lessness, and of the way of salvation by Christ,' we turn to God with unfeigned contrition, confession, and supplication for mercy;2 at the same time heartily receiving the Lord Jesus Christ as our Prophet, Priest, and King, and relying on him alone as the only and all-sufficient Saviour.3 6 IX. OF GOD'S PURPOSE OF GRACE. We believe that Election is the eternal purpose of God, according to which he graciously regenerates, sanctifies, and saves sinners; that being perfectly consistent with the free agency of man, it comprehends all the means in connection with the end; that it is a most glorious display of God's sovereign goodness, being infinitely free, wise, holy, and unchangeable; that it utterly excludes boasting, and promotes humility, love, prayer, praise, trust in God, and active imitation of his free mercy; that it encourages the use of means in the highest degree; that may be ascertained by its effects in all who truly believe the gospel;' that it is the foundation of Christian assurance; 10 and that to ascertain it with regard to ourselves demands and deserves the utmost diligence."1 it 7 X. OF SANCTIFICATION. We believe that Sanctification is the process by which, according to the will of God, we are made partakers of his holiness; 12 that it is a progressive work; 13 that it is begun in regeneration;" and that it is carried on in the hearts of believers by the presence and power of the Holy Spirit, the Sealer and Comforter, in the continual use of the ap 'John xvi. 8; Acts ii. 37, 38; xvi. 30, 31. 'Luke xviii. 13; xv. 18-21; James iv. 7-10; Rom. x. 9-11; Acts iii. 22, 23; Heb. iv. 14; 2 Tim. i. 8, 9; Eph. i. 3-14; 1 Pet. i. 1, 2; Hos. xii. 9. 2 Cor. vii. 11; Rom. x. 12, 13; Psa. li. 2 Thess. ii. 13, 14; Acts xiii. 48; John x. 16; 'Exod. xxxiii. 18, 19; 28, 29; James i. 17, 18; Matt. xx. 16; Acts xv. 14. Matt. xx. 15; Eph. i. 11; Rom. ix. 23, 24; Jer. xxxi. 3; Rom. xi. 2 Tim. i. 9; Rom. xi. 32–36. 71 Cor. iv. 7; i. 26-31; Rom. iii. 27; iv. 16; Col. iii. 12; 1 Cor. iii. 5-7; xv. 10; 1 Pet. v. 10; Acts i. 24; 1 Thess. ii. 13; 1 Pet. ii. 9; Luke xviii. 7; John xv. 16; Eph. i. 16; 1 Thess. ii. 12. 2 Tim. ii. 10; 1 Cor. ix. 22; Rom. viii. 28-30; John vi. 37-40; 2 Pet. i. 10. " Prov. iv. 18; 2 Cor. iii. 18; Heb. vi. 1; 2 Pet. i. 5-8; Phil. iii. 12-16. 14 John ii. 29; Rom. viii. 5; John iii. 6; Phil. i. 9-11; Eph. i. 13, 14. pointed means especially the Word of God, self-examination, self-denial, watchfulness, and prayer.' 2 XI. OF THE PERSEVERANCE OF SAINTS. We believe that such only are real believers as endure unto the end; that their persevering attachment to Christ is the grand mark which distinguishes them from superficial professors;3 that a special Providence watches over their welfare; and they are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation." XII. OF THE HARMONY OF THE LAW AND THE GOSPEL. 6 8 We believe that the Law of God is the eternal and unchangeable rule of his moral government; that it is holy, just, and good;" and that the inability which the Scriptures ascribe to fallen men to fulfill its precepts arises entirely from their love of sin; to deliver them from which, and to restore them through a Mediator to unfeigned obedience to the holy Law, is one great end of the Gospel, and of the means of grace connected with the establishment of the visible Church. XIII. OF A GOSPEL CHURCH. We believe that a visible Church of Christ is a congregation of baptized believers,10 associated by covenant in the faith and fellowship of the gospel; observing the ordinances of Christ; 12 governed by his laws,13 and exercising the gifts, rights, and privileges invested in them 1 13 11 Phil. ii. 12, 13; Eph. iv. 11, 12; 1 Pet. ii. 2; 2 Pet. iii. 18; 2 Cor. xiii. 5; Luke xi. 35; ix. 23; Matt. xxvi. 41; Eph. vi. 18; iv. 30. * Rom. viii. 7, 8; Josh. xxiv. 19; Jer. xiii. 23; John vi. 44; v. 44. 9 Rom. viii. 2, 4; x. 4; 1 Tim. i. 5; Heb. viii. 10; Jude 20, 21; Heb. xii. 14; Matt. xvi. 17, 18; 1 Cor. xii. 28. 101 Cor. i. 1-13; Matt. xviii. 17; Acts v. 11; viii. 1; xi. 31; 1 Cor. iv. 17; xiv. 23; 3 John 9; 1 Tim. iii. 5. 11 Acts ii. 41, 42; 2 Cor. viii. 5; Acts ii. 47; 1 Cor. v. 12, 13. 12 1 Cor. xi. 2; 2 Thess. iii. 6; Rom. xvi. 17-20; 1 Cor. xi. 23; Matt. xviii. 15-20; 1 Cor. v. 6; 2 Cor. ii. 7; 1 Cor. iv. 17. 13 Matt. xxviii. 20; John xiv. 15; xv. 12; 1 John iv. 21; John xiv. 21; 1 Thess. iv. 2; 2 John 6; Gal. vi. 2; all the Epistles. 1 by his Word; that its only scriptural officers are Bishops, or Pastors, and Deacons, whose qualifications, claims, and duties are defined in the Epistles to Timothy and Titus. XIV. OF BAPTISM AND THE LORD'S SUPPER. We believe that Christian Baptism is the immersion in water of a believer,3 into the name of the Father, and Son, and Holy Ghost; to show forth, in a solemn and beautiful emblem, our faith in the crucified, buried, and risen Saviour, with its effect in our death to sin and resurrection to a new life; that it is prerequisite to the privileges of a Church re lation; and to the Lord's Supper, in which the members of the Church, by the sacred use of bread and wine, are to commemorate together the dying love of Christ; preceeded always by solemn self-examination. XV. OF THE CHRISTIAN SABBATH. We believe that the first day of the week is the Lord's Day, or Christian Sabbath; and is to be kept sacred to religious purposes,10 by abstaining from all secular labor and sinful recreations;" by the devout observance of all the means of grace, both private 12 and public; 13 and by preparation for that rest that remaineth for the people of God.14 XVI. OF CIVIL GOVERNMENT. We believe that civil government is of divine appointment, for the interests and good order of human society; 15 and that magistrates are 'Eph. iv. 7; 1 Cor. xiv. 12; Phil. i. 27; 1 Cor. xii. 14. 2 Phil. i. 1; Acts xiv. 23; xv. 22; 1 Tim. iii.; Titus i. 'Acts viii. 36-39; Matt. iii. 5, 6; 16; Acts ii. 38; viii. 12; xvi. 32-34; 'Matt. xxviii. 19; Acts x. 47, 48; John iii. 22, 23; iv. 1, 2; Matt. xxviii. 19; Mark xvi. xviii. 8. Gal. iii. 27, 28. Rom. vi. 4; Col. ii. 12; 1 Pet. iii. 20, 21; Acts xxii. 16. 6 Acts ii. 41, 42; Matt. xxviii. 19, 20; Acts and Epistles. 1 Cor. xi. 26; Matt. xxvi. 26-29; Mark xiv. 22-25; Luke xxii. 14-20. 8 1 Cor. xi. 28; v. 1, 8; x. 3–32; xi. 17-32; John vi. 26–71. "Acts xx. 7; Gen. ii. 3; Col. ii. 16, 17; Mark ii. 27; John xx. 19; 1 Cor. xvi. 1, 2. 10 Exod. xx. 8; Rev. i. 10; Psa. cxviii. 24. 11 Isa. lviii. 13, 14; lvi. 2-8. 12 Psa. cxiii. 15. 13 Heb. x. 24, 25; Acts xi. 26; xiii. 44; Lev. xix. 30; Exod. xlvi. 3; Luke iv. xvii. 2, 3; Psa. xxvi. 8; lxxxvii. 3. Heb. iv. 3-11. 15 Rom. xiii. 1-7; Deut. xvi. 18; 1 Sam. xxiii. 3; Exod. xviii. 23; Jer. xxx. 21. to be prayed for, conscientiously honored and obeyed;1 except only in things opposed to the will of our Lord Jesus Christ, who is the only Lord of the conscience, and the Prince of the kings of the earth.3 XVII. OF THE RIGHTEOUS AND THE WICKED. 4 We believe that there is a radical and essential difference between the righteous and the wicked; that such only as through faith are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and sanctified by the Spirit of our God, are truly righteous in his esteem; while all such as continue in impenitence and unbelief are in his sight wicked, and under the curse; and this distinction holds among men both in and after death." 5 XVIII. OF THE WORLD TO COME. 8 We believe that the end of the world is approaching; that at the last day Christ will descend from heaven, and raise the dead from the grave to final retribution; 10 that a solemn separation will then take place;"1 that the wicked will be adjudged to endless punishment, and the righteous to endless joy; 12 and that this judgment will fix forever the final state of men in heaven or hell, on principles of righteousness. 13 1 Matt. xxii. 21; Titus iii. 1; 1 Pet. ii. 13; 1 Tim. ii. 1–8. Acts v. 29; Matt. x. 28; Dan. iii. 15–18; vi. 7-10; Acts iv. 18-20. 35; Rom. * Matt. xxiii. 10; Rom. xiv. 4; Rev. xix. 16; Psa. lxxii. 11; ii.; Rom. xiv. 9–13. Mal. iii. 18; Prov. xii. 26; Isa. v. 20; Gen. xviii. 23; Jer. xv. 19; Acts x, 34, 3 vi. 16. Rom. i. 17; vii. 6; 1 John ii. 29; iii. 7; Rom. vi. 18, 22; 1 Cor. xi. 32; Prov. xi. 31; 1 Pet. iv. 17, 18. 7 1 John v. 19; Gal. iii. 10; John iii. 36; Isa. lvii. 21; Psa. x. 4; Isa. lv. 6, 7. Prov. xiv. 32; Luke xvi. 25; John viii. 21-24; Prov. x. 24; Luke xii. 4, 5; ix. 23-26; John xii. 25, 26; Eccl. iii. 17; Matt. vii. 13, 14. 1 Pet. iv. 7; 1 Cor. vii. 29-31; Heb. i. 10-12; Matt. xxiv. 35; 1 John ii. 17; Matt. xxviii. 20; xiii. 39, 40; 2 Pet. iii. 3-13. Acts i. 11; Rev. i. 7; Heb. ix. 28; Acts iii. 21; 10 Acts xxiv. 15; 1 Cor. xv. 12-59; Luke xiv. 14; 25, 26; 2 Tim. i. 10; Acts x. 42. 1 Thess. iv. 13-18; v. 1-11. Dan. xii. 2; John v. 28, 29; vi. 40; xi. "Matt. xiii. 49; xiii. 37-43; xxiv. 30, 31; xxv. 31-33. 12 Matt. xxv. 35-41; Rev. xxii. 11; 1 Cor. vi. 9, 10; Mark ix. 43-48; 2 Pet. ii. 9; Jude Phil. iii. 19; Rom. vi. 32; 2 Cor. v. 10, 11; John iv. 36; 2 Cor. iv. 18. 13 Rom. iii. 5, 6; 2 Thess. i. 6-12; Heb. vi. 1, 2; 1 Cor. iv. 5; Acts xvii. 31; Rom. ii. 2-16; Rev. xx. 11, 12; 1 John ii. 28; iv. 17. CONFESSION OF THE FREE-WILL BAPTISTS. A.D. 1834, 1868. [This Confession was adopted and issued by the General Conference of the FREE-WILL BAPTISTS of America in 1834, revised in 1848, and again in 1865 and 1868. The text is taken from the Treatise on the Faith and Practice of the Free-will Baptists, written under the direction of the General Conference, Dover, N. H. Published by the Free-will Baptist Printing Establishment, 1871. The sections in which this Confession differs from the preceding Baptist Confessions have been put in italics, viz., Ch. III., 2 and 3, and Ch. VIII. and XIII.] CHAPTER I. The Holy Scriptures. These are the Old and New Testaments; they were written by holy men, inspired by the Holy Spirit, and contain God's revealed will to man. They are a sufficient and infallible guide in religious faith and practice. CHAPTER II. Being and Attributes of God. The Scriptures teach that there is only one true and living God, who is a Spirit, self-existent, eternal, immutable, omnipresent, omniscient, omnipotent, independent, good, wise, holy, just, and merciful; the Creator, Preserver, and Governor of the universe; the Redeemer, Saviour, Sanctifier, and Judge of men; and the only proper object of Divine worship. The mode of his existence, however, is a subject far above the understanding of man-finite beings can not comprehend him. There is nothing in the universe that can justly represent him, for there is none like him. He is the fountain of all perfection and happiness. He is glorified by the whole inanimate creation, and is worthy to be loved and served by all intelligences. CHAPTER III. Divine Government and Providence. 1. God exercises a providential care and superintendence over all his creatures, and governs the world in wisdom and mercy, according to the testimony of his Word. 2. God has endowed man with power of free choice, and governs |