The London Baptist Confession

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The London Baptist Confession of Faith, with scripture proofs, was adopted by the Ministers and Messengers of the General Assembly which met in 1689.

CHAPTER 1 - Of the Holy Scriptures

The Holy Scripture is the only sufficient, certain and infallible ruleof all saving knowledge, faith and obedience,(1) although the light of nature and the works of creation and providence doso far manifest the goodness, wisdom and power of God, as to leave meninexcusable; yet are they not sufficient to give that knowledge of Godand His will which is necessary unto salvation.(2) Therefore it pleased the Lord at sundry times and in divers manners toreveal Himself, and to declare that His will unto His church;(3) and afterwards for the better preserving and propagating of the truth,and for the more sure establishment and comfort of the church against thecorruption of the flesh, and the malice of Satan, and of the world, tocommit the same wholly unto writing; which maketh the Holy Scriptures tobe most necessary, those former ways of God's revealing His will unto Hispeople being now ceased.(4)

1. 2 Timothy 3:15-17 ; Isaiah 8:20 ; Luke 16:29 Luke 16:31 ; Ephesians 2:20

Under the name of Holy Scripture, or the Word of God written, are now containedall the books of the Old and New Testaments, which are these:

Of the Old Testament

Genesis	Exodus	Leviticus
Numbers	Deuteronomy	Joshua
Judges	Ruth	1 Samuel
2 Samuel	1 Kings	2 Kings
1 Chronicles	2 Chronicles	Ezra
Nehemiah	Esther	Job
Psalms	Proverbs	Ecclesiastes
Song of Solomon	Isaiah	Jeremiah
Lamentations	Ezekiel	Daniel
Hosea	Joel	Amos
Obadiah	Jonah	Micah
Nahum	Habakkuk	Zephaniah
Haggai	Zechariah	Malachi

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 faithand life.(5)

5. 2 Timothy 3:16

The books commonly called Apocrypha, not being of divine inspiration, areno part of the canon or rule of the Scripture, and, therefore, are of noauthority to the church of God, nor to be any otherwise approved or madeuse of than other human writings.(6)

6. Luke 24:27 Luke 24:44 ; Romans 3:2

The authority of the Holy Scripture, for which it ought to be believed,dependeth not upon the testimony of any man or church, but wholly uponGod(who is truth itself) , the author thereof; therefore it is to be receivedbecause it is the Word of God.(7)

7. 2 Peter 1:19-21 ; 2 Timothy 3:16 ; 2 Thessalonians 2:13 ; 1 John 5:9

We may be moved and induced by the testimony of the church of God to anhigh and reverent esteem of the Holy Scriptures; and the heavenliness ofthe 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 allglory 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 doth abundantly evidence itself to be the Wordof God; yet notwithstanding, our full persuasion and assurance of the infallibletruth, and divine authority thereof, is from the inward work of the HolySpirit bearing witness by and with the Word in our hearts.(8)

8. John 16:13-14 ; 1 Corinthians 2:10-12 ; 1 John 2:20 1 John 2:27

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 necessarilycontained in the Holy Scripture: unto which nothing at any time is to beadded, whether by new revelation of the Spirit, or traditions of men.(9)

Nevertheless, we acknowledge the inward illumination of the Spirit ofGod to be necessary for the saving understanding of such things as arerevealed in the Word,(10) and that there are some circumstances concerning the worship of God, andgovernment of the church, common to human actions and societies, whichare to be ordered by the light of nature and Christian prudence, accordingto the general rules of the Word, which are always to be observed.(11)

9. 2 Timothy 3:15-17 ; Galatians 1:8-9

All things in Scripture are not alike plain in themselves, nor alike clearunto all;(12) yet those things which are necessary to be known, believed and observedfor salvation, are so clearly propounded and opened in some place of Scriptureor other, that not only the learned, but the unlearned, in a due use ofordinary means, may attain to a sufficient understanding of them.(13)

12. 2 Peter 3:16

The Old Testament in Hebrew(which was the native language of the peopleof God of old) ,(14) and the New Testament in Greek(which at the time of the writing of it wasmost generally known to the nations) , being immediately inspired by God,and by His singular care and providence kept pure in all ages, are thereforeauthentic; so as in all controversies of religion, the church is finallyto 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 commandedin the fear of God to read(16) and search them,(17) therefore they are to be translated into the vulgar[ie. common] languageof every nation unto which they come,(18) that the Word of God dwelling plentifully in all, they may worship of Himin an acceptable manner, and through patience and comfort of the Scripturesmay have hope.(19)

14. Romans 3:2

The infallible rule of interpretation of Scripture is the Scripture itself;and therefore when there is a question about the true and full sense ofany Scripture(which is not manifold, but one) , it must be searched by otherplaces that speak more clearly.(20)

20. 2 Peter 1:20-21 ; Acts 15:15-16

The supreme judge, by which all controversies of religion are to be determined,and all decrees of councils, opinions of ancient writers, doctrines ofmen, and private spirits, are to be examined, and in whose sentence weare 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. Matthew 22:29 Matthew 22:31-32 ; Ephesians 2:20 ; Acts 28:23

CHAPTER 2 - Of God and of the Holy Trinity

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 comprehendedby 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 thecounsel of His own immutable and most righteous will(11) for His own glory;(12) most loving, gracious, merciful, long-suffering, abundant in goodness andtruth, forgiving iniquity, transgression, and sin; the rewarder of themthat diligently seek Him,(13) and withal most just and terrible in His judgements,(14) hating all sin,(15) and who will by no means clear the guilty.(16)

1. 1 Corinthians 8:4 1 Corinthians 8:6 ; Deuteronomy 6:4

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 anyglory from them,(20) but only manifesting His own glory in, by, unto, and upon them; He is thealone fountain of all being, of whom, through whom, and to whom are allthings,(21) and He hath most sovereign dominion over all creatures, to do by them,for them, or upon them, whatsoever Himself pleaseth;(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, whatsoeverworship,(26) service, or obedience, as creatures they owe unto the Creator, and whateverHe is further pleased to require of them.

17. John 5:26

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 eternallybegotten 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 bedivided in nature and being, but distinguished by several peculiar relativeproperties and personal relations; which doctrine of the Trinity is thefoundation of all our communion with God, and comfortable dependence uponHim.

27. 1 John 5:7 ; Matthew 28:19 ; 2 Corinthians 13:14

CHAPTER 3 - Of God's Decree

God hath decreed in Himself, from all eternity, by the most wise and holycounsel of His own will, freely and unchangeably, all things, whatsoevercome to pass;(1) yet so as thereby is God neither the author of sin nor hath fellowshipwith any therein;(2) nor is violence offered to the will of the creature, nor yet is the libertyor contingency of second causes taken away, but rather established;(3) in which appears His wisdom in disposing all things, and power and faithfulnessin accomplishing His decree.(4)

1. Isaiah 46:10 ; Ephesians 1:11 ; Hebrews 6:17 ; Romans 9:15 Romans 9:18

Although God knoweth whatsoever may or can come to pass, upon all supposedconditions,(5) yet hath He not decreed anything, because He foresaw it as future, or asthat which would come to pass upon such conditions.(6)

5. Acts 15:18

By the decree of God, for the manifestation of His glory, some men andangels are predestined, 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 thepraise of His glorious justice.(9)

7. 1 Timothy 5:21 ; Matthew 25:34

These angels and men thus predestined and foreordained, are particularlyand unchangeably designed, and their number so certain and definite, thatit cannot be either increased or diminished.(10)

10. 2 Timothy 2:19 ; John 13:18

Those of mankind that are predestined to life, God, before the foundationof the world was laid, according to His eternal and immutable purpose,and the secret counsel and good pleasure of His will, hath chosen in Christunto everlasting glory, out of His mere free grace and love,(11) without any other thing in the creature as a condition or cause movingHim thereunto.(12)

11. Ephesians 1:4 Ephesians 1:9 Ephesians 1:11 ; Romans 8:30 ; 2 Timothy 1:9 ; 1 Thessalonians 5:9

As God hath appointed the elect unto glory, so He hath, by the eternaland most free purpose of His will, foreordained all the means thereunto;(13) wherefore they who are elect, being fallen in Adam, are redeemed by Christ,(14) are effectually called unto faith in Christ, by His Spirit working in dueseason, 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 Peter 1:2 ; 2 Thessalonians 2:13

The doctrine of this high mystery of predestination is to be handled withspecial prudence and care, that men attending the will of God revealedin His Word, and yeilding obedience thereunto, may, from the certaintyof 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 Thessalonians 1:4-5 ; 2 Peter 1:10

CHAPTER 4 - Of Creation

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 ; Hebrews 1:2 ; Job 26:13

After God hath 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; beingmade 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 fulfil it, and yet under a possibility of transgressing, beingleft to the liberty of their own will, which was subject to change.(8)

4. Genesis 1:27

Besides the law written in their hearts, they received a command not toeat of the tree of knowledge of good and evil,(9) which whilst they kept, they were happy in their communion with God, andhad dominion over the creatures. (10)

9. Genesis 2:17

CHAPTER 5 - Of Divine Providence

God the good creator of all things, in His infinite power and wisdom, dothuphold, direct, dispose, and govern all His creatures and things,(1) from the greatest even to the least,(2) by His most wise and holy providence, to the end for which they were created,according unto His infallible foreknowledge, and the free and immutablecounsel of His own will; to the praise of the glory of His wisdom, power,justice, infinite goodness, and mercy.(3)

1. Hebrews 1:3 ; Job 38:11 ; Isaiah 46:10-11 ; Psalms 135:6

Although in relation to the foreknowledge and decree of God, the firstcause, 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 ordereth them to fall out according to thenature of second causes, either necessarily, freely, or contingently.(6)

4. Acts 2:23

God, in His ordinary providence maketh use of means,(7) yet is free to work without,(8) above,(9) and against them (10) at His pleasure.

7. Acts 27:31 Acts 27:44 ; Isaiah 55:10-11

The Almighty power, unsearchable wisdom, and infinite goodness of God,so far manifest themselves in His providence, that His determinate counselextendeth itself even to the first fall, and all other sinful actions bothof angels and men;(11) and that not by a bare permission, which also He most wisely and powerfullyboundeth, and otherwise ordereth and governeth,(12) in a manifold dispensation to His most holy ends;(13) yet so, as the sinfulness of their acts proceedeth only from the creatures,and not from God, who, being most holy and righteous, neither is nor canbe the author or approver of sin.(14)

11. Romans 11:32-34 ; 2 Samuel 24:1 ; 1 Chronicles 21:1

The most wise, righteous, and gracious God doth oftentimes leave for aseason His own children to manifold temptations and the corruptions oftheir own hearts, to chastise them for their former sins, or to discoverunto them the hidden strength of corruption and deceitfulness of theirhearts, that they may be humbled; and to raise them to a more close andconstant dependence for their support upon Himself; and to make them morewatchful against all future occasions of sin, and for other just and holyends.(15)

So that whatsoever befalls any of His elect is by His appointment, forHis glory, and their good.(16)

15. 2 Chronicles 32:25-26 2 Chronicles 32:31 ; 2 Corinthians 12:7-9

As for those wicked and ungodly men whom God, as a righteous judge, forformer sin doth blind and harden;(17) from them He not only withholdeth His grace, whereby they might have beenenlightened in their understanding,and wrought upon their hearts;(18) but sometimes also withdraweth the giftswhich they had,(19) and exposeth them to such objects as their corruption makes occasion ofsin; (20) and withal, gives them over to their own lusts, the temptations of theworld, and the power of Satan,(21) whereby it comes to pass that they harden themselves, under those meanswhich God useth forthe softening of others.(22)

17. Romans 1:24-26 Romans 1:28 ; Romans 11:7-8

As the providence of God doth in general reach to all creatures, so aftera more special manner it taketh care of His church, and disposethof allthings to the good thereof. (23)

23. 1 Timothy 4:10 ; Amos 9:8-9 ; Isaiah 43:3-5

CHAPTER 6 - Of the Fall of Man, of Sin, and of the Punishment Thereof

Although God created man upright and perfect, and gave him a righteouslaw, which had been unto life had he kept it, and threatened death uponthe breach thereof,(1) yet he did not long abide in this honour; Satan using the subtlety of theserpent to subdue Eve, then by her seducing Adam, who, without any compulsion,did willlfully transgress the law of their creation, and the command givenunto 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. Genesis 2:16-17

Our first parents, by this sin, fell from their original righteousnessand 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. Romans 3:23

They being the root, and by God's appointment, standing in the room andstead of all mankind, the guilt of the sin was imputed, and corrupted natureconveyed, 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, an eternal, unless the LordJesus set them free.(10)

6. Romans 5:12-19 ; 1 Corinthians 15:21-22 1 Corinthians 15:45 1 Corinthians 15:49

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. Romans 8:7 ; Colossians 1:21

The corruption of nature, during this life, doth remain in those that areregenerated;(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. Romans 7:18 Romans 7:23 ; Ecclesiastes 7:20 ; 1 John 1:8

CHAPTER 7 - Of God's Covenant

The distance between God and the creature is so great, that although reasonablecreatures do owe obedience unto Him as their creator, yet they could neverhave attained the reward of life but by some voluntary condescension onGod's part, which He hath been pleased to express by way of covenant.(1)

1. Luke 17:10 ; Job 35:7-8

Moreover, man having brought himself under the curse of the law by hisfall, it pleased the Lord to make a covenant of grace,(2) wherein He freely offereth 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. Genesis 2:17 ; Galatians 3:10 ; Romans 3:20-21

This covenant is revealed in the gospel; first of all to Adam in the promiseof salvation by the seed of the woman, (5) and afterwards by farther steps, until the full discovery thereof was completedin the New Testament;(6) and it is founded in that eternal covenant transaction that was betweenthe Father and the Son about the redemption of the elect;(7) and it is alone by the grace of this covenant that all of the posterityof fallen Adam that ever were saved did obtain life and blessed immortality,man being now utterly incapable of acceptance with God upon those termson which Adam stood in his state of innocency.(8)

5. Genesis 3:15

CHAPTER 8 - Of Christ the Mediator

It pleased God, in His eternal purpose, to choose an 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 Saviour of His 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 tobe by Him in time redeemed, called, justified, sanctified, and glorified.(8)

1. Isaiah 42:1 ; 1 Peter 1:19-20

The Son of God, the second person in the Holy Trinity, being very and eternalGod, the brightness of the Father's glory, of one substance and equal withHim who made the world, who upholdeth and governeth all things He hathmade, did, when the fulness of time was come, take upon Him man's nature,with all the essential properties and common infirmities thereof,(9) yet without sin;(10) being conceived by the Holy Spirit in the womb of the Virgin Mary, theHoly Spirit coming down upon her: and the power of the Most High overshadowingher; and so was made of a woman of the tribe of Judah, of the seed of Abrahamand David according to the Scriptures;(11) so that two whole, perfect, and distinct natures were inseparably joinedtogether in one person, without conversion, composition, or confusion;which person is very God and very man, yet one Christ, the only mediatorbetween God and man.(12)

9. John 1:14 ; Galatians 4:4

The Lord Jesus, in His human nature thus united to the divine, in the personof 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 a mediator andsurety;(18) which office He took not upon Himself, but was thereunto called by HisFather;(19) who also put all power and judgement in His hand, and gave Him commandmentto execute the same.(20)

13. Psalms 45:7 ; Acts 10:38 ; John 3:34

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 fulfil it, and underwent the punishment due to us, whichwe should have borne and suffered,(23) being made sin and a curse for us;(24) enduring most grievous sorrows in His soul, and most painful sufferingsin His body;(25) was crucified, and died, and remaining in the state of the dead, yet sawno corruption:(26) and on the third day He arose from the dead(27) with the same body in which he suffered,(28) with which He also ascended into heaven,(29) and there sitteth 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. Psalms 40:7-8 ; Hebrews 10:5-10 ; John 10:18

The Lord Jesus, by His perfect obedience and sacrifice of Himself, whichHe through the eternal Spirit once offered up unto God, hath fully satisfiedthe justice of God,(32) procured reconciliation, and purchased an everlasting inheritance in thekingdom of heaven for all those whom the Father hath given unto Him.(33)

32. Hebrews 9:14 ; Hebrews 10:14 ; Romans 3:25-26

Although the price of redemption was not actually paid by Christ till afterHis incarnation, yet the virtue, efficacy, and benefit thereof were communicatedto 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 to-day, and for ever.(36)

34. 1 Corinthians 4:10 ; Hebrews 4:2 ; 1 Peter 1:10-11

Christ, in the work of mediation, acteth according to both natures, byeach nature doing that which is proper to itself; yet by reason of theunity of the person, that which is proper to one nature is sometimes inscripture, attributed to the person denominated by the other nature.(37)

37. John 3:13 ; Acts 20:28

To all those for whom Christ hat obtained eternal redemption, He doth certainlyand effectually apply and communicate the same, making intercession forthem;(38) uniting them to Himself by His Spirit, revealing unto them, in and by theWord, 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 mighty power and wisdom,(41) in such manner and ways as are most consonant to His wonderful and unsearchabledispensation; and all of free and absolute grace, without any conditionforseen in them to procure it.(42)

38. John 6:37 ; John 10:15-16 ; John 17:9 ; Romans 5:10

This office of mediator between God and man is proper only to Christ, whois the prophet, priest, and king of the church of God; and may not be eitherin whole, or any part thereof, transferred from Him to any other.(43)

43. 1 Timothy 2:5

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 bestof our services, we need His priestly office to reconcile us and presentus acceptable unto God;(45) and in respect of our averseness and utter inability to return to God,and for our rescue and security from our spiritual adversaries, we needHis kingly office to convince, subdue, draw, uphold, deliver, and preserveus to His heavenly kingdom.(46)

44. John 1:18

45. Colossians 1:21 ; Galatians 5:17
46. John 16:8 ; Psalms 110:3 ; Luke 1:74-75

CHAPTER 9 - Of Free Will

God hath endued the will of man with that natural liberty and power ofacting upon choice, that it is neither forced, nor by any necessity ofnature determined to do good or evil. (1)

1. Matthew 17:12 ; James 1:14 ; Deuteronomy 30:19

Man, in his state of innocency, had freedom and power to will and to dothat which was good and well-pleasing to God,(2) but yet was unstable, so that he might fall from it.(3)

2. Ecclesiastes 7:29

Man, by his fall into a state of sin, hath wholly lost all ability of willto any spiritual good accompanying salvation; (4) so as a natural man, being altogether averse from that good, and dead insin,(5) is not able by his own strength to convert himself, or to prepare himselfthereunto.(6)

4. Romans 5:6 ; Romans 8:7

When God converts a sinner, and translates him into the state of grace,He freeth him from his natural bondage under sin,(7) and by His grace alone enables him freely to will and to do that whichis spiritually good;(8) yet so as that by reason of his remaining corruptions, he doth not perfectly,nor only will, that which is good, but doth also will that which is evil.(9)

7. Colossians 1:13 ; John 8:36

This will of man is made perfectly and immutably free to good alone inthe state of glory only.(10)

10. Ephesians 4:13

CHAPTER 10 - Of Effectual Calling

Those whom God hath predestined unto life, He is pleased in His appointedand accepted time, effectually to call,(1) by His Word and Spirit, out of that state of sin and death in which theyare by nature, to grace and salvation by Jesus Christ;(2) enlightening their minds spiritually and savingly to understand the thingsof God;(3) taking away their heart of stone, and giving unto them a heart of flesh:(4) renewing their wills, and by His almighty power determining them to thatwhich 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. Romans 8:30 ; Romans 11:7 ; Ephesians 1:10-11 ; 2 Thessalonians 2:13-14

This effectual call is of God's free and special grace alone, not fromanything at all forseen in man, nor from any power or agency in the creature,(7) being wholly passive therein, being dead in sins and trespasses, untilbeing quickened and renewed by the Holy Spirit;(8) he is thereby enabled to answer this call, and to embrace the grace offeredand conveyed in it, and that by no less power than that which raised upChrist from the dead.(9)

7. 2 Timothy 1:9 ; Ephesians 2:8

Infants dying in infancy are regenerated and saved by Christ through theSpirit;(10) who worketh when, and where, and how He pleaseth;(11) so also are all elect persons, who are incapable of being outwardly calledby the ministry of the Word.

10. John 3:3 John 3:5-6

Others not elected, although they may be called by the ministry of theWord, and may have some common operations of the Spirit,(12) yet not being effectually drawn by the Father, they neither will nor cantruly come to Christ, and therefore cannot be saved:(13) much less can men that receive not the Christian religion be saved, bethey never so diligent to frame their lives according to the light of natureand the law of that religion they do profess.(14)

12. Matthew 22:14 ; Matthew 13:20-21 ; Hebrews 6:4-5

CHAPTER 12 - Of Adoption

All those that are justified, God vouchsafed, in and for the sake of Hisonly 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 privilegesof 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. Ephesians 1:5 ; Galatians 4:4-5

CHAPTER 13 - Of Sanctification

They who are united to Christ, effectually called, and regenerated, havinga new heart and a new spirit created in them through the virtue of Christ'sdeath 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 thereof 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 theLord.(6)

1. Acts 20:32 ; Romans 6:5-6

This sanctification is throughout the whole man,(7) yet imperfect in this life; there abideth still some remnants of corruptionin every part,(8) when ariseth a continual and irreconcilable war; the flesh lusting againstthe Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh.(9)

7. 1 Thessalonians 5:23

In which war, although the remaining corruption for a time may much prevail,(10) yet, through the continual supply of strength from the sanctifying Spiritof Christ, the regenerate part doth 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 commandswhich Christ as Head and King, in His Word hath prescribed to them.(12)

10. Romans 7:23

CHAPTER 14 - Of Saving Faith

The grace of faith, whereby the elect are enabled to believe to the savingof 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 Corinthians 4:13 ; Ephesians 2:8

By this faith a Christian believeth to be true whatsoever is revealed inthe Word for the authority of God Himself,(4) and also apprehendeth an excellency therein above all other writings andall things in the world,(5) as it bears forth the glory of God in His attributes, the excellency ofChrist in His nature and offices, and the power and fullness of the HolySpirit in His workings and operations: and so is enabled to cast his soulupon the truth thus believed;(6) and also acteth differently upon that which each particular passage thereofcontaineth; 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

This faith, although it be different in degrees, and may be weak or strong,(11) yet it is in the least degree of it different in the kind or nature ofit, as is all other saving grace, from the faith and common grace of temporarybelievers;(12) and therefore, though it may be many times assailed and weakened, yet itgets 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. Hebrews 5:13-14 ; Matthew 6:30 ; Romans 4:19-20

CHAPTER 15 - Of Repentance Unto Life and Salvation

Such of the elect as are converted in riper years, having sometime livedin the state of nature, and therein served divers lusts and pleasures,God in their effectual calling giveth them repentance unto life.(1)

1. Titus 3:2-5

Whereas there is none that doth good and sinneth not,(2) and the best of men may, through the power and deceitfulness of their corruptiondwelling in them, with the prevalency of temptation, fall in to great sinsand provocations; God hath, in the covenant of grace, mercifully providedthat believers so sinning and falling be renewed through repentance untosalvation.(3)

2. Ecclesiastes 7:20

This saving repentance is an evangelical grace,(4) whereby a person, being by the Holy Spirit made sensible of the manifoldevils of his sin, doth, by faith in Christ, humble himself for it withgodly sorrow, detestation of it, and self-abhorrency,(5) praying for pardon and strength of grace, with a purpose and endeavour,by supplies of the Spirit, to walk before God unto all well-pleasing inall things. (6)

4. Zechariah 12:10 ; Acts 11:18

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 isevery man's duty to repent of his particular known sins particularly.(7)

7. Luke 19:8 ; 1 Timothy 1:13 1 Timothy 1:15

Such is the provision which God hath made through Christ in the covenantof grace for the preservation of believers unto salvation, that althoughthere is no sin so small but it deserves damnation,(8) yet there is no sin so great that it shall bring damnation on them thatrepent,(9) which makes the constant preaching of repentance necessary.

8. Romans 6:23

CHAPTER 16 - Of Good Works

Good works are only such as God hath commanded in His Holy Word,(1) and not such as without the warrant thereof are devised by men out of blindzeal, or upon any pretence of good intentions.(2)

1. Micah 6:8 ; Hebrews 13:21

These good works, done in obedience to God's commandments, are the fruitsand 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 glorify 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 James 2:22

Their ability to do good works is not all of themselves, but wholly fromthe Spirit of Christ;(10) and that they may be enabled thereunto, besides the graces they have alreadyreceived, there is necessary an actual influence of the same Holy Spirit,to work in them to will and to do of His good pleasure;(11) yet they are not hereupon to grow negligent, as if they were not boundto perform any duty, unless upon a special motion of the Spirit, but theyought to be diligent in stirring up the grace of God that is in them.(12)

10. John 15:4-5

They who in their obedience attain to the greatest height which is possiblein this life, are so far from being able to supererogate, and to do morethan God requires, as that they fall short of much which in duty they arebound to do. (13)

13. Job 9:2-3 ; Galatians 5:17 ; Luke 17:10

We cannot by our best works merit pardon of sin or eternal life at thehand of God, by reason of the great disproportion that is between themand the glory to come, and the infinite distance that is between us andGod, whom by them we can neither profit nor satisfy for the debt of ourformer sins;(14) but when we have done all we can, we have done but our duty, and are unprofitableservants; and because as they are good they proceed from His Spirit,(15) and as they are wrought by us they are defiled and mixed with so much weaknessand imperfection, that they cannot endure the severity of God's punishment.(16)

14. Romans 3:20 ; Ephesians 2:8-9 ; Romans 4:6

Yet notwithstanding the persons of believers being accepted through Christ,their good works also are accepted in Him;(17) not as though they were in this life wholly unblameable and unreprovablein God's sight, but that He, looking upon them in His Son, is pleased toaccept and reward that which is sincere, although accompanied with manyweaknesses and imperfections.(18)

17. Ephesians 1:6 ; 1 Peter 2:5

Works done by unregenerate men, although for the matter of them they maybe things which God commands, and of good use both to themselves and 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 therefore sinful, and cannot please God, nor make a man meet toreceive grace from God,(23) and yet their neglect of them is more sinful and displeasing to God.(24)

19. 2 Kings 10:30 ; 1 Kings 21:27 1 Kings 21:29

20. Genesis 4:5 ; Hebrews 11:4 Hebrews 11:6
21. 1 Corinthians 13:1
22. Matthew 6:2 Matthew 6:5
23. Amos 5:21-22 ; Romans 9:16 ; Titus 3:5
24. Job 21:14-15 ; Matthew 25:41-43

CHAPTER 17 - Of The Perseverance Of The Saints

Those whom God hath accepted in the beloved, effectually called and sanctifiedby His Spirit, and given the precious faith of His elect unto, can neithertotally nor finally fall from the state of grace, but shall certainly perseveretherein to the end, and be eternally saved, seeing the gifts and callingsof God are without repentance, whence He still begets and nourisheth inthem faith, repentance, love, joy, hope, and all the graces of the Spiritunto immortality;(1) and tough many storms and floods arise and beat against them, yet theyshall never be able to take them off that foundation and rock which byfaith they are fastened upon; notwithstanding, through unbelief and thetemptations of Satan, the sensible sight of the light and love of God mayfor 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 powerof God unto salvation, where they shall enjoy their purchased possession,they being engraven upon the palm of His hands, and their names havingbeen written in the book of life from all eternity.(3)

1. John 10:28-29 ; Philippians 1:6 ; 2 Timothy 2:19 ; 1 John 2:19

This perseverance of the saints depends not upon their own free will, butupon the immutability of the decree of election,(4) flowing from the free and unchangeable love of God the Father, upon theefficacy 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 wthin them,(7) and the nature of the covenant of grace;(8) from all which ariseth also the certainty and infallibility thereof.

4. Romans 8:30 ; Romans 9:11 Romans 9:16

And though they may, through the temptation of Satan and of the world,the prevalency of corruption remaining in them, and the neglect of meansof their preservation, fall into grievous sins, and for a time continuetherein,(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 judgements upon themselves,(13) yet shall they renew their repentance and be preserved through faith inChrist Jesus to the end.(14)

9. Matthew 26:70 Matthew 26:72 Matthew 26:74

CHAPTER 18 - Of the Assurance of Grace and Salvation

Although temporary believers, and other unregenerate men, may vainly deceivethemselves with false hopes and carnal presumptions of being in the favourof God and 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 lifebe certainly assured that they are in the state of grace, and may rejoicein the hope of the glory of God,(2) which hope shall never make them ashamed.(3)

1. Job 8:13-14 ; Matthew 7:22-23

This certainty is not a bare conjectural and probable persuasion groundedupon 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 whichpromises are made,(6) and on the testimony of the Spirit of adoption, witnessing with our spiritsthat we are the children of God;(7) and, as a fruit thereof, keeping the heart both humble and holy.(8)

4. Hebrews 6:11 Hebrews 6:19

This infallible assurance doth not so belong to the essence of faith, butthat a true believer may wait long, and conflict with many difficultiesbefore he be a partaker of it;(9) yet being enabled by the Spirit to know the things which are freely givenhim of God, he may, without extraordinary revelation, in the right useof means, attain thereunto:(10) and therefore it is the duty of every one to give all diligence to makehis calling and election sure, that thereby his heart may be enlarged inpeace and joy in the Holy Spirit, in love and thankfulness to God, andin strength and cheerfulness in the duties of obedience, the proper fruitsof this assurance; (11) -so far is it from inclining men to looseness.(12)

9. Isaiah 50:10 ; Psalms 88:1-18 ; Psalms 77:1-12

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 woundeth the conscience and grieveththe Spirit; (14) by some sudden or vehement temptation,(15) by God's withdrawing the light of His countenance, and suffering even suchas fear him to walk in darkness and to have no light, (16) yet are they never destitute of the seed of God(17) and life of faith,(18) that love of Christ and the brethren, that sincerity of heart and conscienceof duty out of which, by the operation of the Spirit, this assurance mayin due time be revived,(19) and by the which, in the meantime, they are preserved from utter despair.(20)

13. tit1SS6 1:1 Titus 5:2-3

CHAPTER 19 - Of the Law of God

God gave to Adam a law of universal obedience written in his heart, anda particular precept of not eating the fruit of the tree of knowledge ofgood 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 breachof it, and endued him with power and ability to keep it.(3)

1. Genesis 1:27 ; Ecclesiastes 7:29

The same law that was first written in the heart of man continued to bea perfect rule of righteousness after the fall, (4) and was delivered by God upon Mount Sinai, in ten commandments, and writtenin two tables, the four first containing our duty towards God, and theother six, our duty to man.(5)

4. Romans 2:14-15

Besides this law, commonly called moral, God was pleased to give to thepeople 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 furnishedwith power from the Father for that end abrogated and taken away.(8)

6. Hebrews 10:1 ; Colossians 2:17

To them also He gave sundry judicial laws, which expired together withthe state of that people, not obliging any now by virtue of that institution;their general equity only being for modern use.(9)

9. 1 Corinthians 9:8-10

The moral law doth 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 inrespect of the authority of God the Creator, who gave it;(11) neither doth Christ in the Gospel any way dissolve, but much strengthenthis obligation.(12)

10. Romans 13:8-10 ; James 2:8 James 2:10-12

Although true believers be not under the law as a covenant of works, tobe thereby justified or condemned, (13) yet it is of great use to them as well as to others, in that as a ruleof life, informing them of the will of God and their duty, it directs andbinds them to walk accordingly; discovering also the sinful pollutionsof 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 perfectionof His obedience: it is likewise of use to the regenerate to restrain theircorruptions, in that it forbids sin; and the threatening of it serve toshew what even their sins deserve, and what afflictions in this life theymay expect for them, although freed from the curse and unallayed rigourthereof. These promises of it likewise shew them God's approbation of obedience,and what blessings they may expect upon the performance thereof, thoughnot as due to them by the law as a covenant of works; so as man's doinggood and refraining from evil, because the law encourageth to the one anddeterreth from the other, is no evidence of his being under the law andnot under grace.(15)

13. Romans 6:14 ; Galatians 2:16 ; Romans 8:1 ; Romans 10:4

Neither are the aforementioned uses of the law contrary to the grace ofthe Gospel, but do sweetly comply with it, (16) the Spirit of Christ subduing and enabling the will of man to do that freelyand cheerfully which the will of God, revealed in the law, requireth tobe done.(17)

16. Galatians 3:21

17. Ezekiel 36:27

CHAPTER 20 - Of the Gospel, and of the Extent of the Grace

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. Genesis 3:15

This promise of Christ, and salvation by Him, is revealed only by the Wordof 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 orobscure way;(4) much less that men destitute of the revelation of Him by the promise orgospel, should be enabled thereby to attain saving faith or repentance.(5)

3. Romans 1:17

The revelation of the gospel unto sinners, made in divers times and bysundry parts, with the addition of promises and precepts for the obediencerequired 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'snatural abilities, by virtue of common light received without it, whichnone ever did make, or can do so;(7) and therefore in all ages, the preaching of the gospel has been grantedunto persons and nations, as to the extent or straitening of it, in greatvariety, according to the counsel of the will of God.

6. Psalms 147:20 ; Acts 16:7

Although the gospel be the only outward means of revealing Christ and savinggrace, and is, as such, abundantly sufficient thereunto; yet that men whoare dead in trespasses may be born again, quickened or regenerated, thereis moreover necessary an effectual insuperable work of the Holy Spiritupon 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. Psalms 110:3 ; 1 Corinthians 2:14 ; Ephesians 1:19-20

CHAPTER 21 - Of Christian Liberty and Liberty of Conscience

The liberty which Christ hath purchased for believers under the gospel,consists in their freedom from the guilt of sin, the condemning wrath ofGod, the rigour 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 untoHim, 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 substanceof 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 Jewishchurch was subjected, and in greater boldness of access to the throne ofgrace, and in fuller communications of the free Spirit of God, than believersunder the law did ordinarily partake of.(11)

1. Galatians 3:13

God alone is Lord of the conscience,(12) and hath left it free from the doctrines and commandments of men whichare 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,it so 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 ; Romans 14:4

They who upon pretence of Christian liberty do practice any sin, or cherishany sinful lust, as they do thereby pervert the main design of the graceof the gospel to their own destruction,(16) so they wholly destroy the end of Christian liberty, which is, that beingdelivered out of the hands of all our enemies, we might serve the Lordwithout fear, in holiness and righteousness before Him, all the days ofour lives.(17)

16. Romans 6:1-2

CHAPTER 22 - Of Religious Worship and the Sabbath Day

The light of nature shews that there is a God, who hath lordship and sovereigntyover all; is just, good and doth good unto all; and is therefore to befeared, loved, praised, called upon, trusted in, and served, with all theheart 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 worshippedaccording to the imagination and devices of men, nor the suggestions ofSatan, under any visible representations, or any other way not prescribedin the Holy Scriptures.(3)

1. Jeremiah 10:7 ; Mark 12:33

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. Matthew 4:9-10 ; John 6:23 ; Matthew 28:19

Prayer, with thanksgiving, being one part of natural worship, is by Godrequired 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. Psalms 95:1-7 ; Psalms 65:2

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) not for those of whom it may be known that they have sinned the sin untodeath.(15)

13. 1 Timothy 2:1-2 ; 2 Samuel 7:29

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 obedienceto 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 holyand religious manner.(22)

16. 1 Timothy 4:13

Neither prayer nor any other part of religious worship, is now under thegospel, tied unto, or made more acceptable by any place in which it isperformed, or towards which it is directed; but God is to be worshippedeverywhere in spirit and in truth;(23) as in private families(24) daily,(25) and in secret each one by himself;(26) so more solemnly in the public assemblies, which are not carelessly norwilfully to be neglected or forsaken, when God by His word or providencecalleth thereto.(27)

23. John 4:21 ; Malachi 1:11 ; 1 Timothy 2:8

As it is the law of nature, that in general a proportion of time, by God'sappointment, be set apart for the worship of God, so by His Word, in apositive moral, and perpetual commandment, binding all men, in all ages,He hath particularly appointed one day in seven for a sabbath to be keptholy unto Him,(28) which from the beginning of the world to the resurrection of Christ wasthe last day of the week, and from the resurrection of Christ was changedinto 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 a Christian Sabbath,the observation of the last day of the week being abolished.

28. Exodus 20:8

The sabbath is then kept holy unto the Lord, when men, after a due preparingof their hearts, and ordering their common affairs aforehand, do not onlyobserve an 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 exercisesof His worship, and in the duties of necessity and mercy.(31)

30. Isaiah 58:13 ; Nehemiah 13:15-22

CHAPTER 23 - Of Lawful Oaths and Vows

A lawful oath is a part of religious worship, wherein the person swearingin truth, righteousness, and judgment, solemnly calleth God to witnesswhat he sweareth,(1) and to judge him according to the truth or falseness thereof(2)

1. Exodus 20:7 ; Deuteronomy 10:20 ; Jeremiah 4:2

The name of God only is that by which men ought to swear; and therein itis to be used, with all holy fear and reverence; therefore to swear vainlyor rashly by that glorious and dreadful name, or to swear at all by anyother thing, is sinful, and to be abhorred;(3) yet as in matter of weight and moment, for confirmation of truth, and endingall strife, an oath is warranted by the Word of God;(4) so a lawful oath being imposed by lawful authority in such matters, oughtto be taken.(5)

3. Matthew 5:34 Matthew 5:37 ; James 5:12

Whosoever taketh an oath warranted by the Word of God, ought duly to considerthe weightiness of so solemn an act, and therein to avouch nothing butwhat he knoweth to be truth; for that by rash, false, and vain oaths, theLord is provoked, and for them this land mourns.(6)

6. Leviticus 19:12 ; Jeremiah 23:10

An oath is to be taken in the plain and common sense of the words, withoutequivocation or mental reservation.(7)

7. Psalms 24:4

A vow, which is not to be made to any creature, but to God alone, is tobe 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 mayentangle himself.(11)

8. Psalms 76:11 ; Genesis 28:20-22

9. 1 Corinthians 7:2 1 Corinthians 7:9
10. Ephesians 4:28
11. Matthew 19:11

CHAPTER 24 - Of the Civil Magistrate

God, the supreme Lord and King of all the world, hath ordained civil magistratesto be under Him, over the people, for His own glory and the public good;and to this end hath armed them with the power of the sword, for defenceand encouragement of them that do good, and for the punishment of evildoers.(1)

1. Romans 13:1-4

It is lawful for Christians to accept and execute the office of a magistratewhen called thereunto; in the management whereof, as they ought especiallyto maintain justice and peace,(2) according to the wholesome laws of each kingdom and commonwealth, so forthat end they may lawfully now, under the New Testament, wage war uponjust and necessary occasions.(3)

2. 2 Samuel 23:3 ; Psalms 82:3-4

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 theLord, not only for wrath, but for conscience' sake;(4) and we ought to make supplications and prayers for kings and all that arein authority, that under them we may live a quiet and peaceable life, inall godliness and honesty.(5)

4. Romans 13:5-7 ; 1 Peter 2:17

CHAPTER 25 - Of Marriage

Marriage is to be between one man and one woman; neither is it lawful forany man to have more than one wife, nor for any woman to have more thanone husband at the same time.(1)

1. Genesis 2:24 ; Malachi 2:15 ; Matthew 19:5-6

Marriage was ordained for the mutual help of husband and wife,(2) for the increase of mankind with a legitimate issue,(3) and for preventing uncleanness.(4)

2. Genesis 2:18

It is lawful for all sorts of people to marry, who are able with judgmentto 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 withinfidels, or idolators; neither should such as are godly, be unequallyyoked, by marrying with such as are wicked in their life, or maintain damnableheresy.(7)

5. Hebrews 13:4 ; 1 Timothy 4:3

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 manor consent of parties, so as those persons may live together as man andwife.(9)

8. Leviticus 18:1-30

CHAPTER 26 - Of the Church

The catholic or universal church, which(with respect to the internal workof the Spirit and truth of grace) may be called invisible, consists ofthe whole number of the elect, that have been, are, or shall be gatheredinto one, under Christ, the head thereof; and is the spouse, the body,the fulness of Him that filleth all in all.(1)

1. Hebrews 12:23 ; Colossians 1:18 ; Ephesians 1:10 Ephesians 1:22-23 ; Ephesians 5:23 Ephesians 5:27 Ephesians 5:32

All persons throughout the world, professing the faith of the gospel, andobedience unto God by Christ according unto it, not destroying their ownprofession by any error 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 Corinthians 1:2 ; Acts 11:26

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 synagoguesof Satan;(5) nevertheless Christ always hath had, and ever shall have a kingdom in thisworld, to the end thereof, of such as believe in Him, and make professionof His name.(6)

4. 1 Corinthians 5:1-13 ; Revelation 2:1-29 ; Revelation 3:1-22

The Lord Jesus Christ is the Head of the church, in whom, by the appointmentof the Father all power for the calling, institution, order, or governmentof 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 thatantichrist, that man of sin, and son of perdition, that exalteth himselfin the church against Christ, and all that is called God; whom the Lordshall destroy with the brightness of His coming.(8)

7. Colossians 1:18 ; Matthew 28:18-20 ; Ephesians 4:11-12

In the execution of this power wherewith He is so intrusted, the Lord Jesuscalleth 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 prescribethto them in His Word.(10) Those thus called, He commandeth to walk together in particular societies,or churches, for their mutual edification, and the due performance of thatpublic worship, which He requireth of them in the world.(11)

9. John 10:16 ; John 12:32

The members of these churches are saints by calling, visibly manifestingand evidencing(in and by their profession and walki

ng) their obedience unto that call of Christ;(12) and do willingly consent to walk together, according to the appointmentof Christ; giving up themselves to the Lord, and one to another, by thewill of God, in professed subjection to the ordinances of the Gospel.(13)

12. Romans 1:7 ; 1 Corinthians 1:2

To each of these churches thus gathered, according to His mind declaredin His Word, He hath given all that power and authority, which is in anyway needful for their carrying on that order in worship and discipline,which He hath instituted for them to observe; with commands and rules forthe due and right exerting, and executing of that power.(14)

14. Matthew 18:17-18 ; 1 Corinthians 5:4-5 ; 1 Corinthians 5:13 ; 2 Corinthians 2:6-8

A particular church, gathered and completely organized according to themind of Christ, consists of officers and members; and the officers appointedby Christ to be chosen and set apart by the church(so called and gathered) ,for the peculiar administration of ordinances, and execution of power orduty, which He entrusts them with, or calls them to, to be continued tothe end of the world, are bishops or elders, and deacons.(15)

15. Acts 20:17 Acts 20:28 ; Philippians 1:1

The way appointed by Christ for the calling of any person, fitted and giftedby 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 handsof 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 byprayer, and the like imposition of hands.(18)

16. Acts 14:23

The work of pastors being constantly to attend the service of Christ, inHis churches, in the ministry of the Word and prayer, with watching fortheir souls, as they that must give an account to Him;(19) it is incumbent on the churches to whom they minister, not only to givethem all due respect, but also to communicate to them of all their goodthings, according to their ability,(20) so as they may have a comfortable supply, without being themselves entangledin 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 ofour Lord Jesus, who hath ordained that they that preach the Gospel shouldlive of the Gospel.(23)

19. Acts 6:4 ; Hebrews 13:17

Although it be incumbent on the bishops or pastors of the churches, tobe instant in preaching the Word, by way of office, yet the work of preachingthe Word is not so peculiarly confined to them but that others also giftedand 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 Peter 4:10-11

As all believers are bound to join themselves to particular churches, whenand where they have opportunity so to do; so all that are admitted untothe privileges of a church, are also under the censures and governmentthereof, according to the rule of Christ.(25)

25. 1 Thessalonians 5:14 ; 2 Thessalonians 3:6 2 Thessalonians 3:14-15

No church members, upon any offence taken by them, having performed theirduty required of them towards the person they are offended at, ought todisturb any church-order, or absent themselves from the assemblies of thechurch, or administration of any ordinances, upon the account of such offenceat any of their fellow members, but to wait upon Christ, in the furtherproceedings of the church. (26)

26. Matthew 18:15-17 ; Ephesians 4:2-3

As each church, and all the members of it, are bound to pray continuallyfor the good and prosperity of all the churches of Christ,(27) in all places, and upon all occasions to further every one within the boundsof 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 mayenjoy opportunity and advantage for it, ought to hold communion among themselves,for their peace, increase of love, and mutual edification.(28)

27. Ephesians 6:18 ; Psalms 122:6

In cases of difficulties or differences, either in point of doctrine oradministration, wherein either the churches in general are concerned, orany one church, in their peace, union, and edification; or any member ormembers of any church are injured, in or by any proceedings in censuresnot 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-powerproperly so called; or with any jurisdiction over the churches themselves,to exercise any censures either over any churches or persons; or to imposetheir determination on the churches or officers.(30)

29. Acts 15:2 Acts 15:4 Acts 15:6 Acts 15:22-23 Acts 15:25

CHAPTER 27 - Of the Communion of Saints

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, havefellowship in His graces, sufferings, death, resurrection, and glory;(1) and, being united to one another in love, they have communion in each othersgifts 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 inwardand outward man.(3)

1. 1 John 1:3 ; John 1:16 ; Philippians 3:10 ; Romans 6:5-6

Saints by profession are bound to maintain an holy fellowship and communionin the worship of God, and in performing such other spiritual servicesas tend to their mutual edification;(4) as also in relieving each other in outward things according to their severalabilities, and necessities;(5) which communion, according to the rule of the gospel, though especiallyto be exercised by them, in the relation wherein they stand, whether infamilies,(6) or churches,(7) yet, as God offereth opportunity, is to be extended to all the householdof faith, even all those who in every place call upon the name of the LordJesus; nevertheless their communion one with another as saints, doth nottake away or infringe the title or propriety which each man hath in hisgoods and possessions.(8)

4. Hebrews 10:24-25 ; Hebrews 3:12-13

CHAPTER 28 - Of Baptism and the Lord's Supper

Baptism and the Lord's Supper are ordinances of positive and sovereigninstitution, appointed by the Lord Jesus, the only lawgiver, to be continuedin His church to the end of the world. (1)

1. Matthew 28:19-20 ; 1 Corinthians 11:26

These holy appointments are to be administered by those only who are qualifiedand thereunto called, according to the commission of Christ.(2)

2. Matthew 28:19 ; 1 Corinthians 4:1

CHAPTER 29 - Of Baptism

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 Hisdeath and resurrection; of his being engrafted into Him;(1) of remission of sins;(2) and of giving up into God, through Jesus Christ, to live and walk in newnessof life.(3)

1. Romans 6:3-5 ; Colossians 2:12 ; Galatians 3:27

Those who do actually profess repentance towards God, faith in, and obedienceto, our Lord Jesus Christ, are the only proper subjects of this ordinance.(4)

4. Mark 16:16 ; Acts 8:36-37 ; Acts 2:41 ; Acts 8:12 ; Acts 18:8

The outward element to be used in this ordinance is water, wherein theparty is to be baptized, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, andof the Holy Spirit.(5)

5. Matthew 28:19-20 ; Acts 8:38

Immersion, or dipping of the person in water, is necessary to the due administrationof this ordinance.(6)

6. Matthew 3:16 ; John 3:23

CHAPTER 30 - Of the Lord's Supper

The supper of the Lord Jesus was instituted by Him the same night whereinHe was betrayed, to be observed in His churches, unto the end of the world,for the perpetual remembrance, and shewing forth the sacrifice of Himselfin His death,(1) confirmation of the faith of believers in all the benefits thereof, theirspiritual 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 oftheir communion with Him, and with each other.(2)

1. 1 Corinthians 11:23-26

In this ordinance Christ is not offered up to His Father, nor any realsacrifice made at all for remission of sin of the quick or dead, but onlya memorial of that one offering up of Himself by Himself upon the cross,once for all;(3) and a spiritual oblation of all possible praise unto God for the same.(4) So that the popish sacrifice of the mass, as they call it, is most abominable,injurious to Christ's own sacrifice the alone propitiation for all thesins of the elect.

3. Hebrews 9:25-26 Hebrews 9:28

The Lord Jesus hath, in this ordinance, appointed His ministers to pray,and bless the elements of bread and wine, and thereby to set them apartfrom a common to a holy use, and to take and break the bread; to take thecup, and, they communicating also themselves, to give both to the communicants.(5)

5. 1 Corinthians 11:23-26

The denial of the cup to the people, worshipping the elements, the liftingthem up, or carrying them about for adoration, and reserving them for anypretended religious use, are all contrary to the nature of this ordinance,and to the institution of Christ.(6)

6. Matthew 26:26-28 ; Matthew 15:9 ; Exodus 20:4-5

The outward elements in this ordinance, duly set apart to the use ordainedby Christ, have such relation to Him crucified, as that truly, althoughin terms used figuratively, they are sometimes called by the names of thethings they represent, to wit, the body and blood of Christ,(7) albeit, in substance and nature, they still remain truly and only breadand wine, as they were before.(8)

7. 1 Corinthians 11:27

That doctrine which maintains a change of the substance of bread and wine,into the substance of Christ's body and blood, commonly called transubstantiation,by consecration of a priest, or by any other way, is repugnant not to Scripturealone,(9) but even to common sense and reason, overthroweth the nature of the ordinance,and hath been, and is, the cause of manifold superstitions, yea, of grossidolatries.(10)

9. Acts 3:21 ; Luke 24:6 Luke 24:39

Worthy receivers, outwardly partaking of the visible elements in this ordinance,do them also inwardly by faith, really and indeed, yet not carnally andcorporally, but spiritually receive, and feed upon Christ crucified, andall the benefits of His death; the body and blood of Christ being thennot corporally or carnally, but spiritually present to the faith of believersin that ordinance, as the elements themselves are to their outward senses.(11)

11. 1 Corinthians 10:16 ; 1 Corinthians 11:23-26

All ignorant and ungodly persons, as they are unfit to enjoy communionwith Christ, so are they unworthy of the Lord's table, and cannot, withoutgreat sin against Him, while they remain such, partake of these holy mysteries,or be admitted thereunto;(12) yea, whosoever shall receive unworthily, are guilty of the body and bloodof the Lord, eating and drinking judgment to themselves.(13)

12. 2 Corinthians 6:14-15

CHAPTER 31 - Of the State of Man After Death, and of the Resurrection of the Dead

The bodies of men after death return to dust, and see corruption(1) but their souls, which neither die nor sleep, having an immortal subsistence,immediately return to God who gave them.(2) The souls of the righteous being then made perfect in holiness, are receivedinto paradise, where they are with Christ, and behold the face of God inlight and glory, waiting for the full redemption of their bodies;(3) and the souls of the wicked are cast into hell; where they remain in tormentand utter darkness, reserved to the judgment of the great day;(4) besides these two places, for souls separated from their bodies, the Scriptureacknowledgeth none.

1. Genesis 3:19 ; Acts 13:36

At the last day, such of the saints as are found alive, shall not sleep,but be changed;(5) and all the dead shall be raised up with the selfsame bodies, and noneother;(6) although with different qualities, which shall be united again to theirsouls for ever.(7)

5. 1 Corinthians 15:51-52 ; 1 Thessalonians 4:17

The bodies of the unjust shall, by the power of Christ, be raised to dishonour;the bodies of the just, by His Spirit, unto honour, and be made conformableto His own glorious body.(8)

8. Acts 24:15 ; John 5:28-29 ; Philippians 3:21

CHAPTER 32 - Of the Last Judgment

God hath appointed a day wherein He will judge the world in righteousness,by Jesus Christ;(1) to whom all power and judgment is given of the Father; in which day, notonly the apostate angels shall be judged,(2) but likewise all persons that have lived upon the earth shall appear beforethe tribunal of Christ, to give an account of their thoughts, words, anddeeds, and to receive according to what they have done in the body, whethergood or evil.(3)

1. Acts 17:31 ; John 5:22 ; John 27

The end of God's appointing this day, is for the manifestation of the gloryof His mercy, in the eternal salvation of the elect; and of His justice,in the eternal damnation of the reprobate, who are wicked and disobedient:(4) for then shall the righteous go into everlasting life, and receive thatfullness of joy and glory with everlasting rewards, in the presence ofthe Lord; but the wicked, who know not God, and obey not the gospel ofJesus Christ, shall be cast aside into everlasting torments,(5) and punished with everlasting destruction, from the presence of the Lord,and from the glory of His power.(6)

4. Romans 9:22-23

As Christ would have us to be certainly persuaded that there shall be aday of judgment, both to deter all men from sin,(7) and for the greater consolation of the godly in their adversity,(8) so will He have the day unknown to men, that they may shake off all carnalsecurity, and be always watchful, because they know not at what hour theLord will come,(9) and may ever be prepared to say, "Come Lord Jesus; come quickly".(10) Amen.

7. 2 Corinthians 5:10-11

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