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CONTENTS
CHAPTER TITLES CHAPTER TITLES1. Of
the Holy Scriptures FOREWORD ‘I have thought it right to reprint in a cheap form
this excellent list of doctrines, which were subscribed to by the Baptist
Ministers in the year 1689. We need a banner because of the truth; it may
be that this small volume may aid the cause of the glorious gospel by testifying
plainly what are its leading doctrines . . . May the Lord soon restore unto His
Zion a pure language, and may her watchmen see eye to eye.’ So wrote the
young C.H. Spurgeon, then in the second year of his ministry at New Park Street
Chapel, Southwark, in a preface addressed to All the Household of Faith, who
rejoice in the glorious doctrines of Free Grace with which he prefixed this
Confession when he published it in October, 1855. THE BAPTIST CONFESSION OF FAITH
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Genesis |
1 Kings |
Ecclesiastes |
Amos |
OF THE NEW TESTAMENT:
| Matthew Mark Luke John Acts Romans 1 Corinthians 2 Corinthians Galatians |
Ephesians Philippians Colossians 1 Thessalonians 2 Thessalonians 1 Timothy 2 Timothy Titus Philemon |
Hebrews James 1 Peter 2 Peter 1 John 2 John 3 John Jude Revelation |
All of which are given by the inspiration of God, to be the rule of faith and
life.5
5 2 Tim. 3:16
Paragraph 3. The books commonly called Apocrypha, not being of divine
inspiration, are no part of the canon or rule of the Scripture, and, therefore,
are of no authority to the church of God, nor to be any otherwise approved or
made use of than other human writings.6
6 Luke 24:27,44; Rom. 3:2
Paragraph 4. The authority of the Holy Scripture, for which it ought to be
believed, depends not upon the testimony of any man or church, but wholly upon
God (who is truth itself), the author thereof; therefore it is to be received
because it is the Word of God.7
7 2 Pet. 1:19-21; 2 Tim. 3:16; 2 Thess. 2:13; 1 John 5:9
Paragraph 5. We may be moved and induced by the testimony of the church of
God to a high and reverent esteem of the Holy Scriptures; and the heavenliness
of the matter, the efficacy of the doctrine, and the majesty of the style, the
consent of all the parts, the scope of the whole (which is to give all glory to
God), the full discovery it makes of the only way of man's salvation, and many
other incomparable excellencies, and entire perfections thereof, are arguments
whereby it does abundantly evidence itself to be the Word of God; yet
notwithstanding, our full persuasion and assurance of the infallible truth, and
divine authority thereof, is from the inward work of the Holy Spirit bearing
witness by and with the Word in our hearts.8
8 John 16:13,14; 1 Cor. 2:10-12; 1 John 2:20,27
Paragraph 6. The whole counsel of God concerning all things necessary for His
own glory, man's salvation, faith and life, is either expressly set down or
necessarily contained in the Holy Scripture: unto which nothing at any time is
to be added, whether by new revelation of the Spirit, or traditions of men.9
Nevertheless, we acknowledge the inward illumination of the Spirit of God to be
necessary for the saving understanding of such things as are revealed in the
Word,10 and that there are some circumstances concerning the
worship of God, and government of the church, common to human actions and
societies, which are to be ordered by the light of nature and Christian
prudence, according to the general rules of the Word, which are always to be
observed.11
9 2 Tim. 3:15-17; Gal. 1:8,9
10 John 6:45; 1 Cor. 2:9-12
11 1 Cor. 11:13,14; 1 Cor. 14:26,40
Paragraph 7. All things in Scripture are not alike plain in themselves, nor
alike clear unto all;12 yet those things which are necessary to
be known, believed and observed for salvation, are so clearly propounded 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 them.13
12 2 Pet. 3:16
13 Ps. 19:7; Psalm 119:130
Paragraph 8. The Old Testament in Hebrew (which was the native language of
the people of God of old),14 and the New Testament in Greek
(which at the time of the writing of it was most generally known to the
nations), being immediately inspired by God, and by His singular care and
providence kept pure in all ages, are therefore authentic; so as in all
controversies of religion, the church is finally to appeal to them.15
But because these original tongues are not known to all the people of God, who
have a right unto, and interest in the Scriptures, and are commanded in the fear
of God to read,16 and search them,17 therefore
they are to be translated into the vulgar language of every nation unto which
they come,18 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 have hope.19
14 Rom. 3:2
15 Isa. 8:20
16 Acts 15:15
17 John 5:39
18 1 Cor. 14:6,9,11,12,24,28
19 Col. 3:16
Paragraph 9. The infallible rule of interpretation of Scripture is the
Scripture itself; and therefore when there is a question about the true and full
sense of any Scripture (which are not many, but one), it must be searched by
other places that speak more clearly.20
20 2 Pet. 1:20, 21; Acts 15:15, 16
Paragraph 10. The supreme judge, by which all controversies of religion are
to be determined, and all decrees of councils, opinions of ancient writers,
doctrines of men, and private spirits, are to be examined, and in whose sentence
we are to rest, can be no other but the Holy Scripture delivered by the Spirit,
into which Scripture so delivered, our faith is finally resolved.21
21 Matt. 22:29, 31, 32; Eph. 2:20; Acts 28:23
CHAPTER 2; OF GOD AND OF THE HOLY TRINITY
Paragraph 1. The Lord our God is but one only living and true God;1
whose subsistence is in and of Himself,2 infinite in being and
perfection; whose essence cannot be comprehended by any but Himself;3
a most pure spirit,4 invisible, without body, parts, or
passions, who only hath immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can
approach unto;5 who is immutable,6 immense,7
eternal,8 incomprehensible, almighty,9 every
way infinite, most holy,10 most wise, most free, most absolute;
working all things according to the counsel of His own immutable and most
righteous will,11 for His own glory;12 most
loving, gracious, merciful, long-suffering, abundant in goodness and truth,
forgiving iniquity, transgression, and sin; the rewarder of them that diligently
seek Him,13 and withal most just and terrible in His judgments,14
hating all sin,15 and who will by no means clear the guilty.16
1 1 Cor. 8:4,6; Deut. 6:4
2 Jer. 10:10; Isa. 48:12
3 Exod. 3:14
4 John 4:24
5 1 Tim. 1:17; Deut. 4:15,16
6 Mal. 3:6
7 1 Kings 8:27; Jer. 23:23
8 Ps. 90:2
9 Gen. 17:1
10 Isa. 6:3
11 Ps. 115:3; Isa. 46:10
12 Prov. 16:4; Rom. 11:36
13 Exod. 34:6,7; Heb. 11:6
14 Neh. 9:32,33
15 Ps. 5:5,6
16 Exod. 34:7; Nahum 1:2,3
Paragraph 2. God, having all life,17 glory,18
goodness,19 blessedness, in and of Himself, is alone in and
unto Himself all-sufficient, not standing in need of any creature which He hath
made, nor deriving any glory from them,20 but only manifesting
His own glory in, by, unto, and upon them; He is the alone fountain of all
being, of whom, through whom, and to whom are all things,21 and
He hath most sovereign dominion over all creatures, to do by them, for them, or
upon them, whatsoever Himself pleases;22 in His sight all
things are open and manifest,23 His knowledge is infinite,
infallible, and independent upon the creature, so as nothing is to Him
contingent or uncertain;24 He is most holy in all His counsels,
in all His works,25 and in all His commands; to Him is due from
angels and men, whatsoever worship,26 service, or obedience, as
creatures they owe unto the Creator, and whatever He is further pleased to
require of them.
17 John 5:26
18 Ps. 148:13
19 Ps. 119:68
20 Job 22:2,3
21 Rom. 11:34-36
22 Dan. 4:25,34,35
23 Heb. 4:13
24 Ezek. 11:5; Acts 15:18
25 Ps. 145:17
26 Rev. 5:12-14
Paragraph 3. In this divine and infinite Being there are three subsistences,
the Father, the Word or Son, and Holy Spirit,27 of one
substance, power, and eternity, each having the whole divine essence, yet the
essence undivided:28 the Father is of none, neither begotten
nor proceeding; the Son is eternally begotten of the Father;29
the Holy Spirit proceeding from the Father and the Son;30 all
infinite, without beginning, therefore but one God, who is not to be divided in
nature and being, but distinguished by several peculiar relative properties and
personal relations; which doctrine of the Trinity is the foundation of all our
communion with God, and comfortable dependence on Him.
27 1 John 5:7; Matt. 28:19; 2 Cor. 13:14
28 Exod. 3:14; John 14:11; I Cor. 8:6
29 John 1:14,18
30 John 15:26; Gal. 4:6
CHAPTER 3
OF GOD’S DECREE
Paragraph 1. God hath decreed in himself, from all eternity, by the most wise
and holy counsel of His own will, freely and unchangeably, all things,
whatsoever comes to pass;1 yet so as thereby is God neither the
author of sin nor hath fellowship with any therein;2 nor is
violence offered to the will of the creature, nor yet is the liberty or
contingency of second causes taken away, but rather established;3
in which appears His wisdom in disposing all things, and power and faithfulness
in accomplishing His decree.4
1 Isa. 46:10; Eph. 1:11; Heb. 6:17; Rom. 9:15,18
2 James 1:13; 1 John 1:5
3 Acts 4:27,28; John 19:11
4 Num. 23:19; Eph. 1:3-5
Paragraph 2. Although God knoweth whatsoever may or can come to pass, upon
all supposed conditions,5 yet hath He not decreed anything,
because He foresaw it as future, or as that which would come to pass upon such
conditions.6
5 Acts 15:18
6 Rom. 9:11,13,16,18
Paragraph 3. By the decree of God, for the manifestation of His glory, some
men and angels are predestinated, or foreordained to eternal life through Jesus
Christ,7 to the praise of His glorious grace;8
others being left to act in their sin to their just condemnation, to the praise
of His glorious justice.9
7 I Tim. 5:21; Matt. 25:34
8 Eph. 1:5,6
9 Rom. 9:22,23; Jude 4
Paragraph 4. These angels and men thus predestinated and foreordained, are
particularly and unchangeably designed, and their number so certain and
definite, that it cannot be either increased or diminished.10
10 2 Tim. 2:19; John 13:18
Paragraph 5. Those of mankind that are predestinated to life, God, before the
foundation of the world was laid, according to His eternal and 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,11
without any other thing in the creature as a condition or cause moving Him
thereunto.12
11 Eph. 1:4, 9, 11; Rom. 8:30; 2 Tim. 1:9; I Thess. 5:9
12 Rom. 9:13,16; Eph. 2:5,12
Paragraph 6. As God hath appointed the elect unto glory, so He hath, by the
eternal and most free purpose of His will, foreordained all the means thereunto;13
wherefore they who are elected, being fallen in Adam, are redeemed by Christ,14
are effectually called unto faith in Christ, by His Spirit working in due
season, are justified, adopted, sanctified,15 and kept by His
power through faith unto salvation;16 neither are any other
redeemed by Christ, or effectually called, justified, adopted, sanctified, and
saved, but the elect only.17
13 1 Pet. 1:2; 2; Thess. 2:13
14 1 Thess. 5:9, 10
15 Rom. 8:30; 2 Thess. 2:13
16 1 Pet. 1:5
17 John 10:26, 17:9, 6:64
Paragraph 7. The doctrine of the high mystery of predestination is to be
handled with special prudence and care, that men attending the will of God
revealed in His Word, and yielding obedience thereunto, may, from the certainty
of their effectual vocation, be assured of their eternal election;18
so shall this doctrine afford matter of praise,19 reverence,
and admiration of God, and of humility,20 diligence, and
abundant consolation to all that sincerely obey the gospel.21
18 1 Thess. 1:4,5; 2 Pet. 1:10
19 Eph. 1:6; Rom. 11:33
20 Rom. 11:5,6,20
21 Luke 10:20
CHAPTER 4
OF CREATION
Paragraph 1. In the beginning it pleased God the Father, Son, and Holy
Spirit,1 for the manifestation of the glory of His eternal
power,2 wisdom, and goodness, to create or make the world, and
all things therein, whether visible or invisible, in the space of six days, and
all very good.3
1 John 1:2,3; Heb. 1:2; Job 26:13
2 Rom. 1:20
3 Col. 1:16; Gen. 1:31
Paragraph 2. After God had made all other creatures, He created man, male and
female,4 with reasonable and immortal souls,5
rendering them fit unto that life to God for which they were created; being made
after the image of God, in knowledge, righteousness, and true holiness;6
having the law of God written in their hearts,7 and power to
fulfill it, and yet under a possibility of transgressing, being left to the
liberty of their own will, which was subject to change.8
4 Gen. 1:27
5 Gen. 2:7
6 Eccles. 7:29; Gen. 1;26
7 Rom. 2:14,15
8 Gen. 3:6
Paragraph 3. Besides the law written in their hearts, they received a command
not to eat of the tree of knowledge of good and evil,9 which
while they kept, they were happy in their communion with God, and had dominion
over the creatures.10
9 Gen. 2:17
10 Gen. 1:26,28
CHAPTER 5
OF DIVINE PROVIDENCE
Paragraph 1. God the good Creator of all things, in His infinite power and
wisdom does uphold, direct, dispose, and govern all creatures and things,1
from the greatest even to the least,2 by His most wise and holy
providence, to the end for the which they were created, according unto His
infallible foreknowledge, and the free and immutable counsel of His own will; to
the praise of the glory of His wisdom, power, justice, infinite goodness, and
mercy.3
1 Heb. 1:3; Job 38:11; Isa. 46:10,11; Ps. 135:6
2 Matt. 10:29-31
3 Eph. 1;11
Paragraph 2. Although in relation to the foreknowledge and decree of God, the
first cause, all things come to pass immutably and infallibly;4
so that there is not anything befalls any by chance, or without His providence;5
yet by the same providence He ordered them to fall out according to the nature
of second causes, either necessarily, freely, or contingently.6
4 Acts 2:23
5 Prov. 16:33
6 Gen. 8:22
Paragraph 3. God, in his ordinary providence makes use of means,7
yet is free to work without,8 above,9 and
against them10 at His pleasure.
7 Acts 27:31, 44; Isa. 55:10, 11
8 Hosea 1:7
9 Rom. 4:19-21
10 Dan. 3:27
Paragraph 4. The almighty power, unsearchable wisdom, and infinite goodness
of God, so far manifest themselves in His providence, that His determinate
counsel extends itself even to the first fall, and all other sinful actions both
of angels and men;11 and that not by a bare permission, which
also He most wisely and powerfully binds, and otherwise orders and governs,12
in a manifold dispensation to His most holy ends;13 yet so, as
the sinfulness of their acts proceeds only from the creatures, and not from God,
who, being most holy and righteous, neither is nor can be the author or approver
of sin.14
11 Rom. 11:32-34; 2 Sam. 24:1; 1 Chron. 21:1
12 2 Kings 19:28; Ps. 76:10
13 Gen. 1:20; Isa. 10:6,7,12
14 Ps. 1;21; 1 John 2:16
Paragraph 5. The most wise, righteous, and gracious God does often times
leave for a season His own children to manifold temptations and the corruptions
of their own hearts, to chastise them for their former sins, or to discover unto
them the hidden strength of corruption and deceitfulness of their hearts, that
they may be humbled; and to raise them to a more close and constant dependence
for their support upon Himself; and to make them more watchful against all
future occasions of sin, and for other just and holy ends.15
So that whatsoever befalls any of His elect is by His appointment, for His
glory, and their good.16
15 2 Chron. 32:25,26,31; 2 Cor. 12:7-9
16 Rom. 8:28
Paragraph 6. As for those wicked and ungodly men whom God, as the righteous
judge, for former sin does blind and harden;17 from them He not
only withholds His grace, whereby they might have been enlightened in their
understanding, and wrought upon their hearts;18 but sometimes
also withdraws the gifts which they had,19 and exposes them to
such objects as their corruption makes occasion of sin;20 and
withal, gives them over to their own lusts, the temptations of the world, and
the power of Satan,21 whereby it comes to pass that they harden
themselves, under those means which God uses for the softening of others.22
17 Rom. 1;24-26,28, 11:7,8
18 Deut. 29:4
19 Matt. 13:12
20 Deut. 2:30; 2 Kings 8:12,13
21 Ps. 81:11,12; 2 Thess. 2:10-12
22 Exod. 8:15,32; Isa. 6:9,10; 1 Pet. 2:7,8
Paragraph 7. As the providence of God does in general reach to all creatures,
so after a more special manner it takes care of His church, and disposes of all
things to the good thereof.23
23 1 Tim. 4:10; Amos 9:8,9; Isa. 43:3-5
CHAPTER 6
OF THE FALL OF MAN, OF SIN, AND OF THE PUNISHMENT THEREOF
Paragraph 1. Although God created man upright and perfect, and gave him a
righteous law, which had been unto life had he kept it, and threatened death
upon the breach thereof,1 yet he did not long abide in this
honor; Satan using the subtlety of the serpent to subdue Eve, then by her
seducing Adam, who, without any compulsion, did willfully transgress the law of
their creation, and the command given to them, in eating the forbidden fruit,2
which God was pleased, according to His wise and holy counsel to permit, having
purposed to order it to His own glory.
1 Gen. 2:16,17
2 Gen. 3:12,13; 2 Cor. 11:3
Paragraph 2. Our first parents, by this sin, fell from their original
righteousness and communion with God, and we in them whereby death came upon
all:3 all becoming dead in sin,4 and wholly
defiled in all the faculties and parts of soul and body.5
3 Rom. 3:23
4 Rom 5:12, etc.
5 Titus 1:15; Gen. 6:5; Jer. 17:9; Rom. 3:10-19
Paragraph 3. They being the root, and by God's appointment, standing in the
room and stead of all mankind, the guilt of the sin was imputed, and corrupted
nature conveyed, to all their posterity descending from them by ordinary
generation,6 being now conceived in sin,7 and
by nature children of wrath,8 the servants of sin, the subjects
of death,9 and all other miseries, spiritual, temporal, and
eternal, unless the Lord Jesus set them free.10
6 Rom. 5:12-19; 1 Cor. 15:21,22,45,49
7 Ps. 51:5; Job 14:4
8 Eph. 2:3
9 Rom. 6:20, 5:12
10 Heb. 2:14,15; 1 Thess. 1:10
Paragraph 4. From this original corruption, whereby we are utterly
indisposed, disabled, and made opposite to all good, and wholly inclined to all
evil,11 do proceed all actual transgressions.12
11 Rom. 8:7; Col. 1:21
12 James 1:14,15; Matt. 15:19
Paragraph 5. The corruption of nature, during this life, does remain in those
that are regenerated;13 and although it be through Christ
pardoned and mortified, yet both itself, and the first motions thereof, are
truly and properly sin.14
13 Rom. 7:18,23; Eccles. 7:20; 1 John 1:8
14 Rom. 7:23-25; Gal. 5:17
CHAPTER 7
OF GOD’S COVENANT
Paragraph 1. The distance between God and the creature is so great, that
although reasonable creatures do owe obedience to Him as their creator, yet they
could never have attained the reward of life but by some voluntary condescension
on God's part, which He hath been pleased to express by way of covenant.1
1 Luke 17:10; Job 35:7,8
Paragraph 2. Moreover, man having brought himself under the curse of the law
by his fall, it pleased the Lord to make a covenant of grace,2
wherein He freely offers unto sinners life and salvation by Jesus Christ,
requiring of them faith in Him, that they may be saved;3 and
promising to give unto all those that are ordained unto eternal life, His Holy
Spirit, to make them willing and able to believe.4
2 Gen. 2:17; Gal. 3:10; Rom. 3:20,21
3 Rom. 8:3; Mark 16:15,16; John 3:16;
4 Ezek. 36:26,27; John 6:44,45; Ps. 110:3
Paragraph 3. This covenant is revealed in the gospel; first of all to Adam in
the promise of salvation by the seed of the woman,5 and
afterwards by farther steps, until the full discovery thereof was completed in
the New Testament;6 and it is founded in that eternal covenant
transaction that was between the Father and the Son about the redemption of the
elect;7 and it is alone by the grace of this covenant that all
the posterity of fallen Adam that ever were saved did obtain life and blessed
immortality, man being now utterly incapable of acceptance with God upon those
terms on which Adam stood in his state of innocency.8
5 Gen. 3:15
6 Heb. 1:1
7 2 Tim. 1:9; Titus 1:2
8 Heb. 11;6,13; Rom. 4:1,2, &c.; Acts 4:12; John 8:56
CHAPTER 8
OF CHRIST THE MEDIATOR
Paragraph 1. It pleased God, in His eternal purpose, to choose and ordain the
Lord Jesus, His only begotten Son, according to the covenant made between them
both, to be the mediator between God and man;1 the prophet,2 priest,3 and king;4
head and savior of the church,5 the heir of all things,6 and judge of the
world;7 unto whom He did from all eternity give a people to be His seed and to
be by Him in time redeemed, called, justified, sanctified, and glorified.8
1 Isa. 42:1; 1 Pet. 1:19,20
2 Acts 3:22
3 Heb. 5:5,6
4 Ps. 2:6; Luke 1:33
5 Eph. 1:22,23
6 Heb. 1:2
7 Acts 17:31
8 Isa. 53:10; John 17:6; Rom. 8:30
Paragraph 2. The Son of God, the second person in the Holy Trinity, being
very and eternal God, the brightness of the Father's glory, of one substance and
equal with Him who made the world, who upholds and governs all things He has
made, did, when the fullness of time was complete, take upon Him man's nature,
with all the essential properties and common infirmities of it,9
yet without sin;10 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; and so was made of a woman of the tribe of
Judah, of the seed of Abraham and David according to the Scriptures;11
so that two whole, perfect, and distinct natures were inseparably joined
together in one person, without conversion, composition, or confusion; which
person is very God and very man, yet one Christ, the only mediator between God
and man.12
9 John 1:14; Gal. 4;4
10 Rom. 8:3; Heb. 2:14,16,17, 4:15
11 Matt. 1:22, 23
12 Luke 1:27,31,35; Rom. 9:5; 1 Tim. 2:5
Paragraph 3. The Lord Jesus, in His human nature thus united to the divine,
in the person of the Son, was sanctified and anointed with the Holy Spirit above
measure,13 having in Him all the treasures of wisdom and
knowledge;14 in whom it pleased the Father that all fullness
should dwell,15 to the end that being holy, harmless,
undefiled,16 and full of grace and truth,17 He
might be throughly furnished to execute the office of mediator and surety;18
which office He took not upon himself, but was thereunto called by His Father;19
who also put all power and judgement in His hand, and gave Him commandment to
execute the same.20
13 Ps. 45:7; Acts 10:38; John 3:34
14 Col. 2:3
15 Col. 1:19
16 Heb. 7:26
17 John 1:14
18 Heb. 7:22
19 Heb. 5:5
20 John 5:22,27; Matt. 28:18; Acts 2;36
Paragraph 4. This office the Lord Jesus did most willingly undertake,21
which that He might discharge He was made under the law,22 and
did perfectly fulfill it, and underwent the punishment due to us, which we
should have born and suffered,23 being made sin and a curse for
us;24 enduring most grievous sorrows in His soul, and most
painful sufferings in His body;25 was crucified, and died, and
remained in the state of the dead, yet saw no corruption:26 on
the third day He arose from the dead27 with the same body in
which He suffered,28 with which He also ascended into heaven,29
and there sits at the right hand of His Father making intercession,30
and shall return to judge men and angels at the end of the world.31
21 Ps. 40:7,8; Heb. 10:5-10; John 10:18
22 Gal 4:4; Matt. 3:15
23 Gal. 3:13; Isa. 53:6; 1 Pet. 3:18
24 2 Cor. 5:21
25 Matt. 26:37,38; Luke 22:44; Matt. 27:46
26 Acts 13:37
27 1 Cor. 15:3,4
28 John 20:25,27
29 Mark 16:19; Acts 1:9-11
30 Rom. 8:34; Heb. 9:24
31 Acts 10:42; Rom. 14:9,10; Acts 1:11; 2 Pet. 2:4
Paragraph 5. The Lord Jesus, by His perfect obedience and sacrifice of
Himself, which He through the eternal Spirit once offered up to God, has fully
satisfied the justice of God,32 procured reconciliation, and
purchased an everlasting inheritance in the kingdom of heaven, for all those
whom the Father has given unto Him.33
32 Heb. 9:14, 10:14; Rom. 3:25,26
33 John 17:2; Heb. 9:15
Paragraph 6. Although the price of redemption was not actually paid by Christ
until after His incarnation, yet the virtue, efficacy, and benefit thereof were
communicated to the elect in all ages, successively from the beginning of the
world, in and by those promises, types, and sacrifices wherein He was revealed,
and signified to be the seed which should bruise the serpent's head;34
and the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world,35 being
the same yesterday, and today and for ever.36
34 1 Cor. 4:10; Heb. 4:2; 1 Pet. 1:10, 11
35 Rev. 13:8
36 Heb. 13:8
Paragraph 7. Christ, in the work of mediation, acts according to both
natures, by each nature doing that which is proper to itself; yet by reason of
the unity of the person, that which is proper to one nature is sometimes in
Scripture, attributed to the person denominated by the other nature.37
37 John 3:13; Acts 20:28
Paragraph 8. To all those for whom Christ has obtained eternal redemption, He
does certainly and effectually apply and communicate the same, making
intercession for them;38 uniting them to Himself by His Spirit,
revealing to them, in and by His Word, the mystery of salvation, persuading them
to believe and obey,39 governing their hearts by His Word and
Spirit,40 and overcoming all their enemies by His almighty
power and wisdom,41 in such manner and ways as are most
consonant to His wonderful and unsearchable dispensation; and all of free and
absolute grace, without any condition foreseen in them to procure it.42
38 John 6:37, 10:15,16, 17:9; Rom. 5:10
39 John 17:6; Eph. 1:9; 1 John 5:20
40 Rom. 8:9,14
41 Ps. 110:1; 1 Cor. 15:25,26
42 John 3:8; Eph. 1:8
Paragraph 9. This office of mediator between God and man is proper only to
Christ, who is the prophet, priest, and king of the church of God; and may not
be either in whole, or any part thereof, transferred from Him to any other.43
43 Tim. 2:5
Paragraph 10. This number and order of offices is necessary; for in respect
of our ignorance, we stand in need of His prophetical office;44
and in respect of our alienation from God, and imperfection of the best of our
services, we need His priestly office to reconcile us and present us acceptable
unto God;45 and in respect to our averseness and utter
inability to return to God, and for our rescue and security from our spiritual
adversaries, we need His kingly office to convince, subdue, draw, uphold,
deliver, and preserve us to His heavenly kingdom.46
44 John 1:18
45 Col. 1:21; Gal. 5:17
46 John 16:8; Ps. 110:3; Luke 1:74,75
CHAPTER 9
OF FREE WILL
Paragraph 1. God has endued the will of man with that natural liberty and
power of acting upon choice, that it is neither forced, nor by any necessity of
nature determined to do good or evil.1
1 Matt. 17:12; James 1:14; Deut. 30:19
Paragraph 2. Man, in his state of innocency, had freedom and power to will
and to do that which was good and well-pleasing to God,2 but
yet was unstable, so that he might fall from it.3
2 Eccles. 7:29
3 Gen. 3:6
Paragraph 3. Man, by his fall into a state of sin, has wholly lost all
ability of will to any spiritual good accompanying salvation;4
so as a natural man, being altogether averse from that good, and dead in sin,5
is not able by his own strength to convert himself, or to prepare himself
thereunto.6
4 Rom. 5:6, 8:7
5 Eph. 2:1,5
6 Titus 3:3-5; John 6:44
Paragraph 4. When God converts a sinner, and translates him into the state of
grace, He frees him from his natural bondage under sin,7 and by
His grace alone enables him freely to will and to do that which is spiritually
good;8 yet so as that by reason of his remaining corruptions,
he does not perfectly, nor only will, that which is good, but does also will
that which is evil.9
7 Col. 1:13; John 8:36
8 Phil. 2:13
9 Rom. 7:15,18,19,21,23
Paragraph 5. This will of man is made perfectly and immutably free to good
alone in
the state of glory only.10
10 Eph. 4:13
CHAPTER 10
OF EFFECTUAL CALLING
Paragraph 1. Those whom God hath predestinated unto life, He is pleased in
His appointed, and accepted time, effectually to call,1 by His
Word and Spirit, out of that state of sin and death in which they are by nature,
to grace and salvation by Jesus Christ;2 enlightening their
minds spiritually and savingly to understand the things of God;3
taking away their heart of stone, and giving to them a heart of flesh;4
renewing their wills, and by His almighty power determining them to that which
is good, and effectually drawing them to Jesus Christ;5 yet so
as they come most freely, being made willing by His grace.6
1 Rom. 8:30, 11:7; Eph. 1:10,11; 2 Thess. 2:13,14
2 Eph. 2:1-6
3 Acts 26:18; Eph. 1:17,18
4 Ezek. 36:26
5 Deut. 30:6; Ezek. 36:27; Eph. 1:19
6 Ps. 110:3; Cant. 1:4
Paragraph 2. This effectual call is of God's free and special grace alone,
not from anything at all foreseen in man, nor from any power or agency in the
creature,7 being wholly passive therein, being dead in sins and
trespasses, until being quickened and renewed by the Holy Spirit;8
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.9
7 2 Tim. 1:9; Eph. 2:8
8 1 Cor. 2:14; Eph. 2:5; John 5:25
9 Eph. 1:19, 20
Paragraph 3. Elect infants dying in infancy are regenerated and saved by
Christ through the Spirit;10 who works when, and where, and how
He pleases;11 so also are all elect persons, who are incapable
of being outwardly called by the ministry of the Word.
10 John 3:3, 5, 6
11 John 3:8
Paragraph 4. Others not elected, although they may be called by the ministry
of the Word, and may have some common operations of the Spirit,12
yet not being effectually drawn by the Father, they neither will nor can truly
come to Christ, and therefore cannot be saved:13 much less can
men that do not receive the Christian religion 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 profess.14
12 Matt. 22:14, 13:20,21; Heb 6:4,5
13 John 6:44,45,65; 1 John 2:24,25
14 Acts 4:12; John 4:22, 17:3
CHAPTER 11
OF JUSTIFICATION
Paragraph 1. Those whom God effectually calls, he also freely justifies,1
not by infusing righteousness into them, but by pardoning their sins, and by
accounting and accepting their persons as righteous;2 not for
anything wrought in them, or done by them, but for Christ's sake alone;3
not by imputing faith itself, the act of believing, or any other evangelical
obedience to them, as their righteousness; but by imputing Christ's active
obedience unto the whole law, and passive obedience in his death for their whole
and sole righteousness by faith,4 which faith they have not of
themselves; it is the gift of God.5
1 Rom. 3:24, 8:30
2 Rom. 4:5-8, Eph. 1:7
3 1 Cor. 1:30,31, Rom. 5:17-19
4 Phil. 3:8,9; Eph. 2:8-10
5 John 1:12, Rom. 5:17
Paragraph 2. Faith thus receiving and resting on Christ and his
righteousness, is the alone instrument of justification;6 yet
is not alone in the person justified, but is ever accompanied with all other
saving graces, and is no dead faith, but works by love.7
6 Rom. 3:28
7 Gal.5:6, James 2:17,22,26
Paragraph 3. Christ, by his obedience and death, did fully discharge the debt
of all those who are justified; and did, by the sacrifice of himself in the
blood of his cross, undergoing in their stead the penalty due to them, make a
proper, real, and full satisfaction to God’s justice in their behalf;8
yet, in as much as he was given by the Father for them, and his obedience and
satisfaction accepted in their stead, and both freely, not for anything in them,9
their justification is only of free grace, that both the exact justice and rich
grace of God might be glorified in the justification of sinners.10
8 Heb. 10:14; 1 Pet. 1:18,19; Isa. 53:5,6
9 Rom. 8:32; 2 Cor. 5:21
10 Rom. 3:26; Eph. 1:6,7, 2:7
Paragraph 4. God did from all eternity decree to justify all the elect,11
and Christ did in the fullness of time die for their sins, and rise again for
their justification;12 nevertheless, they are not justified
personally, until the Holy Spirit in time does actually apply Christ to them.13
11 Gal. 3:8, 1 Pet. 1:2, 1 Tim. 2:6
12 Rom. 4:25
13 Col. 1:21,22, Titus 3:4-7
Paragraph 5. God continues to forgive the sins of those that are justified,14
and although they can never fall from the state of justification,15
yet they may, by their sins, fall under God’s fatherly displeasure;16
and in that condition they usually do not have the light of his countenance
restored to them, until they humble themselves, beg pardon, and renew
their faith and repentance.17
14 Matt. 6:12, 1 John 1:7,9
15 John 10:28
16 Ps. 89:31-33
17 Ps. 32:5, Ps. 51, Matt. 26:75
Paragraph 6. The justification of believers under the Old Testament was, in
all these respects, one and the same with the justification of believers under
the New Testament.18
18 Gal. 3:9; Rom. 4:22-24
CHAPTER 12
OF ADOPTION
Paragraph 1. All those that are justified, God conferred, in and for the sake
of his only Son Jesus Christ, to make partakers of the grace of adoption,1
by which they are taken into the number, and enjoy the liberties and privileges
of the children of God,2 have his name put on them,3
receive the spirit of adoption,4 have access to the throne of
grace with boldness, are enabled to cry Abba, Father,5 are
pitied,6 protected,7 provided for,8
and chastened by him as by a Father,9 yet never cast off,10
but sealed to the day of redemption,11 and inherit the promises
as heirs of everlasting salvation.12
1 Eph. 1:5; Gal. 4:4,5
2 John 1:12; Rom. 8:17
3 2 Cor. 6:18; Rev. 3:12
4 Rom. 8:15
5 Gal. 4:6; Eph. 2:18
6 Ps. 103:13
7 Prov. 14:26; 1 Pet. 5:7
8 Heb. 12:6
9 Isa. 54:8, 9
10 Lam. 3:31
11 Eph. 4:30
12 Heb. 1:14, 6:12
CHAPTER 13
OF SANCTIFICATION
Paragraph 1. They who are united to Christ, effectually called, and
regenerated, having a new heart and a new spirit created in them through the
virtue of Christ's death and resurrection, are also farther sanctified, really
and personally,1 through the same virtue, by his Word and
Spirit dwelling in them;2 the dominion of the whole body of sin
is destroyed,3 and the several lusts of it are more and more
weakened and mortified,4 and they more and more quickened and
strengthened in all saving graces,5 to the practice of all true
holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord.6
1 Acts 20:32; Rom. 6:5,6
2 John 17:17; Eph. 3:16-19; 1 Thess. 5:21-23
3 Rom. 6:14
4 Gal. 5:24
5 Col. 1:11
6 2 Cor. 7:1; Heb. 12:14
Paragraph 2. This sanctification is throughout the whole man,7
yet imperfect in this life; there abides still some remnants of corruption in
every part,8 wherefrom arises a continual and irreconcilable
war; the flesh lusting against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh.9
7 1 Thess. 5:23
8 Rom. 7:18, 23
9 Gal. 5:17; 1 Pet. 2:11
Paragraph 3. In which war, although the remaining corruption for a time may
much prevail,10 yet, through the continual supply of strength
from the sanctifying Spirit of Christ, the regenerate part does overcome;11
and so the saints grow in grace, perfecting holiness in the fear of God,
pressing after an heavenly life, in evangelical obedience to all the commands
which Christ as Head and King, in his Word has prescribed to them.12
10 Rom. 7:23
11 Rom. 6:14
12 Eph. 4:15,16; 2 Cor. 3:18, 7:1
CHAPTER 14
OF SAVING FAITH
Paragraph 1. The grace of faith, whereby the elect are enabled to believe to
the saving of their souls, is the work of the Spirit of Christ in their hearts,1
and is ordinarily wrought by the ministry of the Word;2 by
which also, and by the administration of baptism and the Lord's supper, prayer,
and other means appointed of God, it is increased and strengthened.3
1 2 Cor. 4:13; Eph. 2:8
2 Rom. 10:14,17
3 Luke 17:5; 1 Pet. 2:2; Acts 20:32
Paragraph 2. By this faith a Christian believes to be true whatsoever is
revealed in the Word for the authority of God himself,4 and
also apprehends an excellency therein above all other writings and all things in
the world,5 as it bears forth the glory of God in his
attributes, the excellency of Christ in his nature and offices, and the power
and fullness of the Holy Spirit in his workings and operations: and so is
enabled to cast his soul upon the truth consequently believed;6
and also acts differently upon that which each particular passage thereof
contains; yielding obedience to the commands,7 trembling at the
threatenings,8 and embracing the promises of God for this life
and that which is to come;9 but the principle acts of saving
faith have immediate relation to Christ, accepting, receiving, and resting upon
him alone for justification, sanctification, and eternal life, by virtue of the
covenant of grace.10
4 Acts 24:14
5 Ps. 19:7-10, 69:72
6 2 Tim. 1:12
7 John 15:14
8 Isa. 116:2
9 Heb. 11:13
10 John 1:12; Acts 16:31; Gal 2:20; Acts 15:11
Paragraph 3. This faith, although it be in different stages, and may be weak
or strong,11 yet it is in the least degree of it different in
the kind or nature of it, as is all other saving grace, from the faith and
common grace of temporary believers;12 and therefore, though it
may be many times assailed and weakened, yet it gets the victory,13
growing up in many to the attainment of a full assurance through Christ,14
who is both the author and finisher of our faith.15
11 Heb. 5:13,14; Matt. 6:30; Rom. 4:19,20
12 2 Pet. 1:1
13 Eph. 6:16; 1 John 5:4,5
14 Heb. 6:11,12; Col. 2:2
15 Heb. 12:2
CHAPTER 15
OF REPENTANCE UNTO LIFE AND SALVATION
Paragraph 1. Such of the elect that are converted at riper years, having
sometime lived in the state of nature, and therein served divers pleasures, God
in their effectual calling gives them repentance to life.1
1 Titus 3:2-5
Paragraph 2. Whereas there is none that does good and does not sin,2
and the best of men may, through the power and deceitfulness of their corruption
dwelling in them, with the prevalency of temptation, fall in to great sins and
provocations; God has, in the covenant of grace, mercifully provided that
believers so sinning and falling be renewed through repentance unto salvation.3
2 Eccles. 7:20
3 Luke 22:31,32
Paragraph 3. This saving repentance is an evangelical grace,4
whereby a person, being by the Holy Spirit made sensible of the manifold evils
of his sin, does, by faith in Christ, humble himself for it with godly sorrow,
detestation of it, and self-abhorrancy,5 praying for pardon and
strength of grace, with a purpose and endeavor, by supplies of the Spirit, to
walk before God unto all well-pleasing in all things.6
4 Zech. 12:10; Acts 11:18
5 Ezek. 36:31; 2 Cor. 7:11
6 Ps. 119:6,128
Paragraph 4. As repentance is to be continued through the whole course of our
lives, upon the account of the body of death, and the motions thereof, so it is
every man’s duty to repent of his particular known sins particularly.7
7 Luke 19:8; 1 Tim. 1:13,15
Paragraph 5. Such is the provision which God has made through Christ in the
covenant of grace for the preservation of believers unto salvation, that
although there is no sin so small but it deserves damnation,8
yet there is no sin so great that it shall bring damnation to them that repent,9
which makes the constant preaching of repentance necessary.
8 Rom. 6:23
9 Isa. 1:16-18, 55:7
CHAPTER 16
OF GOOD WORKS
Paragraph 1. Good works are only such as God has commanded in his Holy Word,1
and not such as without the warrant thereof are devised by men out of blind
zeal, or upon any pretense of good intentions.2
1 Mic. 6:8; Heb. 13:21
2 Matt. 15:9; Isa. 29:13
Paragraph 2. These good works, done in obedience to God’s commandments, are
the fruits and evidences of a true and lively faith;3 and by
them believers manifest their thankfulness,4 strengthen their
assurance,5 edify their brethren, adorn the profession of the
gospel,6 stop the mouths of the adversaries, and glory God,7
whose workmanship they are, created in Christ Jesus thereunto,8
that having their fruit unto holiness they may have the end eternal life.9
3 James 2:18,22
4 Ps. 116:12,13
5 1 John 2:3,5; 2 Pet. 1:5-11
6 Matt. 5:16
7 1 Tim. 6:1; 1 Pet. 2:15; Phil. 1:11
8 Eph. 2:10
9 Rom 6:22
Paragraph 3. Their ability to do good works is not all of themselves, but
wholly from the Spirit of Christ;10 and that they may be
enabled thereunto, besides the graces they have already received, there is
necessary an actual influence of the same Holy Spirit, to work in them and to
will and to do of his good pleasure;11 yet they are not bound
to perform any duty, unless upon a special motion of the Spirit, but they ought
to be diligent in stirring up the grace of God that is in them.12
10 John 15:4,5
11 2 Cor. 3:5; Phil. 2:13
12 Phil. 2:12; Heb. 6:11,12; Isa. 64:7
Paragraph 4. They who in their obedience attain to the greatest height which
is possible in this life, are so far from being able to supererogate, and to do
more than God requires, as that they fall short of much which in duty they are
bound to do.13
13 Job 9:2, 3; Gal. 5:17; Luke 17:10
Paragraph 5. We cannot by our best works merit pardon of sin or eternal life
at the hand of God, by reason of the great disproportion that is between them
and the glory to come, and the infinite distance that is between us and God,
whom by them we can neither profit nor satisfy for the debt of our former sins;14
but when we have done all we can, we have done but our duty, and are
unprofitable servants; and because they are good they proceed from his Spirit,15
and as they are wrought by us they are defiled and mixed with so much weekness
and imperfection, that they cannot endure the severity of God’s punishment.16
14 Rom. 3:20; Eph. 2:8,9; Rom. 4:6
15 Gal. 5:22,23
16 Isa. 64:6; Ps. 43:2
Paragraph 6. Yet notwithstanding the persons of believers being accepted
through Christ, their good works also are accepted in him;17
not as thought they were in this life wholly unblamable and unreprovable in
God’s sight, but that he, looking upon them in his Son, is pleased to accept and
reward that which is sincere, although accompanied with many weaknesses and
imperfection.18
17 Eph. 1:5; 1 Pet. 1:5
18 Matt. 25:21,23; Heb. 6:10
Paragraph 7. Works done by unregenerate men, although for the matter of them
they may things which God commands, and of good use both to themselves and to
others;19 yet because they proceed not from a heart purified by
faith,20 nor are done in a right manner according to the Word,21
nor to a right end, the glory of God,22 they are therfore
sinful, and cannot please God, nor make a man meet to receive the grace from
God,23 and yet their neglect fo them is more sinful and
displeasing to God.24
19 2 Kings 10:30; 1 Kings 21:27,29
20 Gen. 4:5; Heb. 11:4,6
21 1 Cor. 13:1
22 Matt. 6:2,5
23 Amos 5:21,22; Rom. 9:16; Titus 3:5
24 Job 21:14,15; Matt. 25:41-43
CHAPTER 17
OF THE PERSEVERANCE OF THE SAINTS
Paragraph 1. Those whom God has accepted in the beloved, effectually called
and sanctified by his Spirit, and given the precious faith of his elect unto,
can neither totally nor finally fall from the state of grace, but shall
certainly persevere therein to the end, and be eternally saved, seeing the gifts
and callings of God are without repentance, from which source he still begets
and nourishes in them faith, repentance, love, joy, hope, and all the graces of
the Spirit unto immortality;1 and though many storms and floods
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; notwithstanding,
through unbelief and the temptations of Satan, the sensible sight of the light
and love of God may for a time be clouded and obscured from them,2
yet he is still the same, and they shall be sure to be kept by the power of God
unto salvation, where they shall enjoy their purchased possession, they being
engraved upon the palm of his hands, and their names having been written in the
book of life from all eternity.3
1 John 10:28,29; Phil. 1:6; 2 Tim. 2:19; 1 John 2:19
2 Ps. 89:31,32; 1 Cor. 11:32
3 Mal. 3:6
Paragraph 2. This perseverance of the saints depends not upon their own free
will, but upon the immutability of the decree of election,4
flowing from the free and unchangeable love of God the Father, upon the efficacy
of the merit and intercession of Jesus Christ and union with him,5
the oath of God,6 the abiding of his Spirit, and the seed of
God within them,7 and the nature of the covenant of grace;8
from all which ariseth also the certainty and infallibility thereof.
4 Rom. 8:30, 9:11,16
5 Rom. 5:9, 10; John 14:19
6 Heb. 6:17,18
7 1 John 3:9
8 Jer. 32:40
Paragraph 3. And though they may, through the temptation of Satan and of the
world, the prevalency of corruption remaining in them, and the neglect of means
of their preservation, fall into grievous sins, and for a time continue therein,9
whereby they incur God's displeasure and grieve his Holy Spirit,10
come to have their graces and comforts impaired,11 have their
hearts hardened, and their consciences wounded,12 hurt and
scandalize others, and bring temporal judgments upon themselves,13
yet shall they renew their repentance and be preserved through faith in Christ
Jesus to the end.14
9 Matt. 26:70,72,74
10 Isa. 64:5,9; Eph. 4:30
11 Ps. 51:10,12
12 Ps. 32:3,4
13 2 Sam. 12:14
14 Luke 22:32,61,62
CHAPTER 18
OF THE ASSURANCE OF GRACE AND SALVATION
Paragraph 1. Although temporary believers and other unregenerate men, may
vainly deceive themselves with false hopes and carnal presumptions of being in
the favor of God and in a state of salvation, which hope of theirs shall perish;1
yet such as truly believe in the Lord Jesus, and love him in sincerity,
endeavouring to walk in all good conscience before him, may in this life be
certainly assured that they are in the state of grace, and may rejoice in the
hope of the glory of God,2 which hope shall never make them
ashamed.3
1 Job 8:13,14; Matt. 7:22,23
2 1 John 2:3, 3:14,18,19,21,24, 5:13
3 Rom. 5:2,5
Paragraph 2. This certainty is not a bare conjectural and probable persuasion
grounded upon a fallible hope, but an infallible assurance of faith,4
founded on the blood and righteousness of Christ revealed in the Gospel;5
and also upon the inward evidence of those graces of the Spirit unto which
promises are made,6 and on the testimony of the Spirit of
adoption, witnessing with our spirits that we are the children of God;7
and, as a fruit thereof, keeping the heart both humble and holy.8
4 Heb. 6:11,19
5 Heb. 6:17,18
6 2 Pet. 1:4,5,10,11
7 Rom. 8:15,16
8 1 John 3:1-3
Paragraph 3. This infallible assurance does not so belong to the essence of
faith, but that a true believer may wait long, and struggle with many
difficulties before he be partaker of it;9 yet being enabled by
the Spirit to know the things which are freely given him of God, he may, without
extraordinary revelation, in the right use of means, attain thereunto:10
and therefore it is the duty of every one to give all diligence to make his
calling and election sure, that thereby his heart may be enlarged in peace and
joy in the Holy Spirit, in love and thankfulness to God, and in strength and
cheerfulness in the duties of obedience, the proper fruits of this assurance;11
-so far is it from inclining men to looseness.12
9 Isa. 50:10; Ps. 88; Ps. 77:1-12
10 1 John 4:13; Heb. 6:11,12
11 Rom. 5:1,2,5, 14:17; Ps. 119:32
12 Rom. 6:1,2; Titus 2:11,12,14
Paragraph 4. True believers may have the assurance of their salvation divers
ways shaken, diminished, and intermitted; as by negligence in preserving of it,13
by falling into some special sin which wounds the conscience and grieves the
Spirit;14 by some sudden or vehement temptation,15
by God's withdrawing the light of his countenance, and suffering even such as
fear him to walk in darkness and to have no light,16 yet are
they never destitute of the seed of God17 and life of faith,18
that love of Christ and the brethren, that sincerity of heart and conscience of
duty out of which, by the operation of the Spirit, this assurance may in due
time be revived,19 and by the which, in the meantime, they are
preserved from utter despair.20
13 Cant. 5:2,3,6
14 Ps. 51:8,12,14
15 Ps. 116:11; 77:7,8, 31:22
16 Ps. 30:7
17 1 John 3:9
18 Luke 22:32
19 Ps. 42:5,11
20 Lam. 3:26-31
CHAPTER 19
OF THE LAW OF GOD
Paragraph 1. God gave to Adam a law of universal obedience written in his
heart, and a particular precept of not eating the fruit of the tree of knowledge
of good and evil;1 by which he bound him and all his posterity
to personal, entire, exact, and perpetual obedience;2 promised
life upon the fulfilling, and threatened death upon the breach of it, and endued
him with power and ability to keep it.3
1 Gen. 1:27; Eccles. 7:29
2 Rom. 10:5
3 Gal. 3:10,12
Paragraph 2. The same law that was first written in the heart of man
continued to be a perfect rule of righteousness after the fall,4
and was delivered by God upon Mount Sinai, in ten commandments, and written in
two tables, the four first containing our duty towards God, and the other six,
our duty to man.5
4 Rom. 2:14,15
5 Deut. 10:4
Paragraph 3. Besides this law, commonly called moral, God was pleased to give
to the people of Israel ceremonial laws, containing several typical ordinances,
partly of worship, prefiguring Christ, his graces, actions, sufferings, and
benefits;6 and partly holding forth divers instructions of
moral duties,7 all which ceremonial laws being appointed only
to the time of reformation, are, by Jesus Christ the true Messiah and only
law-giver, who was furnished with power from the Father for that end abrogated
and taken away.8
6 Heb. 10:1; Col. 2:17
7 1 Cor. 5:7
8 Col. 2:14,16,17; Eph. 2:14,16
Paragraph 4. To them also he gave sundry judicial laws, which expired
together with the state of that people, not obliging any now by virtue of that
institution; their general equity only being of modern use.9
9 1 Cor. 9:8-10
Paragraph 5. The moral law does for ever bind all, as well justified persons
as others, to the obedience thereof,10 and that not only in
regard of the matter contained in it, but also in respect of the authority of
God the Creator, who gave it;11 neither does Christ in the
Gospel any way dissolve, but much strengthen this obligation.12
10 Rom. 13:8-10; James 2:8,10-12
11 James 2:10,11
12 Matt. 5:17-19; Rom. 3:31
Paragraph 6. Although true believers are not under the law as a covenant of
works, to be thereby justified or condemned,13 yet it is of
great use to them as well as to others, in that as a rule of life, informing
them of the will of God and their duty, it directs and binds them to walk
accordingly; discovering also the sinful pollutions of their natures, hearts,
and lives, so as examining themselves thereby, they may come to further
conviction of, humiliation for, and hatred against, sin;14
together with a clearer sight of the need they have of Christ and the perfection
of his obedience; it is likewise of use to the regenerate to restrain their
corruptions, in that it forbids sin; and the threatenings of it serve to show
what even their sins deserve, and what afflictions in this life they may expect
for them, although freed from the curse and unallayed rigour thereof. The
promises of it likewise show them God's approbation of obedience, and what
blessings they may expect upon the performance thereof, though not as due to
them by the law as a covenant of works; so as man's doing good and refraining
from evil, because the law encourages to the one and deters from the other, is
no evidence of his being under the law and not under grace.15
13 Rom. 6:14; Gal. 2:16; Rom. 8:1, 10:4
14 Rom. 3:20, 7:7, etc.
15 Rom. 6:12-14; 1 Pet. 3:8-13
Paragraph 7. Neither are the aforementioned uses of the law contrary to the
grace of the Gospel, but do sweetly comply with it,16 the
Spirit of Christ subduing and enabling the will of man to do that freely and
cheerfully which the will of God, revealed in the law, requires to be done.17
16 Gal. 3:21
17 Ezek. 36:27
CHAPTER 20
OF THE GOSPEL AND OF THE EXTENT OF THE GRACE THEREOF
Paragraph 1. The covenant of works being broken by sin, and made unprofitable
unto life, God was pleased to give forth the promise of Christ, the seed of the
woman, as the means of calling the elect, and begetting in them faith and
repentance;1 in this promise the gospel, as to the substance of
it, was revealed, and [is] therein effectual for the conversion and salvation of
sinners.2
1 Gen. 3:15
2 Rev. 13:8
Paragraph 2. This promise of Christ, and salvation by him, is revealed only
by the Word of God;3 neither do the works of creation or
providence, with the light of nature, make discovery of Christ, or of grace by
him, so much as in a general or obscure way;4 much less that
men destitute of the revelation of Him by the promise or gospel, should be
enabled thereby to attain saving faith or repentance.5
3 Rom. 1;17
4 Rom. 10:14,15,17
5 Prov. 29:18; Isa. 25:7; 60:2,3
Paragraph 3. The revelation of the gospel to sinners, made in divers times
and by sundry parts, with the addition of promises and precepts for the
obedience required therein, as to the nations and persons to whom it is granted,
is merely of the sovereign will and good pleasure of God;6 not
being annexed by virtue of any promise to the due improvement of men's natural
abilities, by virtue of common light received without it, which none ever made,
or can do so;7 and therefore in all ages, the preaching of the
gospel has been granted unto persons and nations, as to the extent or
straitening of it, in great variety, according to the counsel of the will of
God.
6 Ps. 147:20; Acts 16:7
7 Rom. 1:18-32
Paragraph 4. Although the gospel be the only outward means of revealing
Christ and saving grace, and is, as such, abundantly sufficient thereunto; yet
that men who are dead in trespasses may be born again, quickened or regenerated,
there is moreover necessary an effectual insuperable work of the Holy Spirit
upon the whole soul, for the producing in them a new spiritual life;8
without which no other means will effect their conversion unto God.9
8 Ps. 110:3; 1 Cor. 2:14; Eph. 1:19,20
9 John 6:44; 2 Cor. 4:4,6
CHAPTER 21
OF CHRISTIAN LIBERTY AND LIBERTY OF CONSCIENCE
Paragraph 1. The liberty which Christ has purchased for believers under the
gospel, consists in their freedom from the guilt of sin, the condemning wrath of
God, the severity and curse of the law,1 and in their being
delivered from this present evil world,2 bondage to Satan,3
and dominion of sin,4 from the evil of afflictions,5
the fear and sting of death, the victory of the grave,6 and
everlasting damnation:7 as also in their free access to God,
and their yielding obedience unto Him, not out of slavish fear,8
but a child-like love and willing mind.9 All which were common
also to believers under the law for the substance of them;10
but under the New Testament the liberty of Christians is further enlarged, in
their freedom from the yoke of a ceremonial law, to which the Jewish church was
subjected, and in greater boldness of access to the throne of grace, and in
fuller communications of the free Spirit of God, than believers under the law
did ordinarily partake of.11
1 Gal. 3:13
2 Gal. 1:4
3 Acts 26:18
4 Rom. 8:3
5 Rom. 8:28
6 1 Cor. 15:54-57
7 2 Thess. 1:10
8 Rom. 8:15;
9 Luke 1:73-75; 1 John 4:18
10 Gal. 3;9,14
11 John 7:38,39; Heb. 10:19-21
Paragraph 2. God alone is Lord of the conscience,12 and has
left it free from the doctrines and commandments of men which are in any thing
contrary to his word, or not contained in it.13 So that
to believe such doctrines, or obey such commands out of conscience, is to betray
true liberty of conscience;14 and the requiring of an implicit
faith, an absolute and blind obedience, is to destroy liberty of conscience and
reason also.15
12 James 4:12; Rom. 14:4
13 Acts 4:19,29; 1 Cor. 7:23; Matt. 15:9
14 Col. 2:20,22,23
15 1 Cor. 3:5; 2 Cor. 1:24
Paragraph 3. They who upon pretence of Christian liberty do practice any sin,
or cherish any sinful lust, as they do thereby pervert the main design of the
grace of the gospel to their own destruction,16 so they wholly
destroy the end of Christian liberty, which is, that being delivered out of the
hands of all our enemies, we might serve the Lord without fear, in holiness and
righeousness before Him, all the days of our lives.17
16 Rom. 6:1,2
17 Gal. 5:13; 2 Pet. 2:18,21
CHAPTER 22
OF RELIGIOUS WORSHIP AND THE SABBATH DAY
Paragraph 1. The light of nature shows that there is a God, who has lordship
and sovereignty over all; is just, good and does good to all; and is therefore
to be feared, loved, praised, called upon, trusted in, and served, with all the
heart and all the soul, and with all the might.1 But the
acceptable way of worshipping the true God, is instituted by himself,2
and so limited by his own revealed will, that he may not be worshipped according
to the imagination and devices of men, nor the suggestions of Satan, under any
visible representations, or any other way not prescribed in the Holy Scriptures.3
1 Jer. 10:7; Mark 12:33
2 Deut. 12:32
3 Exod. 20:4-6
Paragraph 2. Religious worship is to be given to God the Father, Son, and
Holy Spirit, and to him alone;4 not to angels, saints, or any
other creatures;5 and since the fall, not without a mediator,6
nor in the mediation of any other but Christ alone.7
4 Matt. 4:9,10; John 6:23; Matt. 28:19
5 Rom. 1:25; Col. 2:18; Rev. 19:10
6 John 14:6
7 1 Tim. 2:5
Paragraph 3. Prayer, with thanksgiving, being one part of natural worship, is
by God required of all men.8 But that it may be accepted,
it is to be made in the name of the Son,9 by the help of the Spirit,10
according to his will;11 with understanding, reverence,
humility, fervency, faith, love, and perseverance; and when with others, in a
known tongue.12
8 Ps. 95:1-7, 65:2
9 John 14:13,14
10 Rom. 8:26
11 1 John 5:14
12 1 Cor. 14:16,17
Paragraph 4. Prayer is to be made for things lawful, and for all sorts of men
living, or that shall live hereafter;13 but not for the dead,14
nor for those of whom it may be known that they have sinned the sin unto death.15
13 1 Tim. 2:1,2; 2 Sam. 7:29
14 2 Sam. 12:21-23
15 1 John 5:16
Paragraph 5. The reading of the Scriptures,16 preaching, and
hearing the Word of God,17 teaching and admonishing one another
in psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing with grace in our hearts to the
Lord;18 as also the administration of baptism,19
and the Lord's supper,20 are all parts of religious worship of
God, to be performed in obedience to him, with understanding, faith, reverence,
and godly fear; moreover, solemn humiliation, with fastings,21
and thanksgivings, upon special occasions, ought to be used in an holy and
religious manner.22
16 1 Tim. 4:13
17 2 Tim. 4:2; Luke 8:18
18 Col. 3:16; Eph. 5:19
19 Matt. 28:19,20
20 1 Cor. 11:26
21 Esther 4:16; Joel 2:12
22 Exod. 15:1-19, Ps. 107
Paragraph 6. Neither prayer nor any other part of religious worship, is now
under the gospel, tied unto, or made more acceptable by any place in which it is
performed, or towards which it is directed; but God is to be worshipped
everywhere in spirit and in truth;23 as in private families24
daily,25 and in secret each one by himself;26
so more solemnly in the public assemblies, which are not carelessly nor wilfully
to be neglected or forsaken, when God by his word or providence calls thereunto.27
23 John 4:21; Mal. 1:11; 1 Tim. 2:8
24 Acts 10:2
25 Matt. 6:11; Ps. 55:17
26 Matt. 6:6
27 Heb. 10:25; Acts 2:42
Paragraph 7. As it is the law of nature, that in general a proportion of
time, by God's appointment, be set apart for the worship of God, so by his Word,
in a positive moral, and perpetual commandment, binding all men, in all ages, he
has particularly appointed one day in seven for a sabbath to be kept holy unto
him,28 which from the beginning of the world to the
resurrection of Christ was the last day of the week, and from the resurrection
of Christ was changed into the first day of the week, which is called the Lord's
Day:29 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.
28 Exod. 20:8
29 1 Cor. 16:1,2; Acts 20:7; Rev. 1:10
Paragraph 8. The sabbath is then kept holy unto the Lord, when men, after a
due preparing of their hearts, and ordering their common affairs aforehand, do
not only observe a holy rest all day, from their own works, words and thoughts,
about their worldly employment and recreations,30 but are also
taken up the whole time in the public and private exercises of his worship, and
in the duties of necessity and mercy.31
30 Isa. 58:13; Neh. 13:15-22
31 Matt. 12:1-13
CHAPTER 23
OF LAWFUL OATHS AND VOWS
Paragraph 1. A lawful oath is a part of religious worship, wherein the person
swearing in truth, righteousness, and judgment, solemnly calls God to witness
what he swears,1 and to judge him according to the truth or
falseness thereof.2
1 Exod. 20:7; Deut. 10:20; Jer. 4:2
2 2 Chron. 6:22, 23
Paragraph 2. 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 or rashly by that glorious and dreadful name, or to swear at all by any
other thing, is sinful, and to be abhorred;3 yet as in matter
of weight and moment, for confirmation of truth, and ending all strife, an oath
is warranted by the word of God;4 so a lawful oath being
imposed by lawful authority in such matters, ought to be taken.5
3 Matt. 5:34,37; James 5:12
4 Heb. 6:16; 2 Cor. 1:23
5 Neh. 13:25
Paragraph 3. Whosoever takes an oath warranted by the word of God, ought duly
to consider the weightiness of so solemn an act, and therein to avouch nothing
but what he knows to be truth; for that by rash, false, and vain oaths, the Lord
is provoked, and for them this land mourns.6
6 Lev. 19:12; Jer. 23:10
Paragraph 4. An oath is to be taken in the plain and common sense of the
words, without equivocation or mental reservation.7
7 Ps. 24:4
Paragraph 5. A vow, which is not to be made to any creature, but to God
alone, is to be made and performed with all religious care and faithfulness;8
but popish monastical vows of perpetual single life,9 professed
poverty,10 and regular obedience, are so far from being degrees
of higher perfection, that they are superstitious and sinful snares, in which no
Christian may entangle himself.11
8 Ps. 76:11; Gen. 28:20-22
9 1 Cor. 7:2,9
10 Eph. 4:28
11 Matt. 19:1
CHAPTER 24
OF THE CIVIL MAGISTRATE
Paragraph 1. God, the supreme Lord and King of all the world, has ordained
civil magistrates to be under him, over the people, for his own glory and the
public good; and to this end has armed them with the power of the sword, for
defence and encouragement of them that do good, and for the punishment of evil
doers.1
1 Rom. 13:1-4
Paragraph 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,2 according to the
wholesome laws of each kingdom and commonwealth, so for that end they may
lawfully now, under the New Testament, wage war upon just and necessary
occasions.3
2 2 Sam. 23:3; Ps. 82:3,4
3 Luke 3:14
Paragraph 3. Civil magistrates being set up by God for the ends aforesaid;
subjection, in all lawful things commanded by them, ought to be yielded by us in
the Lord, not only for wrath, but for conscience’ sake;4 and we
ought to make supplications and prayers for kings and all that are in authority,
that under them we may live a quiet and peaceable life, in all godliness and
honesty.5
4 Rom. 13:5-7; 1 Pet. 2:17
5 1 Tim. 2:1,2
CHAPTER 25
OF MARRIAGE
Paragraph 1. Marriage is to be between one man and one woman; neither is it
lawful for any man to have more than one wife, nor for any woman to have more
than one husband at the same time.1
1 Gen. 2:24; Mal. 2:15; Matt. 19:5,6
Paragraph 2. Marriage was ordained for the mutual help of husband and wife,2
for the increase of mankind with a legitimate issue,3 and the
preventing of uncleanness.4
2 Gen. 2:18
3 Gen. 1:28
4 1 Cor. 7:2,9
Paragraph 3. It is lawful for all sorts of people to marry, who are able with
judgment to give their consent;5 yet it is the duty of
Christians to marry in the Lord;6 and therefore such as profess
the true religion, should not marry with infidels, or idolaters; neither should
such as are godly, be unequally yoked, by marrying with such as are wicked in
their life, or maintain damnable heresy.7
5 Heb. 13:4; 1 Tim. 4:3
6 1 Cor. 7:39
7 Neh. 13:25-27
Paragraph 4. Marriage ought not to be within the degrees of consanguinity or
affinity, forbidden in the Word;8 nor can such incestuous
marriages ever be made lawful, by any law of man or consent of parties, so as
those persons may live together as man and wife.9
8 Lev. 18
9 Mark 6:18; 1 Cor. 5:1
CHAPTER 26
OF THE CHURCH
Paragraph 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 number of the elect, that have been, are, or shall be
gathered into one, under Christ, the head thereof; and is the spouse, the body,
the fulness of him that fills all in all.1
1 Heb. 12:23; Col. 1:18; Eph. 1:10,22,23, 5:23,27,32
Paragraph 2. All persons throughout the world, professing the faith of the
gospel, and obedience unto God by Christ according unto it, not destroying their
own profession by any errors everting the foundation, or unholiness of
conversation, are and may be called visible saints;2 and of
such ought all particular congregations to be constituted.3
2 1 Cor. 1:2; Acts 11:26
3 Rom. 1:7; Eph. 1:20-22
Paragraph 3. The purest churches under heaven are subject to mixture and
error;4 and some have so degenerated as to become no churches
of Christ, but synagogues of Satan;5 nevertheless Christ always
has had, and ever shall have a kingdom in this world, to the end thereof, of
such as believe in him, and make profession of his name.6
4 1 Cor. 5; Rev. 2,3
5 Rev. 18:2; 2 Thess. 2:11,12
6 Matt. 16:18; Ps. 72:17, 102:28; Rev. 12:17
Paragraph 4. The Lord Jesus Christ is the Head of the church, in whom, by the
appointment of the Father, all power for the calling, institution, order or
government of the church, is invested in a supreme and sovereign manner;7
neither can the Pope of Rome in any sense be head thereof, but is that
antichrist, that man of sin, and son of perdition, that exalts himself in the
church against Christ, and all that is called God; whom the Lord shall destroy
with the brightness of his coming.8
7 Col. 1:18; Matt. 28:18-20; Eph. 4:11,12
8 2 Thess. 2:2-9
Paragraph 5. In the execution of this power wherewith he is so intrusted, the
Lord Jesus calls out of the world unto himself, through the ministry of his
word, by his Spirit, those that are given unto him by his Father,9
that they may walk before him in all the ways of obedience, which he prescribes
to them in his word.10 Those thus called, he commands to
walk together in particular societies, or churches, for their mutual
edification, and the due performance of that public worship, which he requires
of them in the world.11
9 John 10:16; John 12:32
10 Matt. 28:20
11 Matt. 18:15-20
Paragraph 6. The members of these churches are saints by calling, visibly
manifesting and evidencing (in and by their profession and walking) their
obedience unto that call of Christ;12 and do willingly consent
to walk together, according to the appointment of Christ; giving up themselves
to the Lord, and one to another, by the will of God, in professed subjection to
the ordinances of the Gospel.13
12 Rom. 1:7; 1 Cor. 1:2
13 Acts 2:41,42, 5:13,14; 2 Cor. 9:13
Paragraph 7. To each of these churches therefore gathered, according to his
mind declared in his word, he has given all that power and authority, which is
in any way needful for their carrying on that order in worship and discipline,
which he has instituted for them to observe; with commands and rules for the due
and right exerting, and executing of that power.14
14 Matt. 18:17, 18; 1 Cor. 5:4, 5, 5:13, 2 Cor. 2:6-8
Paragraph 8. A particular church, gathered and completely organized according
to the mind of Christ, consists of officers and members; and the officers
appointed by Christ to be chosen and set apart by the church (so called and
gathered), for the peculiar administration 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 bishops or elders, and deacons.15
15 Acts 20:17, 28; Phil. 1:1
Paragraph 9. The way appointed by Christ for the calling of any person,
fitted and gifted by the Holy Spirit, unto the office of bishop or elder in a
church, is, that he be chosen thereunto by the common suffrage of the church
itself;16 and solemnly set apart by fasting and prayer, with
imposition of hands of the eldership of the church, if there be any before
constituted therein;17 and of a deacon that he be chosen by the
like suffrage, and set apart by prayer, and the like imposition of hands.18
16 Acts 14:23
17 1 Tim. 4:14
18 Acts 6:3,5,6
Paragraph 10. The work of pastors being constantly to attend the service of
Christ, in his churches, in the ministry of the word and prayer, with watching
for their souls, as they that must give an account to Him;19 it
is incumbent on the churches to whom they minister, not only to give them all
due respect, but also to communicate to them of all their good things according
to their ability,20 so as they may have a comfortable supply,
without being themselves entangled in secular affairs;21 and
may also be capable of exercising hospitality towards others;22
and this is required by the law of nature, and by the express order of our Lord
Jesus, who has ordained that they that preach the Gospel should live of the
Gospel.23
19 Acts 6:4; Heb. 13:17
20 1 Tim. 5:17,18; Gal. 6:6,7
21 2 Tim. 2:4
22 1 Tim. 3:2
23 1 Cor. 9:6-14
Paragraph 11. Although it be incumbent on the bishops or pastors of the
churches, to be instant in preaching the word, by way of office, yet the work of
preaching the word is not so peculiarly confined to them but that others also
gifted and fitted by the Holy Spirit for it, and approved and called by the
church, may and ought to perform it.24
24 Acts 11:19-21; 1 Pet. 4:10,11
Paragraph 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 privileges of a church, are also under the censures and
government thereof, according to the rule of Christ.25
25 1 Thess. 5:14; 2 Thess. 3:6,14,15
Paragraph 13. No church members, upon any offence taken by them, having
performed their duty required of them towards the person they are offended at,
ought to disturb any church-order, or absent themselves from the assemblies of
the church, or administration of any ordinances, upon the account of such
offence at any of their fellow members, but to wait upon Christ, in the further
proceeding of the church.26
26 Matt. 18:15-17; Eph. 4:2,3
Paragraph 14. As each church, and all the members of it, are bound to pray
continually for the good and prosperity of all the churches of Christ,27
in all places, and upon all occasions 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, so as they may enjoy
opportunity and advantage for it, ought to hold communion among themselves, for
their peace, increase of love, and mutual edification.28
27 Eph. 6:18; Ps. 122:6
28 Rom. 16:1,2; 3 John 8-10
Paragraph 15. In cases of difficulties or differences, either in point of
doctrine or administration, wherein either the churches in general are
concerned, or any one church, in their peace, 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 together, do, by their messengers,
meet to consider, and give their advice in or about that matter in difference,
to be reported to all the churches concerned;29 howbeit these
messengers assembled, are not intrusted with any church-power properly so
called; or with any jurisdiction over the churches themselves, to exercise any
censures either over any churches or persons; or to impose their determination
on the churches or officers.30
29 Acts 15:2,4,6,22,23,25
30 2 Cor. 1:24; 1 John 4:1
CHAPTER 27
OF THE COMMUNION OF THE SAINTS
Paragraph 1. All saints that are united to Jesus Christ, their head, by his
Spirit, and faith, although they are not made thereby one person with him, have
fellowship in his graces, sufferings, death, resurrection, and glory;1
and, being united to one another in love, they have communion in each others
gifts and graces,2 and are obliged to the performance of such
duties, public and private, in an orderly way, as do conduce to their mutual
good, both in the inward and outward man.3
1 1 John 1:3; John 1:16; Phil. 3:10; Rom. 6:5,6
2 Eph. 4:15,16; 1 Cor. 12:7; 3:21-23
3 1 Thess. 5:11,14; Rom. 1:12; 1 John 3:17,18; Gal. 6:10
Paragraph 2. Saints by profession are bound to maintain a holy fellowship and
communion in the worship of God, and in performing such other spiritual services
as tend to their mutual edification;4 as also in relieving each
other in outward things according to their several abilities, and necessities;5
which communion, according to the rule of the gospel, though especially to be
exercised by them, in the relation wherein they stand, whether in families,6
or churches,7 yet, as God offers opportunity, is to be extended
to all the household of faith, even all those who in every place call upon the
name of the Lord Jesus; nevertheless their communion one with another as saints,
does not take away or infringe the title or propriety which each man has in his
goods and possessions.8
4 Heb. 10:24,25, 3:12,13
5 Acts 11:29,30
6 Eph. 6:4
7 1 Cor. 12:14-27
8 Acts 5:4; Eph. 4:28
CHAPTER 28
OF BAPTISM AND THE LORD’S SUPPER
Paragraph 1. Baptism and the Lord's Supper are ordinances of positive and
sovereign institution, appointed by the Lord Jesus, the only lawgiver, to be
continued in his church to the end of the world.1
1 Matt. 28:19,20; 1 Cor. 11:26
Paragraph 2. These holy appointments are to be administered by those only who
are qualified and thereunto called, according to the commission of Christ.2
2 Matt. 28:19; 1 Cor. 4:1
CHAPTER 29
OF BAPTISM
Paragraph 1. Baptism is an ordinance of the New Testament, ordained by Jesus
Christ, to be unto the party baptized, a sign of his fellowship with him, in his
death and resurrection; of his being engrafted into him;3 of
remission of sins;4 and of giving up into God, through Jesus
Christ, to live and walk in newness of life.5
3 Rom. 6:3-5; Col. 2:12; Gal. 3:27
4 Mark 1:4; Acts 22:16
5 Rom. 6:4
Paragraph 2. Those who do actually profess repentance towards God, faith in,
and obedience to, our Lord Jesus Christ, are the only proper subjects of this
ordinance.6
6 Mark 16:16; Acts 8:36,37, 2:41, 8:12, 18:8
Paragraph 3. The outward element to be used in this ordinance is water,
wherein the party is to be baptized, in the name of the Father, and of the Son,
and of the Holy Spirit.7
7 Matt. 28:19, 20; Acts 8:38
Paragraph 4. Immersion, or dipping of the person in water, is necessary to
the due administration of this ordinance.8
8 Matt. 3:16; John 3:23
CHAPTER 30
OF THE LORD’S SUPPER
Paragraph 1. The supper of the Lord Jesus was instituted by him the same night wherein he was betrayed, to be observed in his churches, unto the end of the world, for the perpetual remembrance, and showing to all the world the sacrifice of himself in his death,1 confirmation of the faith of believers in all the benefits thereof, their spiritual nourishment, and growth in him, their further engagement in, and to all duties which they owe to him; and to be a bond and pledge