THE CONFESSION OF FAITH,

Of those Churches which are commonly (though falsly) called ANABAPTISTS.

Presented to the view of all that feare GOD, to examine by the touchstone of the Word of Truth: As likewise for the taking off those aspersions which are frequently both in Pulpit and Print, (although unjustly) cast upon them.

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ACTS 4.20.
Wee cannot but speak the things that we have seen and heard.

ISAI. 8:20.
To the Law and to the testimony, is they speake not according to this Rule, it is because there is no light in them.

2 COR. 1:9, 10.
But wee had the sentence of death in our selves, that wee should not trust in our selves, but in the living God, which raiseth the dead; who delivered us from so great a death, and doth deliver, in whom wee trust that he will yet deliver.

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LONDON,

Printed in the yeare of our Lord, 1644.

TO ALL THAT DESIRE

The lifting up of the Name of the LORD JESUS in sinceritie, the poore despised Churches of God in London send greeting, with prayers for their farther increase in the knowledge of CHRIST JESUS.

WEE question not but that it will seeme strange to many men, that such as wee are frequently termed to be, lying under that calumny and black brand of Heretickes, and sowers of division as wee doe, should presume to appeare so publickly as now wee have done : But yet notwithstanding wee may well say, to give answer to such, what David said to his brother, when the Lords battell was a fighting, I Sam. 29.30. Is there not a cause? Surely, if ever people had cause to speake for the vindication of the truth of Christ in their hands, wee have, that being indeed the maine wheele at this time that sets us awoke; for had any thing by men been transacted against our persons onely, wee could quietly have bitten still, and committed our Cause to him who is a righteous Judge, who will in the great day judge the secrets of all mens hearts by Jesus Christ : But being it is not onely us, but the Truth professed by us, wee cannot, wee dare not but speake ; it is no strange thing to any observing man, what sad charges are laid, not onely by the world, that know not God, but also by those that thinke themselves much wronged, if they be not looked upon as the chiefe Worthies of the Church of God, and Watchmen of the Citie : But it hath fared with us from them, as from the poore Spouse seeking her Beloved, Cant. 5. 6,7. They finding us out of that common road-way themselves walke, have smote us and taken away our vaile , that so wee may by them be recommended odious in the eyes of all that behold us, and in the hearts of all that thinke upon us , which they have done both in Pulpit and Print, charging us with holding Free-will, Falling away from grace, denying Originall sinne, disclaiming of Magistracy, denying to assist them either in persons or purse in any of their lawfull Commands, doing acts unseemly in the dispensing the Ordinance of Baptisme, not to be named amongst Christians : All which Charges wee disclaime as notoriously untrue, though by reason of these calumnies cast upon us , many that feare God are discouraged and forestalled in harbouring a good thought, either of us or what wee professe ; and many that know not God incouraged, if they can finde the place of our meeting, to get together in Clusters to stone us , as looking upon us as a people holding such things, as that wee are not worthy to live : Wee have therefore for the cleering of the truth wee professe, that it may be at libertie, though wee be in bonds, briefly published a Confession of our Faith, as desiring all that feare God, seriously to consider whether ( if they compare what wee here say and confesse in the presence of the Lord Jesus and his Saints ) men have not with their tongues in Pulpit, and pens in Print, both spoken and written things that are contrary to truth ; but wee know our God in his owne time will cleere our Cause, and lift up his Sonne to make him the chief corner-stone , though he has been ( or now should be ) rejected of Master Builders. And because it may be conceived, that what is here published, may be but the Judgement of some one particular Congregation, more refined than the rest ; Wee doe therefore here subscribe it, some of each body in the name, and by the appointment of Seven Congregations, who though wee be distinct in respect of our particular bodies, for conveniency sake, being as many as can well meete together in one place, yet are all one in Communion, holding Jesus Christ to be our head and Lord ; under whose government wee desire alone to walke, in following the Lambe wheresoever he goeth; and wee beleeve the Lord will daily cause truth more to appeare in the hearts of his Saints, and make them ashamed of their folly in the Land of their Nativitie, that so they may with one shoulder, more studie to lift up the Name of the Lord Jesus, and stand for his appointments and Lawes ; which is the desires and prayers of the contemned Churches of Christ in London for all Saints.

Subscribed in the Names of seven Churches in London.

William Kiffen.
Thomas Patience.
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John Spilsbery.
George Tipping.
Samuel Richardson.
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Thomas Shippard.
Thomas Munday.
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Thomas Gunne.
John Mabbatt.
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John Webb.
Thomas Killcop.
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Paul Hobson.
Thomas Goare.
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Joseph Phelpes.
Edward Heath.

That God as he is in himselfe, cannot be comprehended of any but himselfe, [1] dwelling in that inaccessible light, that no eye can attaine unto, whom never man saw, nor can see; that there is but [2] one God, one Christ, one Spirit, one Faith, one Baptisme; [3] one Rule of holinesse and obedience for all Saints, at all times, in all places to be observed.

1. 1 Tim. 6.16.

2. 1 Tim. 2.5.
   Eph. 4.4-6.
   I Cor. 12.4-6,13.
   John 14.

3. 1 Tim. 6.3,13-14.
   Gal. 1.8-9.
   2 Tim. 3.15.

That God is [1] of himselfe, that is, neither from another, nor of another, nor by another, nor for another ; [2] But is a Spirit, who as his being is of himselfe, so he gives [3] being, moving, and preservation to all other things, being in himselfe eternall, most holy, every way infinite in [4] greatnesse, wisdome, power, justice, goodnesse, truth, &c. In this God-head, there is the Father, the Sonne, and the Spirit; being every one of them one and the same God; and therefore not divided, but distinguished one from another by their severall properties ; the [5] Father being from himselfe, the [6] Sonne of the Father from everlasting, the holy [7] Spirit proceeding from the Father and the Sonne.

1. Isa. 44.6-7.
   Isa. 43.11.
   Isa 46.9.

2. John 4.24.

3. Exod. 3.14.

4. Rom. 11.36.
   Act. 17:28.

5. 1 Cor. 8.6.

6. Pro. 8.22-23.
   Heb. 1.3.
   John 1.18.

7. Joh. 15.26.
   Gal. 4:6.

That God hath [1] decreed in himselfe from everlasting touching all things, effectually to work and dispose them [2] according to the counsell of his owne will, to the glory of his Name; in which decree appeareth his wisdome, constancy, truth, and faithfulnesse ; [3] Wisdome is that whereby he contrives all things ; [4] Constancy is that whereby the decree of God remaines alwayes immutable; [5] Truth is that whereby he declares that alone which he hath decreed, and though his sayings may seeme to sound sometimes another thing, yet the sense of them doth alwayes agree with the decree; [6] Faithfulnesse is that whereby he effects that he hath decreed, as he hath decreed. And touching his creature man, [7] God had in Christ before the foundation of the world, according to the good pleasure of his will, foreordained some men to eternall life through Jesus Christ, to the praise and glory of his grace, [8] leaving the rest in their sinne to their just condemnation, to the praise of his Justice.

1. Isa. 46.10.
   Rom. 11.34-36.
   Mat. 10.29-30

2. Eph. 1.11.

3. Col. 2.3.

4. Num. 23.19-20.

5. Jere. 10.10.
   Rom. 3.4.

6. Isa. 46.10.

7. Eph. 1.3-7.
   2 Tim. 1.9.
   Acts 13.48.
   Rom. 8.29-30

8. Jude 1.4,6.
   Rom. 9.11-13.
   Prov. 16.4.

[1] In the beginning God made all things very good, created man after his own [2] Image and likenesse, filling him with all perfection of all naturall excellency and uprightnesse, free from all sinne. [3] But long he abode not in this honour, but by the subtiltie of the Serpent, which Satan used as his instrument, himselfe with his Angels having sinned before, and not [5] key their first estate, but left their owne habitation; first [6] Eve, then Adam being seduced did wittingly fall into disobedience and transgression of the Commandment of their great Creator, for the which death came upon all, and reigned over all, so that all since the Fall are conceived in sinne, and brought forth in iniquitie, and so by nature children of wrath, and servants of sinne, subjects of [7] death, and all other calamities due to sinne in this world and for ever, being considered in the state of nature, without relation to Christ.

1. Gen. 1.1-31.
   Col. 1.16.
   Heb. 11.3.
   Isa. 45.12.

2. Gen. 1.26.
   1 Cor. 15.45-46.
   Eccles. 7.29.

3. Psal. 49.20.

4. Gen. 3.1
   Gen. 4.5
   2 Cor. 11.3.

5. 2 Pet. 2.4.
   Jude 1.6.
   Joh. 8.44.

6. Gen. 3.1,
   Gen 2.6
   1 Tim. 2.14.
   Eccles. 7.29.
   Gal. 3.22.

7. Rom. 5.12, 18-19.
   Rom. 6.23.
   Eph. 2.3.
   Rom. 5.12.

All mankind being thus fallen, and become altogether dead in sinnes and trespasses, and subject to the eternall wrath of the great God by transgression; yet the elect, which God hath [1] loved with an everlasting love, are [2] redeemed, quickened, and saved, not by themselves, neither in their own workes, lest any man should boast himselfe, but wholly and onely by God of [3] his free grace and mercie through Jesus Chris, who of God is made unto us wisdome, righteousness, sanctification and redemption, that as it is written, Hee that rejoyceth, let him rejoyce in the Lord.

1. Jer. 31.2.

2. Gen. 3:15.
   Eph. 1.3-7.
   Eph. 2.4-9.
   1 Thess. 5.9.
   Acts 13.38.

3. 1 Cor. 1.30-31
   2 Cor. 5.21.
   Jer. 9.23-24.

[1] This therefore is life eternall, to know the onely true God, and whom he hath sent Jesus Christ. [2] And on the contrary, the Lord will render vengeance in flaming fire to them that know not God, and obey not the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.

1. Joh. 17.3.
   Heb. 5.9.
   Jer. 23.5-6.

2. 2 Thess. 1.8.
   Joh. 3.36.

The Rule of this Knowledge, Faith, and Obedience, concerning the worship and service of God, and all other Christian duties, is not mans inventions, opinions, devices, lawes, constitutions, or traditions unwritten whatsoever, but onely the word of God contained in the Canonicall Scriptures.

• Joh. 5:39.

• 2 Tim. 3.15-17.

• Col. 2:18, 23

• Matth. 15.9.

In this written Word God hath plainly revealed whatsoever he hath thought needful for us to know, beleeve, and acknowledge, touching the Nature and Office of Christ, in whom all the promises are Yea and Amen to the praise of God.

• Acts 3.22-23.

• Heb. 1.1-2.

• 2 Tim. 3.15-17.

• 2 Cor. 1.20.

Touching the Lord Jesus, of whom [1] Moses and the Prophets wrote, and whom the Apostles preached, is the [2] Sonne of God the Father, the brightnesse of his glory, the ingraven forme of his being, God with him and with his holy Spirit, by whom he made the world, by whom he upholds and governes all the works hee hath made, who also [3] when the fullnesse of time was come, was made man of a [4] woman, of the Tribe of [5] Judah, of the seed of Abraham and David, to wit, of Mary that blessed Virgin, by the holy Spirit comming upon her, and the power of the most High overshadowing her, and was also [6] in all things like unto us, sinne only excepted.

1. Gen. 3.15.
   Gen. 22.18.
   Gen. 49.10
   Dan. 7:13
   Dan. 9.24-26.

2. Prov. 8.23.
   Joh. 1.1-3.
   Col. 1.15-17.

3. Gal. 4.4.

4. Heb. 7.14.
   Rev. 5.5. with
   Gen. 49.9-10.

5. Rom. 1.3.
   Rom. 9.5.
   Mat. 1.16 with
   Luke 3.23, 26.
   Heb. 2.16.

6. Isa. 53.3-5
   Phil. 2.8

Touching his Office, [1] Jesus Christ onely is made the Mediator of the new Covenant, even the everlasting Covenant of grace between God and Man, to [2] be perfectly and fully the Prophet, Priest and King of the Church of God for evermore.

1. 2 Tim. 2.15.
   Heb. 9.15.
   Joh. 14.6.

2. Heb. 1.2
   Heb. 3.1.
   Heb. 7:24.
   Isa. 9.6-7.
   Acts 5.31.

Unto this Office hee was fore-ordained from everlasting, by the [1] authority of the Father, and in respect to his Manhood, from the womb called and separated, and [2] anointed also most fully and abundantly with all gifts necessary, God having without measure poured the Spirit upon him.

1. Prov. 8.23.
   Isa. 42.6
   Isa. 49.1, 5.

2. Isa. 11.2-5.
   Isa. 61.1-3.
   Luk. 4.17, 22.
   Joh. 1.14, 16.
   Joh. 3.34.

In this Call the Scripture holds for two speciall things considerable; first, the call to the Office; secondly, the Office it self. First, that [1] none takes this honour but he that is called of God, as was Aaron, so also Christ, it being an action especially of God the Father, whereby a speciall covenant being made, hee ordaines his Sonne to this office; which Covenant is, that [2] Christ should be made a Sacrifice for sinne, that hee shall see his seed, and prolong his dayes, and the pleasure of the Lord shall prosper in his hand; which calling therefore contains in it selfe [3] chusing, [4] fore-ordaining, [5] sending. Chusing respects the end, fore-ordaining the means, sending the execution it self, [6] all of meere grace, without any condition fore-seen, either in men, or in Christ himselfe.

1. Heb. 5.4-6.

2. Isa. 53.10-11.

3. Isa. 42.1.

4. 1 Pet. 1.20.

5. Joh. 3.17
   Joh. 9.27.
   Joh. 10.36.
   Isa. 61.1.

6. Joh. 3.16.
   Rom. 8.32.

So that this Office to be Mediator, that is, to be Prophet, Priest, and King of the Church of God, is so proper to Christ, as neither in the whole, nor in any part thereof, it can be transferred from him to any other.

• 1 Tim. 2.5.

• Heb. 7.24.

• Dan. 7.14.

• Act. 4.12.

• Luke 1.33.

• Joh. 14.6.

The Office it self to which Christ was called, is three-fold, of [1] a Prophet, of [2] a Priest, & of [3] a King: this number and order of Offices is shewed; first, by mens necessities grievously labouring [4] under ignorance, by reason whereof they stand in infinit necessity of the Prophetical office of Christ to relieve them. Secondly, [5] alienation from God, wherein they stand in need of the Priestly Office to reconcile them: Thirdly, our [6] utter disability to return to him, by which they stand in need of the power of Christ in his Kingly Office to assist and govern them.

1. Deut. 18.15, with
   Acts 3.22-23.

2. Psal. 110.3.
   Heb. 3.1.
   Heb. 4.14-15.
   Heb. 5.6.

3. Psal. 2.6.

4. Acts 26.18.
   Col. 1.3.

5. Col. 1.21
   Eph. 2.12.

6. Song. 1.3.
   Joh. 6.44.

Touching the Prophesie of Christ, it is that whereby he hath [1] perfectly revealed the whole will of God out of the bosome of the Father, that is needfull for his servants to know, beleeve, and obey; and therefore is called not onely a Prophet and [2] a Doctor, and the [3] Apostle of our profession, and the [4] Angel of the Covenant; but also the very [5] wisdome of God, and [6] the treasures of wisdome and understanding.

1. Joh. 1.18.
   Joh. 12.49-50.
   Joh. 15.
   Joh. 17.8.
   Deut. 18.15.

2. Matth. 23.10.

3. Heb. 3.1.

4. Mal. 3.1.

5. 1 Cor. 1.24.

6. Col. 2.3

That he might be such a Prophet as thereby to be every way compleat, it was necessary that he should bee [1] God, and withall also that he should be man; for unlesse hee had been God, he could never have perfectly understood the will of God, [2] neither had he been able to reveale it throughout all ages; and unlesse hee had been man, hee could not fitly have unfolded it in his [c] own person to man.

1. Joh. 1.18.
   Joh. 3.13.

2. 1 Cor. 2.11, 16.

3. Acts 3.22.
   Deut. 18.15.
   Heb. 1.1.

Touching his Priesthood, Christ [1] being consecrated, hath appeared once to put away sinne by the offering and sacrifice of himself, and to this end hath fully performed and suffered all those things by which God, through the blood of that his Crosse in an acceptable sacrifice, might reconcile his elect onely; [2] and having broken downe the partition wall, and therewith finished & removed all those Rites, Shadowes, and Ceremonies, is now entred within the Vaile, into the Holy of Holiest, that is, to the very Heavens, and presence of God, where he for ever liveth and sitteth at the right hand of Majesty, appearing before the face of his Father to make intercession for such as come to the Throne of Grace by that new and living way; and not onely, but [c] makes his people a spirituall House, an holy Priesthood, to offer up spirituall sacrifice acceptable to God through him; neither doth the Father accept, or Christ offer to the Father any other worship or worshippers.

1. Joh. 17.19.
   Heb. 5.7-9.
   Heb. 9.26.
   Rom. 5.19.
   Ephes. 5.12.
   Col. 1.20.

2. Eph. 2.14-16.
   Rom. 8.34.

3. 1 Pet. 2.5.
   Joh. 4.23-24.

This Priesthood was not legall, or temporary, but according to the order [1] of Mechizedec; [2] not by a carnall commandement, but by the power of an endless life; [3] not by an order that is weak and lame, but stable and perfect; not for a [4] time, but for ever, admitting no successor, but perpetuall and proper to Christ, and of him that ever liveth. Christ himselfe was the Priest, Sacrifice and Altar; he was [5] Priest, according to both natures, he was a sacrifice most properly according to his humane nature: [6] when in the Scripture it is wont to be attributed to his body, to his blood; yet the chiefe force whereby this sacrifice was made effectuall, did depend upon his [7] divine nature, namely that the Sonne of God did offer himselfe for us: he was the [8] Altar properly according to his divine nature, it belonging to the Altar to sanctifie that which is offered upon it, and so it ought to be of greater dignity than the Sacrifice it selfe.

1. Heb. 7.17.

2. Heb. 7.16.

3. Heb. 7.18-21.

4. Heb. 7.24-25.

5. Heb. 5.6.

6. Heb. 10.10.
   1 Pet. 1.18-19.
   Col. 1.20, 22.
   Isa. 53.10.
   Matth. 20.28.

7. Act. 20.28.
   Rom. 8.3.

8. Heb. 9.14.
   Heb. 13.10, 12, 15.
   Matth. 23.17.
   Joh. 17.19.

Touching his Kingdome, [1] Christ being risen from the dead, ascended into heaven, sat on the right hand of God the Father, having all power in heaven and earth, given unto him, he doth spiritually govern his Church, exercising his power [2] over all Angels and Men, good and bad, to the preservation and salvation of the elect, to the overruling and destruction of his enemies, which are the Reprobates, [3] communicating and applying the benefits, vertue, and fruit of his Prophesie and Priesthood to his elect, namely, to the subduing and taking away of their sinnes, to their justification and adoption of Sonnes, regeneration, sanctification, preservation and strengthening in all their conflicts against Satan, the World, the Flesh, and the temptations of them, continually dwelling in, governing and keeping their hearts in faith and filiall feare by his Spirit, which having [4] given it, he never takes away from them, but by it still begets and nourisheth in them faith, repentance, love, joy, hope, and all heavenly light in the soule unto immortality, notwithstanding through our own unbeliefe, and the temptations of Satan, the sensible sight of this light and love be clouded and overwhelmed for the time. [5] And on the contrary, ruling in the world over his enemies, Satan, and all the vessels of wrath, limiting, using, restraining them by his mighty power, as seems good in his divine wisdome & justice to the execution of his determinate counsell, delivering them up to a reprobate mind, to be kept through their own deserts, in darknesse and sensuality unto judgement.

1. 1 Cor. 15.4.
   1 Pet. 3.21-22.
   Matth. 28.18-20.
   Luke 24.51.
   Acts 1.11.
   Acts 5.30-31.
   John 19.36.
   Rom. 14.17.

2. Mark 1.27
   Heb. 1.14.
   John 16.7, 15.

3. John 5.26-27.
   Rom. 5.6-8.
   Rom. 14.17.
   Gal. 5.22-23.
   John 1.4, 13.

4. John 13.1.
   John 10.28-29.
   John 14.16-17.
   Rom. 11.29.
   Psal. 51.10-11.
   Job 33.29-30.
   2 Cor. 12.7-9.

5. Job 1.
   Job 2.
   Rom. 1.21.
   Rom. 2.4-6.
   Rom. 9.17-18.
   Eph. 4.17-18.
   2 Pet. 2.1-22.

This Kingdome shall be then fully perfected when hee shall the second time come in glory to reigne amongst his Saints, and to be admired of all then which doe beleeve, when he shall put downe all rule and authority under his feet, that the glory of the Father may be full and perfectly manifested in the Sonne, and the glory of the Father and the Sonne in all his members.

• 1 Cor. 15.24, 28.

• Heb. 9.28.

• 2 Thes. 1.9-10

• 1 Thes. 4.15-16.

• John 17.21, 26.

That Christ Jesus by his death did bring forth salvation and reconciliation onely for the [1] elect, which were those which [2] God the Father gave him; & that the Gospel which is to be preached to all men as the ground of faith, is, that [3] Jesus is the Christ, the Sonne of the ever-blessed God, filled with the perfection of all heavenly and spirituall excellencies, and that salvation is onely and alone to be had through the beleeving in his Name.

1. John 15.13.
   Rom. 8.32-34.
   Rom. 5.11.
   Rom. 3.25.

2. Joh. 17.2
   Joh. 6.37.

3. Matth. 16.16.
   Luke 2.26.
   Joh. 6.69
   Joh. 7.3.
   Joh. 20.31.
   1 John 5.11.

That Faith is the [1] gift of God wrought in the hearts of the elect by the Spirit of God, whereby they come to see, know, and beleeve the truth of [2] the Scriptures, & not onely so, but the excellencie of them above all other writings and things in the world, as they hold forth the glory of God in his attributes, the excellency of Christ in his nature and offices, and the power of the fullnesse of the Spirit in His workings and operations; and thereupon are inabled to cast the weight of their soules upon this truth thus beleeved.

1. Eph. 2.8.
   Joh. 6.29.
   Joh. 4.10.
   Phil. 1.29.
   Gal. 5.22.

2. Joh. 17.17.
   Heb. 4.11-12.
   John 6.63.

Those that have this precious faith wrought in them by the Spirit, can never finally nor totally fall away; and though many stormes and floods do arise and beat against them, yet they shall never be able to take them off that foundation and rock which by faith they are fastened upon, but shall be kept by the power of God to salvation, where they shall enjoy their purchased possession, they being formerly engraved upon the palms of Gods hands.

• Matth. 7.24-25.

• John 13.1.

• 1 Pet. 1.4-6.

• Isa. 49.13-16.

That faith is ordinarily [a] begot by the preaching of the Gospel, or word of Christ, without respect to [2] any power or capacitie in the creature, but it is wholly [3] passive, being dead in sinnes and trespasses, doth beleeve, and is converted by no lesse power, [4] then that which raised Christ from the dead.

1. Rom. 10.17.
   1 Cor. 1.21.

2. Rom. 9.16.

3. Rom. 2.1-2.
   Ezek. 16.6.
   Rom. 3.12.

4. Rom. 1.16.
   Eph. 1.19.
   Col. 2.12.

That the tenders of the Gospel to the conversion of sinners, [1] is absolutely free, no way requiring, as absolutely necessary, any qualifications, preparations, terrors of the Law, or preceding Ministery of the Law, but onely and alone the naked soule, as a [2] sinner and ungodly to receive Christ, as crucified, dead, and buried, and risen againe, being made [3] a Prince and a Saviour for such sinners.

1. Joh. 3.14-15.
   Joh. 1.12.
   Isa. 55.1
   Joh. 7.37.

2. 1 Tim. 1.15.
   Rom. 4.5.
   Rom. 5.8.

3. Act. 5.30-31.
   Act. 2.36.
   1 Cor. 1.22-24.

That the same power that coverts to faith in Christ, the same power carries on the [1] soule still through all duties, temptations, conflicts, sufferings, and continually what ever a Christian is, he is by [2] grace, and by a constant renewed [3] operation from God, without which he cannot performe any dutie to God, or undergoe any temptations from Satan, the world, or men.

1. 1 Pet. 1.5.
   2 Cor. 12.9.

2. 1 Cor. 15.10.

3. Phil. 2.12-13.
   Joh. 15.5.
   Gal. 2.19-20.

That God the Father, and Sonne, and Spirit, is one with [1] all beleevers, in their [2] fulnesse, in [c] relations, [4] as head and members, [5] as house and inhabitants, as [6] husband and wife, one with him, as [7] light and love, and one with him in his inheritance, and in all his [8] glory; and that all beleevers by vertue of this union and onenesse with God, are the adopted sonnes of God, and heires with Christ, co-heires with him of the inheritance of all the promises of this life, and that which is to come.

1. 1 Thes. 1.1.
   Joh. 14.10, 20.
   Joh. 17.21.

2. Col. 2.9-10.
   Col. 1.19.
   Joh. 1.17.

3. Joh. 20.17.
   Heb. 2.11.

4. Col. 1.18.
   Eph. 5.30.

5. Eph. 2.22.
   1 Cor. 3.16-17.

6. Isa. 16.5.
   2 Cor. 11.3.

7. Gal. 3.26.

8. Joh. 17.24.

That those which have union with Christ, are justified from all their sinnes, past, [1] present, and to come, by the blood of Christ; which justification wee conceive to be a gracious and free [b] acquittance of a guiltie, sinfull creature, from all sin by God, through the satisfaction that Christ hath made by his death; and this applyed in the manifestation of it through faith.

1. 1 Joh. 1.7.
   Heb. 10.14.
   Heb. 9.26.
   2 Cor. 5.19.
   Rom. 3.23.

2. Acts 13.38-39.
   Rom. 5.1.
   Rom. 3.25, 30.

That all beleevers are a holy and [1] sanctified people, and that sanctification is a spirituall grace of the [2] new Covenant, and effect of the [3] love of God, manifested to the soule, whereby the beleever is in [4] truth and realitie separated, both in soule and body, from all sinne and dead works, through the [5] bloud of the everlasting Covenant, whereby he also presseth after a heavenly and Evangelicall perfection, in obedience to all the Commands, [6] which Christ as head and King in this new Covenant has prescribed to him.

1. 1 Cor. 1.1-2.
   1 Pet. 2.9.

2. Eph. 1.4.

3. 1 Joh. 4.16.

4. Eph. 4.24.

5. Phil. 3.15.

6. Mat. 28.20.

All beleevers through the knowledge of [1] that Justification of life given by the Father, and brought forth by the bloud of Christ, have this as their great privilege of that new [2] Covenant, peace with God, and reconciliation, whereby they that were afarre off, were brought nigh by [3] that bloud, and have (as the Scripture speaks) peace [4] passing all understanding, yea, joy in God, through our Lord Jesus Christ, by [5] whom wee have received the Atonement.

1. 2 Cor. 5.19.
   Rom. 5.9-10.

2. Isa. 54.10.

3. Eph. 2.13-14.

4. Phil. 4.7.

5. Rom. 5.10-11.

That all beleevers in the time of this life, are in a continuall warfare, combate, and opposition against sinne, selfe, the world, and the Devill, and liable to all manner of afflictions, tribulations, and persecutions, and so shall continue untill Christ comes in his Kingdome, being predestinated and appointed thereunto; and whatsoever the Saints, and of them doe possesse or enjoy of God in this life, is onely by faith.

• Eph. 6.10-13.

• 2 Cor. 10.3.

• Rev. 2.9-10.

That the onely strength by which the Saints are inabled to incounter with all opposition, and to overcome all afflictions, temptations, persecutions, and tryalls, is onely by Jesus Christ, who is the Captain of their salvation, being made perfect through sufferings, who hath ingaged his strength to assist them in all their afflictions, and to uphold them under all their temptations, and to preserve them by his power to his everlasting Kingdome.

• Joh. 16.33.

• Heb. 2.9-10.

• John 15.5.

That Christ hath here on earth a spirituall Kingdome, which is the Church, which he hath purchased and redeemed to himselfe, as a peculiar inheritance: which Church, as it is visible to us, is a company of visible [1] Saints, [2] called & separated from the world, by the word and [3] Spirit of God, to the visible profession of the faith of the Gospel, being baptized into that faith, and joyned to the Lord, and each other, by mutuall agreement, in the practical injoyment of the [4] Ordinances, commanded by Christ their head and King.

1. 1 Cor. 1.2.
   Eph. 1.1.

2. Rom. 1.7.
   Act. 26.18.
   1 Thes. 1.9.
   2 Cor. 6.17.
   Rev. 18.18.

3. Acts 2.37.
   Acts 10.37.

4. Rom. 10.10.
   Act. 20.21.
   Mat. 18.19-20.
   Act. 2.42.
   1 Pet. 2.5.

To this Church he hath [1] made his promises, and given the signes of his Covenant, presence, love, blessing, and protection: here are the fountains and springs of his heavenly grace continually flowing forth; [2] thither ought all men to come, of all estates, that acknowledge him to be their Prophet, Priest, and King, to be inrolled amongst his household servants, to be under his heavenly conduct and government, to lead their lives in his walled sheepfold, and watered garden, to have communion here with the Saints, that they may be made to be partakers of their inheritance in the Kingdome of God.

1. Mat. 28.18-20.
   2 Cor. 6.18.

2. Isa. 8.16.
   1 Tim. 3.15.
   1 Tim. 4.16.
   1 Tim. 6.3, 5.
   Acts 2.41, 47.
   Song 4.12.
   Gal. 6.10.
   Eph. 2.19.

And all his servants are called thither, to present their bodies and soules, and to bring their gifts God hath given them; so being come, they are here by himselfe bestowed in their severall order, peculiar place, due use, being fitly compact and knit together, according to the effectuall working of every part, to the edification of it selfe in love.

• 1 Cor. 12:6-7, 18.

• Rom. 12:4-6.

• Eph. 4:16.

• Col. 2:5-6, 19.

• 1 Cor. 12:12-31.

That being thus joyned, every Church has [1] power given them from Christ for their better well-being, to choose to themselves meet persons into the office of [2] Pastors, Teachers, Elders, Deacons, being qualified according to the Word, as those which Christ has appointed in his Testament, for the feeding, governing, serving, and building up of his Church, and that none other have power to impose them, either these or any other.

1. Acts 1.2.
   Acts 6.3.
   with Acts 15.22, 25.
   1 Cor. 16.3.

2. Rom. 12.7-8.
   Rom. 16.1.
   1 Cor. 12.8, 28.
   1 Tim. 3.1-16.
   Heb. 13.7.
   1 Pet. 5.1-3.

That the Ministers aforesaid, lawfully called by the Church, where they are to administer, ought to continue in their calling, according to God’s Ordinance, and carefully feed the flock of Christ committed to them, not for filthy lucre, but of a ready minde.

• Heb. 5.4.

• Acts. 4.23.

• 1 Tim. 4.14.

• Joh. 10.3-4.

• Acts 20.28.

• Rom. 12.7-8.

• Heb. 13.7, 17.

That the due maintenance of the Officers aforesaid, should be the free and voluntary communication of the Church, that according to Christs Ordinance, they that preach the Gospel, should live on the Gospel, and not by constraint to be compelled from the people by a forced Law.

• 1 Cor. 9.7, 14.

• Gal. 6.6.

• 1 Thes. 5.13.

• 1 Tim. 5.17-18.

• Phil. 4.15-16.

Audio Exposition - Sept. 23, 2025

That Baptisme is an Ordinance of the new Testament, given by Christ, to be dispensed onely upon persons professing faith, or that are Disciples, or taught, who upon a profession of faith, ought to be baptized.

• Mat. 28.18-19.

• Mark 16.16.

• Acts 2.37-38.

• Acts 8.36-38

• Acts 18.8.

Audio Exposition - Sept. 30, 2025

The way and manner of the [1] dispensing of this Ordinance, the Scripture holds out to be dipping or plunging the whole body under water: it being a signe, must answer the thing signified, which are these: first, the [2] washing the whole soule in the bloud of Christ: Secondly, that interest the Saints have in the [3] death, buriall, and resurrection; thirdly, together with a [4] confirmation of our faith, that as certainly as the body is buried under water, and riseth againe, so certainly shall the bodies of the Saints be raised by the power of Christ, in the day of the resurrection, to reigne with Christ.

The word Baptizo, signifying to dip under water, yet so as with convenient garments both upon the administrator and the subject, with all modestie.

1. Mat. 3.16.
   Joh. 3.23.
   Acts 8.38.

2. Rev. 1.5.
   Rev. 7.14.
   Heb. 10.22.

3. Rom. 6.3-5.

Audio Exposition - Oct. 7, 2025

The persons designed by Christ, to dispense this Ordinance, the [1] Scriptures hold forth to be a preaching Disciple, it being no where tyed to a particular Church, Officer, or person extraordinarily sent, the Commission injoyning the administration, being given to them under no other consideration, but as considered Disciples.

1. Isa. 8.16.
   Mat. 28.16-19.
   John 4.1-2.
   Acts 20.7.
   Mat. 26.26.

Audio Exposition - Oct. 14, 2025

Christ has likewise given power to his whole Church to receive in and cast out, by way of Excommunication, any member; and this power is given to every particular Congregation, and not one particular person, either member or Officer, but the whole.

• Acts 2.47.

• Rom. 16.2.

• Matt. 18.17.

• 1 Cor. 5.4.

• 2 Cor. 2.6-8.

Audio Exposition - Oct. 28, 2025

And every particular member of each Church, how excellent, great, or learned soever, ought to be subject to this censure and judgement of Christ; and the Church ought with great care and tendernesse, with due advice to proceed against her members.

• Mat. 18.16-18.

• Act. 11.2-3.

• 1 Tim. 5.19-21.

Audio Exposition - Oct. 28, 2025

And as Christ for the [1] keeping of this Church in holy and orderly Communion, placeth some speciall men over the Church, who by their office are to governe, oversee, visit, watch; so likewise for the better keeping thereof in all places, by the members, He hath given [2] authoritie, and laid dutie upon all, to watch over one another.

1. Acts 20.17-18.
   Heb. 13.17, 24.
   Mat. 24.25.
   1 Thes. 5.14.

2. Mark 13.34, 37.
   Gal. 6.1.
   1 Thes. 5.11.
   Jude 1.3, 20.
   Heb. 10.34-35.
   Heb. 12.15.

That also such to whom God hath given gifts, being tryed in the Church, may and ought by the appointment of the Congregation, to prophesie, according to the proportion of faith, and so to teach publickly the Word of God, for the edification, exhortation, and comfort of the Church.

• 1 Cor. 14.

• Rom. 12.6.

• 1 Pet. 4.10-11.

• 1 Cor. 12.7.

• 1 Thes. 5.17-19.

Thus being rightly gathered, established, and still proceeding in Christian communion, and obedience of the Gospel of Christ, none ought to separate for faults and corruptions, which may, and as long as the Church consists of men subject to failings, will fall out and arise amongst them, even in true constituted Churches, untill they have in due order sought redresse thereof.

• Rev. 2.1-3.22.

• Acts 15.12.

• 1 Cor. 1.10.

• Ephes. 2.16.

• Ephes. 3.15-16.

• Heb. 10.25.

• Jude 1.19.

• Matth. 18.17.

• 1 Cor. 5.4-5.

And although the particular Congregations be distinct and severall Bodies, every one as a compact and knit Citie in it selfe; yet are they all to walk by one and the same Rule, and by all meanes convenient to have the counsell and help one of another in all needfull affaires of the Church, as members of one body in the common faith under Christ their onely head.

• 1 Cor. 4.17.

• 1 Cor. 14.33, 36.

• 1 Cor. 16.1.

• Matth. 28.20.

• 1 Tim. 3.15.

• 1 Tim. 6.13-14.

• Rev. 22.18-19.

• Col. 2.6, 19.

• Col. 4.16.