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Ang, and suppressing of heresy and error requi red, have been emitted ancient and famous Con fessions of Faith, composed and agreed upon by Oecumenical Councils, e, g. of Nice against Arius, of Constantinople against Macedonius, of Ephesus, against Nestorius, of Calcedon, against Eutyches. And when the light of reformation broke forth to the dispersing of popish darkness, the reformed nations agreed upon Confessions of Faith, famous in the world, and of especial service to theirs and standing ages. And among those of latter times, published in our nation most worthy of repute and acceptance, we take to be the Confession of Faith, composed by the reverend Assembly of Divines convened at Westminster, with that of the Savoy in the substance, and in expressions for the most part the same; the former* profes. sedly assented and attested to, by the Fathers of our country, by unanimous vote of the synod of Elders and Messengers of the churches met at Cambridge, the last of the 6th month, 1648, The latter owned and consented to by the Eiders and Messengers of the churches assembled at Boston, May 12th, 1680. The same, we doubt not to profess, to have been the constant faith of the churches in this Colony, from the first foundation of them. And that it may appear to the christian world, that our churches do not maintain differing opinions in the doctrine

* See the Preface to the Platform of Church Discipline.

of religion, nor are desirous, for any reason, te conceal the faith we are persuaded of, the elders and Messengers of the Churches in this colony of Connecticut, in New England, by virtue of the appointment and encouragement ofthe honourable the General Assembly, convened by delegation at Saybrook, September 9th, 1708, unanimously agreed, that the Confession of Faith, owned and consented unto by the elders and messengers of the churches assembled at Boston, in New England, May 12th, 1680 being the second session of that Synod, be recommended to the honourable General Assembly of this Colony at their next session, for their publick testimony thereto, as the faith of the churches of this colony; whic confession, together with the heads of Union, and articles for the administration of Church Government herewith emitted, were presented unto, and approved and established by the said General Assembly, at New-Haven, on the 14th of October, 1708.

This Confession of Faith, we offer as our firm persuasion, well and fully grounded upon the Holy Scripture, and commend the same unto all, and particularly to the people of our Colony, to be examined, accepted, and constantly maintained. We do not assume to ourselves, that any thing be taken upon trust from us, but commend to our people these following Counsels.

I. That you be immoveably and unchangeably agreed in the only sufficient, and invariable rule

of religion, which is the Holy Scripture, the fixed Canon uncapable of addition or diminution. You ought to accout nothing ancient, that will not stand by this rule, nor any thing new that will. Do not hold yourselves bound to unscriptural rites in religion, wherein custom it. self doth many times misguide. Believe it to be the honour of Religion to resign and captivate our wisdom and faith to Divine Revelation.‡

II. That You be determined by this Rule in the whole of Religion. That your Faith be right and Divine, the Word of God must be the foundation of it, and the authority of the word the reason of it. You may believe the most important articles of Faith, with no more than a human faith; And this is evermore the cause, when the principle Faith is resolved into, is any other than the holy Scripture. For an orthodox christian to resolve his Faith, into education instruction and the persuasion of others is not an higher reason, than a Papist, Mahometan, or Pagan can produce for his religion.

Pay also unto God the worship, that will bear the trial of and receive establishment by this rule. Have always in readiness a divine warrant for all the worship you perform to God. Believe that worship is accepted and that only, which is directed unto and commanded, and

*Isa. viii. 20. †Rev. xxi. 18, 19. †Jer vi. 16. Mat. xix. 8, or xliv. 17. Mat. xi. 27. 1 John v. 9. Luke x. 26:

hath the promise of a blessing from the word of God. Believe that worship not divinely commanded is in vain,* nor will answer the necessities and expectations of a christian, nd is a worshipping, you know not what. Believe in all divine worship, it is not enough that this or that act of worship is not forbidden in the word of God; if it be not commanded, and you perform it, you may fear that you will be found guilty and exposed to divine displeasure. Nadab and Abihu paid dear for offering in divine worship that which the Lord commanded them

not.

It is an honour done unto Christ, when you account that only decent, Orderly and convenient in his house, which depends upon the institution and appointment of himself, who is the only head and lawgiver of his Church.

III. That you be well grounded in the firm truths of religion. We have willingly taken pains to add the holy scriptures, whereon every point of faith contained in this Confession doth depend, and is borne up by, and commend the same to your diligent perusal, that you be established in the truth and your faith rest upon its proper basis, the word of God. Follow the example of the noble Bereans, search the scriptures, grow in grace and the knowledge of Christ, be not children in understanding, but

*Mat. xv. 9. †John iv. 22. Jer. vii. 22. Lev. .1, 2. Acts xvii. 10, 11. John v. 39. 2 Petr ii. 18. 1 Cor. xiv. 20.

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men. Labour for a sound confirmed knowk edge of these points in the evidence of them. See that they be deeply rooted in your minds and hearts, that so you be not an easy prey to such as lie in wait to deceive. For the want hereof to be condoled is the unhappiness of many ever learning, and never coming, to the knowledge of the truth.t

IV. That having applied the rule of holy scripture to all the Articles of this Confession, and found the same upon trial the unchangeable and eternal truths of God: You remember and hold them fast, contend earnestly for them as the faith once delivered to the saints. Value them as your great charter, the instrument of your salvation, the evidence of your not failing of the grace of God, and receiving a crown that fadeth not away. Maintain them, and every of them all your days with undaunted resolution against all opposition, whatever the event be, and the same transmit safe and pure to posterity: Having bought the truth on no hand sell it. Believe the truth will make you free : Faithful is he that hath promised: So shall none take away your crown.

Finally, Do not think it enough that your faith and order be according to the word of God, but

*Eph. iv. 13. 14.. †2 Tim. iii. 7. Rev. iii. 3. Jude 3. 1 Cor. xv. 18. 1 Cor. xvi. 13. Psal. lxxviii. 5. John xxiii. 23. John viii. 32 ་་ !?

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