Whom he hath chofen, &c.] God by his decree and counsel, secret to us, before the foundation of the world, hath chosen in Chrift out of mankind, a certain number unto eternal life and glory, see Rom. ix. 11, 12, 13.-24, 25. Eph. i. 4, 5, 6.

Are made conformable to the image of his Son, That he might be the first born of many brethren. Rom. viii. 29. Again, Chosen according to the fore-knowledge of God the Father, through fanctification of the Spirit unto obedience; faith Peter, 1 Pet. i. 2. Heb. xii. 24. Again, Created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God before ordained that we (Gentiles as well as Jews) should walk in them. Eph. ii. 10. And that none of them shall perish, but through God's mercy attain to everlasting felicity. Johnx. 28. Rom. viii. 30, 31. 1 Cor. xv. 49. 2 Tim. i. 9.

That this doctrine is full of sweet and unspeakable comfort to the godly minded.) But note, The compilersof these articles were wise, as well as pious and holy men, for we may observe, that tho' the grace of election is asserted in this article, nevertheless severity of reprobation is entirely left untouched upon. And as a father faid, "The doctrine of Predestination is a bottomless "abyss, and it is to little purpose for any man, especially young "ministers, to puzzle themselves, and others, about such deep and " dangerous mysteries." But they advise and exhort,

That we should receive God's promises of falvation and eternal life, as they be generally set forth to us in the holy scriptures, which is freely offered to all men, that will come and receive it by faith in Chrift. See John iii. 15, 16. vi. 37. Matt. vii. 7-xi. 28. Acts. xvi. 31. And it is the duty as well as the interest of every one, so to receive God's promifes for themselves, and leave the issue of it to God; who would have all men come to the knowledge of the truth as it is in Jesus, repent and be saved. See Ezek. xxviii. 23, 32.-xxxiii. 11. 1 Tim. ii. 4. iv. 10 And no one did ever truly repent of their fins (were they ever so heinous) and turn to the Lord, but they were freely forgiven. See 2 Chron. xxx. 12. John vi. 37. Luke xviii. 41.

And though this is most comfortable to the elect, who are called, chosen, and justified freely by God's grace, made fons of God, and heirs of the kingdom of heaven. See Gal. iv. 4. 1 Theff. ii. 18. 1 Pet. i. 3, 4. Yet this is a dreadful downfall to others, who attend not to God's word and promises, whereby the Devil thrufts them either into desperation, or wicked, careless, and most unclean living, &c. See Bp. Beveridge's Notes on this article.

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ART XVIII. Of obtaining eternal Salvation only by the Name of Christ.

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HEY also are to be had accursed, that prefume to say, that every man shall be saved by the Law or Sect which he professeth, so that he be diligent to frame his life according ro that Law, and the Light of Nature. For holy Scripture doth set out unto us only the Name of Jesus Chrift, whereby men must be saved.

They are also to be had accursed that prefume to Say, &c.] That every man is safe, if he be careful to conduct his life according to the religion that he professeth. If this was true, which it is not, then all the heathen and idolatrous nations in the world would be saved; for there is no nation but what profess some fort of religion, and worship some God, or many gods; as they did in old times, so they do now, Jews, Turks, Mahometans, Indians, &c. And these all expect to be eternally saved, as well as the christians. But we have no such warrant from God's word, but quite the reverse. All err that worship not the true God; for there is but one true God. They worship the Beast, the Devil, and the False Prophet, &c. Rev. xiii. 8.-xx. 10. See their end. And the Beast, and the Falje Prophet, the Kings of the earth, &c. and all them that worship his Image, were caft alive into the lake burning with fire and brimstone. Rev. xix. 20. This was shewn unto St. John, of what certainly should be in the end.

The holy scripture teacheth that there is salvation in no other way, or name, but in the name of Jesus Christ only. Chrift himself hath declared it, faying, I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life; life itself; and no man (let him profess what he will) cometh unto the Father but by me. John xiv. 6. And the Apostles also have confirmed this exprefly, faying, There is falvation in no other but Chrift, For there is none other name under heaven, given amongst men, whereby we must be saved, and our fins pardoned. See Acts iv. 12.-x. 43. compare 1 John v. II, 12. All the fathers are very express in this particular article. See also Bp. Beveridge, Archdeacon Welchman, Sherlock on Judgment, and article X.

ART. XIX. Of the Church.

HE visible Church of Christ is

a Congre

pure word of God is preached, and the Sacraments be duly ministered according to Christ Ordinance, in all those things that of neceffity are requisite to the fame.

As the Church of Jerusalem, Alexandria, and Antioch, have erred, so also the Church of Rome hath erred, not only in their living and manner of Ceremonies, but also in matters of Faith.

The visible Church of Christ is, &c.] That God has, and ever had a Church in all ages of the World, is manifest from the Holy Scripture. The Jewish Religion was established by Moses, 1500 years before Chrift, as the books which the Jews had then in poffeffion of the law and the prophets, was written by men inspired by the Holy Ghost, i Pet. 1. which all speak of a Church. And that there is an invisible Church, as well as a visible, is also plain: the Church of Christ being partly visible, and partly invisible. The invisible are all the elect, either now in Heaven, or on Earth, fighting their way through the enemy's country, though they be not seen or perfectly known by us. But Christ knoweth perfectly who are his. John xiii. 18.-x. 14. We being many are one body in Chrift, and members one of another. Rom. xii. 4, 5. 1 Cor. x. 17. Eph. v. 25, 26.

Are a Congregation of faithful men, &c.] Of all nations and languages, rich and poor, young and old, male and female: These all help to make up Christ's visible Church, and it has been fo from the beginning of the world, is now, and will continue, till all and every member of Christ is brought safe home to Glory. Gal. iii. 28. Acts xiii. 39. Rom. x. 4. Luke xiii. 28. Acts ii. 39.-x. 35. Rev. xiii. 8. Matt. xxviii. ro.

Where

Where the pure word of God is preached, &c.] These are the most sure tokens of a true Church. For as one faith, " It is " religion that maketh a Church, and not the Church that " makes Religion; but the Church is to be tried by her Re" ligion. and the visible Church (for the invisible one is not " here spoken of) which confist solely of the Elect). But these " do maintain the Religion established by Christ and his " Apostles, and also profess their belief in the Father, the " Son, and the Holy Ghost, by baptizing their members in " his name, and celebrating that holy Supper, as Christ ap" pointed. And though some error may, and do happen a" mongst them, yet this does not fubvert the foundation of "the Church of Christ, which is founded upon a Rock and "sure." See Matt. xvi. 18. Eph. ii. 20, 21. 1 Tim. iii. 16. 1 Pet. i. 21.

But the Church of Rome, Jerufalem, Antioch, &c.] have greatly erred, both in doctrine and practice. The errors of the Church of Rome are innumerable; profane, idolatrous, devilish. The Pope was first called Antichrist at Rheims, by the conncil there, under Hugh Capet. And Rome has been called Babylon, by St. Augustine, and Hierome: and St. Barnard says, " That " they were hatefull both to Heaven and Earth." From Pope Martin I. to Pope John XXIII. growing from error to error, and from abomination to abomination. And though it is said that Rome, after St. Paul had established the gospel there, kept the Faith free from errors for several ages; yet it became at length, and now is, a most loathsom sink of errors, and iniquity. And if we look into the heads of the Antichristian synogogues, we shall find them just the same, blind, funk in idolatry and unbelief, acting every kind of wickedness. The very synagogue of Satan, as spoken of, Rev. iii. 9.

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ART. XX. Of the Authority of the Church. HE Church hath power to decree Rites, or Ceremonies, and Authority in Controverfies of Faith: And yet it is not lawful for the Church to ordain any thing that is contrary to God's God's Word written, neither may it so expound one place of Scripture, that it be repugnant to another. Wherefore although the Church be a witness and a keeper of holy Writ, yet as it ought not to decree any thing against the fame, so besides the same ought it not to enforce any thing to be believed for neceffity of salvation.

The Church hath power to decree Rites, &c.] By the Church, is here meant they who are vested with Ecclefiaftical Authority, whose business it is to take care that all things be done decently, and in order, according to the word of God, I Cor. xiv. 2. 34, 40. And that the true Faith be preserved, and all errors guarded againft, as Paul writeth to Timothy. O Timothy, keep that which is committed unto thee. - A Bishop must bold fast the faithful word according to found doctrine; that he may be able to exhort, and to reprove, with long fuffering, &c. 1 Tim. iv. 6, 7, 8. vi. 12, 20. To guard against all false prophets, and evil workers. Phil. iii. 2, For many false prophets or teachers do creep in, and spread themselves where-ever the true gospel is preached; and deceive many. Matt. xxiv. 23. 2 Pet. iii. 17. Heb. xiii. 9.

The Church hath authority to judge in Controverfies of Faith, and to interpret and expound the word of God, &c.] "To in

terpret and expound the word of God aright, is a peculiar " blessing, given only to the Church, that is, to those faith" ful ministers whom God has chosen to the work, and not to

every member." Matt. xiii. 11. 1 Cor. xii. 7. xiv. 30. I John ii. 20, 21."

It is not lawful for the Church to ordain any thing contrary to God's word.] These are to be avoided, Rom. xvi. 7. Matt. xvii. 5. Αεις χ. 43. Search the fcriptures. John v. 39. Thy word is truth, John xvii. 17. Ye shall put nothing unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish aught from it. Deut. iv. ii. xii. 32. Rev. xxii. 18. Irenæus and Ignatius, speaking of the Church, fay, "Avoid those corrupt " Trees, which bring forth deadly fruit: and St. Cyprian, We " must by no means depart from the precepts of the Gofpel. "We are not to follow the customs or commands of men, but "the

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