THIRTY-NINE ARTICLES, 21

INTRODUCTORY NOTICE. 25

NOTES. 30

NOTES. 55

ARTICLE I: Of faith in the Holy Trinity. 60

The Propositions. 60

Proposition I: There is but one God, who is living, true, everlasting, without body, parts, or passions: of infinite power, wisdom, and goodness. 60

The proof from the word of God. 60

Errors and adversaries unto this truth. 61

Proposition II: God is the maker and preserver of all things. 62

The proof from God’s word. 62

The errors and adversaries unto these truths. 63

Proposition III: In the Unity of the Godhead there is a Trinity of persons. 64

The proof from God’s word. 64

Errors and adversaries unto this truth. 65

NOTES. 66

ARTICLE II: Of the Word of God which was made very man. 73

The propositions. 73

Proposition I: Christ is very God. 73

The proof from God’s word. 73

The errors and adversaries unto this truth. 74

Proposition II: Christ is very man. 75

The proof from God’s word. 75

The errors and adversaries unto this truth. 76

Proposition III: Christ is God and man, and that in one Person. 77

The proof from Cod’s word’ 77

Errors and adversaries unto this truth. 78

Proposition IV: Christ is the Saviour of mankind. 78

The proof from God’s word. 78

The errors and adversaries unto this truth. 79

NOTES. 80

ARTICLE III: Of the going down of Christ into Hell. 90

The proposition. 90

The proof from God’s word. 90

Errors and adversaries unto this truth. 91

NOTES. 92

ARTICLE IV: Of the Resurrection of Christ. 95

The propositions. 95

Proposition I: Christ is risen from the dead. 95

The proof from God’s word. 95

Errors and adversaries unto this truth. 95

Proposition II: Christ is ascended into heaven. 96

The proof from God’s word. 96

The errors and adversaries unto this truth. 96

Proposition III: Christ shall come again at the last day, to judge all men, even the quick and the dead. 97

The proof from God’s word. 97

Errors and adversaries unto this truth. 98

NOTES. 98

ARTICLE V: Of the Holy Ghost. 104

The propositions. 104

Proposition I: The Holy Ghost is very and eternal God. 104

The proof from God’s word. 104

The errors and adversaries unto this truth. 105

Proposition II: The Holy Ghost is of one substance, majesty, and glory, with the Father and the Son. 105

The proof from the word of God. 105

The errors and adversaries unto this truth. 106

Proposition III: The Holy Ghost proceedeth from the Father and the Son. 106

The proof from God’s word. 107

Errors and adversaries unto this truth. 107

NOTES. 107

ARTICLE VI: Of the sufficiency of the holy Scripture for salvation. 112

The Propositions. 114

Proposition I: The sacred Scripture containeth all things necessary (to be known and believed) for the salvation of man. 114

The proof from God’s word. 114

The errors and adversaries unto this truth. 115

Proposition II: All the books in the volume of the Bible are not canonical, but some are. 116

Adversaries to this truth. 116

Proposition III: The third and fourth Books of Esdras, the Book of Tobias, &c. be Apocrypha. 117

The adversaries unto this truth. 117

Proposition IV.: Of the New Testament all the books are canonical. 118

Errors and adversaries unto this truth. 118

NOTES. 119

ARTICLE VII: Of the Old Testament. 127

The propositions. 127

Proposition I: The Old Testament is not contrary to the New. 127

The proof from God’s word. 127

The adversaries unto this truth. 128

Proposition II: The old fathers looked for eternal happiness through Christ, as well as for temporal blessings. 128

The proof from God’s word. 128

The adversaries unto this truth. 129

Proposition III: Christians are not bound at all to the observation of the Judaical ceremonies. 130

The proof from the word of God. 130

Errors and adversaries to this truth. 130

Proposition IV: The judicial laws of the Jews are not necessarily to be received, or established in any commonwealth. 131

The proof from God’s word. 131

Adversaries unto this truth. 131

Proposition V: No Christian man whosoever is freed from the obedience of the moral law. 132

The proof from God’s word. 132

The errors and adversaries unto this truth. 132

NOTES. 133

ARTICLE VIII: Of the three Creeds. 137

The propositions. 137

Proposition I: The Nicene, Athanasian, and Apostolical Creeds, ought to be received and believed. 137

The adversaries unto this truth. 137

Proposition II: The three Creeds, viz., the Nicene, Athanasian, and of the Apostles, may be proved by the Holy Scripture. 138

The proof from God’s word. 138

Adversaries unto this truth. 138

NOTES. 138

ARTICLE IX: Of Original, or Birth-sin. 141

The propositions. 141

Proposition I: There is original sin. 141

The proof from God’s word. 141

The errors and adversaries unto this truth. 142

Proposition II: Original sin is the fault and corruption of the nature of every man, &c. 143

The proof from God’s word. 143

The adversaries unto this truth. 143

Proposition III: Original sin remaineth in God his dear children. 143

The proof from God’s word. 143

The errors and adversaries unto this truth. 144

Proposition IV: Concupiscence, even in the regenerate, is sin. 144

[The proof from God’s word 31.] 144

Errors and adversaries unto this truth. 145

NOTES. 145

ARTICLE X: Of Free-Will. 152

The propositions. 152

Proposition I: Man of his own strength may do outward and evil works before he is regenerate. 152

The proof from God’s word. 152

Errors and adversaries unto this truth. 152

Proposition II. 152

The proof from God’s word. 153

The adversaries unto this truth. 153

Proposition III. 153

The proof from God’s word. 153

NOTES. 154

ARTICLE XI: Of the Justification of Man. 158

The propositions. 158

Proposition I. 158

The proof from the word of God. 158

Errors and adversaries to this truth. 159

Proposition II: Only by faith are we accounted righteous before God. 161

The proof from God’s word. 161

Proposition III: We are accounted righteous before God, not for our own works or deservings. 162

The proof from God’s word. 162

The errors and adversaries unto this truth. 163

NOTES. 163

ARTICLE XII: Of Good Works. 169

The propositions. 169

Proposition I: Good works do please God. 169

The proof from God’s word. 169

The errors and adversaries unto this truth. 169

Proposition II: No work is good, except it spring from faith. 170

The proof from God’s word. 170

Errors and adversaries unto this truth. 170

Proposition III: Good works are the outward signs of the inward belief. 171

The proof from God’s word. 171

Errors and adversaries unto this truth. 171

NOTES. 172

ARTICLE XIII: Of Works before Justification. 180

The propositions. 180

Proposition I: Works done before justification please not God. 180

The proof from God’s word. 180

Errors and adversaries unto this truth. 180

Proposition II: Works done before justification deserve not grace of congruity. 181

[The proof from God’s word 5.] 181

Errors and adversaries unto this truth. 181

Proposition III: Works done before justification have the nature of sin. 181

The proof from the word of God. 181

The adversaries unto this truth. 181

NOTES. 182

ARTICLE XIV: Of Works of Supererogation. 185

The propositions. 185

Proposition I: Works of supererogation cannot be taught without arrogancy and impiety. 185

The proof from God’s word. 185

The errors and adversaries unto this truth. 186

Proposition II: Works of supererogation are the subversion of godliness and true religion. 186

The proof from God’s word. 186

The adversaries unto this truth. 186

NOTES. 187

ARTICLE XV: Of Christ alone without sin. 189

The propositions. 189

Proposition I: Christ is truly and perfectly righteous. 189

The proof from God’s word. 189

Errors and adversaries to this truth. 189

Proposition II: All men besides Christ, though regenerate, be sinners. 190

The proof from God’s word. 190

The errors and adversaries unto this truth. 190

NOTES. 191

ARTICLE XVI: Of Sin after Baptism. 194

The Propositions. 194

Proposition I: Every sin committed after baptism is not the sin against the Holy Ghost. 194

The proof from God’s word. 194

Errors and adversaries unto this truth. 194

Proposition II: The very regenerate may depart from grace given, and fall into sin, and yet rise again unto newness of life. 195

The proof from the word of God. 195

The adversaries unto this truth. 195

Proposition III: No men utterly are to be cast of as reprobate which unfeignedly repent. 196

[The proof from God’s word.] 196

Errors and adversaries unto this truth. 197

NOTES. 197

ARTICLE XVII: Of Predestination and Election. 202

The Propositions. 202

Proposition I: There is a predestination of men unto everlasting life. 203

The proof from God’s word. 203

The errors and adversaries unto this truth. 204

Proposition II: Predestination hath been from everlasting. 204

The proof from God’s word. 204

Adversaries unto this truth. 204

Proposition III: They which are predestinate unto salvation cannot perish. 204

The proof from God’s word. 204

The errors and adversaries unto this truth. 205

Proposition IV: Not all men, but certain be predestinate to be saved. 205

The proof from God’s word. 205

Adversaries unto this truth. 205

Proposition V: Of the mere will and purpose of God some men in Christ Jesus are elected, and not others, unto salvation. 206

The proof from God’s word. 206

Errors and adversaries unto this truth. 206

Proposition VI: They who are elected unto salvation, if they come unto years of discretion, are called both outwardly by the word, and inwardly by the Spirit of God. 207

The proof from God’s word. 207

Errors and adversaries unto this truth. 208

Proposition VII: The predestinate are both justified by faith, sanctified by the Spirit, and shall be glorified in the life to come. 209

The proof from God’s word. 209

The errors and adversaries unto this truth. 210

Proposition VIII: The consideration of predestination is to the godly wise most comfortable; but to curious and carnal persons very dangerous. 210

The proof from God’s word. 210

Errors and adversaries to this truth. 211

Proposition IX: The general promises of God set forth in the holy scripture are to be embraced of us. 211

The proof from God’s word. 211

The adversaries unto this truth. 212

Proposition X: In our actions the word of God, which is his revealed will, must be our direction. 212

The proof from God’s word. 212

The adversaries unto this truth. 212

NOTES. 213

ARTICLE XVIII: Of obtaining eternal salvation only by the name of Christ. 219

The propositions. 219

Proposition I: The profession of every religion cannot save a man, live he never so virtuously. 219

The proof from the word of God. 219

Errors and adversaries unto this truth. 219

Proposition II: No man ever was, is, or shall be saved, but only by the Name or faith of Jesus Christ. 220

The proof from God’s word. 220

The errors and adversaries unto this truth. 220

NOTES. 221

ARTICLE XIX: Of the Church. 225

The propositions. 225

Proposition I: There is a church of Christ both invisible and visible. 225

The proof from God’s word. 225

The errors and adversaries unto this truth. 226

Proposition II: There is but one Church. 226

The proof from God’s word. 226

The errors and adversaries unto this truth. 227

Proposition III: The visible Church is a Catholic Church. 228

The proof from God’s word. 228

Errors and adversaries unto this truth. 228

Proposition IV: The word of God was, and for time is, before the church. 230

The proof from God’s word. 230

Adversaries unto this truth. 230

Proposition V: The marks and tokens of the visible church are the due and true administration of the word and sacraments. 230

The proof from God’s word. 230

The errors and adversaries unto this truth. 231

Proposition VI: The visible church may, and from time to time hath, erred both in doctrine and conversation. 232

The proof from God’s word. 232

Errors and adversaries unto this truth. 233

Proposition VII: The church of Rome most shamefully hath erred in life, ceremonies, and matters of faith. 233

The proof. 233

Errors and adversaries to this truth. 235

NOTES. 235

ARTICLE XX: Of the Authority of the Church. 247

The propositions. 247

Proposition I: The Church hath power to decree rites or ceremonies. 247

The proof from God’s word. 247

Errors and adversaries unto this truth. 248

Proposition II: The church may not ordain what rites and ceremonies she will. 249

The proof from God’s word. 249

Errors and adversaries unto this truth. 250

Proposition III: The church hath authority to judge and determine in controversies of faith. 251

The proof from God’s word. 251

The errors and adversaries unto this truth.