I. I believe, that the Scriptures of the Old and New Testament are the word of God, and the only rule of faith and practice.

II. I believe, that there is but One only, living, and true God; that there are Three Persons in the Godhead, who are equal in nature, power, and glory; and, that the Son and Holy Ghost, are as truly and properly God, as the Father. These Three divine Persons are distinguished from each other by peculiar relative properties. These Three divine distinct Persons, I profess to reverence, serve, and worship, as the One true God.

III. I believe, that before the World began, God did elect a certain number of Mankind unto everlasting life, whom he did predestinate to the adoption of Children, by Jesus Christ, of his own free grace, and according to the good pleasure of his will; that he appointed holiness as the means; and that no one has a right to consider himself as a chosen vessel, till he is effectually called by the grace of God. [6]IV. I believe, that God made all things in Creation, out of nothing, to display his goodness, wisdom, power, and glory; and, that by the same power, he upholds and governs, rules and directs all things in Heaven and Earth; and, that he displays his sovereignty according to the counsel of his own will, or his eternal plan, formed before all Worlds.

V. I believe, that there is one Mediator between God and Man; the Man, Christ Jesus; that he stood in his mediatorial capacity as our representative and head, in the covenant of eternal redemption and grace; engaged to be all that to his people, they could possibly need in time, and their bliss through eternity.VI. I believe, that God made Man upright; but mutable and liable to fall: and, being left to the freedom of his own will, through the influence of Satan, he broke the covenant of works, and fell from the Image of God; that all Mankind sinned in him and fell with him, as their head and representative; and both him and his posterity became liable to the curse and penalty of a violated law.

VII. I believe, that all Mankind are conceived and born in sin, Children of disobedience, enemies to God, violaters of his commands, averse to good, prone to evil, Children of wrath, obnoxious to the justice of God, and the condemnation of his law: and I believe, that no Creature can help or deliver himself, out of that wretched state into which he has fallen. I solemnly believe, that this is the state of all Men by nature.

VIII. I believe, that according to the eternal appointment of God the Father, and the Covenant engagements of the dear Redeemer, that, in the fulness of time, God sent his Son into the world to redeem fallen Men; that part of the human race, that was given him in eternity; that their redemption was obtained by the shedding of his blood; that this redemption is special and particular, designed only for the elect of God, the Sheep of Christ, who only share the special and peculiar blessings of it. And, in order to accomplish our redemption, I believe, it was necessary that the Redeemer should take upon him our nature, a human body and soul, created and formed by God the Spirit, conceived in the womb of the Virgin Mary, born of a Woman, made under the law, that he might redeem his people from it; work out a righteousness adequate to its demands, make an atonement by suffering the death of the Cross, satisfy divine Justice, glorify all the attributes of Deity, and open a way, for the communication of all those blessings, which are needful for the Saints of God, both for time and eternity.

IX. I believe, that the matter of the Sinners’ justification before a holy God, is the righteousness of Christ imputed to them; which is, his perfect, spotless obedience to the law, in their room and stead, without the consideration of any works done by them; and, that the full and free pardon of all their sins, past, present, and to come, is only through the blood of Christ, according to the riches of his grace; and, that none can be justified in any other way. This righteousness being seen by the eye of faith, and embraced by the hand of faith, we are manifestly justified and freed from the law; that, being dead wherein we were held, we live to God, and by love serve the Lord, having our fruit unto holiness, and the end, eternal life. [9]X. I believe, that all the objects of eternal love, the subjects of his choice, and the purchase of the Redeemer’s blood, are effectually called in one way or another, by the efficacious and irresistible grace of God the divine Spirit; and not by an act of Man’s free will and power. I believe they are washed, justified, and sanctified, in the name and by God the Spirit, in some part of their lives.

XI. I believe, that all Saints are kept by the mighty power of God, through faith, to eternal Salvation; and, that as sure as they are called, justified, and sanctified, they will infallibly persevere: because of the perpetuity of God’s love, the liability of his covenant, and his faithfulness to his absolute promises.

XII. I believe, that the Church of Christ consists of true believers in his name; that these are his mystical body, of which, he is the only head, and there is no other: and, that all the Children of God derive spiritual life from him, by virtue of union to him; that he is our life; and in consequence of that, we are now quickened by his life-giving power in conversion; our bodies shall be quickened in the last day, and all Believers shall enjoy eternal life, in glory for ever.XIII. I believe, that in the new testament Church of Christ, there are but two Sacraments; Baptism, and the Supper of the Lord. I believe, Baptism to be an outward and visible sign; first, of the sufferings, death, burial, and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ; secondly, of an inward and spiritual operation of the Holy Ghost, upon the hearts of believers; and is a grand emblem of a death unto sin, and a new birth unto righteousness; for being by nature the children of wrath, we are by regeneration, manifested to be children of grace. I believe, that only those who profess the name of Jesus, have any right thereto. That it should be administered to Adults alone, in the name of the adorable Trinity; and, that it is to be performed by immersion. I believe, that the Lord’s Supper was instituted the night on which he was betrayed, to represent his sufferings and death; and is to be attended too by all Believers, until his second coming.

XIV. I believe, that it is the duty of every Christian to obey the laws of their Country; not to speak evil of Dignities; but, to pray for the King, his Family, and the Government under which we live; to study to be quiet, peaceable, and submissive, according to the laws of Jesus Christ, which is our rule of conduct: and, who has said, “Render unto CÆsar, the things which are his;” and, by his holy Apostles, has commanded “That every Soul should be subject to the higher powers; that we should honor all Men, love the Brotherhood, fear God, honor the King.”XV. I believe, that it is the duty of all Believers, to take the commands of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, as their rule of conduct; that, while they are relying on his Righteousness, for justification; on his Blood, for pardon; and, on the Spirit, for internal sanctification; they, from a principle of love shed abroad in their hearts, are made willing to obey his laws, as King in Mount Zion: and, that his commandments are the Believer’s rule of life: that it is their duty to stand fast in one Spirit, with one mind, striving together for the faith of the gospel: that it is their duty to walk in wisdom, to them that are without; to exercise a conscience void of offence towards God and Man, by living soberly, righteously, and godly in this present world: that it is their duty to walk with each other in all humility and brotherly love; to watch over each other’s conversation; to stir up one another to love and to good works; not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as we have opportunity; to worship God, according to his revealed will; and, when the case requires, to warn, rebuke, and admonish one another, according to the rules of the gospel: and, that it is our duty to sympathize with each other, to bear with one another’s weaknesses, failings, and infirmities; and, particularly to pray for one another. All these duties we are bound to perform, and every other law of Christ’s spiritual house, through the gracious influence of a Spirit of love, of power, and of a sound mind; ever remembering, that we are to obey the laws of our Sovereign, as King, on his holy hill of Zion. [12]XVI. I believe, that all the Ordinances of divine appointment ought to be attended unto, by all that profess their faith in, and love to our Lord Jesus Christ, as the head of his Church; hearing the Word, public Prayer, Baptism, and the Lord’s Supper: singing of Psalms, Hymns, and Spiritual Songs, vocally; this is an ordinance of the gospel, to be performed by Believers; but, as to time, place, and manner, every one ought to be left to their liberty in using it.XVII. I believe, that there will be a Resurrection, both of the just and unjust; and, that Christ will come a second time, to judge both quick and dead; when he will take vengeance on the wicked, and introduce his own People into his kingdom and glory, where they shall be for ever with him; and, then shall the mediatorial kingdom be delivered up to the Father, by the Redeemer; the mystery of God be finished: Heaven will be the Saints final home; and, God, Father, Son, and Spirit, be all in all, for ever and ever.

XVIII. I believe, that the felicity of the Saints will be eternal; and I as firmly believe, such will be the eternity of misery; unless, the never dying worm dies, and the unquenchable fire goes out; which will not, cannot be; for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it.

The above Articles are the doctrines I preach, which I did not learn of Man; but, by the teachings of the Spirit, by the Word. The rest of the Charges are not worthy my notice, as they arise from pride and envy; and, I shall only remark, that all faithful preaching ever did create divisions. God having put an enmity between the seed of the Woman, and the seed of the Serpent; this enmity is stirred up wherever these two seeds meet. The history of Truth, in all ages, prove that this is no new thing. The dear Redeemer, asks an important question, “Suppose ye, that I am come to give peace on the earth? I tell you, nay; but rather divisions;” see the 12th chapter of Luke, from the 40th to the 54th verse. As to the disaffection of the People to their own Ministers, after hearing me preach, as Ministers inform you; how can I help that? I do not speak against them; but, advise my hearers to follow after truth, in its beauty, simplicity, and power. But I am not accountable for the imprudencies of my hearers. None ever heard me in public or in private, drop a disrespectful hint of any Ministers around me; although, I am informed, they have said many cruel things of me: for which, I trust, the good Lord will pardon them, for I do; as I know, God, for Christ’s sake, hath forgiven me. As to the last Charge you intimate, that I do not preach to Sinners. This is an absurd accusation indeed! For who do I, or who can I preach to, but fallen Sinners, by nature and practice; as faith the voice of wisdom, “Unto you, O Men, I call, and my voice is to the Sons of Men.” But, I suppose the meaning of this Charge is, that I do not command dead Sinners to quicken their own souls; and suppose I did, would they obey me? That I do not tell blind Sinners to open their own eyes? If I thought they could do it, I would tell them to do it, from the pulpit. That I do not tell all Men it is their duty to believe? Whereas, God says of many, they never shall believe. That I do not command carnal Persons to perform spiritual acts? and how should they? seeing they are enemies to God, and the slaves of sin and error. That I do not tell all Mankind, that Christ is offered to them, if they will but accept of him? No. Sir. I leave all this Baxterian stubble, and declare the whole counsel of God. Whereas, the above Calls to Sinners, form no part of that counsel. God does not condemn Men because he has been pleased to withold that precious gift of faith from them: there is sin enough in all Men, to render them obnoxious to the curse of the law: and the Saviour himself says, “Think not, that I will accuse you to the Father; there is one that accuseth you already, even, Moses, in whom ye trust.” To command all Men, where the gospel comes, to obey the internal call of it, is not my work: but, to tell People, it is their duty to be found in the means, is another thing. The former, I shall not do; the latter, is in harmony with many parts of God’s Word. But I know it is fashionable, to tell Sinners to believe, and to receive an offered Christ; to open the door of their hearts to him; and, in fact, the Sinner is set to do that, which the Holy Ghost only can do for him. This is the modern doctrine so much admired in our day; which is calculated to cherish the pride of Man, and make Sinners contented with a form of godliness without the power. But, “From all false doctrine, heresy, and schism, good Lord deliver us.”

I am yours, in gospel bonds,

J. CHURCH.

Cheney, Printer, Banbury.