The articles of the faith of the Church of Christ, or, Congregation meeting at Horsley-down Benjamin Keach, pastor, as asserted this 10th of the 6th month, 1697. Keach, Benjamin, 1640-1704. 1697 Approx. 53 KB of XML-encoded text transcribed from 25 1-bit group-IV TIFF page images. Text Creation Partnership, Ann Arbor, MI ; Oxford (UK) : 2005-12 (EEBO-TCP Phase 1). A47381 Wing K46 ESTC R10175 12424917 ocm 12424917 61805 This keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the Early English Books Online Text Creation Partnership. This Phase I text is available for reuse, according to the terms of Creative Commons 0 1.0 Universal . The text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. Early English books online. (EEBO-TCP ; phase 1, no. A47381) Transcribed from: (Early English Books Online ; image set 61805) Images scanned from microfilm: (Early English books, 1641-1700 ; 944:4) The articles of the faith of the Church of Christ, or, Congregation meeting at Horsley-down Benjamin Keach, pastor, as asserted this 10th of the 6th month, 1697. Keach, Benjamin, 1640-1704. [12], 3-40 p. [s.n.], London : 1697. Reproduction of original in Union Theological Seminary Library, New York. Created by converting TCP files to TEI P5 using tcp2tei.xsl, TEI @ Oxford. Re-processed by University of Nebraska-Lincoln and Northwestern, with changes to facilitate morpho-syntactic tagging. Gap elements of known extent have been transformed into placeholder characters or elements to simplify the filling in of gaps by user contributors. 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Copies of the texts have been issued variously as SGML (TCP schema; ASCII text with mnemonic sdata character entities); displayable XML (TCP schema; characters represented either as UTF-8 Unicode or text strings within braces); or lossless XML (TEI P5, characters represented either as UTF-8 Unicode or TEI g elements). Keying and markup guidelines are available at the Text Creation Partnership web site . eng Baptists -- Doctrines. Baptists -- England -- Early works to 1800. 2005-04 TCP Assigned for keying and markup 2005-07 SPi Global Keyed and coded from ProQuest page images 2005-08 Emma (Leeson) Huber Sampled and proofread 2005-08 Emma (Leeson) Huber Text and markup reviewed and edited 2005-10 pfs Batch review (QC) and XML conversion THE ARTICLES OF THE FAITH OF THE CHURCH of CHRIST , OR Congregation meeting at Horsley-down , BENJAMIN KEACH , Pastor , As asserted this 10 th of the 6 th Month , 1697. LONDON ; Printed in the Year 1697. To the Congregation with whom I am a Member ( and the unworthy Overseer ) who are in God the Father , and in our Lord Jesus Christ ; Grace , Mercy and Peace be multiplied . Most Dear and Beloved in Christ : I Hope I can say ( with the holy Apostle ) that you are by me dearly beloved , my Joy , and my Crown ; yea you are my Honour , and in you I would rejoice , being the Ornament of my poor Ministry , by which the most of you have ( through the Blessing of God ) been converted to Jesus Christ : and if you stand fast in the Faith in one Spirit , striving together for the Faith of the Gospel , and do adorn your Profession , living in Love , and endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of Peace , you will cause my latter days to be most sweet and comfortable to me , after all those Troubles , Sorrows , and Reproaches I have met with , both from within and from without . Evident it is God hath most eminently appeared to strengthen your hands : tho the Archers have sorely grieved you , and shot at you , yet your Bow abideth in strength ; and that the Arms of your Hands may still abide strong by the Arm of the mighty God of Jacob , shall be my continual Prayers . My Brethren , I here present you with that which you have so long waited for , and desired me to endeavour to do , viz. to state an account of the most concerning Articles of your Faith , which you have heard read , and have approved of , and which I thought good no longer to delay the doing of . ( 1. ) Not knowing how soon I may put off this Tabernacle , and therefore would leave behind me an account of that holy Doctrine and Order , in which through Grace you are established ( for at your desire also I have drawn up the whole Rules of your holy Discipline , which you may have added unto this , and bound up together ) . ( 2. ) And the rather I have done this , because the General and more Large Confession of the Faith of our Churches , is now out of Print ; but that is not all , for that being 12 d. price , some cannot well purchase it . ( 3. ) And also that all Men may see what our Faith is , and that we differ not from our Brethren who bear other Names in any Fundamental Point or Article of Faith ; and that they may discern the difference between you and some that bear the same Name with you . ( 4. ) Tho you agree in the general with all other Churches of the same Faith , in all those Articles there inserted , yet therein your whole Faith is not comprehended , viz. that of Imposition of Hands upon baptized Believers as such , and singing of God's Praise , &c. because some of our Churches dissent from us therein : yet my desire is you would nevertheless shew all Tenderness , Charity and Moderation to such as differ from you in those Cases , and not refuse Communion with them ; and indeed your late sweet Temper appears to be such , that I need not press you to this . All that I shall say more , is to entreat you to labour after Holiness , and to awake out of sleep , that you may adorn your sacred Profession , and prepare to meet the Lord ; that as you have a good Doctrine , you may also have a holy and good Conversation ; and then we need not fear who can harm us , whilst we are followers of that which is good , O let us bear one with another . and if in any thing we differ , let us avoid all Animosities . Brethren , great things are near , watch and pray , look out and be ready . But at present I shall conclude with the words of the Apostle , Finally , Brethren , farewel ; be perfect , be of good comfort , be of one Mind , live in peace , and the God of Love and Peace shall be with you . So prays your unworthy Brother , Pastor , Overseer , and Servant , who earnestly desires your Prayers , also , B. Keach . From my House in Freemans-lane by Horsley-down , Southwark . Aug. 16. 1697. That the following Articles contain what the foresaid Church believes concerning those Truths asserted therein , we whose Names are hereunto subscribed , do testify in the Name and by the Appointment of the whole Congregation , the 10 th day of the 6 th Month , commonly called August , 1697. BEnjamin Keach , Pastor . Benjamin Stinton , Teacher . John Roberts , Deacon . Edward Foley , Deacon . Joshua Farrow , Deacon . Tho. Stinton , Deacon . John Valley , Deacon . Isaac Ballard , Deacon . John Hoar , sen. Edward Newbury , Tho. Turner , John Seamor , Ephraim Wilcocks , James Wilmott , Daniel Dines , Richard Thoubals , John Weston , John Clark , Tho. Ayers , John York , George Starkey , sen. Benj. Harris , George Starkey , jun. John Beavis , Tho. Hill , Joseph Berry , William Farmworth , Joseph Jennings , John Fowle , sen. Tho. Fowle , John Fowle , jun. Henry Skeer , John Greensmith , Jeremiah Lions , William Putman , Nath. Holden , William Cattrel , Tho. Harvey , Tho. Richford , Joseph Worley , Peter Carter , William Forister , Sam. Cox. John Sparke , James King , William Deale , Simon Agars , John Hoar , jun. Tho. Gunning , William Mais . The Articles of Faith of the Church of Christ meeting at Horsley-Down . Of God , and of the Holy Trinity . I. WE do believe , declare and testify , that there is but One Only Living and True God , who is a Spirit Infinite , Eternal , Immense and Unchangeable in his Being , Wisdom , Power , Holiness , Justice , Goodness , Truth and Faithfulness . II. That there are three Persons in the Godhead , the Father , the Son , and Holy Spirit ; and that these three are One God , the same in Essence , equal in Power and Glory . Of the Decrees of God. III. THat the Decrees of God are his Eternal Purpose according to the Counsel of his Will , whereby for his own Glory he hath foreordained whatsoever comes to pass , even those Evils that his Wisdom and Justice permits for the manifestation of the Glory of those his Attributes : And that God executes his Decrees in the Works of Creation and Providence . Of Creation . IV. THat the Works of Creation are God's creating all things of nothing by his Word of Power , in six days , and all very good . That God created Man Male and Female , after his own Image , in Knowledg , Righteousness , and Holiness , with Power and Dominion over the Creatures . Of God's Providence . V. WE believe that God's Works of Providence are his most holy , wise , and powerful preserving , and governing all his Creatures , and their Actions . Of the holy Scriptures . VI. WE believe the holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testament are the Word of God , and are the only Rule of Faith , and Practice ; all things being contained therein that are necessary for us to know concerning God , and our Duty unto him , and also unto all Men. That all Persons ought to read , hear , and understand the holy Scriptures . That the Light of Nature , and Works of Providence , tho they declare plainly there is a God , yet not so effectually as the holy Scriptures ; nor can we know without them how , and in what space of time God created all things . Neither came we any other ways but by the holy Scriptures to the Knowledg of Christ the blessed Mediator ; which indeed none can savingly know but by the Word and Spirit of God. Of Original Sin. VII . WE do believe , that God having created Man , he entered into a Covenant of Life with him , upon the condition of perfect Obedience ; making the first Adam a common Head to all his Seed : and that our first Parents being left to the freedom of their own Will , fell from the Estate wherein they were created , by eating of the forbidden Fruit : and that Adam being set up as a publick Person , we all sinned in him , and fell with him into a state of Sin , of Wrath and Misery ; the Sinfulness of which state consists in the guilt of Adam's first Sin , the want of Original Righteousness , and the Corruption of our whole Nature : from whence all actual Sins proceed , as Water out of a filthy and an unclean Fountain . So that not only by Imputation all Men became Sinners in the first Adam , but also as the same corrupt Nature is conveyed to all his Posterity , who descend from him in ordinary Generation . By this Sin all Mankind lost the Image of God , and Communion with him , being liable to all the Miseries of this Life , and to Death itself ; and also are dead in Sins and Trespasses , and obnoxious to the Wrath of God , and the eternal Pains of Hell for ever . Hence we say that all are conceiv'd and born in Sin , and are the Children of Wrath , even the Elect as well as others , being wholly defiled in all the Faculties and Parts of Soul and Body , and utterly indisposed and disabled to do any thing that is spiritually good , and wholly inclined with a strong propensity to all things that are evil . Of Man's Free-will . VIII . WE believe Man in his state of Innocency had freedom of Will to do good ; but by the Fall he hath utterly lost all that Power and Ability , being wofully depraved in all the Faculties of his Soul ; there being in the Will and Mind of all naturally much Enmity against God , and a total aversion to him , and to every thing that is spiritually good ; loving Darkness , and rebelling against the Light. But when a Man is renewed by Divine Grace , tho there is no force put upon the Will , yet it is made willing , and acts freely , in the day of God's Power : tho the Work is not perfect in any Faculty in the Regenerate , nor will be in this Life . Of Christ the Mediator . IX . WE believe that God having , out of his own meer good Pleasure , and infinite Love , elected some Persons of the lost Seed of the first Adam unto everlasting Life , from all Eternity , did enter into a Covenant of Grace with the second Person of the Trinity , ( who was set up as the common Head of all the Elect ) to deliver them out of the state of Sin and Misery , and to bring them into a state of Salvation and eternal Happiness . That the second Person in the Godhead , ( being the eternal Son of God , Coessential , and Coequal with the Father ) according to that holy Covenant and Compact that was between them both , became Man , or assumed our Nature , and so was , and continueth to be God and Man in two distinct Natures , in one Person for ever . And that he the Son of God by his becoming Man , did take unto him a True Body , and Reasonable Soul , being conceived by the holy Spirit in the Womb of the Virgin , and was born of her , yet without Sin. Of the Offices of Christ. X. WE believe that the Lord Jesus Christ , who is our Redeemer , and the one blessed Mediator between God and Man , executeth a threefold Office , both the Office of a Priest , the Office of a King , and the Office of a Prophet . First , That he executeth the Office of a Priest , ( 1. ) In his once offering up himself a Sacrifice , to satisfy Divine Justice , and to reconcile God to us , and us to God. ( 2. ) And in making continual Intercession for us , that the Merits of his Blood may be made effectual unto us . Secondly , That he executeth the Office of a King in subduing us unto himself , and in giving us Laws and holy Precepts , by which we ought to walk ; and also in his restraining and conquering all his , and our Enemies . Thirdly , That he executeth the Office of a Prophet , in revealing to us by his Word and Spirit , the whole Will of God concerning all things that appertain to Faith and Practice . Of Christ's Humiliation and Exaltation . XI . WE believe that Christ's Humiliation consisted in that great Condescension of his in assuming our Nature , and being born in a low condition , made under the Law , undergoing the many Miseries of this Life , the Wrath of God , the Curse of the Law , and the ignominious Death of the Cross , continuing under Death for a time . And that his Exaltation consisteth in his rising again from the dead the third day , and in his ascending up into Heaven , in sitting at the Right-hand of God ; Angels , Powers , and Principalities being made subject unto him ; and in his being made Judg of the quick and dead . Of effectual Calling . XII . WE do believe that we are made Partakers of the Redemption purchased by Christ , by the effectual Application of his Merits , &c. unto us by the Holy Spirit , thereby uniting us to Christ in effectual Calling : And that effectual Calling is the Work of God's Free Grace , who by his Spirit works Faith in us , who are altogether passive therein ; and convincing us of Sin and Misery , enlightning our Minds in the Knowledg of Christ , and renewing our Wills , and changing our whole Hearts , he doth perswade and enable us to imbrace Jesus Christ freely , as he is offered in the Gospel . Of Justification . XIII . WE do believe Justification is a free Act of God's Grace , through that Redemption which is in Christ , ( who , as our Head , was acquitted , justified , and discharged , and we in him , when he rose from the Dead ) and when applied to us , we in our own Persons are actually justified , in being made and pronounced righteous , through the Righteousness of Christ imputed to us ; and all our Sins , past , present , and to come , for ever pardon'd ; which is receiv'd by Faith alone . And that our Sanctification , nor Faith it self , is any part of our Justification before God ; it not being either the Habit , or Act of Believing , or any Act of Evangelical Obedience imputed to us , but Christ , and his active and passive Obedience only , apprehended by Faith : and that Faith in no sense tends to make Christ's Merits more satisfactory unto God ; but that he was as fully reconciled and satisfied for his Elect in Christ by his Death before Faith as after ; otherwise it would render God only reconcileable , ( not reconciled ) and make Faith part of the Payment or Satisfaction unto God , and so lessen the Merits of Christ , as if they were defective or insufficient . Yet we say , it is by Faith that we receive the Atonement , or by which means ( as an Instrument ) we come to apprehend and receive him , and to have personal Interest in him , and to have our free Justification evidenced to our own Consciences . Of Adoption . XIV . WE believe Adoption is an Act of God's Free Grace , whereby such who were the Children of Wrath by Nature , are received into the Number , and have Right to all the Privileges of the Sons of God ; and that such who are adopted , are also by the Spirit regenerated , and hence said to be born of God. Of Sanctification . XV. THAT Sanctification is the Work of God's Free Grace also , whereby we are renewed in the whole Man after the Image of God , and are inabled more and more to die unto Sin , and live unto Righteousness . And that the Benefits we receive , and which flow from or accompany Justification , are Adoption , Sanctification , Peace of Conscience , Manifestations of God's Love , Joy in the Holy Ghost , an Increase of Grace , an Assurance of eternal Life , and final Perseverance unto the end . Of the Souls of Men at Death . XVI . WE believe , that at Death the Souls of Believers are made perfect in Holiness , and do immediately pass into Glory ; and their Bodies dying in Union with Christ , or dying in the Lord , do rest in their Graves till the Resurrection , when they shall be raised up in Glory . And that their Souls being reunited to their Bodies , they shall be openly acknowledged , and acquitted , and made compleatly blessed , both in Soul and Body , and shall have the full Injoyment of God to all Eternity . And that the Souls of the Wicked at their Death are cast into Hell , or are in Torment : and that their Bodies lie in the Grave under Wrath , and shall by virtue of the Power of Christ be raised from the Dead ; and their Souls being re-united to their Bodies , shall be judged and condemned , and cast into a Furnace of Fire , or into unspeakable Torment , with the Devil and his Angels , for ever and ever . Of the Law. XVII . WE believe God requires Obedience of Man , and that the Rule of that Obedience is the moral Law as it is in the Hands of Christ ; which teacheth all Persons their Duty to God , and to Man ; the Sum of all being this , to love the Lord our God with all our Hearts , with all our Souls , and with all our Strength , and our Neighbours as our selves . And that tho the Law is abolished as a Covenant of Works , and as so considered , we are dead to it , and that dead to us ; yet it remains as a Rule of Life and Righteousness for ever . XVIII . We believe no mere Man , since the Fall , is able in this Life perfectly to keep the Holy Law of God ; and that every Offence against the Law deserves eternal Death , tho some Sins are more heinous in God's Sight than others . And that God , as a simple Act of Mercy , will not , doth not , pardon any Man ; neither doth it seem consistent with his Holiness and Justice so to do , without a full Satisfaction : wherefore he substituted Christ in our room and stead , perfectly to keep the whole Law , and to die , or bear that Wrath which we deserved for our breaking of it ; he being pleased in his infinite Love and Grace to transfer our Sins , Guilt and Punishment , upon his own Son , ( who took our Nature upon him , as our blessed Head and Representative ) that his active Obedience and Righteousness might be our just Title unto eternal Life ; and his Death ( who bore our Hell-Torments ) be our full Discharge from the Wrath of God , and eternal Condemnation . And that all who would receive this Title , and have this Discharge so as to escape God's Wrath , and the Curse of the Law , must fly to Christ , and lay hold on him by Faith ; which Faith is known by its Fruits , having lively , Sin-killing , Soul-humbling , Self-abasing , Christ-exalting , and Heart-purifying Operations , always attending it . Of Faith and Repentance . XIX . WE believe that Faith is a saving Grace , or the most precious Gift of God ; and that it is an Instrument whereby we receive , take hold of , and wholly rest upon Jesus Christ , as offered to us in the Gospel . That Repentance unto Life is also a saving Grace , whereby a Sinner , out of a true Sense of Sin , and Apprehension of God's Mercy in Christ , doth with Grief and Hatred of his Sins , turn from them . And that tho Repentance is in order of Nature called the first Principle of the Doctrine of Christ , yet we believe no Man can savingly repent , unless he believes in Jesus Christ , and apprehends the Free Pardon and Forgiveness of all his Sins through the Blood of the everlasting Covenant , and the Sight and Sense of God's Love in a bleeding Saviour ; being that only thing that melts and breaks the stony Heart of a poor Sinner , as the Sight of a free Pardon from a Prince humbles the stout Heart of a rebellious Malefactor . Of the Means of Grace . XX. WE believe that the outward and more ordinary means , whereby Christ communicates to us the Benefits of Redemption , are his Holy Ordinances , as Prayer , the Word of God , and Preaching , with Baptism , and the Lord's Supper , &c. and yet notwithstanding it is the Spirit of God that maketh Prayer , Reading , &c. and specially the Preaching of the Word , effectual to the convincing , converting , building up , and comforting , through Faith , all the Elect of God unto Salvation . And that it is the Duty of all , that the Word may become effectual to their Salvation , to attend upon it with all Diligence , Preparation , and Prayer , that they may receive it with Faith and Love , and lay it up in their Hearts , and practise it in their Lives . Of Baptism . XXI . WE believe that Baptism is a Holy Ordinance of Christ , or a pure Gospel-Institution ; and to be unto the Party baptized , a sign of his Fellowship with Christ in his Death , Burial , and Resurrection , and of his being grafted into him , and of Remission of Sins , and of his giving himself up to God , through Jesus Christ , to walk in Newness of Life . We also believe that Baptism ought not to be administred to any but to those who actually profess Repentance towards God , and Faith towards our Lord Jesus Christ. That the Infants of Believers ought not to be baptized , because there is neither Precept , or Example , or any certain Consequence in the Holy Scripture for any such Practice : And we ought not to be wise above what is written . And that a human Tradition or Custom ought not to be regarded , but that it is sinful , and abominable . We believe also that Baptism is only rightly administred by Immersion , or dipping the whole Body in Water , into the Name of the Father , and of the Son , and of the Holy Spirit ; according to Christ's Institution , and the Practice of the Apostles ; and not by sprinkling , or pouring of Water , or dipping some part of the Body in Water , after the Tradition of Men. And that it is the indispensible Duty of such who are baptized , to give up themselves to some particular orderly Church of Jesus Christ , and to walk in all the Commandments and Ordinances of the Lord blameless : Baptism being an initiating Ordinance . Of a true Church . XXII . WE believe a true Church of Christ is not National , nor Parochial , but doth consist of a number of godly Persons , who upon the Profession of their Faith and Repentance have been baptized , and in a solemn manner have in a Holy Covenant given themselves up to the Lord , and to one another , to live in Love , and to endeavour to keep the Vnity of the Spirit in the Bond of Peace : Among whom the Word of God is duly and truly preach'd ; and Holy Baptism , the Lord's Supper , and all other Ordinances are duly administred , according to the Word of God , and the Institution of Christ in the Primitive Church : watching over one another , and communicating to each other's Necessities , as becometh Saints ; living Holy Lives , as becomes their sacred Profession ; and not to forsake the assembling themselves , as the manner of some is ; or to take leave to hear where they please in other Places when the Church is assembled , but to worship God , and feed in that Pasture , or with that Church , with whom they have covenanted , and given up themselves as particular Members thereof . Of Laying on of Hands . XXIII . WE believe that laying on of Hands ( with Prayer ) upon baptized Believers , as such , is an Ordinance of Christ , and ought to be submitted unto by all such Persons that are admitted to partake of the Lord's Supper ; and that the end of this Ordinance is not for the extraordinary Gifts of the Spirit , but for a farther Reception of the Holy Spirit of Promise , or for the Addition of the Graces of the Spirit , and the Influences thereof ; to confirm , strengthen , and comfort them in Christ Jesus ; it being ratified and established by the extraordinary Gifts of the Spirit in the Primitive Times , to abide in the Church , as meeting together on the first Day of the Week was , Act. 2.1 . that being the Day of Worship , or Christian Sabbath , under the Gospel ; and as Preaching the Word was , Acts 10.44 . and as Baptism was , Mat. 3.16 . and Prayer was , Acts 4.31 . and singing Psalms , &c. was , Acts 16.25 , 26. so this of laying on of Hands was , Acts 8. & ch . 19. For as the whole Gospel was confirmed by Signs and Wonders , and divers Miracles and Gifts of the Holy Ghost in general , so was every Ordinance in like manner confirmed in particular . Of the Lord's Supper . XXIV . WE believe that the Holy Ordinance of the Lord's Supper , which he instituted the Night before he was betrayed , ought to be observed to the end of the World ; and that it consisteth only in breaking of Bread , and drinking of Wine , in remembrance of Christ's Death ; it being appointed for our spiritual Nourishment , and Growth in Grace , and as a farther Engagement in , and to all Duties we owe to Jesus Christ , and as a Pledg of his eternal Love to us , and as a Token of our Communion with him , and one with another . And that due Preparation and Examination is required of all that ought to partake thereof ; and that it cannot be neglected by any approved and orderly Member without Sin. Of Church-Officers . XXV . WE do believe that every particular Church of Christ is Independent ; and that no one Church hath any Priority or Super-intendency above or over another : and that every Church ought to be Organical : that an Elder , or Elders , a Deacon , or Deacons , ought to be elected in every Congregation , according to those holy Qualifications laid down in the Word of God : and that the said Elders and Deacons so chosen , ought solemnly to be ordained with Prayer , and laying on of Hands of the Eldership . That such Churches as have not Officers so ordained , are disorderly , there being something still wanting . Of Prayer . XXVI . WE believe Prayer is a holy Ordinance of God , and that it ought to be performed by the Help and Assistance of the Holy Spirit ; and that not only the Prayer Christ taught his Disciples , but the whole Word of God is to be our Rule how to pray , and pour forth our Souls unto God : and that it is the indispensible Duty of all godly Families ( and others also ) as well as private Christians , daily to pray for all things they need , and to give Thanks every Day for all good things they receive : and that the Omission of this Duty is a great Scandal to Religion , and a great Evil when it is carelesly or negligently performed . Of singing of Psalms , &c. XXVII . WE believe that singing the Praises of God , is a holy Ordinance of Christ , and not a part of Natural Religion , or a moral Duty only ; but that it is brought under Divine Institution , it being injoined on the Churches of Christ to sing Psalms , Hymns , and spiritual Songs ; and that the whole Church in their Publick Assemblies ( as well as private Christians ) ought to sing God's Praises , according to the best Light they have received . Moreover , it was practised in the great Representative Church , by 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 Redeeming Love. Of the Christian Sabbath . XXVIII . WE believe that one Day in seven , ought to be solemnly observed in the Worship of God ; and that by Moses's Law the Jews and proselyted Strangers were to keep the seventh Day : but from the Resurrection of Christ the first Day of the Week ought by all Christians to be observed Holy to the Lord , that being called the Lord's Day ; and the first time the Church met together after Christ's Ascension was on the Day of Pentecost , which was the first Day of the Week , as Tradition hath handed it down : and on that Day the Church also met together to break Bread , and make Collections for the poor Saints : and no mention is made that any one Gospel-Church kept the Jewish Sabbath in all the New Testament . And we believe that an Apostolical Precedent is equivalent to an Apostolical Precept in this case . Of Ministers , and their Maintenance . XXIX . WE do believe that every Brother that hath received a Gift to preach , having first pass'd the Probation of the Church , and being regularly called by the same , ought to exercise the said Gift to the Edification of the Church when desired ; and that no Brother ought to take upon him to preach , until he has a lawful Call so to do . Moreover , we believe that it is the indispensible Duty of every Church , according to their Ability , to provide their Pastor , or Elders , a comfortable Maintenance ; as God hath ordained , that he that preaches the Gospel , should live of the Gospel , and not of his own Labour ; but that he should wholly give himself up to the Work of the Ministry , and to watch over the Flock , being to be freed from all secular Business , and Encumbrances of the World : and yet that it is abominable Evil for any Man to preach the Gospel for filthy lucre sake , but he must do it of a ready mind . Of the First Covenant . XXX . WE believe that the first Covenant , or Covenant of Works , was primarily made with Adam , and with all Mankind in him , by virtue of which he stood in a justified state before the Fall , upon the condition of his own perfect and personal Obedience . But by the Fall he made himself uncapable of Life by that Covenant . That the Law God gave by Moses to Israel , was of the same nature of that given to Adam , being a second Ministration of it ; but not given for Life , but to make Sin exceeding sinful , and to shew how unable Man was in his fallen state to fulfil the Righteousness of God ; and so ( with the Ceremonial Law ) it was given in subservienty to the Gospel , as a Schoolmaster to bring Sinners to Christ. Of the New and Second Covenant . XXXI . WE believe the Covenant of Grace was primarily made with the second Adam , and in him with all the Elect , who as God-man , or Mediator , was set up from everlasting as a Common Person , or as their Head and Representative ; who freely obliged or ingaged himself to the Father for them , perfectly to keep the whole Law in their Nature that had sinned , and to satisfy Divine Justice by bearing their Sins upon his own Body , i. e. the Guilt of all their Sins , which were laid upon him : and that he sustain'd that Wrath and Curse in his Body and Soul , that was due to them for all their Transgressions : and having received their discharge from Wrath and Condemnation , he gives it out to all that believe in him , and obtain Union with him , who are thereby brought actually into the said New Covenant , and have a personal Right to all the Blessings thereof . Of Election . XXXII . WE do believe that God from all Eternity , according unto the most wise and holy Counsel of his own Will , freely and unchangeably decreed and ordained , for the manifestation of his own Glory , some Angels , and some of the lost Sons and Daughters of Adam , unto eternal Life ; and that their number is so certain and definite , that it cannot be either increased or diminished : and that others are left or passed by under a Decree of Preterition . And that those of Mankind that are predestinated and fore-ordained , are particularly and personally design'd unto eternal Life : and these God , according to his eternal and immutable Purpose , and good pleasure of his Will , did chuse in Christ ( the Head of this Election ) unto everlasting Glory , of his meer free Grace , without any foreseen Faith or Obedience and Perseverance therein , or any thing in the Creature as a Condition or Cause moving him thereunto ; and all this only to the Praise of his own glorious Grace . Of final Perseverance . XXXIII . WE believe all those whom God hath chosen , and who are effectually called , justified , and sanctified in Jesus Christ , can neither totally , nor finally fall away from a state of Grace ; but shall certainly persevere therein unto the end , and eternally be saved ; and this by virtue of their Election , or the immutable Decree of God , and the unchangeable Love of God the Father ; and by virtue of their Union with Christ , together with his Death , Resurrection , and Intercession ; as also from the nature of the Covenant of Grace , and Suretyship of Christ ; and through the indwelling of the holy Spirit , who abideth in them for ever . Of the Resurrection . XXXIV . WE believe that the Bodies of all Men , both the Just and Vnjust , shall rise again at the last day , even the same numerical Bodies that die ; tho the Bodies of the Saints shall be raised immortal and incorruptible , and be made like Christ's glorious Body : and that the dead in Christ shall rise first . Of Eternal Judgment . XXXV . WE believe that God hath appointed a Day in which he will judg the World in Righteousness by Jesus Christ , or that there shall be a general Day of Judgment , when all shall stand before the Judgment-seat of Christ , and give an account to him for all things done in this Body : and that he will pass an eternal Sentence upon all , according as their Works shall be . Of Marriages . XXXVI . WE believe Marriage is God's holy Ordinance , that is to say between one Man and one Woman : and that no Man ought to have more than one Wife at once : and that Believers that marry , should marry in the Lord , or such that are Believers , or Godly Persons ; and that those who do otherwise , sin greatly , in violating God's holy Precept : and that Ministers as well as others may marry ; for Marriage is honourable in all . Of Civil Magistrates . XXXVII . WE do believe the supream ▪ Lord of Heaven and Earth hath ordained Magistrates for the good of Mankind : and that it is our Duty in all civil and lawful things to obey them for Conscience sake ; nay , and to pray for all that are in Authority , that under them we may live a godly and peaceable Life : and that we ought to render unto Cesar the things that are Cesar's , and to God the things that are God's . Of lawful Oaths . XXXVIII . WE do believe it is lawful to take some Oaths before the Civil Magistrate ; an Oath of Confirmation being to put an end to all Strife : nay , and that it is our Duty so to do when lawfully called thereunto : and that those that swear , ought to swear in Truth , in Righteousness , and in Judgment . Of Personal Propriety . XXXIX . WE do believe that every Man hath a just and peculiar Right and Propriety in his own Goods , and that they are not common to others ; yet we believe that every Man is obliged to administer to the poor Saints , and to the publick Interest of God , according to his Ability , or as God hath blessed him . FINIS . POSTSCRIPT . THere is something contained in the 13 th Article that may seem to want some Explication , in these words ( speaking of a Man actually and personally justified ) that his Sins past , present , and to come , are all forgiven : We believing that if any Sins of a justified Person were afterwards charged upon him , it must of necessity make a breach in his unalterable and everlasting Justification , which is but one Act in God ; hence there is no Condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus : yet I find an able and worthy Writer distinguisheth Pardon of Sin thus , viz. 1. Fundamentally in Christ , as a common Person of all the Elect before Faith , which lieth in Christ making full Satisfaction for all their Sins , meriting Faith for them , &c. 2. Actual , of all the Elect in Christ on believing ; this actual Pardon being nothing else but the actual Possession in their own Persons of their fundamental Pardon in the Person of Christ : And Dr. Tho. Goodwin speaks to the same purpose , to which I agree . And that this actual Pardon of the legal Guilt is twofold . 1. Formal , of all their Sins past , removing their legal Guilt . 2. Virtual , of all their Sins to come , preventing their legal Guilt . Dr. Ames speaks to the same purpose , and many others . I cannot see how a Believer should be for ever formally justified from all Sins past , present , and to come , and yet not formally pardoned . This Author which I have lately met with , distinguisheth well between Legal Guilt and Gospel Guilt ; the first obliging to Divine Wrath , or eternal Punishment ; the latter , i. e. Gospel Guilt , obliging to Gospel , or Fatherly Chastisement for Gospel-Sins . Now I see not but that as soon as a Believer is personally justified , all his Sins , tho not yet committed , as to legal Guilt , or vindictive Wrath , i. e. that Guilt that obliges to eternal Condemnation , are pardoned , for the reason before . Saith he , Virtual Pardon : keeps off Legal Guilt where it would be . To which I reply , if it be kept-off , so that it never comes upon Believers , then it follows they were actually pardon'd before in that respect : yet he says , Sins cannot be said to be formally pardon'd before formally committed ; but says , no Guilt can come upon them to Condemnation , tho new Guilt ; yet no new legal Guilt , because always justified . We see no hurt if his Terms be admitted . Object . What do Believers then pray for , when they pray for the Pardon of Sin ? Answ. 1. That God would not chastise them sorely , or afflict them as a Father , according to the greatness of their Offences . 2. That if his chastning Hand is upon us , he would be pleased graciously to remove it . 3. That he would be pleased to clear up to our Consciences , or give us the evidence of our Pardon through Christ's Merits , and that we may know we are compleat in Christ , or without spot before the Throne in our free Justification . 4. Nay , Believers are to pray to God to remove that Sin from them ( saith this worthy Author ) whose desert of Punishment cannot be removed from it ; and to spread their Sins before the Lord in the highest sense of the deepest demerit of all legal Punishment , so that they may put the higher accent upon the free Grace of God , and estimate upon the full Satisfaction of Christ , whereby their Persons are so fully freed from all actual Obligation to any Legal Punishment , the whole and utmost whereof their Sins deserve . 5. Moreover , that God would continue , and never revoke his most gracious Pardon , till he pronounceth the final Sentence of it at the day of Judgment , ( as well this Author notes ) for a renewed sense and assurance of its grant and continuance : and thus to pray , saith he , there are both Precepts and Promises . FINIS . Notes, typically marginal, from the original text Notes for div A47381-e1420 Joh. 4.24 . Job 11.7 , 8 , 9. Psal. 90.2 . Jam. 1.17 . Exod. 3.4 . Rev. 4.8 . Deut. 6.4 . Exod. 34.6 , 7. Mat. 28.19 . 1 Joh. 5.5 . Eph. 1.4 , 11. Rom. 9.22 , 23. Gen. 1. Heb. 11.3 . Gen. 1.26 , 27 , 28. Col. 3.10 . Eph. 4.24 . 2 Tim. 3.16 . Eph. 2.20 . Joh. 5.39 . Deut. 17.18 . Rev. 1.3 . Acts 8.30 . Gen. 1. & 3.15 , 16. Job . 20.30 , 31. & 21.24 . Gen. 3.5 , 6. Eccl. 7.29 . Rom. 3.23 . 1 Joh. 3.4 . Tit. 1.13 . Rom. 5.17 . Gen. 6.5 . Jer. 17.9 . Rom. 3.10 , 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 , &c. Jam. 1.14 . 1 Cor. 15.14 . Rom. 5.6 . Rom. 8.7 . Col. 1.22 . Mat. 15.19 . Rom. 7.7 , 14 , 17 , 18 , 23 , 24. Lam. 3.39 . Rom. 6.23 . Gal. 3.10 . Job 11.12 . & 15.14 . & 25.4 . Col. 3.10 . Tit. 1.13 . Psal. 51.5 . Eph. 2.2 , 3. Gen. 6.5 . Rom. 7.5 , 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 , 23 , 24. Ephes. 2.2 , 3. Rom. 8.7 . Job 24.13 . Ephes. 4.28 . Col. 1.21 . Psal. 110.3 . Rom. 7.11 , 17 , 18 , 23 , 24. Ephes. 1.4 . Rom. 3.20 , 21 , 22. Gal. 3.21 , 22. 1 Tim. 2.5 , 6. Joh. 1.14 . Galat. 4.4 . Rom. 9.5 . Luke 1.35 . Col. 2.9 . Heb. 7.24 , 25. Phil. 2.6 . Zech. 6.13 . Joh. 1.14 . 1 Tim. 2.5 . Heb. 2.14 . Mat. 2.26 , 38. Luke 1.27 , 31 , 34 , 3● . Gal. 〈…〉 . Heb. 〈…〉 . 1 Tim. 2.5 . Heb. 2.17 . Heb. 7.24 . Act. 15.14 , 15 , 16. 1 Joh. 2.2 . Heb. 7.25 . & 10.21 . & 9.24 . Isa. 33.22 . & 32.1 , 2. 1 Cor. 15.25 . Psal. 100. Acts 3.22 . Joh. 1.18 . 1 Pet. 1.10 , 11 , 12. Joh. 15.15 . & 20.31 . Gal. 4.4 . Heb. 12.23 . Isa. 53.2 , 3. Luk. 22.44 . Mat. 27.46 Phil. 2.8 . 1 Cor. 15.4 . Acts 2.24 , 25 , 26 , 27 , 31. 1 Cor. 15.4 . Mark 16.19 . Eph. 1.20 . Acts 1.11 . & 17.31 . 1 Pet. 3.22 . Joh. 1.11 . Tit. 3.5 , 6. Eph. 1.13 , 14. 1 Cor. 1.9 . Eph. 2.8 . Eph. 3.17 . 1 Cor. 1.9 . 2 Tim. 1.9 . 2 Thess. 2.13 , 14. Acts 2.37 . & 20.18 . Ezek. 36.27 . John 6.44 , 45. Rom. 3.23 , 24 , 25 , 26. Eph. 1.6 , 7. Tit. 3.7 . Rom. 5.15 , 16 , 17 , 18. 1 Cor. 1.30 . 2 Cor. 5.21 Act. 13.39 . 2 Cor. 5.21 . Phil. 3.7 , 8 , 9. Rom. 10.5 . 1 John 3.1 . John 1.10 . Rom. 8.14 . Gal. 2.16 . 1 John 3.1 , 2. & 4.7 . & 5.1 . 2 Thess. 2.13 . Eph. 4.13 . Rom. 6.5 , ● 7. Rom. 8.29 , 30. Rom. 5.1 , 2 , 5. & 14.17 . Prov. 4 18. Joh. 51.3 . 1 Pet. 1.5 . 1 Cor. 15.43 . Mat. 25.23 Mat. 10.32 1 Joh. 3.2 . 1 Cor. 13.12 . 1 Thess. 4.17 , 18. 2 Cor. 5.1 , 2 Phil. 1.21.22 . Luk 16 ●5 1 Pet. 3.19 , 20. Luke 16.23 , 24. Acts 1.25 . 1 Pet. 3.19 Ps. 49.11 . John 9.28 , 29. 2 Thess. 1.8 , 9. Mich. 6.8 . 1 Sam. 15.22 . Rev. 2.14 . Mat. 19.17 Mat. 22.37 , 38 , 39 , 40. 1 Joh. 3.4 . Rom. 7.3 , 4 Gen. 6.5 . Rom. 3.9 , 10 , 11 , 12 , &c. Ezek. 8.6 . 1 Joh. 5.16 Ps 78.17 , 32 , 56. Exod. 34.6 Rom. 3.25 , 26. Gal. 4.4 . Isa. 53.4 , 5 , 6 , 10 , 11. 1 Pet. 2.24 . Rom. 8.1 . John 5.24 . John 3.15 , 16. Heb. 6.18 , 19 , 20. Col. 2.12 . Acts 15.9 . Acts 2.36 . Job 42.5 . 1 Pet. 2.7 . John 3.3 . John 1.12 . Isa. 26.3 , 4. Phil. 3.9 . Ephes. 2.8 . Acts 2.37 . Joh 2.12 . Jer. 3.22 . & 31.18 , 19. Ezek. 36.31 . 2 Cor. 7.10 . Isa. 1.16 , 17 Heb. 6.1 , 2. Zic . 12.10 . Acts 2.36 . Mat. 28.19 , 20. Acts 2.42 , 46 , 47. Neh. 8.8 . 1 Cor. 14.24 , 25. Acts 26.32 Psal. 19.8 . Rom. 1.15 , 16. Acts 20.32 Rom. 10.13 , 14 , 15 , 16 , 17. Prov. 8.34 . 1 Pet. 2.1 , 2. Ps. 119.18 Heb. 4.2 . 2 Thess. 2.10 . Jam. 1.25 . 1 Pet. 3.21 1 Cor. 12.13 . Mat. 28.19 , 20. Rom. 6.3 , 4 , 5. Col. 2.12 , 13. Gal. 3.27 . Acts 2.38 . & 22.16 . Acts 8.37 . Col. 2.21 , 22. Rev. 22.18 Prov. 30.6 . Mat. 28.19 , 20. Mat. 3.16 . Joh. 3.23 . Acts 8.38 . Rom. 6.3 . Col. 2.13 . Acts 2.41 , 42. & 5.13 , 14. 1 Pet. 2.5 . Luke 1.6 . Acts 2.40 , 41 , 42. Eph. 4.3 . Acts 2.40 , 41 , 42 , 43 , 44 , 45 , 46 , &c. 1 Cor. 16.1 , 2. Heb. 10.25 . Heb. 5.12 . & 6 , 1 , 2. Acts 8. & 19.6 . Eph. 1.13 , 14. Acts 8. & 19. Heb. 2.3 , 4. Mat. 26.26 , 27 , 28. Mark 14.21 , 22 , 23. Luke 22.19 , 20. 1 Cor. 11.23 , 24 , 25 , 26 , 27. Acts 20.17 . 1 Tim. 3.1 , 2 , &c. Tit. 1.5 . 1 Tim. 3.2 — 12. Tit. 1.5 , 6 , 7 , 8. Acts 13.3 . 1 Tim. 5.22 . & 4.14 . Phil. 4.6 . Psal. 65.2 . 1 John 4.23 . 1 Pet. 2.5 . Rom. 8.26 . John 5.14 . Psal. 47.7 . Eccl. 5.1 , 2. Jam. 5.16 . Eph. 6.18 . 1 Cor. 14.14 . Col. 4.2 . Josh. 24.15 . Gen. 18.19 . Jer. 10.25 . Eph. 5.19 . Col. 3.16 . Acts 16.25 Heb. 2.12 . Jam. 5.13 . Mat. 26.30 Mar. 14.26 Exod. 20. Rev. 1.10 . Act. 2.1 , 2. Acts 20.7 . 1 Cor. 16.2 1 Tim. 3.2 . Eph. 4.11 . 1 Pet. 4.10 Rom. 12.6 , 7. 1 Cor. 9.9 — 14. Rom. 15.27 . Gal. 6.6 . 1 Tim. 5.15 . 1 Pet. 5.2 . Gen. 2.17 . Rom. 3.12 . Rom. 10.5 . & 5.10 to 30. Rom. 3.19 , 20. 2 Cor. 3.9 , 11. Rom. 7.7 , 8 , 9 , 10 , 11 , 12 , 13. Gal. 3 10. Zech. 6.13 . Rom. 3.23 , 24 , 25 , 26. Isa. 57.5 , 6 , 10 , 11. Rom. 8.3 . Heb. 9.15 , 16 , 17. Heb. 7. ● Luk. 2● 1 Cor. 11. ● Rom. 6.2 . & 8.16 , 17 , 1● . Rom. 8.29 , 30 , 31. Acts 13.48 . Rom. 9.11 . 1 Thess. 4.4 , 5. Eph. 1.3 , 4 , 11. ● Thess. 2.13 . Rom. 8.28 , 29 , 30 , 31. Joh. 10.28 , 29. Rom. 8.38 , 39 ▪ Rom. 8 . 3● ▪ 33 , 3● 2 Tim. 2. ● 2 Cor. 6.17 . Acts 17.31 . 2 Cor. 5.10 . Eccles. 12. Gen. 3.24 . Mat. 19.5 . 1 Cor. 6.16 . Eph. 5.31 . Rom. 7.4 . Heb. 13.4 . Rom. 13.1 , 2 , 3. Tit. 3.1 . 1 Pet. 2.13 . Mat. 22.21 . Exod. 20.7 . Jer. 4.2 . Gen. 24.2 . Neh. 5.12 . Heb. 6.16 , 17. Exod. 20.17 . Acts 5.4 . & 20.33 . Notes for div A47381-e8130 Rom. 8.1 . Mr. Tho. Gilbert . Dr. Ames saith , that not only the Sins of a justif●●● Person that are past are remitted , but also in some sort these to come , Num. 23.25 . Joh. 5.24 . yet he distinguishes between a formal and virtual Pardon : Sins past , says he , are remitted to themselves , Sins to come , in the Subject or Person sinning .