v V. * STEPHEN B WEEKS CLASS OF 1686; PH.D. THE JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY OF THE UNIVERSiniY OF NflMI CMUDONA TIE WEEKS COLLECTION ©f ■ CJB&L.¥ W ^gft> %\o _ C *\f the very same words with them both, in these ar- tides (which are very many) wherein onr faith and doctriue i« the same with theirs, and this we did the V more, abundantly, to manifest our consent with both, in alt the fundamental articles of the Christian reli- gion, as also with many others, whose orthodox con- fessions have been published to the world, on behalf of the Protestants in divers nations and cities : And also to convince all, that we have no itch to clog Keligion with new words, but do readily acquiesce in that form of sound words, which hath been in con- sent with the Holy Scriptures, used by others be- fore us ; hereby declaring before God, angels, and men, our hearty agreement with them, in that whole- some Protestant Doctrine, which with so clear evi- dence of scripture they have asserted : Some things indeed, are in some places added, some terms omit- ted, and some few changed , but these alterations are of that nature, as that we need not doubt, any charge or suspicion of unsoundness in the faith, Horn any of our brethren upon the account of them. In those things wherein we differ from others, we have expressed ourselves with all candour and plain- ness, that nofle might entertain jealousy of ought se- cretly lodged in our breasts, that we would not the world should be acquainted with ; yet we hope we have also observed those rules of modesty and humil- ity, as will render our freedom in this respect inoffen- sive, even to those whose sentiments are different from ours. We have also taken care to affix texts of scripture at the bottom, for the confirmation of each article in our confession in which uork we have studious])' en- deavored to select such as are most clear and per- tinent, for the proof of what is asserted by us. And our earnest desire is, that all into whose hands this may come, would follow that (never enough com- manded) example of the noble Bereans, who search- ¥r ed the scriptures d&Wy that they might find out wheth- er the things preached to them were so or not. There is one thing more which we sincerely pre fess ? and earnestly desire credence in* viz : That contention is most remote from our design in all that we have done in this matter : And we hope, the liber- ty cfan ingenuous unfolding our principles, and open- ing our hearts unto our brethren, with the scripture- grounds of our faith, and practice will by none of them be either denied to us, or taken ill from us. Our whole design is accomplished if we may obtain that justice, as fo be measured in cur principles and practice, and the judgment of both by others, according to what we have now published ; which the LorrJ \ whose eyes are a flame of fire) knoweth to be the doctrine, which with our hearts we most firmly be- lieve, and sincerely endeavor to conform our livs^s to. And oh ! that other contentions being laid a- p, the only care and contention of all, upon whom the name of our blessed redeemer is called, might tor the future be, to walk humbly with their God, in the ex^ercise of all love and meekness towards each other; to perfect holiness in the fear of the Lord, each one endeavoring to have his conversation such as be comet h the gospel ; and also suitable to his [ luce and capacity, vigorously to promote in others, the practice of true religion, and ulidefiled in the sight of God our Father. And that in this back-sli- ding day, we might not spend our breath in fruitless complaints of the evils of others, but may every one begin at home, to reform in the first place our own hearts and ways, and then to quicken all, that we may have influence upon, to the same work ; that if the will of God were so, none might decieve themselves by resting in, and trusting to a form of godliness, without the power of it, and inward experience of VII the efficacy of those truths that are professed by them. And verily there is one spring and cause of th* decay of religion in ourday, which we cannot but touch upon, and earnestly urge a redress of: and that is the neglect of the worship of God in families, by those to whom the charge and conduct of them is committed. May not the gross ignorance and in- stability of many, with the profaneness of others, be justly charged upon their parents and masters, who have not trained them up in the way wherein they ought to walk when they were young : But have neglected those frequent and solemn commands which the Lord hath laid upon them so to catechise and instruct them, that their tender years might be seasoned with the knowledge of the truth of' as revealed ra the scriptures ; and also by their own omission of prayer, and othpr duties of religion in their families, together with the ill example of their loose conversation, bave inured them first to a neg- lect, and then contempt of all piety and religion. — We know this will not excuse the blindness ancl wickedness of any ; but certainly it will fall heavy upon those that have been thus the occasion there- of; they indeed die in their sins, but will not their blood be required of those under whose care they were, who yet permitted them to go on without warn- ing, yea- led them into the paths of destruction ? and will not the diligence of christians, with respect to the discharge of these duties, in ages past, rise up in judgment against, and cendemn many of those who would be esteemed such now? We shall conclude with our earnest prayer, that the God of all grace, will pour out those measures of his holy spirit upon us, that the profession of truth may be accompanied with the sound belief, and dili- VIEI geni practice of it by us, that his name may in all ihings be glorified, through Jesus Christ our LordL A CONFESSION OF FAITH. CHAPTER I, Of the Holy Scriptures. The Holy scripture is the only sufficient, cer- tain, and infallible a rule of all paving knowledge, faith, and obedience ; although the£ light of nature, and the works of creation and providence do so far manifest the goodness, wisdom and power of God, as to leave men unexcusable; yet are they not sufficient to give that knowledge of God ^ind his will, which is necessary unio salvation. c Therefore it pleased the Lord at sundry times, and in divers manners t to reveal himself, and to declare that his will unto his church: and afterward for the better preserving and propagating of the truth, and for the more sure establishment, and comfort of the church against the corruption of the flesh, and the malace of satan, and of the world, to commit the same wholly unto d wri- tings which maketh the holy scriptures to be most necessary, those former ways of God's revealing Lis will unto his people being now ceased. 2. Under the name of Holy Scripture, or the word of God written, are now contained all the books of the Old and New Testament, which are these ; a 2 Timothy iii 15, 16, 17. Isaiah viii 20 Luke xvi 23 31 Ephesians ii 20. b Romans i 19, 20. 21, ii 14, 15 Psalms xix 1,2,3. cHebrews i, 1 d Proverbs xxii 19, 20, 21 Romans xv 4 2 Peter i 19.20 10 O? THE OLD TESTAMENT. Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers* Deuteron- omy, Joshua, Judges, Ruth, 1 Samuel, 2 Samuel, 1 Kings, 2 Kings, 1 Chronicles, 2 Chronicles, Ez- ra, Nehemiah, Esther, Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecle- siastes, The Song of Songs, Isaiah, Jeremiah, La- mentations, Ezekiel, Daniel, Hosea, Joel, Amos, Ohadiah, Jonah, Micah, Nabum* Habakkuk, Zepha-- iiiah, Haggai Zachariah, Malachi. OF THE MEW TESTAMENT. Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, The Acts of the Apostles, Paul's Epistle to the Romans, I Corinthi- ans, 2 Corinthians, Galatiahs, Ephesians, Philippi- ans, Collossians, 1 Tfeessaloniaus 2 Thessnlonians, 1 Timothy, 2 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 of which are given by the e inspi- ration of God, to be the rule of faith and life. 3. The books commonly called Apocrypha, not being off divine inspiration, are not part of the can- non (or rule) of scripture, and therefore are of no authority to the church of God, nor to be any oth- erwise approved, or made use of than other human writings. 4. The authority of the holy scripture, for which it ought to be believed, dependeth not upon the testimony of any man, or church, but wholly up- on g God, (who is truth itself ) the author thereof; therefore it is to be received, because it is the word of God. e 2 Timothy iii 16/ Luke xxiv 27, 4-i Romans iii 2 g '2 Peter i 19. 20.21 2 Timothy iii 16 2 Thefsalonians ii 13 1 John v f J 11 5. We may be moved and induced by the testimony of the church of God, to an high and reverent es- teem of the holy scriptures; and the beavenliness of the matter, the efficacy of the doctrine, and the majesty of the stile, the consent of all the parts, the scope oft he whole, (which is to give ali glory to God) the full discovery it makes of the only way of man's salvation, and many other incomparable exeellen. cies. and infire perfections thereof, are arguments whereby it doth abunbantlv evidence itself to be the word of God; yet notwithstanding our h full, persua- sion, and assurance of the infallible truih. and divine authority thereof, as from, the inward work of ihe- holy spirit, bearing winess by and wiih the word in our heaits. 6. The whole counsel of God concerning allthings i necessary tor his own glory, man's salvation, iai;h and life, is either expressly set down^or necessari- ly, contained in the Holy Scripture'; unto which- nothing at any time is to be added, whether by- new revejaiiou of the spirit, or traditions of men. Nevertheless we acknowledge the k inward illu- mination of the spirit of God, lo be necessary lor the saving understanding of such things as are re- t? ry o vealed in the word, and that there are some circum- stances concerning the worship of God, and gov- irnment of the church. common to human actions and societies ; which are to be/ ordered by the light of na - ture, and christian prudence, according to the gene r-. a! rules of the word. which are always to be observed. 7. All things in scriptures are not alike m plain in themselves, nor alike clear unto ail ; yet those /John xvi 13, 34. 1 Corinthians ii 10. 11, 12. 1 John i % •20.-21 i 2 Timothy iii 15, 16,17 Galatiaus i 8, 9 feJohu vl 15 1 Corinthians ii 9, 10, 11, 12 I 1 Corinthians xi 13,. U xiv 26, 40. m 2 Peter iii 16 12 things which are necessary to be. known, believed, and observed for salvation, are son clearly propoun- ded and opened in some place of Scripture or other, that not only the learned, but the unlearned, in a due use of ordinary means, may attain to a sufficient understanding of tnem. 3 The Old Testament in o Hebrew,.^ which was the native language of the people of God of old) and the New Testament in Greek, which (at the time of writing it) was most generally known to the nations, being immediately inspired by God, and by his sin- gular care and providence kept pure in all ages, are therefore p authentical ; so as in all controversies ef religion, the church is finally to appeal unto them. ^ But because these original tongues are not known to all the people of God, who have a right nntp, and an interest in the scriptures, and are com- manded in the fear of God to read r and search them, therefore the}' are to be translated into the vulgar language of every nation, unto which they s come, that the word of God dwelling? plentifully in all, they may worship him in an acceptable manner, and through patience and comfort of the scriptures may hope. 9. The infallible rule or interpretation of the scrip- 'K.re u is the scripture itself: And therefore when there is a question about the true and full sense of any -scripture, ( which is not manifold but one ) it must be searched by other places, that speak more clearly. 10. The supreme Judge by which all controver- sies of religion are to be determined, and all decrees n Psalms xix 7 cx\r. 130 o Romans iii 2 p Isaiah viii 20 q Acts xv 15 rJohnv 39 si Corinthians xiv 6, 9,11, 12, 24, 28 t Colossiaus iii 16 w 2 Peter i 20, 21 Acts xv 15, 16. 13 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 ihe holy scriptures delivered by the Spirit,- into which £ scripture so delivered, cur faith is finally resolved. chapter ii — Of God and of the Holy Trinity.. 1. The Lord our God is but a one only Jiving, and true God ; whose b subsistence is in and of himself, c infinite in being, and perfection, whose essence cannot be comprehended by any but him- sell ;d a most pure spirit e invisible without bod>\ parts, or passions, who only hath immortality dwelling in the light which no man can approach, untCj who is f immutable, g immense, A eternal, incomprehensible, i almighty, every way infinite, A. most holy, most wise, most free, most absolute, I working all things according tG the counsel of his own immutable and most righteous will, in for his own glory, most loving, gracious, merciful, long suf- fering, abundant in goodness in truth, forgiving iniquity, transgression and sin, n the rewarder of them that diligently seek him, and withal most just.o and terrible in his judgements, p hating ail sin. and will by no means clear the q guilty. xMathew xxli 29, 23 Ephesians ii 20 Acts xxviii 23 o 1 Corinthians viii 6 Deuteronomy vi 4 b Jeremiah x 10 Isaiah xlviii 12 cExodus ii: 14 CiJohu iv 24 el Timothy i 17 Deuteronomy iv 15, 16 / Malachi iii 6 g 1 King* viii 27 Jeremiah xxiii 23 h Psalms xc 2 i Genesis xvii 1 k Isaiah vi 3 I Psaims cxv 3 Isaiah xlvi 10 m Proverbs xvi 4 Romans xi 36 n Exodus xxxiv 6,7 Hebrews xi 6 oNe- heraiahix 32, 33 p Psalms v 5, 6 q Exodus xxxvi 7 Na- Lum i 2, 3. u 2. God having all r life,* glory, Y goodness, bless- edness, in and of himse]f, is alone in, and unto him- self all sufficient, not « standing in any need of any creature which he hath made, nor deriving any glo- ry from them, but only manifesting his own glory in, by, unto, and upon them, he is the alone fountain of all being, x of whom, through whom, and to whom are all things, and he hath most sovereign y domin- ion over all creatures, to do by them, for them, or upon them, whatsoever himself pleaseth : in his sight % all things are open and manifest, his knowl- edge is a infinite, infallible, and independant up- on the creature, so as nothing is to him contingent or uncertain ; he is most holy in all his counsels, in b all his works, and in all his commands ; to him is due c from men and angels, whatsoever worship, service or obedience, as creatures they owe unto the Creator, and whatever he is further pleased to re- quire of them. 3. In this divine and infinite being there are three subsistences, d the Father, the word (or Son) and Holy Spirit, of one substance, power and etern- ity, each having the whole divine essence, e yet the essence undivided : the father is one of neither be- gotten, nor proceeding, the Son is f eternally be- gotten of the Father, the Holy Spirit g proceed- ing from the Father and the Son, all infinite, with- out beginning, therefore but one God, who is not to be divided in nature and being, but distinguished by rJohnv26 5 Psalms cxlviii 13 ZPsalms cxix 68 uJob xxii 2,3 x Romans xi 34, 25 36 y Daniel iv 25, 34, 35 z He- brews iv 13 aEzekiel vi 5 Acts xv 18 b Psalms cxiv 17 c Revelation v 12, 13, 14 d\ John v 7 Mathew xxviii 19 2 Corinthians xiii 14 eExodus iii 14 Johnxivll 1 Cor- inthians viii 6 /John i 14, 18 ^Johnxv 26 Galatians iv 6. 15 several peculiar, relative properties, and personal relations ; which doctrine of (he Trinity is the foun- dation of all our communion with God, and comfort- able decendance on him. chapter in. — Of God's Decree. 1. God hath a decreed in himself, from -all eter- nity, by the most wise and holy counsel of his own will, freely and unchangably, all things whatsoever comes to pass ; yet so as thereby is God neither the * author of sin, b nor hath fellowship with any there- in, nor is violence offered to the will of the creature, nor yet is the liberty, or contingency of second causes taken away, but rather c established, in which appears his wisdom in disposing all things and power, and faithfulness Jin accomplishing hi* decree. 2. Although God knoweth whatsoever may or can come to pass upon all e supposed conditions ; yet hath he not decreed anything,y*because he foresaw it as future, or as that which would come to pass up- on such conditions. 8. By the decree of God, fbrthe manifestation of his glory g some men and angels are predestinated or foreordained to eternal life, through Jesus Christ, to the h praise of his glorious grace : others being left to act in their sin to their i just condemnation, to the praise of his glorious justice. a Isiahxlvi 10 Ephesians i II Hebrews vi 17 Romans ix 15, 18 b James i 15, 17 1 John i 5 c Acts iv 27, 23 John xix 11 d Numbers xxiii 19 Ephesiansi 3, 4, 5,e Act3 xv 18 /Romans ix 11, 13, 16, 18 g 1 Timothy v 21 Matthew xxv 41 A Ephesians i 5, 6i Romans ix 22, 23 Jude 4*2 Timothy ii 19 John xiii IS 16 4. These angels and men thus predestinated, and foreordained, are particular]/, and unchangeably de- signed : and their k number so certain, and definite, that it cannot be either increased, or diminished. 5. Those of mankind I that are predestinated to life, God before the fourfdation of the world was Jaid, according to his eternal immutable purpose, and the secret counsel and good pleasure of his will, hath chosen in Christ unto everlasting glory, out of his mere free grace and love ; m without any other thing in the creature as a conditon or cause moving him thereunto. 6. As God hath appointed the elect unto glory, so he hath by the eternal and most free purpose of his will, foreordained, n all the means thereunto, where- fore they who are elected, being fallen in Adam,o are redeemed by Christ, are effectually p called unto faith in Christ, by his Spirit working in due season, are justified, adopted, sanctified, and kept by his power through faith q unto salvation; neither are any other redeemed by Christ, or effectually called, justified, adopted, sanctified, and saved, but the elect r only. 7. The doctrine of this high mystery of predesti- nationj is to be handled with special prudence and care ; that man, attending the will of God revealed in his word, and yielding obedience thereunto, may from the certainty of their effectual vocation, be as- sured of their s eternal election ; so shall this doc- trine afford matter t of praise, reverence, and admi- l Ephesiaus i 4, 3, 11 Romans viii 30 2 Timothy i 9 1 Thessalonians v 9 m Romans ix 13 16. Epliesians ii 9, 12 n 1 Peter i 2 2 Thessalonians ii 13 o 1 Thessalonians v 9, 10 p Romans viii 30 2 Thessalonians ii 13 q 2 Peter i 3 r John x 26 John xvii 9 John vi 44 * 1 Thessalonians i 4, 5 2 Peter i 10 t Ephesjans i 6 Romans xi 33 ration of God ,and u of humility, diligence, and abun- dant x consolation, to all thai sincerely obey •■-> gusgeL chapter iv. — Of Creation, I". In the beginning it pleased God, the Father, a Son and Holy Spirit, for the manifestation of the glory of b his eternal power, wisdom, and goodness, Jo create or make the world, and all things therein «r whether visible, or invisble, in the space of six days, and all very good. 2. After God had made all other creatures, he created d man, male, and female, with e reasonable and immortal souls, rendering them fit unto that life to God, for which they were created, he'mgj made after the image of God, in knowledge, righteous;!-:^, and true holiness ; having the law of God g written in their hearts, and power to fulfil it ; and yet under a. possibility of transgressing, being left to the liber- ty of their own will, which was h subject to change. 3. Besides the law written in their hearts they received i a command not to eat of the tree of knowl- edge of good and evil r which whilst they kept, they were happy in their communion with God, and had dominion k over the creatures. a Romans si 5,6 i Luke x 20 '?Johnil,5 Hebrews i2 Job xxvi 13 6 Romans i 28 c Colossians i 16 Genesis ii 1,2 d Gensis i 27 e Gene- sis ii 7 /Ecclesiastes vii 29 Genesis i 28 g Romam ii 14, 15 A Genesis iii 6 i Genesis i 17, andlii9. 9, 10 & Genera i -26. 28. O 18 chapter v. — Of divine -providence. 1. God the good creator of all things, in his infi- nite power and wisdom, doth a uphold, direct, dis- pose, and govern all creatures, and things, from the greatest even to the b least, by his most wise and holy providence to the end for which they were created according unto his infalible fore-knowledge and the free and immutable counsel of his c own will ; to the praise of the glory of his wisdom, power? justice, infinite goodness and mercy. 2. Although in relation to the tore -knowledge and decree of God, the first cause, all things come to pass d immutably and infallibly; so that there is not any thing befalls any e by chance or without his providence; yet by the same providence he order- elh them to fall out according to the nature of sec- ond causes, either f necessarily, freely, or contin- gently. 3. God in his ordinary Providence g maketh use of means : yet is free h to work without, i above, and Jc against them at his pleasure. 4. The Almighty power, unsearchable wisdom, and infinite goodness of God, so far manifest them- selves in his providence, that his determinate coun- se 1 I extendeth itself even to the first fall, and all oth- er sinful actions both of angels and men; (and that not by a bare permission) which also he most wise- i Hebrews i 3 Job xxxviii 11 Isaiah xlvi 10, 11 Psalms xiii 5,6 b Matthew x 26,30, 31 c Ephesians i 11 d Acts ii 23 e Proverbs xvi 33 / Genesis viii 22 g-Actsxxvii 31, 44 Isaiah Iv 10, 11 h Hosea i 7 i Romans iv 19, 20, 21 k Diniel iii 27 I Romans xi 32 33, 34 2 Samuel xxiv 1 .1 Chronicles xxi.l 19 Ty and powerfully m boundeth, and otherwise order- eth, and governeth, in a manifold dispensation to his most holy n ends : yet so, as the sinfulness of their acts proceedeth only from the creatures, and not from God; who being most holy and righteous, nei- ther is nor can be, the author or o approver of sin. 5. The most wise, righteous, and gracious God, doth oftentimes leave for a season his own children lo manifold temptations, and the corruptions, of their own hearts, to chastise them for their former sins, or to discover unto them the hiden strenght of cor- ruption, and deceitfulness of their hearts, p that they may be humbled ; and to raise them to a more close and constant dependance for their support upon himself, and to make them more watchful against all future occasions of sin, and for other just and holy ends. So that whatsoever befalls any of his elect is by his appointment, for his glory, q and their good. G. As for those wicked and ungodly men, whom God as a righteous judge, for former sin doth r blind and harden : from them he not only withhold - eth his s grace, whereby they might have been en- lightened in their understanding, and wrought upon in their hearts ; but sometimes also withdraweth 1 the gifts which they had, and exposeth them to such u objects as their corruptions make occasion of sin : and withal, x gives them over to their own lusts, and m 2 Kings xix 28 Psalms lxxvi 10 n Genesis i20 [saiah x 6, 7, 12 oPsalmsl21 John ii 16 p 2 Chronicles xxxii 25, 26, 31 2 Samuel xxiv 1 2 Co- rinthians xii 7, 8, 9 q Romans viii 28. r Romans i 24, 25, 28, and xi 7. 8 « Deuteronomy xxix 4 t Matthew xiii 12 u Deuteronomy ii 30 2 Kings viii 12,13 ^Psalms Ixx.xi 11,12 2 Thessalo- nians ii 10 11. 20 tempatimis of tbe world, and the power of Satan whereby it coine3-to pass, that they y harden them- selves, even under those means which God useth fov the softening of others. 7. As tbe providence of God doth in general reach to all creatures, so after a more special man- ner, it taketb -care of his z church, and disposeth of ffl\ things to the good thereof.: chapter n. — Of the Fall of Man, of Sin and of" the Punishment thereof. 1. Although God created man upright, ami perfect, and give him a righteous law, which had been unto life had he kept it, a and threatened death upon the breach thereof ; yet he did not long abide in this honor ; b satan using the subtility of the ser- pent to seduce Eve, then by her seducting Adam, who without any compulsion, did wilfully transgress the law of of their creation, and the command given unto them, in eating the forbidden fruit ; which God was pleased according to his wise and hofy counsel to permit, having purpose to order it, to his own glory. 2. Our first parents by this sin, fell from their c organal righteousness and communion with God, and we in them, whereby death came upon all; d yExodus viii r5, 32 Isaiah vi 9, 10 1 Peter ii 7, b\ a 1 Timothy iv 10. Amos ix 8, 9 Isaiah xliii 3, 4, 5 a Genesis ii 16, 17 b Grnesis iii 12, 13 2 Corin- thians xi 3 c Romans iii 23 d Roman3 / 12, &c. 2a sll becoming dead in sin, and wholly defiled,e in all the faculties and parts of soul and body. 3. They being the f root, and by God's appoint- ment, standing in the room, and stead of all man- kind; the guilt of the sin was imputed, and cor- rupted nature conveyed to all their posterity, des- cending from them by ordinary generation, being now g conceived in sin, and by nature children // of wrath, the servants of sin, the subjects i of death, and all other miseries, spiritual, temporal and eter- nal, unless the Lord Jesus k set them free. 4. From this original corruption, whereby we are / utterly indisposed, disabled, and made oppo- site to all good, and wholly inclined to all evil, do m proceed all actual transgressions. 5. This corruption of nature, during this life, doth n remain in those that are regenerated : and although it be through Christ pardoned, and mortifi- ed, yet both itself, and the first motions thereof, are truly and properly o sin. 'chapter vii.—O/ - GocVs Covenant* 1. The distance between God pnd the creature is 5o great thai although reasonable creatures do e Titos i \d Gpnesis vi 5 Jeremiah xvii 9 Ro- mans u'i 10 — 19 /Romans v 12 — 19 1 Corithians xv 21, 22, 45, 49 g Psalms li 5 Job xiv 4 h Ephe- >ians ii 3 i Romans vi 20and v 12 k Hebrews ii 14 I Thessalonians i 10 I Romans vjji? Colossiansi 21 m James i 14, 15 Matthew xv 19 "Romans vii 1£. 23 Ecelesiastes vii 20 1 John i 8 o Romans vii 24, 2o Galalians v 17 22: owe obedience unto- him as- their creator, yet they could never have attained the reward of 1 life, but by some a voluntary condescension on God's part, which he hath been pleased to express, by way of covenant. 2. Moreover, man having brought b himself un- der the curse of the law by his tall, it pleased the Lord 10 make a covenant of grace, w>herein he free- ly offered unto sinners c life and salvation by Jesus Christ, rrquiring of them faith in him, that they may be saved ; and d promising to give unto all those that are ordained unto eternat life his Holy Spirit, to make them willing, and able to believe. 3. This covenant rs revealed in the gospel ; and was first of all to Adam in the promise of salva- tion by the e soed of the woman, and afterwards by farther steps, until the full f discovery thereof was complete in the New Testament ; and it is founded in that g eternal covenant transaction, that was be- tween the Father and the Son about the redemp- tion of the elect ; and it is alone by the grace of this covenant, that all of the posterity of fallen Adam, that ever were h saved, did obtain life and a blessed immortality ; man being now utterly incapable of acceptance with God upon those terms on which Adam stood in a state of inuocency. a Luke xvii 10 Job xxxv 7. 8 b Genesi? iii 17 Galniions iii 10 Roman? iii 20, 21 c Romans viii 3 Markxvi 15, 16 John iii 16 tZEfcekiel xxxvi 26,27 John vi 44. 45 Psalms ex 3 e Genesis iii 1'5 /He- brews i 1 g 2 Timothy i 2. h Hebrews xi 6. 13 Romans iv 1.2. &c. Act? iv 12 John viii 56. 23 chapter viii.-* Of Christ the Mediator. 1 . It pleased God, in his eternal purpose, to choose and ordain the Lord Jesus, his only begotten Son, ac- cording to the covenant made between them both, a to beihe mediator between God and man ; the b propri- ety priest and d king,* head and Saviour of his Church, the f heir of all things, and J judge of the world: unto whom he did from all eternity e give a people to be his seed, and to be by him in time re- deemed, called, justified, sanctified, and glorified. 2. The Son of God, the second person in the Holy Trinity, being very and eternel God, the brightness of the Fathers glorv, of one substance, and equal with him: who made the world, who upholdeth and gov- erned all things he haih made: did, when the ful- ness of time was come, take upon him/ man's nature with all the essential properties, and common innrmi- jes thereof g yet without sin; being conceived by the Holy Spirit in the womb of the Virgin Mary, the Holy Spirit coming down upon her, and the power of the Most High overshadowing her h and so was made of a woman, of the tribe of Judah, of the seed of Abra ham and David, according to the Scriptures: so tha" two whole, perfect, and distinct natures, were insepa rably joined together in one person without conversion" composition, or confusion; which person is very God' and verv man, yet one i Christ, the only mediator be- tween God and man. a Isaiah xlii I 1 Peter i 9, 10 b John vi 14 e He- brews v 5, 6 ^Psalms ii 6 Luke i 33 *Ephesiansi 23 f Hebrews i 2 JActs xvii 31 e Isaiah liii 10 John xvii 6 Rom viii 30 /John i 14 Galatians iv 4 ^Ro- mans viii 3 Heb. ii 14, 16, 17 and iv 15 h Luke i 27,31,35 *Romansix5 1 Timothy ii 5 24 3. The Lord Jesus in his human nature thus uni- ted to the divine, in the person of the Son, was sancti- fied, and anointed *•' with the Holy Spirit, above meas- ure; having in him I all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge ; in whom it pleased the Father, that m nil fulness should dwell; to the end, that being n'hely, harmless, undefiled, and full© of grace and truth, he might be throughly furnished to execute the officejof a mediator, and;) surety; which office he took not upon himself, but was thereunto q called by his Fa- ther; who also put r all power and judgement in his hand, and gave him commandment to execute the same. 4. This office the Lord Jesus did most s willingly undertake; which thai he might discharge he was made under the law, i and did perfect fy fulfil it, and underwent the a punishment due to us, which we should have borne and suffered being made x sin and a curse for us; enduring most grievous sorrows y in his soul : aud most painful sufferings in his body ; was crucified, and died, and remained in the state of the dead: yet saw no, corruption : on the a third day he arose from the dead, with the same body in which be sut7"ered :b with which he also e ascenaVd into heaven and thpre sitteth on the right hand of his Fnlher d ma- king intercession : and shall i return to judge men and angels, at the end of the world. ;\- Psalms xlv 7 Acts x 38 John iii 34 I Colos- siansiiS m Colossians i 19 n Heb vii 26 o John i 1 4 v Heb vii 22 q H»-b v 5 r John v 22, 27 Mai- thew xxviii 18 Acts ii 36 * Psalms xl 7, 8 Heb k 5 — 11 John x 18 t Galations iv 4 Mathew iii 15 m Galatians iii 13 Isaiah liii 6 1 Peter iii 18 x 2 Corinthians v 21 y Mathew xxvi 37. 38 LuU xxii 44 Mathew xxvii 46 * Acts xiii 37 a I Cor- imhians xv 3, 4 h John xx 25, 27 e Mark xvi j9 Acts i 9, 10 11 d Romans viii 34 Hebrews ix 24 e Acts k 42 Romans xiv 6, 10 Actsi 11. 25 "o. The Lord Jesus by his perfect obedience and -sacrifice of himself, which he through the eternal Spirit once offered up unto God,/ hath fully satisfied the justice of God, procured reconciliation, and pur- chased an everlasting inheiitance in the kingdom of heaven, g for all those whom the Father hath given unto him. 6. Although the price of redemption was not actual- ly paid by Christ, till after his incarnation,* yet the virtue, efficacy, and benefit thereof was communicated to the elect in all ages successively, from the beginning ofthe world, in and by those promises, types, and sacrifices, wherein he was revealed, and signified to bf; the seed of the woman, which should bruise the ser- pent's head;A and the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world;*" being the same yesterday, and to-day and forever. 7. Christ in the work of meditation acteth according to both natures, by each natuie doiog that which is proper to itself, yet by reason ef the unity of the per- son, that which is proper to one nature, is sometimes in scriptutre attributed to the person k denomiated by the other nature. 8. To all those for whom Christ hath obtained eter- nal redemption, he doth certainly and effectually i ap- ply, and communicate the same; making intercession for them ; uniting them to himself by his spirit:?" re- vealing unlo-them. in and by the word, the mystery of "salvation ; persuading them to believe, and obey ;« governing their hearts by his word and spirit, and / Hebrews ix 14, and x 14 Romans iii 25, 26 «■ John xvii 2 Hebrews ix 15 *1 Coiinthians x 4 Hebrews iv 2 I Peter i 10. II & Revelations xiii 5 i Hebrews xiii 8 -'• John iii 13 Acts xx 28 Mohn vi 37 : x 15, 16 and xvii 9 Romans v 10 m jtibti 17. 6 Ephesians i 9 1 John v 20 n Romans viii 9. 13 Psalms c* I. 26 o overcoming all tlieif enemies by h'is-al mighty power and wisdom ; in such manner and ways, as are most consonant to his wonderful, and p unsearchable dis- pensation ; and all of free, and absolute grace, without any condition foreseen irrthem, to procure it. 9. Thisoffice of mediator between God and rrnn is proper q only to Christ, who is the prophet, priest, and kino- of the church of God ; and may not be either in whole, or any part thereof transferred from him to any other. 10.' This number and'order of offices are necessary; for in respect of our r ignorance, we stand in need of his prophetical office ; and in resppct of our alienation from God ;s and impprfeetion of the best of our ser- vices, we need his- priestly office to reconcile us, and present us acceptable unto God ; and in respfct of our averseness; and utter inability to return to God, and for our rescue, and security from our spiritual adver- saries, we need his kingly office t to convince, subdup, draw, uphold, deliver, arid preserve us to his heavenly krgdom. chatter ir. — Of Free Will. 1. God hath indued' the will of man with that natural liberty and power of acting upon choice, that it is a neither forced, nor by any necessity of nature determined to do good or evil. o 1 Corinthians xv 25. 26 pJohn iii 8 Ephe- sians i 8 q I Timothy ii 5 rjohni 18 * Colossi- ansi21 Galaiians v 17 'John xvi 8 Psalms ex 3 a Mathew xvii 12 James i 14 Deuteronomy xx* 10. %r » 2 Man in his state ofinnocency, had freedom, and power, to will, and to do, that & which was good, and well-pleasing to God ; but yet c was mutable, so that he might fall from it. 3. Man by his fall into a state of sin, hath wholly lost d all ability of will, to any spiritual good accompa- nying salvation ; so as a natural man, being altogeth- er averse from that good.e and dead in sin, is not able, by his own strength, to/ convert himself, or to prepare himself thereunto. 4; When God converts a sinner, and translates him into the state of graces he freeth him from his natural bondajTP under s-in, and by his crace alone enables him h freely to will, and do that which is spiritually good ; yet so a* that, by reason -of his i remaining corrup- tions, lie doth not perfpetly nor only will that which is good, but doth also will that which is evil. 5. The will of man is made k perfect and immuta- bly free to good alone in the estate of glory only. chapter x. — Of Effectual Calling. I. Those whom God hath predestinated unto Hfr. he is-- pleased in his appointed and accepted time a- ef- fectually to call by his word and spirit out ofthat state of sin and death, in which they are by nature,to grace b Ecclesiastes vii 29 c Genesis iii 6 d Romans v G. and viii 7 e Ephesisws iM 5 /Titus iii 3' 4>, 5 John vi 44 g Coloseians i 13 John viii 36 h Phil- ipians ii 13 i Romans vii 15, 18, 19, 21.23 * E. phesian?ivl3 a Romans viii 30, and xi 7 E-phe* sians i 10, il 2 Thessaloniana ii 13. 14. snd salvation b by Jesus Christ; enlightening their minds, spiritually and savingly, toe understand the thingsofGod; taking away their b heart of stone, and giving unto them an heart of flesh : renewing their wills, and by his almighty power determining them e to that which is good, and effectually drawing them to Jesus Christ ; yet-so, as they come/ most freely, be- ing made willing by his grace. 2. This effectual call is of God's free and special grace alone, g not from any thing at'all foreseen in man. nor from any power or agency in the creature, co-working with his special grace: \h the creature be- ing wholly passive therein, being dead in sins and trespasses, until being quickened and renewed by the Holy Spirit, he is thereby enabled to answer this call, and to embrace the grace offered and conveyed in it and that by no less« power than that which raised up Christ from the dead. 3. Elect infants dying in infancy, are A regenerated and saved by Christ through the spirit, who workelh when, and where, and I how he pleaseth ; so also are nil other elect persons, who are incapable of being out- wardly called by the ministry of the word. 4. Others not elected, although they may be called by the ministry of the word,"? and may have some common operations of the spirit : yet not being effec- tually drawn dy the Father, they neither will, nor can truly n come to Christ; and therefore cannot be saved ; much less can men that receive not the Christian reli- f'Ephcsians ii 1 — 6 c Acts xxvi 18 Ephesians ; 17, 18 d Ez.kiel 36,26 e Deuteronomy 30th 6 Ezekiel 36ih 27 Ephesians 1st 9 /Psalms 110, ? Canticles 1st 4 g 2 Timothv 1st Ephesians 2 8 h\ Corin'.hians 2 14 Ephe*ians2, 5 John 5,25 *E nhesiar* 1st 19, 20 k John 3d 3. 5, 6 Uohn 3d 8 m Mat hew 22, 14, and 13th 20, 2t Hebrews vi 4. 5 * John Gih 44, 45. 63 [ John 2nd 24, 25. 29 gion o be saved, be they never so diligent to frame their lives according to the light of nature,and the law, of that religion they do profes?. chapter xr — Of Jvstificaiion. 1. Those whom God effectually calleth. he aisfcr freely a justifieth, not by infusing rightsousnes-s into ihem, but by b pardoning their sin?, and by account- ing and accepting their persons, as c righteous; no". for any thing wrought in them, or done by them, bufe for Christ's sake alone; not by imputing faith itself the act of believing, or any other d evangelical obe- dience to them, as their righteousness, but by imputing Christ's active obedience unto the whole law and pas- sive obedience in his death, for their whole and sola- righteousness; they « receiving, and resting on him, and his righteousness by faith, which they have no: of themselves: it is the gift of God. 2. Faith thus receiving and resting on Christ and his righteousness, is the/ alone instrument ofjustirlca- :ion ; yet it is not alone in the person justified, but is ever accompanied with all other saving graces, and is no drad faith, g but worketh by love. 3. Christ, by his obedience and death, did fully dis- charge 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 penally due unto them,. o Acts iv 12 John iv 22, and xvii 3 a Romans iii 24, and vii 30 b .Romans iv 5 — 8 Ephesians i 7 c 1 Corin- thians i 30, 31 Romans v 17, 18,19 d Philippians iii 8, 9 Kphesians ii 8, 9 Ephesians ii 8, 9,10 e John i 12 Ro- mans v 17 /JZomans iii 28 s Galatiana v 6 James ii 17,28.26 so make a proper, real and full satisfaction k to God's justice in their behalf; yet, in asmuch as he was given by the Father for them, and his obedience and satis- faction accepted in their stead, and both i freely, not for any thing in them, their justification *s only of free grace, that both the exact justice and rich grace of God might be k glorified in the justification of sinners. 4. God did from all eternity decree to I justify all the elect, and Christ did in the fullness of time die for their sins, and m rise again for their justification; nev- theless they are not justified personally, until the Holy Spirit doth in due time a actually apply Christ unto them. 5. God doth continue to o forgive the sins of those that are justified ; and although they can never fall from the state ofp justification, yet they may by their sins fill under God's q fatherly displeasure; and in ihat condition, they have not usually the light of his countenance restored unto them, until they r humble themselves, confess their sins, beg pardon, and renew their fnith and repentance. 6. The justification of believers under the Old Tes- tament, was in all these respects s one and the same with the justification of believers under the New Tes- tament. k Hebrews x 14 1 Peter i J 18, 19 Isaiah liii 5 6 i Ro- mans viii 32 2 Corinthians v 21 k .Romans iii 26 Ephe- siana i 6, 7 Ephesians ii 7 I Galatians iii 8 1 Peter i 2 1 Timothy ii 6 m jRomans iv 25 n Colossians i 21, 22 Ti- tus iii 4, 5, 6, 7 o Matthew vi 12 1 John i 7, 9 p John x 28 q Psalm Ixxxix 31, 32,33 r Psalm xxxii 5 Psahn li 7 — 12 Matthew xxvi 75 s Galatians iii 9 i?owans 22. 23, 24 31 chapter xii — Of Adoption, Ali those that are justified, God vouchsafed in and fur the sake of his only Son. Jesus Christ, to make par lakers of the grace a of Adoption ; by which they are taken into the number, and enjoy the liberties and 6 privileges of children of God; have his c name put upon them, d receive the Spirit of Adoption e have access to the throne of grace with boldness; are ena- bled to cry Abba. Father; are/ pitied, g protected, h provided for, and i chastened by him, as by a Father; yet never A- cast off. but sealed I to the day of redemp- tion, and inherit the promises,'" as heirs of everlast- ing salvation. chapter sin — Of Sanctifi cation. 1. They who are united to Christ, effectually call- ed, and regenerated, having a new heart a and new spirit created in them, through the virtue of Christ's death and resurrection ; are also a farther sanctified, really and personally, through the same virtue, b by his word and Spirit dwelling in them;c the dominion of the whole body of sin is destroyed, bondage to c satan, and dominion d of sin, from the e evil of affliction, th8 fear, and sting f of deaths the victory of the grave, and g everlasting damna- tion : as also in their h free access to God, snd their yielding obedience unto him, not out of a sla- vish fear, i but a child-like love, and willing mind. All whicb were common also to believers under the law k for the substance of them ; but under the New Testament, the liberty of christians is further enlarged in their freedom from the yoke of the cere- monial law, to whic b the Jewish Church was sub= jected, and in greater boldness of access to the throne h Psalm ex 3 1 Corinthians ii 14 Epheeiarra i 19, 20 i John vi 44 2 Corinthians, iv 4, 6 a Galatians iii 13 b Galatians i 4 c Acts xxvi IS dR> mans viii 3 e .Romans viii 28 / 1 Corinthians xv 54 — 57; g 2 Thessalonians i 10 h Romans viii 15 i Luke 4 75 1 John iv 18 k Galatians iii 9, 14 46 -of grace, and in fuller communications of the I free- spirit of God, than believers under the law did or- dinarily partake of. 2. God alone is m Lord of the conscience, and hath left it free from the doctrines and com- mandments of men n which are in any thing contra- ry to his word, or not contained in it. So that to believe such doctrines, or obey such commands out of conscience o is to betray true liberty of con- science ; and the requiring of an p implicit faith and absolute and blind obedience, is to destroy lib- erty of conscience and reason also. 3. They who, upon pretence of christian liberty, do practise any sin, or cheerish any sinful lust, as they do thereby pervert the main design of the grace of the gospel, q to their own destruction, so they wholy destroy r ttie end ofchristian liberty ; which is, that being delivered out of the hands of all our enemies, we might serve the Lord without fear, in holiness and righteousness before him, all the days of our lives. chapter xxn — Of Religious Worship and the Sabbath Day. 1. The light of nature shows that there is a God, who hath lordship and sovereignty over all ; is just, / Johnvii38, 39 Hebrews x 19—21 m James iv 12 Romans xiv 4 n Acts iv 19, and v 29 1 Corinthians vii 23 Matthew xv 9 o Colossians ii 20, 22, 23 p 1 Corinthians iii 5 2 Corinthians i 24 q Romans vi 1, 2 r Gal v 13 2 IVter ii 18—21 47 good, and doth good unto ail; and is therefore to be feared, loved, praised, called upon, trusted in and ser- ved, with all the heart and all the son I a and with all the might. But the acceptable way of worshipping the true God, is b instituted by himself, and so limited by his own revealed will, that he may not be worship- ped according to the imaginations and devices of men. or the suggestion of Satan, under any visible represen- tations, or c any other way not prescribed in the Holy Scriptures. 2. Religious worship is to be given to God the -Father, Son and Holy Spirit, and to him d alone; not to angels, saints, or any other e creatures ;and since the fall not without a/ Mediator, nor in the mediation of any other butg- Christ alone. 3. Prayer with thankfulness, being one special part of natural worship, is by God required of# all men. But that it may be accepted, it is to be made in the* name of the Son,by the help | of the Spirit, according to I his will ; with understanding, reverence, humility, fervency, faith, love and perseverance, and with others in a 7/1 known tongue. 4. Prayer is to be made for things lawful, and for all sorts of men living ,« or that shall live hereafter; but not o for the dead nor for those of whom it may be known, that they have sinned p the sin unto death. -5. They reading of the Scriptures, preaching, and ' hearing the word of God, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms, hymns, and s piri'ual songs, singing with grace in our hearts to s the Lord : as also a Jeremiah x 7 Mark xii 33 b Deuteronomy xii 32 c Exodus xx 4, 5, 6 d Matthew ix 9,10 John vi 23 Mat- thew xxviii 19 e iZomans i 25 Colossians ii 18 Revelations xix 10 / John xiv 6 g \ Timothy ii 5 h Psalms xcv 1, 7 Psalms ixv 2 i John xiv 13, 14 k Romans viii 26 11 John v 14 in 1 Corinthians xiv 16, 17 n 1 Timothy ii 1, 2 2 Samuel vii 29 o 2 Samuel xii 21 — 23 q\ John v 16 p 1 Timothy iv 13 r 2 Timothy iv 2 Luke viii 18. 43 : :he administration t of Baptism, and u the Lord's Supper, are all parts of religious worship of God, to be performed in obedience to him, with understanding faith, reverence, and godly fear ; moreover, solemn hu- miliation,^ with fasting, and thanksgiving upon'/ special occasions, ought to be used in an holy and religious manner. 6. Neither prayer, nor any other - pnrt ofrelgious- worship, is now, under the gospel, tied unto, or made more acceptable by any place in v hich it is z per- formed, or towards which it is directed ; but God is to be worshipped every where in spirit, and in truth : as- in a private familes b daily, and c in secret, each one by himself, so more solemnly in the public assemblies which are not carelessly, nor wilfully to be d neglected or forsaken, when God bv his word or providence call- ath thereunto. 7. As it is of the law of nature, that in general, a proportion of time, by God's appointment be set apart tor the worship of God, so by his word in a positive, moral and perpetual commandment, binding all men, in all ages, he hath particularly appointed one day in seven for a e sabbath to be kept holy unto him, which ;rom the beginning of the world, to the resurrection of • Christ, was the last day of the week ; and from the resurrection of Christ, was changed into the first day of the week./ which is called the Lord's.day ; and is to be continued to the end of the world, as the Christian sabbath ; the observation of the last day of the week being abolished. 8. The sabbath is then kept holy unto the Lord, when men, after a due preparing of their hearts, and 8 Colossians iii 16 Ephesians v 19 t Matthew xxviii 19. TO u 1 Corinthians xi 26 x Esther iv 16 Joel ii 12 y 'Ixodusxv 1 &.c Psalms cvii z John iv 21 Malachi i 11 1 Timothy ii 8 a Acts v 2 ■ b Matthew vi 11 Psalms iv 17 r Matthew vi 6 d Hebrews x 25 Acts ii 42 e Exodus x.v 6 / 1. Corinthians xvi 1, 2 Acts xx 7 Revelations i 10 49 « k ordering their common affairs aforehand, do not only observe an holy g rest all the day, from their own works, words and thoughts, about their worldly em- ployment and recreations, but also are taken up the whole time in the public and private exercises of his worship, and in the duties h of necessity and mercy. chapter xxm. — Of Singing of Psalms, <^r. We believe that a singing the praise of God, is a holy ordinance of Christ, and not a part of natural religion, or a moral duty only ; but that is brought under divine institution, it being enjoined on the Churches of Christ to sing psalms, hymns, and spi- rilual songs ; and that the whole church in their public assemblies (as well as private Christians) ought to b sing God's praise? according to the best •ight they have received. Moreover, it was prac- tised in the great representative church, by c our Lord Jesus Christ with his disciples, after he had instituted and celebrated the sacred ordinance of his holy supper, as a commemorative token of redeem- ing love. g Isaiah lviii 12 Nehemiah xiii 15,22 J? Mat- thew xii 1 — 13 aActs xvi 25 Ephesians v 19 Colossians iii 16 ^ Hebrews ii 12 James v 13 cMathew x ^ vl %® Mark xiv26 4 50 chapter xxiv. — Of Lawjul Oaths and Vows. 1. A lawful oath is a part of religious worship, a wherein the person swearing in truth, righteous- ness, and judgment, solemnycalleth God to witness what he sweareth , b and to judge him according to the truth or falseness thereof. 1. The name of God only is that by which men ought to swear ; and therein it is to be used with all holy fear and reverence ; therefore to swear vainly cr rashly by that glorious and dreadful name, or to swear at all by any other thing, is sinful and to be c abhorred ; yet as in matter of weight and moment, tor confirmation of truth, d and ending all strife, an oath is warranted by the word of God ; so a lawful oath being imposed, e by lawful authority, in such matters ought to be taken. 3. Whosoever taketh an oath, warranted by the word of God, ought duly to consider the weightiness of so solemn an act, and therein to avouch no thing but what he knoweth to be the truth ; for that by rash, false, and vain oaths, they Lord is pro- voked, and for them this land mourns. 4. An oath is to be taken in the plain and g com- mon sense of the words, without equivocation, or mental reservation. o-Exodus xx 7 Deuteronomy x 20 Jeremiah iv v 2 b 2 Chronicles vi 22 23 c Matthew v 34—37 James v 12 d Heprevvs vi 16 2 Corinthians i 23 f Nehemiah xiii 25 / Leviticus xix 12 Jeremiah xxiii 10 s Psa'mxxiv 4 51 5. A vow, which is not to be made to any crea. ture. but to God alone, h is to be made and perform- ed with all religious care and faithfulness but popish monastical viows, i of perpetual single 1 ife. professed k poverty, and regular obedience, are so far from being degrees of higher perfection, that they are su- perstitious, Z and sinful snares, in which no chris- tian may entangle himself. chapter xxv.— Of the Civil Magistrate, 1. God, the supreme Lord, and king of all the world, hath ordained civil a magistrates to be under him over the people, for his own glory and the pub. lie good ; and to this end hath armed them with the power of the sword, for defence and encouragement of them that do good, and for the punishment of evil doers. 2. It is lawful for christians to accept and execute the office of a magistrate, when called thereunto ; in the management whereof, as they ought especially to maintain & justice, and peace, according- to the wholesome laws of each kingdom and common- wealth ; so for that end they may lawfully now un- der the New Testament c wage war upon just and necessary occasions. ^ Psalm lxxvi 11 Genesis xxxiii 20—22 i 1 Co- rinthians vii 2, 9 k Ephesians iv 28 I Matthew xix 11 a Romans xii 1— -4 b 2 Samuel xxii 3 Psalm 82d 3, 4 c Luke iii 4 52 3. Civil Magistrates being set up by Gid, for the ends aforesaid, subjection in all lawful things com- manded by them, ought to be yielded by us in the Lord, not only for wrath d but for conscience-sake • and we ought to make supplications and prayers for kings, and all that are in authority c that under them we may live a quiet and peaceable life, in all godli- ness and honesty. chapter xxvi. — Of Marriage. I. Marriage is to be between one man, and one woman ; a neithei is it lawful for any man to have more than one wife, nor for any woman to have more than one husband at the same time. *2. Marriage was ordained for the mutual help b of husband and wife, c for the increase of mankind with a legitimate issue, and for d preventing of uncleanness. 3. It is lawful for e all sorts of people to marry, who are able with judgment to give their consent ; yet it is the duty of christians f to marry in the Lord; and therefore such as profess the true reli- gion shou'd not marry with infidels, g or idolaters ; neither should such as are godly be unequally yoked, d Romans xiii 5, 6, 7 1 Peter ii 17 e 1 Timo. thy ii i. 2 (i Genesis ii 24 Malachi ii 15 Matthew xix 5, 6 '> Genesis ii 18 e Genesis i 28 d \ Corinthians vii 2 9 e Hebfpwsxjii 4 1 Timothy iv 2 /l Cor •vii 39 g Nehemiah xiii 25—27 58 by marrying with such as are wicked in their life, or maintain damnable heresy. 4. Marriage ought not to be within the deg ree of consanguinity h or affinity, forbiden in the word ; nor can such incestuous marriage ever be made law- ful, by any law of man or consent of parties, i so as those persons may live together as man and wife. chaft er xxvu. — Of the Church. 1. The Catholic or universal church, which with respect to the internal work of the spirit and truth of grace, may be called invisible, consists of the whole a number of the elect, that have been, are. or shall be gathered, into one, under Christ, the head thereof; and is the spouse, the bqdy, the fullness of him that filleth all in all. 2. All persons, throughout the world, professing the faith of the gospel, and obedience unto God, by Christ, according unto it, not destroying tneir own profession by any errors, everting the foundation, or unholiness of conversation, b are and may be call- ed visible saints; c and of such ought all partieu- Tar congregations to be constitued. i Leviticus xviii i Mark vi 18 1 Corinthians v 1 a Hebrews xii 23 Colossians i 18 Ephesians i 10, 22, 23, and v 23, 27, 32 b \ Cor i 2 Acts x 26 c Romans i 7 Eph i 20—22 54 3. The purest churches under heaven are subject J to mixture, and error; and some have so de- generated as to become e no churches of Christ, but .Synagogues of satan ; nevertheless Christ aL ways hath had, and ever shall have a.f kingdom in this world, to the end thereof, of such as believe in him, and make profession of his name- 4- The Lord Jesus Christ is the head of trie church, in whom by the appointment of the Father* g all power for the calling, institution, order or government of the church, is invested in a supreme mid'sovereign manner, neither can the pope of Rome- :n a;:y sense be head thereof, but is h Anti-chrrst, that man of sin, and son of perdition, that exalteth himself in the church against Christ, and ail that is hailed God ; whom the Lord shall destroy with the* brightness of his coming. 6. In the execution of his power wherewith he is so intrusted, the Lord Jesus calleth, out of the world unto himself, through the ministry of his word, by his spirit, i those that are given unto him, by his Father, that they may walk before him in all the k ways of obedience, which he proscribeth to them in bis word. Those thus called, ho commanded to walk together in particular societies, or I churches. for their mutual edification and the due performan- ce of that public worship, which he requireth of them in the world. d 1 Corinthians v Revelations ii and iii c Reve- lations xviii 2 2 Thessalonians ii 11. 12 / lVLit- ihew xvi 18 Psalm 72 1 17, and cii 28 Revelations xii 17 g Colossians i 18 Matthew xxviii 18 — 20 Ephe iv 11. 12 h 2 Thessalonians ii 2—9 * John x 16, and xii 32 A- Matthew xxviii 20 /Matthew xviii 15—20 00 6. The members of these churches are ?n saints by calling, visibly manifesting and evidencing in, and by their profession and walking, their obedince unto that call of Chirist ; and do willingly consent to walk together according tc the appointment cf Christ, giving up themselves to the Lord and one to another, by the will of God, n in professed sub- jection to the ordinances of the gospel. 7. To each of these churches thus gathered accor- ding to his mind, declared in his word he hath given all that c power and authority, which is anyway needful for their carrying on that order in worship and discipline, which he hath instituted for them to observe, with commands and rules, for the due and right exerting and executing of that power. 8. A particular church gathered and completely organized according to the mind of Christ, consists of officers and members ; and the officers appointee, by Christ to be chosen and set apart by the church so called and gathered, for the peculiar admin istra- tion of ordinances, and execution of power, or duty, which he intrusts them with, or calls them to, to be continued to the end of the world, are p bishops, or elders and deacons. 9. The way appointed by Chrst for the calling of any person, fitted and gifted by the Holy Spirit, tmto the office of Bishop, or elder, in the church, is. that he be chosen thereunto by the common q suf- frage of the church itself; and solemnly set apart by fasting and prayer, with imposition cf hands of m Romans i 7 1 Corinthians i 2 n Acts ii 41, 42 and v 13, 14 2 Corinthians ix 13 o Matthew xviii 17,18 1 Corinthians v 4, 5, 13 2 Corinthians ii 6—8 v Acts xx 17, 28 Philippians i 1 q Acts lit 23 See the original m the r eldership of the church, if there be^any before constituted therein : and of a deacons that he be chos- en by the like suffrage, and set apart by prayer, and the like imposition of hands, 10. The work of pastors being constantly to attend the service of Christ, in his churches, inthe ministry of the word and prayer, t with watching for their souls, as they that must give an account to him ; it is incumbent on the churches to whom they minis- ter, not only to give them all due respect, u but also lo communicate to them of all their good things, according to their ability, so as they may have a comfortable supply, without being themselves x en- tangled in secular affairs ; and may also be capable of exercising y hospitality towards others ; and this is required by the z law of nature, and by the express order of our Lord Jesus, who hath ordained, that they that preach the gospel should live of the gos- pel. 11. Although it be incumbent on the bishops or pastors of the churches, to be instant in preaching the word, by way ofoffice, yet the work o» preaching the word is not so peculiarly confined to them, but that others also a gifted, and fitted by the Holy Spirit for it, and approved and called by the church, may and ought to perform it. 12. As all believers are bound to join themselves to particular churches, when and where they have opportunity so to do ; so all that are admitted unto the privilege of a church, are also b under the cen- r 1 Timothy iv 14 * Acts vi 3, 5, 6 i Acts vi 4 Hebrews xiii 17 " I Timothy v 17, 18 Gnlatians vi G, 7 x 2 Timothy ii 4 y 1 Timothy iii 2 * 1 CorixS, 14 aActsxi 19—21 1 Peter iv 10. U b 1 Thes. iv 14 2 Thes iii 6 5 14, 15 57 -suies and government thereof, according to the rule of Christ. 13. No church members, upon any offence taken by them, haying performed their duly required of them towards the person they are offended at, ought to disturb church order, or absent themselves from the assemblies of the church, or administration of any ordinance, upon the account of such offence at any of their fellow. members, but to wait upon Christ, c in further proceeding of ihe church, 14. As each church, and all the members of if, are bound to d pray continually, for the good ami prosperity of all the churches of Christ, in all places, and upon all occasions, and to further every one within the. bounds of their places and callings, in the exercise of their gifts and graces ; so the churches, when planted by the providence of God. as they enjoy opportunity and advantage for it, ought to hold 3 communion among themselves for their peace, increase of love and mutual edification. 15. Cases of dicffiulfy or differences, either in point of doctrine or administration : wherein either the churches in general are concerned, or any one church, in theirpeace, union, and edification; or any member or members of any church are injured, in or by any proceedings in censures not agreeable to truth and order ; it is according to the mind of Christ, that many churches holding communion to- gether, do by their messengers meet to consider f and give their advice in or about the matter in dif- ference, to be reported to all the churches concerned; howbeit these messengers assembled, are not in- c Matthew xviii 15 — 17 Ephesians iv 2. 3 d E- phesians vi 18 Psalm cx.xii 6 « Romans xvi 1.2 3 John 8 — 10 /Acts xv 2, 4, 9, 22, 23, 25 m trusted with any church-power properly so called; or with any jurisdiction over the churches themselves, to exercise any censure either over any^churches, or persons ; org to impose their determination on the churches or officers . chapter xxviii— Of the Communion of Saintsr* 1. All saints that are united to Jesus Christ, .heir head, by his Spirit, and faith, although they are not made there by one person with, him, have a feU lowship in his graces, sufferings, death, resurrection and glory ; and being united to one another in love they b have communion in eachothers gifts and gra*= ces, and are obliged to the performance of such duties, public and private, in an orderly way, c as to con* duce to their mutual good, both in the inward and outward man. 2. Saints by profession, are bound to maintain an holy fellowship and communion in the worship of God, and in performing such other spiritual ser- vices, d as tend to their mutual edification ; As also in relieving eachother in e outward things, accord- g 2. Corinthians i 24 1 John iv 1 a 1 John i 3 John i 16 Philippians iii 10 Ro- mans vi 5, 6 h Ephesians iv 15J 16 1 Corinthians xii 7 and iii 2-1 — 23 c 1 Thessalonians v 1 1, 14 Romans i 12 1 John iii 17, 18 Galatians vi 10 * Hebrews x 24. 25, and iii 12, 13 * Acts xi 2$, 30 59 ing to their several abiliiies, and necessities ; which communion, according to the rule of the gospel tho' especially to be exercised by them, in the relations wherein they stand, whether \nf Families or g churches, yet as God offereth opportunity, is to be ex- tended to all the household of faith, even all those who in every place calJ upon the name of the Lord Jesus; nevertheless their communion one with an- other as saints, doth not take away or k infringe the title or property which each man hath in his goods and possessions* chapter xxrx— 0/ Baptism and the Lord's Supper-; 1. Baptism and the Lord's Supper, are ordinances of positive and sovereign institution, appointed by t-he Lord Jesus, the only lawgiver, to be continued in his church a to the end of the world. 2. These holy appointments are to be administer- ed ay those only, who are qualified, and thereunto called according b to the commission of Christ. / Ephesians-vi 4 g\ Corinthians xii 14, 27 h Acts v 4 Eph-esians iv 23 a Matthew xxviii 19, 2.0 1 Cor xi 26 & Mat 28th 19 1 Cor iv 1 00 chapter xxx. — Of Baptism. %\. Baptism is an ordinance of the New Testa- ment, ordained by Jesus Christ, to be unto the party baptised, a sign of his fellowship with him in his death a and resurrection; if his being engrafted in- to him ; of b remission of sins : and of his c giving up himself unto God, through Jesus Christ, to life and walk in newness of life. 2. Those who do actually professed repentance to- wards God, faith in, and obedience to our Lord Jesus are the only proper subjects of this ordinnace. 3. The outward element, to be used in this ordi- nance, e is water, wherein the party is to be baptized, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and ot the Holy Spirit. 4. Immersion, or dipping of the person/ in water is necessary to the due administration of this ordi- nance. chapter xxxi. — Of the Lord's supper. 1. The Supper of the Lord Jesus, was instituted by .urn, the same night wherein he was betrayed, to be a Romans vi 2, 4, 5 Colossians ii 12 Galatians i:i 27 1> Mark i 4 Acts xxvi 16 c Romans vi 4 d Mark xvi 16 Acts viii 37, 38 e Matthew xxviii 19,20 Acts viii 38 /Mat iii 16 John iii 23 61 observed in his churches unto the end ofthe world, for the perpetual remembrance, and showing- forth the sacrifice of himself in his death, a confirmation ofthe faith of believers in all the benefits thereof, their spirit- ual nourishment and growth in him, their further en- gagement in and to all duties which they owe unto him \b and to'be a bond and pledge of their commun- ion with him and with each other. 2.. In this ordinance, Christ is not offered up to his ■> Father, nor any real sacrifice made at all for remission of sin, of the quick or dead but only a memorial of that c one offering up of himself, by himself upon the cross, once for all; and a spiritual oblation of all k. possible praise unto God for the same. So that the popish sacrifice of the mass, as they call it' is most abominable j injurious to Christ's own and only sacri- fice, the alone propitiation for all the sins ofthe elect. 3. The Lord Jesus hath in this ordinance, appoint- ed his ministers 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, e and, they communicating also themselves, to give both to the communicants. 4. The denial of the cup to the people, worshipping the elementSjthe lifting them up or carrying them about for adoration, and reserving them for any pretended religious use,/ are all contrary to the nature of this ordinance and to the institution of Christ. 5. The outward elements in this ordinance, duly set apart to the uses ordained by Christ, have such relation to him crucified, as that truly, although in terms used figuratively, they are sometimes called by a I Corinthians xi 23 — 26 5 1 Corinihtans x 16, 17, 21 c Hebrews ix 25, 26, 28 d 1 Corinthians xt< 24 Matthew xxvi 26, 27 e 1 Corinthians xi 23— 26, &c. / Matthew xxvi 26—28, and xv 9 Exodus xx 4, 5 62 the name of the things they represent, to-wit,the g body and blood of Christ, albeit in substance and uature, they still remain truly and only h bread and wine as they were before. 6. The doctrine which maintains a change of the substance of bread and wine into the substance ofChrist's body and blood commonly called tran- substantiation, by consecration of a priest, or by any other way, is repugnant not to Scripture i alone, but even to common sense and reason, overthroweth the k nature of the ordinance,and hath been, and is the cause of manifold superstition , yea,of gross idolatries. 7. Worthy receivers, outwardly partaking of the visible elements in this ordinance, do then also inward- ly, by faith really and indeed, yet not carnally and corporally but spiritually receive and feed upon Christ crucified, Z and all the benefits of his death ; the body and blood of Christ beingthen not corporally or carnal- ly but spiritually present to the faith of believers in that ordinance, as the elements themselves are to their outward senses. 8. All ignorant and ungodly persons, as they are unfit to enjoy communion m with Christ, so are they unworthy ofthe Lord's table, and cannot, without great sin against him, while they remain such, partake of these holy mysteries n or be admitted thereunto : yea whosoever shall receive unworthily, are guilty ofthe body and blood of the Lord, eating and drinking damnation to themselves. g 1 Corinthians xi 27 M Corinthians xi 26, 28 * Acts iii 21 Luke xxiv 6, 39 k I Corinthians xi 24, 25 I 1 Corinthians x 16 and xi 23—26 m 2 Corinthians vi 14, 15 n 1 Corinthian? xi 29 Mat- thew vii 6 chapter xxxn. — Of the State of Man after Death* and of the Resurrection of the Dead, 1. The bodies of men after death return to dust, a and see corruption : but their souls, which neither die nor sleep, having an immortal subsistence, immedi- ately b return to God who gave them: the souls of the righteous then being made perfect in holiness, are re- ceived into paradise, where they are with Christ, and behold the face of God, in light and c glory, waiting for the full redemption of their bodies; and the souls of the wicked are cast into hell, where they remain in torment and utter darknesss reserved to d the judgment of the great day; besides these two places for souls separated from their bodies, the scripture acknowledg- ed none. 2. At the last day, such of the saints as are found alive shall not sleep but be e changed : and all the dead shall be reaised up with the selfsame bodies and / none other: although with different ^qualities ; which shall be united again to their souls forever. 3. The bodies of the unjust shall, by the power of Christ, be raised to dishonor ; the bodies of the just, by his Spirit, unto honor, h and be made conformable to his own glorious body. a. Genesis iii 19 Acts xii 39 b Ecclesiastes xii 7 c Luke xxiii43 2 Corithians v 1, 6, 8 Philippians i 23 Hebrews xii 23 d;jude i 7 2 Peter ii 6, 9 Luke xvi 23, 24 el Corinthians xv 51, 52 1 Thessalonians iv 17 / Job xix 26, 27 #1 Corinthians xv 42, 43 h Acts xxiv 15 John v 28. 29 Philippians iii 21 6r chapter xxxin. — Of the last Judgment, 1. God hath appointed a day wherein he will judge the world in righteousness by a Jesus Christ ; to whom all power and judgment is given of the Father; in which day not only the b apostate an- gels shall be judged, but likewise all persons that have lived upon the earth, shall appear before the tribunal of Christ, c to give an account of their thoughts, words, and deeds, and to receive according to what they have done in the body, whether good or evil. 2. The end of God's appointing this day, is for the manifestation of the glory of his mercy, in the etern- al salvation of the elect; d and of his justice, in the eternal damnation of the reprobate who are wick- ed and disobedient; for then shall the righteous go into everlasting life, and receive that fullness of joy and glory, with everlasting reward, in the presence e 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/ punish with everlasting destruction, from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power. 3. As Christ would have us to be certainly per- suaded that there shall be a day ofjudgment both g to deter all men from sin, and for the greater h conso. a Acts xvii 31 John v 22,27 b 1 Corinthians vi 3 Ju'de 6 c 2 Corinthians v 10 Ecelesiastee xii 14 Matthew xii 36 Romans xvi 10, 12 Matthew xxv 32, &c d Ro- mans ix 22, 23 e Matthew xxv 21, 34 2 Timothy iv 8 f Matthew^xxv 46 Mark ix 48 2 Thessalonians i 7—10 g 2 Corinthians v 10, 11 ft 2 These, i 4, 6, 7 65 Jation o( the godly, in their adversity, so will he have that day unknown to men, that they may ahake off aii arnal security, and be always watchful because they know not at what hour the i Lord will come, and may ever be prepared to say, k come, L&rd Je- ms, come quickly. Amen, i Mark zlii 35—37 Luke xii 35. 36 £ Revelations sxii 20 ■H"E E-NT', CONTENTS, Chapter i. — Of the Holy Scriptures. - - Page & n __Of God aud of the Holy Trinity - - - - 1 3 ni — Of God's Decrees - - - - - 15 iv — Of Creation - - - - - - - 17 v — Of Divine Providence - - - - - 18 vi — Of the Fall of Man, of Sin, and of the punishment thereof 20 vn — Of God's Covenant - - - - - -21 vni — Of Christ the Mediator ... - 23 lx— Of Free-VVill . - - 26 x— Of Effectual Calling 27 xi — Of Justification ------ 29 xn — Of Adoption - - - - - - 31 xin — Of Sanctification - - - - - -31 xiv — Of Saving Faith ------ 32 xv — Of Repentance unto life and salvation - - - 34 xvi — Of Good Works ------ 35 xvn — Of the Perseverance of the Saints - - - 37 xyhi — Of the assurance of grace and salvation - 39 xix— Of the Law of God 41 xx — Of the gospel, and of the extent of the grace thereof 43 xxi — Of Christian liberty, and liberty of conscience - 45 xxii — Of Religious worship, and the Sabbath day - 46 xxiii — Of singing of Psalms in public worship - - 49 xxiv — Of lawful oaths and vows 50 xxv — Of tho Civil Mogistrate - - - - - 51 xxvi — Of Marriage ------ 52 xxvn — Of the Church ------ 53 xxviii — Of the communion of saints 58 xxix — Of baptism and the Lord's supper - - - 59 xxx— Of Baptism 60 xxxi — Of the Lord's Supper ... - 60 xxxu— Of the state of man after death, aud of tho Res- urrection of the dead ... - 63 ••xxiii— Of tho Last Judgment - - - - 64 A SUMMARY OP CHURCH DISCIPLINE ; V SHOWING THE QUALIFICATIONS AND DUTIES OF THE OFFICERS AND MEMBERS OF A GOSPEL CHURCH, BY THE BAPTIST ASSOCIATION IN CHARLESTON, S. C, For this Cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in Order the Things that are wanting. Tit. i. 5. See that thou makest all things according to the Pattern shewed to thee in the Mount. Hebrews y'm. 5. PREFACE, The following Summary of Church Discipline, being designed ehifley for the poor and unlearned, is contracted into a very nar- row compass, and exhibited in the plainest language. This, with whatever defect it has, will require the candor of the more learned and intelligent. To remove, in some measure, the ignorance of but too many church members about discipline, was the principal motive for engaging in this work. We meau not to impose our sentiments on any person what- ever, or to anathematize those who differ from us in opinion.-— The word of God and no human composition, is the standard, by which our principles and conduct must be tried. Nevertheless, we hope this small piece may be of some use, for the right understaudding of God's word, with regard to the points treated on ; aud we desire that the Scriptures referred to may be carefully consulted, to see whether these things be true. Some may say, "There is no call for this publication, see- ing there is such a valuablle treatise ou church -discipline, pub- lished some years ago, by the Philadelphia Association." We mean not to depreciate the value of that piece ; it haa merited much from the Baptist Churches ; but it is out of print, and, we apprehend, not so explicit as this ; besides, some things- therein appear to us exceptionable. However, we have borrowed many hints from it ; and are greatly indebted to the late learned ," pious and judicious Dr. Gill, for what is taken from his Ex<- position and Body of Divinity. May the Great Head of the Church, bless this feeble attempt to promote his honor, and the welfare of his churches. A SUMMARY OF ' CHURCH-HISTORY. , hapter I -Of a true and orderly Gospel-Church. § 1. God in every age hath, had, has, and will have a church or people in the "world, consisting pf a greater or less number, and subsisting under va- rious forms and diverse circumstances, Acts vii 38. Eph. iii 21. The cathclic, or universal church, considered collectively forms one complete and glorious body. Cant, vi 9, called Christ's mystical body, of which he is the head, Col. i- 16. Eph. i. 22. This is the general assembly and church of the first born, which are written in Heaven, Heb. xii. 23. Under the Old Testament dispensation, the church was pretty much confined to family or nation : but under the present administration, Christ gathers to himself a people from among all nations, Matt, xsviii 19, 20. And being thus gathered, by the power of Christ in the gospel, it becomes their duty to unite in distinct churches, Acts ii. 41, 47, that they may walk together, in all the commandments and ordinan- ces of the Lord blameless. Hence we find that un- der the gospel, churches were settled wherever there was a sufficient number of converts for that purpose, Rev. ii. and iii. chapters. A particular gospel church, consists of a compa- ny of sanits incorporated by a special covenant, in- to one distinct body, and meeting together in one place, for the enjoyment of fellowship with eachoth- erand with Christ their head, in all his institutions, lo their mutual edification, and the glory of God through the spirit, 2 Cor. viii. 5. Acts ii. 1. § 2. The temple of the Lord is not to be built with dead, but living materials, 2 Pet. ii. 5. None have a right to church membership, but such as Christ will own as his sincere followers at the last decisive day, whatever pretensions they may make to an interest in his favor, Matt. vii. 22, 23. Except a man be born again, he has no right to enter into the kingdom of God, or into a gospel church, John iii. 3; Christ is a living head, and will have none but living members, in his mystical body, John xv 6. § 3. The constitution of the churches, is plainly supposed, Acts ii. 47. Matt, xviii. 17. &c. and it is necessary, in order that the disciples of Christ may enjoy the ordinances of the Lord's supper which is a church- ordinance, watch over one an- other, warn the unruly, and lay censures on disor* derly and impenitent persons, The scriptures do not absolutely determine the number of persons necessary to constitute a church j but as our Lord has said, Where two or three arc gathered together in my i:ame, there am I in the midst of them, Matt, xviii. 20.it should seem as if that number of godly persons might, at least in some urgent cases, form a church essential, though not a church complete, or duly organized, for lack of offi- cers. Experience has sometimes proved, that such small beginnings have been succeeded with a large increase, consistent with that encouraging promise, fsa. lx. 22. a little one shall become a thousand, ?ind a small one a strong nation. A gospel-church is not national, but congregation- *4* This was evidently the case in the apostolic age ; hence Paul sent a general epistle to the sev- eral churches in Galatia, Gal. i. 1, 2. and our. Lord himself ordered epistles to be wrote to the seven distinct churches in Asia, Rev. ii. and iii. chapters. With regard to the manner of constituting a church, it must be by the consent, and desire, of the par- ties concerned ; and it will be expedient, to call in a minister or ministers, if to be had, to assist on that important occasion. The parties being met fasting, the solemnity ought t» be opened by fer- vent prayer to God, Phil. iv. 6. next a sermon sui- able to the occasion sbould be preached ; and then, for the mutual satisfaction of every individual, a strict enquiry should be made into their experience of a work of grace on their hearts, their soundness in the doctrines of faith and the goodness of their lives and conversation ; unless, as members of chur- ches, they come honorably recommended for that purpose. "Being thus satisfied wit'ii each others gra- pleionon, by the more, the greater, or major part. Which plainly points out a '^cision by a majority. Female members may, when called upon, act as witnneses in a church ; and when aggrieved, are to make known their ease, either in person, or by a brother ; and must have a proper regard paid them : ])iit they are excluded from all share of rule, or jjov- < j rnment in the chjrch. 1 Cor. xiv. 31, 33. 1 Tim. ii. II. 14- chapter ii. — Of Churcli-Ojjicers. The ordinary officers of the church, and the only ones now existing, are, ministers, and deacons, Phil. i. 1. In the first gospel-churches there were other officers, such as apostles, prophets and evan- gelists, 1 Cor. xii, 29. Eph. iv. LI. who were en- dowed with extraordinary gifts, which were then necessary for the confirmation of the gospel, but are since become extinct . ■§ 1. Ministers of the gospel, who are frequently called elders, bishops, pasters and teachers, are ap- pointed by Christ to the highest office in the church;; and threfore ne-ed peculiar qualifications ; such as are pointed out, 1 Tim. iii, 2 — 7. and Tit. i. 5 —10. As they have the charge of souls, and are leaders in the house of God, churches cannot be too careful i« choosing men to the ministerial function. They ought to be men fearing God, being born again of the spirit, sound in the faith, and of blameless lives and conversations, as becomeththe gospel of Christ, having fervent desires to glorify God, and save souls, John iii. 10. 2 Tun. i, 13 1 Tim. iii. 2 Rom. ix. 3. chap- 10. a. A church having no minister, should look among its own members, and see if there be any who seem to have promising gifis and .graces for that great work. ;if such a one is found, he is to be put on private trial for a season ; when, tm finding him promising, and that they are edified by his preach- ing, the}' - may call him to preach in public. After which, if it should appear that his rod, like Aron-s buds, blossoms and bears fruit, he is to be set apart by ordination; that he may perform every part of the sacred function, Acts xiii.2. 3. But should nc 8 such person- be found in the church, ft is the duly of a sister church, it possible, to supply them, Cant, vii, 8. And if any person who is a member of anoth- er church be approved, and he inclined to accept a call from them, he must first become a member with them that so they may choose him from among themselves, see Acts i. 21. Thus were deacons chosen, Acts vi« 3. The candidate having accepted the call of the church, they proceed to his ordination ; which is to be done in the followiug manner, viz. If there is not a sufficent presbytery in the church, neighbor- ing elders are to be called and authorized to per- form that service. The day is set apart by fas- ting and prayer, Acts. sin. 2. 3. chap, 14. 23. — ■ The elders [ministers] being satisfied with regard to the gifts, graces, soundness of principles and be- coming life and conversation of the candidite ; the church b^ing met, and giving their suffrage for his ordina'.ion, a sermon is to be preached on the oc- casion, and he declaring his willingness and inward call to take upon him the sacred office, 2 Cor ix. 16. a public confession of his faith will be required : then the ministers lay their hands on his head, and by prayer set him apart to the great work of the ministry: This done, they give him the right hand of fellowship, Gal. K. 9. and then one ot the min-is- ers publicly gives him a charge, or directory, how to behave himself in the house of God, 2 Tim. iv. 5. The solemnity is concluded by prayer, signing, and a blessing on the whole -congregation. A minister, being ordained, has authority fiom Christ to preach the gospel, and baptize believers in any part of the world, where God, in his provi- dence, may call him : But if he should be called un- to, an J accent the postorial charge of any particular 9 church, he will be more immediately confined to them, and they to him, 1 Pet. v. 1, 2, 3. persons thus commissioned, are to attend to their work with all possible engagements, as it becomes these who have the charge of souls. They must give themselves up 1o study, prayer and meditation, 1 Tim. iv. 14, 15 16. ;hat they may be workmen who need not be ashamed, 2 Tim. ii. 15. They must be instant hi season and out of season, preach- ing the pure doctrines of the gospel, 2 Tim. i. 13", chapter 4. 2. They are to feed the Lord's flock with spiritual bread, Acts xx. 28. to preach with the view of bringing souls to Christ, and not for the sake of honor or filthy lucre. They are not lo lord ft over God's heritage, but to be patient and tender- hearted, 2 Tim. ii, 25. They are to watch over the the flock, comfort the feeblp -minded, 1 Thes. v. 14. to sound^ the alarm to the wicked and obstinanate, Ezek. iii 17, IS. and to set their faces like flints a- gainst profaneness, and every vice. They should often visit the flock committed to their charge, to know the state of their sou's that they may speak a word in season to them, catechise the youth, instruct the ignorant, pray with and for them. They are especially to visit the sick and those who are ortherwise afflicted, Ezek. xxxiv. 4. They ere to administer the ordinances of the gos- pel, in a strict conformity to the woid of God. Hefo- viii. 5. to preside in the affairs of the church, and see that strict discipline is duly executed therein. Heb. xiii. 7. 17. in a word, they are to be examples to the flock, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in frority, 1 Tim. iv. 12. §2. As it is the duly of ministeis. more particu larly to give themselves to prayer, and to the minis- try of the word, God has appointed officers to be em- ployed in the infenor services of the church, «afl*€« 10 iy, deacons, whose qualifications are pointed out. Acts vi. 3. 8rA 1 Tim. iii. 8 — 13. Deacons are likewise to be chosen by the suffrage of the church, from among its own members: and, being first proved, are to be set apart to that office by prayer and laying of hands, Acts vi. 2 — 6. The office of deacon is to relieve the minister from the secular concerns of the church ; hence they are called Helps. 1 Cor. xii.£7. Their business is to serve tables : "The table of the Lord, by provid- ing the bread and wine for it; receiving both from the ministers, when blessed, and distributing them to members; and collecting from them tor the poor, and the defraying the charge; and observing what members are missing at the ordinance, whom they are to admonish; and if their admonitions are not regarded to report it to the church: and they are likewise to serve the minister's table, by taking care that he has a regular competency for his support; and it belongs to them to stir up the members of the church to their duty in communicating to him; and what they receive of them, they are to apply to his use: And also, they are to serve the poor's ta- ble; to whom they are to distribute of the church's stock, with all impartiality, simplicity, cheerfulness and sympathy," Dr. Gill on Acis vi. 2. By the faithful discharge of their office, they shall purchase to themselves a good degree, and great boldness in ihe faith, 1 Tim. iii. 13. 11 lhaptee in.-— Of Receiving Persons io Church Membership. A Chuhch thus founded on the scripture plan ought to observe good order, as in all other cases. so also in the admission of members into their com- munity. h 1- Every well regulated society requires qualifi- cations in its rnemberes ; much more should a church of Jesus Christ be careful that none be admitted in to its communion, but such as are possessed of those pre-requisites pointed out in scripture. They must be truly gracious persons. None are fit metenals of a gospel church, without having first experienced an entire change of nature. Matt, xviii.3. •Verily I say unto you, except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. :! By which is intended a gospel church-state, as trie context clearly show. To the same purpose is John iii. 5. Christ's church is z spiritual house, built up of lively stones, i.e. of liv- ing souls, 1 Peter ii. 5. By nature we are dead in trespasses and sins, and Christ doth not place such dead materials in his spiritual building . It is certain :he Ephesian church was not composed of such ma- terials. Eph, ii. 1. Tbemembers of the church a: Rome, were the called of Jesus Christ, Rom. i. 6 3 called out of darkness into the Lord's marvellous light. 1 Pet. ii. 9, called to be saints, Rom. i. 17, as were the members of the church at Corinth, 1 Cor, :. 2. and the churches in general are called churches of the saints, 1 Cor- xiv. 33. The members of the church at Colosse, are denominated not only saints, but faithful brethren in Christ, Col. i. 2. or true be- liversin him: none but such have a right to ordi- nances. Acts viii. 37. Without faith, none discern n ihe Lord's body in the supper ; consequently must eat and drink unworthily. 1 Cor. xi. 29. Indeed, without faith, it is impossible to please God. Heb. vi. 6. The church of. England, in her articles, defines a gospel church u a congregation of faithful men, in which the pure word of God is preached, and the sacraments duly administered." Of such faithful men or believers in Christ was the first church at Jerusalem composed, Acts ii. 41, and v. 14. Those whom the lord added to the church, were such as should be saved, Acts ii. 47. Let those look to it, who make the church of Christ a harlot, by opening the door of admission so wide as to suffer unbeliev- ers, unconverted and graceless persons to croud in- to it without control. They should be persons of some competent knowl- edge of divine and spiritual things: who have not only knowledge of themselves, and of their lost state by nature, and of the way of salvation by Christ; but have some degree of knowledge of God in his nature, perfections, and works; and of Christ in his person as the son of God* of liis proper deity; of his incarnation ; of his offices, as prophet, priest ardking; of justification by his righteousness; par- don by his blood ; satisfaction by his sacrifice; and of his prevalent intercession: and also of the spirit of God; his person, offices and operations; and of the important truths of the gospel, and doctrines of grace; or how otherwise should the church be the pillar and ground of truth? Their lives and conversation ought to be such as become the gospel of Christ. Phi. i. 27, that is holy, just and upright, Ps. xv. 1, 2. if their practice contradicts their profession, they are not to be ad« mitted to church-membership. Holiness becometh the Lord's house forever, Psalm xciii. 5. They ought to be truly baptised in water, i. e. by immersion, upon a profession of their faith ; agreea- 13 ble to the ancient practice of John the Baptist and the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ, Mat. iii. 6 John iii. 23. Rom. 6- 4. Acts 8. 36—38. It is allow- ed by all, that baptism is essential to church com- munion, and ought to precede it; there is not one instance in the word of God of any being admitted without it ; the three thousand penitents, after they had gladly received the word, were baptized ; and then and not before, were added to the church; so the first church at Samaria consisted of men and women bap- tized by Philip, they believing what he said concern- ing the kingdom of God ; And Lydia, and her house- hold, and the jailer and his, being baptized upon their faith, laid the foundation of the church at Pbilippi : And the church at Corinth was begun with persons who hearing the word believed and were baptized; and the church at Ephesus was first formed by some disciples baptiz-d in the name of the Lord Jesus, Acts ii. 41. and viii, 12, and xvi. 15,33. and xviii. 8. and xix. 5. So the members of the churches at Rome, Galatia and Colosse were baptized persons, Rom. vi. 3, 4. Gal. iii. 27. Col ii. 12. § 2 Persons, making application, are to be admitted into to the communion of a church, by the common suffrage of its members; being first satisfied that they have the qualifications laid down in the preceeding section ; for which purpose, candidates must come un- der examination before the church; and if it should happen that they do not give satisfaction, they should be set aside, until a more satisfactory profession is made, 1 Tim. vi. 12. It may be that one or two of the membe.-s ot the church, have conceived a prejudice against a person applying for fellowship; in this case they are to be duly heard, and if their objections are of sufficient weight, the candidate must be set aside; if not. the majority of voices ought, in all reason, to decide it. — When the church concludes, that the person applying for membership, may be admitted, the minister is to 14 acquaint him with the rules and orders- of God's house ; and upon his promising-, covenanting, and a- greeing strictly to obeserve them as assisted by the spirit of God, the minister, in behalf of the church, is- :o give him the right hand of fellowship ; and to re- ceive him as a member, into union and full comma- nion with that particular church; whereby he be- comes entitled to all the rights and privileges thereof Go!, ii. 16. Rom. xv. 7. 2 Cor. viii. 5. If a member should desire a transient or occasional communion in any church to which he doth not be- long, if it be well known that he is an orderly person he may be admitted to the Lord's table; but should have nothing to do with the government of the church, unless his advice and assistance be asked. But a per- son unknown, should by no means be admitted without a satisfactory letter of recommendation from the church to which he belongs. When a member removes his residence, nearer to another church of the same faith and order, he is bound in duty to procure a letter of dismission from • the church he belongs to, Acts, xviii 26. And the church to which he is removed, is bound in duly to receive him into union aud full commuuion; unless it should appear, that he is either immoral in his life, or unsound in his principles. But let it be remembered, that he continues a member of his own church, from whence he came, until he is received into the church to which he is dismissed. Acts ix. 26 — 28. That^it is the duty of a believer to give himself a member of an orderly church nearest to his place of residence> or which he can most conveniently attend to, appears plain from the following considerations; (1) by the neglect of this duty he will deprive himself of the edifi- cation, comfort, loving instruction, watchful care, and taithful admonitions of his fellow-members: (2) it would give room to suspect he was impatient of that restraint, which every humble member deems his mercy; (3) it would seem as if he aimed at 15 screening himself from necessary contributions, or church discipline ; (4) such a neglect cast a mani- fest contempt on the church and ministry, near which li-e resides ; (5) was this conduct to be allowed, and become general, it would cause great confusion a^ mong the churches ; and as such a practice can suit none but careless and disorderly persons, the church they belong to ought to admonish and if they still persist, censure them. The same reasons hold good, against those who require a dismission from the church they belong to, unto one more remote. If one member may be so dismissed, another may, even offices of the church as well as others. To dismiss a member to the world at large, would be yet more preposterous ; int ought never to be done, any other way than by ex- communication. The usual plea for such an unrea- sonable request is either that they cannot prof;: der such a minstery, or that the concerns of the church are not properly managed; but the truth pricle is generally at the bottom of such desires > ■ an humble christian will esteem others better than himself, bear with the infirmities of the weak, and pray and hope to mid a blessing where providence casts his lot. It sometimes happens, that an orderly member is called by providence to remove, but (like Ahral Heb. xi. 8.) he knows not whither ; in such case, the church to which he belongs, ought to furnish him with a letter of commendation, permitting him to join any church of the same faith and order, where providence may cast his lot, Col. iv. 10. On his be- ing admitted into any such church, he is dismissed from the church of which he was a member, and notice thereof should be given them as soon as pos- sible, 6 16 Members who have been suspended or excommu- nicated b) T the church, giving satisfactory evidence of their repentance, are to be cautioned against the evils they were guilty of; and on their promising, with the Lord's assistance, to lead orderly lives for the future, are to be again received into full com- munion with the church, and have the right band of fellowship given them, Gal. vi. 1. 2 Cor. ii. 7, 8, but they are not, on any account, to be re-baptized, Eph. iv. 5. chapter iv. — Of the duties incumbent on Church- members. A church constituted after the heavenly pattern, is as a city set on a hill ; from which the glories of rich and free grace abundantly shine, Ps. 1. 3, the True members of it have the light of the gospel shin- jng in their hearts, by the Holy Ghost ; and are en- titled to all the blessings of the new covenant, Eph. i. 3, and being thus blessed, their faith is a lively, active faith, not only purifying their hearts, but working by love, Gal. v. 6, whereby they become the light of the world, Mat. v. 14 — 16, which they make apparent, by a faithful discharge of the duties enjoned them by the Lord Jesus Christ, the great head of the church, Jam. ii. 18. §1. As ministers are the representatives of Christ, and employed by him in a work that is both useful and honorable, there are certain duties, incumbent on all members of churches towards them. As (1) they owe them distinguishing honor and reverence; and are to hold them in reputation as the embassa- dors of Christ, Phil. ii. 29. 2 Cor. v. 20, and to es- teem them highly for their work's sake, 1 The. v. 17 13* (2) they are to contribute, according to their respective abilities, towards their ministers support, Gal. vi. 6. that being freed as much as possible, from the cares of life, they may wholy devote them- selves to the duties of their holy function ; and have it in their power to use hospitality, 1 Tim. ill. 2, and stretch out the benevolent hand of charity to the poor in distress, Gal. xx. 10. which maintenance ought not to be considered as a gratuity, but as a debi due to their minister. The law of nature re- quires it, 1 Tim. v. 18. In the Lord's grants to Israel, there was always a reserve made for the priest; under the gospel, provisions is made for the support of ministers, 1 Cor. ix« 7 — 14. (3) They are to obey and submit themselves to their minis- ters. Eph. vi. 18 — 20. (4) They ought to stand by ar,d assist them in all their troubles and afflictions, 2 Tim. vi. 16. Job vi. 14. (5)To receive no accu- sation against them without full proof, Tim. v. 19. (6) Nor to expose their infirmities, Acts xxiii. 5, 3. John 10 (7) To follow their example as far as they follow Christ 2 Thes. iii. 7. 1 Cor. xi. 1. § 2 Deacons being in an honorable office in the church, the members are, (1) to respect and esteem them, as being employed by the Lord to serve in the houshold of faith ; and as men whom (if faithful) God will greatly honor and bless, 1 Tim. iii. 13. Matt. xxv. 21. (2) To submit to their godly and friendly admonition, 1 Cor. xvi. 16. (3) To encouu age them in their office, by cheerful and liberal contributions for the service of God's house, his ministers and poor, 2 Cor. ix. 6, 7. § 3. The members of a church are bound in duty (1) to love all men, but especially, to love and do good to them who are of the household of faith, Gal. vi. 10. all must be done from a principle of love, 18 1 John vl. 7—11. John xiii. 34, 35. (2) To follow .titer things which make lor peace, Rom. xiv. 19. in order to which, they are to put the most favorable? construction on words and actions that are doubtful; 1 Cor. xiii. 7, and to speak no evil, one of another, James iv. 11. and to endeavor, by a disinterested and godly behaviour, to sow the fruit of righteous- ness in peace, Jam. iii. 18. carefully avoiding whis- perings and backbitings, 2 Cor. xii. 20. not to be busy medlers with the concerns of others, 2 Thess. iii. J I. not to take up an evil roport against another. Acts xxv. 16. nor do any thing through strife and vain glory, Phi. ii. b. [3] To endeavor after each other's edification and growth in grace, 1 Hies. v. 11. 2 Pet. iii. 18. [4] To pray for each other, Jam. v. 16. [5] To visit each other, especially when -ick or otherwise afflicted, Acts xv« 36. Jam. i. 27. And those visits ought to be improved for edification ; therefore they should spend the time in praying to- gether, Psa. xxxiv. 3. in godly conversation, Matt. iii. 16. exhorting and encouraging each other, Heb* iii. 13.Psa.lv* 14. warning and admonishing one another, 1 Thess. v. 14. Rom. xv, 14. ingenuously confessing their faults to one another, so far as chris- tian prudence will permit, Jam. v. 1G. and admin- istering all possible relief to the needy and distressed, Jam. ii. 15, 16. [6] To avoid, as much as possible, ^oing to law with each other, I Cor. vi. 1. — .7 [1\ To prefer marrying among themselves as far as it may be done with prudence, Amos iii. 3. 2 Cor. vi. 14. [8] And to labour to find out the cause of shyness in a bi other, as soon as it is discovered, Matt. v. 23, 24. § 4. The duties of members to the church are, [Tj, to pray for its peace and prosperity, and use their ytmost endeavours to promote its welfare, Psa. exxii. 19 G — 9. [2] Tliey ought carefully to attend all church meetings, whether for public worship or business. Heb, x. 25. Psa. 64, 4, 10. [3] It is their duty to submit to the order and discipline of the church, so far a? it is consisent with the word of God, Deu. v. 1, Heb. xiii. IT. [4] They are to employ their talents, and freely bestow of their substance for the service of the church, Rom. xii. 6 — S. Prov. iii. 9. 10. [5] They must carefully avoid jarrings, conten- tions and quarrels in the church, 1 Cor. x. 32. Rom. ii. 8 [6] They must not divulge any of the church's secrets, Gal. iv. 12. chapter v. — Of Church-Censures* Rewards and penalties give sanction to law; there- fore our Lord Jesus Christ, who is the only supreme head of the church, in giving laws and institutions for the government thereof, hath annexed rewards ofgracetothe faithful and obedient observers of them, and punishments to be inflicted on the rebel- lious, Heb. xi. 6, Rom. ii. 6 — 9, Rev. xxii. 12. There are some punishments which our righteous law-giver inflicts more immediately with his own. hand ; either by his providence in this world, or by the execution of divine wrath in the world to come. 'ITiere are other punishments which Christ, by hi? word, authorized his church to inflict on its rebel- lious and unworthy members : These are commonly calied church censures which differ in their nature according to the nature and degree of the offence ; and may be denominated rebuke, suspension and excommunication. § 1/ Rebuke or admonition (the lowest degree of church-censure) is a reproving an offender, point- ing out the offence, charging it upon the conscience 20 advising and exhorting him to repentance, watchful- ness and new obedience ; and praying for him that he maybe reclaimed, Tit. i 13. This and all other church censures, must be administered in love and tenderness, Rev. iii. 18 with christian prudence, 1 Tim. i. 2 a sincere aim to save the soul from death, Jam. v. 19.20, 2 Cor. xiii. 10, Gal. vi. ], without partiality, 1 Tim.v.21,and for a caution to others, v. 20. A member becomes worthy of rebuke, (1) when he wounds the conscience of a weak brother, by the/ use of things in themselves indifferent, 1 Cor. viii. 11. 12. (2) When he exposes the infirmatives of a brother to others, 1 Pet. iv. 8 (3) When he dis- quieteth the peace of the brethren about matters of indifference. Rom. xiv. 19 — 22. (4) When he in- du!ges anger against a brother, without a just cause, .Mat. v. 22 [5] when he is contentious about im« scriptural forms and fashions, as if they were neces- sary to be used in the church, or among the mem- bers. 1 Cor. ix. 16. [6] When he neglects private- ly to admonish or reprove a brother whom he knows to be guilty of sin, Lev. xix. 17. [7] When he neg- lects to attend church-meetings for business, Acts vi. 2. [S] When he attends other places of wor- ship to the negiect of his own, Heb. x. 25. § 2. Suspension, considered as a church-censure, is that act of a church whereby an offending mem- ber, being found guilty, is set aside from office, from the Lord's table, and from the liberty of judging or voting in any case. By this act the staff-beauty h broken, but not the staff-bands, Zach. xi. 10, 14, therefore as this censure doth not cut off from union, but only from communion with the church, the sus- pended member is not to be accounted an enenn r . but admonished as a br.ither. 2 Thes. iii. 15, and upon a credible prjfession of repentance, the censure 21 is to be taken off, and the delinquent restored to all the privileges of the church. This censure is to be administered in case of crimes which do not amount so high as to deserve excommunication, as (1) when a member breaks the peace of the church byjanglings and disputings, 1 Tim. i. 6, vi. 5. (2) When he withdraws from the church on account of its wholesome discipline, notwithstanding loving admonitions have been given him, John vi. 6 6, Jude 19. (3) When he leaves his place at the Lord's table, for the sake of another member, with whom he is offended, and neglects to do his duty by him as directed, Mat. xviii. 15. (4) When he broaches unsound heretical principles, Tit, iii 10. (5) When he is abusytatler and backbiter, Psa. i. 19—21. (6) When he, through sloth, neg- lects the necessary duties of life, 1 Tim. v. 8. (7) When he has committed a gross crime, but gives some tokens of repentance, he is to be suspended, that the church may have time to judge of his sin- cerity, 1 John iv. 1. (8) When a party of members, like Korah and his company, break through their covenant obligations, and attempt to set up for them- selves, in an irregular manner, in opposition to all the. loving persuasions of the majority: such are truce breakers, and despisers of those that are good, 2 Tim. iii. 3. [n a word, all practices that in their own na- ture and tendency, are destructive of the reputation, peace and prosperity of the church, and yet appear not to be passed remedy, merit this censure. §3. As excommunication is, on all hands, ac- knowledged to be an ordinance of Christ, the great head of the church ; and a censure in its own na- ture, very important, awful and tremendous, it is highly needful that churches should well understand the nature of it. -90 Excommunication is a censure of the highest -de- gree ; it is a judicial act of the church, in which, by the authority of Christ, she cuts off and entirely ex- cludes an unworthy msmber, from union and com- munion with the church ; and from all the rights and privileges thereof, "ft is a disfranchising from all the immunities of a fellow-citizen with the saints, and taking from him a place and a name in the house of God." This censure, awful as it is, respects only the spiritual concerns of man, as related to the church ; and does by no means affect his temporal estate, or civil affairs; it does not subject him to fines, im- prisonment or death ; it does not interfere with the business of the civil magistrate ; nor does it break in upon the natural and civil relations between man and wife, parents and children, masters and servants; nor foibid attendance on the external ministry of the word To deliver an offender unto Satan, for the destruc- tion of the flesh, 1 Cor. v. 5, was an act purely a- postolical ; for it was not the act of the church ; "nor is this a form of excommunication ; nor was this phrase ever used in excommunicating persons by the primitive churches ; nor ought it ever to be used; it is what no man, or set of men, have power to do Bow, since the ceasing of the extraordinary gifts of the spirit, which the apostles were endowed with : who, as they had power over Satan to dispossess him from the bodies of men, so to deliver up the bodies of men into his hands." (Dr. Gill on the text.) — Hence the apostle writing to Timothy, on a similar case, expresseth it as done by himself, and not by the church, 1 Tim. i. 'JO. The act of excommunination is expressed by va- rious phrases ; as by avoding familiar conversation with such, Horn, xvi. 17, by not keeping company 23 with them, 1 Cor. v. 9, Eph. v. 11, by not eating with them at the Lord's table, 1 Cor. v. 11, by purg- ing out from the church the old leaven, 1 Cor. v. 7, by putting away the wicked from among them 1 Cor. v. 13, by withdrawing from disordiy persons, and by cutting them off from fellowship with the saints, 2 Thess. iii. 5, Gal. v. 12. The subjects of this ordinance are, members who are guilty of notorious and atrocious crimes ; which are so, either in their own nature, or by means of sundry aggravations. There are some crimes so high and pernicious in their own nature, as to call for a speedy excommunication, unless the most evident marks of repentance appear in the offender, as [1] All sins that are against the letter of the ten com- mandments, Rom. vii. 12, Mat. v. IT. [2] All that call for severe corporal punishment from human laws ; provided those laws are not contrary to the laws of God. Prov. viii. 15, Rom. xiii. 1-4.1 Pet. ii.i3,14.[3] All such sins are highly scandalous in their nature, and expose the church lo contempt, 1 Tim. v. 24, I Cor. v. 2. We find black catalogues of sins which call for this censure, in 1 Cor. v. 11. and vi. 9, 10. And indeed for crimes of an interior nature, when aggravated by a comumacious despising the authori- ty of te church (after the more gentle censures have been used) excommunication ought to take place. But an offender, even of the highest rank, who gives clear, evident and satisfactory proofs of a ture, sincere, evangelical repentance, is by no means to be excommunicate. Doth not reason itself suggest, that we ought to forgive those who repent, and those who God hath forgiven 1 Christ, our great pattern, did so, as appears in the case of the woman taken in adultery, John viii. 11. Peter also is an instance ot Christ's readiness to furgive penitents : Peter was a 24 member of that congregation, in the midst of which Christ sung praises to his faith, Ps. xxii, 22. Peter fall foully, he denied his master with oaths and curs. es, a horrid crime ! Does Christ immediately cut him off? No ; but admonished him by a look ; the offender repented ; the penitent was forgiven. Let churches follow the example which Christ has set them. The act of excommunication may not be perform- ed by a member on himself; such a one, says Dr. Gill, is a felo de se ; he is,- in effect, a self-murderer, As consent is necessary to a person's coming into the church, so none can go out of it without its con- sent. To atlemp it, is to break covenant with the church : as much as in a man lies, to break ug the church. By the same rule that one member may thus leave the church, another may, the paster may, all may; the tendency of which conduct, all may see is confussion and destruction. Those, therefore, wlx? are guilty of it, ought to be lo< ked upon as truce- breakers, proud, arrogant, dangerous persons, and to be dealt with as such : and they should be avoid* ed by all other churches. Xo man has a right of himself to perform this censure : it is a punishment inflicted by many, 2Cor« ii. 6. But this great censure is to be executed "hf the elders [ministers] of churches, with the consent of tne members of them ; f >r they have a right to do this, previous to their having elders, and when they have none, as to receive members, so to expel them* The power of it originally lies in the church ; the authority of executing it lies in the elders, with the consent and by the order of the church ; as the directions to the churches concerning this matter, testify." To proceed regulary in this solemn business the church must cite an accused- member to appear, eU 25 ther at a statpd church meeting of business, or at an occasional meeting for that purpose ; in order that he ma} 7 have a fair trial, and an opportunity of mak- ing his defpnce if he has any to make. The meet- ing is opened by prayer for direction ; then the case is impartially examined into, and tried by the word of God ; if the accused member is found guilty of a crime deserving excommunication, he is not to be immediately cut off (unless it be some extraordina- ry case) but admonished, and sometime given him for repentance and for the church to mourn over him and pray for him. If the offender continues obsti- na?e, and appears to be incorrigible, the church is under a necessity of proceeding to the execution of the great censure against him. If the offence be private, the censure may, and in some cases ought to be laid on before the church on- ly ] but if the crime is public, and very notorious, the honor of Christ calls for the censure to be public, 1 Tim. v. 20. Jude 22. In this case, the church ap- points the day, andsummons the guilty member to at- tend ; the minister suits his sermon to the occasion ; after which he prays to God for a blessing on the or- dinance to be administered, and thpn proceeds to sum up the sentence of the church ; lays open the odious nature of the crime ; the dreadful load of guilt, which the sin, with its aggravations, have brought on the offender; he takes notice of the scandal it hasbrought On religion, hcv dishonoring to God, and grievous to the church; he observes, that the excommunica- ting act is not intended for the destruction of the soul, but is used as the last remedy for the recovery oft he offender, and as a caution to others. Then, by the authority ofthe Lord Jesus Christ, in the name and behnlfnf that church, he cuts off and seclude? the offender by name, from union and communion with the church: he having broke his covenant with them, they exclude him from the privileges of a mem- 26 "ber, as unworthey:; yet praying the Lord Jesus Christ who is the good shepherd, to restore him, by giving him unfeigned repentance, that he may again be re- ceived into the sheep-fold. If the accused member should obstinately refuse to appear before the church, when cited as above, it is to be deemed a sign of guilt, a contempt of the authority of the church, and an aggravation of his crime ; and process of the church against him, should not be -ob- structed on account of his absence. If it should happen, that the minister of the church is the offender ; or that the church is without a minis- •.er ; in either of these cases, they ought to call one from a sister-church, to assist them on such an occa- sion ; for, as has been observed, the auth orily of exe- cuting this censure (as well as all other ordinances in general) lies in the elders. The ends to be ansAvered by this solemn ordinance, and which should always be aimed at in the adminis- tration of it, are [1] the glory of God, which is the ul- timate end of it; for, as his name is dishonored by the evil practices, or principles of church-members, so this is the most open and most effectual way of removing the dishonor that is brought upon it. [2] Another end is, to purg;e the church, and preserve it from in- fection ; a little leaven leavens the whole lump, and therefoie the old leaven must be purged out, that the church may become a new lump; evil communica- tions corrupts good manners, and therefore evil men, must be put away from amoncr the saints, 1 Cor. v. 7 13, Lepers were to be put out of the camp, that they migh t not infect others; and erroneous persons, whose words do eat as a canker, must be removed from the communion of churches. [3] A church of Christ is like a garden, or vineyard, which, if not taken care of. as it is not, when this ordinance of excommunica- tion is neglected, will be like the vineyard of the slothful, over-run with thorns and nettles, and other weeds; but by the means of this, it is cleared of the 27 weeds of immorality, the roots of false doctrines eradicated, and v khered branches gatheifd and casi cut. [4j The good of perons excommunicated, is an- other end. which is sometimes effected by it. God bles- s ; n^ his own institution when rightly performed, which is of edification, and not destruction; and for the sa- ving of the souls of men, who are hereby brought to shame and repentance for their sins: in which case they are to be received again with all love and tender- ness and to be comforted that they may not be shal- lowed up with over much sorrow. Jude 23. 2 Thess. iii. 15. 2 Cor. ii. 7. cvapter vi — Of the Association of Churches. As the communion of saints, so the communi' n churches, is a desirable blessing. To obtain and pro- mote which, ought lobe, the study and endeavour ol :.. the people of God. Although churches formed on the gospel-plan are independent of each other r with regard to power : ye: not so, strictly speaking, with regard to communion. For as saints in general, hare an indisputable right to share in each other's gifts and graces; so have churches, in this joint capacity. It is a general -To do good, and to communicate forget not," Heb. xiii. 16. which is applicable, in a particular manner, to churches, as such. In order the more amply to obtain this blessing " communion; there ought Jo be a coaiesceing or uniting of several churches into one bod}*, so far as their local situation and other circumstances will admit. But as \\ is impracticable for all the individual members thus to associate and coalesce together, the churches should, each respectively, choose and delegate some of the most able, pious and judicous from among themselves, and particularly their ministers to convene at such times 28 and places as maybe thought most conducive to the great end proposed ; to act as their representatives in the general assembly. Their expenses ought to be defrayed by the churches who send them. It appears advisable that these delegates, at their first meeting, should in a formal manner, enter into cove- nant with each other, as the representatives of the churche*, for the promoting Christ's cause in general, and the interest of the churches they represent in par- ticular. They should then form their plan of opera- tions ; and fix on the most proper time and place for meeting in future. Once a year at least, they ought to meet, at a place the most centrical and convenient for all the churches in confederation to attend. Although such a conjunction of churches is not expressly commanded in scripture; yet it receives sufficient countenence and authority from the light of nature, and the general laws of society. But more especially from a precedent established by apostolical authority: recorded Actsxv. chap* The association thus formed, is a respectable body as it represents, not a city, country or nation, but the churches of Jesus Christ. Yet it is by no means to be deemed a superior judicature vested with coercive power, or authority over the churches; it presumes not to impose its sentiments on its constituents, under pain of excommunication; nor doth it anathematize those who do not implicitly submit to this determina- tion : which would be nothing Jess than spiritual tyranny , and better comport with the arbitrary spirit of popish councils, than with that meekness, which distinguishes the true disciples and humble followers of the lowly, yet adorable Jesus. The apostles,elders and brethren, who composed the first christian council, pre- sumed not to impose their conclusions on the churches in such a lordly manner ; but prefaced their determina- tions with this modest prologue, it seemed good to the Holy Ghost, and to us to lay upon you no greater bur- den than these necessary things, Acts xv. 28. The 29 Baptist Association, therefore arrogate no higher title than that of an Advisory Council, consistent wiih which epithet it ought ever to act, when it acts at all ; with- out intruding on the rights of independent congrega- tional churches; o: usurping authority over them, Mat xxiii. 10—12. Nevertheless, the association hath a natural and un- alienable right to judge for itself, what churches shall be admitted into confederacy with it: and to withdraw from acts of communion and fellowship with any church, so admitted, provided such ehurch should obstinately persist in holding corrupt principles, or in indulging vicious practices, notwithstanding all proper endeavors have been used to reclaim it. Eph. v. 7, Rev. xviii. 4. It is generally agreed ; an association when trans- acting business, should proceed in the following man- ner. [1] Always begin and end each session by prayer. [2] Admit none as messengers but such as come rec- ommended by letters, well authenticated, from the chur- ches to which they belong or from whence they come. [2] When a church petitions by letter, for admission, if approved of, the moderator is to inform the messen- gers that their request is granted, and desire them to take their seats. [4] All who have anything to offer, are to rise and address the moderator. [5] VVhileone is speaking, the rest are to be silent; yet all have an equal right to speak in turn. [6] No partiality, or res- pect of persons is to be shown. [7] Every matter should be canvassed with gravity, modesty, and a sin- cere aim to truth. [8] When all are not agreed, th'e matter may be put to the vote, and a majority deter- mine. [9] All queries regularly sent by the churches, should be answered, if possible. [10] Any matter proposed, relative to the general good of the churches, should be seriously attended to. [11] Every transac- tion should be conformable to the revealed will of God. [12] A circular letter should be written, and sent to all the churches in confederation containing such instruc- 80 tion, information and advice, as may be thought most' suitable; and with which should be sent the transac- tions of the association. The benefits arising from an association and com- munion of churches, are many; in general, it will tend to maintain the truth, order and discipline of the gospel. By it [1] the churches may have such doubts as ari&e amongst them cleared, which will prevent disputes, Acts xv. 28, 29. [2] They will be furnished with salutary counsel, Prov. xi. 14. [3] Those church- es which have no ministers, may obtain occasional supplies, Can. viii. 8. [4] The churches will be more closely united in promoting the cause and interest of Christ. [5] A member who is aggrieved through partiality, or any o':her wrongs received from the church, may have an opportunity of applying for di- rection. [6j A godly and sound ministry will be en- couraged, while a ministry that is unsound and ungod- ly, will be discountenanced. [7] There will be a re- ciprocal communication of their gifts, Phi. iv. 15. (8) Ministers may alternately be sent out to preach the gospel to these who are destitute, Gal. ii 9. (9) A farge party may draw of? from the church, by means of an intruding minister or othervvays.and the aggriev- ed may have no way of obtaining redress but from the Lissocintion. (10) A church may become heretical, with which its godly members can no longer commu- nicate; yet can obtain no relief but by the association. (11) Contentions may arise betwixt sister churches, which the association is most likely to remove. (12). The churches may have candidates for the ministry properly tried by the association. These and other advantages arising from an asso- ciation, must induce every godly church to desire an union with such a body: But should any stand off, it would argue much self-sufficiency, Rev. iii. 17, and little or no desire after the unity of the spirit, Eph. iv ; 3, or m-utual edification, 1 Cor. xii. 11 — 14. THE END. THE BAPTIST CATECHISM OR. A BRIEF INSTRUCTION m THE PRINCIPLES OF THE CHRISTIAN RELIGION lGREJBABLY to the CONFESSION OF FAITH. ^u*. forth by upwards of an Hundred Congregations in Gres Britaiu. July 3.. 16S9 ; adopted by the General Asso- ciation of Philadelphia, September 22,174*2.aud now received by Churches of the same Denomination? in most of the United States. 10 WHICH ARE ADDED THE PROOFS FROM SCRIPTURE. m ran mkamr Having a desire to show our near agreement with many oth- er christiaus, of whom we have great esteem we some years fcluce put forth a^Coufession of our Faith, a' most in all poin f s the *ame with that of the A~~embly and Savoy, which was sub- scrilrd by the elders and me °engers of many churches, baptized on profession of their faith ; and do now put forth a short ac- count of christian principles, for the instruction of our familes, in most things agreeing with the Shorter Catechism of the Assem- bly. Aud this we were the rather induced to, because we have commouly made use of that catechism in our familes, and the difference being not much it will be more easily committed to memory. THE Q. 1. Who is the first, and chiefest being ? A. God is the first a and chiefest being, b Q. 2. Ought every one to believe there is a God? A. Everyone ought to believe there is a God,c and it is their great sin and folly who do not.cZ Q. 3. How may me know there is a God ? A . The light of nature in man, and the works of God, plainly declare there is a God.e but his word a nd spirit only do it fully and effectually for the sal- vation of sinners, f Q. 4, What is the word of God ? A. The holy scriptures of the Old and Xew-Tes. tament are the word of God. g and the only certain rule of faith and obedience.^ Q. 5. May all men make use of the holy scripture ? A. Ail men are not only permitted, i but com- manded and exhorted to read, A- hear and understand the holy scriptures./ Q, 6. What things are chiefly contained in the holy scriptures ? A. The holy scriptures chiefly contain what man ought to believe concerning God, ?n and what duty God requireth of man.7i a Isaiah xliv 6 b Psalms xcvii 9 c Hebrews xi G d Psalm xiv 1 e Romans i 19, 20 Psalm xix 1, 2 / I Corinthians ii 10 2 Timothy iii 15 g John x 34, 35 2 Timothy iii 16 h Ephesians ii 20 Isaiah viii 20 i Luke xvi 29 * Job v 39 l Acts viii 30 Mat xv 10 m2Timil3 Act xxi? 14 * Micah vi 8 Ecclesiastes xii 13 Q. 7. What is God ? A. God is a spirit, o infinite ,p eternal,*? and unchangeable,?' in his being,s wisdom, £ power, u holiness, zr justice,,? goodness and truth.?/ Q 8. Are there more Gods than one ? A. There is but one only, the living and true God.z Q 9. How many persons are there in the, GqJ head? A. There are three persons in the Godhead, the Father, the Son, and Holy Spirit, and these three are one God ; the same in essence, equal in, power and glory.ri Q 10. What are the decrees of God ! A. The decres of God are his eternal purpose, according to the counsel of his will, whereby, for, his own glory, he hath fore-ordained whatsoever comes to pass.fr Q 11. How doth God execute his decrees ? A. God executeth his decrees in the works of ere. ation and providence. c Q. 12. What is the work of creation ? A. The work of creation is God's making all things of nothing, by the word of his power, in lhe ; .space of six days, and all very good.rZ Q 13. How did God create man? A. God created man, male, and female* after his own image, in knowledge, righteousuess, and holiness, with dominion over the creatures. e o John iv 24 p Job xi 7 q Psalm xc 2 r James i 17 s Exodus iii 14 t 1 Tim i 17 u Psalm clxvi* % w Rev. iv 8 x Psalm Ixxxix 14 y Exo xxxiv 6, 7 zDeutvi 4 Jeremiah x 10 «1 John v 6 Mat- thew xxviii 19 &Ephi4, 11 Rom ix22 23 c Rev iv 11 Dan iv 35 d Gen i 1 Heb xi 3 Gen i 31 * Cxen. i 27, 23. Colossians iii. 10- Ephesians iv. 24. Q, 14. What are God's works of providence .' A. God"s works of providence are, his most holyf wise," and powerful preserving h and governing ail his creatures and all their actions, i Q. 15. "What special act of providence did God ex- ercise towards man, in the state wherein he was created ? A. When God had created man. he entered into a covenant of life with him upon condition of perfect obedience, forbidding him to eat ofthe tree of know- ledge, of good and evil, upon pain of death. & Q, 16. Did our first parents continue in that es- tate wherein they were created ? A, Our first parents being left to the freedom of their own will, fell from the estate wherein they were created, by sinning against God.Z Q 17 What is sin I A. Sin is any want of conformity unto, or trans- gression of, the law of God. m Q IS. What was the sin whereby our first pa- rents fell from the state wherein they were created ? A- The sin whereby our first parents fell from the estate wherein they were created, was their eating the forbidden fruit.?* Q 19. Did all mankind fall in Adam's first trans- gression 1 A. The covenant being made with Adam, not only for himself, but for his posterity, all mankind descending from him by ordinary generation, sinned in him, and fell with him, in his first transgression. o Q 20. Into what estate did the fall bring mankind? /Psalm c!xv 17 glsaiah xxviii 29 h Hebrew? i 3 i Psalm ciii 19 Matthew x 19 £ Galatians iii 12 Genesis ii 17 I Ecclesiastes vii 29 Rom iii 23 •'•'•' 1 John iii 4 n Gen iii 6, 12. 13 o Gen ii 16, 17 1 Cor xv 21, 22 Romans v 12' 6 A. The fall brought mankind into an estate of sin and misery./) Q 21. Wherein consists the sinfulness of that es- tate whereinto man fell ? A, The sinfulness of that estate whereinto man fell consists in the guiit of Adam's first sin, q the want of original righteousness, r and the corruption of his whole nature, which is commonly called orig- snal sin,s togother with all actual transgressions which proceeded from it./ Q 22 What is the misery of that estate whereinto man fell ? A All mankind, by their fall, lost communion with God,u are under his wrath to and curse, x and so made liable to all the miseries in this life.?/ to death itself? and to the pains of hell forever, a Q 23. Did God leave all mankind to perish in the estate of sin and misery ? A. God having, out of his mere good pleasure, from all eternity, elected some to everlasting life, 5 did enter into a covenant of grace, to deliver them out of the estate of sin and misery, and to bring them into an estate of salvation by a redeemer.c Q 24. Who is the redeemer of God's elect ? A. Tbeonly redeemer of God's elect is the Lord Jesus Chri.-t.r/ who being the eternal Son ofGod,e :>ecame manf and so was and continueth to be God and man, in two distinct natures.^ and one person forever./j P Ps ii 5 Rom v IT, 18 q Rom v 19 r Rom iii 10 *Jobxiv4 t [sa Ixvi 6 James i 14 Mat xv 19 u Gen iii 8, 24 to Eph ii 3 x Gil iii 10 yJobxiv 1 z Rom vi 23 a Mat xxv 40 Ps ix 17 ft 2 Thes ii 13 c Isa IxixS Romv21 ^G.IiiilS I Tim ii 5 f2 John 3 /John i 14 g\ Tim iii 16 Rom ix 5 ft Colossians ii 9 Hebrews v ii 24 Q, 25. How did Christ, being the Son of God be- e ome man ? A. Christ the Son of God, became man, by taking to himself a true body,i and a reasonable soul, k being conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit, in the womb of the Virgin Mary, and born of her,Z yet without sin. m Q,. 26 What office doth Christ execute as our Re- deemer ? A. Christ as our Redeemer eiecuteth the offices of a prophet,?t of priest, o and of a king.p both in bis estate of humiliation and exaltation. Q27. How doth Christ execute the office of a prophet ? A. Cbrist executeth the office of a prophet, in re- vealing to us,£ by his word.r and spirit,* the will of God for our salvation. Q2 8. How doth Christ execute the office of a. priest ? A. Christ executeth the ffice of a priest, in b ; s once offering up of himself a sacrifice to satisfy di- \!ne justice^ and reconcile us lo God,z* and in making continual intercession for us.zi- Q 29. How doth Christ execute the office of a king? A. Christ executeth the office of a king in subdu- ing us lo himself.x 1 in ruling y and defending us.r and in restraining a and conquering all his and out enemies, b Q 30. Wherein did Christ's humiliation consist • t Heb ii 14, and x 5 b John xii 27 I Luke 131, 35 m Heb vi 15, and vii 20 n Acts iii 22 o Heb v 6 p Ps ii 6 q John i 18 r John xv 15 s John xiv26 /Hebix25 Eph v 2 u Heb ii 17 w Heb vii 25 x Ps ex 3 y Mat ii 6 z Zach ix 15 <* Ps 76. 10 b 1 Cor xv 25 A. Christ's humiliation consisted in his being born, and that in a low condition, c made under the !aw,d undergoing the miseries of this life,e the wrath of God. f and the cursed death of the cross,g ,n being buried, 7? and •ontinuing : under the power ;>f death for a time.i Q, 31. Wherein consisteth Christ's exaltation ? A. Christ exaltaiion consisteth in his rising again from the dead on the third day 5 £ in ascend- ng up into heaven,/ in sitting at the right hand of God the Father,?;? and in coming to judge the world at the last day.??. ■>l ;32. How are we made partakers of the redemp* obtained by Jesus Christ? A. We are made partakers of the redemption ob :ained by Christ, by the effectual application of it to is n by his Holy Spirit.;; .. '?/.). How doth the Spirit apply to us the re • • on obtained by Christ ? A. The Spirit applielh to us the redemption ob- , ained by Christ, by working faith in us// anci hereby uniting us io Chrisl;r in our effect ual ca! Qi 34. What is effectual calling ? \. Effectual calling is the work oi God's Spirit..' .*. , erebv convincing us of our sin u and misery,#?en- ighteuiug our minds in the knowledge of Christ,* and renewing our wills,?/ he doth persuade and en- Luke ii 7 d Gal iv 4 e Isa liii 3 / Luke -xxii Mat xxvii 4;') g Phil ii 8 & 1 Cor x,v 4 * Mat xii 10 * 1 Cor xv 4 / Acts i 11 m Ephesians i 20 A 1 > i k x v i 19 n Acts xvri SI oGal iv 5 p Titus 6 v Eph ii 3 r Eph iii 17 M Cor i 9 *2 Ton i 9 " John xvi S u> Ac's ii 37 x Acts 24. 13 f Ezikitl 36. 20. able u«e to embrace Jesus Christ, revealed as ths Tree gift of God to us. in the gospel.; Q 35 What benefits do they that are efTectua^y called panake of in'lhis life? A. They that are effectually called do in this life- partake of jusl-i5cation.rt adoption. b and sanctifica- tion,c and the several benefits which in this life do either accompany or flow from them. cZ Q 36 What is justification ? A. Justification is an act of God's free grace. e wherein he pardcne'.b all our sins, f and accepteth us as righteous in his sighi.^ only for the righteous- ?iess of Christ imputed to us,/* and received by faith alone, z Q. 37 What is adoption ? A. Adoption is an act ofGod's ivee grace, A- where- by we are^received into the number, and have a right to all the privileges of the sons of God.Z Q, What is sanctification ? A. Sanctification is the work of God's uee grace, ?« whereby we are renewed in the whole man after the image of God.?2 and are enabled -more and more to die unto sin and live unto righteousness. o Q, 39 What arc the benefits which in this life do accompany or flow from justification; adoption ^and sanctification. A. The benefits T.hich in this life do accompany or flow from justification, adoption and sanctifica- tion, are assurance of God's love, oeace of con* z John vi 44. 43 a Rom viii 30 8 Gal iii 26 * i Cor vi 11 d 1 Cor \ 50 e Rom iii -24 /Enh i 7 - 2 Cor v 21 h Rom iv 6 ' -Rom iii 22 Phil iii 9 k 1 John iii i ' John i 12- Rom viii 1*7 m 2 Thea li 13 n Enhiv23, 24 o Rom vi 11 10 science,;? joy in the Holy spirit,*? increase of grace, f and perseverance therein to the end. s Q, 40 What benefits do believers receive from Christ at their death ? A. the souls of believers are at their death made perfect in holiness,£ and do immediately pass into glory,w and their bodies being still united to Christ,^ do rest in their graves x till the resurrection.^ Q, 41. What benefit do believers receive at the resurrection ? A. At the resurrection, believers being raised up in glory, z shall be openly acknowledge and ac- quitted in the day of judgement, a and made perfect- ly blessed both in soul and body in the full enjoy- ment of God b to all eternity.*? Q, 42. But what shall be done to the wicked at their death ? A. The souls of the wicked shall at their death be cast into the torments of hell,<-Z and their bodies lie in their graves till the resurrection and judgment of the great day.e Q, 43. What shall be done to the wicked at the day of judgment ? A. At the day of judgment the bodies of the wick- ed being raised out of their graves, shall be sentenc- ed together wilh their sou!s to unspeakable torments, with the devil and his angels forever./" Q, 44. What is the duty which God requirelh of man ? /) Rom v 1, 2, 5 q Rom xiv 7 r Prov iv 18*1 Peter i 5 t Heb xii 23 « Phil i 23 2 Cor v 8 w 1 ThesivH x Isa lvii 2 yJobxix 26 * 1 Cor xv 43 a Mat x 32 Acts iii 19 b I John iii 2 c 1 Thes iv 17 d Luke xvi 22 ; 23, 24 e Ps xlix 14 f Dan xii 2 John v 28, 29 2 Thes i 9 Mat xxv 41 11 A. The duly which God requireth of man, is obe- dience to his revealed will.j Q, 45. What did God at first reveal to man for the rule of his obedience ? A. The rule which God at first revealed to man for his obedience was the moral law./i Q, 46. Where is the moral law summarily com- prehended ? A. The moral law is summarily comprehended in the ten commandments. i Q, 47. What is the sum of the ten commandments? A. The sum of the ten commandments is, to love the Lord our God with all our heart, with all our soul, with all our strength, and with all our mind ; and our neighbour as ourselves-A; Q, 48. What is the preface to the ten command- ments ? A. The preface to the ten commandments is in these words : I am the Lord thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. m Q. 49. What doth the preface to the ten com- mandments teach us ? A. The preface to the ten commandments teach- es us, that because God is the Lord, and our God and Redeemer, therefore we are bound to keep all his commandments. n Q. 50. Which is the first commandment ? A. The first commandment is, Thou shalt have no others Gods before me.o Q.. 51. What is required in the first command- ment ? A. The first commandment requireth us to know g Micah vi 9 Psalm cxix 4 h Romans ii 14, 15 i Dent x 4 Mat xix 17 k Mat xxii 37, 38, 39, 40 m Exo xx 2 n Deut xi 1 Lulei 74, 75 o Exo xx 3 12 and acknowledge God to be the only true God, and our God,p and to worship and glorify him according- Q, 52. What is forbidden in the first command- ment ? A. The first commandment forbiddeth the deny^ ing r or not worshipping the true God, as God, s and our God \t and the giving that worship and glory to any other^'which is due unto him alone. u Q, 53. What are we especially taught by these words [before me] in the first commandment ? A. These' words [before me] in the first com- mandment, teach us, that God, who secth all things, Taketh notice of, and is much displeased with the sin of having any other God.zr Q, 54. Which is the second commandment? A. The second commandment is, Thou shalt not make unto ihee any graven image, or any likeness of any ihiiig that is inf'heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth, Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them : for< I the Lord thy God, am a 'jeal- ous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children, unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me ; and' showing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments, a? Q, 55. What is required in the second cammand- meat ? A. The second cammandment requirelh 'the re- ceiving, observing, keeping pure and entire, all such reHgiousHvorship and ordinances; as God hath appointed in his word.?/ p i Chron xxviii 9 Dent xxvi i'7 q Ps xxix 2 Mat iv 10 r Joshua xxiv-27 * Rom i 20, 21 t Isa lix 13 u Rom i 2f> h- Psaxliv 30,-21 x Exo xx 4, 5, 6 y Dent xxxii 46 Mat xxviii 20 Deut xii 32 IS Q, 56... What is forbidden in the second command- ment? A. The second commandment forbiddeth the wor- shipping of God by images,- or any other way not appointed in his word. a Q, 57. What are the reasons annexed to the sec- ond commandment? A. The reasons annexed to the second command- ment, are God's sovereignty over us,& his propriety in us,c and the zeal, he hath to his own worship. d Q, 58. Which is the third commandment? A. The third commandment is, Thou shait not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain; for the Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain e Q, 59. What is required in the third command-, ment? A, The third commandment requireth the holy and reverent use of God's name,/ titles,^ attributes,'* ordinances. i word,& and works.? Q. 60. What is forbidden in the, third command- ment? A. The third commandment forbiddeth all profan- ing or abusing of any thing whereby God maketh himself known."* Q. 61. What is the reason annexed to the. third commandment? A. The reason annexed to the third command- ment is, that however the breakers of this command- ment may escape punishment from men, yet the Lord our God will not suffer them to escape his righteous judgment." . z Deut iv 15, 16 a Col ii 21, 22- d Psa xcv 2, 3 c Psa" xlv 11 f/Exnxxxivl4 eExoxx7 /Matvi 9 Psa ex i 9 g Deut xxviii 58 Psa Ixviii 4 h Dent xxxii 3, 4 i Eccl v 1 ftrPsa exxxviii 2 I Job xxxvi 24 m Malachi i6, 7 n Dent Wax 59 Malachi ii 2 14 Q, 62. Which is the fourth commandment? A. The fourth commandmant is, Remember th« Sabbath day to keep it holy. Six days shalt thou la- bor and do all thy work, but on the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God; in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy man servant nor thy maid servant, nor thy cat- tle, nor the stranger that is within thy gates; for in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day; wherefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and hal- lowed it. o Q, 63. What is required in the fourth command- ment? A. The fourth commandment requireth the keep- ing holy to God one whole day in seven to be a Sab- bath to himselfi? 0,64. Which day of ihe seven hath God appointed to be the weekly sabbath ? A. Before the resurrection of Christ, God appoint- ed the seventh day of the wrr k to be the weekly sab- bath, q and the first day of the week ever since, to continue to the end of the world, which is the christian sabbath, r Q, 65. How is the sabbath to be sanctified ? A. The sabbath is to be sanctified by a holy resting all that day, even from such worldy employments and recreation as are lawful on other days,* and spending the whole time to the public and private exercise of God's worship,* except so much as is to betaken up in the works of necessity and mercy.** Q, 66. What is forbidden in the fourth command- ment ? o Exoxx8, 9, 10, 11 ;>Levxix30 Dent v 12 q Exo 31.15 r John 20. 19 Acts xx 7 1 Cor xvi 1, 2 Rev i 10 * Lev xxii 3 lsa 58. 13 t Psa xcii Isa 46. 23 u Matthew ii 11, 12 15 A. The fourth commandment forbiddelh the omis- sion or careless performance of the duties required, w and the profaning the day by idleness. x or doing that wich is in itself sinful. A or by unnecessary thoughts. words, or works, about worldly employments or re- recreations. ^ Q. 67. What are the reasons annexed to the fourth commandment ? A. The reasons annexed to the fourth command- ment are. God's allowing us six days of the week for our own lawful employments, a his challenging a spe- cial propriety in the seventh. £ his own example. e and his blessing the sabbath day.fc Q, 6S. Which is the fifth commandment ? A. The nfih commandment is, honour thy father and thy mother, that thy days may be long upon the land which the Lord thy God giveth ihee.e Q, 69. What is required in the fifth commandment? A. The fifth commandment requireth the preserv- ing the honour, and performing the duties belonging to every one in their several places and relations, as superiors./ inferiors..? or equals./* Q. 70. What is forbidden in the fifth command- ment? A- The fifth commandment forbiddeth the neglect- ing oU or doing any thing against the honor or duty which belongeth to every one their several places and relations.^ Q, 71. What is the reason annexed to the fifth com- mandment ? A. The reason annexed to the fifih commandment is, a promise of long life and prosperity, (so far as it ic Eze xxii 26 x Act xx 9 y Eze xxiii 33 c :Xeh xiii 15, 17 Amos viii 5 a Exo xxxiv '21 I Exo xxxv 2 c Exo xxxi 16, 17 d Gen ii 3 c Exoxx 12 /l Peter ii 17 Rom xiu 1 g-Ephv21, 22 Eph vi 1,5,9 Col iii 19 A Rom xi 10 i Dent xxi IS, 19, 20, 21 Proxxxl7 k Rom xii 7,8 16 shall serve far God's glory, and their own good to alt such as keep this commandment^ Q, 72. Which is this sixth commandment? A. The sixth commandment is, Thou shalt net kill.* O 73. What is required in the sixth command- ment? A. The sixth commandment reqiiiretfa all lawful endeavours to preserve our own life,* and the life of others.^ Q. 74. What is forbidden in the sixth command ment % A. The sixth commandment absolutely forbidde'h :he taking away our own life.^ or the life of our neigh- bour unjustly, or whatsoever tendeth thereto.*/ 0,75, Which is the seventh commandment? A The seventh commandment is, Thou shalt not- commit adultery.r Q, 7<3. W r hat is required in the seventh command- ment ? A. The seventh commandment rrqwretfa the pre- servation of our own,« and our neighbours chastity, f in heart," speech, u> and behaviour.* Q, 77. What is forbidden in- the seventh command- ment ? A. The seventh commandment, forbiddeth all un chaste thoughts,?/ words,z and actions.^ Q 73. Which is the eight commandment? A. The eighth commandment is, Thou shalt not steals 0,79. What is required in the eight command- ment % A. The eighth commandment requireth the lawful / Eph vi 2 , 3 m Exo xx 13 n Eph x 28, 29 Job ii 4 o Psa!xxxii3, 4 Prov xxiv 11 p Acts xvi 28 qGea ix 6 r Exo xx 14 s 1 Cor vii 2 t\ Cor vl 18 u 2 T ; m ii 22 Mat v 28 w Col iv 6 x 1 Peter i ; i 2 y Job xxx 1 z Eph. v 4 a Rom xr ;i 13 Eph v 3 h Exo xx 15 procuring and furthering the wealth and outward es- ate of ourselves c and others. d Q, 80. What is forbidden in the eighth command- menl? A. The eighth comandment forbiddelh -whatso- ever doth or may unjustly hinder our own e or our neighbour's wealth or outward estale.y Q, 81. Which is the ninth commandment? A. The ninth commandment is, Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour.^ Q, 82. What is required in the ninth command- ment ? A. The ninth commandment requireth the main- taining and promoting of truth between man and man ',h and of our owni and our neighbour's good name, A; especially in witness bearing .1 Q,. 83. W r hat is forbidden in the ninth command- ment? A. The ninth commandment forbiddeth whatso- ever is prejudicial to truths or injurious to our own, u or our neighbour's good name.o Q, 84. Which is the tenth commandment 1 A. The tenth commandment is, Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's house, thou shalt not covet tby neighbour's wife, nor his man servant, nor his maid servant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is thy neighbour's.^ Q, 85. What is required in the tenth command, ment? A. The tenth commandment requireth a full con- tentment with our own condition,^ with a right and c Gen xxx 36 Prov xxvii 23 d Lev xxv 35 Deut xxii 1, 3, 4 el Timv 8 Prov xxviii 19 /Prov xxiii 20, 21 Eph iv 28 g Exo xx 1 6 h Zach viii 16 i Eccl vii 1 k 3 John 12 I Prov xiv 25 m Eph iv 25 n Prov x 7 ch 22 o Ps* xv 3 p Exo xx 1 7 q Heb xiii 5 i Tim vi 6 18 charitable frame of spirit towards our neighbour and all that is his.r Q, 86. What is forbidden in the tenth command- ment ? A. The tenth commandment forbiddeth all dis- contentment with our own estate, s envying or griev- ing at the good of our neighbour,* and all inordinate motions and affections to any thing that is his.u Q, 87. Is any man able perfectly to keep the ccmmmandments of God ? A. No mere man since the fall, is able in this life perfectly to keep the commandments of God,2o but doth daily break them, in~th6ught,g word,?/ or deed.z Q, 88. Are all the transgressions of the law equal- ly heinous ? A. Some sins in themselves, and by reason of sev- eral aggravations, are more heinous in the sight of God than others. a Q, 89. What doth every sin deserve 1 A. Every sin deserveth God's wrath and curse, both in this life and that which is to come. b Q, 90. What doth God require of us, that we may escape his wrath and curse due to us for sin ? A. To escape the wrath and curse of God, due to us for sin, God requireth of us faith in Jesus Christ, c repentance unto life, d with the dilligent use of all the outward means whereby Christ communicateth to us the benefits of redemption, c Q, 91. What is faith in Jesus Christ ? A. Faith in Jesus Christ is a saving grace.^/' . r 72om xii 15 1 Cor xiii 4, 7 si Cor x 1U t Mat xx 15 James v 9 ul Kiugs xxi 4 Col hi 5 u> Eccl vii 20 1 John i 8 x Gen vi 5 y James iii 8 z James iii 2 a Eze viii 13 John xix 11 1 John v 16 b Eph v 6 Prov iii 33 Psa xi 6 Rev xxi 8 c Acts xvi HO 31 d Acts xvii 30 t frov ii 3. A, 5 Prov viii 34, 35 / 11? x ID 1$ v hereby we receive,"" and rest upon liim alone for salvation as he is revealed to u.s, in the gospel, h Q. 92 What is repentance unto life ? A. Repentance unto life is a saving graces' where- by a sinner, out of a true sense of his sins, A* and apptehension of the mercy of God, in Christ, I doth with grief and hatred of his sin, turn from it unto God,?/i with full purpose of, and endeavor after new obedience. 7i Q, 93. What are the outward means whereby Christ communicateth to us the benefits of redemp- tion ? A. T e outward and ordinary means whereby Christ communicateth to us the benefits of redemp- tion, are his ordinances, especially the word baptism, the Lord's supper and prayer ; all which means are made effectual to the elect fc'r salvation.o Q. 94 How is the word made effectual to salvation ? A. The spirit of God maketh the reading.^ but especially the preaching of the word, an effectual means of convincing and converting sinners,^ and of building them up in holiness and comfort, r through faith unto salvation-.* Q, 95. How is the word to be read and heard, that it may become effectual to salvatii n ? A. That the word may become effectual to salva- tion, we must attend thereunto with diligence,* pre- paration,;/ and prayer,ic receive it with faith,.r and love,?/ lay it up in our hearts*: and practise it in our lives. a g John i 12 h Phi, iii 9 i Acts xi 18 k Acts ii 27 I Joel ii 13 m Jer xxxi 18, 19 n Psa cxix 59,60 o Acts ii 41,42 Psxciil3,.14 p Xeh viii 8 Psa xix 7 q Psa Ii 13 Rovn x 14, 17 HActsxx32 1 Cor xiv 3 s Rom i 1G t J Tim iv 13 Hcb ii 1 u 1 Peter ii 1, 2 ?c Psa exxix 18 x H-h iv 2 // 2 Tiios ii .1 G r Psa cxix I 1 a James? i 25. 20 96. How do baptism and the Lord's supper become effectual means of salvation 1 A. Baptism and the Lord's supper, become effectual means of salvation, not from any vir- tue in them, or in bim that doth administer them,& but only by the blessing of Christ.c and the working of his spirit, in those who by faith receive them. d Q 97. What is baptism ? A. Baptism is an oidinance of the New-Testa- fient, instituted by Jesus Christ,^ to be unto the party baptized a sign of his fellowship with him in his death, and burial, and ressurection.fof his being ingrafted into h\m,g of remission of sins, 7* and of his giving up himself unto God, through Jesus Christ to live and walk in newness of Vtte.i Q, 98. To whom is baptism to be administered ? A- Baptism is to be administered to all those who actually profess repentance towards Qod,k faith in, and obedience to our Lord Jesus Christ ; and to none other./ Q, 99. Are the infants of sach as are professing believers to be baptized T A. We think infants of such as are professing believers are not to be baptized ; because there is neither command nor example in the holy scriptures or certain consequence from them, to baptize such.m Q, 100 How is baptism rightly administered ? A. Baptism is rightly administered by immer- sion, or dipping the whole body of the party in wa- ter,w in the name of the Father, and of (he Son, and of the Holy Spirit, according to Christ's institu- b 1 Cor in 7 1 Peter Hi 21 c 1 Cor iii 6 d 1 Cor 12. 13 e Mat 28. 19 / Rom vi 3 Col ii 12 g Gal iii 27 h Mark i 4 Acts 22 16, i Rom vi 4, 5 k Acts ii 38 Mat iii 6 I Mark 16. 16 Acts viii 12, 36,37, and 10. 47, 48 m Exo23. 13 Frov 30. 6 Luke iii 7, 8 n Mat iii 16 John iii 23 tion.c and the practice of the apostles,;? and not by sprinkling or pouring of water, or dipping some parts of the body, after the tradition of men.<7 Q, 101. What is the duty of those who are rightly baptized ? A. It is the duty of those who are rightly baptiz- ed, to give up themselves to some particular and or- derly church of Jesus Christ, that they may walk in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless, s Q, 102. What is the Lord's supper ? A. The Lord's supper is an ordinance of the New Testament, instituted by Jesus Christ, wherein by giving and receiving bread and wine, according to his appointment, his death is shewed forth,!? and the worthy receivers are, not after a corporal and carnal manner, but by faith made partakes of his body and blood, with all his benefits, to their spiritual nourish- ment, and growth in grace. u Q, 103. Who are the proper subjects of this ordi- nance ? A. Godly persons who have been baptized upon a personal profession of their faith in Jesus Christ and repentance from dead works. w Q, 104. what is required to tbe worthy receiving of the Lord's Supper? A. It is required of them that would worthily partake of the Lord's supper, that they examine themselves of their knowledge to discern the Lord's body,£ of their fath to feed upon him.y of their re- pentance,:: love,a and new obedience \b lest coming o Mat xxviii 19, 20 p John iv 1, 2 q Acts viii 38, 39 r Acts ii 47 Acts ix 26 si Peter ii 5 Luke i 6 t 1 Cor ix 23—26 « 1 Corx 16 w Acts ii 41, 42 x I Cor xi 28 y 2Corx'!if5. c 1 Cor xi 31 a 1 Cor 18, 20 MCorv8 unworthily, they eat and drink judgment to them-* selves, r Q. 105 What is prayer 7 A. Prayer is an offering up our desires to God;d by the assistance of the Holy Spirit, for things a- gfreeable to his wilj.f in the name of Christ.^ be- lieving, 7? with confession of our sins,i and thankful acknowledgement of his mercies. A; Q, 106. What rule hath God given for our di* rection in prayer ? A. The whole word of God is of use to direct us in prayer./ but the special rule of direction is that praver, which Christ taught his disciples, commonly called. The Lord's prayer.?/? Q, 107. What doth the preface to the Lords's pray^ or teach us 1 A. The preface of the Lord's prayer, which is our Father who art in Heavcn,n teacheth us to draw near to God, with all holy reverence and confidence as children to a father able and ready to help us,o and that we should pray with and for others.7) Q 108. What do we pray for in the first petition? A. In the first petition, which is, hallowed be thy na m e,q we pray that God would enable us and oth- o>-s to glorify him in all that whereby he maketh himself known,?- and that he would dispose all things to his own glory Q, 109. What do we pray for in the seeOnd peii- tion / A. In the second petition, which is, thy kingdom r 1 Cor xi 29 d Psa lxii 8 c Rom viii 26 /"Rom viii 27 g John xvi 23 // Mat xxi 22 i Daniel ix 4 ' 1c Phil iv 6 / Lrike xi I 2 Tim iii 16, 17 1 John v ] t m 'Mat vi 9 n Mat vi 9 p Rom viii 15 Mat vii 11 Isa xxiv 8 p Acts xii :. 1 Tim ii 1. 2 v Mat vi 9 r Psa Ixvii 1.. 2 s Pealm Ixxxiii 1 8 Rom xi '.)('>. 23 conic' t we pray that salad's kingdom may l>e destroy- ed, ?; and that the kingdom of grace may be advan- ced, 10 ourselves and others' brought into it and kept in it v r and that the kingdom of glory may be hastened.y Q. 110. What do we pray for in the third peti- tion 2 A. In the third petition, which is, thy will be done on earth as it is heaven,z we pray that God by his grace, would make us able and willing to know, obey,a and submit to his will in all things,^ as the angels do in heaven. c A 111. What do we pray for in the fourth peti- tion ? A. In the fourth petition, which is, give us this day our daily bread.d we pray, that of God's free gift, we may receive a competent portion of the good things of this li(e,e and enjoying hU blessing with them.f Q, 112. What do we pray for in the fifth petition ? A. In the fifth petition, which is, and forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors,g we pray that God for Christ's sake would freely pardon all our sins \h which we are the rather encouraged to ask, because by his grace we are enabled from the heart to forgive others. i Q, 113, What do we pray for in the sixth petition ? A. In the sixth petition, which is, and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.k we pray, that God would either keep us from being t Mat vi 10 * u Psa Ixviii 1, 18 u> Psa li 18 Rom x 2 x 2 Thes iii 1 John xvii 20, 21 y Rev xxii 20 z Mat vi 10 <& Psa cxix 34, 36 d Luke xx 42 Acts xxi 14 c Psa ciii 20,21 J Mat vi 11 e Prov xxx 8 /Exoxxiii25 1 Tim iv 4, 5 g Mat vi 12 k Pta li 1, 2, 7 i Mat vi 14 Luke xi 4 k Mat vi 13 24 temptation to sin,Z or support and deliver us when we are tempted.^ Q, 114. What doth the conclusion of the Lord's prayer teach us 1 A. The conclusion of the Lord's prayer, which is, for thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever, Amen,n teacheth us to take our en- couragement in prayer Iron God only,o and in our prayers to praise him, ascribing kingdom, power and glory to him ;p and in testimony of our desire and assurance to be heard we say, Amen.q I Mat xxv i 41 Psaxixl3 m 2 Cor xii 7, 8 1 Cor x 13 n Mat vi 13 o Daniel ix 4, 9, 18, 19 pi Chr xxix 11 23 q Cor xiv IS Rey xi 20 FINIS. jp**