 
 
 OF GOD, AND OF THE HOLY TRINITY. 
 I. 
 
 There is but one only a living and true God ; b 
 who is infinite in being and perfection, c a most 
 pure spirit, d invisible, e without body, parts, f or 
 passions, S immutable, h immense, ' eternal, k in- 
 cemprehensible, 1 almighty, m most wise, n most 
 holy, ° most free, P most absolute, <1 working all 
 things according to the counsel of his own im- 
 mutable and most righteous will, r for his own 
 glory, s most loving, t gracious, merciful, long- 
 suffering, abundant in goodness and truth, forgiv- 
 ing iniquity, transgression, and sin ; ll the re ward- 
 er of them that diligently seek him ; w and withal, 
 most just and terrible in his judgments, x hating all 
 sin, y and who will by no means clear the guilty. z 
 
 a Deut. 6 : 4 ; 1 Cor. 8 : 4, 6. b 1 Thes. 1:9; Jer. 10 : 10. 
 c Job 1 : 7, 8, 9, and 26 : 14. d John 4 : 24- el Tim. 1 : 17. 
 t'Deut. 4 : 15, 16 ; John 4 : 24 ; Luke 24 i 39. g Acts 14 : 11, 
 15. h James 1 : 17 ; Mai. 3:6. i 1 Kings 8 : 27 ; Jer. 23 : 
 23, 24. i Rom. 1 : 20 ; 1 Tim. 1 : 17 : Psal. 90 : 2. 1 Psal. 
 145 : 3. m Gen. 17:1; Rev. 4:8. n Rom. 16 : 27. o Isa. 
 6:3. p Psal. 115 : 3. q Exod. 3 : 14. r Eph. 1:11. sRom. 
 11:36. t 1 John 4: 8, 16. u Exod. 34 : 6, 7. wHeb. 11:6. 
 xXeh. 9:32, 33. yPsal. 6:5, 6. z Exod. 34 : 7 ; Xah. 1 : 
 
20 A CONFESSION OF FAITH. 
 
 II. 
 
 God hath all life, a glory, b goodness, c bles- 
 sedness, d in and of himself ; and is alone in and 
 unto himself all-sufficient, not standing in need 
 of any creatures which he hath made, e nor de- 
 riving any glory from them, f but only manifest- 
 ing his own glory in, by, unto, and upon them. 
 He is the alone fountain of all being, of whom, 
 through whom, and to whom are all things ; 8 
 and hath most sovereign dominion over them, 
 to do by them, for them, or upon them, whatso- 
 ever himself pleaseth. h In his sight all things 
 are open and manifest ; " his knowledge is infi- 
 nite, infallible, and independent upon the crea- 
 ture ; k so as nothing is to him contingent or 
 uncertain. 1 He is most holy in all his counsels, 
 in all his works, and in all his commands. m 
 To him is due from angels and men, and every 
 other creature, whatsoever worship, service, or 
 obedience, as creatures, they owe unto the Crea- 
 tor, and whatever he is further pleased to require 
 of them. n 
 
 a John 5: 26. b Acts 7 : 2. c Psal. 119 : 68. d 1 Tim. 
 11 : 15 ; Rom. 9:5. e Acts 17 : 24, 25. f Job 22 : 2, 3. 
 g Rom. 11:36. h Rev. 4: 11; 1 Tim. 6 : 15 ; Dan. 4 : 25, 
 31, 34, 35. i Heb. 4 : 13. k Rom. 11 : 33, 34 ; Psal. 147 i 5. 
 1 Acts 15: 18; Ezek. 11:5. m Psal. 145 : 17 ; Rom. 7 : 12. 
 n Rev. 5 : 12, 13, 14. 
 
A CONFESSION OP FAITH. 21 
 
 III. 
 
 In the unity of the Godhead there be three 
 persons of one substance, power, and eternity ; 
 God the Father, God the Son, and God the Ho- 
 ly Ghost. ° The Father is of none, neither be- 
 gotten, nor proceeding ; the Son is eternally 
 begotten of the Father ; P the Holy Ghost eter- 
 nally proceeding from the Father and the Son. <l 
 Which doctrine of the Trinity is the foundation 
 of all our communion with God, and comfortable 
 dependence upon him. 
 
 o 1 John 5:7; Matt. 3 : 16, 17 ; chap. 28 : 19 ; 2 Cor. 13 : 14. 
 p John 1 : 14, 18. q John 15 : 26 ; Gal. 4 : 6 ; 2 Cor. 13 : 14. 
 
 CHAP. III. 
 
 of god's eternal decrees. 
 
 I. 
 
 God from all eternity did by the most wise 
 and holy counsel of his own will, freely and 
 unchangeably ordain whatsoever comes to pass ; a 
 yet so as thereby neither is God the author of 
 sin, b nor is violence offered to the will of the 
 creatures, nor is the liberty or contingency of 
 second causes taken away, but rather establish- 
 ed. c 
 a Eph. 1:11; Rom. 11 : 33 ; Heb. 6 : 17 \ Rom. 9 : 15, 18. 
 
22 A CONFESSION OF FAITH. 
 
 b James 1 : 13, 14 : 1 John 1:5. c Acts 2 : 23 ; chap. 4 : 27, 
 28 i Matt. 17 : 12 ; John 10 : 11 ; Prov. 16 : 33. 
 
 II. 
 
 Although God knows whatsoever may or can 
 come to pass upon all supposed conditions ; d 
 yet hath he not decreed any thing, because he 
 foresaw it as future, or that which would come 
 to pass, upon such conditions. e 
 
 d Acts 15 : 18, 15, and 23 : 11, 12 : Matt. 11 : 21, 23. 
 
 eRom. 9:11,13, 16, 18. 
 
 III. 
 
 By the decrees of God, for the manifestation 
 of his glory, some men and angels f are predes- 
 tinated unto everlasting life, and others fore-or- 
 dained to everlasting death. S 
 
 f 1 Tim. 5:21; Matt. 25 : 41 ; Eph. 1 : 5, 6 5 Prov. 16 : 4. 
 gRom. 9:22, 23- 
 
 IV. 
 
 These angels and men, thus predestinated and 
 fore-ordained, are particularly and unchangeably 
 designed, and their number is so certain and 
 definite, that it cannot be either increased or di- 
 minished. h 
 
 h 2 Tim. 2: 19; John 13: 18. 
 
 V. 
 
 Those of mankind that are predestinated un- 
 to life, God, before the foundation of the world 
 
A CONFESSION OF FAITH. 23 
 
 was laid, according to his eternal and immutable 
 purpose, and the secret counsel and good plea- 
 sure of his will, hath chosen in Christ, unto 
 everlasting glory, ■ out of his mere free grace 
 and love, without any foresight of faith or good 
 works, or perseverance in either of them, or any 
 other thing in the creature, as conditions, or 
 causes moving him thereunto, k and all to the 
 praise of his glorious grace. 1 
 
 i Eph. 1 : 4, 9, 11 ; Rom. 8 : 30 ; 2 Tim. 1 : 9 ; 1 Thes. 5 : 9. 
 k Rom. 9:11, 13, 16 ; Eph. 1 : 4, 9. 1 Eph. 1 : 6, 12. 
 
 VI. 
 
 As God hath appointed the elect unto glory, 
 so hath he by the eternal and most free purpose 
 of his will fore-ordained all the means there- 
 unto. m Wherefore they who are elected, being 
 fallen in Adam, are redeemed by Christ, n are 
 effectually called unto faith in Christ by his Spirit 
 working in due season, are justified, adopted, 
 sanctified, ° and kept by his power, through faith 
 unto salvation. P Neither are any other redeemed 
 by Christ, or effectually called, justified, adopted, 
 sanctified, and saved, but the elect only, <1 
 
 m 1 Pet. 1:2; Eph. 1 : 4, 5, and chap. 2 : 10 ; 2 Thes. 2 : 13. 
 i» 1 Thes. 5 : 9, 10 ; Tit. 2:14. o Rom. 8 : 30 ; Eph. 1 : 5 ; 
 2 Thes. 2 : 13. pi Pet. 1:5. q John 7:9; 6:64,65; 
 
 8 : 47, and 10 : 26 ; Rom. 8 : 28, to the end ; 1 John 2 : 19. 
 
24 A CONFESSION OF FAITH. 
 
 VII. 
 
 The rest of mankind, God was pleased, ac- 
 cording to the unsearchable counsel of his own 
 will, whereby he extendeth or withholdeth mercy 
 as he pleaseth, for the glory of his sovereign 
 power over his creatures, to pass by, and to or- 
 dain them to dishonour and wrath for their sin, to 
 the praise of his glorious justice. r 
 
 r Matt. 11 : 25, 26 ; Rom. 9 : 17, 18, 21, 22 j 2 Tim. 2 : 19, 
 20 ; Jude 4 ; 1 Pet. 2 : 8. 
 
 VIII. 
 
 The doctrine of this high mystery of predes- 
 tination is to be handled with special prudence 
 and care, s that men attending the will of God 
 revealed in his word, and yielding obedience 
 thereunto, may from the certainty of their effec- 
 tual vocation, be assured of their eternal elec- 
 tion. l So shall this doctrine afford matter of 
 praise, reverence, and admiration of God, u and 
 of humility, diligence, and abundant consolation 
 to all that sincerely obey the Gospel. w 
 
 s Rom. 9 : 20, 11, 33 ; Deut. 29 : 29. 1 2 Pet. 1 : 10. u Eph. 
 1:6; Rom. 11 : 33. wRom. 11 : 5, and 6 : 20; 2 Pet. 1 : 10 ; 
 Rom. 8 : 33 ; Luke 10 : 20^ 
 
A CONFESSION OF FAITH. 25 
 
 CHAP. IV. 
 
 OF CREATION. 
 I. 
 
 It pleased God the Father, Son, and Holy- 
 Ghost, a for the manifestation of the glory of his 
 eternal power, wisdom, and goodness, b in the be- 
 ginning to create and make of nothing the world, 
 and all things therein, whether visible or invisible, 
 in the space of six days and all very good. c 
 
 a Heb. 1:2; John 1 : 2, 3 ; Gen. 1:2; Job 26 : 13, and 
 33 : 4. b Rom. 1 : 20 ; Jer. 10 : 12 ; Psal. 104 : 24, and 33 : 
 5, 6. c Gen. 1 chap. ; Heb. 11:3; Col. 1 : 16 ; Acts 17 : 24- 
 
 II. 
 
 After God had made all other creatures, he 
 created man, male and female, d with reasona- 
 ble and immortal souls, e endued with knowl- 
 edge, righteousness and true holiness, after his 
 own image, f having the law of God written in 
 their hearts, S and power to fulfil it ; n and yet 
 under a possibility of transgressing, being left 
 to the liberty of their own will, which was sub- 
 ject to change. 1 Besides this law written in 
 their hearts, they received a command not to eat 
 of the tree of knowledge of good and evil ; which 
 whilst they kept they were happy in their com- 
 3 
 
26 A CONFESSION OF FAITH. 
 
 munion with God, k and had dominion over the 
 creatures. 1 
 
 dGen.l:27. eGen. 2:7; Eccl.l2:7; Luke 23 : 43 : 
 Matt. 10 : 28. f Gen. 1 : 26 ; Col. 3 : 10 ; Eph. 4 : 24. g Rom. 
 
 2 : 14, 15. h Eccl. 7 : 29. i Gen. 3:6; Eccl. 7 , 29. k Gen. 
 
 3 : 8, 9, 10, 11, 23. 1 Gen. 1 ■ 26, 28, and 2 : 17. 
 
 CHAP. V. 
 
 OF PKOVIDENCE. 
 
 Goi), the great Creator of all things, doth up- 
 hold, a direct, dispose, and govern all creatures, 
 actions, and things b from the greatest even to 
 the least c by his most wise and holy providence, d 
 according to his infallible fore-knowledge e and 
 the free and immutable counsel of his own will. f 
 to the praise of the glory of his wisdom, power, 
 justice, goodness, and mercy. S 
 
 a Heb. 1:3. b Dan. 4 : 34, 35 ; Psal. 135 : 6 ; Acts 17 : 
 25, 26, 28, 29 ; Job 38, 39, 40, 41, chapters. c Matt. 10 i 29, 
 30, 31. d Psal. 104 : 24 ; 15 : 3, and 145 : 17. e Acts 15 : 18 ; 
 Psal. 94 : 8, 9, 10, 11. f Eph. 1:11; Psal. 33 : 10, 11. glsa. 
 63 : 14 ; Eph. 3 : 10 ; Rom. 9 : 17 ; Gen. 45 : 17 : Psalm 
 145: 17. 
 
A CONFESSION OF FAITH. 2/ 
 
 II. 
 
 Although in relation to the fore-knowledge 
 and decree of God the first cause, all things 
 come to pass immutably and infallibly; h yet 
 by the same providence he ordereth them to 
 fall out, according to the nature of the second 
 causes, either necessarily freely or contingent- 
 ly, i 
 
 h Acts 2 : 23- i Jer. 31 : 35 ; Exod. 21:13; Gen. 8 : 22 ; 
 Deut. 19 : 5 ; 1 Kings 22 : 28, 34 ; Isa. 10 : 6, 7. 
 
 III. 
 
 God in his ordinary providence maketh use of 
 
 means, k yet is free to work without, 1 above, m 
 
 and against them at his pleasure. n 
 
 k Acts 27 : 31, 44 ; Isa. 55 : 11 ; Hos. 2 : 21, 22. 1 Hos. 
 1:7; Matt. 4:4; Job 34 ; 10. m Rom. 4 : 19, 20, 21- 
 n 2 Kings 6:6; Dan. 3 : 27. 
 
 IV. 
 
 The almighty power, unsearchable wisdom, 
 and the infinite goodness of God, so far mani- 
 fest themselves in his providence, in that his de- 
 termined counsel extendeth itself even to the 
 first fall and all other sins of angels and men, ° 
 (and that not by a bare permission,) P which al- 
 so he most wisely and powerfully boundeth, <l 
 and otherwise ordereth and governeth in a ma- 
 nifold dispensation, to his own most holy ends, r 
 yet so as the sinfulness thereof proceedeth only 
 
28 A CONFESSION OF FAITH. 
 
 from the creature, and not from God, who being 
 most holy and righteous, neither is, nor can be 
 the author or approver of sin. s 
 
 o Rom. 11 : 32, 33, 34 ; 2 Sam. 24 i 1, with 1 Chron 21 : 1 ; 
 
 1 Kings 2 : 2, 22, 23 \ 1 Chron. 10 s 4, 13, 14 j 2 Sam. 6 : 10 ; 
 Acts 2 : 23, and 4 : 27, 28. p Acts 14 : 16. q Psal. 76 : 10 ; 
 
 2 Kings 19 : 28. r Gen. 50 : 20 ; Isa. 10 : 6, 7, 12. s Jam. 
 1 : 13, 14, 17 ; 1 John 2 : 16 ; Psal. 50 : 21. 
 
 The most wise, righteous, and gracious God 
 doth oftentimes leave for a season his own chil- 
 dren to manifold temptations, and the corrup- 
 tion of their own hearts, to chastise them for 
 their former sins, or to discover unto them the 
 hidden strength of corruption, and deceitfulness 
 of their hearts, that they may be humbled, t and 
 to raise them to a more close and constant de- 
 pendence for their support upon himself and to 
 make them more watchful against all future oc- 
 casions of sin, and for sundry other just and holy 
 ends. u 
 
 t 2 Chron. 32 : 25, 26, 31 ; 2 Sam. 24 : 1. u 2 Cor. 12 : 7, 
 8, 9 j Psal. 73, per tot. Psal. 77 : 1, 10, 12 ; Mark 14 : 66 to 
 the end ; John 21 : 15, 16, 17. 
 
 VI. 
 
 As for those wicked and ungodly men, whom 
 God as a righteous Judge, for former sins, doth 
 
 
A CONFESSION OF FAITH. 29 
 
 blind and harden, w from them he not only with- 
 holdeth his grace, whereby they might have 
 been enlightened in their understandings, and 
 wrought upon in their hearts, x but sometimes 
 also withdraweth gifts which they had, J and 
 exposeth them to such objects, as their corrup- 
 tion makes occasion of sin ; z and withal gives 
 them over to their own lusts, the temptations of 
 the world, and the power of Satan, a whereby it 
 comes to pass that they harden themselves under 
 those means even which God useth for the soften- 
 ing of them. b 
 
 w Rom. 1 : 24, 26, 28 ; Rom. 11 : 7, 8- x Deut. 29 : 4. 
 y Matt. 13 : 12 ; Matt. 25 : 29. z Deut. 2 : 30 ; 2 Kings 8 : 
 12, 13. a Psal. 8 : 11, 12. b Exod. 7 : 3, and 8 : 15, 33 ; 
 2 Cor. 2 : 14, 16 ; Isa. 8 : 14 ; 1 Pet. 2 : 7, 8; Isa. 16 : 9, 10, 
 with Acts 28 : 26, 27. 
 
 VII. 
 
 As the Providence of God doth in general 
 reach to all creatures, so after a most special 
 manner it taketh care of his church, and dispo- 
 seth all things for the good thereof. c 
 
 c 1 Tim. 4:10; Amos 9 : 8, 9 ; Rom. 8 : 28 ; Isa. 43 : 3, 
 4, 5, 14. 
 
30 A CONFESSION OF FAITH. 
 
 CHAP. VI. 
 
 OF THE FALL OF MAN, OF SIN, AND OF THE PUN- 
 ISHMENT THEREOF. 
 
 I. 
 
 God having made a covenant of works and 
 life thereupon, a with our first parents, and all 
 their posterity in them, b they being seduced by 
 the subtilty and temptation of Satan, did wilfully 
 transgress the law of their creation, and break 
 the covenant in eating the forbidden fruit. 
 
 a Rom. 10 i 5. b Rom. 5 : 12, 13 ; 1 Cor. 15 : 21, 22. 
 
 cGen. 3: 13: 2Cor. 11 : 3. 
 
 II. 
 
 By this sin they, and we in them, fell from 
 
 original righteousness and communion with God, d 
 
 and so became dead in sin, e and wholly defiled 
 
 in all the faculties and parts of soul and body. f 
 
 d Gen. 3 : 6, 7, 8 ; Eccl. 7 : 29 ; Rom. 3 : 23. e Gen. 2 : 
 17: Eph. 2:1. f Tit. 1:15; Gen. 6 : 5 ; Jer. 17 : 9 ; Rom. 
 3 : 10 to 19. 
 
 III. 
 
 They being the root, and by God's appoint- 
 ment standing in the room and stead of all man- 
 kind, the guilt of this sin was imputed, S and 
 corrupted nature conveyed to all their posteri- 
 
A CONFESSION OF FAITH. 31 
 
 ty descending from them by ordinary genera- 
 tion. h 
 
 g Gen. 1 : 27, 28 ; Gen. 2 : 16, 17 ; Acts 17 : 26 ; Rom. 5 : 
 12, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19 ; 1 Cor. 15 : 21, 22, 45, 49. h Psal. 51 I 
 5 ; Gen. 5:3; Job 14 : 4, and 15 : 14. 
 
 IV. 
 
 From this original corruption whereby we are 
 utterly indisposed, disabled, and made opposite to 
 all good, i and wholly inclined to all evil, k do 
 proceed all actual transgressions. 1 
 
 i Rom. 5 : 6, and 8 : 7, and 7 : 18 ; Col. 1:21. k Gen. 6 : 
 5, and 8 : 21 : Rom. 3 : 10, 11, 12. 1 Jam. 1 : 14, 15 ; Eph. 
 2:2,3; Matt. 15 : 19. 
 
 V. 
 
 This corruption of nature during this life, doth 
 remain in those that are regenerated ; m and al- 
 though it be through Christ pardoned and morti- 
 fied, yet both itself and all the motions thereof 
 are truly and properly sin. n 
 
 m 1 John 1 : 8, 10 ; Rom. 7 : 14, 17, 18, 23 ; Jam. 3:2; 
 Prov. 20 : 9 ; Eccl. 7 : 20. n Rom. 7 : 5, 7, 8, 25 ; Gal. 5 : 17. 
 
 VI. 
 
 Even* sin, both original and actual, being a 
 transgression of the righteous law of God, and 
 contrary thereunto, ° doth in its own nature 
 bring guilt upon the sinner, P whereby he is 
 
32 A CONFESSION OF FAITH. 
 
 bound over to the wrath of God, <1 and curse 
 of the law, r and so made subject to death, s 
 with all miseries spiritual, l temporal, u and eter- 
 nal, w 
 
 o 1 John 3:4. p Rom. 20 : 15, and 3 : 9, 19. q Eph. 2 : 3. 
 r Gal. 3 : 10. s Rom. 1 : 23. t Eph. 4 : 18. u Rom. 8 : 20 ; 
 Lam. 3 : 39. w Matt. 25 : 41 ; 2 Thes. 1 : 9. 
 
 CHAP. VII. 
 
 of god's covenant with man. 
 
 I. 
 
 The distance between God and the creature 
 is so great, that although reasonable creatures 
 do owe obedience to him as their Creator, yet 
 they could never have attained the reward of life? 
 but by some voluntary condescension on God's 
 part, which he hath been pleased to express by 
 way of covenant. a 
 
 a Isa. 40 : 13, 14, 15, 16, 17 ; Job 9 : 32, 33 ; Psal. 113 : 56, 
 and 100 : 2, 3 ; Job 22 : 2, 3, and 35 : 7, 8 ; Luke 17 : 10 ; 
 Acts 17 : 24, 25. 
 
 II. 
 
 The first covenant made with man, was a 
 covenant of works, b wherein life was promised 
 
A CONFESSION OF FAITH. 33 
 
 to Adam, and in him to his posterity, c upon con- 
 dition of perfect and personal obedience. d 
 
 b Gal. 3 : 12. c Rom. 10 : 5, and 5 : 12 to 20. d Gen. 2 I 
 17; Gal. 3:10. 
 
 III. 
 
 Man by his fall having made himself unca- 
 pable of life by that covenant, the Lord was 
 pleased to make a second, e commonly called 
 the covenant of grace ; wherein he freely of- 
 fereth unto sinners life and salvation by Jesus 
 Christ, requiring of them Faith in him that 
 they may be saved, f and promising to give 
 unto all those that are ordained unto life, his 
 Holy Spirit to make them willing and able to 
 believe. 8 
 
 e Gal. 3 : 21 ; Rom. 3 : 20, 21 ; Gen. 3:5; Isa. 42 : 6. 
 f Mark 16 : 15, 16 ; John 3 : 16 ; Rom. 10 : 6, 10 ; Gal. 3 : 
 11. g Ezek. 36 : 26, 27 ; John 6 : 44, 45. 
 
 IV. 
 
 This covenant of grace is frequently set forth 
 in Scripture by the name of a testament, in refer- 
 ence to the death of Jesus Christ the testator, and 
 to the everlasting inheritance, with all things be- 
 longing to it, therein bequeathed. h 
 h Heb. 7 : 22, and 9 : 15, 16, 17 ; Luke 22 : 20 ; 1 Cor. 11 : 25. 
 
 V. 
 
 Although this covenant hath been differently 
 
34 A CONFESSION OF FAITH. 
 
 and variously administered in respect of Ordinan- 
 ces and institutions in the time of the law, and 
 since the coming of Christ in the flesh, \ yet for 
 the substance and efficacy of it, to all its spiritual 
 and saving ends, it is one and the same k upon 
 the account of which various dispensations it is 
 called the old and new testament. l 
 
 i 2 Cor. 3 : 6, 7, 8, 9 ; Heb. 12 : 18 to 24 ; Col. 2 : 11, 12 ; 
 1 Cor. 5:7, 8, and 10 : 25. k Gal. 3:3; Eph. 4:5; Jer. 
 30 : 33, 34 ; Rom. 3 : 21, 22, 30, and 1 : 16. 12 Cor. 3 : 6, 14. 
 
 CHAP. VIII. 
 
 OF CHRIST THE MEDIATOR. 
 I. 
 
 It pleased God in his eternal purpose, to choose 
 and ordain the Lord Jesus, his only begotten Son, 
 according to a covenant made between them both, 
 to be the Mediator between God and man ; a the 
 prophet, b priest, c and king, d the head and saviour 
 of his church, e the heir of all things, f and judge 
 of the world : §" unto whom he did from all eter- 
 nity give a people to be his seed, h and to be by 
 him in time redeemed, called, justified, sanctified, 
 and glorified. ■ 
 
 alsa. 42:1; 1 Pet. 1 : 19, 20 ; John 3 : 16 ; 1 Tim. 2 : 5. 
 
A CONFESSION OF FAITH. 35 
 
 b Acts 3 : 22. c Heb. 5 : 5, 6. d Psal. 2:6; Luke 1 : 33. 
 
 e Eph. 5 : 23. f Heb. 1:2. g Acts 17 : 31. h John 17 : 6 ; 
 
 Psal. 32 : 30 ; Isa. 53 : 10. i 1 Tim. 2:6; Isa. 55 : 45 ; 
 1 Cor. 1 : 30. 
 
 II. 
 
 The Son of God, the second Person in the 
 Trinity, being very and Eternal God, of one 
 substance and equal with the Father, did, when 
 the fulness of time was come, take upon him 
 man's nature, k with all the essential properties 
 and common infirmities thereof, yet without sin, 1 
 being conceived by the power of the Holy Ghost, 
 in the womb of the Virgin Mary, of her sub- 
 stance ; m so that two whole perfect and distinct 
 natures, the Godhead and the manhood were in- 
 separably joined together in one person, without 
 conversion, composition, or confusion ; n which 
 person is very God and very man, yet one Christ, 
 the only Mediator between God and man. ° 
 
 k John 1 : 14, 17, and 5 : 20 ; Phil. 2:6; Gal. 4:4. 1 Heb. 
 2 : 14, 16, 17, and 4 : 15. m Luke 1 : 27, 31, 35 ; Gal. 4 : 4. 
 n Luke 1 : 35 ; Rom. 9:5; Col. 2:9; 1 Pet. 3 : 18 ; 1 Tim. 
 3: 16. oRom. 1 : 31; iTim. 2 : 5. 
 
 III. 
 
 The Lord Jesus Christ, in his human nature, 
 thu3 united to the Divine, in the person of the 
 Son, was sanctified and anointed with the Holy 
 Spirit above measure, P having in him all the 
 
36 A CONFESSION OF FAITH. 
 
 treasures of wisdom and knowledge, q in whom 
 it pleased the Father that all fulness should dwell, 1 " 
 to the end that being holy, harmless, undefiled, 
 and full of grace and truth, s he might be tho- 
 roughly furnished to execute the office of a Me- 
 diator and Surety ; * which office he took not unto 
 himself, but was thereunto called by his Father, u 
 who also put all power and judgment into his 
 hand, and gave him commandment to execute 
 the same. w 
 
 p Psal. 45 : 1 ; John 3 : 34. q Col. 2:3. r Col. 1 i 10. 
 s Heb. 7 : 26 ; John 1:14. t Acts 10 : 38 ; Heb. 12 : 24, and 
 7 : 22. u Heb. 5 : 4, 5. w John 5 : 21, 27 ; Matt. 28 : 18 ; 
 Acts 2 : 36. 
 
 IV. 
 
 The office the Lord Jesus Christ did most wil- 
 lingly undertake, x which, that he might discharge 
 he was made under the law, y and did perfectly 
 fulfil it, z and underwent the punishment due to 
 us, which we should have borne and suffered, 
 being made sin and a curse for us, enduring most 
 grievous torments immediately from God in his 
 soul, a and most painful sufferings in his body, b 
 was crucified and died, c was buried and remain- 
 ed under the power of death, yet saw no cor- 
 ruption, d on the third day he arose from the 
 dead, e with the same body in which he suffered, f 
 with which also he ascended into Heaven, and 
 
A CONFESSION OF FAITH. 37 
 
 there sitteth at the right hand of his Father, % 
 making intercession, h and shall return to judge 
 men and angels at the end of the world. 1 
 
 x Psal. 40 : 7, 8 ; Heb. 10 : 5 to 10 ; John 10 : 18 ; Phil. 2 : 8. 
 y Gal. 4:4. z Matt. 3 : 15, and 5 : 17- a Matt. 26 : 37, 38, 
 and 27 : 46 ; Luke 22 : 44. b Matt. 26 : 27. c Phil. 2 : 8. 
 d Acts 2 : 23, 24, 27, and 13 : 37 ; Rom. 6:9. el Cor. 15 : 
 3, 4. f John 20 : 25, 27. g Mark 16:9. h Rom. 8 : 34 ; 
 Heb. 9 : 24, and 7 : 25. i Rom. 14 : 9, 10 ; Acts 1:11, and 
 10:42; Matt. 13:40, 41,42; Jude6; 2 Pet. 2 : 4- 
 
 V. 
 
 The Lord Jesus, by his perfect obedience and 
 sacrifice of himself, which he, through the eter- 
 nal Spirit once offered up unto God, hath fully 
 satisfied the justice of God, k and purchased not 
 only reconciliation, but an everlasting inheritance 
 in the kingdom of heaven, for all those whom the 
 Father hath given unto him. 1 
 
 k Rom. 5:19; Heb. 9 : 14, 16, and 10 : 14 ; Eph. 5:2; 
 Rom. 3 : 25, 26. 1 Col. ] - 19, 20 ; Dan. 9 : 24, 26 ; Eph. 1 : 
 11,14; Johnl7:2; Heb. 9 : 12, 15- 
 
 VI. 
 
 Although the work of redemption was not 
 actually wrought by Christ till after his incar- 
 nation, yet the virtue, efficacy, and benefits 
 thereof were communicated to the elect in all 
 ages successively, from the beginning of the 
 world, in and by those promises, types, and sac- 
 4 
 
38 A CONFESSION OP FAITH. 
 
 rifices, wherein he was revealed, and signified 
 to be the seed of the woman, which should bruise 
 the serpent's head, and the lamb slain from the 
 beginning of the world, being yesterday and to- 
 day the same, and forever. m 
 
 raGal. 4:4, 5; Gen. 3 : 15 ; Rev. 11:8; Heb. 13 : 8. 
 
 VII. 
 
 Christ in the work of mediation acteth accor- 
 ding to both natures, by each nature doing that 
 which is proper in itself; n yet by reason of the 
 unity of the person, that which is proper to one 
 nature, is sometimes in Scripture attributed to the 
 person denominated by the other nature. ° 
 
 n Heb. 9 : 14, 15 ; 1 Pet. 3 : 18. o Acts 20 : 28 ; John 3 : 
 13; Uohn 3: 16. 
 
 VIII. 
 
 To all those for whom Christ hath purchased 
 redemption, he doth certainly and effectually ap- 
 ply and communicate the same, P making inter- 
 cession for them, q and revealing unto them, in 
 and by the word, the mysteries of salvation, r 
 effectually persuading them by his Spirit to be- 
 lieve and obey, and governing their hearts by 
 his word and Spirit, s overcoming all their ene- 
 mies by his almighty power and wisdom, in 
 such manner and ways as are most consonant 
 
A CONFESSION OF FAITH. 39 
 
 to his wonderful and unsearchable dispensa- 
 tion. l 
 
 p John 6 : 37, 39, and 10 : 15, 16. q 1 John 2:1; Rom. 
 8 : 34. r John 15 : 13, 15 ; Eph. 1 : 7, 8, 9 ; John 17 : 6- 
 s John 14 : 16 ; Heb. 12 : 22; 2 Cor. 4 : 13 ; Rom. 8 : 9, 14, 
 and 15 : 18, 19 ; John 17 : 17. t Psal. 110 : 1 ; 1 Cor. 15 : 
 25,26; PsaL4:2. 3; Col. 2: 15. 
 
 CHAP. IX. 
 
 OF FREE WILL. 
 
 I. 
 
 God hath endued the will of man with that 
 natural liberty and power of acting upon choice, 
 that it is neither force, nor by any absolute 
 necessity of nature determined to do good or 
 evil. a 
 
 a Matt. 17 : 12 ; Jam. 1 : 14 ; Deut. 30 : 19. 
 
 II. 
 
 Man in his state of innocency had freedom and 
 power to will and to do that which was good and 
 well-pleasing to God ; b but yet mutably, so that 
 he might fall from it. c 
 
 b Gen. 1:26; Eccl. 7 : 29 ; Gen. 3 : 6. c Gen. 2 : 16, 17. 
 
40 A CONFESSION OF FAITH. 
 
 III. 
 
 Man by his fall into a state of sin, hath whol- 
 ly lost all ability of will to any spiritual good 
 accompanying salvation, d so as a natural man 
 being altogether averse from that good, e and 
 dead in sin, f is not able by his own strength 
 to convert himself, or to prepare himself there- 
 unto. 8 
 
 d Rom. 5:6; John 15 : 5. e Rom. 3 : 10, 12. f Eph. 2 : 
 1, 5 ; Col. 2 : 13. g John 6 : 44, 65 ; Eph. 2 : 2, 3, 4, 5 ; 
 ICor. 2: 14; Tit. 3 : 3, 4, 5. 
 
 IV. 
 
 When God converts a sinner, and translates 
 him into the state of grace, he freeth him from 
 his natural bondage under sin, h and by his grace 
 alone enables him freely to will and to do that 
 which is spiritually good ; ' l yet so as that by reason 
 of his remaining corruption, he doth not perfectly 
 nor only will that which is good, but doth also 
 will that which is evil. k 
 
 h Col. 1 : 13 ; Phil. 2 : 13- i Rom. 6 : 18, 22. k Gal. 5 : 
 17 ; Rom. 7 : 15, 18, 19, 21, 23- 
 
 V. 
 
 The will of man is made perfectly and im- 
 mutably free to good alone in the state of glory 
 only. * 
 
 11 John 3:2; Jude 24 ; Eph. 4:13; Heb. 12 : 23. 
 
A CONFESSION OF FAITH. 41 
 
 CHAP. X. 
 
 OF EFFECTUAL CALLING. 
 I. 
 
 All those whom God hath predestinated unto 
 life, and those only he is pleased in his appointed 
 and accepted time effectually to call a by his word 
 and Spirit, b out of that state of sin and death in 
 which they are by nature, to grace and salvation 
 by Jesus Christ, c enlightening their minds spiri- 
 tually and savingly to understand the things of 
 God, d taking away their heart of stone, and 
 giving unto them an heart of flesh. e Renewing 
 their wills and by his almighty power determin- 
 ing them to that which is good, f and effectually 
 drawing them to Jesus Christ : S yet so as they 
 come most freely, being made willing by his 
 grace. h 
 
 a Rom. 6 : 30, and 11:7 ; Eph. i : 10, 11. b 2 Thes. 2 : 
 33, 14 ; 2Cor. 3 : 3, 6. c Rom. 8:7; Eph. 2 : 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 ; 
 2 Tim. 1 i 9, 10. d Acts 26 : 18 ; Col. 2 : 10, 11 ; Eph. 1 i 17, 
 18. e Ezek. 36 : 26. f Ezek. 11 : 19 ; Phil. 2 : 13 ; Deut. 30 : 
 6 ; Ezek. 36 : 27. g Eph. 1 : 19 ; John 6 : 44, 45. h Cant. 
 1:4; Psal. 110:3; John 6: 37; Rom. 6 : 16, 17, 18* 
 
 II. 
 
 This effectual call is of God's free and spe- 
 cial grace alone, not from any thing at all fore- 
 seen in man, ! who is altogether passive therein. 
 
42 A CONFESSION OF FAITH. 
 
 until being quickened and renewed by the Holy 
 Spirit, k he is thereby enabled to answer this 
 call, and to embrace the grace offered and convey- 
 ed in it. l 
 
 i 2 Tim. 1:9; Tit. 3 : 4, 5 ; Eph. 2 : 4, 5, 8, 9 ; Rom. 9 : 
 11. klCor.2:14; Rom. 8 : 7 ; Eph. 2 : 5. Uohn6:37; 
 Ezek. 36 : 27 ; Rom. 8:9; John 5 : 25. 
 
 III. 
 
 Elect infants dying in infancy, are regenera- 
 ted and saved by Christ, m who worketh when 
 and where, and how he pleaseth ; n so also are 
 all other elect persons who are incapable of 
 being outwardly called by the ministry of the 
 word. ° 
 
 m Luke 18 : 15, 16, and Acts 2 : 38, 39, and John 3 : 5, and 
 1 John 5 : 22, compared Rom. 8:9. n John 3:8. o 1 John 
 5: 12 ; Acts 4: 12. 
 
 IV. 
 
 Others not elected, although they may be 
 called by the ministry of the word, P and may 
 have some common operations of the Spirit, c l 
 yet not being effectually drawn by the Father, 
 they neither do nor can come unto Christ, and 
 therefore cannot be saved ; r much less can 
 men not professing the Christian Religion, be 
 saved in any other way whatsoever, be they ne- 
 ver so diligent to frame their lives according to 
 the light of nature, and the law of that religion 
 
A CONFESSION OF FAITH. 43 
 
 they do profess ; s and to assert and maintain 
 that they may, is very pernicious, and to be de- 
 tested. l 
 
 p Matt. 22 : 14- q Matt. 7 : 22, and 13 : 20, 21 ; Heb. 6 : 
 4, 5. r John 6 : 64, 65, 66, and 8 : 24. s Acts 4:12; John 
 14 : 6 ; Eph. 2 : 12 ; John 4 : 22, and 17 : 3. t 2 John 9 : 10, 
 11; ICor. 16:22; Gal. 1:6,7,8. 
 
 CHAP. XI. 
 
 OF JUSTIFICATION. 
 
 I. 
 
 Those whom God effectually calleth, he also 
 freely justifieth, a not by infusing righteousness 
 into them, but by pardoning their sins, and by 
 accounting and accepting their persons as right- 
 eous, not for any thing wrought in them, or done 
 by them, but for Christ's sake alone ; nor by im- 
 puting Faith itself, the act of believing, or any 
 other evangelical obedience to them, as their 
 righteousness, but by imputing Christ's active 
 obedience to the whole law, and passive obedi- 
 ence in his sufferings and death, for their whole 
 and sole righteousness, b they receiving and rest- 
 ing on him and his righteousness by faith ; which 
 faith they have not of themselves, it is the gift 
 of God. c 
 
44 A CONFESSION OF FAITH. 
 
 a Rom. 8 : 30, and 3 : 24. b Rom. 4 : 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 ; 2 Cor. 
 5 : 19, 21 ; Rom. 3 ! 22, 24, 25, 27, 28 ; Tit. 3 : 5, 7 ; Eph. 
 1:7; Jer. 23 : 6 ; 1 Cor. 2 : 30, 31 ; Rom. 5 : 17, 18, 19. 
 c Acts 10 : 44 ; Gal. 2 : 16 ; Phil. 3:9; Acts 13 : 38, 39 : 
 Eph. 2 : 7, 8. 
 
 IL 
 
 Faith thus receiving and resting on Christ, and 
 his righteousness, is the alone instrument of jus- 
 tification ; d yet it is not alone in the person jus- 
 tified, but is ever accompanied with all other sav- 
 ing graces, and is no dead Faith, but worketh by 
 love. e 
 
 d John 1 : 12 ; Rom. 3 : 20, and 5:1. e Jam. 2 : 17, 22, 
 26 ; Gal. 5 : 6. 
 
 III. 
 
 Christ by his obedience and death did fully 
 discharge the debt of all those that are justified, 
 and did by the sacrifice of himself in the blood 
 of his Cross, undergoing in their stead the pen- 
 alty due unto them, make a proper, real, and 
 full satisfaction to God's justice in their behalf: f 
 Yet inasmuch as he was given by the Father 
 for them, % and his obedience and satisfaction 
 accepted in their stead, h and both freely, not 
 for any thing in them, their justification is only of 
 free grace, i that both the exact justice and rich 
 grace of God might be glorified in the justifica- 
 tion of sinners. k 
 
v A CONFESSION OF FAITH. 45 
 
 f Rom. 5; 8, 9, 10, 19; 1 Tim. 2 : 5, 6 ; Heb. 10 : 10, 14 ; 
 Dan. 9 : 24, 26 ; Isa. 53 : 4, 5, 6, 10, 11, 12. g Rom. 8 > 32. 
 h 2 Cor. 5 : 21 ; Matt. 3 : 17 ; Eph. 5:2. i Rom. 3 : 24 ; Eph. 
 1:7. k Rom. 3 : 26 ; Eph. 2 : 7. 
 
 IV. 
 
 God did from all eternity agree to justify all the 
 elect, l and Christ did in the fulness of time die 
 for their sins, and rise again for their justifica- 
 tion : m nevertheless they are not justified person- 
 ally, until the Holy Spirit doth, in due time, actu- 
 ally apply Christ unto them. n 
 
 1 Gal. 3:8; 1 Pet. 1 : 2, 19, 20 ; Rom. 8 : 30. m Gal. 4 : 
 4; lTim.2:6; Rom. 4 : 25. n Col. 1 : 21, 22 ; Gal. 2: 16; 
 Tit. 3 : 4, 5, 6, 7. 
 
 V. 
 
 God doth continue to forgive the sins of those 
 that are justified ; ° and although they can never 
 fall from that state of justification, P yet they may 
 by their sins fall under God's fatherly displeasure : 
 and in that condition they have not usually the 
 light of his countenance restored unto them, 
 until they humble themselves, confess their 
 sins, beg pardon, and renew their faith and re- 
 pentance, q 
 
 o Matt. 6 : 12 ; 1 John 1:7, 9, and 2 : 1, 2. p Luke 12 : 
 32; John 10: 28; Heb. 10 : 14. q Psal. 89 : 31, 32, 33, and 
 51 : 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, and 32 : 5 ; Matt. 26 : 75 ; 1 Cor. 11 : 
 30, 31, 32 ; Luke 1 : 20. 
 
46 A CONFESSION OF FAITH. 
 
 VI. 
 
 The justification of believers under the Old 
 Testament, was, in all these respects, one and the 
 same with the justification of the believers under 
 the New Testament. r 
 
 r Gal. 3 : 8, 9, 13, 14 ; Rom. 4 : 22, 23, 24 | Heb. 13 i 8. 
 
 CHAP. XII. 
 
 OF ADOPTION. 
 
 All those that are justified, God vouchsafeth 
 in, and for his only Son Jesus Christ, to make 
 partakers of the grace of adoption, a by which 
 they are taken into the number, and enjoy the 
 liberties and privileges of the children of God, b 
 have his name put upon them, c receive the spirit 
 of adoption, d have access to the throne of grace 
 with boldness, e are enabled to cry, Abba, Father, f 
 are pitied, 8" protected, h provided for, i and chas- 
 tened by him as by a father, k yet never cast off, 1 
 but sealed to the day of redemption, m and in- 
 herit the promises n as heirs of everlasting sal- 
 vation. ° 
 
 a Eph. 1:5. b Gal. 4 : 4, 5 | Rom. 8 ; 17 ; John 1 : 12. 
 c Jer. 14 : 9 ; 2 Cor. 6 : 18 ; Rev. 3 : 12. d Rom. 8 : 15. e Eph. 
 
A CONFESSION OF FAITH. 47 
 
 3 : 12 ; Rom. 5 : 2. f Gal. 4:6- g Psal. 103 : 13. h Prov. 
 24 : 26. i Matt. 6 : 30, 32 ; 1 Pet. 5:7. k Heb. 12 : 6. 
 1 Lam. 3: 3. m Eph. 4 : 30. n Heb. 6 : 12. olPet. 1;3,4; 
 Heb. 1 : 14. 
 
 CHAP. XIII. 
 
 OF SANCTIFICATTOIN". 
 
 I. 
 
 They that are effectually called and regene- 
 rated, being united to Christ, having a new heart 
 and a new spirit created in them, through the 
 virtue of Christ's death and resurrection, a are 
 also further sanctified really and personally 
 through the same virtue by his word and spirit 
 dwelling in them, b the dominion of the whole 
 body of sin is destroyed, c and the several lusts 
 thereof are more and more weakened and mor- 
 tified, d and they more and more quickened and 
 strengthened in all saving graces, e to the practice 
 of all true holiness, without which no man shall 
 see the Lord. f 
 
 a 1 Cor. 6:11; Acts 20 : 32 ; Phil. 3 : 10 ; Horn. 6.5, 6. 
 b John 17 : 17 ; Eph. 5 : 26 ; 2 Thes. 2 : 13. c Rom. 6 : 6, 14- 
 d Gal. 5 : 24 ; Rom. 8 : 13. e Col. 1:11; Eph. 3 : 16, 17, 18, 
 19. f 2 Cor. 7: 1; Heb. 12: 14. 
 
48 A CONFESSION OF FAITH. 
 
 II. 
 
 This sanctification is throughout in the whole 
 man, £ yet imperfect in this life, there abides still 
 some remnants of corruption in every part, h 
 whence arises a continual and irreconcileable war. 
 the flesh lusting against the spirit, and the spirit 
 against the flesh. ' 
 
 g 1 Thes. 5 : 23. hi John 1 : 10 j Rom. 7 : 18, 23 ; Phil. 
 3:12. i Gal. 5:17; 1 Pet. 2 : 11. 
 
 III. 
 
 In which war, although the remaining cor- 
 ruption for a time may much prevail, k yet 
 through the continual supply of strength from 
 the sanctifying spirit of Christ, the regen- 
 erate part doth overcome, * and so the saints grow 
 in grace, m perfecting holiness in the fear of 
 God. n 
 
 k Rom. 7 : 23. 1 Rom. 6 : 14 ; 1 John 5 : 14 ; Eph. 4 : 15, 
 16. m 2 Pet. 3 : 18. n 2 Cor. 3:18; 2 Cor. 7 : 1. 
 
 CHAP. XIV. 
 
 OF SAVING FAITH. 
 
 I. 
 
 The grace of Faith whereby the elect are 
 enabled to believe to the saving of their souls, a 
 is the work of the Spirit of Christ in their hearts, b 
 
A CONFESSION OF FAITH. 49 
 
 and is ordinarily wrought by the ministry of the 
 word ; c by which also, and by the administra- 
 tion of the seals, prayer, and other means, it is 
 increased and strengthened. d 
 
 a Heb. 10 : 39. b 2 Cor. 4 : 13 ; Eph. 1 •. 17, 18, 19, and 
 2:8. c Rom. 10 : 14, 17 ; Acts 20 : 32 ; Rom. 4:11; Luke 
 17:5; Rom. 1 : 16, 17. d 1 Pet. 2:2. 
 
 II. 
 
 By this Faith, a Christian belie veth to be true 
 whatsoever is revealed in the word, for the au- 
 thority of God himself speaketh therein, e and 
 acteth differently upon that which each particu- 
 lar passage thereof containeth, yielding obedi- 
 ence to the commands, f trembling at the threat- 
 enings, E and embracing the promises of God for 
 this life, and that which is to come. h But the 
 principal acts of saving faith are, accepting, re- 
 ceiving, and resting upon Christ alone, for justi- 
 fication, sanctification, and eternal life, by virtue 
 of the covenant of grace. l 
 
 e John 4 : 42 ; 1 Thes. 2 : 13 ; 1 John 5 : 10 ; Acts 24 : 14. 
 f Rom. 16:26. g Isa. 66 : 2. h Heb. 11 : 13 ; 1 Tim. 4 : 8. 
 i John 1 : 12 ; Acts 16 : 31 ; Gal. 2 : 20 ; Acts 15 : 11. 
 
 III. 
 
 This Faith, although it be different in degrees, 
 and may be weak or strong, k yet it is in the least 
 degree of it different in the kind or nature of it, 
 5 
 
50 A CONFESSION OF FAITH. 
 
 as all other saving grace, from the faith and 
 common grace of temporary believers ; l and 
 therefore though it may be many times assailed 
 and weakened, yet it gets the victory, m growing 
 up in many to the attainment of a full assurance 
 through Christ n who is both the author and fin- 
 isher of our faith. ° 
 
 k Heb. 5 : 13, 14 ; Rom. 4 : 19, 20 ; Matt. 6 : 30, and 8 : 10- 
 1 Job 8 : 13 ; 1 John 3:9- m Luke 22 ; 31, 32 ; Eph. 6 : 16 : 
 1 John 5 : 4, 5. n Heb. 6 : 11, 12, and 10 : 22 : Col. 2 : 2' 
 o Heb. 12 : 2. 
 
 CHAP. XV. 
 
 OF REPENTANCE UNTO LIFE AND SALVATION. 
 I. 
 
 Such of the elect as are converted at riper 
 vears, having sometime lived in the state of 
 nature, and therein served divers lusts and pleas- 
 ures, a God in their effectual calling giveth them 
 repentance unto life. b 
 
 aEph. 2:1,2, 3; Tit. 3 : 3, 4, 5 ; 1 Pet. 4 : 3. b Rom. 
 3:30; 2 Tim. 1:9; Acts 11 : 18- 
 
 II. 
 
 Whereas there is none that doth good and 
 sinneth not, c and the best of men may through 
 
A CONFESSION OF FAITH. 51 
 
 the power and deceitfulness of their corruptions 
 dwelling in them, d with the pre valency of temp- 
 tation, e fall into great sins and provocations ; * 
 God hath in the covenant of grace mercifully pro- 
 vided that believers so sinning and falling, be re- 
 newed through repentance unto salvation. S 
 
 c 1 Kings 8 : 46 ; Eccl. 7 : 20 ; Jam. 3 : 2. d Psal. 65 : 3, 
 and 40 : 12 ; Rom. 7 : 21, 23 ; Jer. 17 : 9 ; Heb. 3:13. e Matt. 
 6 : 13 ; Luke 22 : 31. f 2 Sam. 11 : 27 5 Luke 22 : 57, 58, 60. 
 g Luke 22 : 32, 61, 62 ; 1 John 1 : 9. 
 
 III. 
 
 This saving repentance is an evangelical 
 grace, h whereby a person being by the Holy 
 Ghost made sensible of the manifold evils of his 
 sin, i doth by faith in Christ humble himself for 
 it, with godly sorrow, detestation of it, and self- 
 abhorrency, k praying for pardon and strength of 
 grace, * with a purpose and endeavor by supplies 
 of the Spirit, to walk before God unto all well- 
 pleasing in all things. m 
 
 hZech. 12:10; Acts 11 : 18. i John 16 : 7, 8, 9 ; Eiek. 
 18 : 30, 31, and 36 : 31 ; Psal. 51 : 4 ; 1 John 3:4. k Zech. 
 12:10; Jer. 31 : 18, 19 ; Joel 2: 12, 13; Isa. 30 : 22 ; Amos 
 5:15; Psal. 119 : 128 ; Ezek. 6 : 9 ; 2 Cor. 7 : 11. 1 Psal. 
 51, per tot. m Psal. 119 : 6, 9. 106 ; 2 Kings 23 : 25 ; Col. 
 1 • 10. 
 
52 A CONFESSION OF FAITH. 
 
 IV. 
 
 As repentance is to be continued through the 
 whole course of our lives, n upon the account of 
 the body of death, and the motions thereof; ° so 
 it is every man's duty to repent of his particular 
 known sins particularly. P 
 
 11 Matt. 6 : 11, 12 ; Psal. 51 : 17. o Rom. 7 : 14, 15, 17, IS, 
 19, 20, 21, 23, 24 ; Gal. 5 : 17. p Psal. 19 : 13, and 18 : 23, 
 and 51 : 4 ; Luke 19 : 8 ; 1 Tim. 1 • 13, 15. 
 
 V. 
 
 Such is the provision which God hath made 
 through Christ in the covenant of grace, for the 
 preservation of believers unto salvation, <1 that 
 although there is no sin so small, but it deserves 
 damnation ; r yet there is no sin so great that it 
 shall bring damnation on them who truly repent ; s 
 which makes the constant preaching of repent- 
 ance necessary. * 
 
 q 1 Pet. 1:5. r Rom. 6 : 23, and 5 : 12 ; Matt. 12 : 36. 
 s Isa. 55 : 7 ; Rom. 8:1; Isa. 1 : 16, 18. t Mark 1 : 15 ; Acts 
 20 : 21. 
 
A CONFESSION OF FAITH. 53 
 
 CHAP. XVI. 
 
 OF GOOD WORKS. 
 I. 
 
 Good works are only such as God hath com- 
 manded in his holy word, a and not such as 
 without the warrant thereof are devised by men 
 out of blind zeal, or upon any pretence of good 
 intentions. b 
 
 a Mic. 6:8; Rom. 12 : 2 ; Heb. 13 : 21. b Matt. 15:9: 
 I*a. 29 : 13 ; Rom. 10 : 2 ; Job 16 : 2 ; 1 Sam. 15 i 21, 22, 23 : 
 1 Pet. 1 : 8. 
 
 II. 
 
 These good works done in obedience to God's 
 commandments, are the fruits and evidences of 
 a true and lively faith, c and by them believers 
 manifest their thankfulness, d strengthen their 
 assurance, e edify their brethren f adorn the pro- 
 fession of the Gospel, £ stop the mouths of the 
 adversaries, h and glorify God, i whose work- 
 manship they are created in Christ Jesus there- 
 unto, k that having their fruit unto holiness they 
 may have the end eternal life. l 
 
 c Jam. 2 : 18, 22. d Psal. 116 : 12, 13; 1 Pet. 2: 9. e Uohn 
 2 : 3, 5 ; 2 Pet. 1 : 5, 6, 7; 2 : 9, 10. f 2 Cor. 9 : 2; Matt. 5 : 
 16. gTit. 2:5, 9, 10, 11, 12; 1 Tim. 6 : 1. h 1 Pet. 2 : 15, 
 5* 
 
54 A CONFESSION OF FAITH. 
 
 i 1 Pet. 2:12: Phil. 1:11; John 15 : 8. k Eph. 2 : 10. 1 Rom. 
 6:22. 
 
 III. 
 
 Their ability to do good works is not all of 
 themselves, but wholly from the Spirit of Christ : 
 m And that they may be enabled thereunto, be- 
 sides the graces they have already received, 
 there is required an actual influence of the same 
 Holy Spirit to work in them to will and to do of 
 his good pleasure, ; n yet are they not hereupon 
 to grow negligent, as if they were not bound to 
 perform any duty, unless upon a special motion 
 of the Spirit, but they ought to be diligent in 
 stirring up the grace of God that is in them. ° 
 
 m John 15:4, 6 ; Ezek. 36 : 26, 27. n Phil. 2:13, and 
 4:13: 2 Cor. 3:5. o Phil. 2 : 12 ; Heb. 6:11,12; 2 Pet. 
 1 : 3, 5, 10, 11 ; Isa. 64 : 7 ; 2 Tim. 1:6; Acts 26 : 6, 7 ; 
 Jude 20, 21. 
 
 IV. 
 
 They who in their obedience attain to the 
 greatest height which is possible in this life, 
 are so far from being able to supererogate, and 
 to do more than God requires, as that they fall 
 short of much, which in duty they are bound 
 to do. P 
 
 p Luke 17 : 10 ; Neh. 13 : 22 ; Job 9 : 2, 3 ; Gal. 5 : 17. 
 
A CONFESSION OF FAITH. 55 
 
 We cannot by our best works merit pardon of 
 sin, or eternal life at the hand of God, by reason 
 of the great disproportion that is between them, 
 and the glory to come ; and the infinite distance 
 that is between us and God, whom by them we 
 can neither profit nor satisfy for the debt of 
 our former sins ; <1 but when we have done all 
 we can, we have done but our duty, and are 
 unprofitable servants : r And because as they 
 are good, they preceed from his Spirit, s and as 
 they are wrought by us, they are defiled and 
 mixed with so much weakness and imperfection, 
 that they cannot endure the severity of God's 
 judgments. t 
 
 qRom.3 :20,and4:2,4,6; Eph.2:8,9; Tit. 3 : 5, 6, 7 ; 
 Rom. 8:18; Psal. 16 : 2 ; Job 22 : 23, and 35 : 7, 8. r Luke 
 17 : 10. s Gal. 5 : 22, 23. t Isa. 64 : 6 ; Gal. 5 : 17 ; Rom. 
 7 : 15, 18 ; Psal. 143 : 2, and 130 i 3. 
 
 VI. 
 
 Yet notwithstanding the persons of believers 
 being accepted through Christ, their good works 
 also are accepted in him, u not as though they 
 were in this life wholly unblameable and un- 
 reproveable in God's sight, w but that he look- 
 ing upon them in his Son, is pleased to accept 
 and reward that which is sincere, although ac- 
 
56 A CONFESSION OF FAITH. 
 
 companied with many weaknesses and imperfec- 
 tions. x 
 
 u Eph. 1 : 6 ; 1 Pet. 2:5; Exod. 28 : 38 ; Gen. 4:4; Heb. 
 11:4. w Job 9: 20; Psal. 142 : 2 ; Phil. 3 : 12. x Heb. 
 
 13 : 20, 21 ; 2 Cor. 8 : 12 ; Heb. 6:10; Matt. 25 : 21, 28. 
 
 VII. 
 
 Works done by unregenerate men, although 
 for the matter of them they may be things which 
 God commands, and of good use both to them- 
 selves and to others : y yet because they proceed 
 not from an heart purified by faith, z nor are done 
 in a right manner, according to the word, a nor 
 to a right end, the glory of God ; b they are 
 therefore sinful, and cannot please God, nor make 
 a man meet to receive grace from God ; c yet 
 their neglect of them is more sinful and displeas- 
 ing to God. d 
 
 y 2 Kings 10 : 30, 31 ; 1 Kings 21 : 27, 29 ; Phil. 1 s 15, 16, 
 18. z Gen. 4:5; Heb. 11 : 4, 6. a 1 Cor. 13:3; Isa. 
 1 : 12. b Matt. 6:2, 5, 16. c Hag. 2 : 14 ; Tit. 1 : 15 ; 
 Amos 5 : 21, 22 ; Hos. 1:4; Rom. 9 : 16 ; Tit. 3:5. d Psal. 
 
 14 : 4, and 36 : 3 ; Job 21 : 14, 15 ; Matt. 25 : 41, 42, 43, 45 ; 
 Matt. 23 : 23. 
 
A CONFESSION OF FAITH. Dl 
 
 CHAP. XVII. 
 
 OF THE PERSEVERANCE OF THE SAINTS. 
 I. 
 
 They whom God hath accepted in his beloved, 
 effectually called and sanctified by his Spirit, can 
 neither totally nor finally fall away from a state 
 of grace, but shall certainly persevere therein to 
 the end, and be eternally saved. a 
 
 a Phil. 1 : 6 ; 2 Pet. 1 : 10 ; John 10 : 28, 29 ; 1 John 3:9; 
 1 Pet. 1 : 5, 9. 
 
 II. 
 
 This perseverance of the saints depends not 
 upon their own free will, but upon the immuta- 
 bility of the decree of election, from the free and 
 unchangeable love of God the Father b upon the 
 efficacy of the merit and intercession of Jesus 
 Christ, c and union with him, d the oath of God, e 
 the abiding of his Spirit, and the seed of God 
 within them, f and the nature of the covenant of 
 grace, 8 from all which ariseth also the certainty 
 and infallibility thereof. h 
 
 b 2 Tim. 2 : 18, 19 j Jer. 31 : 33- c Heb. 10 : 10, 14, and 
 13 : 20, 21, and 9 : 12, 13, 14, 15 ; Rom. 8 : 33, to end ; John 
 17 : 11, 24 ; Luke 22 : 32 ; Heb. 7 : 25. d John 17 : 21. 
 

 58 A CONFESSION OF FAITH. 
 
 e Hebrews 6 : 17, 18 ; Psal. 89 : 35, 36. f John 14 : 16, 17 ; 
 
 1 John 2 : 27, and 3:9. g Jer. 32 : 40. h John 10 : 28 ; 
 
 2 Thes. 3 : 3 ; 1 John 2 : 19. 
 
 III. 
 
 And though they may through the temptation 
 of Satan, and of the world, the prevalency of 
 corruption remaining in them, and the neglect 
 of the means of their preservation, fall into griev- 
 ous sins, i and for a time continue therein, k 
 whereby they incur God's displeasure, 1 and grieve 
 his Holy Spirit, m come to have their graces and 
 comforts impaired, n have their hearts hardened, ° 
 and their consciences wounded, P hurt and scan- 
 dalize others, <1 and bring temporal judgments 
 upon themselves, r yet they are and shall be 
 kept by the power of God through faith, unto 
 salvation. s 
 
 i Matt. 26 : 70, 72, 74. k Psal. 51, title, and verse 14- 1 Isa. 
 64 : 5, 7, 9 ; 2 Sam. 11 ■ 27. m Eph. 4 : 30. n Psal. 51 : 8, 
 10, 12 ; Rev. 2:4; Cant 5 : 2, 3, 4, 6. o Isa. 63 : 17 ; Mark 
 6 : 52, and 16 : 14- p Psal. 32 : 3, 4, and 51:8. q 2 Sam. 
 12:J 14. r Psal. 89 : 31, 32 ; 1 Cor. 11 : 30, 31, 32. s 1 Pet. 1 : 
 5: 1 Thes. 5: 23. 
 
A CONFESSION OF FAITH. 59 
 
 CHAP. XVIII. 
 
 OF THE ASSURANCE OF GRACE AND SALVATION. 
 I. 
 
 Although temporary believers, and other 
 unregenerate men may vainly deceive themselves 
 with false hopes and carnal presumptions of 
 being in the favor of God, and state of salva- 
 tion, a which hope of theirs shall perish ; b yet 
 such as truly believe in the Lord Jesus, and 
 love him in sincerity, endeavoring to walk in 
 all good conscience before him may in this life 
 be certainly assured that they are in the state of 
 grace, c and may rejoice in the hope of the glory 
 of God, which hope shall never make them asha- 
 med. d 
 
 a Job 8 : 13, 14: Mic 3 : 11 : Deut. 29 : 19 ; John 8: 41- 
 b Matt. 7 : 22, 23. c 1 John 2 : 3, and 3 : 14, 18, 19, 21, 21, 
 and 5 : 13. d Rom. 5:2,5. 
 
 II. 
 
 This certainty is not a bare conjectural and 
 probable persuasion, grounded upon a fallible 
 hope ; e but an infallible assurance of faith, 
 founded on the blood and righteousness of Christ 
 revealed in the Gospel, f and also upon the in- 
 ward evidences of those graces, unto which 
 
60 A CONFESSION OF FAITH. 
 
 promises are made, S and on the immediate 
 
 witness of the Spirit, testifying our adoption, h 
 
 and as the fruit thereof, leaving the heart more 
 
 humble and holy. 1 
 
 eHeb.6: 11,19. f Heb. 10 : 19, 20 ; Rom. 3: 22. g2Pet. 
 1:4, 5, 10, 11 ; 1 John 2 : 3, and 3 : 14 ; 2 Cor. 1 ■ 12. 
 h Rom. 8 : 15, 16. i Psal. 51 : 12, 17 ; 2 Cor. 7 ; 1. 
 
 III. 
 
 This infallible assurance doth not so belong to 
 the essence of faith, but that a true believer may 
 wait long and conflict with many difficulties be- 
 fore he be partaker of it ; k yet being enabled by 
 the Spirit to know the things which are freely 
 given him of God, he may without extraordinary 
 revelation, in the right use of ordinary means, 
 attain thereunto. l And therefore it is the duty 
 of every one, to give all diligence to make their 
 calling and election sure, m that thereby his heart 
 may be enlarged in peace and joy in the Holy 
 Ghost, in love and thankfulness to God, and in 
 strength and cheerfulness in the duties of obedi- 
 ence, the proper fruits of this assurance ; n so far 
 is it from inclining men to looseness. ° 
 
 k 1 John 5:13: Isa. 50 : 10 ; Matt. 9 : 24 ; Psal. 88, per 
 tot. and 77 : 1 to 12. 1 1 Cor. 2 : 1, 2 ; 1 John 4 : 13 ; Heb. 
 6 : 11, 12 ; Eph. 3 i 17, 18, 19. m 2 Pet. 2 : 10. n Rom. 5 i 
 1, 2, 5, and 14 : 7, and 15 : 3 ; Eph. 1 : 3, 4 ; Psal. 4 : 6, 7, 
 and 119: 32. o 1 John 3 : 2, 3 ; Psal 1 : 3, 4 ; Uohn2:l,2: 
 
A CONFESSION OF FAITH. 61 
 
 Rom. 6:12; Tit. 2 : 11, 12, 14 ; 2 Cor. 7 : 1 ; Rom. 8:1, 12; 
 1 John 1 : 6, 7. 
 
 IV. 
 
 True believers may have the assurance of their 
 salvation divers ways shaken, diminished, and 
 intermitted; as by negligence in preserving of 
 it, by falling into some special sin, which woun- 
 deth the conscience and grieveth the Spirit by 
 some sudden or vehement temptation, by God's 
 withdrawing the light of his countenance, suffer- 
 ing even such as fear him to walk in darkness 
 and to have no light ; P yet are they neither utter- 
 ly destitute of that seed of God and life of faith, 
 that love of Christ and the brethren, that sincerity 
 of the heart and conscience of duty, out of which, 
 by the operation of the Spirit, this assurance may 
 in due time be revived, <1 and by the which, in 
 the mean time, they are supported from utter des- 
 pair. r 
 
 p Cant. 5 : 2, 3, 6 ; Psal. 51 : 8, 12, 14 ; Eph. 4 : 30, 31 ; 
 Psal. 77 : 1 to 10 ; Matt. 26 : 69, 70, 71, 72 ; Psal. 31 : 22, and 
 88, per tot. j Isa. 51 : 10. q 1 John 3:9; Luke 22 j 32 ; 
 Job 13: 15; Psal. 73:15, and 5 1:8, 12; Isa. 50: 10. rMic.7: 
 8, 9 ; Jer. 32 : 40 ; Isa. 54 : 7, 8, 9, 10 ; Psal. 22 : 1, and 88, 
 per tot. 
 
62 A CONFESSION OF FAITH, 
 
 CHAP. XIX. 
 
 OF THE LAW OF GOD. 
 I. 
 
 God gave to Adam a law of universal obedi- 
 ence written in his heart, and a particular pre- 
 cept of not eating the fruit of the tree of know- 
 ledge of good and evil, as a covenant of works ; 
 by which he bound him and all his posterity to 
 personal, entire, exact, and perpetual obedience ; 
 promised life upon the fulfilling, and threatened 
 death upon the breach of it, and endued him with 
 power and ability to keep it. a 
 
 a Gen. 1 : 26, 27, and 2 : 17 ; Rom. 2 i 14, 15, and 10 : 5, 
 and 5 : 12, 19 ; Gal. 3 : 10, 12 ; Eccl. 7 : 29 ; Job 28 i 28- 
 
 II. 
 
 This law, so written in the heart, continued to 
 be a perfect rule of righteousness after the fall of 
 man, and was delivered by God on Mount Sinai 
 in ten commandments, and written in two tables ; b 
 the four first commandments, containing our duty 
 towards God, and the other six our duty to man. c 
 
 b Jam. 1 : 25, and 2 : 8, 10, 11, 12 ; Rom. 13 : 8, 9 ; Deut. 
 5 : 3, and 10 : 4 ; Exod. 34 : 1. c Matt. 22 : 37, 38, 39, 40. 
 
A CONFESSION OF FAITH, 63 
 
 III. 
 
 Besides this law, commonly called moral, God 
 was pleased to give the people of Israel, as a 
 church under age, ceremonial laws, containing 
 several typical ordinances, partly of worshipping, 
 prefiguring Christ, his graces, actions, sufferings, 
 and benefits, d and partly holding forth divers 
 instructions of moral duties. e All which cere- 
 monial laws, being appointed only to the time of 
 reformation, are by Jesus Christ, the true Messi- 
 ah and only Law-giver, who was furnished with 
 power from the Father for that end, abrogated 
 and taken away. f 
 
 dHeb. 9: and 10: 1. Gal.4: 1,2,3; Col.2:17. e 1 Cor. 
 5 : T ; 2 Cor. 6 : 17 ; Jude 23. f Heb. 9 : 10, 11 ; Jam. 4 : 
 12 ; Heb. 7 : 12 ; Col. 2 : 14, 16, 17 ; Dan. 9 : 27 ; Eph. 2 : 
 15, 16. 
 
 IV. 
 
 To them also he gave sundry judicial laws, 
 which expired together with the state of that 
 people, not obliging any now by virtue of that in- 
 stitution, their general equity only being still of 
 moral use. £ 
 
 o Exod. 21, and 22 : 1 to 29 ; Gen. 49 ; 10, with 1 Pet. 2 : 
 13, 14 ; Matt. 5 : 17, with 38, 39 ; 1 Cor. 9 : 8, 9, 10. 
 
 V. 
 
 The moral law doth forever bind all, as well 
 justified persons as others, to the obedience 
 
1 
 
 64 A CONFESSION OF FAITH. 
 
 thereof; h and that not only in regard of the mat- 
 ter contained in it, but also in respect of the au- 
 thority of God the Creator, who gave it. ■ Nei- 
 ther doth Christ in the Gospel any way dissolve, 
 but much strengthen, this obligation. k 
 
 h Rom. 13 : 8, 9, 10 ; Eph. 6 : 6, 1, 2 j 1 John 2 : 3, 4, 7, 8. 
 i Jam. 2 : 10, 11. k Matt. 5 : 17, 18, 19 ; Jam. 2 : 8. 
 
 VI. 
 
 Although true believers be not under the law as 
 a covenant of works, to be thereby justified or 
 condemned ; l yet it is of great use to them, as 
 well as to others ; in that, as a rule of life, in- 
 forming them of the will of God and their duty, 
 and directs and binds them to walk accordingly ; m 
 discovering also the sinful pollutions of their na- 
 ture, hearts, and lives ; n so as, examining them- 
 selves thereby, they may come to further con- 
 viction of, humiliation for, and hatred against 
 sin, ° together with a clearer sight of the need 
 they have of Christ, and the perfection of his 
 obedience. P It is likewise of use to the regene- 
 rate, to restrain their corruptions, in that it for- 
 bids sin, q and the threatenings of it serve to shew 
 what even their sins deserve, and what afflictions 
 in this life they may expect from them, although 
 freed from the curse thereof, threatened in the 
 law. r The promises of it, in like manner, shew 
 them God's approbation of obedience, and what 
 
A CONFESSION OF FAITH. 05 
 
 blessings they may expect upon the performance 
 thereof, s although not as due to them by the law. 
 as a covenant of works, t so as a man's doing 
 good, and refraining from evil, because the law 
 encourageth to the one, and deterreth from the 
 other, is no evidence of his being under the law, 
 and not under grace. u 
 
 1 Rom. 6 : 14 ; Gal. 2 i 16, and 3 : 13, and 4 : 4, 5 ; Acta 
 13 : 39 ; Rom. 8:1. m Rom. 7 : 12, 22, 25 ; Psal. 119 : 4, 
 5, 6 ; 1 Cor. 7 : 19; Gal. 5 : 14, 16, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23- 
 n Rom. 7 : 7, and 3 : 20. o Jam. 1 : 23, 24, 25 ; Rom. 7 : 9. 
 14, 24. p Gal. 3 : 24 ; Rom. 7 : 24, 25, and 8 : 3, 4. q Jam. 
 2:11: Psal. 119 : 101, 104, 128. r Ezra 9 : 13, 14 ; Psal. 
 89 : 30 to 35. s Lev. 26 : 3 to 14, with 2 Cor. 6 : 16 ; Eph. 6 : 
 2,3; Psal. 37:11: Matt. 5 : 5 ; Psal. 19:11. t Gal. 2:16: 
 Luke 17:10. u Rom. 6.12, 14; 1 Pet. 3 : 8, 9, 10, 11, 12. 
 with Psal. 34 I 12 to 16 : Heb. 12 : 28, 29. 
 
 VII. 
 
 Neither are the forementioned uses of the law. 
 contrary to the grace of the Gospel, but do sweet- 
 ly comply with it, w the Spirit of Christ subduing 
 and enabling the will of man to do that freely 
 and cheerfully, which the will of God, revealed 
 in the law, required to be done. x 
 
 w Gal. 3 : 21. x Ezek. 36 : 26, 27 ; Heb. 8 : 10 ; Jei. 
 31 : 33. 
 
 6> 
 
66 A CONFESSION OF FAITH. 
 
 CHAP. XX. 
 
 OF THE GOSPEL, AND OF THE EXTENT OF THE 
 GRACES THEREOF. 
 
 I. 
 
 The covenant of works being broken by sin, 
 and made unprofitable unto life, a God was pleas- 
 ed to give unto the elect the promise of Christ, 
 the seed of the woman, b as the means of calling 
 them, and begetting in them faith and repentance. c 
 In this promise, the Gospel, as to the substance 
 of it, was revealed, and was therein effectual for 
 the conversion and salvation of sinners. d 
 
 a Rom. 8:3; GaL 3:12. b Gen. 3 : 15 ; Gal. 4:4, 5 ; 
 Rev. 13 : 3. c 1 Cor. 1 : 23, 24, 26 ; Jam. 1 : 18 ; Rom. 10 : 
 8; Acts 11 :15, 18. dl Cor. 2:2. 
 
 II. 
 
 The promise of Christ, and salvation by him 
 is revealed only in and by the word of God ; e 
 neither do the works of creation or Providence, 
 with the light of nature, make discovery of 
 Christ, or of grace b\ him, so much as in a gen- 
 eral or obscure way ; f much less that men des- 
 titute of the revelation of him by the promise, 
 or Gospel, should be enabled thereby to attain 
 saving faith or repentance. S 
 
A CONFESSION OF FAITH. 67 
 
 e Matt. 11 : 27 ; 2 Tim. 1 : 10. f Rom. 1 : 19, 20 ; Eph. 
 2 : 12 ; Rom. 16 : 25, 26 ; Eph. 3:9. g 1 Cor. 1:21: Rom. 
 10 : 14, 15 ; Prov. 29 : 18. 
 
 III. 
 
 The Revelation of the Gospel unto sinners, 
 made at divers times, and by sundry parts, with 
 the addition of promises and precepts for the 
 obedience required therein, as to the nations and 
 persons to whom it is granted, is merely of the 
 sovereign will and good pleasure of God, h not 
 being annexed by virtue of any promise to the 
 due improvement of men's natural abilities, by 
 virtue of common light received without it, which 
 none ever did make, or can so do. i And there- 
 fore in all ages, the preaching of the Gospel hath 
 been granted unto persons and nations, as to the 
 extent or straitening of it, in great variety, ac- 
 cording to the counsel of the will of God. k 
 
 h Heb. 1:1,2; Deut. 7 : 7, 8 ; Psal. 147 : 19, 20 ; Matt. 
 21 : 43, and 11 : 25, 26- i John 1 : 13, and 3 : 6 ; Rom. 9 : 16 ; 
 Phil. 2:13; John 15 : 5 ; 1 Cor. 2 : 14 ; Rom 8:7. k Amos 
 3:2; Matt. 28 : 19, and 21 : 43 ; Eph. 1:11. 
 
 IV. 
 
 Although the Gospel be the only outward 
 means of revealing Christ and saving grace, and 
 is as such, abundantly sufficient thereunto ; yet 
 that men who are dead in trespasses, may be 
 born again, quickened or regenerated, there is 
 moreover necessary, an effectual, irresistible work 
 
68 A CONFESSION OF FAITH. 
 
 of the Holy Ghost upon the whole soul, for the 
 producing in them a new spiritual life, without 
 which no other means are sufficient for their con- 
 version unto God. 1 
 
 lEph. 2:1, 5; Tit.3:5; John 16 : 7to 12 ; Acts 16:14: 
 Eph. 1 : 19, 20 ; 1 Thes. 5 : 23 ; John 3:6; Gal. 2 : 8 ; 1 Cor. 
 3 : 6, 7. 
 
 CHAP. XXI. 
 
 OF CHRISTIAN LIBERTY, AND LIBERTY OF CON- 
 SCIENCE. 
 
 I. 
 
 The liberty which Christ hath purchased for 
 believers under the Gospel, consists in their free- 
 dom from the guilt of sin, the condemning wrath 
 of God, the rigour and curse of the law ; a and 
 in their being delivered from this present evil 
 world, bondage to Satan, and dominion of sin ; b 
 from the evil of afflictions, the fear and sting of 
 death, the victory of the grave, and everlasting 
 damnation ; c as also in their free access to God, d 
 and their yielding obedience unto him, not out of 
 slavish fear, but a child-like love and willing 
 mind : e All which were common also to believers 
 under the law, for the substance of them ; *" but 
 under the New Testament, the liberty of Chris- 
 
A CONFESSION OF FAITH. 69 
 
 tians is further enlarged in their freedom from the 
 yoke of the ceremonial law, the whole legal ad- 
 ministration of the covenant of grace, to which 
 the Jewish church was subjected, S and in greater 
 access to the throne of grace, h and in fuller 
 communications of the free Spirit of God, than 
 believers under the law did ordinarily partake 
 of.i 
 
 a Tit. 2 : 14 ; 1 Thes. 1 : 10 ; Gal. 3:13. b Gal. 1:4; 
 Col. 1:13; Acts 26: 18; Rom. 6 : 14. c Rom. 8 : 28 ; Psal. 
 119 : 71 ; 1 Cor. 15 : 54 to 57 ; Rom. 6:1. d Rom. 5 : 1, 2. 
 e Rom. 8 : 14, 15 ; 1 John 4 : 18- f Gal. 3 : 13, 14- g Gal. 
 4 : 1 to 7, and 5 : 1 ; Acts 15 : 10, 11. h Heb. 4 : 14, 16, and 
 10 : 19 to 22. i John 7 : 38, 39 ; 2 Cor. 13 : 17, 18. 
 
 II. 
 
 God alone is Lord of the conscience, k and 
 hath left it free from the doctrines and command- 
 ments of men, which are in any thing contrary 
 to his word, or not contained in it ; 1 so that to 
 believe such doctrines, or to obey such com- 
 mands out of conscience, is to betray true liber- 
 ty of conscience ; m and the requiring of an im- 
 plicit faith, and an absolute and blind obedience, 
 is to destroy liberty of conscience, and reason 
 also. n 
 
 k Jam. 4 : 12 ; Rom. 14 : 4. 1 Acts 4 : 19, and 5 : 29 ; 1 Cor. 
 7 : 23 ; Matt. 23 : 8, 9, 10 : 2 Cor. 1 : 24 ; Matt. 15 : 9. m Col. 
 2 : 10, 22, 23 ; Gal. 1 : 10, and 2 : 2, 4, 5, and 5:1. n Rom. 
 10 : 11, and 14 : 23 ; Isa. 8 : 20 ; Acts 17 : 11 ; John 4 : 22 : 
 Hosea 5 : 11 j Jer. 8 : 9- 
 
70 A CONFESSION OF FAITH. 
 
 III. 
 
 They who upon pretence of Christian liberty 
 do practice any sin, or cherish any lust, as they 
 do thereby pervert the main design of the grace 
 of the Gospel to their own destruction ; so they 
 wholly destroy the end of Christian liberty ; which 
 is that being delivered out of the hands of our 
 enemies, we might serve the Lord without fear, 
 in holiness and righteousness before him all the 
 days of our life. ° 
 
 o Gal. 5 : 13 ; 1 Pet. 2 : 16 ; 2 Pet. 2 : 19 ; John 8 : 31 ; 
 Luke 1 : 74, 75. 
 
 CHAP. XXII. 
 
 OF RELIGIOUS WORSHIP, AND OF THE SABBATH 
 DAY. 
 
 I. 
 
 The light of nature sheweth that there is a 
 God, who hath lordship and sovereignty over all, 
 is just, good, and doth good unto all, and is 
 therefore to be feared, loved, praised, called upon, 
 trusted in, and served with all the heart and all the 
 soul, and with all the might : a But the accepta- 
 ble way of worshipping the true God, is institu- 
 ted by himself, and so limited by his own reveal- 
 ed will, that he may not be worshipped according 
 
A CONFESSION OF FAITH. 71 
 
 to the imaginations and devices of men, or the 
 suggestions of Satan, under any visible represen- 
 tations, or any other way not prescribed in the 
 Holy Scripture. b 
 
 a Rom. 1:20; Acts 17 : 24 ; Psal. 119:64; Jer. 10 : 7 ; 
 Psal. 31 : 23, and 18 : 3 ; Rom. 10 : 12 ; Psal. 62 : 8 ; Josh. 
 24 : 14 ; Mark 12 : 33. b Deut. 12 : 32 ; Matt. 15 : 9 ; Acts 
 17 : 25 ; Matt. 4 : 9, 10 ; Deut. 4 : 15 to 20 ; Exod. 20 : 4, 5 ; 
 Col. 2 : 23. 
 
 II. 
 
 Religious worship is to be given to God the 
 Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, and to him alone ; c 
 not to Angels, Saints, or any other creatures ; d 
 and since the fall, not without a Mediator, nor 
 in the mediation of any other but of Christ alone. e 
 
 c Matt. 4 : 10 ; John 5 : 23, and 2 Cor. 13 : 14. d Col. 2 : 
 18 ; Rev. 19 : 10 ; Rom. 1 : 25. e John 14:6; 1 Tim. 2:5; 
 Eph. 2 : 18 ; Col. 3 : 17. 
 
 III. 
 
 Prayer with thanksgiving, being one special 
 part of natural worship, f is by God required of 
 all men ; 8" but that it may be accepted it is to be 
 made in the name of the Son, h by the help of 
 the Spirit, " according to his will, k with under- 
 standing, reverence, humility, fervency, faith, 
 love, and perseverance : * and when with others 
 in a known tongue. m 
 
 f Phil. 4:6. g Psal. 65 : 2. h John 14 : 13, 14 ; 1 Pet. 
 2:5. i Rom. 8 : 26. k 1 John 5 : 14. 1 Psal. 47 : 7 ; Eccl. 
 
72 A CONFESSION OF FAITH. 
 
 5 : 1, 2 ; Heb. 12 : 28 ; Gen. 18 : 27 ; James 5 : 10 ; Mark 
 11:24; Matt. 6: 12, 14, 15; Col. 4:2; Eph. 6 : 18. m lCor. 
 14 : 14. 
 
 IV. 
 
 Prayer is to be made for things lawful, n and 
 for all sorts of men living, or that shall live here- 
 after, ° but not for the dead, P nor for those of 
 whom it may be known that they have sinned the 
 sin unto death. <l 
 
 n 1 John 5:14. o 1 Tim. 2 : 1, 2 ; John 17 : 20 ; 2 Sam. 
 7 : 29 ; Ruth 4 : 12. p 2 Sam. 12 : 21, 22, 23, with Luke 16 : 
 25, 26 ; Rev. 14 : 13. q 1 John 5 : 16. 
 
 The reading of the Scriptures, r preaching, s and 
 hearing the word of God, l singing of Psalms, u 
 as also the administration of Baptism and the 
 Lord's Supper, are all parts of religious worship 
 of God, to be performed in obedience unto God 
 with understanding, faith, reverence, and godly 
 fear ; w solemn humiliations, with fastings, x and 
 thanksgiving upon special occasions, y are in their 
 several times and seasons to be used in an holy 
 and religious manner. z 
 
 r Acts 15 : 21 ; Rev. 1:3. s 2 Tim. 4:2. t Jam. 1:21, 
 22 ; Acts 10 : 33 ; Matt 13 : 19 ; Heb. 4:2; Isaiah 66 : 2. 
 u Col. 3 : 16 ; Eph. 5 : 19 ; James 5 : 13. wMatt. 28 : 19 ; 
 1 Cor. 11 : 23 to 29 ; Acts 2 : 41, 42. xJoel2:12; Esther 
 4 : 16 ; Mark 9 : 29 ; lCor. 7:5. y Psal. 107, per tot. ; Esther 
 9 ; 22. z Heb. 12 : 28. 
 
A CONFESSION OF FAITH. 73 
 
 VI. 
 
 Neither prayer, nor any other part of religious 
 worship, is now under the Gospel either tied unto, 
 or made more acceptable by any place in which 
 it is performed, or towards which it is directed. a 
 But God is to be worshipped every where, b in 
 spirit and in truth, c as in private families d daily, e 
 and in secret each one by himself, f so more 
 solemnly in the public assemblies, which are not 
 carelessly nor wilfully to be neglected or forsa- 
 ken, when God by his word or providence calleth 
 thereunto. S 
 
 a John 4 : 21. b Mai. 1:11; 1 Tim. 2:8. c John 4 ; 
 23, 24. d Jer. 10 : 25 ; Deut. 6 : 6, 7 : Job 1 : 5 ; 2 Sam. 6 : 
 18, 20 ; 1 Pet. 3:7; Acts 10 : 2. e Matt. 6 ■ 11. f Matt. 
 6.6; Eph. 6 : 18- g Isa. 56 : 6, 7 ; Heb. 10 : 25 ; Prov. 1 : 
 20, 2i, 24, and 8 : 34 ; Acts 13 : 42 ; Luke 4 : 16 ; Acts 2 : 42. 
 
 VII. 
 
 As it is of the law of nature, that in general, 
 a proportion of time, by God's appointment, be 
 set apart for the worship of God ; so by his word 
 in a positive, moral, and perpetual command- 
 ment, binding all men in all ages, he hath par- 
 ticularly appointed one day in seven for a Sab- 
 bath to be kept holy unto him, Q which from the 
 beginning of the world to the resurrection of 
 Christ, was the last day of the week, and from 
 the resurrection of Christ was changed into the 
 7 
 
74 A CONFESSION OF FAITH. 
 
 first day of the week, \ which in Scripture is 
 called the Lord's day, k and is to be continued to 
 the end of the world as the Christian Sabbath, } 
 the observation of the last day of the week being 
 abolished. m 
 
 h Exod. 20 : 8 to 11 ; Isa.56 : 2 to 7. i Gen. 2 : 2, 3; 1 Cor. 
 6:1,2; Acts 20 : 7. k Rev. 1 : 10. 1 Exod. 20 : 8, 10, with 
 Matt. 5 : 17, 18. m Col. 2 : 16, 17 ; Heb. 4 : 9, 10. 
 
 VIII. 
 
 This Sabbath is then kept holy unto the Lord, 
 when men, after a due preparing of their hearts 
 and ordering their common affairs beforehand, do 
 not only observe an holy rest all the day from 
 their own works, words, and thoughts, about 
 their worldly employments and recreations, n but 
 also are taken up the whole time in the public 
 and private exercises of his worship, and in the 
 duties of necessity and mercy. ° 
 
 n Exod. 20 : 8, and 16 : 23 to 30, and 13 : 12 to 18 ; Jsa. 58 . 
 13; Neh. 13 : 15 to 23. o Isa. 58:13; Matt. 12 : 1 to 14. 
 
A CONFESSION OF FAITH. 75 
 
 CHAP. XXIII. 
 
 OF LAWFUL OATHS AND VOWS. 
 I. 
 
 A lawful oath is a part of religious worship, a 
 wherein the person swearing in truth, righteous- 
 ness, and judgment, solemnly calleth God to wit- 
 ness what he asserteth, or promiseth, and to judge 
 him according to the truth or falsehood of what 
 he sweareth. b 
 
 a Deut. 10 : 20. b Jer. 4:2; Exod. 20 : 7 ; Lev. 19 : 12 ; 
 2 Cor. 1 : 23 ; 2 Chron. 6 : 22, 23. 
 
 II. 
 
 The name of God only is that by which men 
 ought to swear, and therein it is to be used with 
 all holy fear and reverence : c Therefore to swear 
 vainly or rashly by that glorious and dreadful 
 name, or to swear at all by any other thing, is 
 sinful and to be abhorred : d yet as in matters of 
 weight and moment an oath is warranted by the 
 word of God under the New Testament as well 
 as under the Old, e so a lawful oath being impos- 
 ed by lawful authority in such matters ought to 
 be taken. f 
 
 c Deut 6:13. d Exod. 20 : 7 ; Jer. 5:7; Matt. 5 : 34, 35> 
 36; James 5. 12. e Heb. 6 : 16 ; 2 Cor. 1 : 23 ; Isa. 65 : 16. 
 f 1 Kings 8 : 31 ; Neh. 13 : 25 ; Ezra 10 : 5. 
 
76 A CONFESSION OF FAITH. 
 
 III. 
 
 Whosoever taketh an oath warranted by the 
 
 word of God, ought duly to consider the weigh- 
 
 tiness of so solemn an act, and therein to avouch 
 
 nothing but what he is fully persuaded is the 
 
 truth : S neither may any man bind himself by an 
 
 oath to any thing but what is good and just, and 
 
 what he believeth so to be, and what he is able 
 
 and resolved to perform : h yet it is a sin to refuse 
 
 an oath touching any thing that is good and just 
 
 being law fully imposed by authority. l 
 
 g Exod. 20 : 7 ; Jer. 4:2. h Gen. 24 : 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 8, 9. 
 i Num. 5 : 19, 21 ; Neh. 5 : 12 ; Exod. 22 : 11. 
 
 IV. 
 
 An oath is to be taken in the plain and common 
 sense of the words, without equivocation or men- 
 tal reservation. k It cannot oblige to sin ; but in 
 any thing not sinful being taken, it binds to per- 
 formance, although to a man's own hurt ; 1 nor 
 is it to be violated, although made to heretics or 
 infidels. m 
 
 k Jer. 4:2; Psal. 24 : 4- 1 1 Sam. 25 : 22, 31, 33, 34 ; Psal. 
 15 : 4. m Ezek. 17 : 16, 18, 19 ; Josh. 9 i 18, 19, with 2 Sam. 
 21: 1. 
 
 V. 
 
 A vow, which is not to be made to any creature, 
 but to God alone, is of the like nature with a pro- 
 missory oath, and ought to be made with the like 
 
A CONFESSION OF FAITH. 77 
 
 religious care, and to be performed with the like 
 faithfulness. n 
 
 n Psal. 76 : 11 ; Jer. 44 : 25, 26 ; Psal. 50 : 14, and 65 : 1 : 
 Isa. 19 : 21 : Eccl. 5 : 4, 5, 6 ; Psal. 61 : 8, and G6 : 13, 14. 
 
 VI. 
 
 Popish monastical vows of perpetual single life, 
 professed poverty, and regular obedience, are so 
 far from being degrees of higher perfection, that 
 they are superstitious and sinful snares, in which 
 no Christian may entangle himself. ° 
 
 o Matt. 19 : 11, 12 ; lCor. 7:2, 9 ; Eph. 4 : 28 ; 1 Peter 
 4 : 2 ; 1 Cor. 7 : 23. 
 
 CHAP. XXIV. 
 
 OF THE CIVIL MAGISTRATE. 
 I. 
 
 God the Supreme Lord and King of all the 
 world, hath ordained civil magistrates to be, under 
 him, over the people for his own glory and the 
 public good ; and to this end hath armed them 
 with the power of the sword, for the defence and 
 encouragement of them that do good, and for the 
 punishment of evil-doers. a 
 
 a Rom. 13 : 1 to 4 ; 1 Pet. 2 : 13, 14. 
 
 7* 
 
78 a CONFESSION OF FAITH. 
 
 II. 
 
 It is lawful for Christians to accept and exe- 
 cute the office of a magistrate when called there- 
 unto : b in the management whereof, as they ought, 
 especially to maintain piety, justice, and peace, 
 according to the wholesome laws of each com- 
 monwealth ; c so, for that end, they may lawfully 
 now, under the New Testament, wage war upon 
 just and necessary occasion. d 
 
 b Prov. 8 : 15, 16 ; Rom. 13 : 1, 2, 4. c Psal. 2 : 10 to 12 ; 
 1 Tim. 2:3; Psal. 82 : 3, 4 ; 2 Sam. 23 : 3 ; 1 Peter 2 : 13. 
 d Luke 3 : 14 ; Rom. 13 : 4 ; Matt. 8 : 9, 10 ; Acts 10 ; 1, 2 ; 
 Rev. 17 : 14, 16. 
 
 III. 
 
 They who, upon pretence of Christian liberty, 
 shall oppose any lawful power, or the lawful ex- 
 ercise of it, resist the ordinance of God ; and for 
 their publishing of such opinions, or maintaining 
 of such practices as are contrary to the light of 
 nature, or to the known principles of Christian- 
 ity, whether concerning faith, worship, or con- 
 versation*; or to the power of godliness ; or such 
 erroneous opinions or practices, as either in their 
 own nature, or in the manner of publishing or 
 maintaining them, are destructive to the external 
 peace or order which Christ hath established in 
 the church ; they may lawfully be called to an 
 account, and proceeded against by the censures 
 of the church, and by the power of the civil 
 
A CONFESSION OF FAITH. 79 
 
 magistrate : yet in such differences about the 
 doctrines of the Gospel, or ways of the wor- 
 ship of God as may befall men exercising a good 
 conscience, manifesting it in their conversation, 
 and holding the foundation, and duly observing 
 the rules of peace and order, there is no war- 
 rant for the magistrate to abridge them of their 
 liberty. 
 
 IV. 
 
 It is the duty of people to pray for magistrates, 
 to honor their persons, to pay them tribute and 
 other dues, to obey their lawful commands, and 
 to be subject to their authority for conscience 
 sake. Infidelity, or difference in religion, doth 
 not make void the magistrate's just and legal 
 authority, nor free the people from their due 
 obedience to him, from which ecclesiastical per- 
 sons are not exempted ; much less hath the Pope 
 any power and jurisdiction over them in their do- 
 minions, or over any of their people, and least of 
 all to deprive them of their dominions or lives if 
 he shall judge them to be heretics, or upon any- 
 other pretence whatsoever. 
 
 I Tim. 2:12; 1 Pet. 2 : 17 ; Rom. 13:6, 7, and 13 : 5; Tit. 
 3:1; lPet. 2 : 13, 14, 16 ; Rom. 13 : 1 ; 1 Kings 2 : 35 ; Acts 
 25 : 9, 10, 11 ; 2 Pet. 2 : 1, 10, 11 ; Jude 5 : 8 to 11 ; 2 Thes. 
 2:4; Rev. 13 : 15, 16, 17. 
 
80 A CONFESSION OF FAITH. 
 
 CHAP. XXY. 
 
 OF MARRIAGE. 
 I. 
 
 Marriage is to be between one man and one 
 woman : neither is it lawful for any man to have 
 more than one wife, nor for any woman to have 
 more than one husband, at the same time. a 
 
 a Gen. 2 : 24 ; Matt. 19 : 5, 6 ; Prov. 2 : 17. 
 
 II. 
 
 Marriage was ordained for the mutual help 
 of husband and wife, b for the increase of man- 
 kind with a legitimate issue, and of the church 
 with an holy seed, c and for preventing unclean - 
 ness. d 
 
 b Gen. 2 : 18- c Mai. 2 : 15- d 1 Cor. 7 : 2, 9. 
 III. 
 
 It is lawful for all sorts of people to marry, 
 who are able with judgment to give their con- 
 sent ; e yet it is the duty of Christians to marry 
 in the Lord, f and therefore such as profess the 
 true reformed religion, should not marry with 
 infidels, papists, or other idolaters : neither should 
 such as are godly be unequally yoked, by marry- 
 ing such as are wicked in their life, or maintain 
 damnable heresy. S 
 
A CONFESSION OF FAITH. 81 
 
 e Heb. 13 : 4 ; 1 Tim. 4 : 3 ; 1 Cor. 7 : 36, 37, 38 ; Gen. 24 
 57, 58. f I Cor. 7 : 39. g Gen. 34 : 14 ; Exod. 34 : 16 ; Deut. 
 7 : 3, 4 ; 1 Kings 11:4; Neh. 13 : 25, 26, 27 ; Mai. 2 : 11, 12 ; 
 2 Cor. 6: 14. 
 
 IV. 
 
 Marriage ought not to be within the degrees of 
 consanguinity or affinity forbidden in the Word ; h 
 nor can such incestuous marriages ever be made 
 lawful by any law of man or consent of parties? 
 so as those persons may live together as man and 
 wife. ■ 
 
 h Lev. 18 i 1 Cor. 5:1; Amos 2:7. i Mark 6 : 18 ; Lev. 
 18 : 24 to 29. 
 
 CHAP. XXVI. 
 
 OF THE CHURCH. 
 
 I. 
 
 The Catholic or Universal Church which is 
 invisible, consists of the whole number of the 
 elect, that have been, are, or shall be gathered 
 into one under Christ, the Head thereof, and the 
 Spouse, the Body, the fulness of Him that filleth 
 all and in all. a 
 
 a Eph. 1 : 10, 22, 23, and 5 : 23, 27, 32 ; Col. 1 : 18. 
 

 82 A CONFESSION OF FAITH. 
 
 II. 
 
 The whole body of men throughout the world, 
 professing the faith of the Gospel, and obedience 
 unto God by Christ according unto it, b not de- 
 stroying their own profession by any errors 
 everting the foundation, c or unholiness of con- 
 versation, they d and their children e with them, 
 are, and may be called the visible Catholic Church 
 of Christ, f although as such it is not intrusted 
 with any officers to rule or govern over the whole 
 body. S. 
 
 b 1 Cor. 1:2; Col. 2 : 19 ; c 1 Tim. 1 : 19, 20. d 2 Tim. 
 2:19; Tit. 1 : 16- el Cor. 7 : 14 ; Acts 2 : 39 ; Ezek. 16 : 
 20, 21 ; Rom. 11 : 16 ; Gen. 17 : 7. f ICor. 12 : 12, 13; Rom. 
 15 : 9, 10, 12. g Eph. 4 : 8, 11, 12 ; Rom. 12 : 6, 7, 8 ; 1 Cor. 
 12 : 28, 29, 30. 
 
 III. 
 
 The purest churches under heaven are subject 
 both to mixture and error, h and some have so 
 degenerated as to become no churches of Christ, 
 but synagogues of Satan : i Nevertheless Christ 
 always hath had, and ever shall have a visible 
 kingdom in this world, to the end thereof, of such 
 as believe in him, and make profession of his 
 name. k 
 
 h ICor. 13 : 12 ; Rev. 2d and 3d chapters ; Matt. 13 : 24 
 to 30, 42. i Rev. 28 : 2 ; Rom. 11 : 18 to 23. k Matt. 16 : 18 ; 
 Psal. 72 : 17, and 102 : 28 ; Matt. 28 ; 19, 20. 
 
 1 
 
A CONFESSION OF FAITH. 83 
 
 IV. 
 
 There is no other head of the Church but the 
 Lord Jesus Christ ; l nor can the Pope of Rome 
 in any sense be head thereof, but is that Anti- 
 christ, that man of sin, and son of perdition that 
 exalteth himself in the Church against Christ and 
 all that is called God, whom the Lord shall de- 
 stroy with the brightness of his coming. m 
 
 1 Col. 1 : 18 ; Eph. 1 : 22. m Matt. 23 : 8, 9, 10 ; 2 Thes. 
 2 : 3. 4, 8, 9 ; Rev. 13 : 6. 
 
 As the Lord, in his care and love towards his 
 Church, hath in his infinite wise providence, ex- 
 ercised it with great variety in all ages, for the 
 good of them that love him, and his own glory ; n 
 so according to his promise, we expect that in 
 the latter days, Antichrist being destroyed, ° the 
 Jews called, P and the adversaries of the king- 
 dom of his dear Son broken ; <l the churches of 
 Christ, being enlarged and edified through a free 
 and plentiful communication of light and grace, 
 shall enjoy in this world a more quiet, peaceable, 
 and glorious condition than they have enjoyed. r 
 
 n Acts 7 : 1 to 51, and 14 : 22, and 8 : 1, with 9 : 31. o 2 Thes. 
 2 : 8, 9, 10 ; Rev. 18 : 2, 4, 21, and 17 : 16. p Rom. 10 : 1, 
 and 11 : 23 to 32. q Psal. 110 : 1, and 2:9. r Isa. 11:9; 
 Joel 2 : 28, 29 ; Isa. 2 : 2, 3, 4 ; Mic. 4:3; Psal. 87 : 2 to end ; 
 Dan. 7 : 27. 
 
84 A CONFESSION OF FAITH. 
 
 CHAP. XXVII. 
 
 OF THE COMMUNION OF SAINTS. 
 I. 
 
 All saints that are united to Jesus Christ their 
 head by his Spirit and faith, although they are not 
 made thereby one person with him, a have fellow- 
 ship in his graces, sufferings, death, resurrection, 
 and glory : b and being united to one another in 
 love, they have communion in each others' gifts 
 and graces, c and are obliged to the performance 
 of such duties, public and private, as do conduce 
 to their mutual good, both in the inward and out- 
 ward man. d 
 
 a Col. 1 : 18, 19 ; 1 Cor. 8:6; Isa. 42 : 8 ; 1 Tim. 6 ■ 15, 
 16 ; Psal. 45 : 7, with Heb. 1 : 8, 9. b Uohn 1 : 3 ; Eph. 3 
 16 to 19 ; John 1 : 16 ; Eph. 2 : 5, 6 ; Phil. 3 : 10 ; Rom. 6 
 5,6; 2 Tim. 2:12. c Eph. 4 : 15, 16 ; 1 Cor. 12 : 7, and 3 
 21, 22, 23 ; Col. 2 : 19. d 1 Thes. 5 i 11, 14 ; Rom. 1 \ 11, 
 12, 14 ; Uohn 3 : 16, 17, 18 ; Gal. 6 >. 10. 
 
 II. 
 
 All saints are bound to maintain an holy fellow- 
 ship and communion in the worship of God, and 
 in performing such other spiritual services as 
 tend to their mutual edification, c as also in re- 
 lieving each other in outward things according 
 to their several abilities and necessities : which 
 
A CONFESSION OF FAJTU. 85 
 
 communion, though especially to be exercised by 
 them for the relations in which they stand, wheth- 
 er in families or in churches, yet as God ofFereth 
 opportunity, is to be extended unto all those who 
 in every place call upon the name of the Lord 
 Jesus, g 
 
 eHeb. 10:24,25; Acts2:42,46; Isa.2:3; lCor.2:20- 
 f Eph. 6 : 2, 4, 5, 9, and 5 : 22 to 26 ; 1 Tim. 5:8; Gal. 6 : 10. 
 g Acts 2 : 44, 45 ; 1 John 3 : 17 ; 2 Cor. 8th and 9th chapters ; 
 Acts 11 : 29, 30. 
 
 CHAP. XXVIII. 
 
 OF THE SACRAMENTS. 
 
 I. 
 
 Sacraments are holy signs and seals of the 
 covenant of grace, a immediately instituted by 
 Christ, b to represent him and his benefits, and 
 to confirm our interest in him, c and solemnly to 
 engage us to the service of God in Christ, ac- 
 cording to his Word. d 
 
 a Rom. 4:11; Gen. 17 : 7, 10. b Matt. 28 : 19 ; 1 Cor. 
 11 : 23. c 1 Cor. 10 : 16, and 11 ; 25, 26. d Rom. 6 : 3, 4 ; 
 1 Cor. 10: 16,21. 
 
 8 
 
-m 
 
 86 A CONFESSION OF FAITH. 
 
 II. 
 
 There is in every Sacrament a spiritual rela- 
 tion or sacramental union between the sign, and 
 the thing signified ; whence it comes to pass that 
 the names and effects of the one are attributed to 
 the other. e 
 
 e Gen. 17 : 10 ; Matt. 26 : 27, 28 ; Tit. 3 : 5. 
 
 III. 
 
 The grace which is exhibited in or by the 
 sacraments rightly used, is not conferred by any 
 power in them, neither doth the efficacy of the 
 sacrament depend upon the piety or intention of 
 him that doth administer it, f but upon the work 
 of the Spirit, 8 and the Word of institution, 
 which contains, together with a precept author- 
 izing the use thereof, a promise of benefit to 
 worthy receivers. h 
 
 f Rom. 2:28, 29; 1 Pet 3 : 21- g Matt. 3 : 11 ; 1 Cor. 
 12 : 13. h Matt. 26 : 27, 28, and 28 : 19, 20. 
 
 IV. 
 
 There be only two sacraments ordained by 
 Christ our Lord, in the Gospel, that is to say, 
 Baptism and the Lord's Supper ; neither of which 
 may be dispensed by any but by a minister of the 
 Word lawfully called. ■ 
 
 i Matt. 28 : 19 ; 1 Cor. 11 : 20, 23, and 4 : 1 ; Heb. 5 : 4- 
 
A CONFESSION OF FAITH. 87 
 
 V. 
 
 The Sacraments of the Old Testament, in re. 
 gard of the spiritual things thereby signified and 
 exhibited, were for substance the same with those 
 of the New. k 
 
 k 1 Cor. 10 : 1, 2, 3, 4- 
 
 CHAP. XXIX. 
 
 OF BAPTISM. 
 
 I. 
 
 Baptism is a Sacrament of the New Testa- 
 ment, ordained by Jesus Christ, a to be unto the 
 party baptized a sign and seal of the Covenant 
 of Grace : b of his ingrafting into Christ ; c of 
 regeneration ; d of remission of sins, e and of his 
 giving up unto God, through Jesus Christ, to 
 walk in newness of life ; f which ordinance is by 
 Christ's own appointment, to be continued in his 
 church until the end of the world. §" 
 
 a Matt. 28 : 16. b Rom. 4 : 11, with Col. 2 : 11, 12. c Gal. 
 3 : 27 ; Rom. 6:5. d Tit. 3:5. e Mark 1:4. f Rom. 6 : 
 3, 4. g Matt. 28 : 19, 20. 
 
 II. 
 
 The outward element to be used in this ordi- 
 nance is water, wherewith the party is to be 
 baptized in the name of the Father, and of the 
 
88 A CONFESSION OF FAITH. 
 
 Son, and of the Holy Ghost, by a minister of the 
 Gospel, lawfully called thereunto. h 
 h Matt. 3:11: John 1 : 33 ; Matt. 28 : 19, 20- 
 
 III. 
 
 Dipping of the person into the water is not 
 necessary ; but baptism is rightly administered 
 by pouring or sprinkling water upon the person. ' 
 
 i Heb. 9 : 10, 19 to 22 ; Acts 2 : 41, and 16 : 33 ; Mark 7 : 4- 
 
 IV. 
 
 Not only those that do actually profess faith 
 in, and obedience unto Christ, k but also the in- 
 fants of one or both believing parents are to be 
 baptized, and those only. * 
 
 k Mark 16 : 15, 16 ; Acts 8 : 37, 38. 1 Gen. 17 : 7, 9, with 
 Gal. 3 : 9, 14, and Col. 2 : 11, and Acts 2 i 38, 39, and Rom. 4 : 
 11, 12 ; 1 Cor. 7 : 14 ; Matt 28 : 19 ; Mark 10 ; 13 to 16 ; 
 Luke 18 : 15. 
 
 V. 
 
 Although it be a great sin to contemn or neg- 
 lect this ordinance, m yet grace and salvation 
 are not so inseparably annexed to it, as that no 
 person can be regenerate or saved without it ; n 
 or that all that are baptized are undoubtedly re- 
 generated. ° 
 
 m Luke 7 : 30, with Exod. 4 : 24, 25, 26. n Rom. 4:11: 
 Acts 10 : 2, 4, 22, 31, 45, 47. o Acts 9 : 13, 23. 
 
A CONFESSION OF FAITH. 89 
 
 VI. 
 
 The efficacy of baptism is not tied to that mo- 
 ment of time wherein it is administered ; P yet 
 notwithstanding, by the right use of this ordi- 
 nance, the grace promised is not only offered, but 
 really exhibited and conferred by the Holy Ghost 
 to such, (whether of age or infants,) as that 
 grace belongeth unto, according to the counsel of 
 God's own will in his appointed time. <l 
 
 p John 3 : 5, 8. q Gal. 3 : 27 ; Tit. 3:5; Eph. 5 : 25, 26 j 
 Acts 2 : 38,41. 
 
 VII. 
 
 Baptism is but once to be administered to any 
 person. r 
 r Titus 3 : 5- 
 
90 A CONFESSION OF FAITH. 
 
 CHAP. XXX. 
 
 OF THE LORD'S SUPFER. 
 I. 
 
 Our Lord Jesus, in the night wherein he was 
 betrayed, instituted the Sacrament of his body 
 and blood, called the Lord's Supper, to be ob- 
 served in his churches to the end of the world ; 
 for the perpetual remembrance, and shewing 
 forth of the sacrifice of himself m his death ; the 
 sealing of all benefits thereof unto true believers ; 
 their spiritual nourishment and growth in Him ; 
 their further engagement in and to all duties 
 which they owe unto him ; and to be a bond and 
 pledge of their communion with Him and with 
 each other. a 
 
 a 1 Cor. 11 : 23, 24, 25, 26, and 10 : 16, 17, 21, and 12 : 13. 
 
 II. 
 
 In this Sacrament, Christ is not offered up to 
 his Father, nor any real sacrifice made at all for 
 remission of sin of the quick or dead ; b but only 
 a memorial of that one offering up of himself 
 upon the Cross, once for all, and a spiritual obla- 
 tion of all possible praise unto God for the same ; c 
 so that the Popish sacrifice of the Mass, (as they 
 call it,) is most abominably injurious to Christ's 
 
 1 
 
A CONFESSION OF FAITH. 91 
 
 own, only sacrifice, the alone propitiation for all 
 the sins of the elect. d 
 
 b Heb. 9 i 22, 25, 26, 28. c 1 Cor. 11 : 24, 25, 26 ; Matt. 
 26 : 26, 27. d Heb. 7 : 23, 24, 27, and 10 : 11, 12, 14, 18. 
 
 III. 
 
 The Lord Jesus hath in this ordinance appoint- 
 ed his ministers to declare his Word of institution 
 to the people, to pray, and bless the elements of 
 bread and wine, and thereby to set them apart 
 from a common to an holy use, and to take and 
 break the bread, to take the cup, and (they com- 
 municating also themselves) to give both to the 
 communicants, d but to none who are not then 
 present in the congregation. f 
 
 e Matt. 26 : 26, 27, 28 ; Mark H : 22, 23, 24 ; Luke 22 : 
 19,20; 1 Cor. 11 : 23 to 26. fActs20:7; 1 Cor. 11 : 20. 
 
 IV. 
 
 Private Masses, or receiving the Sacrament 
 by a Priest, or any other alone, 8 as likewise the 
 denial of the cup to the people, h worshipping the 
 elements, the lifting them up or carrying them 
 about for adoration, and reserving them for any 
 pretended religious use, are all contrary to the 
 nature of this sacrament, and to the institution of 
 Christ. « 
 
 gl Cor. 10:6. h Mark 14: 23; 11 Cor. 1 : 25 to 30. 
 
 i Matt 15: 9. 
 
1 
 
 92 A CONFESSION OF FAITH. 
 
 V. 
 
 The outward elements in this Sacrament, duly 
 set apart to the uses ordained by Christ, have 
 such relation to him crucified, as that truly, yet 
 sacramentally only, they are sometimes called by 
 the name of the things they represent, to wit, the 
 body and blood of Christ : k albeit in substance 
 and nature they still remain truly and only bread 
 and wine as they were before. 1 
 
 k Matt. 26 : 26, 27, 28. 1 1 Cor. 11 : 26, 27, 28 ; Matt. 
 26 : 29. 
 
 VI. 
 
 That doctrine which maintains a change of the 
 substance of bread and wine into the substance 
 of Christ's body and blood, (commonly called 
 transubstantiation,) by consecration of a Priest, 
 or by any other way, is repugnant not to the 
 Scripture alone, but even to common sense and 
 reason, overthroweth the nature of the Sacra- 
 ment, and hath been, and is the cause of manifold 
 superstitions, yea of gross idolatries. m 
 
 m Acts 3: 21; 1 Cor. 1 1 : 24, 25, 26 ; Luke 26 : 6, 39. 
 
 VII. 
 
 Worthy receivers outwardly partaking of the 
 visible elements in this Sacrament, n do then also 
 inwardly by faith, really and indeed, yet not car- 
 nally and corporally, but spiritually, receive and 
 
A CONFESSION OF FAITH. 93 
 
 feed upon Christ crucified, and all benefits of 
 his death ; the body and blood of Christ being 
 then not corporally or carnally, in, with, or un- 
 der the bread and wine, yet as really, but spir- 
 itually present to the faith of believers in that or- 
 dinance, as the elements themselves are to their 
 outward senses. ° 
 
 d lCor. 11:28. o ICor. 10: 16. 
 
 VIII. 
 
 All ignorant and ungodly persons, as they are 
 unfit to enjoy communion with Christ, so are 
 they unworthy of the Lord's table, and cannot 
 without great sin against him whilst they remain 
 such, partake of these holy mysteries, P or be 
 admitted thereunto ; <1 yea, whosoever shall re- 
 ceive unworthily, are guilty of the body and 
 blood of the Lord, eating and drinking judgment 
 to themselves. r 
 
 p 1 Cor. 11 : 27, 28, 29 ; 2 Cor. 6 ; 14, 15, 16. q 1 Cor. 5 j 
 6,7, 13; 2Thes. 3:6, 14, 15; Matt 7 : 6. r 1 Cor. 11: 
 27, 29. 
 
94 A CONFESSION OF FAITH. 
 
 CHAP. XXXI. 
 
 OF THE STATE OF MAN AFTER DEATH, AND OF 
 
 THE RESURRECTION OF THE DEAD. 
 
 I. 
 
 The bodies of men after death return to dust, 
 and see corruption, a but their souls, (which nei- 
 ther die nor sleep,) having an immortal subsist- 
 ence, immediately return to God who gave them ; b 
 the souls of the righteous being then made per- 
 fect in holiness, are received into the highest 
 heavens, where they behold the face of God in 
 light and glory, waiting for the full redemption 
 of their bodies ; c and the souls of the wicked 
 are cast into hell, w r here they remain in torment, 
 and utter darkness, reserved for the judgment of 
 the great day : d besides these two places of souls 
 separated from their bodies the Scripture ac- 
 knowledged none. 
 
 a Gen. 3 : 19 ; Acts 13 : 36. b Luke 23 : 43 ; Eccl. 12 : 7. 
 c Heb. 12 : 23 ; 2 Cor. 5 : 1, 6, 8 ; Phil. 1 : 23 ; Acts 3:21; 
 Eph. 4 : 10. d Luke 16 : 23, 24 ; Acts 1 : 25 ■ Jude 5:6: 
 1 Peter 3 : 19. 
 
 II. 
 
 At the last day, such as are found alive, shall 
 not die, but be changed; e and all the dead shall 
 be raised up with the self-same bodies, and none 
 other, although with different qualities, which 
 shall be united again to their souls forever. f 
 
A CONFESSION OF FAITH. 95 
 
 e 1 Thes. 4 : 17 ; 1 Cor. 15 [ 51, 52. f Job 19 : 26, 27 ; 
 1 Cor. 15 : 42, 43, 44. 
 
 III. 
 
 The bodies of the unjust shall, by the power of 
 Christ, be raised to dishonor ; the bodies of the 
 just, by his Spirit, unto honor, and be made con- 
 formable unto his own glorious body. S 
 
 g Acts 24 : 15 ; John 5 : 28, 29 ; 1 Cor. 15 : 42 ; Phil. 3 : 21. 
 
 CHAP. XXXII. 
 
 OF THE LAST JUDGMENT. 
 
 I. 
 
 God hath appointed a day wherein he will 
 judge the world in righteousness by Jesus Christ, a 
 to whom all power and judgment is given of the 
 Father ; b in which day, not only the apostate 
 angels shall be judged, c but likewise all persons 
 that have lived upon earth, shall appear before 
 the tribunal of Christ, to give an account of their 
 thoughts, words, and deeds, and to receive ac- 
 cording to what they have done in the body, 
 whether it be good or evil. d 
 
 a Acts 17 : 31. b John 5 : 22, 27. c 1 Cor. 6:3; Jude 
 
 5:6; 2 Fet. 2:4. d 2 Cor. 5 : 10 ; Eccl. 12 : 14 ; Rom. 2 : 
 
 16, and 14 : 10, 12 ; Matt 12 : 36, 37. 
 
96 A CONFESSION OF FAITH. 
 
 II. 
 
 The end of God's appointing this day, is for 
 the manifestation of the glory of his mercy in the 
 eternal salvation of the elect, and of his justice 
 in the damnation of the reprobate, who are wick- 
 ed and disobedient ; for then shall the righteous 
 go into everlasting life, and receive that fulness 
 of joy and glory, with everlasting reward in the 
 presence of the Lord ; but the wicked who know- 
 not God, and obey not the Gospel of Jesus Christ, 
 shall be cast into eternal torments, and be pun- 
 ished with everlasting destruction from the pre- 
 sence of the Lord, and from the glory of his 
 power. e 
 
 e Matt. 25 : 31 to end ; Rom. 2 : 5, 6, and 9 : 22, 23 ; Matt. 
 25 : 21 ; Acts 3 : 19 ; 2 Thes. 1 : 7 to 10. 
 
 III. 
 
 As Christ would have us to be certainly per- 
 suaded that there shall be a judgment, both to de- 
 ter all men from sin, and for the greater conso- 
 lation of the godly in their adversity ; f so will 
 he have that day unknown to men, that they may 
 shake off all carnal security, and be always watch- 
 ful, because they know not at what hour the 
 Lord will come, and may be ever prepared to 
 say, Come, Lord Jesus, come quickly. Amen, g 
 
 f2 Pet 3: 11, 14; 2 Cor. 5 : 10, 11; 2 Thes 1:5, 6, 7; 
 Luke 21 : 27, 28 ; Rom. 8 : 23, 24, 25. g Matt. 24 : 36, 42, 43, 
 44 ; Mark 13 : 35, 36, 37 ; Luke 12 : 35, 36 ; Rev. 22 : 20. 
 
THE 
 
 ASSENTED TO BT THE UNITED MINISTERS, 
 FORMERLY CALLED 
 
 PRESBYTERIAN AND CONGREGATIONAL. 
 
 AND ALSO, 
 
 ARTICLES, 
 
 FOB THE ADMINISTRATION OF 
 
 CHURCH DISCIPLINE, 
 
 UNANIMOUSLY AGREED UPON, AND CONSENTED TO, BY THE 
 
 ELDERS AND MESSENGERS OF THE CHURCHES IN THE 
 
 COLONY OF CONNECTICUT, IN NEW ENGLAND, 
 
 ASSEMBLED BY DELEGATION AT S4YBROOK, 
 
 SEPTEMBER 9TH, 1708. 
 
 Phil. 3 : 5. Let us, therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus 
 minded ; and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God 
 shall reveal even this unto you. 
 
 Eph. 4 : 3. Endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the 
 bond of peace. 
 
 NEW-LONDON, CONN. PRINTED, 1710. 
 HARTFORD, RE-PRINTED BY P. B. GLEASON & CO. 
 
 NO. 146, MAIN-STREET. 
 
 1838. 
 
PREFACE, 
 
 There is no Constitution on earth, hath ever 
 been established on such sure foundation, nor so 
 fully provided for its subsistence, as the Church 
 of God — It being built on the Prophets and Apos- 
 tles, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner 
 stone. Hence, therefore, it hath from its holy hill 
 beheld the ruins of the greatest States and most 
 nourishing Empires ; having continued in safety, 
 free from the fatal accidents of time, and triumph- 
 ed not only over the rage of men, but also the 
 repeated insults of the gates of hell. And though 
 it hath been often straitened as to its extent, and 
 lessened as to its number, yet hath remained firm 
 on its own basis : Yea, when most reduced, it 
 hath forever made good that motto, Depressa 
 Resurgo ; and so it shall continue to the end of 
 the world. But, to the shame of its offenders, the 
 church hath suffered most from the wounds, 
 which she hath received in the house of her 
 friends, from those wolves that have come to her 
 in sheep's clothing. Damnable errors and here- 
 sies have arisen from within her, whereby she 
 hath sometimes been cast into horrible shades 
 
100 PREFACE. 
 
 of darkness, as Rev. 9 : 2. When the bottomless 
 pit was opened, the smoke ascending darkened the 
 sun and air. Yet when thus grievously black- 
 ened, a comeliness remained still. Otherwhiles 
 she is seen bleeding with the wounds of schism 
 and contention, offensive and hurtful to her sacred 
 head and members, for the undivided head re- 
 joiceth in an undivided body. His undefiled is 
 but one. Cant. 6:9. As she becomes divided, 
 she becomes defiled — and hereby also the mutual 
 offices of the respective members of this undefiled 
 one, are interrupted to the prejudice of the whole. 
 Whence follow great disorders, as when the eye 
 will not see for the hand, nor the head take care 
 of the feet, nor our union to Christ be acknowl- 
 edged a sufficient bond to establish a relation 
 between members in particular. 1 Cor. 12 : 27. 
 God's Providence forever bears the upper hand 
 in these events, who suffers the corrupt minds of 
 men to run into errors and divisions, that the 
 approved may be made manifest. 1 Cor. 11 : 19. 
 Such ill-minded persons being threatened with a 
 wo, that are the authors or promoters of such 
 offences. The Atheist endeavors to overthrow the 
 whole constitution of religion : The Deist to take 
 away all that part of it that promiseth sinners any 
 safety from the wrath to come, and retain no more 
 than what is enough to condemn him, and take away 
 
PREFACE. 101 
 
 all excuse for his disobedience. Rom. 1 : 20. The 
 church of Christ hath also been a great sufferer 
 from the immoralities and disorderly walking of 
 those that are related to her, whose leaven hath 
 sometimes hazarded the whole lump. 1 Cor. 5 ; 6. 
 Whose unseemly practices have given advantage 
 to enemies to speak evil of the ways of God, and 
 to question the truth of our holy religion, and the 
 sincerity of the professors thereof. These must 
 be acknowledged to be spots and blemishes. 2 Pet. 
 2 : 13. The wisdom of our Law-giver, King, and 
 Judge ; who alone hath the original sovereignty of 
 giving being to, and laying the foundations of the 
 church, and whose only is the legislative power 
 therein ; hath given such ample rights and privi- 
 leges to the church, and such excellent rules for 
 its government, as are inviting to strangers, like a 
 city set on a hill. Matt. 5 : 14. And hath lodged 
 the executive power in approved hands ; that those 
 who love the church may be in peace, and her 
 enemies may find her terrible as an army with 
 banners ; and that she might yield seasonable edi- 
 fication to those that walk regularly within her 
 limits, and be able to discharge herself of impen- 
 itent and incorrigible offenders. Many of the 
 forementioned mischiefs have to our sorrow afflict- 
 ed the churches within this government, and by 
 degrees we have fallen under much decay — 
 9* 
 
102 PREFACE. 
 
 Whereupon, our difficulties have been of a long 
 time troublesome, for the healing our wounds, a 
 more explicate asserting the rules of government 
 sufficiently provided in the holy word hath been 
 thought highly expedient — Wherefore, 
 
 The Honorable, the General Assembly of this 
 Colony, out of a tender regard to the welfare of 
 the Churches within the limits of their govern- 
 ment, were pleased to appoint the several elders 
 of each county, with messengers from their 
 Churches to meet in council; in which they should 
 endeavor to agree in some general rules conform- 
 able to the Word of God for a method of disci- 
 pline to be practised in our Churches. These 
 several councils having met and drawn up some 
 rules for Church government, did by their dele- 
 gates meet and constitute one General Assembly 
 of the Churches of this colony, at Saybrook, Sept. 
 9th, 1708. Who, after a full consent and agree- 
 ment unto the Confession of Faith assented unto 
 by the Synod of Boston, did, being studious of 
 keeping the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace, 
 Eph. 4 : 3., agree that the Heads of Agreement 
 assented to by the united brethren formerly called 
 Presbyterian and Congregational in England, be 
 observed by the Churches throughout this colony ; 
 which are herewith published : and after conside- 
 ration of the several draughts of the county couu- 
 
 
PREFACE. 103 
 
 cils, did, with a Christian condescension, and fra- 
 ternal amicableness, unanimously agree to the 
 Articles for the Administration of Church Disci- 
 pline now offered to public view, all which being 
 presented, were allowed of and established by the 
 General Assembly of this colony, as by their acts 
 appears. For the better satisfaction of our people, 
 we have undertaken a task, acceptable we trust 
 unto many, though it escape not the exceptions 
 of some, in subjoining Scriptures for confirm- 
 ation of the Heads of Agreement, which we have 
 not seen added thereunto. The aforesaid articles 
 consist in two heads, The one holding forth the 
 power of particular Churches in the management of 
 Discipline confirmed by Scriptures annexed. 
 
 The other serves to preserve, promote, or recover 
 the peace and edification of the Churches by the 
 means of a consociation of the Elders and Churches, 
 or of an association of Elders : Both which we 
 are agreed have countenance from the Scriptures, 
 and the propositions in answer to the second 
 question given by the Synod met at Boston, 1662. 
 In both which having respect to the divine pre- 
 cepts of fraternal union, and that principle uni- 
 versally acknowledged, Quod tangit omnes debet 
 tractari ab omnibus. The Scriptures are added 
 for the illustration of the substance of the above- 
 mentioned articles, yet with an apprehension that 
 
104 PREFACE. 
 
 there may be alterations made, and further con- 
 descensions agreed upon, which shall afterwards 
 appear necessary for the order and edification of 
 our Churches. 
 
 As we have labored in this affair to approve 
 ourselves unto God, so we are cheerful with hum- 
 ble prayer for his blessing to recommend the 
 Heads of Agreement, with the subsequent articles, 
 unto the acceptance and observation of our 
 people ; hoping, till it please the Lord to send 
 forth further light and truth in these more con- 
 troversial matters, this method may be a blessed 
 means of our better unanimity 7 and success in our 
 Lord's work for the gathering and edifying of the 
 body of Christ ; for which we bespeak the con- 
 curring prayers of all that fear the Lord. 
 
 
HEADS OF AGREEMENT, 
 
 ASSENTED TO BY THE UNITED MINISTERS 
 
 FORMERLY CALLED PRESBYTERIAN AND 
 
 CONGREGATIONAL. 
 
 I. Of Churches and Church Members. 
 
 I. We acknowledge our Lord Jesus Christ to 
 have one Catholic Church or Kingdom, compre- 
 hending all that are united to him, whether in 
 heaven or earth. And do conceive the whole mul- 
 titude of visible believers, and their infant seed, 
 (commonly called the Catholic visible Church) 
 to belong to Christ's spiritual kingdom in this 
 world. But, for the notion of a Catholic visible 
 Church here, as it signifies its having been col- 
 lected into any formed society, under a visible 
 common head on earth, whether one person 
 singly, or many collectively, we, with the rest of 
 Protestants, unanimously disclaim it. 
 
 Eph. I : 10, 22, and 44 ; Eph. 5 : 27 ; 1 Cor. 12 : 12, 13; 
 Gen. 17:7; Acts 2 : 39 ; Matt. 23 : 7 to 10. 
 
106 HEADS OF AGREEMENT. 
 
 II. We agree, that particular societies of visible 
 saints, who under Christ their head, are statedly 
 joined together, for ordinary communion with one 
 another in all the ordinances of Christ, are par- 
 ticular churches, and are to be owned by each 
 other, as instituted churches of Christ, though dif- 
 fering in apprehensions and practice in some les- 
 ser things. 
 
 1 Cor. 14 : 2, 3, and 1 : 2, and 12 : 27 ; Rev. 1:4; 
 Rom. 14 : 1. 
 
 III. That none shall be admitted as members, 
 in order to communion in all the special ordinan- 
 ces of the Gospel, but such persons as are know- 
 ing and sound in the fundamental doctrine of the 
 Christian religion ; without scandal in their lives ; 
 and, to a judgment regulated by the word of God, 
 are persons of visible holiness and honesty ; cred- 
 ibly professing cordial subjection to Jesus Christ. 
 
 Prov. 19:2; Acts 8 : 32 ; 2 Tim. 2:19; Ezek. 44 : 9 ; 
 Rom. 10:10; 2 Cor. 9:13. 
 
 IV. A competent number of such visible saints, 
 (as before described) do become the capable sub- 
 jects of stated communion in all the special ordi- 
 nances of Christ, upon their mutual declared con- 
 sent and agreement to walk together therein ac- 
 cording to Gospel rule. In which declaration, 
 different degrees of explicitness, shall no ways 
 
HEADS OF AGREEMENT. 10? 
 
 hinder such churches from owning each other, 
 as instituted churches. 
 
 ICor. 14:23; Acts 20:7; and2:41,42; Rom. 14:3. 
 
 V. Though parochial bounds be not of divine 
 right, yet for common edification, the members of 
 a particular church ought (as much as conven- 
 iently may be) to live near one another. 
 
 1 Thes. 5:11, 12, 13 ; Heb. 10 : 25. 
 
 VI. That each particidar church hath right to 
 choose their own officers ; and being furnished 
 with such as are duly qualified and ordained ac- 
 cording to the Gospel rule, hath authority from 
 Christ for exercising government, and of enjoying 
 all the ordinances of worship within itself. 
 
 Acts 6:2; Tit. 1 : 5, 6, 7 ; 1 Tim. 4 : 14 ; Matt. 18 : 17; 
 ICor. 11 :2. 
 
 VII. In the administration of church power, it 
 belongs to the Pastors and other Elders of even' 
 particular church, if such there be, to rule and 
 govern ; and to the brotherhood to consent accord- 
 ing to the rule of the Gospel. 
 
 1 Tim. 5:17; Heb. 3:17; 1 Cor. 4 : 1, and 5 : 4 ; 
 2 Cor. 6 : 8, 10. 
 
 VIII. That all professors as before described, 
 are bound in duty, as they have opportunity, to 
 join themselves as fixed members of some particu- 
 

 108 HEADS OF AGREEMENT. 
 
 lar church ; their thus joining, being part of their 
 professed subjection to the Gospel of Christ, and 
 an instituted means of their establishment and ed- 
 ification ; whereby they are under the pastoral 
 care, and in case of scandalous or offensive walk- 
 ing, may be authoritatively admonished or cen- 
 sured for their recovery, for vindication of the 
 truth, and the church professing it. 
 
 Acts 2 : 47, and 5 : 13 ; 2 Cor. 9 : 13 ; Heb. 10 : 24, 25; 
 1 Thes. 5 : 12, 14 ; Acts 20 : 28. 
 
 IX. That a visible professor, thus joined to a 
 particular church, ought to continue steadfast 
 with the said church ; and not forsake the min- 
 istry, and ordinances there dispensed, without an 
 orderly seeking a recommendation unto another 
 church ; which ought to be given, when the case 
 of the person apparently requires it. 
 
 Acts 2 : 42 ; Heb. 10 : 25 ; Rom. 16 : 1, 2. 
 
 II. Of the Ministry. 
 
 I. We agree that the ministerial office is insti- 
 tuted by Jesus Christ for the gathering, guiding, 
 edifying, and governing of his church ; and to 
 continue to the end of the world. 
 
 Eph. 4 ; 11, 12 ; Matt. 28 : 19, 20. 
 
 II. They who are called to this office ought to 
 be endued with competent learning and ministe- 
 
HEADS OF AGREEMENT. 109 
 
 rial gifts, as also with the grace of God, sound in 
 judgment, not novices in the faith and knowledge 
 of the Gospel : without scandal, of holy conver- 
 sation, and such as devote themselves to the work 
 and service thereof. 
 
 2Tim. 2 : 24 ; Rom. 12 : 6 ; 1 Tim. 3 : 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 ; 
 Tit. 1 :6, 7; 1 Tim. 4:16. 
 
 III. That ordinarily none shall be ordained to 
 the work of this ministry, but such as are called 
 and chosen thereunto by a particular church. 
 
 Acts 14 : 23. 
 
 IV. That in so great and weighty a matter as 
 the calling and choosing a pastor, we judge it or- 
 dinarily requisite, that every such church consult 
 and advise with the pastors of neighboring con- 
 gregations. 
 
 Prov. 11 :14, and 15:22. 
 
 V. That after such advice, the person con- 
 sulted about, being chosen by the brotherhood of 
 that particular church over which he is to be set, 
 and he accepting, be duly ordained and set apart 
 to his office over them ; wherein 'tis ordinarily 
 requisite that the pastors of neighboring congrega- 
 tions concur with the preaching Elder or Elders, 
 if such there be. 
 
 Acts 14 : 23, and 1 : 23, and 13 : 23 ; 1 Tim. 4 : 14. 
 10 
 
110 HEADS OF AGREEMENT. 
 
 VI. That whereas, such ordination only is in- 
 tended for such as never before had been ordained 
 to the ministerial office ; if any judge, that in case 
 also of the removal of one formerly ordained, to a 
 new station, or pastoral charge, there ought to be 
 a like solemn recommending him and his labors to 
 the grace and blessing of God, no different senti- 
 ments or practice herein, shall be any occasion of 
 contention, or breach of communion among us. 
 
 Phil. 3 : 15 ; Eph. 4 : 2, 3. 
 
 VII. It is expedient that they who enter on 
 the work of preaching the Gospel, be not only 
 qualified for the communion of saints ; but also, 
 that except in cases extraordinary, they give proof 
 of their gifts and fitness for the said work, unto 
 the Pastors of churches of known abilities, to 
 discern and judge of their qualifications ; that 
 they may be sent forth with solemn approbation 
 and prayer ; which we judge needful, that no 
 doubt may remain concerning their being called 
 unto the work ; and for preventing (as much as 
 in us lies) ignorant and rash intruders. 
 
 1 Tim. 1 : 22, and 3 : 6. 
 
HEADS OP AGREEMENT. Ill 
 
 III. Of Censures. 
 
 I. As it cannot be avoided, but that in the purest 
 churches on earth, there will sometimes offences 
 and scandals arise by reason of hypocrisy and 
 prevailing corruption ; so Christ hath made it the 
 duty of every church to reform itself, by spiritual 
 remedies, appointed by him, to be applied in all 
 such cases, viz : Admonition and Excommunica- 
 tion. 
 
 Matt. 8:7; Heb. 12 : 15 ; Tit. 3 : 10 ; 1 Cor. 5 : 6. 
 
 II. Admonition, being the rebuking of an offend- 
 ing member in order to conviction, is in case of 
 private offences to be performed according to the 
 rule in Matt. 18 : 15, 16, 17 ; and in case of public 
 offences openly before the church, as the honor of 
 the Gospel, and the nature of the scandal shall 
 require ; and if either of the Admonitions take 
 place for the recovery of the fallen person, all 
 further proceedings in a way of censure are there- 
 on to cease, and satisfaction to be declared ac- 
 cordingly. 
 
 ITim. 1:20; Matt. 18 : 15, 17. 
 
 III. When all due means are used, according 
 to the order of the Gospel, for the restoring an 
 offending and scandalous brother, and he, notwith- 
 
112 HEADS OF AGREEMENT. 
 
 standing, remains impenitent, the censure of Ex- 
 communication is to be proceeded unto ; wherein 
 the Pastor and other Elders (if there be such) are 
 to lead and go before the church ; and the broth- 
 erhood to give their consent in a way of obedience 
 unto Christ, and to the Elders, as over them in the 
 Lord. 
 
 Matt. 18 : 15, 16, 17 ; Tit. 3 : 10 ; 1 Cor. 5 ; 1 Thes. 5 : 
 5, 12. 
 
 IV. It may sometimes come to pass, that a 
 church member, not otherwise scandalous, may 
 fully withdraw and divide himself from the com- 
 munion of the church to which he belongeth : In 
 which case, when all due means for the reducing 
 him prove ineffectual, he having thereby cut him- 
 self off from that church's communion ; the church 
 may justly esteem and declare itself discharged of 
 any further inspection over him. 
 
 Heb. 10 : 25 ; Rom. 16 : 17 ; 2 Thes. 3 : 14. 
 
 IV. Of Communion of Churches. 
 
 I. We agree that particular churches ought not 
 to walk so distinct and separate from each other, 
 as not to have care and tenderness towards one 
 another. But their Pastors ought to have fire- 
 
HEADS OF AGREEMENT. 113 
 
 quent meetings together, that by mutual advice, 
 support, encouragement, and brotherly inter- 
 course, they may strengthen the hearts and hands 
 of each other in the ways of the Lord. 
 Acts 15 : 23, and 20 : 17, 28. 
 
 II. That none of our particular churches shall 
 be subordinate to one another, each being endued 
 with equality of power from Jesus Christ. And 
 that none of the said particular churches, their 
 officer or officers, shall exercise any power, or 
 have any superiority over any other church or 
 their officers. 
 
 Rev. 1:4; Cant. 8 : 8 ; 1 Cor. 16 : 19 ; Acts 15 : 23. 
 
 III. That known members of particular church- 
 es constituted as aforesaid, may have occasional 
 communion with one another in the ordinances of 
 the Gospel, viz : the Word, Prayer, Sacraments, 
 Singing of Psalms, dispensed according to the 
 mind of Christ : unless that church with which 
 they desire communion, hath any just exception 
 against them. 
 
 Acts 18 : 27 ; Rom. 16 : 1, 2 ; 2 Cor. 3:1; 1 Cor. 
 12 : 13. 
 
 IV. That we ought not to admit any one to be 
 a member of our respective congregations, that 
 hath joined himself to another, without endeavors 
 
 10* 
 
114 HEADS OF AGREEMENT. 
 
 of mutual satisfaction of the congregation con- 
 cerned. 
 
 Heb. 13 : 1 ; 1 Cor. 14 : 40. 
 
 V. That one church ought not to blame the 
 proceedings of another, until it hath heard what 
 that church charged, its elders or messengers can 
 say in vindication of themselves, from any charge 
 of irregular or injurious proceedings. 
 
 Matt. 7:1; Prov. 18 : 17 ; Dent. 13 : 14. 
 
 VI. That we are most willing and ready to 
 give an account of our church proceedings to each 
 other, when desired, for preventing or removing 
 any offences that may arise among us. Likewise 
 we shall be ready to give the right hand of fellow- 
 ship, and walk together according to the Gospel 
 rules of communion of churches. 
 
 1 Pet 3: 15; Rom. 14 : 19 ; Acts 11 : 2, 3, 4, 18; Josh. 
 22: 13,21,30; Gal. 2:9; Col. 2 : 5 ; 1 Pet. 4 : 10, 11 ; 
 1 Cor. 10 : 24 ; Rom. 1 ; 15 ; Gal. 6 : 10. 
 
 V. Of Deacons and Ruling Elders. 
 
 We agree, the office of a Deacon is of divine 
 appointment, and that it belongs to their office to 
 receive, lay out, and distribute the church's stock 
 to its proper uses, by the direction of the Pastor 
 
HEADS OF AGREEMENT. 115 
 
 and brethren, if need be. And whereas, divers 
 are of opinion, that there is also the office of 
 Ruling Elders, who labor not in word and doc- 
 trine, and others think otherwise ; we agree that 
 this difference make no breach among us. 
 
 Acts 6: 3, 5, 6; Phil. 1:1; 1 Tim. 3: 8 to 13; Rom. 
 12:8; 1 Cor. 12:28; lTim.5: 17; Phil. 3 : 15, 16. 
 
 VI. Of Occasional Meeting of Ministers, fyc. 
 
 I. We agree that in order to concord, and in 
 other weighty and difficult cases, it is needful and 
 according to the mind of Christ, that the Minis- 
 ters of the several churches be consulted and ad- 
 vised with about such matters. 
 
 Prov. 24 : 6 ; Acts 15 : 26. 
 
 II. That such meetings may consist of smaller 
 or greater numbers, as the matters shall require. 
 
 III. That particular churches, their respective 
 elders and members, ought to have a reverential 
 regard to their judgment, so given, and not dissent 
 therefrom, without apparent grounds from the 
 word of God. 
 
 Acts 16 : 4, 5 ; 1 Cor. 14 : 32, 33 ; Gal. 1 : 8 ; 1 Peter 
 4. 11. 
 

 116 HEADS OF AGREEMENT. 
 
 VII. Of our Demeanor towards ike Civil Ma- 
 gistrate. 
 
 I. We do reckon ourselves obliged continually 
 to pray for God's protection, guidance, and bles- 
 sing upon the rulers set over us. 
 
 1 Tim. 2:2; Psal. 20 : 1 to 4, and 72 : 1. 
 
 II. That we ought to yield unto them not only 
 subjection in the Lord, but support, according to 
 our station and abilities. 
 
 Matt. 22 : 21 ; Rom. 12:5,6; Neh. 5:18. 
 
 III. That if at any time, it shall be their pleas- 
 ure to call together any number of us, to require 
 an account of our affairs, and the state of our 
 congregations, we shall most readily express all 
 dutiful regard to them herein. 
 
 Isa. 49 : 23 ; 2 Chron. 29 ; 4 to 11 ; Rom. 13 : 1 ; Tit. 
 3:1. 
 
HEADS OF AGREEMENT. 117 
 
 VIII. Of a Confession of Faith. 
 
 As to what appertains to soundness of judg- 
 ment in matters of faith, we esteem it sufficient 
 that a church acknowledge the Scriptures to be 
 the word of God, the perfect and only rule of 
 faith and practice, and own either the doctrinal 
 part of those commonly called the Articles of the 
 Church of England, or the Confession or Cate- 
 chisms, shorter or larger, compiled by the Assem- 
 bly at Westminster, or the Confession agreed on 
 at the Savoy, to be agreeable to the said rule. 
 
 2 Tim. 1:13; Eph. 4:5; Phil. 2:1,2. 
 
 IX. Of our Duty and Deportment towards them 
 that are not in Communion with us. 
 
 I. We judge it our duty to bear a Christian 
 respect to all Christians, according to their seve- 
 ral ranks and stations, that are not of our persua- 
 sion or communion. 
 
 1 Peter 2:17; Rom. 12 : 10 ; Gal. 6; 2; Eph. 4:2; 
 Rom. 14 : tot. 
 
 II. As for such as may be ignorant of the prin- 
 ciples of the Christian Religion, or of vicious 
 conversation, we shall, in our respective places, 
 
118 HEADS OF AGREEMENT. 
 
 as they give opportunity, endeavor to explain to 
 them the doctrine of life and salvation, and to 
 our utmost, persuade them to be reconciled to 
 God. 
 
 2 Tim. 2: 25; 2 Cor. 5 : 11,20. 
 
 III. That such who appear to have the essen- 
 tial requisites to Church-communion, we shall 
 willingly receive them in the Lord, not troubling 
 them with disputes about lesser matters. 
 
 Rom. 14:1. 
 
 As we assent to the fore-mentioned Heads 
 of Agreement, so we unanimously resolve, 
 as the Lord shall enable us, to practise 
 according to them. 
 
ARTICLES, 
 
 FOR THE ADMINISTRATION OP 
 
 CHURCH DISCIPLINE, 
 
 UNANIMOUSLY AGREED UPON, AND CONSENTED TO, BY THE 
 ELDERS AND ALL THE CHURCHES IN THE COLONY OF CON- 
 NECTICUT, IN NEW ENGLAND, CONVENED BY DELEGATION 
 IN A GENERAL COUNCIL AT SAYBROOK, SEPTEMBER 9TH, 
 1708. 
 
 I. That the Elder or Elders of a particular 
 church, with the consent of the brethren of the 
 same, have power and ought to exercise church 
 discipline according to the rule of God's Word, 
 in relation to all scandals that fall out within the 
 same. And it may be meet in all cases of diffi- 
 culty for the respective Pastors of particular 
 churches, to take advice of the Elders of the 
 churches in the neighborhood, before they pro- 
 ceed to censure in such cases. 
 
 Matt. 18 : 17 ; Heb. 13 : 17 ; 1 Cor. 5 : 4, 5, 12 ; 2 Cor. 
 2:6; Prov. 11 : 14; Acts 15 : 12. 
 
 II. That the churches which are neighboring 
 each to other, shall consociate for mutual afford- 
 ing to each other such assistance as may be re- 
 quisite, upon all occasions ecclesiastical. And 
 
I 
 
 120 ARTICLES OF CHURCH DISCIPLINE. 
 
 that the particular pastors and churches, within 
 the respective counties in this government, shall 
 be one consociation, (or more if they shall judge 
 meet,) for the end aforesaid. 
 
 Psal. 122 : 3, 4, 5, and 133 : 1 ; Eccl. 4 : 9 to 12 ; Acts 
 15 : 2, 6, 22, 23 ; 1 Tim. 4:14; 1 Cor. 16 : 1. 
 
 III. That all cases of scandal that fall out 
 within the circuit of any of the aforesaid conso- 
 ciations shall be brought to a council of the El- 
 ders ; and also messengers of the churches within 
 the said circuit, i. e., the churches of one conso- 
 ciation, if they see cause to send messengers, when 
 there shall be need of a council for the determi- 
 nation of them. 
 
 3 John 9 : 10 ; 1 Cor. 16 : 1 ; Gal 6 : 1, 2 ; 2 Cor. 13 : 
 2 ; Acts 15 : 22 ; 2 Cor. 8 : 23. 
 
 IV. That according to the common practice of 
 our churches, nothing shall be deemed an act or 
 judgment of any council, which hath not the ma- 
 jor part of the Elders present concurring, and 
 such a number of the messengers present as makes 
 the majority of the council : Provided that if any 
 such church shall not see cause to send any mes- 
 sengers to the council, or the persons chosen by 
 them shall not attend ; neither of these shall be 
 any obstruction to the proceedings of the council, 
 or invalidate any of their acts. 
 
 Acts 15:23; 1 Cor. 14 : 32, 33. 
 
ARTICLES OF CHURCH DISCIPLINE. 121 
 
 V. That when any case is orderly brought be- 
 fore any council of the churches, it shall there be 
 heard and determined, which (unless orderly re- 
 moved from thence) shall be a final issue, and all 
 parties therein concerned, shall sit down and be 
 determined thereby. And the council, so hearing, 
 and giving the result or final issue, in the said case 
 as aforesaid, shall see their determination, or 
 judgment duly executed and attended in such way 
 or manner, as shall in their judgment be most 
 suitable and agreeable to the word of God. 
 
 Acts 15 ; 1 Cor. 5 : 5 ; 2 Cor. 2 : 6, 11, and 13 : 2 ; Phil. 
 3 : 15 ; Rom. 14 : 2, 3. 
 
 VI. That, if any Pastor and church doth obsti- 
 nately refuse a due attendance and conformity to 
 the determination of the council, that hath the 
 cognizance of the case, and determineth it as 
 above, after due patience used, they shall be re- 
 puted guilty of scandalous contempt, and dealt 
 with as the rule of God's word in such case doth 
 provide, and the sentence of non -communion shall 
 be declared against such Pastor and church. And 
 the churches are to approve of the said sentence, 
 by withdrawing from the communion of the Pastor 
 and church which so refuseth to be healed. 
 
 Rom. 16 : 17 ; Matt. 18 : 15, 16, 17, by proportion ; 
 Gal. 2:11 to 14; 2 Thes. 3 : 6, 14. 
 11 
 
122 ARTICLES OF CHURCH DISCIPLINE. 
 
 VII. That in case any difficulties shall arise in 
 any of the churches in this colony, which cannot 
 be issued without considerable disquiet, that church 
 in which they arise, (or that minister, or member 
 aggrieved by them,) shall apply themselves to 
 the council of the consociated churches of the 
 circuit, to which the said church belongs, who, if 
 they see cause, shall thereupon convene, hear and 
 determine such cases of difficulty, unless the mat- 
 ter brought before them, shall be judged so great 
 in the nature of it, or so doubtful in the issue, or 
 of such general concern, that the said council 
 shall judge best that it be referred to a fuller coun- 
 cil, consisting of the churches of the other con- 
 sociation within the same county, (or of the next 
 adjoining consociation of another county, if there 
 be not two consociations in the county where the 
 difficulty ariseth,) who, together with themselves, 
 shall hear, judge, determine, and finally issue such 
 case according to the word of God. 
 
 Prov. 11 : 14 ; 1 Cor. 14 : 33, and 14 : 24, by proportion. 
 
 VIII. That a particular church, in which any 
 difficulty doth arise, may, if they see cause, call 
 a council of the consociated churches of the cir- 
 cuit, to which the said church belongs, before they 
 proceed to sentence therein ; but there is not the 
 same liberty to an offending brother to call the said 
 
ARTICLES OF CHURCH DISCIPLINE. 123 
 
 council, before the church to which he belongs 
 proceed to excommunication in the said case, un- 
 less with the consent of the church. 
 Acts 15:2; Matt. 18:15, 16, 17. 
 
 IX. That all the churches of the respective 
 consociations shall choose, if they see cause, one 
 or two members of each church, to represent 
 them in the councils of the said churches, as occa- 
 sion may call for them, who shall stand in that 
 capacity till new be chosen for the same service, 
 unless any church shall incline to choose their 
 messengers anew, upon the convening of such 
 councils. 
 
 Acts 15:2,4; 2 Cor. 8:23. 
 
 X. That the minister or ministers of the county 
 towns, and where there are no ministers in such 
 towns, the two next ministers to the said town, 
 shall as soon as conveniently may be, appoint a 
 time and place, for the meeting of the Elders and 
 messengers of the churches in the said county, in 
 order to their forming themselves into one or more 
 consociations, and notify the said time and place 
 to the Elders and churches of that county, who 
 shall attend at the same, the Elders in their own 
 persons, and the churches by their messengers, if 
 they see cause to send them. Which Elders and 
 messengers, so assembled in council, as also any 
 
124 ARTICLES OF CHURCH DISCIPLINE. 
 
 other council hereby allowed of, shall have power 
 to adjourn themselves as need shall be, for the 
 space of one year, after the beginning or first 
 session of the said council, and no longer. And 
 that minister who was chosen at the last session of 
 any council, to be moderator, shall with the ad- 
 vice and consent of two more Elders, (or in case 
 of the moderator's death, any two Elders of the 
 same consociation,) call another council within 
 the circuit, when they shall judge there is need 
 thereof. And all councils may prescribe rules as 
 occasion may require, and whatsoever they shall 
 judge needful within their circuit, for the well- 
 performing, and orderly-managing their several 
 Acts, to be attended by them, or matters that 
 come under their cognizance. 
 
 Phil. 4 : 8 ; 1 Cor. 14 : 40 ; Phil. 3 : 15, 16 ; Rom. 14 : 
 2,3. 
 
 XI. That if any person or persons orderly com- 
 plained of to a council, or that are witnesses to 
 such complaints, (having regular notification to 
 appear,) shall refuse or neglect so to do, in the 
 place, and at the time specified in the warning 
 given, except they or he give some satisfying rea- 
 son thereof to the said council, they shall be 
 judged guilty of scandalous contempt. 
 
 Col. 2:5; Heb. 13:17; 1 Thes. 5 : 14. 
 
ARTICLES OF CHURCH DISCIPLINE. 125 
 
 XII. That the teaching Elders of each county 
 shall be one association, (or more if they see 
 cause,) which association or associations shall as- 
 semble twice a year at least, at such time and 
 place as they shall appoint, to consult the duties 
 of their office, and the common interest of the 
 churches ; who shall consider and resolve ques- 
 tions and cases of importance which shall be offer- 
 ed by any among themselves, or others ; who also 
 shall have power of examining and recommend- 
 ing the candidates of the ministry to the work 
 thereof. 
 
 Psal. 133 : 1 ; Acts 20 : 17, 28 to 32 ; Mai. 2:7; Matt. 
 5 : 14 ; Deut. 17 : 8, 9, 10 ; 1 Tim. 5 : 22 ; 2 Tim. 2:15; 
 1 Tim. 3 : 6, 10 ; Rom. 10 : 15 ; 1 Tim. 4 : 14. 
 
 XIII. That the said associated pastors shall 
 take notice of any among themselves, that may 
 be accused of scandal, or heresy unto, or cogni- 
 zable by them, examine the matter carefully, and 
 if they find just occasion, shall direct to the call- 
 ing of the council, where such offenders shall be 
 duly proceeded against. 
 
 Lev. 19 : 17 ; 1 Cor. 5:6; Tit. 3 : 10, 11 ; Isa. 52 : 11 ; 
 Mai. 3:3; Tit. 1 : 6 to 9 ; Deut. 13 : 14 ; 3 John 9, 10 ; 
 Rev. 2 : 14, 15 ; 1 Tim. 1 : 20, and 4 : 14. 
 
 XIV. That the said associated pastors shall also 
 be consulted by bereaved churches, belonging to 
 their association, and recommend to such churches, 
 
126 ARTICLES OF CttURCH DISCIPLINE. 
 
 such persons as may be fit to be called and settled 
 in the work of the Gospel ministry among them. 
 And if such bereaved churches shall not seasona- 
 bly call and settle a minister among them, the 
 said associated pastors shall lay the state of such 
 bereaved churches before the General Assembly 
 of this colony, that they may take such order 
 concerning them, as shall be found necessary for 
 their peace and edification. 
 
 2 Cor. 11 : 28 ; Phil. 2 : 19, 20, 21 ; 2 Tim. 2 : 15 ; Tit. 
 1 : 6 to 10 ; Isa. 49 : 23. 
 
 XV. That it be recommended as expedient 
 that all the associations of this colony do meet in 
 a General Association, by their respective dele- 
 gates, one or more out of each association, once 
 a year ; the first meeting to be at Hartford, at the 
 time of the General Election next ensuing the 
 date hereof, and so annually in all the counties 
 successively, at such time and place, as they, the 
 said delegates, shall in their annual meetings ap- 
 point. 
 
 Heb. 13: 1. 
 
 FINIS. 
 
ERRATA. 
 
 The reader will please correct the following with a pen. 
 Page 20, 2d line of references, for " 11," read " 6." 
 Page 22, } in, 1st line, for " decrees," read " decree." 
 Page 27, \ iv, 4th line, for u determined," read " determinate." 
 Page 29, 5th line, insert the word u the" after " withdraweth." 
 Page 35, 3d line, for " Psal. 32," read " Psal. 22." 
 Page 39, Chap, ix, 3d line, for "force," read "forced." 
 Page 55, 10th line, for "preceed," read "proceed." 
 Page 91, 2d line from bottom, for " 11 Cor. 1," read " 1 Cor. 11." 
 Page 97, first reference, for " Phil. 3 : 5," read " Phil. 3 : 15."