CHAPTER XV.

A short introduction to the Confession of Faith.

Having thus largely and evidently performed the chief part of that which I promised in this treatise, in giving a full account of our principles in plain scripture words, and also answering by the scriptures the chief and main objections made against us, I come to a confession of faith, in which I shall not be so large; for that I judge it not convenient to make an inter-repetition of all the scriptures before mentioned, which if needful, the reader may easily observe, were not very difficult to do. But whereas a confession of faith calleth rather for an affirmative account of one's own faith, than for the solution of objections, or any thing of debate in a discursive way, which is both more properly and pertinently performed in a catechism; therefore I have here only done so. I am necessitated sometimes to intermix some words for coherence of the matter, as sometimes (and,) and sometimes (therefore,) and the like; but not such as any ingenuous person can affirm, do add to the matter; or that may anywise justly be reckoned a comment or meaning: and therefore to avoid the censure of the most curious carping critic, these are marked with a different character. Likewise, unless I should have ridiculously offered to publish incongruous grammar, there was a true need sometimes to change the mood and person of a verb in all which places, whosoever will look to the words, shall find it is done upon no design to alter any whit the naked import of them as for instance, where Christ says, I am the light of the world: were it proper for me to write thus, I am the light, &c.? or can it be reckoned any whit contradicting my purpose or promise to write, Christ

:

is the light, where the first person is changed to the third; also, sometimes I express things which are necessarily understood, as when any of the apostles say, we; there, instead of we, I write apostles; and where they say you, speaking to the saints; there I mention saints instead of it, for the connexion of the sentence sometimes requires it; as in the first article, in mentioning that of 1 John 1. 5. concerning God's being light, and in such like cases, which I know no impartial reader would have quarrelled with, though wanting this apology, which I judged meet to premise, knowing there is a generation, who when they cannot find any real or substantial ground against truth and its followers, will be cavilling at such little niceties; therefore such may see this objection is obviated.

CHAPTER XVI.

A CONFESSION OF FAITH.

CONTAINING XXIII ARTICLES.

ARTICLE I.

Concerning GOD, and the true and saving knowledge

of Him.

There is one God.' Who is a spirit. And this is the message which the apostles heard of him, and declared unto the saints, that he is light, and in him is no darkness at all. There are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost, and these three are one. The Father is in the Son, and the Son is in the Father. No man knoweth the Son, but the Father; neither knoweth any man the Father, but the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him." The Spirit searcheth all things, yea the deep things of God." For the things of God knoweth no man but the Spirit of God: now the saints have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit which is of God, that they might know the things which are freely given them of God. For the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father sends in Christ's name, he teacheth them all things, and bringeth all things to their remembrance.9

ARTICLE II.

Concerning the Guide and Rule of Christians.

Christ prayed to the Father, and he gave the saints another Comforter, that was to abide with them for ever,

even the Spirit of Truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, nor knoweth him; but the saints know him; for he dwelleth with them, and is to be in them. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his : For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. For this is the covenant that God hath made with the house of Israel, he hath put his laws in their mind, and writ them in their hearts; and they are all taught of God. And the anointing, which they have received of him, abideth in them; and they need not that any man teach them, but as the same anointing teacheth them of all things, and is truth, and is no lie.1

ARTICLE III.

Concerning the Scriptures.

Whatsoever things were written aforetime, were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope. Which are able to make wise unto salvation, through faith which is in Christ Jesus: All scripture being given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works. No prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation; for the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man, but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost."

ARTICLE IV.

Concerning the Divinity of Christ, and his being from the Beginning.

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God; the same was in the be

(1) John 14. 16, 17.

(4) 1 John 2. 27.

(7) 2 Pet. 1. 20, 21.

(2) Rom. 8. 9, 14. (3) Heb. 8. 10, 11. (6) 2 Tim. 3. 15, 16, 17.

(5) Rom. 15. 4.

ginning with God; all things were made by him, and without him was not any thing made that was made.' Whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting. For God created all things by Jesus Christ.3 Who being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God. And his name is called Wonderful, Counsellor, the Mighty God, the Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace." Who is the image of the invisible God, the first-born of every creature. The brightness of the Father's glory, and the express image of his substance." Who was clothed with a vesture dipt in blood; and his name is called the Word of God.8 In him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. And in him are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.1o

ARTICLE V.

Concerning his Appearance in the Flesh.

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The Word was made flesh." For he took not on him the nature of angels; but he took on him the seed of Abraham, being in all things made like unto his brethren." Touched with a feeling of our infirmities; and in all things tempted, like as we are, yet without sin.13 He died for our sins, according to the scriptures; and he was buried, and he rose again the third day, according to the scriptures."4

ARTICLE VI.

Concerning the End and Use of that Appearance. God sent his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin condemned sin in the flesh.15 For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might de