L. ARTICLE. Of the last judgment. And lastly, we believe, God hath appointed a day, wherein he will judge the world in righteousness, by Jesus Christ, to whom all power and judgment is given of the Father; in which day, not only the apostate angels shall be judged, but likewise all persons that have lived upon the earth shall appear before the tribunal of Christ, to give an account of their thoughts, words, and deeds, and shall receive a just sentence, according to what they have done in their bodies, whether good or evil; when God, according to his purpose, will manifest the glory of his mercy, in the salvation of his elect, and of his justice in the eternal damnation of the wicked and disobedient. For then shall the righteous go into everlasting life, and receive the fulness of joy and glory; but the wicked, who know not God, nor obey the gospel offered them in Christ, shall be cast into eternal torments, and punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power. Amen. Acts xvii. 31; John v. 22. 27; Rom. ii. 16; 2 Tim. iv. 1; 1 Cor. vi. 3; Jude 6; Matt. xii. 36; 2 Cor. v. 10; Eccles. xii. 14; Rom. xiv. 10, 12; Matt. xxv. 32; Luke xxi. 28; 1 Thess. iv. 17; Psalm xvi. 11; Luke xii. 32; Matt. xxv. 46; Psalm lviii. 10; 2 Tim. iv. 8; Luke xvi. 28; Rev. xiv, 11; John viii. 24; 2 Thess. i. 1, &c.; Rev. xx. 10, 11, &c.; xxii. 11, 15.8 [This Confession is reprinted from Crosby, the editor having failed in his attempts to obtain an edition of the original work." A CONFESSION OF FAITH, Put forth by the ELDERS AND BRETHREN Of many CONGREGATIONS OF CHRISTIANS, (Baptized upon Profession of their Faith) IN London and the Country. With an APPENDIX CONCERNING BAPTISM. With the Heart man believeth unto Righteousness, and with the Mouth Confession is made unto Salvation, Rom. 10, 10. Search the Scriptures, John 5, 39. London: Printed for John Harris, at the Harrow against the Church in the Poulirey. 1688. [The following notice was prefixed to many copies of the edition of 1688, and to all subsequent editions.] We, the ministers and messengers of, and concerned for, upwards of one hundred baptized congregations in England and Wales (denying Arminianism), being met together in London, from the third of the seventh month to the eleventh of the same, 1689, to consider of some things that might be for the glory of God, and the good of these congregations ; have thought meet (for the satisfaction of all other Christians that differ from us in the point of baptism) to recommend to their perusal the Confession of our Faith, printed for and sold by Mr. John Harris, at the Harrow in the Poultry. Which Confession we own, as containing the doctrine of our faith and practice; and do desire that the members of our churches respectively do furnish themselves therewith. Hanserd Knollys. John Harris. William Collins. Hercules Collins. Leonard Harrison. Andrew Gifford Tho. Vaux. Tho. Winnel. James Hitt. Richard Tidmarsh. William Facey. Samuel Buttall. Christopher Price. Daniel Finch. John Ball. Paul Fruin. John Tomkins. Edward Price. William Phips. William Hawkins. Samuel Ewer. Edward Man. Charles Archer. In the name and behalf of the whole assembly. 172 [To the fifth edition, 1720, was prefixed the following:—] ADVERTISEMENT. This Confession of our Faith, together with the brief Instructions of the Principles of Christian Religion, or the Catechisms, both with the proofs in the margin, and also that with the words of the scriptures at length; with this Confession, put forth by the ministers, elders, and brethren of above one hundred congregations of Christians, baptized on profession of their faith in England and Wales, denying Arminianism, owning the doctrine of personal election and final perseverance: having sold the property, right and title of the printing thereof, to John Marshall, bookseller, at the Bible in Gracechurch Street, by us, William Collins and Benjamin Keach, it is desired that all persons desirous to promote such useful books, do apply themselves to him. |