A Confession of my faith-Bunyan
JOHN BUNYAN ON THE TERMS OF
COMMUNION AND FELLOWSHIP OF CHRISTIANS
AT THE TABLE OF THE LORD;
COMPRISING
I. HIS CONFESSION OF FAITH, AND REASON OF HIS PRACTICE;
II. DIFFERENCES ABOUT WATER BAPTISM NO BAR TO COMMUNION; AND
III. PEACEABLE PRINCIPLES AND TRUE[1]
ADVERTISEMENT BY THE EDITOR.
Reader, these are extraordinary productions that will well repay an attentive perusal. It is
the confession of faith of a Christian who had suffered nearly twelve years’
imprisonment, under persecution for conscience sake. Shut up with his Bible, you have
here the result of a prayerful study of those holy oracles. It produced a difference in
practice from his fellow Christians of ALL denominations, the reasons for which are
added to this confession; with a defence of his principles and practice, proving them to be
peaceable and true. In all this an unlettered man displays the acumen of a thoroughly
educated polemical theologian. The author was driven to these publications to defend
himself from the slanders which were showered down upon him, by all parties, for nearly
eighteen years, and by the attempts which were made to take away his members, injure
the peace of his congregation, and alienate him from the church to which he was tenderly
attached. His first inquiry is, Who are to be admitted to the Lord’s table; and his reply is,
Those whom God has received: they have become his children, and are entitled to sit at
their Father’s table: such only as have examined themselves, and by their conduct lead the
church to hope that they have passed from death unto life. The practice of those who
admit ungodly persons because they have submitted to some outward ceremonies, he
severely condemns. The mixture of the church and the world he deems to be spiritual
adultery, the prolific source of sin, and one of the causes of the deluge. The Lord’s table
is scripturally fenced around: ‘Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers’;
‘what communion hath light with darkness; Christ with Belial; the temple of God with
idols? be ye separate, touch not the unclean thing, and I will receive you.’ ‘Receive ye one
another, as Christ also received us to the glory of God, not to doubtful disputations.’
‘Withdraw from them that walk disorderly, working not; but busy bodies; unless with
quietness they work and eat their own bread. If any are proud, doting about questions and
strifes of words, evil surmisings, perverse disputings, supposing that gain is godliness;
from such withdraw.’ Bunyan rests all upon the word,–the characters are described who
are to be excluded from the Lord’s table; but in no instance is it upon record that any one
was excluded because he had not been baptized in water. And who will dare to make any
addition to holy writ?
The practice of making the mode in which water baptism was administered a term of
communion, existed among the Independents long before Bunyan’s time. Crosby, in his
History of the Baptists, makes some long extracts from a book entitled, ‘The sin and
danger of admitting Anabaptists to continue in the congregational churches, and the
inconsistency of such a practice with the principles of both.’ In America, Cotton and the
Independents severely persecuted their Baptist brethren, even to deportation. As the
Baptists increased in numbers, they refused to admit any to the Lord’s table, even to
occasional communion, who had not been baptized in water upon a profession of faith: in
fact, the difference between those who consider baptism to be a relative duty to be
performed by parents in having their infants sprinkled, and those who deem it a personal
duty to be immersed in water, as a public putting on of Christ, is so great, as to require
the utmost powers of charity to preserve peace. Thus it was in the primitive churches,
where great differences prevailed even as to the duty of preaching the gospel to the
Gentiles; the keeping of days probably extending to the Jewish sabbath, and to the
abstaining from certain meats, with other ordinances of the Jewish law.
Bunyan saw all the difficulties of this question: he was satisfied that baptism is a personal
duty, in respect to which every individual must be satisfied in his own mind, and over
which no church had any control; and that the only inquiry as to the fitness of a candidate
for church fellowship should be, whether the regenerating powers of the Holy Ghost had
baptized the spirit of the proposed member into newness of life. This is the only livery by
which a Christian can be known. Bunyan very justly condemns the idea of water baptism
being either the Christian’s livery or his marriage to the Saviour.
We do well, in our examinations into this subject, to note carefully the various
applications of the word baptize, and not always attach the use of water to the term. There
is a being baptized in a cloud, and in the sea, to protect God’s Israel from their deadly
foes; a baptism in sufferings; a baptism in water unto repentance; a baptism in fire, or the
Holy Ghost; a baptism into the doctrine of the Trinity (Matt 28:19). Bunyan had no doubt
upon this subject; he deemed water baptism an important personal duty; and that a death
to sin, and resurrection to newness of life–a different tint, or dye, given to the character–
was best figured by immersion in water: still he left it to every individual to be satisfied
in his own mind as to this outward sign of the invisible grace. ‘Strange,’ he says, ‘take two
Christians equal on all points but this; nay, let one go far beyond the other for grace and
holiness; yet this circumstance of water shall drown and sweep away all his excellencies;
not counting him worthy of that reception that with hand and heart shall be given to a
novice in religion, because he consents to water.’
For these catholic principles he was most roughly handled. Deune, in a pamphlet in the
Editor’s possession, called him a devil; and likened him to Timri, who slew his master.
The most learned of the Baptist ministers entered upon the controversy. They invited him
to a grand religious tournament, where he would have stood one against a legion. A great
meeting was appointed, in London, for a public disputation–as was common among the
puritans–and in which the poor country mechanic was to be overwhelmed with scholastic
learning and violence; but Bunyan wisely avoided a collision which could have answered
no valuable purpose, and which bid fair to excite angry feelings. He had appealed to the
press as the calmest and best mode of controversy; and to that mode of appeal he
adhered. Three learned men undertook the cause against Bunyan: these were, D’Anvers,
W. Kiffin, and T. Paul. When these lettered, able, and distinguished disputants published
their joint answer, it contained much scurrilous abuse. Their brother, Bunyan, was in
prison, and they visited him with gall and wormwood. He closes his reply with these
remarkable words, ‘Thine to serve thee, Christians, so long as I can look out at those eyes
that have had so much dirt thrown at them by many.’
The late Mr. Robert Hall, in his controversy upon this subject with Mr. Kinghorn, in
which–having demolished Kinghorn’s castle in a few pages–he, in order to make a book,
amused the public by kicking the ruins about, thus adverts to these treatises: ‘The most
virulent reproaches were cast upon the admirable Bunyan, during his own time, for
presuming to break the yoke; and whoever impartially examines the spirit of Mr. Booth’s
Apology, will perceive that its venerable author regards him, together with his
successors, much in the light of rebels and insurgents, or, to use the mildest terms, as
contumacious despisers of legitimate authority.’[2]
We cannot have a more decided proof of Bunyan’s great powers, and of his being much
in advance of his times, than by the opinions of which he was the Christian pioneer
having spread so extensively through the Baptist denomination. In this his predictions
were fully verified. It is surprising that pious dissenters should ever have made
uniformity in outward ceremonies of more importance than inward holiness, as a term of
communion. Such sentiments naturally attach to state churches; and ought to be found
only with those bodies which exist merely for political purposes, and for it are rewarded
with earthly power, pomp, and wealth. I close these observations by quoting the words of
Bunyan’s learned antagonists, published within a few years of this controversy, and
during his lifetime. his sentiments appear to have had a hallowed effect even upon their
minds, and produced an apology for their conduct. It is in the appendix to the Baptist
confession of faith, republished in 1677: ‘We would not be misconstrued, as if the
discharge of our consciences did any way disoblige or alienate our affections or
conversations from any others that fear the Lord: earnestly desiring to approve ourselves
to be such as follow after peace with holiness. We continue our practice, not out of
obstinacy, but we do therein according to the best of our understandings, in that method
which we take to be most agreeable to the scriptures. The christening of infants, we find
by church history, to have been a very ancient practice; still we leave every one to give an
account of himself to God. And if in any case debates between Christians are not plainly
determinable by the scriptures, we leave it to the second coming of Christ.’ In 1689, the
year after Bunyan’s death, this appendix was omitted from the Baptist confession of faith.
May the time soon arrive when water shall not quench love, but when all the churches
militant shall form one army, with one object,–that of extending the Redeemer’s
kingdom.–GEO. OFFOR.
A CONFESSION OF MY FAITH, AND A REASON OF MY PRACTICE;
OR,
WITH WHO, AND WHO NOT, I CAN HOLD CHURCH FELLOWSHIP, OR THE
COMMUNION OF SAINTS.
SHEWING, BY DIVERSE ARGUMENTS, THAT THOUGH I DARE NOT
COMMUNICATE WITH THE OPENLY PROFANE, YET I CAN WITH THOSE
VISIBLE SAINTS THAT DIFFER ABOUT WATER-BAPTISM. WHEREIN IS ALSO
DISCOURSED, WHETHER THAT BE THE ENTERING ORDINANCE INTO
FELLOWSHIP, OR NO.
‘I believed, therefore have I spoken.’–Psalm 116:10
TO THE READER.
Sir,
I marvel not that both you and others do think my long imprisonment strange, (or rather
strangely of me for the sake of that) for verily I should also have done it myself, had not
the Holy Ghost long since forbidden me (1 Peter 4:12; 1 John 3:13). Nay, verily, that
notwithstanding, had the adversary but fastened the supposition of guilt upon me, my
long trials might by this time have put it beyond dispute; for I have not hitherto been so
sordid, as to stand to a doctrine right or wrong; much less when so weighty an argument
as above eleven years’ imprisonment, is continually dogging of me to weigh and pause,
and pause again, the grounds and foundation of those principles, for which I thus have
suffered;[3] but having not only at my trial asserted them, but also since, even all this
tedious tract of time, in cool blood, a thousand times, by the word of God, examined
them, and found them good; I cannot, I dare not now revolt or deny the same, on pain of
eternal damnation.
And that my principles and practice may be open to the view and judgment of all men,
though they stand and fall to none but the word of God alone, I have in this small treatise
presented to this generation, ‘A Confession of my Faith, and a Reason of my Practice in
the Worship of God’; by which, although it be brief, candid Christians may, I hope,
without a violation to faith or love, judge [that] I may have the root of the matter found in
me.
Neither have I in this relation abusively presented my reader, with other doctrines or
practices, than what I held, professed, and preached when apprehended, and cast in
prison. Nor did I then or now retain a doctrine besides, or which is not thereon grounded.
The subject I should have preached upon, even then when the constable came, was, ‘Dost
thou believe on the Son of God?’ From whence I intended to shew, the absolute need of
faith in Jesus Christ; and that it was also a thing of the highest concern for men to inquire
into, and to ask their own hearts whether they had it or no.
Faith and holiness are my professed principles, with an endeavour, so far as in me lieth,
to be at peace with all men. What shall I say, let mine enemies themselves be judges, if
anything in these following doctrines, or if ought that any man hath heard me preach,
doth [savour], or hath according to the true intent of my words, savoured either of heresy
or rebellion. I say again, let they themselves be judges, if ought they find in my writing or
preaching, doth render me worthy of almost twelve years’ imprisonment, or one that
deserveth to be hanged, or banished for ever, according to their tremendous sentence.
Indeed my principles are such, as lead me to a denial to communicate in the things of the
kingdom of Christ, with the ungodly and openly profane; neither can I in or by the
superstitious inventions of this world, consent that my soul should be governed in any of
my approaches to God, because commanded to the contrary, and commended for so
refusing. Wherefore excepting this one thing, for which I ought not to be rebuked; I shall,
I trust, in despite of slander and falsehood, discover myself at all times a peaceable and
an obedient subject. But if nothing will do, unless I make of my conscience a continual
butchery, and slaughter-shop, unless putting out my own eyes, I commit me to the blind
to lead me, as I doubt is desired by some, I have determined, the Almighty God being my
help and shield, yet to suffer, if frail life might continue so long, even till the moss shall
grow on mine eyebrows, rather than thus to violate my faith and principles. ‘Will a man
leave the snow of Lebanon, which cometh from the rock of the field? or shall the cold
flowing waters that come from another place be forsaken?’ (Jer 18:14). ‘Hath a nation
changed their gods, which are yet no gods?’ (Jer 2:11). ‘For all people will walk every
one in the name of his god, and we will walk in the name of the LORD our God for ever
and ever’ (Micah 4:5).
Touching my practice as to communion with visible saints, although not baptized with
water; I say it is my present judgment so to do, and am willing to render a farther reason
thereof, shall I see the leading hand of God thereto.
Thine in bonds for the gospel,
JOHN BUNYAN.
A CONFESSION OF MY FAITH, AND A REASON OF MY PRACTICE, ETC.
‘Be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope
that is in you with meekness and fear: having a good conscience; that whereas they speak
evil of you, as of evil-doers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good
conversation in Christ.’–1 Peter 3:15, 16.
1. I believe, that there is but one only true God, and there is none other but he. ‘To us
there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things’ (1 Cor 8:6). ‘And this is life
eternal, that they might know thee the only true God’ &c. (John 17:3, see also Mark
12:32; Acts 17:24).
2. I believe, that this God is almighty, eternal, invisible, incomprehensible, &c. ‘I am the
Almighty God; walk before me, and be thou perfect’ (Gen 17:1). ‘The eternal God is thy
refuge’ (Deut 33:27). ‘Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God,
be honour and glory for ever and ever’ (1 Tim 1:17, see also Job 11:7; Rom 11:33).
3. I believe, that this God is unspeakably perfect in all his attributes of power, wisdom,
justice, truth, holiness, mercy, love, &c. his power is said to be eternal (Rom 1:20), his
understanding and wisdom infinite (Psa 147:5); he is called the just Lord in opposition to
all things (Zeph 3:5). He is said to be truth itself and the God thereof (2 Thess 2:10; Deut
32:4). There is none holy as the Lord. ‘God is love.’ ‘Canst thou by searching find out
God? canst thou find out the Almighty unto perfection?’ (Job 11:7).
4. I believe, that in the Godhead, there are three persons or subsistances. ‘There are three
that bear record in heaven: the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost’ (1 John 5:7, see
also Gen 1:26, 3:22, 11:7; Isa 6:8).
5. I believe, that these three are in nature, essence, and eternity, equally one. ‘These three
are one’ (1 John 5:7).
6. I believe, [that] there is ‘a world to come’ (Heb 2:5, 6:5).
7. I believe, that there shall be ‘a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust’
(Acts 24:15). ‘Many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to
everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt’ (Dan 12:2). ‘Marvel not at
this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice,
and shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that
have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation’ (John 5:28).
8. I believe, that they that ’shall be accounted worthy to obtain that world, and the
resurrection from the dead, neither marry nor are given in marriage: neither can they die
any more: for they are equal unto the angels; and are the children of God, being the
children of the resurrection’ (Luke 20:34-36, see also John 10:27-29; Rev 7:16, 20:6).
9. I believe, that those that die impenitent, shall be tormented with the devil and his
angels, and shall be cast with them into ‘the lake that burneth with fire and brimstone’
(Rev 21:8). ‘Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched’ (Mark 9:43,48, see
also Matt 25:41,46; John 5:29).
10. I believe, that because God is naturally holy and just, even, as he is good and
merciful; therefore, all having sinned, none can be saved, without the means of a
redeemer. ‘Then he is gracious unto him, and saith, Deliver him from going down to the
pit: I have found a ransom’ (Job 33:24). ‘We have redemption through his blood, even the
forgiveness of sins’ (Col 1:14). For which ‘without shedding of blood, is no remission’
(Heb 9:22).
11. I believe that Jesus Christ our Lord himself is the redeemer. ‘They remembered that
God was their rock, and the high God their redeemer’ (Psa 78:35). ‘Forasmuch as ye know
that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain
conversation received by tradition from your fathers; but with the precious blood of
Christ, as of a lamb without blemish, and without spot’ (1 Peter 1:18,19).
12. I believe, that the great reason why the Lord, the second person in the Godhead, did
clothe himself with our flesh and blood, was that he might be capable of obtaining the
redemption, that before the world, was intended for us. ‘Forasmuch then as the children
are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; [mark]
that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil;
and deliver them who through fear of death, were all their lifetime subject to bondage’
(Heb 2:14,15). ‘When the fulness of time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a
woman, made under the law, to redeem them that were under the law’ (Gal 4:4,5).
‘Wherefore it behoved him in all things to be made like unto his brethren, and that he
might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make
reconciliation for the sins of the people. For in that he himself hath suffered being
tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted’ (Heb 2:17,18). ‘Christ hath
redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed
is every one that hangeth on a tree: That the blessing of Abraham might come on the
Gentiles through [faith in] Jesus Christ’ (Gal 3:13,14).
13. I believe, that the time when he clothed himself with our flesh, was in the days of the
reign of Caesar Augustus; then, I say, and not till then, was the Word ‘made flesh,’ or
clothed with our nature (John 1:14; 1 Tim 3:16). ‘And it came to pass in those days, that
there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed. And
Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, unto the city of
David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David 
To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child. And so it was, that,
while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered’ (Luke
2:1,4-6). This child was he of whom godly Simeon was told by the Holy Ghost, when he
said, That he should not see death until he had seen the Lord’s Christ (vv 25-27).
14. I believe, therefore, that this very child, as afore is testified, is both God and man; the
Christ of the living God. ‘And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in
swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the
inn. And there were in the same country shepherds - keeping watch over their flock by
night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone
round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for,
behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is
born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a
sign unto you; ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes lying in a manger’
(Luke 2:7-12). Again, ‘But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord
appeared unto him; - saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary
thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. And she shall bring
forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their
sins. Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by
the prophet, saying, Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and
they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us’ (Matt
1:21,22).
15. I believe, therefore, that the righteousness, and redemption, by which we that believe,
stand just before God, as saved from the curse of the law, is the righteousness, and
redemption, that consists in the personal acts and performances of this child Jesus; this
God-man the Lord’s Christ: it consisteth, I say, in his personal fulfilling the law for us, to
the utmost requirement of the justice of God. ‘Think not [saith he] that I am come to
destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil’ (Matt 5:17). By
which means he became ‘the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth’
(Rom 10:4). ‘For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God
sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the
flesh’ (Rom 8:3). So finishing transgressions, and making an end of sins, and making
reconciliation for iniquity, He brought in everlasting righteousness (1 John 3:8; 2 Tim
1:9; Heb 10:5-10; Dan 9:24).
16. I believe, that for the completing of this work, he was always sinless (Heb 4:15); did
always the things that pleased God’s justice (John 8:29), that every one of his acts, both
of doing and suffering, and rising again from the dead, was really and infinitely perfect,
being done by him as God-man (Heb 7:26-28): wherefore his acts before he died, are
called, ‘the righteousness of God’ (Rom 3:21,22), his blood, ‘the blood of God’ (Acts
20:28), and ‘hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us’ (1
John 3:16). The Godhead which gave virtue to all the acts of the human nature, was then
in perfect union with it, when he hanged upon the cross for our sins (Acts 10:36; John
20:28; Rom 1:4).
17. I believe then, that the righteousness that saveth the sinner from the wrath to come, is
properly and personally Christ’s, and ours but as we have union with him; God by grace
imputing it to us. ‘Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the
knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and
do count them but dung that I may win Christ, and be found in him, not having mine own
righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the
righteousness which is of God by faith’ (Phil 3:8,9). ‘But of him are ye in Christ Jesus,
who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and
redemption’ (1 Cor 1:30). ‘For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that
we might be made the righteousness of God in him’ (2 Cor 5:21) ['IN the LORD have I
righteousness and strength' (Isa 45:24).]
18. I believe, that God, as the reward of Christ’s undertakings for us, hath exalted him to
his own right-hand, as our mediator, and given him a name above every name; and hath
made him Lord of all, and judge of quick and dead: and all this that we who believe
might take courage to believe, and hope in God (Eph 1:17-22). ‘And being found in
fashion as a man, he humbled himself - unto death, even the death of the cross, [where he
died for our sins]. Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him; and given him a name -
above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things heaven,
and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that
Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father’ (Phil 2:8-11). ‘And he commanded us
to preach unto the people, and to testify that it is he which was ordained of God to be the
Judge of quick and dead’ (Acts 10:42, 17:31). ‘Who verily was foreordained before the
foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you, who by him do
believe in God that raised him up from the dead, and gave him glory; that your faith and
hope might be in God’ (1 Peter 1:19-21).
19. I believe, that being at the right hand of God in heaven, he doth there effectually
exercise the offices of his excellent priesthood, and mediatorship, presenting himself
continually before God, in the righteousness which is accomplished for us, when he was
in the world. For by the efficacy of his blood, he not only went into the holy place, but
being there, and having by it obtained eternal redemption for us; now, as receiving the
worth and merit thereof from the Father; doth bestow upon us grace, repentance, faith,
and the remission of sins: yea he also received for us, the Holy Ghost to be sent unto us,
to ascertain[4] us of our adoption and glory: ‘For if he were on earth, he should not be a
priest’ (Heb 8:4). ‘Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the
heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession’ (Heb 4:14). ‘For there is
one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus’ (1 Tim 2:5). For
‘by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal
redemption for us. - For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which
are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God
for us’ (Heb 9:12,24). ‘Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having
received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, he hath shed forth this, which ye
now see and hear’ (Acts 2:23, 5:31).[5]
20. I believe, that being there, he shall so continue till the restitution of all things, and
then he shall come again in glory, and shall sit in judgment upon all flesh. And I believe,
that according to his sentence so shall their judgment be. ‘Repent ye therefore and be
converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come
from the presence of the Lord; and he shall send Jesus Christ, which before was preached
unto you: whom the heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all things, -
spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began’ (Acts 3:19-21). For
‘this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as
ye have seen him go into heave’ (Acts 1:11). ‘For the Lord himself shall descend from
heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God’; &c. (1
Thess 4:16). ‘When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with
him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory: And before him shall be gathered all
nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep
from the goats. And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left.
Then shall the king say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father,
inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. Then shall he say
also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared
for the devil and his angels: And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the
righteous into life eternal’ (Matt 25:31-33,41,46). For ‘the day of the Lord will come as a
thief in the night, in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the
elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall
be burned up. Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons
ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness, looking for and hasting unto the
coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the
elements shall melt with fervent heat’ (2 Peter 3:10-12).
21. I believe that when he comes, his saints shall have a reward of grace, for all their
work and labour of love which they showed to his name in the world. ‘And every man
shall receive his own reward, according to his own labour’ (1 Cor 3:8). ‘And then shall
every man have praise of God’ (4:5). ‘And behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with
me, to give every man according as his work shall be’ (Rev 22:12). ‘Therefore, my
beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord,
forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord’ (1 Cor 15:58).
‘Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the
Lord Christ’ (Col 3:24).
How Christ is made ours; or by what means this or that man, hath that benefit by him, as
to stand just before God now, and in the day of judgment.
Of Justification.
1. I believe, we being sinful creatures in ourselves, that no good thing done by us, can
procure of God the imputation of the righteousness of Jesus Christ. But that the
imputation thereof is an act of grace, a free gift without our deserving. ‘Being justified
freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus’ (Rom 3:24, 5:17). ‘Who
hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but
according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus’ (2 Tim 1:9).
2. I believe also, That the power of imputing righteousness resideth only in God by
Christ: 1. Sin being the transgression of the law. 2. The soul that hath sinned being his
creature, and the righteousness also his, and his only. ‘Even as David also describeth the
blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works, saying,
Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered. Blessed is the
man to whom the Lord will not impute sin’ (Rom 4:6-8). Hence therefore it is said again,
That men ’shall abundantly utter the memory of thy great goodness, and shall sing of thy
righteousness’ (Psa 145:7). ‘For he saith to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I will have
mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion. So then it is not of
him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that showeth mercy’ (Rom 9:15,16).
3. I believe, that the offer of this righteousness, as tendered in the gospel, is to be
received by faith; we still in the very act of receiving it, judging ourselves sinners in
ourselves. ‘Oh wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?
I thank God through Jesus Christ’ (Rom 7:24,25). ‘Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and
thou shalt be saved’ (Acts 16:31). The gospel is preached in all nations for the obedience
of faith. ‘Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus;
whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation, [a sacrifice to appease the displeasure of
God] through faith in his blood. To declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that
are past through the forbearance of God; to declare I say, at this time his righteousness:
that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth on Jesus’ (Rom 3:24-26).
‘Be it known unto you therefore, men and brethren, that through this man is preached
unto you the forgiveness of sins: And by him all that believe are justified from all things,
from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses’ (Acts 13:38,39).
4. I believe, that this faith, as it respecteth the imputation of this righteousness, for
justification before God, doth put forth itself in such acts, as purely respect the offer of a
gift. It receiveth, accepteth of, embraceth, or trusteth to it. ‘As many as received him to
them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name’
(John 1:12). ‘This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus
came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief’ (1 Tim 1:15; Heb 11:13). ‘In
whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation:
In whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy spirit of promise’ (Eph
1:13). I believe therefore, that as to my justification from the curse of the law, I am, as I
stand in myself, ungodly, to receive, accept of, embrace, and trust to the righteousness,
that is already provided by, and wrapt up in the personal doings and sufferings of Christ;
it being faith in that, and that only, that can justify a sinner in the sight of God.[6]
5. I believe, that the faith that so doth, is not to be found with any but those, in whom the
Spirit of God by mighty power doth work it: all others being fearful and incredulous, dare
not venture their souls and eternity upon it. And hence it is called the faith that is wrought
by the exceeding great and mighty power of God; the faith of the operation of God. And
hence it is that others are said to be fearful, and so unbelieving. These with other ungodly
sinners must have their part in the lake of fire (Eph 1:18,19; Col 2:12; Eph 2:8; Phil 1:19;
Rev 21:8).
6. I believe, that this faith is effectually wrought in none, but those which before the
world were appointed unto glory. ‘And as many as were ordained unto eternal life
believed’ (Acts 13:48). ‘That he might make known the riches of his glory on the vessels
of mercy, which he had afore prepared unto glory’ (Rom 9:23). ‘We give thanks to God
always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers; remembering without ceasing
your work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in
the sight of God; - knowing, brethren beloved, your election of God’ (1 Thess 1:2-4). But
of the rest he saith, ‘ye believe not because ye are not of my sheep, as I said’ (John 10:26),
which latter words relate to the 16th verse, which respecteth the election of God.
‘Therefore they could not believe, because that Esaias said again, He hath blinded their
eyes, and hardened their heart; that they should not see with their eyes, nor understand
with their heart, and I should heal them’ (John 12:39,40).
Of Election.
1. I believe that election is free and permanent, being founded in grace, and the
unchangeable will of God. ‘Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant
according to the election of grace. And if by grace, then it is no more of works: otherwise
grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more of grace: otherwise work
is no more work’ (Rom 11:5,6). ‘Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure,
having this seal, the Lord knoweth them that are his’ (2 Tim 2:19). ‘In whom also we have
obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who
worketh all things after the counsel of his own will’ (Eph 1:11).
2. I believe, that this decree, choice or election, was before the foundation of the world;
and so before the elect themselves, had being in themselves: For ‘God who quickeneth the
dead, and calleth those things which be not as though they were’ (Rom 4:17), stays not
for the being of things, to determine his eternal purpose by; but having all things present
to him, in his wisdom, he made his choice before the world was (Eph 1:4; 2 Tim 1:9).
3. I believe, that the decree of election is so far off from making works in us foreseen, the
ground or cause of the choice: that it containeth in the bowels of it, not only the persons,
but the graces that accompany their salvation. And hence it is, that it is said; we are
predestinated ‘to be conformed to the image of his Son’ (Rom 8:29); not because we are,
but ‘that we SHOULD be holy and without blame before him in love’ (Eph 1:4). ‘For we
are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before
ordained that we should walk in them’ (Eph 2:10). He blessed us according as he chose us
in Christ. And hence it is again that the salvation and calling of which we are now made
partakers, is no other than what was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began;
according to his eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord (Eph 3:8-11;
2 Tim 1:9; Rom 8:29).
4. I believe that Christ Jesus is he in whom the elect are always considered, and that
without him there is neither election, grace, nor salvation. ‘Having predestinated us unto
the adoption of children, by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his
will, to the praise of the glory of his grace: wherein he hath made us accepted in the
beloved. In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins,
according to the riches of his grace. - That in the dispensation of the fulness of times, he
might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are
in earth, even in him’ (Eph 1:5-7,10). ‘Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is
none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved’ (Acts
4:12).
5. I believe, that there is not any impediment attending the election of God, that can
hinder their conversion, and eternal salvation. ‘Moreover whom he did predestinate, them
he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them
he also glorified. What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be
against us? - Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God’s elect? It is God that justifieth.
Who is he that condemneth?’ &c. (Rom 8:30-35). ‘What then? Israel hath not obtained
that which he seeketh for; but the election hath obtained it, and the rest were blinded’
(Rom 11:7). ‘For Israel hath not been forsaken, nor Judah of his God, of the LORD of
hosts: though their land was filled with sin, against the holy one of Israel’ (Jer 51:5).
When Ananias made intercession against Saul, saying, ‘Lord, I have heard by many of
this man, how much evil he hath done to thy saints at Jerusalem: and here he hath
authority from the chief priests to bind all that call on thy name.’ What said God unto
him? ‘Go thy way, for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the
Gentiles,and kings, and the children of Israel’ (Acts 9:12,15).
6. I believe that no man can know his election, but by his calling. The vessels of mercy,
which God afore prepared unto glory, do thus claim a share therein: ‘Even us, [say they,]
whom he hath called, not of the Jews only, but also of the Gentiles? As he saith also in
Hosea; I will call them my people, which were not my people, and her beloved, which
was not beloved’ (Rom 9:24,25).
7. I believe therefore, that election doth not forestal or prevent the means which are of
God appointed to bring us to Christ, to grace and glory; but rather putteth a necessity
upon the use and effect thereof; because they are chosen to be brought to heaven that
way: that is, by the faith of Jesus Christ, which is the end of effectual calling. ‘Wherefore
the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure’ (2 Peter 1:10; 2
Thess 2:13; 1 Peter 1:12).
Of Calling.
I believe, that to effectual calling, the Holy Ghost must accompany the word of the
gospel, and that with mighty power: I mean that calling, which of God is made to be the
fruit of electing love. ‘Knowing,’ saith Paul to the Thessalonians, ‘brethren beloved, your
election of God. For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in
the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance,’ &c. (1 Thess 1:4,5). Otherwise men will not,
cannot, hear and turn. Samuel was called four times, before he knew the voice of him that
spake from heaven (1 Sam 3:-610). It is said of them in Hosea, That as the prophets
called them so they went from them; and instead of turning to them, ’sacrificed to Baalim,
and burned incense to graven images’ (Hosea 11:2). The reason is, because men by nature
are not only dead in sins, but enemies in their minds by reason of wicked works: the call
then is, ‘Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee
light’ (Eph 5:14). Understand, therefore, that effectual calling is like that word of Christ
that raised Lazarus from the dead; a word attended with an arm that was omnipotent.
‘Lazarus, come forth’ (John 11:43). It was a word to the dead; but not only so: it was a
word for the dead; a word that raised him from the dead; a word that outwent all
opposition; and that brought him forth of the grave, though bound hand and foot therein
(Gal 1:15). And hence it is, that calling is sometimes expressed by quickening (Eph
2:1,2), awakening, illuminating, or bringing them forth of darkness to light, that amazeth
and astonisheth them (Heb 10:32; Acts 9:6). For as it is a strange thing for a man that lay
long dead, or never saw the light with his eyes, to be raised out of the grave, or to be
made to see that which he could not so much as once think of before, so it is with
effectual calling. Hence it is that Paul, when called, stood ‘trembling and was astonished’:
and that Peter saith, ‘he hath called us out of darkness into his marvellous light’ (1 Peter
2:9; Eph 4:24; Acts 9:6). In effectual calling the voice of God is heard, and the gates of
heaven are opened:[7] when God called Abraham, he appeared to him in glory. That of
Ananias to Saul is experienced but by few. ‘The God of our fathers hath chosen thee,
[saith he,] that thou shouldest know his will, and see that just one, and shouldest hear the
voice of his mouth’ (Acts 22:14). True, Saul’s call was out of the ordinary way, but yet as
to the matter, and truth of the work, it was no other than all the chosen have, viz.
(1.) An effectual awakening about the evil of sin; and especially of unbelief (John 16:9).
And therefore when the Lord God called Adam, he also made unto him an effectual
discovery of sin; insomuch that he stript him of all his righteousness (Gen 3). Thus he
also served the gaoler (Acts 16:29,30). Yea it is such an awakening, as by it, he sees he
was without Christ, without hope, and a stranger to the commonwealth of Israel, ‘and
without God in the world’ (Eph 2:12). Oh the dread and amazement that the guilt of sin
brings with it,when it is revealed by the God of heaven; and like to it is the sight of
mercy, when it pleaseth God, who calleth us by his grace, to reveal his Son in us.
(2.) In effectual calling there is great awakenings about the world to come, and the glory
of unseen things; the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment; the salvation that
God hath prepared for them that love him; with the blessedness that will attend us, and be
upon us, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, are great things in the soul that is under
the awakening calls of God. And hence we are said to be called to glory (1 Thess 2:12).
‘To the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ’ (2 Thess 2:14).
(3.) In effectual calling there is also a sanctifying virtue; and hence we are said to be
called with an holy calling (1 Thess 4:7), with an ‘heavenly calling’ (Heb 3:1). Called to
glory and virtue. ‘But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a
peculiar people; that ye should show forth the praises of him who hath called you out of
darkness into his marvellous light’ (1 Peter 2:9). Yea, effectual calling hath annexed to it,
as its inseparable companion, the promise of thorough sanctification. ‘Faithful is he that
calleth you, who also will do it’ (1 Thess 5:24).
Of Faith.
I believe, that effectual calling doth therefore produce, 1. FAITH; and therefore it is said,
that ‘faith cometh by hearing’ (Rom 10:17); by hearing the word that calleth us ‘unto the
grace of Christ’ (Gal 1:6). For by the word that calleth us, is Jesus Christ held forth to us;
and offered to be our righteousness; and therefore the apostle saith again, that God hath
called us ‘unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ’ (1 Cor 1:9); that is, to be made
partakers of the riches of grace, and the righteousness that is in him. 2. It produceth hope.
It giveth a ground to hope; and therefore hope is said to be the hope of our calling (Eph
1:18). And again, ‘Even as ye are called in one hope of your calling’ (Eph 4:4). Now the
godly wise know, whoso misseth of effectual calling, misseth of eternal life; because God
justifieth none but them whom he calleth; and glorifies none but those whom he justifies:
and therefore it is that Peter said before, ‘Make your calling, and [so] your election sure’:
make it sure, that is, prove your calling right, by the word of God. For whoso staggereth
at the certainty of his calling, cannot comfortably hope for a share in eternal life.
‘Remember the word unto thy servant, upon which thou hast caused me to hope. My soul
fainteth for thy salvation, but I hope in thy word’ (Psa 119:49,81). 3. It produceth
repentance; for when a man hath heaven and hell before his eyes (as he will have if he be
under the power of effectual calling) or when a man hath a revelation of the mercy and
justice of God, with an heart-drawing invitation to lay hold on the tender forgiveness of
sins; and being made also to behold the goodly beauty of holiness; it must needs be, that
repentance appears, and puts forth itself, unto self-revenging acts, for all its wickedness
which in the days of ignorance it delighted in. And hence is that saying, ‘I came not to
call the righteous, but sinners to repentance’ (Mark 2:17). For the effecting of which, the
preaching of the word of the kingdom, is most proper: ‘Repent: for the kingdom of
heaven is at hand’ (Matt 4:17).
Of Repentance.
Repentance is a turning the heart to God in Christ: a turning of it from sin, and the devil,
and darkness; to the goodness, and grace, and holiness that is in him. Wherefore, they
that of old are said to repent, are said to loath and abhor themselves, for all their
abominations. ‘I abhor myself,’ [said Job,] ‘and repent in dust and ashes’ (Job 42:6, see
also Eze 6:9, 20:43, 36:31, 42:6, 16:63).
Godly repentance doth not only affect the soul with the loathsome nature of sin that is
past; but filleth the heart with godly hatred of sins that yet may come. When Moses
feared that through his being overburthened with the care of the children of Israel, some
unruly or sinful passions might show themselves in him, what saith he? ‘Kill me, I pray
thee, out of hand, if I have found favour in thy sight, and let me not see my wretchedness’
(Num 11:15). See also how that which Paul calleth godly repentance, wrought in the
upright Corinthians, ‘Behold, ‘ [saith he,] this self same thing, that ye sorrowed after a
godly sort, what carefulness it wrought in you, yea, what clearing of yourselves, yea,
what indignation, yea, what fear, yea, what vehement desire, yea, what zeal, yea, what
revenge! In all things ye have approved yourselves to be clear in this matter (2 Cor 7:11).
Of Love.
It [effectual calling] produceth also love: wherefore Paul, when he had put the church in
remembrance that they were called of God, adds, That concerning brotherly love, they
had no need that he should write unto them (1 Thess 4:9). As who should say, If God be
so kind to us, to forgive us our sins, to save our souls, and to give us the kingdom of
heaven; let these be motives beyond all other to provoke us to love again. Farther, if we
that are thus beloved of God, are made members of one man’s body, all partakers of his
grace, clothed all, with his glorious righteousness, and are together appointed to be the
children of the next world; why should we not love one another? ‘Beloved, if God so
loved us, we ought also to love one another’ (1 John 4:11). And truly so we shall, if the
true grace of God be upon us; because we also see them to be the called of Jesus.
Travellers, that are of the same country, love and take pleasure one in another, when they
meet in a strange land.[8] Why, we sojourn here in a strange country, with them that are
heirs together with us of the promised kingdom and glory (Heb 11:9). Now, as I said, this
holy love worketh by love: mark, love in God and Christ when discovered, constraineth
us to love [one another] (2 Cor 5:14).
The name, therefore, and word, and truth of God in Christ, together with the sincerity of
grace, of faith, and holiness in us, are the delightful objects of this love (Psa
119:47,127,132,159, 5:11, 69:36, 101:6). For it embraceth with delight and complacency,
but as it discerneth the image of God, and of Christ in the soul, his presence in the
ministry, and a suitableness in our worship to the word and mind of Christ (Psa 26:8,
27:4, 84:1-4; 1 Thess 5:13; Phil 1:3-7; Eph 4:32).
Love also hath a blessed faculty, and heavenly, in bearing and suffering afflictions,
putting up wrongs, overlooking the infirmities of the brethren, and in serving in all
Christian offices the necessities of the saints. ‘Charity suffereth long and is kind; charity
envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, doth not behave itself unseemly,
seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; rejoiceth not in iniquity, but
rejoiceth in the truth; beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth
all things. Charity never faileth’ (1 Cor 13:4-8, also 1 Peter 4:8; Gal 5:13). In a word, it
designeth a holy conversation in this world; that God, and Christ, and the word of Christ,
‘may be glorified thereby’ (2 Cor 11:10-12; 1 Peter 1:12, 3:16).
Of the Scriptures.
Touching which word of God I thus believe and confess, 1. That all the holy scriptures
are the words of God. ‘All scripture is given by inspiration of God’ (2 Tim 3:16). For the
prophecy [of the scripture] came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God
spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost (2 Peter 1:21). 2. I believe that the holy
scriptures, of themselves, without the addition of human inventions, are able to make the
man of God perfect in all things; and ‘thoroughly to furnish him unto all good works.’
They are able ‘to make thee wise unto salvation, through faith which is in Christ Jesus’ (2
Tim 3:15). And to instruct thee in all other things, that either respect the worship of God,
or thy walking before all men (2 Tim 3:17; 2 Peter 1:19-21). 3. I believe the great end
why God committed the scriptures to writing was; that we might be instructed to Christ,
taught how to believe (1 John 5:13), [and be] encouraged to patience and hope, for the
grace that is to be brought unto us at the revelation of Jesus Christ (John 20:31; Rom
15:4). Also that we might understand what is sin, and how to avoid the commission
thereof. ‘Concerning the works of men [said David] by the word of thy lips, I have kept
me from the paths of the destroyer’ (Psa 17:4). ‘Through thy precepts I get understanding:
therefore I hate every false way’ (Psa 119:104). ‘Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I
might not sin against thee’ (Psa 119:11). 4. I believe that they cannot be broken, but will
certainly be fulfilled in all the prophecies, threatenings, and promises, either to the
salvation or damnation of men. They are like that flying roll, that will go over all the
earth to cut off and curse (Ze 5:2-4). In them is contained also the blessing, they preach to
us also the way of salvation (Gal 3:8). ‘Beware, therefore, lest that come upon you, which
is spoken of in the prophets; Behold, ye despisers, and wonder, and perish:[9] for I work
a work in your days, a work which ye shall in no wise believe, though a man declare it
unto you’ (Acts 13:40,41, see also John 10:35, 12:37-41, 3:17-19). 5. I believe that Jesus
Christ, by the word of the scriptures, will judge all men at the day of doom; for that is the
book of the law of the Lord, according to Paul’s gospel (John 12:44-50; Rom 2:16). 6. I
believe, that this God ‘made the world and all things [that are] therein’ (Acts 17:24), for
‘in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is’ (Exo 20:11).
Also, that after the time of the making thereof, he disposed of it to the children of men,
with a reserve thereof for the children of God, that should in all ages be born thereunto.
‘When the Most High divided to the nations their inheritance, when he separated the sons
of Adam, he set the bounds of the people according to the number of the children of
Israel’ (Deut 32:8), for as he ‘made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the
face of the earth, [so he] hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of
their habitation’ (Acts 17:26).
Of Magistracy.
I believe, that magistracy is God’s ordinance, which he hath appointed for the government
of the whole world; and that it is a judgment of God, to be without those ministers of
God, which he hath ordained to put wickedness to shame (Ju 18:7). ‘Whosoever therefore
resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to
themselves damnation. For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou
not then be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the
same: for he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be
afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to
execute wrath upon him that doeth evil. Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for
wrath, but also for conscience sake. For this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God’s
ministers, attending continually upon this very thing’ (Rom 13:2-6). Many are the mercies
we receive, by a well qualified magistrate, and if any shall at any time be otherwise
inclined, let us shew our Christianity in a patient suffering, for well doing, what it shall
please God to inflict by them.[10]
A REASON OF MY PRACTICE IN WORSHIP.
Having thus made confession of my faith, I now come to shew you my practice in
worship, with the reasons thereof. The which I shall have occasion to touch, under two
distinct heads.
I. With whom I dare not hold communion.
II. With whom I dare.
Only, first, note, that by the word communion, I mean fellowship in the things of the
kingdom of Christ, or that which is commonly called church communion, the communion
of saints. For in civil affairs, and in things of this world that are honest, I am not
altogether tied up from the fornicators thereof (1 Cor 5:9,10); wherefore in my following
discourse understand me in the first sense:–Now, then,
FIRST, I dare not have communion with them that profess not faith and holiness; or that
are not visible saints by calling: but note, that by this assertion, I meddle not with the
elect; but as he is a visible saint by calling; neither do I exclude the secret hypocrite, if he
be hid from me by visible saintship. Wherefore I dare not have communion with men
from a single supposition, that they may be elect, neither dare I exclude the other from a
single supposing that he may be a secret hypocrite. I meddle not here with these things; I
only exclude him that is not a visible saint. Now he that is visibly or openly profane,
cannot be then a visible saint; for he that is a visible saint must profess faith, and
repentance, and consequently holiness of life: and with none else dare I communicate.
First, Because God himself hath so strictly put the difference, both by word and deed; for
from the beginning, he did not only put a difference between the seed of the woman and
the children of the wicked (Gen 3:15), only the instinct of grace and change of the mind
is his own, but did cast out from his presence the father of all the ungodly, even cursed
Cain, when he shewed himself openly profane, and banished him to go into the land of
the runnagate, or vagabond, where from God’s face, and so the privileges of the
communion of saints, he was ever after hid (Gen 4:8-16).
Besides, when after this, through the policy of Satan, the children of Cain, and the seed of
Seth, did commix themselves in worship, and by that means had corrupted the way of
God: what followed, but first, God judged it wickedness, raised up Noah to preach
against it, and after that, because they would not be reclaimed, he brought the flood upon
the whole world of these ungodly; and saved only Noah alive, and his because he had
kept himself righteous (Gen 6:1-13)[11]. Here I could enlarge abundantly, and add many
more instances of a like nature, but I am here only for a touch upon things.
Second, Because it is so often commanded in the scriptures, That all the congregation
should be holy. ‘I am the Lord your God: ye shall therefore sanctify yourselves, and ye
shall be holy; for I am holy’ (Lev 11:44). ‘Ye shall be holy, for I the Lord your God am
holy’ (19:2). ‘Sanctify yourselves therefore, and be ye holy: for I am the Lord your God’
(20:7; 1 Peter 1:15,16). Besides, 1. The gates of the temple were to be shut against all
other. ‘Open ye the gates, that the righteous nation which keepeth the truth may enter in’
(Isa 26:2). ‘This gate of the Lord, into which the righteous shall enter’ (Psa 118:20). ‘Thus
saith the Lord God: No stranger, uncircumcised in heart, nor uncircumcised in flesh, shall
enter into my sanctuary, of any stranger that is among the children of Israel’ (Eze 44:9). 2.
Because the things of worship are holy; ‘Be ye clean that bear the vessels of the Lord’ (Isa
52:11). 3. Because all the limits and bounds of communion are holy. ‘This is the law of
the house; Upon the top of the mountain, the whole limit thereof - shall be most holy.
Behold, this is the law of the house’ (Eze 43:12)[12].
Third, I dare not have communion with them; because the example of New Testament
churches before us, have been a community of visible saints. Paul, to the Romans, writes
thus: ‘To all that be in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints’ (1:7). And to the rest of
the churches thus: ‘Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified
in Christ Jesus; called to be saints’ (1 Cor 1:2). ‘To the saints which are at Ephesus, and to
the faithful in Christ Jesus’ (Eph 1:1). ‘To all the saints which are at Philippi, with the
bishops and deacons’ (Phil 1:1). ‘To the saints and faithful brethren in Christ which are at
Colosse’ (Col 1:2). ‘To the church of the Thessalonians, which is in God the Father, and in
the Lord Jesus Christ,’ &c. (1 Thess 1:1).Thus you see under what denomination those
persons went of old, who were counted worthy to be members of a visible church of
Christ. Besides, the members of such churches go under such characters as these.
(1.) ‘The called of Christ Jesus’ (Rom 1:6). (2.) Men that have drank into the Spirit of
Jesus Christ (1 Cor 12:13). (3.) Persons in whom was God the Father (Eph 4:6). (4.) They
were all made partakers of the joy of the gospel (Phil 1:7). (5.) Persons that were
circumcised inwardly (Col 2:11). (6.) Persons that turned from idols to serve the living
and true God (1 Thess 1:9). (7.) Those that were the body of Christ, and members in
particular, that is, those that were visibly such; because they made profession of faith, of
holiness, of repentance, of love to Christ, and of self-denial, at their receiving into
fellowship.
Fourth, I dare not hold communion with the open profane.
(1.) Because it is promised to the church, that she shall dwell by herself; that is, as she is
a church, and spiritual; Lo, the people shall dwell alone, and shall not be reckoned among
the nations (Num 23:9). (2.) Because this is their privilege. ‘But ye are a chosen
generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew
forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light’ (1
Peter 2:9,10). (3.) Because this is the fruit of the death of Christ, ‘who gave himself for
us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people,
zealous of good works’ (Titus 2:14). (4.) Because this is the commandment: ‘Save
yourselves from this untoward generation’ (Acts 2:40). (5.) Because with such it is not
possible we should have true and spiritual communion. Be ye not unequally yoked
together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness?
and what communion hath light with darkness? And what concord hath Christ with
Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? And what agreement hath the
temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God, as God hath said, I will
dwell in them and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.
Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not
the unclean thing; and I will receive you, and will be a Father unto you, - saith the Lord
Almighty (2 Cor 6:14-18).
Fifth, I dare not hold communion with the open profane. Because
(1.) This would be ploughing with an ox, and an ass together (Deut 22:10): heavenly
persons suit best for communion in heavenly matters. (2.) It subjecteth not the nature of
our discipline, which is not forced, but free,[13] in a professed subjection to the will and
commandment of Christ: others being excluded by God’s own prohibition (Lev 1:3; Rom
6:17; 2 Cor 8:12, 9:7,13, 8:5). Paul also, when he exhorteth Timothy to follow after
righteousness, faith, charity, peace, &c., (which are the bowels of church communion,) he
saith, do it ‘with them that call on the Lord, out of a pure heart’ (2 Tim 2:22).
Sixth, In a word, to hold communion with the open profane, is most pernicious and
destructive. (1.) ‘Twas the wicked multitude that fell a lusting, and that tempted Christ in
the desert (Num 11:4). (2.) It was the profane heathen, of whom Israel learned to worship
idols. They ‘were mingled among the heathen, and learned their works. And served their
idols; which were a snare unto them’ (Psa 106:35,36). (3.) It is the mingled people that
God hath threatened to plague with those deadly punishments of his, with which he hath
threatened to punish Babylon itself; saying, When a sword is upon her liars, her mighty,
her chariots, and treasures; a sword also shall be upon the mingled people that are in the
midst of her.
And no marvel: for, (1.) Mixed communion polluteth the ordinances of God. Say to the
rebels, saith the Lord God, ‘Let it suffice you of all your abominations, in that ye have
brought into my sanctuary strangers, uncircumcised in heart, and uncircumcised in flesh,
to be in my sanctuary, to pollute it, even my house, when ye offer my bread, the fat and
the blood, and they have broken my covenant, because of all your abominations’ (Eze
44:6,7). (2.) It violateth he law. ‘Her priests have violated my law, and have profaned
mine holy things: [how] They have put no difference between the holy and profane,
neither have they shewed difference between the unclean and the clean’ (Eze 20:26). (3.)
It profaneth the holiness of God. ‘Judah hath dealt treacherously, and an abomination is
committed in Israel and in Jerusalem; for Judah hath profaned the holiness of the Lord
which he loved, and hath married the daughter of a strange god’ (Mal 2:11). (4.) It
defileth the truly gracious. ‘Know ye not that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump?’ (1
Cor 5:6). Look diligently therefore, ‘lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you,
and thereby many be defiled’ (Heb 12:15).
Lastly, To conclude, it provoketh God to punish with severe judgments: And therefore
heed well. (1.) As I said before, The drowning of the whole world was occasioned by the
sons of God commixing themselves with the daughters of men; and the corruption of
worship that followed thereupon (Gen 6, 7). (2.) He sent a plague upon the children of
Israel, for joining themselves unto the people of Moab; and for following their
abominations in worship (Num 25:1-5; Josh 22:17): and let no man think, that now I have
altered the state of the question: for it is all one with the church to communicate with the
profane; and to sacrifice and offer their gifts to the devil (Deut 32:16-19; Psa 106:36-
40)[14]: the reason is, because such have by their sin forsaken the protection of heaven,
and are given up to their own heart-lusts; and left to be overcome of the wicked, to whom
they have joined themselves (Deut 12, 7:1-6). join not yourselves, said God, to the
wicked, neither in religion nor marriages; ‘For they will turn away thy son from following
me, that they may serve other gods: so will the anger of the Lord be kindled against you,
and destroy thee suddenly’ (Deut 7:5). ‘Did not Solomon king of Israel sin by these
things? yet among many nations was there no king like him who was beloved of his God’
(Neh 13:26). Hear how Paul handleth the point; ‘But I say, that the things which the
Gentiles [or openly profane] sacrifice, they sacrifice to devils, and not to God; and I
would not that ye should have fellowship with devils. Ye cannot drink the cup of the
Lord, and the cup of devils: Ye cannot be partakers of the table of the Lord, and of the
table of devils. Do we provoke the Lord to jealousy? Are we stronger than he?’ (1 Cor
10:20-22). I conclude, that therefore it is an evil, and a dangerous thing to hold church
communion with the openly profane and ungodly. It polluteth his ordinances: it violateth
his law: it profaneth his holiness: it defileth his people; and provoketh the Lord to severe
and terrible judgments.
Object. But we can prove in all ages [that] there have been the open profane in the church
of God.
Ans. In many ages indeed it hath been so: but mark, they appeared not such, when first
they were received unto communion (Exo 12:48), neither were they with God’s liking, as
such, to be retained among them, but in order to their admonition, repentance and
amendment of life: of which, if they failed, God presently threatened the church; and
either cut them off from the church, as he did the idolators, fornicators, murmurers,
tempters, sabbath breakers; with Korah, Dathan, Achan, and others (2 Cor 6; 1 Cor 5;
Exo 32:25; Num 25:1-9, 21:5,6, 14:37, 16, 15:32-36; Josh 7; 2 Kings 17; Eze 22, 23) or
else cut off them with the church and all, as he served the ten tribes at one time, and the
two tribes at another. ‘My God will cast them away, because they did not hearken unto
him: and they shall be wanderers among the nations’ (Hosea 9:17). I might here greatly
enlarge, but I intend brevity; yet let me tell you, that when Nehemiah understood by the
book of the law of the Lord, that the Ammonite and the Moabite should not come into the
congregation of God: ‘They separated from Israel all the mixed multitude’ (Neh 13:1-3).
Many have pleaded for the profane, that they should abide in the church of God; but such
hath not considered, that God’s wrath at all times hath with great indignation been shewed
against such offenders and their conceits. Indeed they like not for to plead for them under
that notion, but rather as Korah, and his company: ‘All the congregation are holy every
one of them’ (Num 16:3). But it maketh no matter by what name they are called; if by
their deeds they shew themselves openly wicked: for names and notions sanctify not the
heart and nature; they make not virtues of vice, neither can it save such advocates from
the heavy curse both of God and men (Prov 17:15, 24:24). ‘The righteous men, they shall
judge them after the manner of adulteresses, and after the manner of women that shed
blood; because they are adulteresses, and blood is in their hands’ (Eze 23:45).
SECOND, Thus have I shewed you with whom I dare not have communion: and now to
shew you with whom I dare. But in order thereto, I desire you
First, To take notice; That touching shadowish, or figurative ordinances; I believe that
Christ hath ordained but two in his church, viz., Water baptism and the supper of the
Lord: both which are of excellent use to the church in this world; they being to us
representations of the death and resurrection of Christ; and are, as God shall make them,
helps to our faith therein. But I count them not the fundamentals of our Christianity, nor
grounds or rule to communion with saints: servants they are, and our mystical ministers,
to teach and instruct us in the most weighty matters of the kingdom of God: I therefore
here declare my reverent esteem of them; yet dare not remove them, as some do, from the
place and end, where by God they are set and appointed; nor ascribe unto them more than
they were ordered to have in their first and primitive institution. It is possible to commit
idolatry even with God’s own appointments: but I pass this, and come to the thing
propounded.
Second, then, I dare have communion, church communion, with those that are visible
saints by calling: with those that, by the word of the gospel, have been brought over to
faith and holiness: and it maketh no matter to me, what their life was heretofore, if they
now be ‘washed,’ if they be ’sanctified,’ if they be ‘justified in the name of the Lord Jesus,
and by the Spirit of our God’ (1 Cor 6:11). Now in order to the discovery of this faith and
holiness, and so to fellowship in church communion: I hold it requisite that a faithful
relation be made thereof by the party thus to be received; yea, if need be, by witnesses
also, for the satisfaction of the church, that she may receive in faith and judgment, such
as best shall suit her holy profession (Acts 9:26-28; 1 Cor 16:10; 2 Cor 8:23). Observe it;
these texts do respect extraordinary officers; and yet see, that in order to their reception
by the church, there was made to them a faithful relation of the faith and holiness of those
very persons; for no man may intrude himself upon, or thrust himself upon, or thrust
himself into a church of Christ; without the church have first the knowledge and liking of
the person to be received: if otherwise, there is a door opened for all the heretics in the
world; yea, for devils also if they appear in human shapes. But Paul shows you the
manner of receiving, by pleading (after some disgrace thrown upon him by the false
apostles) for his own admission of his companions: ‘Receive us, [saith he,] we have
wronged no man, we have corrupted no man; we have defrauded no man’ (2 Cor 7:2).
And so concerning Timothy: ‘If Timotheus come, [saith he,] see that he may be with you
without fear: for he worketh the work of the Lord, as I also do’ (1 Cor 16:10). Also, when
Paul supposed that Titus might be suspected by some; see how he pleads for him: If ‘any
do enquire of Titus, he is my partner and fellow-helper concerning you: or our brethren
be enquired of, they are the messengers of the churches, and the glory of Christ’ (2 Cor
8:23). Phebe also, when she was to be received by the church at Rome; see how he
speaketh in her behalf: ‘I commend unto you Phebe our sister, which is a servant of the
church which is sat Cenchrea: that ye receive her in the Lord, as becometh saints, and that
ye assist her in whatsoever business she hath need of you; for she hath been a succourer
of many, and of myself also’ (Rom 16:1,2). Yea, when the apostles and brethren sent their
epistles from Jerusalem to Antioch; under what characters do those go, that were the
messengers to them? ‘It seemed good unto [the Holy Ghost and to] us, - to send chosen
men unto you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul, men that have hazarded their lives for
the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,’ &c. (Acts 15:25-27). Now though the occasions upon
which these commendations were written were not simply, or only, in order to church
relation, but also for other causes; yet because the persons concerned were of the
churches to be received as faithful, and such who would partake of church privileges with
them, they have, therefore, their faith and faithfulness related to the churches, as those
that were particularly embodied there. Besides Timothy and Titus being extraordinary
officers, stood as members and officers in every church where they were received.
Likewise Barnabas and Saul, Judas and Silas, abode as members and officers where they
were sent. It was requisite, therefore, that the letters of recommendation should be in
substance the same with that relation that ought to be made to the church, by or for the
person that is to be embodied there. But to return, I DARE HAVE COMMUNION,
CHURCH COMMUNION, WITH THOSE THAT ARE VISIBLE SAINTS BY
CALLING.
Quest. But by what rule would you receive them into fellowship with yourselves?
Ans. Even by a discovery of their faith and holiness, and their declaration of willingness
to subject themselves to the laws and government of Christ in his church.
Quest. But do you not count that by water baptism, and not otherwise, that being the
initiating and entering ordinance; they ought to be received into fellowship?
Ans. No; But tarry, and take my sense with my word. For herein lies the mistake, To
think that because in time past baptism was administered upon conversion, that therefore
it is the initiating and entering ordinance into church communion: when by the word no
such thing is testified of it. Besides, that it is not so will be manifest, if we consider the
nature and power of such an ordinance.
That ordinance then, that is, the initiating or entering ordinance [as before] doth give to
them that partake thereof a right to, and a being of, membership with that particular
church by which it is administered. I say, a right to, and a being of, membership, without
the addition of another church act. This is evident by the law of circumcision, which was
the initiating law of old; for by the administration of that very ordinance, the partaker
thereof was forthwith a member of that congregation, without the addition of another
church act (Gen 17). This is declared in its first institution, and therefore it is called the
token of the covenant. The token or sign of righteousness, of Abraham’s faith, and of the
visible membership of those that joined themselves to the church with him; the very inlet
into church communion that gave a being of membership among them. And thus Moses
himself expounds it; ‘every man’s servant, that is bought for money, when thou hast
circumcised him, then shall eat’ of the passover (Exo 12:44), without the addition of
another church act, to empower him thereunto; his circumcision hath already given him a
being there, and so a right to, and privilege in church relation: ‘A foreigner and an hired
servant shall not eat thereof, [because not circumcised]. And when a stranger shall
sojourn with thee, and will keep the passover to the LORD, let all his males be
circumcised, and then let him come near and keep it; [For then he is one of the church]
and he shall be as one born in the land: for no uncircumcised person shall eat thereof’
(Exo 12:48). Neither could any other thing, according to the law of circumcision, give the
devoutest person that breathed a being of membership with them. ‘He that is born in thy
house, and he that is bought with thy money, must needs be circumcised: - and the
uncircumcised man child, whose flesh of his foreskin is not circumcised, that soul shall
be cut off from his people’ (Gen 17:13,14). Note then, that that which is the initiating
ordinance admitteth none into church communion but these that first partake thereof. The
angel sought to kill Moses himself, for attempting to make his child a member without it
(Exo 4:24-26). Note again, that as it admitteth of none to membership without it; so as I
said, the very act of circumcising them, without the addition of another church act, gave
them a being of membership with that very church, by whom they were circumcised. But
none of this can be said of baptism. First, there is none debarred or threatened to be cut
off from the church, if they be not first baptized. Secondly, Neither doth it give to the
person baptized a being of membership with this or that church, by whose members he
hath been baptized. John gathered no particular church, yet was he the first and great
baptizer with water; he preached Christ to come, and baptized with the baptism of
repentance, and left his disciples to be gathered by him (Acts 19:3-5). ‘And unto him
shall the gathering of the people be’ (Gen 49:10). Besides, after Christ’s ascension, Philip
baptized the eunuch, but made him by that no member of any particular church,. We only
read, that Philip was caught away from him, and that the eunuch saw him no more, but
went on his way rejoicing to his master and country of Ethiopia (Acts 8:35-40). Neither
was Cornelius made a member of the church at Jerusalem, by his being baptized at Peter’s
command at Cesarea (Acts 10, 11). Neither were they that were converted at Antioch, by
them that were scattered from the church at Jerusalem, by their baptism, if they were
baptized [in water] at all, joined to the church at Jerusalem (Acts 11:19). No, they were
after gathered and embodied among themselves by other church acts (Acts 16). What
shall I say? into what particular church was Lydia baptized by Paul, or those first
converts at Philippi? Yea even in the second of the Acts, baptizing and adding to the
church appear to be acts distinct: but if baptism were the initiating ordinance, then was he
that was baptized made a member; made a member of a particular church, by the very act
of water baptism. Neither ought any by God’s ordinance to have baptized any, but with
respect to the admitting them by that act to a being of membership in this particular
church. For if it be the initiating ordinance, it entereth them into the church: What
church? Into a visible church. Now there is no church visible but that which is particular;
the universal being utterly invisible, and known to none but God. The person then that is
baptized stands by that a member of no church at all, neither of the visible, nor yet of the
invisible. A visible saint he is, but not made so by baptism; for he must be a visible saint
before, else he ought not to be baptized (Acts 8:37, 9:17, 16:33).
Take it again; Baptism [in water] makes thee no member of the church, neither particular
nor universal: neither doth it make thee a visible saint: It therefore gives thee neither right
to nor being of membership at all.
Quest. But why then were they baptized?
Ans. That their own faith by that figure might be strengthened in the death and
resurrection of Christ. And that themselves might see, that they have professed
themselves dead, and buried, and risen with him to newness of life (Col 2:12; Rom 6:4).
It did not seal to the church that they were so (their satisfaction as to that arose from
better arguments) but taught the party himself that he ought so to be. Farther, it confirmed
to his own conscience the forgiveness of sins, if by unfeigned faith he laid hold upon
Jesus Christ (Gal 3:26; 1 Cor 15:29; Acts 2:38, 22:16; 1 Peter 3:21). Now then, if baptism
be not the initiating ordinance, we must seek for entering some other way, by some other
appointment of Christ, unless we will say that without rule, without order, and without an
appointment of Christ, we may enter into his visible kingdom. The church under the law
had its initiating and entering ordinance: it must not therefore be, unless we should think
that Moses was more punctual and exact than Christ, but that also our Lord hath his
entering appointment. Now that which by Christ is made the door of entrance into the
church, by that we may doubtless enter; and seeing baptism is not that ordinance, we
ought not to seek to enter thereby, but may with good conscience enter without it.
Quest. But by what rule then would you gather persons into church communion?
Ans. Even by that rule by which they are discovered to the church to be visible saints; and
willing to be gathered into their body and fellowship. By that word of God therefore, by
which their faith, experience and conversation, being examined, is found good; by that
the church should receive them into fellowship with them. Mark; not as they practice
things that are circumstantial, but as their faith is commended by a word of faith, and
their conversation by a moral precept. Wherefore that is observable, that after Paul had
declared himself sound of faith, he falls down to the body of the law: ‘Receive us, [saith
he,] we have wronged no man, we have corrupted no man, we have defrauded no man.’
He saith not, I am baptized, but I have wronged no man, &c. (2 Cor 7:2, see also 5:18-
21). And if churches after the confession of faith made more use of the ten
commandments, to judge of the fitness of persons by; they might not exceed by this
seeming strictness, Christian tenderness towards them they receive to communion.
I will say therefore, that by the word of faith, and of good works, moral duties gospelized,
we ought to judge of the fitness of members by, by which we ought also to receive them
to fellowship: For he that in these things proveth sound, he hath the antitype of
circumcision, which was before the entering ordinance. ‘For he is not a Jew, which is one
outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh. But he is a Jew,
which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, - whose praise
is not of men, but of God’ (Rom 2:28,29: Phil 3:1-4). Now a confession of this by word
and life, makes this inward circumcision visible; when you know him therefore to be thus
circumcised, you ought to admit him to the Lord’s passover: he, if any, hath a share not
only in church communion, but a visible right to the kingdom of heaven. Again, ‘For the
kingdom of God, [or our service to Christ] is not meat and drink, but righteousness, peace
and joy in the Holy Ghost. For he that in these things serveth Christ, is acceptable to
God, and approved of men’ (Rom 14:17,18; Deut 28:47). By which word Righteousness,
he meaneth as James doth, the royal law, the perfect law, which is the moral precept
evangelized, or delivered to us by the hand of Christ (John 2:8.9). The law was given
twice on Sinai: the last time it was given with a proclamation of grace and mercy of God,
and of the pardon of sins going before (Exo 19, 34:1-10). The second giving is here
intended; for so it cometh after faith, which first receiveth the proclamation of
forgiveness; hence we are said to do this righteousness in the joy and peace of the Holy
Ghost. Now he that in these things serveth Christ, is accepted of God, and approved of
men. For who is he that can justly find fault with him, that fulfilleth the royal law from a
principle of faith and love. ‘If ye fulfil the royal law according to the scripture, Thou shalt
love thy neighbour as thyself, ye do well’; ye are approved of men. Again, he that hath
loved another hath fulfilled the law, for love is the fulfilling of the law. He then that
serveth Christ according to the royal law, from faith and love going before, he is a fit
person for church communion; God accepteth him, men approve him. Now that the royal
law is the moral precept, read the place (John 2:8-12). It is also called the law of liberty,
because the bondage is taken away by forgiveness going before; and this is it by which
we are judged, as is said, meet or unmeet for church communion, &c.
Therefore I say, the rule by which we receive church-members, it is the word of the faith
of Christ, and of the moral precept evangelized, as I said before, I am ‘under the law to
Christ,’ saith Paul (1 Cor 9:21). So when he forbiddeth us communion with men, they be
such as are destitute of the faith of Christ, and live in the transgression of a moral precept:
‘I have written unto you, [saith he,] not to keep company, if any man that is called a
brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an
extortioner, with such an one no not to eat’ (1 Cor 5:11). He saith not, if any man be not
baptized [in water], have not hands laid on him, or join with the unbaptized, these are
fictious, scriptureless notions. ‘For this, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not
kill, Thou shalt not steal, thou shalt not bear false witness, Thou shalt not covet; And if
there be any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely,
Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore
love is the fulfilling of the law’ (Rom 13:9,10). The word of faith, and the moral precept,
is that which Paul enjoins the Galatians and Philippians, still avoiding outward
circumstances: hence therefore when he had to the Galatians treated of faith, he falls
point blank upon moral duties. ‘For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth
anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature. And as many as walk according to this
rule, peace be on them, and mercy, and upon the Israel of God’ (Gal 6:15,16). As many as
walk according to this rule: What rule? The rule by which men are proved new creatures:
The word of faith, and the moral precept. Wherefore Paul exhorteth the Ephesians not to
walk, ‘as other Gentiles, in the vanity of their mind’; seeing they had received Christ, and
had ‘heard him, and had been taught by him as the truth is in Jesus.’ That they would put
off the old man; what is that? Why, ‘the former conversation,’ which is ‘corrupt according
to the deceitful lusts’; lying, anger, sin, giving place to the devil, corrupt communication,
all bitterness, wrath, clamour, evil-speaking, with all malice. And that they would ‘put on
the new man.’ What is that? That which is ‘created in righteousness and true holiness’; a
being ‘renewed in the spirit’ of their mind, and a putting away all these things (Eph 4).
‘For in Christ Jesus’; these words are put in, on purpose to shew us the nature of New
Testament administrations, and how they differ from the old. In Moses an outward
conformity to an outward and carnal ordinance, was sufficient to give (they subjecting
themselves thereto) a being of membership with the Jews; but in Christ Jesus it is not so;
of Abraham’s flesh was the national Jewish congregation; but it is Abraham’s faith that
makes New Testament churches: They that are of faith, are the children of faithful
Abraham. They that are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham (Gal 3:7-9). So
then the seed being now spiritual, the rule must needs be spiritual also, viz. The word of
faith and holiness. This is the gospel concision knife, sharper than any two-edged sword;
and that by which New Testament saints are circumcised in heart, ears, and lips. ‘For in
Christ Jesus,’ [is] no outward and circumstantial thing, but the new creature; none are
subjects of the visible kingdom of Christ but visible saints by calling: now that which
manifesteth a person to be a visible saint, must be conformity to the word of faith and
holiness. ‘And they that are Christ’s, have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts’
(Gal 5:24). Hearken how delightfully Paul handleth the point: The new creatures are the
Israel of God. The new creature hath a rule by himself to walk by; and as many as walk
according to this rule, peace be on them, and mercy, and upon the Israel of God. Paul to
the Philippians commandeth as much; where treating of his own practice in the doctrine
of faith and holiness, requireth them to walk by the same rule, to mind the same thing. I
desire to be found in Christ, saith he, I reach forward toward the things that are before;
my conversation is in heaven, and flatly opposite to them whose God is their belly, who
glory in their shame, and who mind earthly things. Brethren, saith he, ‘be followers
together of me, and mark them which walk so’ (Phil 3:17). Mark them; for what? For
persons that are to be received into fellowship, and the choicest communion of saints.
And indeed this is the safest way to judge of the meetness of persons by: for take away
the confession of faith and holiness; and what can distinguish a Christian from a Turk?
He that indeed receiveth faith, and that squareth his life by the royal, perfect, moral
precept; and that walketh therein, in the joy and peace of the Holy Ghost, no man can
reject him; he cannot be a man if he object against him; not a man in Christ; not a man in
understanding. ‘The law is not made for a righteous man’; neither to debar him the
communion of saints if he desire it, nor to cast him out if he were in. ‘But for the lawless
and disobedient, for the ungodly and for sinners, for unholy and profane, for murderers of
fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers, for whoremongers, for them that defile
themselves with mankind, for men-stealers, for liars, for perjured persons, and if there be
any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine; according to the glorious gospel of the
blessed God, which was committed to my trust’ (1 Tim 1:9-11). Paul also, when he would
leave an everlasting conviction upon the Ephesians, concerning his faith and holiness,
treating first of the sufficiency of Christ’s blood, and the grace of God to save us; he adds,
‘I have coveted no man’s silver, or gold, or apparel,’ he bringeth them to the moral
precept, to prove the sincerity of his good conversation by (Acts 20:33). And when men
have juggled what they can, and made never such a prattle about religion; yet if their
greatest excellency, as to the visibility of their saintship, lieth in an outward conformity to
an outward circumstance in religion, their profession is not worth two mites. ‘Let us walk
honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and
wantonness, not in strife and envying. But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not
provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof’ (Rom 13:13,14). And it is observable,
that after the apostle had in the 9th and 10th verses of this chapter told us, that the moral
precept is the rule of a good conversation, and exhorted us to make no provision for the
flesh; he adds, these things provided, we may receive any that believe in Christ Jesus
unto communion with us; how weak soever and dark in circumstantials; and chiefly
designs the proof thereof in the remaining part of his epistle. For he that is of sound faith,
and of conversation honest in the world; no man, however he may fail in circumstantials,
may lightly reproach or vilify him. And indeed such persons are the honour of Christian
congregations. Indeed he is prejudiced, for want of light in these things about which he is
dark, as of baptism, or the like; but seeing that is not the initiating ordinance, or the
visible character of a saint; yea, seeing it maketh no breach in a good and holy life: nor
intrencheth upon any man’s right but his own; and seeing his faith may be effectual
without it, and his life approved by the worst of his enemies; why should his friends,
while he keeps the law, dishonour God by breaking of the same? ‘Speak not evil one of
another, brethren. He that speaketh evil of his brother, and judgeth his brother, speaketh
evil of the law, and judgeth the law: But if thou judge the law, thou art not a doer of the
law, but a judge’ (James 4:11). He that is judged, must needs fail somewhere in the
apprehension of him that judgeth him, else why is he judged. But he must fail in
substance, for then he is worthy to be judged (1 Cor 5:12). His failure is then in a
circumstance, for which he ought not to be judged.
Object. But notwithstanding all that you have said, water baptism ought to go before the
church-membership; shew me one in all the New Testament, that was received into
fellowship without it.
Ans. 1. That water baptism hath formerly gone first is granted: but that it ought of
necessity so to do, I never saw proof. 2. None ever received it without light going before,
unless they did play the hypocrite: and besides no marvel though in the primitive times it
was so generally practised first, for the unconverted themselves know, it belonged to the
disciples of Jesus Christ (John 1:24-27). Yet that all that were received into fellowship
were even then baptized first, would strain a weak man’s wit to prove it, if arguments
were closely made upon these three texts of holy scripture (1 Cor 1:14-16; Gal 3:27; Rom
6:3). But I pass them, and say, If you can shew me the Christian, that in the primitive
times remained dark about it, I will shew you the Christian that was received without it.
But should I grant more than can be proved, viz. That baptism was the initiating
ordinance; and that it once did, as circumcision of old, give a being of membership to the
partakers; yea set the case that men were forbidden then to enter into fellowship without
it: yet the case may so be, that these things notwithstanding, men might be received into
fellowship without it. All these things intailed to circumcision; that was the initiating
ordinance; that gave being of membership; that was it without which it was positively
commanded none should be received into fellowship (Josh 5). Yet for all this more than
six hundred thousand were received into the church without it, yea received, and also
retained there, and that by Moses and Joshua, even those to whom the land was promised,
when the uncircumcised were cut off. But why then were they not circumcised?
Doubtless there was a reason; either they wanted time, or opportunity, or instruments, or
something. But they could not render a bigger reason than this, I have no light therein:
which is the cause at this day that many a faithful man denieth to take up the ordinance of
baptism: but I say whatever the hindrance was, it mattereth not; our brethren have a
manifest one, an invincible one, one that all the men on earth, nor angels in heaven can
remove: For it is God that createth light; and for them to do it without light would but
prove them unfaithful to themselves, and make them sinners against God; ‘For
whatsoever is not of faith is sin’ (Rom 14:23). If therefore Moses and Joshua thought fit
to communicate with six hundred thousand uncircumcised persons; when by the law not
one such ought to have been received among them; why may not I have communion, the
closest communion with visible saints as afore described, although they want light in, and
so cannot submit to that, which of God was never made the wall of division betwixt us. I
shall therefore hold communion with such.
First, Because the true visible saint hath already [been] subjected to that which is better;
even to the righteousness of God, which is by faith of Jesus Christ; by which he stands
just before God; he also hath made the most exact and strict rule under heaven, that
whereby he squares his life before men. He hath like precious faith with the best of saints,
and a conversation according to light received, becoming the gospel of Christ. He is
therefore to be received, received I say, not by THY light, not for that in circumstances
he jumpeth with thy opinion; but according to his own faith which he ought to keep to
himself before God. ‘Conscience, I say, not thine own, but of the other; for why is my
liberty judged of another man’s conscience’ (1 Cor 10:29). Some indeed do object, that
what the apostles wrote, they wrote to gathered churches, and so to such as were
baptized. And therefore the arguments that are in the epistles about things circumstantial,
respect not the case in hand. But I will tell such, that as to the first part of their objection,
they are utterly under a mistake. The first to the Corinthians, the epistle of James, both
them of Peter, and the first epistle of John, were expressly written to all the godly, as well
as particular churches. Again; if water baptism, as the circumstances with which the
churches were pestered of old, trouble their peace, wound the consciences of the godly,
dismember and break their fellowship; it is, although an ordinance, for the present to be
prudently shunned; for the edification of the church, as I shall shew anon, is to be
preferred before it.
Second, and observe it; ‘One Spirit, - one hope, - one Lord, one faith, one baptism [not of
water, for by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body] one God and Father of all, who
is above all, and through all, and in you all’ (Eph 4:1-6). This is a sufficient rule for us to
hold communion by, and also to endeavour the maintaining that communion, and to keep
it in unity, within the bond of peace against all attempts whatsoever (1 Cor 12:16).
Third, I am bold therefore to have communion with such (Heb 6:1,2). Because they also
have the doctrine of baptism: I say the doctrine of them. For here you must note, I
distinguish between the doctrine and practice of water baptism; The doctrine being that
which by the outward sign is presented to us, or which by the outward circumstance of
the act is preached to the believer: viz. THE DEATH OF CHRIST; MY DEATH WITH
CHRIST; also his resurrection from the dead, and mine with him to newness of life. This
is the doctrine which baptism preacheth, or that which by the outward action is signified
to the believing receiver. Now I say, he that believeth in Jesus Christ hath richer and
better than that [of baptism in water], viz. is dead to sin, and that lives to God by him, he
hath the HEART, POWER and DOCTRINE of baptism: all then that he wanteth, is but
the sign, the shadow, or the outward circumstances thereof. Nor yet is THAT despised
but forborne for want of light. The best of baptisms he hath; he is baptized by that one
Spirit; he hath the heart of water baptism, he wanteth only the outward shew, which if he
had would not prove him a truly visible saint; it would not tell me he had grace in his
heart. It is no characteristical note to another, of my sonship with God. Indeed it is a sign
to the person baptized, and an help to his own faith. He should know by that
circumstance, that he hath received remission of sins; if his faith be as true, as his being
baptized is felt by him. But if for want of light, he partake not of that sign, his faith can
see it in other things, exceeding great and precious promises. Yea, as I also have hinted
already, if he appear not a brother before, he appeareth not a brother by that: And those
that shall content themselves to make that the note of visible church-membership; I doubt
make things not much better, the note of their sonship with God.
Fourth, I am bold to hold communion with visible saints as afore [described]; because
God hath communion with them; whose examples in the case, we are straitly commanded
to follow. ‘Receive ye one another as Christ also received us [saith Paul,] to the glory of
God’ (Rom 15:1-7). Yea, though they be saints of opinions contrary to you; though it
goeth against the mind of them that are strong. ‘We then that are strong ought to bear the
infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves’ (Rom 15:1). What infirmities? Those
that are natural are incident to all, they are infirmities then that are sinful, that cause a
man, for want of light, to err in circumstantials; And the reason upon which he grounds
this admonition is, that ‘Christ pleased not himself; but, as it is written, The reproaches of
them that reproached thee, fell on me.’ You say, to have communion with such weak
brethren, reproacheth your opinions, and practice. Grant it, your dulness and deadness,
and imperfections also reproach the holiness of God; if you say no, for Christ hath borne
our sins; the answer is still the same, Their sins also are fallen upon Christ; he then that
hath taken away thy sins from before the throne of God; hath taken away their shortness
in conformity to an outward circumstance in religion. Both your infirmities are fallen
upon Christ; yea, if notwithstanding thy great sins, thou standest by Christ complete
before the throne of God; why may not thy brother, notwithstanding his little ones, stand
complete before thee in the church.
Vain man! think not by the straitness of thine order, in outward and bodily conformity, to
outward and shadowish circumstances, that thy peace is maintained with God, for peace
with God is by faith in the blood of his cross; who hath borne the reproaches of you both.
Wherefore he that hath communion with God for Christ’s sake, is as good and as worthy
of the communion of saints as thyself. He erreth in A CIRCUMSTANCE, thou errest in
A SUBSTANCE; who must bear these errors? Upon whom must these reproaches fall?
(Phil 1:10). Some of the things of God that are excellent, have not been approved by
some of the saints: What then? must these for this be cast out of the church? No, these
reproaches by which the wisdom of heaven is reproached have fallen upon me, saith
Christ. But to return; GOD HATH RECEIVED HIM, Christ hath received him, therefore
do you receive him. There is more solidity in this argument, than if all the churches of
God had received him. This receiving then, because it is set as an example to the church,
is such as must needs be visible to them; and is best described by that word which
discovereth the visible saint. Whoso, therefore, you can by the word, judge a visible saint,
one that walketh with God; you may judge by the selfsame word that God hath received
him. Now him that God receiveth and holdeth communion with, him you should receive
and hold communion with. Will any say we cannot believe that God hath received any
but such as are baptized [in water]? I will not suppose a brother so stupefied; and
therefore to that I will not answer.
Receive him ‘TO THE GLORY OF GOD.’ To the glory of God, is put in on purpose, to
show what dishonour they bring to God, who despise to have communion with them;
who yet they know have communion with God. For how doth this man, or that church,
glorify God, or count the wisdom and holiness of heaven beyond them, when they refuse
communion with them, concerning whom, they are by the word convinced, that they have
communion with God. ‘Now the God of patience and consolation grant you to be like
minded one towards another according to Christ Jesus’ (Rom 15:5). By this word
patience, Paul insinuateth how many imperfections, the choicest Christians do mingle
their best performances with. And by this of consolation, how readily God overlooks,
passeth by them, and comforteth you notwithstanding. Now that this mind should be in
Christians one to another, is manifest; because Paul prays that it might be so. But this is
an heavenly gift, and therefore must be fetched from thence. But let the patience of God,
and the willingness of Christ, to bear the reproaches of the weak; and the consolations
that they have in God, notwithstanding, moderate your passions, and put you upon
prayer, to be minded like Jesus Christ.
Fifth, Because a failure in such a circumstance as water, doth not unchristian us. This
must needs be granted, not only from what was said before; but for that thousands of
thousands that could not consent thereto as we have, more gloriously than we are like to
do, acquitted themselves and their christianity before men, and are now with the
innumerable company of angels and the spirits of just men made perfect. What is said of
eating, or the contrary, may as to this be said of water baptism. Neither if I be baptized,
am I the better, neither if I be not, am I the worse: not the better before God: not the
worse before men: still meaning as Paul doth, provided I walk according to my light w