that callupon him to all that call upon him in Truth He is far from the VVicked but he heareth the Prayers of the Righteous And this is the Confidence that we have in him that if we ask any thing according to his VVill he heareth us VVhat is it then We must pray with the Spirit and with the Understanding also we must sing with the Spirit and with the Understanding also Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our Infirmities for we know not what we should pray for as we ought but the Spirit itself maketh Intercession for us with Greanings which cannot be uttered And he that searcheth the Heart knoweth what is the Mind of the Spirit because he maketh Intercession for the Saints according to the Will of God ARTICLE XVIII Concerning Baptism AS there is One Lord One Faith so there is One Baptism Which doth also now save us not the putting away of the Filth of the Flesh but the Answer of a Good Conscience towards God by the Resurrection of Jesus Christ For John indeed baptized with Water but Christ with the Holy Ghost and with Fire Therefore as many as are baptized into Jesus Christ are baptized into his Death and are buried with him by Baptism into Death that like as Christ was raised up from the Dead by the Glory of the Father even so they also should walk in Newness of Life Having put on Christ ARTICLE XIX Concerning Eating of Bread and Wine Washing of one anothers's Feet Abstaining from things Strangled and from Blood and Anointing of the Sick with Oyl THe Lord Jesus the same Night in which he was betrayed took Bread and when he had given Thanks he brake it and said Take eat this is my Body which is broken for you this do in Remembrance of me After the same manner also he took the Cup when he had supped saying This Cup is the New Testament in my Blood this do ye as oft as ye drink it in Remembrance of me for as oft as ye do eat this Bread and drink this Cup ye do shew forth the Lord's Death till he come Jesus knowing that the Father had given all things into his Hands and that he was come from God and went to God he ariseth from Supper and laid aside his Garments and took a Towel and girded himself after that he poureth VVater into a Bason and began to wash the Disciples Feet and to wipe them with the Towel where with he was girded So after he had washed their Feet and had taken his Garments and was sate down again he said unto them Know ye what I have done unto you Ye call me Master Lord and ye say well for so I am If then I your Lord and Master have washed your Feet ye also ought to wash one another's Feet for I have given you Example that ye should do as I have done unto you For it seemed good to the Holy Ghost and to us to lay upon you no greater Burden then these Necessary Things That ye abstain from Meats offered to Idols from Blood and from things strangled and from Fornication from which if ye keep your selves ye do well Is any man sick amâ—ng you let him call for the Elders of the Church and let them pray over him anointing him with Oyl ARTICLE XX. Concerning the Liberty of such Christians as are come to know the Substance as to the Using or not Using of these Rites and of the Observation of Dayes THe Kingdom of God is not Meat and Drink but Righteousness and Peace and Joy in the Holy Ghost Let no man therefore judge us in Meat or Drink or in Respect of an Holy Day or of the New Moon or of the Sabbath Days For if we be dead with Christ from the Rudiments of the World why as though living in the World are we subject to Ordinances Let us not touch or taste or handle which all are to perish with the Using after the Commandments and Doctrines of Men For now after we have known God or rather are known of him why should we turn again unto the Weak and Beggarly Elements or desire again to be in Bondage to observe Dayes and Months and Times and Years lest Labour have been bestowed on us in vain If one man esteem a Day above another another esteems every Day alike let every man be fully perswaded in his own Mind He that regardeth a Day regardeth it unto the Lord and he that regardeth not the Day to the Lord he doth not regard it ARTICLE XXI Concerning Swearing Fighting and Persecution IT hath bin said by them of old Thou shalt not Forswear thy self but shalt perform unto the Lord thine Oathes But Christ says unto us Swear not at all neither by Heaven for it is God's Throne nor by the Earth for it is his Footstool neither by Jerusalem for it is the City of the great King neither shalt thou swear by thy Head because thou canst not make one Hair white or black but let your Communication be Yea Yea Nay Nay for whatsoever is more then these cometh of Evil And James chargeth us Above all things not to Swear neither by Heaven neither by the Earth neither by any other Oath but let your Yea be Yea and your Nay Nay lesâ— ye fall into Condemnation Though we walk in the Flesh we are not to war after the Flesh for the Weapons of our Warfare are not to be carnal but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong Holds casting down Imaginations and every High Thing that exalts it self against the Knowledge of God and bringing into Captivity every Thought to the Obedience of Christ For Wars and Fightings come of the Lusts that war in the Members Therefore Christ commands Not to resist Evil but whosoever will smite on the Right Cheek to turn the other also Because Christians are Lambs among Wolves Therefore are they hated of all men for Christ's sake And all that will live Godly in Christ Jesus must suffer Persecution Such are Blessed for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven For though they have lost their Lives yet shall they save them And because they have confessed Christ before men he will also confess them before the Angels of God We ought not then to 〈◊〉 them which kill the Body but are not able â—o the kill the Soul but rather him which is able to destroy both Soul and Body into Hell ARTICLE XXII Concerning Magistracy LET every Soul be subject to the Higher Powers for there is no Power but of God the Powers that be are ordained of God VVhosoever therefore resists the Power resists 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 then not be afraid of the Power do that which is Good and
After the same manner also he took the Cup when he had supped saying This Cup is the New Testament in my Blood this do ye as oft as ye drink it in Remembrance of me 1 Cor. 11. 23 24 25. Q How long was this to continue A. For as often as ye eat this Bread and drink this Cup ye do shew the Lord's Death till he come 1 Cor. 11. 26. Q. Did Christ promise to come again to his Desciples A. I will not leave you comfortless I will come to you Jesus answered and said unto him if a Man love me he will keep my Words and my Father will love him and we will come unto him and make our Abode with him Joh. 14. 18 23. Q. Was this an Inward Coming A. At that Day ye shall know that I am in my Father and ye in me and I in you Joh. 14. 20. Q. But it would seem this was even practised by the Church of Corinth after Christ was come in wardly Was it so that there were certain Appointments positivelycommanded yea and Zealously and Conscientiously practised by the Saints of Old which were not of perpetual Continuance nor yet now needful to be practised in the Church A. If then your Lord and Master have washed your Feet ye also ought to wash one another's Feet For I have given you an Example that ye should do as I have done to you Joh. 13. 14 15. For it seemed good to the Holy Ghost and to us to lay upon you no greater Bâ—rden then these necessary Things that ye abstain from Meats offered to Idols and from Blood and from Things strangled and from Fornication from which if ye keep your selves ye shall do well farewell Acts 15. 28 29. Is any man sick among you let him call for the Elders of the Church and let them pray over him anointing him with Oyl in the Name of the Lord Jam. 5. 14. Q. These Commands are no less positive then the other yea some of them are asserted as the very Sense of the Holy Ghost as no less necessary then abstaining from Fornication and yet the Generality of Protestants have laid them aside as not of perpetual Continuance But what other Scriptures are there to shew that it is not necessary that of Bread and Wine to Continue A. For the Kingdom of God is not Meat and Drink but Righteousness and Peace and Joy in the Holy Ghost Rom. 14. 17. Let no Man therefore judge you in Meat or in Drink or in respect of an Holy Day or of the New Moon or of the Sabbath Dayes Wherefore if ye be dead with Christ from the Rudiments of the World why as though living in the World are ye subject to Ordinances touch no taste not handle not which all are to perish with the Using after the Commandments and Doctrines of Men Col. 2. 16 20 21 22. Q. These Scriptures are very plain and say as much for the abolishing of this as to any Necessity as ought can be alledged for the former But what is the Bread then wherewith the Saints are to be nourished A. Then Jesus said unto them Verily verily I say unto you Moses gave you not that Bread from Heaven but my Father giveth you the True Bread from Heaven for the Bread of God is he which comes down from Heaven and giveth Life unto the World Then said they unto him Lord evermore give us this Bread And Jesus said unto them I am the Bread of Life he that cometh to me shall never Hâ—â—ger and he that believeth on me shall never Thirst. I am that Bread of Life Your Fathers did eat Manna in the Wilderness and are Dead This is the Bread which cometh down from Heaven that a man may eat thereof and not dye I am the Living Bread which came down from Heaven If any man eat of this Bread he shall live forever and the Bread that I will give him is my Flesh which I will give for the Life of the World The Jews therefore strove amongst themselves saying How can this man give us his Flesh to eat Then Jesus said unto them Verily verily I say unto you Except ye eat the Flesh of the Son of Man and drink his Blood ye have no Life in you Whoso eateth my Flesh and drinketh my Blood hath Eternal Life and I will raise him up at the Last Day For my Flesh is Meat indeed and my Blood is Drink indeed He that eateth my Flesh and drinketh my Blood dwelleth in me and I in him As the Living Father hath sent me and I live by the Father so he that eateth me even he shall live by me This is that Bread which came down from Heaven not as your Fathers did eat Manna are dead He that eateth of this Bread shall live forever John 6. 32 33 34 35 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58. CHAP. XII Concerning the Life of a Christian in general what and how it ought to be in this World Question VVHat is True RELIGION A. Pure Religion and Undefiled is this To visit the Fatherless and the Widdow in their Affliction and to keep himself unspotted from the World Jam. 1. 27. Q. What is required of man A. He hath shewed thee O man what is good and what doth the Lord require of thee but to do justly and to love Mercy and to walk humbly with thy God Michah 6. 8. But to this man will I look even to him that is pure and of a contrite Spirit and trembles at my Word Isa. 66. 2. Q. Doth God then require People to be Quakers to tremble at his Word was there any such among the Saints of old A. Then were assembled unto me every one that trembled at the Words of the God of Israeal Ezra 9. 4. Now therefore let us make a Covenant with our God to put away all the Wives and such as are born of them according to the Counsel of my Lord and of those that tremble at the Commandment of our God Ezra 10. 3. Q. It seems Ezra loved well and had a high Esteem of Quakers since he would have their Counsel followed Do any other of the Prophets point out Quakers or Tremblers as God's People A Hear the Word of the Lord ye that tremble at his Word Your Brethren that hated you that cast you out for my Names sake said Let the Lord be glorified but he shall appear to your Joy and they shall be ashamed Isa. 66. 5. And it shall be to me a Name of Joy a Praise and an Honour before all the Nations of the Earth which shall hear all the Good that I do unto them and they shall fear and tremble for all the Goodness and for all the Prosperity that I procure unto it Jer. 33. 9. Q. The Prophets promise good Things there to Quakers what becometh of these that tremble not and are not such A. Hear now this O foolish People and without Understanding which have Eyes and see not which
the Conjunction and Vnity of the Eternal Son of God in and with the Man Christ Jesus A. And the Word was made Flesh dwelt among us and we beheld his Glory the Glory as of the Only Begotten of the Father full of Grace and Truth Joh. 1. 14. For he whom God hath sent speaketh the Words of God for God giveth not the Spirit by Measure unto him Joh. 3. 34. How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with Power who went about doing Good and healing all that were oppressed of the Devil for God was with him Acts 10. 38. For it pleased the Father that in him should all Fulness dwell Col. 1. 19. For in him dwelleth all the Fulness of the Godhead bodily Col. 2. 9. In him are hid all the Treasures of Wisdom and Knowledge Col. 2. 3. Q. For what End did Christ appear in the World A. For what the Law could not do in that it was weak through the Flesh God sending his Son in the Likeness of sinful Flesh and for Sin condemned Sin in the Flesh Rom. 8. 3. For this Purpose the Son of God was manifested that he might destroy the Works of the Devil And ye know that he was manifested to take away our Sins 1 Joh. 3. 8 5. Q. Was Jesus Christ really Crucified and Raised again A. For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received how that Christ dy'd for our Sins according to the Scriptures And that he was buried and that he arose again the third day according to the Scriptures 1 Cor. 15. 3 4. Q. What End do the Scriptures asscribe unto the Coming Death and Sufferings of Christ A. For mine Eyes have seen thy Salvation which thou hast prepared before the Face of all People A Light to lighten the Gentiles and the Glory of thy People Israel Luke 2. 30 31 32. Whom God hath set forth to be a Propitiation through Faith in his Blood to declare his Righteousness for the Remission of Sins that are past through the Forbearance of God Rom. 3. 25. And walk in Love as Christ also hath loved us and hath given himself for us an Offering and a Sacrifice to God for a sweet smelling Savour Ephes. 5. 2. And having made Peace through the Blood of his Cross by him to reconcile all things unto himself by him I say whether they be things in Earth or things in Heaven And you that were sometimes alienated and Enemies in your Minds by Wicked Works yet now hath he reconciled in the Body of his Flesh through Death to present you Holy Unblamable and Unreprovable in his Sight Col. 1. 20 21 22. Neither by the Blood of Goats and Calves but by his own Blood he entered in once into the Holy Place having obtained Eternal Redemption for us How much more shall the Blood of Christ who through the Eternal Spirit offer'd himself without Spot to God purge your Consciences from Dead Works to serve the Living God Hebr. 9. 12 14. For Christ also hath once suffered for Sins the Just for the Unjust that he might bring us to God being put to Death in the Flesh but quickened by the Spirit 1 Pet. 3. 18. Hereby perceive we the Love of God because he laid down his Life for us 1 John 3. 16. And for this Cause he is the Mediator of the New Testament that by means of Death for the Redemption of Transgressions that were under the first Testament they which are called might receive the Promise of the Eternal Inheritance Hebr. 9. 15. Q. Is Christ then the Mediator A. For there is One God and One Mediator between God and men the Man Christ Jesus who gave himself a Ransom for all to be testified in due time 1 Tim. 2. 5. Q. Was not Christ the Mediator until he appeared and was crucified in the Flesh A. He is the Lamb that was slain from the Foundation of the VVorld Rev. 5. 12. and 13. 8. Q. Is it needful then to believe that the Saints of old did partake of Christ as then present with and nourishing them A. Moreover Brethren I would not that ye should be ignorant how that all our Fathers were under the Cloud and all passed through the Sea and were all baptized unto Moses in the Cloud and in the Sea and did all eat the same spiritual Meat and did all drink the same spiritual Drink for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them and that Rock was Christ 1 Cor. 10. 1 2 3 4. Q. But whereas most of these Scriptures before-mentioned do hold forth that the Death and Sufferings of Christ were appointed for the destroying removing and remitting of Sin Did he so do it while he was outwardly upon Earth as not to leave any thing for himself to do in us nor for us to do in and by his Strength A. For even hereunto were ye called because Christ also suffered for us leaving us an Example that ye should follow his Steps 1 Pet. 2. 21. Whereof I Paul am made a Minister who now rejoyce in my Sufferings for you and fill up that whiâ—h is behind of the Afflictions of Christ in my Flesh for his Body's sake which is the Church Col. 1. 23 24. Always bearing about in the Bâ—dy the Dying of the Lord Jesus that the Life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our Body For we which live are alway delivered unto Death for Jesus's sake that the Life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal Flesh 2 Cor 4. 10 11. And that he dyed for all that they which live should not hence-forth live unto themselves but unto him that dyed for them and also rose again 2 Cor. 5. 15. That I may know him and the Power of his Resurrection and the Fellowship of his Sufferings being made conformable to his Death Phil. 3. 10. CHAP. IV. Of the New Birth the Inward Appearance of Christ in Spirit and the Unity of the Saints with him Question DOth Christ promise then to come again to his Disciples A. I will not leave you comfortless I will come unto you John 14. 18. Q. Was this only a special Promise to these Disciples or is it not the common Priviledge of the Saints A. For thus saith the High and Lofty One that inhabiteth Eternity whose Name is Holy I dwell in the High and Holy Place with him also that is of a Contrite and Humble Spirit c. Isa. 57. 15. For ye are the Temple of the Living God as God hath said I will dwell in them and walk in them 2 Cor. 6. 16. Behold I stand at the Door and knock if any man hear my Voice and open the Door I will come in to him and sup with him and he with me Rev. 3. 20. Q. Doth the Apostle Paul speak of the Son of God his being revealed in him A. But when it pleased God who separated me from my Mother's Womb and called me by his Grace to reveal his Son
And this is the Confidence that we have in him that if we ask any Thing according to his VVill he heareth us 1 Joh. 5. 14. Q. After whae Manner doth the Apostle then declare he will Pray A. What is it then I will pray with the Spirit and I will pray with the Understanding also I will sing with the Spirit and I will sing with the Understanding also 1 Cor. 14. 15. Q. Must we then pray alwayes in the Spirit A. Praying alwayes with all Prayer and Supplication in the Spirit and VVatching thereunto with all Perseverance and Supplication for all Saints Ephes. 6. 18. Q. Since we are commanded to pray alwayes in it can we do it of our selves without the Help thereof A. Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our Infirmities for we know not what we should pray for as we ought but the Spirit it self maketh Intercession for us with Groanings which cannot be uttered And he that searcheth the Hearts knoweth what is the Mind of the Spirit because he maketh Intercession for the Saints according to the Will of God Rom. 8. 26 27. Q. I perceive that without the Leadings and Help of the Spirit Prayers are altogether unprofitable may not a Man truly utter these Things that are Spiritual without the Spirit 's Assistance A. VVherefore I give you to understand that no Man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus Accursed and that no Man can say that Jesus is the Lord but by the Holy Ghost 1 Cor. 12. 3. Q. That is strange It seems the Spirit 〈◊〉 much more necessary then many called Christistians suppose it to be some of which can scarce give a good Account whether they have it or want it But if a Man speak Things true upon the Matter are they not true as from him if spoaken without the Spirit A. And though they say The Lord liveth surely they swear falsly Jer. 5. 2. Q. It is apparent from all these Scriptures that the true Worship of God is in Spirit and as it is not limitted to a certain Place neither to any certain Time what shall we think of them that plead for the Observation of certain Dayes A. But now after that ye have known God or rather are known of God how turn ye again to the weak and beggarly Elements whereunto ye desire again to be iâ— Bondage Ye observe Dayes and Months and Times and Years I am afraid of you lest I have bestowed upon you Labour in vain Gal. 4. 9 10 11. Let no Man therefore judge you in Meat or Drink or in respect of an Holy Day or of the New Moon or of the Sabbath Day which are a Shadow of Things to come but the Body is of Christ Col. 2. 16 17. Q. Seeing it is so may not some Christians as lawfully esteem all Dayes alike as others may esteem some Dayes above another What Rule giveth the Apostle in this Case A. One Man esteemeth one Day above another another esteemeth every Day alike let every Man be fully perswaded in his own Mind He that regardeth a Day regardeth it unto the the Lord and he that regaâ—deth not the Day unto the Lord he doth not regard it He that eateth eateth to the Lord for he giveth God Thanks and he that eateth not to the Lord he eateth not and giveth God Thanks Rom. 14. 5 6. Q. But is it not convenient and necessary that there be a Day set apart to Meet and Worship God in Did not the Apostles aâ—d Primitive Christians use to meet upon the First Day of the Week to make their Collections and to Worship A. Now concerning the Collection for the Saints as I have given Order to the Churches of Galatia even so do ye upon the First Day of the Week Let every one of you lay by him in store as God hath prosper'd him that there be no Gatherings when I come 1 Cor. 16. 1. CHAP. XI Concerning Baptism and Bread and VVine Question HOw many BAPTISMS are there A. One Lord One Faith One Baptism Ephes. 4 5. Q. What is the Baptism A. The like Figure whereunto even Baptism doth now save us not the putting away the Filth of the Flesh but the Answer of a good Conscience towards God by the Resurrection of Jesus Christ who is gone into Heaven and is on the Right Hand of God Angels and Authorities and Powers being made subject unto him 1 Pet. 3. 21 22. Q. What saith John the Baptist of Christ's Baptism how distinguisheth he it from his A. I indeed baptize you with Water unto Repentance but he that cometh after me is Mightier then I whose Shoes I am not worthy to bear he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with Fire Mat. 3. 11. Q. Doth not Christ so distinguish it also A. And being assembled together with them commanded them That they should not depart from Jerusalem but wait for the Promise of the Father which saith he ye have heard of me For John truly baptized with Water but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many dayes hence Act. 1. 4. 5. Q. Doth not the Apostle Peter also observe this A. And as I begâ—n to speak the Holy Ghost fell on them as on us at the Beginning Then remembred I the Word of the Lord how that he said John indeed baptized with Water but ye shall be baptiz'd with the Holy Ghost Acts 11. 15 16. Q. Then it seems John's Baptism must pass away that Christ's may take place because John must decrease that Christ may increase A. He must increase but I must decrease John 30. 30. Q. I perceive then many may be sprinkled with 〈◊〉 dipped baptized in Water yet not truly baptized with the Baptism of Christ What are the Real Effects in such as are truly baptized with the Baptism of Christ A. Know ye not that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his Death Therefore we are buried with him by Baptism into Death that like as Christ was raised up from the Dead by the Glory of the Father even so we also should walk in Newness of Life Rom. 6. 3 4. For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ Gal. 2. 27. Buried with him in Baptism wherein also ye are risen with him through the Faith of the Operation of God who hath raised him from the Dead Col. 2. 12. Q. I perceive there was a Baptism of Water which was John's Baptism and is therefore by John himself contra-distinguished from Christ's Was there not likewise something of the like Nature appointed by Christ to his Disciples of eating Bread and drinking Wine in Remembrance of him A. For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you that the Lord Jesus the same Night in which he was betrayed took Bread when he had given Thanks he brake it and said Take eat this is my Body which is broken for you this do in Remembrance of me
go and gather them up But he said Nay lest whâ—le ye gather up the Tares ye root up also the Wheat with them Mat. 13. 27 28 29. Q. Doth he explain these Tares of the Wicked whom the Godly must not take upon them to cut off lest through Mistake they hurt the Good but leave it to God to do it by his Angels A. The Field is the World the good Seed are the Children of the Kingdom but the Tares are the Children of the Wicked One the Enemy that sowed them is the Devil the Harvest is the End of the World and the Reapers are the Angels As therefore the Tares are gathered and burnt in the Fire so shall it be in the End of this World The Son of Man shall send forth his Angels and they shall gather out of his Kingdom all things that offend and them which do Iniquity Mat. 13. 38 39 40 41. CHAP. XIV Concerning the Resurrection Question VVhat saith the Scripture of the Resurrection of the Dead A. And have Hope towards God which they themselves also allow that there shall be a Resurrection of the Dead both of the Just and Unjust Acts 24. 15. Q. To what different End shall the Good be raised from the Bad and how are they thereunto reserved A. 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 Condemnation John 5. 28 29. But the Heavens and the Earth which are now by the same Word are kept in store reserv'd unto Fire against the Day of Judgment and Perdition of Ungodly Men 2 Pet. 3. 7. Q. What must be answered to such as ask How the Dead are raised and with what Body A. Thou Fool that which thou sowest is not quickned except it dye and that which thou sowest thou sowest not that Body that shall be but bare Grain it may chance of VVheat or some other Grain But God giveth it a Body as it hath pleased him and to every Seed his own Body All Flesh is not the same Flesh but there is one kind of Flesh of Men another Flesh of Beasts another of Fishes and another of Birds there are also Celestial Bodies and Bodies Terrestrial but the Glory of the Celestial is one and the Glory of the Terrestrial is another there is one Glory of the Sun and another Glory of the Moon and another Glory of the Stars for one Star differs from another Star in Glory so also is the Resurrection of the Dead it is sown in Corruption it is raised in Incorruption it is sown in Dishonour it is raised in Glory it is sown in VVeakness it is raised in Power it is sown a Natural Body it is raised a Spiritual Body There is a Natural Body and there is a Spiritual Body 1 Cor. 15. 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44. Q. The Apostle seems to be very positive that it is not that Natural Body which we now have that shall rise but a Spiritual Body A. Now this I say Brethren That Flesh Blood cannot inherit the Kingdom of God neither doth Corruption inherit Incorruption Behold I shew you a Mystery We shall not all sleep but we shall all be changed in a Moment in the Twinkling of an Eye at the Last Trump for the Trumpet shall sound and the Dead shall be raised incorruptible and we shall be changed For this Corruptible must put on Incorruption and this Mortal must put on Immortality So when this Corruptible shall have put on Incorruption and this Mortal shall have put on Immortality then shall be brought to pass the Saying that is written Death is swallowed up in Victory O Death where is thy Sting O Grave where is thy Victory 1 Cor. 15. 50 51 52 53 54 55. CHAP. XV. A Short Introduction to the Confession of FAITH HAving thus largely and evidently performed the chief Part of that which I promised in this Treatise in giving a full Account of our Principles in plain Scripture-words and also answering by the Scriptures the chief and main Objections made against us I come to a Confession of Faith in which I shall not be so large for that I judge it not convenient to make an Inter-repetition of all the Scriptures before-mentioned which if needful the Reader may easily observe were not very difficult to do But whereas a Confession of Faith calleth rather for an Affirmative Account of one's own Faith then for the Solution of Objections or any thing of Debate in a Discursive Way which is both more properly and pertinently performed in a Catechism therefore I have here only done so I am necessitate sometimes to intermix some words for coherence of the Matter as sometimes And and sometimes Therefore and the like but not such as any ingenous Person can affirm do add to the Matter or that may any wise justly be reckon'd a Comment or Meaning and therefore to avoid the Censure of the most Curious Carping Critieks these are marked with a different Character Likewise unless I should have ridiculously offered to publish incongruous Grammar there was a true Need sometimes to change the Mood and Person of a Verb in all which places whosoever will look to the words shall find it is done upon no Design to alter any whit the naked import of them as for instance where Christ sayes I am the Light of the World were it proper for me to write thus I am the Light c Or can it be reckoned any whit contradicting of my Purpose or Promise to write Christ is the Light where the first Person is changed to the third Also sometimes I express things which are necessarily understood as when any of the Apostles say We there instead of We I write Apostles and where they say You speaking to the Saints there I mention Saints instead of it for the Connexion of the Sentence sometimes requires it as in the first Article in mentioning that of 1 Joh. 1. 5. concerning God's being Light and in such like Cases which I know no impartial Reader would have quarrelled though wanting this Apology which I judged meet to premise knowing there is a Generation who when they cannot find any real or substantial Ground against Truth its Followers will he cavilling at such little Nicities therefore such may see this Objection is obviated CHAP. XVI A Confession of Faith Containing XXIII Articles ARTICLE I. Concerning GOD and the True and Saving Knowledge of him THere is one God Who is a Spirit And This is the Message which the Apostles heard of him and declared unto the Saints That he is Light and in him is no Darkness at all There are Three that bear Record in Heaven the Father the Son and the Holy Ghost and these Three are One The Father is in the Son and the Son is in the