Copyright © 2018 Grace Covenant Church. All rights reserved.
First London Baptist Confession of Faith - 1646 A.D.


I.  God's Essence & Attributes.
The Lord our God is but one God, whose subsistence is in Himself; whose essence cannot be comprehended by any but himself, who only hath immortality, dwelling in the light, which no man can approach unto; who is in Himself most holy, every way infinite, in greatness, wisdom, power, love, merciful and gracious, long-suffering, and abundant in goodness and truth; who giveth being, moving, and preservation to all creatures. 
1 Cor. 8:6, Isa. 44:6, 46:9, Exod. 3:14, 1 Tim 6:16, Isa. 43:15; Ps. 147:5, Deut. 32:3; Job 36:5; Jer. 10:12, Exod. 34:6,7, Acts 17:28; Rom. 11:36.



II.  The Holy Trinity.
In this divine and infinite Being there is the Father, the Word, and the Holy Spirit; each having the whole divine Essence, yet the Essence undivided; all infinite without any beginning, therefore but one God; who is not to be divided in nature, and being, but distinguished by several peculiar relative properties. 
1 Cor. 1:3; John 1:1, 15:26, Exod. 3:14; 1 Cor. 8:6



III.  God's Decree.
God had decreed in Himself, before the world was, concerning all things, whether necessary, accidental or voluntary, with all the circumstances of them, to work, dispose, and bring about all things according to the counsel of His own will, to His glory: (Yet without being the [chargeable] author of sin, or having fellowship with any therein) in which appears His wisdom in disposing all things, unchangeableness, power, and faithfulness in accomplishing His decree: And God hath before the foundation of the world, foreordained some men to eternal life, through Jesus Christ, to the praise and glory of His grace; [having foreordained and] leaving the rest in their sin to their just condemnation, to the praise of His justice. 
Isa. 46:10; Eph. 1:11, Rom. 11:33, Ps. 115:3; 135:6, 33:15; 1 Sam. 10:9, 26, Prov. 21:6; Exod. 21:13; Prov. 16:33, Ps. 144, Isa. 45:7, Jer. 14:22, Matt. 6:28, 30; Col. 1:16, 17; Num. 23:19, 20; Rom. 3:4; Jer. 10:10; Eph. 1:4,5; Jude 4, 6; Prov. 16:4. 



IV.  Creation & the Fall.
In the beginning God made all things very good; created man after His own image, filled with all meet perfection of nature, and free from all sin; but long he abode not in this honor; Satan using the subtlety of the serpent to seduce first Eve, then by her seducing Adam; who without any compulsion, in eating the forbidden fruit, transgressed the command of God, and fell, whereby death came upon all his posterity; who now are conceived in sin, and by nature the children of wrath, the servants of sin, the subject of death, and other miseries in this world, and forever, unless the Lord Jesus Christ set them free. 
Gen. 1:1, Col. 1:16, Isa. 45:12, 1 Cor. 15:45, 46; Eccles. 7:29; Gen. 3:1,4,5; 2 Cor. 11:3, 1 Tim. 2:14; Gal. 3:22; Rom. 5:12, 18, 19, 6:22; Eph. 2:3.



V.  God's Providence.
God in His infinite power and wisdom, doth dispose all things to the end for which they were created; that neither good nor evil befalls any by chance, or without His providence; and that whatsoever befalls the elect, is by His appointment, for His glory, and their good. 
Job 38:11; Isa. 46:10,11, Eccles. 3:14, Mark 10:29,30; Exod. 21:13; Prov. 16:33, Rom. 8:28. 



VI.  Election & Salvation.
All the elect being loved of God with an everlasting love, are redeemed, quickened, and saved, not by themselves, nor their own works, lest any man should boast, but, only and wholly by God, of His own free grace and mercy, through Jesus Christ, who is made unto us by God, wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption, and all in all, that he that rejoiceth, might rejoice in the Lord. 
Jer. 31:2; Eph. 1:3, 7, 2:8,9; 1 Thess. 5:9, Acts 13:48; 2 Cor. 5:21; Jer. 9:23,24; 1 Cor. 1:30,31; Jer. 23:6. 



VII.  Life in Christ; Destruction outside of Christ.
And this is life eternal, that we might know Him the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom He hath sent. And on the contrary, the Lord will render vengeance, in flaming fire, to them that know not God, and obey not the gospel of Jesus Christ. 
John 17:3; Heb. 5:9, 2 Thess. 1:8; John 6:36. 



VIII.  Holy Scriptures.
The rule of this knowledge, faith, and obedience, concerning the worship of God, in which is contained the whole duty of man, is (not men's laws, or unwritten traditions, but) only the word of God contained [viz., written] in the holy Scriptures; in which is plainly recorded whatsoever is needful for us to know, believe, and practice; which are the only rule of holiness and obedience for all saints, at all times, in all places to be observed. 
Col. 2:23; Matt 15:6,9; John 5:39, 2 Tim. 3:15,16,17; Isa. 8:20; Gal. 1:8,9; Acts 3:22,23. 



IX.  Jesus Christ: the Promised Seed.
The Lord Jesus Christ, of whom Moses and the Prophets wrote, the Apostles preached, He is the Son of God, the brightness of His glory, etc. by whom He made the world; who upholdeth and governeth all things that He hath made; who also when the fullness of time was come, was made of a woman, of the tribe of Judah, of the seed of Abraham and David; to wit, of the virgin Mary, the Holy Spirit coming down upon her, the power of the most High overshadowing her; and He was also tempted as we are, yet without sin. 
Gen. 3:15, 22:18, 49:10; Dan. 7:13, 9:24, etc.; Prov. 8:23; John 1:1,2,3; Heb. 1:8; Gal. 4:4; Heb. 7:14; Rev. 5:5; Gen. 49:9,10, Rom. 1:3, 9:10; Matt. 1:16; Luke 3:23,26; Heb. 2:16; Isa. 53:3,4,5; Heb. 4:15. 



X.  Mediator of the New Covenant.
Jesus Christ is made the mediator of the new and everlasting covenant of grace between God and man, ever to be perfectly and fully the prophet, priest, and king of the Church of God for evermore. 
1 Tim. 2:5; Heb. 9:15; John 14:6; Isa. 9:6.7. 



XI.  Christ's Everlasting Office.
Unto this office He was appointed by God from everlasting; and in respect of his manhood, from the womb called, separated, and anointed most fully and abundantly with all gifts necessary, God having without measure poured out His Spirit upon Him. 
Prov. 8:23; Isa. 42:6, 49:15; 11:2,3,4,5, 61:1,2; Luke 4:17, 22; John 1:14, 26, 3:34. 



XII.  God's Appointment of Christ.
Concerning His mediatorship, the Scripture holds forth Christ's call to His office; for none takes this honor upon Him, but He that is called of God as was Aaron, it being an action of God, whereby a special promise being made, He ordains His Son to this office; which promise is, that Christ should be made a sacrifice for sin; that He should see His seed, and prolong His days, and the pleasure of the Lord shall prosper in His hand; all of meer free and absolute grace towards God's elect, and without any condition foreseen in them to procure it.  Heb. 5:4,5,6, Isa. 53:10,11; John 3:16; Rom. 8:32. 



XIII.  Christ: Prophet, Priest, King.
This office to be mediator, that is, to be prophet, priest, and king of the Church of God, is so proper to Christ, that neither in whole, or any part thereof, it cannot be transferred from Him to any other. 
1 Tim. 2:5; Heb. 7:24; Dan. 7:14; Acts 4:12; Luke 1:33; John 14:6. 


XIV.  The Need for Christ's Threefold Office.
This office to which Christ is called, is threefold; a prophet, priest, and king: This number and order of offices
is necessary, for in respect of our ignorance, we stand in need of His prophetical office; in respect of our
great alienation from God, we need His priestly office to reconcile us; and in respect of our averseness and
utter inability to return to God, we need His kingly office, to convince, subdue, draw, uphold and preserve us to
His heavenly kingdom. 
Deut. 18:15; Acts 3:22,23; Heb. 3:!, 4:14,15; Ps. 2:6; 2 Cor. 5:20; Acts 26:18; Col. 1:21; John 16:8, Ps.
110:3; Song of Sol. 1:3; John 6:44; Phil. 4:13; 2 Tim. 4:18. 


XV.  The Prophetic Office of Christ.
Concerning the prophecy of Christ, it is that whereby He hath revealed the will of God, whatsoever is needful
for His servants to know and obey; and therefore He is called not only a prophet and doctor, and the apostle of
our profession, and the angel of the covenant, but also the very wisdom of God, in whom are hid all the
treasures of wisdom and knowledge, who forever continueth revealing the same truth of the gospel to His
people. 
John 1:18; 12:49,50; 17:8; Deut. 18:15; Matt. 23:10; Heb. 3:1; Mal. 3:1; 1 Cor. 1:24; Col. 2:3.


XVI.  The God-Man Jesus Christ: the Complete Prophet.
That He might be a prophet every way complete, it was necessary He should be God, and also that He should
be man; For unless He had been God, He could never have perfectly understood the will of God; and unless
He had been man, He could not suitably have unfolded it in His own person to men. 
John 1:18; Acts 3:22; Deut. 18:15; Heb. 1:1. 


Note: That Jesus Christ is God is wonderfully and clearly expressed in the Scriptures. He is called the mighty
God, Isa. 9:6. That Word was God, John 1:1. Christ, who is God over all, Rom 9:5. God manifested in the
flesh, 1 Tim. 3:16. The same is very God, 1 John 5:20. He is the first, Rev. 1:8. He gives being to all things,
and without Him was nothing made, John 1:2. He forgiveth sins, Matt. 9:6. He is before Abraham, John 8:58.
He was and is, and ever will be the same, Heb. 13:8. He is always with His to the end of the world, Matt. 28:20.
Which could not be said of Jesus Christ, if He were not God. And to the Son He saith, Thy throne, O God, is
forever and ever, Heb. 1:8, John 1:18.  Also, Christ is not only perfectly God, but perfect man, made of a
woman, Gal. 4:4. Made of the seed of David, Rom 1:3. Coming out of the loins of David, Acts 2:30. Of Jesse
and Judah, Acts 13:23. In that the children were partakers of flesh and blood He Himself likewise took part with
them, Heb. 2:14. He took not on Him the nature of angels, but the seed of Abraham, verse 16. So that we are
bone of His bone, and flesh of His flesh, Eph. 5:30. So that He that sanctifieth, and they that are sanctified are
all of one, Heb.2:11. See Acts 3:22, Deut. 18:15; Heb. 1:1. 


XVII.  The Priestly Office of Christ.
Concerning His priesthood, Christ having sanctified Himself, hath appeared once to put away sin by that one
offering of Himself a sacrifice for sin, by which He hath fully finished and suffered all things God required for
the salvation of His elect, and removed all rites and shadows, etc. and is now entered within the vail into the
holy of holies, which is the presence of God. Also, He makes His people a spiritual house, an holy priesthood,
to offer up spiritual sacrifice acceptable to God through Him. Neither doth the Father accept, nor Christ offer to
the Father, any other worship or worshippers. 
John 17:19; Heb. 5:7,8,9,10,12; Rom. 5:19, Eph. 5:2; Col. 1:20; Eph. 2:14, etc.; Rom. 8:34; Heb. 9:24; 8:1; 1
Pet. 2:5; John 4:23,24. 


XVIII.  The Melchizedek Priesthood of Christ.
This priesthood was not legal or temporary, but according to the order of Melchisedec, and is stable and
perfect, not for a time, but forever, which is suitable to Jesus Christ, as to Him that ever liveth. Christ was the
priest, sacrifice, and altar: He was a priest according to both natures; He was a sacrifice according to His
human nature; whence in Scripture it is attributed to His body, to His blood: Yet the effectualness of this
sacrifice did depend upon His divine nature; therefore it is called the blood of God. He was the altar according
to His divine nature, it belonging to the altar to sanctify that which is offered upon it, and so it ought to be of
greater dignity than the sacrifice itself. 
Heb. 7:16, etc.; Heb. 5:6, 10:10; 1 Pet. 1:18,19; Col. 1:20, 22; Heb. 9:13; Acts 20:28; Heb. 9:14, 13:10,12,15;
Matt. 23:17; John 17:19. 


XIX.  The Kingly Office of Christ.
Concerning His kingly office, Christ being risen from the dead, and ascended into heaven, and having all
power in heaven and earth, He doth spiritually govern His church, and doth exercise His power over all, angels
and men, good and bad, to the preservation and salvation of the elect, and to the overruling and destruction of
His enemies. By this kingly power He applieth the benefits, virtue, and fruits of His prophecy and priesthood to
His elect, subduing their sins, preserving and strengthening them in all their conflicts against Satan, the world,
and the flesh, keeping their hearts in faith and filial fear by His Spirit: By this His mighty power He ruleth the
vessels of wrath, using, limiting and restraining them, as it seems good to His infinite wisdom. 
1 Cor. 15:4; 1 Pet. 3:21,22; Matt. 28:18,19; Luke 24:51; Acts 1:1, 5:30,31; John 19:36; Rom. 14:9; John
5:26,27; Rom. 5:6,7,8; 14:17; Gal. 5:22,23; Mark 1:27; Heb. 1:14; John 16:15; Job 2:8; Rom. 1:21, [9:17-18];
Eph. 4:17,18; 2 Pet. 2. 


XX.  The Consummation of Christ's Messianic Reign.
This His kingly power shall be more fully manifested when He shall come in glory to reign among His saints,
when He shall put down all rule and authority under His feet, that the glory of the Father may be perfectly
manifested in His Son, and the glory of the Father and the Son in all His members. 
1 Cor. 15:24,28; Heb. 9:28; 2 Thess. 1:9,10; 1 Thess. 4:15,16,17; John 17:21, 26. 


XXI.  The Everlasting Fruits of Christ's Sacrificial Death.
Jesus Christ by His death did purchase salvation for the elect that God gave unto Him: These only have
interest in Him, and fellowship with Him, for whom He makes intercession to His Father in their behalf, and to
them alone doth God by His Spirit apply this redemption; as also the free gift of eternal life is given to them,
and none else. 
Eph. 1:14; Heb. 5:9; Matt. 1:21; John 17:6; Heb. 7:25; 1 Cor. 2:12; Rom. 8:29,30; 1 John 5:12; John 15:35,
3:16. 



XXII.  Faith: its Divine Origin & Salvific Fruits.
Faith is the gift of God, wrought in the hearts of the elect by the Spirit of God; by which faith they come to
know and believe the truth of the Scriptures, and the excellency of them above all other writings, and all things
in the world, as they hold forth the glory of God in His attributes, the execellency of Christ in His nature and
offices, and of the power and fullness of the Spirit in its [His] workings and operations; and so are enabled to
cast their souls upon His truth thus believed. 
Eph. 2:8; John 6:29, 4:10; Phil. 1:29; Gal. 5:22; John 17:17; Heb. 4:11,12; John 6:63.


XXIII.  Perseverance of the Saints.
All those that have this precious faith wrought in them by the Spirit, can never finally nor totally fall away;
seeing the gifts of God are without repentance; so that He still begets and nourisheth in them faith, repentance,
love, joy, hope, and all the graces of the Spirit unto immortality; and though many storms and floods arise, and
beat against them, yet they shall never be able to take them off that foundation and rock, which by faith they
are fastened upon; notwithstanding, through unbelief, and the temptations of Satan, the sensible sight of this
light and love, be clouded and overwhelmed for a time; yet God is still the same, and they shall be sure to be
kept by the power of God unto salvation, where they shall enjoy their purchased possession, they being
engraven upon the palms of His hands, and their names having been written in the book of life from all eternity. 
Matt. 7:24,25; John 13:10, 10:28,29; 1 Pet. 1:4,5,6; Isa. 49:13,14,15,16. 



XXIV.  Gospel-Preaching: the Usual Mechanism of Salvation.
Faith is ordinarily begotten by the preaching of the gospel, or word of Christ, without respect to any power or
agency in the creature; but it being wholly passive, and dead in trespasses and sins, doth believe and is
converted by no less power than that which raised Christ from the dead. 
Rom. 10:17; 1 Cor. 1:28; Rom. 9:16; Ezek. 16:16; Rom. 3:12, 1:16; Eph. 1:19, Col. 2:12.



XXV.   Effectual Gospel-Preaching: Free, Unmerited, & Spirit-Empowered.
The preaching of the gospel to the conversion of sinners, is absolutely free; no way requiring as absolutely
necessary, any qualifications, preparations, or terrors of the law, or preceding ministry of the law, but only and
alone the naked soul, a sinner and ungodly, to receive Christ crucified, dead and buried, and risen again; who
is made a prince and a Savior for such sinners as through the gospel shall be brought to believe on Him. 
John 3:14,15, 1:12; Isa. 55:1; John 7:37; 1 Tim. 1:15; Rom. 4:5, 5:8; Acts 5:30,31, 2:36, 1 Cor. 1:22,24.


XXVI.  The Sovereign, Invincible, Preserving Grace of God.
The same power that converts to faith in Christ, carrieth on the soul through all duties, temptations, conflicts,
sufferings; and whatsoever a believer is, he is by grace, and is carried on in all obedience and temptations by
the same. 
1 Pet. 1:5, 2 Cor. 12:9, 1 Cor. 15:10; Phil. 2:12, 13; John 15:5; Gal. 2:19,20.


XXVII.  Believers: United to God in Christ, Adopted as Sons, & Co-Heirs.
All believers are by Christ united to God; by which union, God is one with them, and they are one with Him;
and that all believers are the sons of God, and joint heirs with Christ, to whom belong all the promises of this
life, and that which is to come. 
1 Thess. 1:1; John 17:21, 20:17; Heb. 2:11, 1 John 4:16; Gal.  2:19,20. 


XXVIII.  Justification by Faith Alone.
Those that have union with Christ, are justified from all their sins by the blood of Christ, which justification is a
gracious and full acquittance of a guilty sinner from all sin, by God, through the satisfaction that Christ hath
made by His death for all their sins, and this applied (in manifestation of it) through faith. 
1 John 1:7; Heb. 10:14, 9:26; 2 Cor. 5:19; Rom. 3:23; Acts 13:38,39; Rom. 5:1, 3:25,30. 


XXIX.  Sanctification.
All believers are a holy and sanctified people, and that sanctification is a spiritual grace of the new covenant,
and an effect of the love of God manifested in the soul, whereby the believer presseth after a heavenly and
evangelical obedience to all the commands, which Christ as head and king in His new covenant hath
prescribed to them. 
1 Cor. 12; 1 Pet. 2:9; Eph. 1:4; 1 John 4:16; Matt. 28:20. 

XXX.  The Believer's Reconciliation with God.
All believers through the knowledge of that justification of life given by the Father and brought forth by the blood
of Christ have as their great privilege of that new covenant, peace with God, reconciliation, whereby they that
were afar off are made nigh by that blood, and have peace passing all understanding; yea, joy in God through
our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have received atonement. 
2 Cor. 5:19; Rom. 5:9,10; Isa. 54:10; Eph. 2:13,14, 4:7; Rom. 5:10,11. 


XXXI.  Spiritual Warfare, Trials, Tribulation.
All believers in the time of this life, are in a continual warfare and combat against sin, self, the world, and the
devil; and are liable to all manner of afflictions, tribulations and persecutions, being predestined and appointed
thereunto, and whatsoever the saints possess or enjoy of God spiritually, is by faith; and outward and temporal
things are lawfully enjoyed by a civil right by them who have no faith. 
Rom. 7:23,24; Eph. 6:10,11, etc.; Heb. 2:9,10, 2 Tim. 3:12; Rom. 8:29; 1 Thess. 3:3; Gal. 2:19,20; 2 Cor. 5:7;
Deut. 2:5. 


XXXII.  Christ Preserves His People through Trials & Suffering.
The only strength by which the saints are enabled to encounter with all oppositions and trials, is only by Jesus
Christ, who is the captain of their salvation, being made perfect through sufferings; who hath engaged His
faithfulness and strength to assist them in all their afflictions, and to uphold them in all their temptations, and to
preserve them by His power to His everlasting kingdom. 
John 16:33, 15:5; Phil. 4:11, Heb. 2:9,10; 2 Tim. 4:18. 


XXXIII.  The Church.
Jesus Christ hath here on earth a [manifestation of His] spiritual kingdom, which is His Church, whom He hath
purchased and redeemed to Himself as a peculiar inheritance; which Church is a company of visible saints,
called and separated from the world by the word and Spirit of God, to the visible profession of faith of the
gospel, being baptized into that faith, and joined to the Lord, and each other, by mutual agreement in the
practical enjoyment of the ordinances commanded by Christ their head and king. 
Matt. 11:11; 2 Thess. 1:1; 1 Cor. 1:2; Eph. 1:1; Rom. 1:7; Acts 19:8,9, 26:18; 2 Cor. 6:17; Rev. 18:4; Acts
2:37, 10:37; Rom. 10:10; Matt. 18:19,20; Acts 2:42, 9:26; 1 Pet. 2:5. 


XXXIV.  Christ's Promises to His Church.
To this Church He hath made His promises, and giveth the signs of His covenant, presence, acceptation, love,
blessing and protection. Here are the fountains and springs of His heavenly graces flowing forth to refresh and
strengthen them. 
Matt. 28:18, etc.; 1 Cor. 11:24, 3:21; 2 Cor. 6:18; Rom. 9:4,5; Ps. 133:3; Rom. 3:7,10; Ezek. 47:2.


XXXV.  Living Sacrifices; the Body of Christ.
And all His servants of all estates (are to acknowledge Him to be their prophet, priest and king;) and called
thither to be enrolled among His household servants, to present their bodies and souls, and to bring their gifts
God hath given them, to be under His heavenly conduct and government, to lead their lives in this walled
sheepfold, and watered garden, to have communion here with His saints, that they may be assured that they
are made meet to be partakers of their inheritance in the kingdom of God; and to supply each other’s wants,
inward and outward; (and although each person hath a propriety in his own estate, yet they are to supply each
others wants, according as their necessities shall require, that the name of Jesus Christ may not be
blasphemed through the necessity of any in the Church) and also being come, they are here by Himself to be
bestowed in their several order, due place, peculiar use, being fitly compact and knit together according to the
effectual working of every part, to the edifying of itself in love. 
Acts. 2:41,47; Isa. 4:3, 1 Cor. 12:6,7, etc.; Ezek. 20:37,40; Song of Sol. 4:12; Eph. 2:19; Rom. 12:4,5,6; Col.
1:12, 2:5,6,19; Acts 20:32, 5:4, 2:44,45, 4:34,35; Luke 14:26; 1 Tim. 6:1; Eph. 4:16. 


XXXVI.  Local Church Government: Elders & Deacons.
Being thus joined, every [local] church hath power given them from Christ, for their wellbeing, to choose
among themselves meet persons for elders and deacons, being qualified according to the word, as those
which Christ hath appointed in His testament, for the feeding, governing, serving, and building up of His
Church; and that none have any power to impose on them either these or any other. 
Acts 1:23,26, 6:3, 15:22,25; Rom. 12:7,8; 1 Tim. 3:2,6,7; 1 Cor. 12:8,28; Heb. 13:7,17; 1 Pet. 5:1,2,3,4:15.

XXXVII.  Ministers: Under-Shepherds of Christ's Flock.
That the ministers lawfully called, as aforesaid, ought to continue in their calling and place according to God's
ordinance, and carefully to feed the flock of God committed to them, not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind. 
Heb. 5:4; John 10:3,4; Acts 20:28,29; Rom. 12:7,8; Heb. 13:7,17; 1 Pet. 5:1,2,3. 


XXXVIII.  Local Church Provides for Ministers.
The ministers of Christ ought to have whatsoever they shall need, supplied freely by the church, that according
to Christ's ordinance they that preach the Gospel should live of the gospel by the law of Christ. 
1 Cor. 9:7,14; Gal. 6:8; Phil. 4:15,16; 2 Cor. 10:4; 1 Tim. 1:2; Ps. 110:3. 


XXXIX. Believer's Baptism.
Baptism is an ordinance of the New Testament, given by Christ, to be dispensed upon persons professing
faith, or that are made disciples; who upon profession of faith, ought to be baptized, and after to partake of the
Lord's Supper. 
Matt. 28:18,19; John 4:1; Mark 16:15,16; Acts 2:37,38, 8:36,37, etc. 


XL.  Baptism Symbolizes Christ's Death, Burial, & Resurrection.
That the way and manner of dispensing this ordinance, is dipping or plunging the body under water; it being a
sign, must answer the things signified, which is, that interest the saints have in the death, burial, and
resurrection of Christ: And that as certainly as the body is buried under water, and risen again, so certainly
shall the bodies of the saints be raised by the power of Christ, in the day of the resurrection, to reign with
Christ.  Matt. 3:16; Mark 15:9 reads (into Jordan) in Greek; John 3:23, Acts 8:38; Rev. 1:5, 7:14; Heb. 10:22;
Rom. 6:3,4,5,6; 1 Cor. 15:28,29. The word baptizo signifies to dip or plunge (yet so as convenient garments
be both upon the administrator and subject with all modesty). 


XLI.  Dispensers of Baptism.
The person designed by Christ to dispense baptism, the Scripture holds forth to be a disciple; it being no
where tied to a particular church officer, or person extraordinarily sent the commission enjoining the
administration, being given to them as considered disciples, being men able to preach the gospel. 
Isa. 8:16; Eph. 2:7; Matt 28:19; John 4:2; Acts 20:7, 11:10; 1 Cor. 11:2, 10:16,17; Rom. 16:2; Matt. 18:17. 


XLII.  Membership & Excommunication.
Christ hath likewise given power to His Church to receive in, and cast out, any member that deserves it; and
this power is given to every congregation, and not to one particular person, either member or officer, but in
relation to the whole body, in reference to their faith and fellowship. 
Rom. 15:2; Matt. 18:17; 1 Cor. 5:4,11,14, 12:6, 2:3; 2 Cor. 2:6,7. 


XLIII.  Church Discipline.
And every particular member of each church, how excellent, great, or learned soever, is subject to this
censure and judgment; and that the church ought not without great care and tenderness, and due advice, but
by the rule of faith, to proceed against her members. 
Matt. 18:16, 17:18; Acts 11:2,3; 1 Tim. 5:19, etc.; Col. 4:17; Acts 15:1,2,3. 


XLIV.  Church Officers & their Purpose.
Christ for the keeping of this church in holy and orderly communion, placeth some special men over the
church; who by their office, are to govern, oversee, visit, watch; so likewise for the better keeping thereof, in
all places by the members, He hath given authority, and laid duty upon all to watch over one another. 
Acts 20:27,28; Heb. 13:17,24; Matt. 24:45; 1 Thess. 5:2, 14; Jude 3,20; Heb. 10:34,35 [cf. 24,25], 12:15. 


XLV.  Church Teachers.
Also such to whom God hath given gifts in the church, may and ought to prophecy [viz., teach] according to
the proportion of faith, and to teach publicly the word of God, for the edification, exhortation, and comfort of
the church. 
1 Cor. 14:3, etc.; Rom 12:6; 1 Pet. 4:10, 11; 1 Cor. 12:7; 1 Thess. 5:19, etc. 


XLVI.  Attendance.
Thus being rightly gathered, and continuing in the obedience of the gospel of Christ, none are to separate for
faults and corruptions (for as long as the church consists of men subject to failings, there will be difference in
the true constituted church) until they have in due order, and tenderness, sought redress thereof. 
Rev. 2, 3; Acts 15:12; 1 Cor. 1:10; Heb. 10:25; Jude 19; Rev. 2:20,21,27; Acts 15:1,2; Rom. 14:1; 15:1,2,3. 



XLVII.  The Local Church.
And although the particular congregations be distinct, and several bodies, every one as a compact and knit
city within itself; yet are they all to walk by one rule of truth; so also they (by all means convenient) are to have
the counsel and help one of another, if necessity require it, as members of one body, in the common faith,
under Christ their head. 
1 Cor. 4:17, 14:33,36, 16:1; Ps. 122:3; Eph. 2:12,19; Rev. 21; 1 Tim. 3:15, 6:13,14; 1 Cor. 4:17; Acts 15:2,3;
Song of Sol. 8:8,9; 2 Cor. 8:1,4, 13:14. 


XLVIII.  Civil Magistrates.
A civil magistracy is an ordinance of God, set up by Him for the punishment of evil doers, and for the praise of
them that do well; and that in all lawful things, commanded by them, subjection ought to be given by us in the
Lord, not only for wrath, but for conscience sake; and that we are to make supplications and prayers for kings,
and all that are in authority, that under them we may live a quiet and peaceable life, in all godliness and
honesty. 
Rom. 13:1,2, etc.; 1 Pet. 2:13,14; 1 Tim. 2:1,2,3. 


Note: The supreme magistracy of this kingdom we acknowledge to be the king and parliament (now
established) freely chosen by the kingdom, and that we are to maintain and defend all civil laws and civil
officers made by them, which are for the good of the commonwealth. And we acknowledge with thankfulness,
that God hath made this present king and parliament honorable in throwing down the prelatical hierarchy,
because of their tyranny and oppression over us, under which this kingdom long groaned, for which we are
ever engaged to bless God, and honor them for the same. And concerning the worship of God; there is but
one lawgiver, which is able to save and destroy, James 4:12; which is Jesus Christ, who hath given laws and
rules sufficient in His word for His worship; and for any to make more, were to charge Christ with want of
wisdom, or faithfulness, or both, in not making laws enough, or not good enough for His house: Surely it is our
wisdom, duty, and privilege, to observe Christ's laws only, Ps 2:6,9,10,12. So it is the magistrates duty to
tender the liberty of mens' consciences, Eccles. 8:8 (which is the tenderest thing unto all conscientious men,
and most dear unto them, and without which all other liberties will not be worth the naming, much less enjoying)
and to protect all under them from all wrong, injury, oppression and molestation; so it is our duty not to be
wanting in nothing which is for their honor and comfort, and whatsoever is for the wellbeing of the
commonwealth wherein we live; it is our duty to do, and we believe it to be our express duty, especially in
matters of religion, to be fully persuaded in our minds of the lawfulness of what we do, as knowing whatsoever
is not of faith is sin. And as we cannot do anything contrary to our understandings and consciences, so
neither can we forebear the doing of that which our understandings and consciences bind us to do. And if the
magistrate should require us to do otherwise, we are to yield our persons in a passive way to their power, as
the saints of old have done, James 5:4. And thrice happy shall he be, that shall lose his life for witnessing
(though but for the least tittle) of the truth of the Lord Jesus Christ, 1 Pet. 5; Gal. 5. 


XLIX.  God's Law VS Man's Law.
But in case we find not the magistrate [or governing authority] to favor us herein; yet we dare not suspend our
practice, because we believe we ought to go in obedience to Christ, in professing the faith which was once
delivered to the saints, which faith is declared in the holy Scriptures, and this our confession of faith a part of
them, and that we are to witness to the truth of the Old and New Testaments unto the death, if necessity
require, in the midst of all trials and afflictions, as His saints of old have done; not accounting our goods, lands,
wives, children, fathers, mothers, brethren, sisters; yea and our own lives dear unto us, so we may finish our
course with joy; remembering always, that we ought to obey God rather than men, who will when we have
finished our course, and kept the faith, give us the crown of righteousness; to whom we must give an account
of all our actions, and no man being able to discharge us of the same. 
Acts 2:40,41, 4:19, 5:28,29, 20:23; 1 Thess. 3:3; Phil. 1:28,29; Dan. 3:16,17, 6:7,10,22,23; 1 Tim. 6:13,14;
Rom. 12:1,8; 1 Cor. 14:37; Rev. 2:20; 2 Tim. 4:6,7,8; Rom. 14:10, 12; 2 Cor. 5:10; Ps. 49:7,50:22. 


L.  Christians Can Serve as Civil Magistrates.
It is lawful for a Christian to be a magistrate or civil officer; and also it is lawful to take an oath, so it be in truth,
and in judgment, and in righteousness, for confirmation of truth, and ending of all strife; and that by wrath and
vain oaths the Lord is provoked and this land mourns. 
Acts 8:38, 10:1,2,35; Rom. 16:23; Deut. 6:13; Rom. 1:9; 2 Cor. 10,11; Jer. 4:2; Heb. 6:16. 


LI.  Fulfillment of Obligations; Love of Neighbor.
We are to give unto all men whatsoever is their due, as their place, age, estate, requires; and that we defraud
no man of anything, but to do unto all men, as we would they should do unto us. 
1 Thess. 4:6; Rom. 13:5,6,7; Matt. 22:21; Titus 3; 1 Pet. 2:15,17, 5:5; Eph. 5:21,23, etc. , 6:1,9; Titus 3:1,2,3. 


LII.  End Times.
There shall be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust, and everyone shall give an account of
himself to God, that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done,
whether it be good or bad.
Acts 24:15; 1 Cor. 5:10; Rom. 14:12. [Matt. 25; Rev. 22:11,12,13,14,15.] 


The Conclusion.
Thus we desire to give unto Christ that which is His; and unto all lawful authority that which is their due; and to
owe nothing to any man but love; to live quietly and peaceably, as it becometh saints, endeavoring in all things
to keep a good conscience, and to do unto every man (of what judgment soever) as we would they should do
unto us, that as our practice is, so it may prove us to be a conscionable [viz., reasonable], quiet, and harmless
people (no ways dangerous or troublesome to human society) and to labor and work with our hands that we
may not be chargeable to any, but to give to him that needeth, both friends and enemies, accounting it more
excellent to give than to receive. Also we confess, that we know but in part, and that we are ignorant of many
things which we desire and seek to know; and if any shall do us that friendly part to show us from the word of
God that which we see not, we shall have cause to be thankful to God and them; but if any man shall impose
upon us anything that we see not to be commanded by our Lord Jesus Christ, we should in His strength rather
embrace all reproaches and tortures of men, to be stripped of all outward comforts, and if it were possible, to
die a thousand deaths, rather than to do anything against the least tittle of the truth of God or against the light
of our own consciences. And if any shall call what we have said heresy, then do we with the Apostle
acknowledge, that after the way they call heresy, worship we the God of our fathers, disclaiming all heresies
(rightly so called) because they are against Christ, and to be steadfast and unmovable, always abounding in
obedience to Christ, as knowing our labor shall not be in vain in the Lord. 


Psalm 74:21,22: "Arise, O God, plead thine own cause; remember how the foolish man blasphemeth Thee
daily. O let not the oppressed return ashamed, but let the poor and needy praise Thy name.  Come, Lord
Jesus, come quickly." 



1. God's Essence & Attributes.
2. The Holy Trinity.
3. God's Decree.
4. Creation & the Fall.
5. God's Providence.
6. Election & Salvation.
7. Life in Christ; Destruction outside of Christ.
8. Holy Scriptures.
9. Jesus Christ: the Promised Seed.
10. Mediator of the New Covenant.
11. Christ's Everlasting Office.
12. God's Appointment of Christ.
13. Christ: Prophet, Priest, King.
14. The Need for Christ's Threefold Office.
15. The Prophetic Office of Christ.
16. God-Man Jesus Christ: the Complete Prophet.
17. The Priestly Office of Christ.
18. The Melchizedek Priesthood of Christ.
19. The Kingly Office of Christ.
20. Consummation of Christ's Messianic Reign.
21. The Everlasting Fruits of Christ's Sacrifice.
22. Faith: its Divine Origin & Salvific Fruits.
23. Perseverance of the Saints.
24. Gospel-Preaching: Mechanism of Salvation.
25. Effectual Preaching: Free & Spirit-Empowered.
26. God's Sovereign, Invincible, Preserving Grace.
27. Believers: United to God, Adopted, & Co-Heirs.
28. Justification By Faith Alone.
29. Sanctification.
30. The Believer’s Reconciliation with God.
31. Spiritual Warfare, Trials, Tribulation.
32. Christ Preserves His People Through Trials.
33. The Church.
34. Christ’s Promises to His Church.
35. Living Sacrifices; the Body of Christ.
36. Local Church Government: Elders & Deacons.
37. Ministers: Under-Shepherds of Christ’s Flock.
38. Local Church Provides for Ministers.
39. Believer’s Baptism.
40. Baptism Pictures Christ’s Death, Burial, Resurrection.
41. Dispensers of Baptism.
42. Membership & Excommunication.
43. Church Discipline.
44. Church Officers & their Purpose.
45. Church Teachers.
46. Attendance.
47. The Local Church.
48. Civil Magistrates.
49. God’s Law VS Man’s Law.
50. Christians Can Serve as Civil Magistrates.
51. Fulfillment of Obligations; Love of Neighbor.
52. End Times.
53. Conclusion.
Grace
Covenant
Church
Portsmouth, RI