Declaration Of several of the People called ANABAPTISTS, In and about the CITY of LONDON.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
We being mis-represented to the Nation,
1. As such, as are opposite to Magistracy.
2. That we would destroy the Publick Ministry of the Nation, who differ from us in some things about Religion.
3. That we do countenance the people called Quakers, in their irregular practise.
4. That we endeavour a Toleration of miscarriages in things Ecclesiastical and Civil, under pretence of Liberty of
Conscience,
5. That we design to murder and destroy those who differ from us in matters of Religion, thereby endeavouring to
make us odious to some people fearing God, And also to incense the rude Multitude against us, to provoke them (if
possible) to destroy us.
To the first: Though we cannot answer in justification of every individual person that is of our Profession in matters of
Religion, yet we can say this, and prove it to all the world, that it hath been our profession, and is our practise, to be
obedient to Magistracy in all things Civil, and willing to live peaceably, under whatever Government is, and shall be
established in this Nation: for we do believe, and declare, Magistracy to be an ordinance of God, and ought to be
obeyed in all lawful things.
To the second: As for the public Ministers of the Nation, who differ from us in the matter of Baptizing Infants, and
some things in Church-Government; We are so far from endevouring to destroy them, that we judge, they ought to
have the Liberty of their Consciences therein; and that it is our duty to stand by them, and preserve them (so much
as in us lies) from all injury and violence.
To the third: Concerning the people called Quakers, it is well known to all, (that are not wilfully ignorant) there are
none more opposite to their irregular practices then we are: nor are there any, that they have exprest more
Contradiction to, (in matters of Religion) then against us; though their provocations therein, hath not put us (in the
least) on a desire of depriving them their just Liberty, while they live morally honest, and peaceable in the Nation.
To the forth: Whereas we are further charged with endeavouring an universal Toleration of all miscarriages, both in
things Religious and Civil, under pretense of Liberty of Conscience; it is in both respects notoriously false. And we do
before the Lord, that shall judge both quick and dead, yea, before Angels and men, declare our utter detestation of
such a Toleration; for in matters Civil, we desire there may not be the least Toleration of miscarriage in any, much less
in our selves.
Nor do we desire, in matters of Religion, that Popery should be tolerated, the bloud of many thousands of the people
of God, having been barbarously shed, by the Professors thereof; or any persons tolerated, that worship a false god;
nor any that speak contemptuously and reproachfully of our Lord Jesus Christ; nor any that deny the holy Scriptures,
contained in the books of the Old and New Testaments, to be the Word of God: And yet, we are not against tolerating
of Episcopacy, Presbytery, or any stinted form, provided they do compel any others to a compliance therewith, or a
conformity thereunto: for whatever Composers of any form of worship, may possibly erre; it is derogating from God,
and his holy Word, and injurious to men, to compel any to practice thereof.
To the last: For as much as we are charged, with designs, to murder or to destroy those that differ from us in matters
of Religion; We do not only abhor and detest it, as a cursed practice; but we hope, have approved our selves, both in
this City and in this Nation, to the contrary; notwithstanding the great provocation of some, who have endeavoured
our ruine: for all we desire, is just liberty to men, as men; that every man may be preserved in his own just rights, and
the Christians may be preserved as Christians, though of different Apprehensions in some things of Religion; in the
prosecution whereof, our lives shall be dear unto us, when we are thereunto lawfully called. The designs of our
Adversaries in these Calumnies, are, to mis-represent us to some people fearing God, and also, to incense the rude
Multitude against us, purposely to provoke them (if possible) to destroy us.
We hope, hereby, it will appear to them that fear God, that we are no such persons, as our Adversaries have
represented us, And for their incensing the rude Multitude against us, it is no more, than some others did to our
Master; and it is not for the Disciples, to expect better usage then their Lord: and we do not find, the rude Multitude
ever joyned with him, nor do we expect, they should favour us: it is enough to us, we have his Promise, that if we
suffer with him, we shall also reign with him.
This we think meet to Declare, to undeceive those, who through the unchristian actions and expressions of some
persons, have been, and are, prejudiced against us.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
LONDON, Printed for Livewell Chapman, at the Crown in Popes-Head-Alley, 1659.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
We being mis-represented to the Nation,
1. As such, as are opposite to Magistracy.
2. That we would destroy the Publick Ministry of the Nation, who differ from us in some things about Religion.
3. That we do countenance the people called Quakers, in their irregular practise.
4. That we endeavour a Toleration of miscarriages in things Ecclesiastical and Civil, under pretence of Liberty of
Conscience,
5. That we design to murder and destroy those who differ from us in matters of Religion, thereby endeavouring to
make us odious to some people fearing God, And also to incense the rude Multitude against us, to provoke them (if
possible) to destroy us.
To the first: Though we cannot answer in justification of every individual person that is of our Profession in matters of
Religion, yet we can say this, and prove it to all the world, that it hath been our profession, and is our practise, to be
obedient to Magistracy in all things Civil, and willing to live peaceably, under whatever Government is, and shall be
established in this Nation: for we do believe, and declare, Magistracy to be an ordinance of God, and ought to be
obeyed in all lawful things.
To the second: As for the public Ministers of the Nation, who differ from us in the matter of Baptizing Infants, and
some things in Church-Government; We are so far from endevouring to destroy them, that we judge, they ought to
have the Liberty of their Consciences therein; and that it is our duty to stand by them, and preserve them (so much
as in us lies) from all injury and violence.
To the third: Concerning the people called Quakers, it is well known to all, (that are not wilfully ignorant) there are
none more opposite to their irregular practices then we are: nor are there any, that they have exprest more
Contradiction to, (in matters of Religion) then against us; though their provocations therein, hath not put us (in the
least) on a desire of depriving them their just Liberty, while they live morally honest, and peaceable in the Nation.
To the forth: Whereas we are further charged with endeavouring an universal Toleration of all miscarriages, both in
things Religious and Civil, under pretense of Liberty of Conscience; it is in both respects notoriously false. And we do
before the Lord, that shall judge both quick and dead, yea, before Angels and men, declare our utter detestation of
such a Toleration; for in matters Civil, we desire there may not be the least Toleration of miscarriage in any, much less
in our selves.
Nor do we desire, in matters of Religion, that Popery should be tolerated, the bloud of many thousands of the people
of God, having been barbarously shed, by the Professors thereof; or any persons tolerated, that worship a false god;
nor any that speak contemptuously and reproachfully of our Lord Jesus Christ; nor any that deny the holy Scriptures,
contained in the books of the Old and New Testaments, to be the Word of God: And yet, we are not against tolerating
of Episcopacy, Presbytery, or any stinted form, provided they do compel any others to a compliance therewith, or a
conformity thereunto: for whatever Composers of any form of worship, may possibly erre; it is derogating from God,
and his holy Word, and injurious to men, to compel any to practice thereof.
To the last: For as much as we are charged, with designs, to murder or to destroy those that differ from us in matters
of Religion; We do not only abhor and detest it, as a cursed practice; but we hope, have approved our selves, both in
this City and in this Nation, to the contrary; notwithstanding the great provocation of some, who have endeavoured
our ruine: for all we desire, is just liberty to men, as men; that every man may be preserved in his own just rights, and
the Christians may be preserved as Christians, though of different Apprehensions in some things of Religion; in the
prosecution whereof, our lives shall be dear unto us, when we are thereunto lawfully called. The designs of our
Adversaries in these Calumnies, are, to mis-represent us to some people fearing God, and also, to incense the rude
Multitude against us, purposely to provoke them (if possible) to destroy us.
We hope, hereby, it will appear to them that fear God, that we are no such persons, as our Adversaries have
represented us, And for their incensing the rude Multitude against us, it is no more, than some others did to our
Master; and it is not for the Disciples, to expect better usage then their Lord: and we do not find, the rude Multitude
ever joyned with him, nor do we expect, they should favour us: it is enough to us, we have his Promise, that if we
suffer with him, we shall also reign with him.
This we think meet to Declare, to undeceive those, who through the unchristian actions and expressions of some
persons, have been, and are, prejudiced against us.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
LONDON, Printed for Livewell Chapman, at the Crown in Popes-Head-Alley, 1659.
| BAPTIST DECLARATIONS & CONFESSIONS OF FAITH |
Waldensian Confession of 1120
From Jones' Church History
1. We believe and firmly maintain all that is contained in the twelve articles of the symbol, commonly called the
apostles' creed, and we regard as heretical whatever is inconsistent with the said twelve articles.
2. We believe that there is one God - the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
3. We acknowledge for sacred canonical scriptures the books of the Holy Bible. (Here follows the title of each, exactly
conformable to our received canon, but which it is deemed, on that account, quite unnecessary to particularize.)
4. The books above-mentioned teach us: That there is one GOD, almighty, unbounded in wisdom, and infinite in
goodness, and who, in His goodness, has made all things. For He created Adam after His own image and likeness. But
through the enmity of the Devil, and his own disobedience, Adam fell, sin entered into the world, and we became
transgressors in and by Adam.
5. That Christ had been promised to the fathers who received the law, to the end that, knowing their sin by the law,
and their unrighteousness and insufficiency, they might desire the coming of Christ to make satisfaction for their sins,
and to accomplish the law by Himself.
6. That at the time appointed of the Father, Christ was born - a time when iniquity everywhere abounded, to make it
manifest that it was not for the sake of any good in ourselves, for all were sinners, but that He, who is true, might
display His grace and mercy towards us.
7. That Christ is our life, and truth, and peace, and righteousness - our shepherd and advocate, our sacrifice and
priest, who died for the salvation of all who should believe, and rose again for their justification.
8. And we also firmly believe, that there is no other mediator, or advocate with God the Father, but Jesus Christ. And
as to the Virgin Mary, she was holy, humble, and full of grace; and this we also believe concerning all other saints,
namely, that they are waiting in heaven for the resurrection of their bodies at the day of judgment.
9. We also believe, that, after this life, there are but two places - one for those that are saved, the other for the
damned, which [two] we call paradise and hell, wholly denying that imaginary purgatory of Antichrist, invented in
opposition to the truth.
10. Moreover, we have ever regarded all the inventions of men [in the affairs of religion] as an unspeakable abomination
before God; such as the festival days and vigils of saints, and what is called holy-water, the abstaining from flesh on
certain days, and such like things, but above all, the masses.
11. We hold in abhorrence all human inventions, as proceeding from Antichrist, which produce distress (Alluding
probably to the voluntary penances and mortification imposed by the Catholics on themselves), and are prejudicial to
the liberty of the mind.
12 We consider the Sacraments as signs of holy things, or as the visible emblems of invisible blessings. We regard it as
proper and even necessary that believers use these symbols or visible forms when it can be done. Notwithstanding
which, we maintain that believers may be saved without these signs, when they have neither place nor opportunity of
observing them.
13. We acknowledge no sacraments [as of divine appointment] but baptism and the Lord's supper.
14. We honour the secular powers, with subjection, obedience, promptitude, and payment.
From Jones' Church History
1. We believe and firmly maintain all that is contained in the twelve articles of the symbol, commonly called the
apostles' creed, and we regard as heretical whatever is inconsistent with the said twelve articles.
2. We believe that there is one God - the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
3. We acknowledge for sacred canonical scriptures the books of the Holy Bible. (Here follows the title of each, exactly
conformable to our received canon, but which it is deemed, on that account, quite unnecessary to particularize.)
4. The books above-mentioned teach us: That there is one GOD, almighty, unbounded in wisdom, and infinite in
goodness, and who, in His goodness, has made all things. For He created Adam after His own image and likeness. But
through the enmity of the Devil, and his own disobedience, Adam fell, sin entered into the world, and we became
transgressors in and by Adam.
5. That Christ had been promised to the fathers who received the law, to the end that, knowing their sin by the law,
and their unrighteousness and insufficiency, they might desire the coming of Christ to make satisfaction for their sins,
and to accomplish the law by Himself.
6. That at the time appointed of the Father, Christ was born - a time when iniquity everywhere abounded, to make it
manifest that it was not for the sake of any good in ourselves, for all were sinners, but that He, who is true, might
display His grace and mercy towards us.
7. That Christ is our life, and truth, and peace, and righteousness - our shepherd and advocate, our sacrifice and
priest, who died for the salvation of all who should believe, and rose again for their justification.
8. And we also firmly believe, that there is no other mediator, or advocate with God the Father, but Jesus Christ. And
as to the Virgin Mary, she was holy, humble, and full of grace; and this we also believe concerning all other saints,
namely, that they are waiting in heaven for the resurrection of their bodies at the day of judgment.
9. We also believe, that, after this life, there are but two places - one for those that are saved, the other for the
damned, which [two] we call paradise and hell, wholly denying that imaginary purgatory of Antichrist, invented in
opposition to the truth.
10. Moreover, we have ever regarded all the inventions of men [in the affairs of religion] as an unspeakable abomination
before God; such as the festival days and vigils of saints, and what is called holy-water, the abstaining from flesh on
certain days, and such like things, but above all, the masses.
11. We hold in abhorrence all human inventions, as proceeding from Antichrist, which produce distress (Alluding
probably to the voluntary penances and mortification imposed by the Catholics on themselves), and are prejudicial to
the liberty of the mind.
12 We consider the Sacraments as signs of holy things, or as the visible emblems of invisible blessings. We regard it as
proper and even necessary that believers use these symbols or visible forms when it can be done. Notwithstanding
which, we maintain that believers may be saved without these signs, when they have neither place nor opportunity of
observing them.
13. We acknowledge no sacraments [as of divine appointment] but baptism and the Lord's supper.
14. We honour the secular powers, with subjection, obedience, promptitude, and payment.
| 1729 Goat Yard Declaration of Faith A Declaration of the Faith and Practice of the Church of Christ at Horsely-down, under the Pastoral Care of Mr. John Gill, &c. Having been enabled, through divine grace, to give up ourselves to the Lord, and likewise to one another by the will of God; we account it a duty incumbent upon us to make a declaration of our faith and practice, to the honour of Christ, and the glory of his name; knowing, that as with the heart man believeth unto righteousness, so with the mouth confession is made unto salvation--our declaration is as follows: I. We believe that the Scriptures of the Old and New Testament are the word of God, and the only rule of faith and practice. II. We believe that there is but one only living and true God; that there are three Persons in the Godhead, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, who are equal in nature, power, and glory; and that the Son and the Holy Ghost are as truly and as properly God as the Father. III. We believe that, before the world began, God did elect a certain number of men unto everlasting salvation, whom he did predestinate to the adoption of children by Jesus Christ, of his own free grace, and according to the good pleasure of his will: and that, in pursuance of this gracious design, he did contrive and make a covenant of grace and peace with his Son Jesus Christ, on the behalf of those persons, wherein a Saviour was appointed, and all spiritual blessings provided for them; as also that their persons, with all their grace and glory, were put into the hands of Christ, and made his care and charge. IV. We believe that God created the first man, Adam, after his own image, and in his likeness; an upright, holy, and innocent creature, capable of serving and glorifying him; but, he sinning, all his posterity sinned in him, and came short of the glory of God: the guilt of whose sin is imputed, and a corrupt nature derived, to all his offspring, descending from him by ordinary and natural generation: that they are by their first birth carnal and unclean, averse to all that is good, uncapable of doing any and prone to every sin; and are also by nature children of wrath, and under a sentence of condemnation, and so are subject not only to a corporal death, and involved in a moral one, commonly called spiritual, but are also liable to an eternal death, as considered in the first Adam, fallen and sinners; from all which there is no deliverance but by Christ, the second Adam. V. We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ, being set up from everlasting as the Mediator of the new covenant, and he, having engaged to be the surety of his people, did, in the fulness of time, really assume human nature, and not before, neither in whole nor in part; his human soul, being a creature, existed not from eternity, but was created and formed in his body by him that forms the spirit of man within him, when that was conceived in the womb of the virgin; and so his human nature consists of a true body and a reasonable soul; both which, together, and at once, the Son of God assumed into union with his divine Person, when made of a woman, and not before; in which nature he really suffered and died as their substitute, in their room and stead, whereby he made all that satisfaction for their sins, which the law and justice of God could require, as well as made way for all those blessings, which are needful for them both for time and eternity. VI. We believe that that eternal redemption which Christ has obtained, by the shedding of his blood, is special and particular, that is to say, that it was only intentionally designed for the elect of God, and sheep of Christ, who only share the special and peculiar blessings of it. VII. We believe that the justification of God's elect is only by the righteousness of Christ imputed to them, without the consideration of any works of righteousness done by them; and that the full and free pardon of all their sins and transgressions, past, present, and to come, is only through the blood of Christ, according to the riches of his grace. VIII. We believe that the work of regeneration, conversion, sanctification, and faith, is not an act of man's free will and power, but of the mighty, efficacious, and irresistible grace of God. IX. We believe that all those who are chosen by the Father, redeemed by the Son, and sanctified by the Spirit, shall certainly and finally persevere, so that not one of them shall ever perish, but shall have everlasting life. X. We believe that there will be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust; and that Christ will come a second time to judge both quick and dead, when he will take vengeance on the wicked, and introduce his own people into his kingdom and glory, where they shall be for ever with him. XI. We believe that Baptism and the Lord's Supper are ordinances of Christ, to be continued until his second coming; and that the former is absolutely requisite to the latter; that is to say, that those only are to be admitted into the communion of the church, and to participate of all ordinances in it, who upon profession of their faith, have been baptized by immersion, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. XII. We also believe that singing of psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, vocally, is an ordinance of the Gospel to be performed by believers; but that as to time, place, and manner, every one ought to be left to their liberty in using it. Now all, and each of these doctrines and ordinances, we look upon ourselves under the greatest obligations to embrace, maintain, and defend; believing it to be our duty to stand fast, in one spirit, with one mind, striving together for the faith of the Gospel. And whereas we are very sensible, that our conversation, both in the world and in the church, ought to be as becometh the Gospel of Christ, we judge it our incumbent duty to walk in wisdom towards them that are without, to exercise a conscience void of offence towards God and men, by living soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world. And as to our regards to each other, in our church-communion, we esteem it our duty to walk with each other in all humility and brotherly love: to watch over each other's conversation; to stir up one another to love and good works; not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as we have opportunity, to worship God according to his revealed will; and, when the case requires, to warn, rebuke, and admonish one another, according to the rules of the Gospel. Moreover, we think ourselves obliged to sympathize with each other, in all conditions, both inward and outward, which God, in his providence, may bring us into; as also to bear with one another's weaknesses, failings, and infirmities, and particularly to pray for one another, and that the Gospel and the ordinances thereof might be blessed to the edification and comfort of each other's souls, and for the gathering in of others to Christ, besides those who are already gathered--all which duties we desire to be found in the performance of, through the gracious assistance of the Holy Spirit, whilst we both admire and adore the grace which has given us a place and a name in God's house, better than that of sons and daughters. |
