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CHAP. XV.

A fhort Introduction to the Confeffion of

Faith.

HAVING thus largely and evidently performed the chief part of that which I promised in this treatife, in giving a full account of our principles in plain fcripture words, and alfo anfwering by the fcriptures the chief and main objections made against us, I come to a Confeffion of Faith, in which I fhall not be fo large; for that I judge it not convenient to make an inter pretation of all the fcriptures before-mentioned, which, if needful, the reader may eafily obferve, were not very difficult to do. But whereas a Confeffion of Faith called rather for an affirmative account of one's own faith, than for the folution of objections, or any thing of debate in a difcurfive way, which is both more properly and pertinently performed in a Catechifm; thereforeI have here only done fo. I am neceffitated fometimes to intermix fome words for coherence of the matter, as fometimes and, and fometimes therefore, and the like; but not fuch as any ingenuous perfon can affirm do add to the matter; or that may wife juftly be reckoned a comment or meaning and therefore to avoid the cen fure of the most curious carping critics,

thefe

these are marked with a different character. Likewise, unless I should have ridiculously offered to publifh incongruous grammar, there was a true need fometimes to change the mood and perfon of a verb: in all which places, whofoever will look to the words, fhall find it is done upon no defign to alter any whit the naked import of them: as for inftance, 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 to my purpose or promise to write, Chrift is the light, where the firft perfon is changed to the third? Alfo, fometimes I express things which are neceffarily understood, as when any of the apostles fay, we; there, instead of we, I write, apoftles; and where they fay, You, fpeaking of the faints, there I mention faints inftead of it, for the connection of the fentence fometimes requires. it; as in the first article, in mentioning that of John i. 5. concerning God's being light, and in fuch like cafes, which I know no impartial reader would have quarrelled, though wanting this apology: which I judged meet to premife, knowing there is a generation who, when they cannot find any real or fubftantial ground-against truth and its followers, will be cavilling at fuch little nicities; therefore fuch may fee this. objection is obviated.

CHAP,

CHAP. XVI.

A Confeffion of Faith, containing XXIII
Articles.

ARTICLE I.

Concerning God, and the true and faving
Knowledge of Him,

I Cor.

4.24.

CI

THERE is one God (a), who is a fpirita Eph. (b). And this is the meffage which the 4.6. apostles heard of him, and declared unto 8. 4. 6. the faints, that he is light, and in him is no John darknefs at all (c). There are three that John bear record in Heaven, the Father, the Son, 1.5. and the Holy Ghoft, and thefe three are one (d). The Father is in the Son, and Ch. 5. the Son is in the Father, (e). No man John knoweth the Son, but the Father; neither 10. 38. knoweth any man the Father, fave the Son, and he to whomfoever the Son will reveal & 5. 26.

7.

e

and 14.

Luke

2. IO.

him (f). The fpirit fearcheth all things, Mat. yea, the deep things of God (g). For the 27, things of God knoweth no man; but the 10. 22. fpirit of God: Now the faints have re- 1 Cor. ceived not the spirit of the world, but the fpirit which is of God, that they might know the things which are freely" given them of God (b). For the Comforter, 1 Cor. which 2.11.12.

which is the Holy Ghoft, whom the Father fends in Chrift's name, he teacheth them all things, and bringeth all things to their John remembrance (i).

14. 20.

ARTICLE II.

Concerning the Guide and Rule of
Christians.

CHRIST prayed to the Father, and he gave the faints another Comforter, that was to abide with them for ever, even the fpirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it feeth him not, nor knoweth him; but the faints know him; for he dwelleth with them, and is to be in them John (k). Now if any man have not the spirit of Chrift, he is none of his for as many as are led by the fpirit of God, they are Rom. the fons of God (1). For this is the cove8. 9. 14. nant that God hath made with the house of Ifrael, he hath put his laws in their mind, and writ them in their hearts; and they Heb. are all taught of God (m). And the

14. 16,

17.

. 8. 10.

anointing which they have received of him, abideth in them; and they need not that any man teach them, but as the fame anointing teacheth them of all things, and 1 John is truth, and is no lie (n).

2.27.

ARTICLE

ARTICLE III.

Concerning the Scriptures.

15.4.

WHATSOEVER things were written aforetime, were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the fcriptures might have hope (o). Which Rom. are able to make wife unto falvation, through faith which is in Christ Jefus: all scripture being given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for inftruction in righteoufnefs, that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works (p). No prophecy of 2 Tim. the fcripture is of any private interpretation; 16, 17. for the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man, but holy men of God fpake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost (q).

ARTICLE IV.

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

IN the beginning was the word, and the word was with God, and the word was God; the fame was in the beginning with God; all things were made by him, and without him was not any thing made that

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3. 15,

2 Pet. I.25.21

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