Sample First London Confession of Faith

The
First London
Baptist Confession
of Faith
(1646 Edition with Appendices)
With Proof Texts
(NKJV)
PARTICULAR BAPTIST
HERITAGE BOOKS
Knightstown, Indiana

The First London Baptist Confession of Faith
1646 Edition with Appendices
With Proof Texts (NKJV)
Originally published 1646
First PBHB Edition 2022
Particular Baptist Heritage Books
7346 S. Grant City Rd.
Knightstown, IN 46148
email: info@particularbaptistbooks.com
website: www.ParticularBaptistBooks.com
General Editor: D.W. Barger
Copy Editor: A.J. Hammaker
ISBN: 978-1-64127-023-6
Book cloth – Hardcover – NKJV
Scripture taken from the New King James
Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson.
Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Cataloging data:
1. Baptists – Great Britain – Confessions
2. Baptists – Great Britain – History
3. Particular Baptists – England
Printed and bound in the U.S.A by
MissionBookmakers.com

Published in honor of:
Terry Wolever (1957-2020)
Rev. Gary W. Long (1940-2021)
Beginning in 1995 with the co-founding of the
Particular Baptist Press, their contributions as
both historians and publishers to Baptist
historiography will be forever remembered.
Praise be to the LORD for having blessed the
Calvinistic Baptist churches with such brethren.

CONTENTS
Publisher’s Introduction .................................. ix
Epistle Dedicatory (1646) ............................. xxv
Preface (1646) ............................................... xxvii
1. God ............................................................ 1
2. The Trinity ................................................ 3
3. God’s Decrees .......................................... 4
4. The Fall ..................................................... 8
5. Divine Providence ................................. 10
6. Sovereign Grace ..................................... 11
7. Life Eternal ............................................. 13
8. Scriptural Authority ............................... 14
9. Nature of Jesus Christ ........................... 15
10. Mediator of the Covenant of Grace.... 18
11. Character of Mediator ........................... 19
12. Sacrificial Mediator ................................ 21
13. Exclusive Mediator ................................ 22
14. Necessary Mediator ............................... 23
15. As the Wisdom of God ........................ 25
16. As Complete Prophet ............................ 27
17. As Priest .................................................. 29
18. Nature of His Priesthood ..................... 31
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The First London Baptist Confession of Faith
19. As King ................................................... 34
20. As King All Glorious ............................ 37
21. Election ................................................... 38
22. Saving Faith ............................................ 40
23. Preserving Faith ..................................... 41
24. Cause of Faith ........................................ 43
25. Preaching of the Gospel ....................... 44
26. Gospel Endurance ................................. 46
27. Union with God ..................................... 47
28. Justification ............................................. 48
29. Sanctification .......................................... 49
30. Reconciliation ......................................... 50
31. The Believer’s Warfare .......................... 52
32. The Believer’s Strength ......................... 54
33. The Church ............................................. 55
34. Blessings to the Church ........................ 58
35. Communion of the Saints .................... 59
36. Appointing Church Officers ................ 63
37. Qualifications of Ministers ................... 65
38. Care of Ministers .................................... 66
39. Subjects of Baptism ............................... 67
40. Mode of Baptism ................................... 69
41. Administrator of Baptism ..................... 71
42. Church Discipline .................................. 72
43. Great Care in Discipline ....................... 73
vi

Contents
44. Oversight Responsibility ....................... 75
45. Gifted Brethren ...................................... 76
46. Congregational Unity ............................ 77
47. Inter-Church Dependency ................... 79
48. Obedience to Government .................. 81
49. Obedience to Christ .............................. 84
50. On Christians being Magistrates .......... 88
51. Regard Unto All Men ............................ 89
52. The Final Resurrection ......................... 90
The Conclusion ............................................. 92
Appendix A:
An Appendix to a Confession
of Faith (1646)............................................... 97
1. Divine Wrath .......................................... 99
2. Eternal Punishment ............................... 99
3. Depravity of Man’s Nature ................ 100
4. Effectual Calling ................................... 101
5. Particular Redemption ........................ 101
6. Necessity of Gospel Preaching .......... 102
7. Salvific Faith ......................................... 103
8. Good Works ......................................... 104
9. The Law ................................................ 104
10. Remaining Sin ...................................... 105
11. Personal Examination ......................... 106
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The First London Baptist Confession of Faith
12. Confession of Sin ................................. 107
13. Growth in Grace .................................. 108
14. God’s Free Love .................................. 109
15. Obedience in Baptism ......................... 109
16. Church Membership ........................... 110
17. Perpetuity of the Ordinances ............. 110
18. The New Covenant Ministry .............. 111
19. Communion Participants .................... 112
20. Obedience to God ............................... 113
21. Domestic Duties .................................. 113
Appendix B:
Preface to the 1644 Edition .......................... 117
Preface to the 1651 Edition .......................... 123
Heart Bleedings for Professors’
Abominations .............................................. 129
Appendix C:
The Apostles’ Creed ...................................... 165
The Nicene Creed .......................................... 167
The Athanasian Creed ................................... 169
Scripture Index ............................................... 173
viii

PUBLISHER’S
INTRODUCTION
What has come to be known as The First
London Baptist Confession of Faith finds its
origins among the initial group of English
Particular Baptists, 1 who lived during the
Seventeenth Century (1601-1700). Specifically,
it was the collaborative effort of seven small
and relatively newly formed churches within
London. 2
Their churches were considered nonconformist
gatherings, 3 during a time when
religious toleration was virtually unheard of.
1 As they would later be identified, being Calvinistic
Separatists, which asserted that Christian baptism should
be administered by immersion to only those with a
credible profession of faith. To learn more regarding the
early identity and origin of these separatists, one must
acquaint themselves with: Matthew C. Bingham,
Orthodox Radicals, Baptist Identity in the English Revolution
(London, UK: Oxford University Press, 2019).
2 Leaders from one French congregation also signed
the 1644 edition.
3 A contemptible title given to Protestants who did not
“conform” to the governance and practice of the
established Church of England.
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The First London Baptist Confession of Faith
Therefore, their very existence was not only
illegal, but also accompanied by many
unknown hazards.
Further compounding their difficult situation
was the fact they were falsely accused by others
of:
“…holding Free-will, Falling away from grace,
denying Originall sinne, disclaiming of Magistracy,
denying to assist them [Magistracy] either in
persons or in purse in any of their lawfull
Commands, doing acts unseemly in the dispensing
of the Ordinance of Baptism not to be named
among Christians.” 4
As one historian rightly observed, “no heresy
was too gross to attribute to them, no practice
too wicked…” 5
Surrounded by such conditions, it is no
surprise their churches were often targeted as
objects of great suspicion, and why not a few
4 A Confession of Faith of Seven Congregations or Churches of
Christ in London, which are commonly (but unjustly) called
Anabaptists, Preface (London, 1646).
5 E.B. Underhill, Confessions of Faith of the Baptist Churches
of England in the 17 th Century (London, UK: The Hanserd
Knollys Society, 1854) p.vii.
x

Publisher’s Introduction
of their members suffered cruel treatment at
the hands of others. 6
Relentless slander by their opponents in both
pulpit and print evidenced that these early
Calvinistic Separatists were being confused on
the one hand with the theological errors of the
General Baptists, 7 and on the other hand the
political extremes of the Munster Anabaptists. 8
Such misunderstandings were not only untrue,
but also carried with them immediate dangers
of imprisonment and possibly the death
sentence.
Thus, these London churches could not
afford to delay in confronting the rumors and
accusations being leveled against them.
Utilizing inter-congregational cooperation,
6 William Kiffi[e]n, a signer of the confession shares an
account of being stoned after attending a secret church
meeting. William Orme, Remarkable passages in the life of
William Kiffin written by himself (Knightstown, IN:
Particular Baptist Heritage Books, 2022), p.24.
7 Arminian Separatists which asserted that Christian
baptism should be administered by immersion to only
those with a credible profession.
8 Munster Anabaptists “Munsterites” a radical sect led
by the fanaticism of Jan Matthijs and Jan van Leyden.
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The First London Baptist Confession of Faith
they would unite and employ a proven defense
method typical of the era – a written
confession of their faith. By doing so, their goal
to “demonstrate once and for all their
fundamental solidarity with the international
Calvinist community” 9 would be realized, while
at the same time clarifying their churches’
theological distinctives.
To accomplish this confessional task,
historians have demonstrated that these early
Calvinistic Separatists did not believe it
necessary to abandon the doctrinal
foundations they shared with other
Protestants.
One such example is the work of Dr. B.R.
White, who offers helpful insights explaining
how the original authors of the Frist London
Confession made ample use of the English
Separatist Confession of 1596. 10 Additionally, Dr.
9 Michael A. Haykin, Kiffin,Knollys, Keach-Rediscovering our
English Baptist Heritage (Leeds, UK: Reformation Trust
Today, 1996), p.34.
10 B.R. White, The English Baptists of the Seventeenth Century
(London, UK: Baptist Historical Society-Great Britain,
1963). 62.
xii

Publisher’s Introduction
James Renihan convincingly offers other
possible influences such as William Ames’ The
Marrow of Sacred Divinity; The Points of Difference
believed to be coauthored by William
Ainsworth, and the Confession of My Faith
penned by none other than fellow Particular
Baptist John Spilsbury. 11
The use of such resources, in the compilation
of the First London Confession, proved these
churches to be faithful and responsible
stewards of established biblical truth. Being a
“direct product of the [foregone]
Reformation,” 12 they carefully tested all former
traditions and teachings in light of Holy
Scripture; and if necessary, reformed that
which Scripture could not warrant and
Christian conscious could not yield.
Incredibly, this confessional accomplishment
was established upon the very same theological
principles which previous Protestant reformers
11 James Renihan, ed., True Confessions: Baptist Documents
in the Reformed Family (Palmdale, CA: RBAP, 2004).
12 Michael A.G. Haykin, ed., The British Particular Baptists
1638-1910 (Springfield, MO: Particular Baptist Press,
1998)1:15.
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The First London Baptist Confession of Faith
constructed theirs. However, for these
Calvinistic Separatists, a consistent and logical
application of such principles lead them to
mature doctrinal reforms, which went much
further than their predecessors in addressing
the lingering errors among English
Protestantism – infant baptism and
compulsory religion by force. 13
Thus, the First London Confession of Faith
can be rightfully considered a brave and noble
effort in the historical progress of the former
Protestant Reformation. Perhaps this is the
reason why John Quincy Adams later would
write of the Baptists, they ought to be regarded
as “thorough reformers.” 14
The First London Confession was published
in the year 1644 during a time of considerable
theological debate. Upon its debut critics “were
agreeably surprised to discover how close the
13 Such as the National Covenant (1643-44) placing the
authority of the Presbyterian/Parliamentary State-
Church system over the consciouses of its subjects in all
matters of religion and faith.
14 John Quincy Adams, Baptists: Thorough Reformers
(Conway, AR: Free Grace Press, 2020).
xiv

Publisher’s Introduction
Particular Baptists were to Puritan
orthodoxy.” 15 However, there was a notable
critique written by one of the King’s own
chaplains. 16 In it he states that the confession
lacked clarity regarding how the Particular
Baptists viewed the Magistrate’s role and place
in the affairs of religion. It’s likely that this
critique, in combination with their own desire
to be clearly understood, is what compelled the
London churches to make significant revisions
and republish a second edition of the
confession in 1646. 17
This revised edition benefited from a
supporting document published in the same
year entitled “An Appendix to a Confession of
Faith” written by Benjamin Cox[e]. 18
15 Robert Oliver, Baptist Confession Making 1644 and 1689
(Unpublished paper presented to the Strict Baptist
Historical Society, March 17, 1989).
16 Daniel Featly, The Dippers dipt: or, the Anabaptists duck’d
and plung'd over head and ears, at a Disputation in Southwark
(London, UK, 1645).
17 This explains the expanded footnote associated with
Article 48, Obedience to Government.
18 Benjamin Cox[e] also spelled ‘Cockes’, M.A.
A graduate of Oxford University who later became a
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The First London Baptist Confession of Faith
Mr. Cox[e], who likely was involved in the
confession’s revisions, felt it necessary to
provide “a more full Declaration of the Faith and
Judgment of Baptized Believers” 19 to avoid future
misunderstandings and further substantiate
their orthodoxy.
In following years, the confession would
undergo several more editions that contained
slight corrections, none of which resulted in
significant alterations. The third edition would
be published in 1651 and a fourth in 1652.
These later editions added a tract entitled
“Heart Bleedings for Professors’
Abominations” which has been included in this
republication. A fifth edition is recorded as
being printed in 1653 by a church “usually
meeting at Leith and Edinburgh” 20 who were
Particular Baptist minister and is recorded as having
engaged Richard Baxter in a public debate regarding
infant baptism. Afterward Cox was imprisoned for his
beliefs. See Thomas Crosby, History of the English Baptists
(Lafayette, TN: Church History Research and Archives,
1978 facsimile reprint) 1:220-221.
19 Subtitle to Cox’s Appendix.
20 John Rippon, The Baptist Annual Register, 1794-7
(London: I.R., 1794) 361.
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Publisher’s Introduction
insisting upon their unity, in faith and order,
with the London churches. 21
Approaching the end of the English Civil
Wars (c.1642-51), the Particular Baptist
churches along with other non-conformists
enjoyed limited religious freedoms. Such
welcomed toleration would continue to
increase under Oliver Cromwell’s tenure as
Lord Protector of England (1653-58).
Subsequently, their churches began to
multiply and appear throughout the land. In
fact, “An association, or general assembly, of
the churches in Somersetshire and adjacent
counties, was in consequence formed.” 22
It would be during this favorable providence
under Cromwell, that the First London
Confession of Faith would further gain for
these early Calvinistic Baptists a distinctive
21 Rippon, 361.
22 E.B. Underhill, p. xi; B.R. White, “The Organisation
of the Particular Baptists 1644-1660” Journal of
Ecclesiastical History 27, no. 2 (1966): 209 demonstrates
“General Meetings” being held as early as 1650.
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The First London Baptist Confession of Faith
place in the life of their country as trusted,
orthodox Christians and Englishmen.
Appreciation of such facts demands that the
First London Confession be held in our
modern estimation, as among the most
valuable contribution to the cause of Christ
and His truth which the early English Particular
Baptists produced.
As publishers, we are honored to be able to
place this important work into the durable,
heirloom-quality format that it so richly
deserves.
We have chosen to reproduce the 1646
edition. The reason for this is quite natural,
seeing that after further reflection upon their
1644 edition and taking into careful
consideration the criticism of others, the 1646
edition along with Cox[e]’s Appendix
represents the clearest expression, in general
form, of what these early Particular Baptists
believed to be contained in Holy Scripture.
Additionally, as Appendix B we have
included a few portions which are contained in
the various editions (1644, 51, 52) but not
xviii

Publisher’s Introduction
found in the 1646 edition. We felt this
necessary to give the reader a deeper
understanding of, and appreciation for, the
historical context which surrounded these early
churches.
In the humble estimation of the current
publisher, no Christian confession of faith
ought to be produced without the witness of
the ancient, orthodox church creeds. The
truths preserved in these creedal documents
are many times affirmed in the First London
Confession. Therefore, as Appendix C we have
provided the Apostles’, Nicene, and
Athanasian Creeds.
Regarding our source materials, we are
greatly indebted to the Angus Library at
Regent’s Park College, Oxford for making
available a digital facsimile of the 1646 edition.
This allowed us to compare our work against
the original for accuracy. We also wish to
express with gratitude our sincere appreciation
to Rev. Ron Miller of Covenant Baptist Church
located in Clarksville, TN for providing us a
digital facsimile of the original Appendix by
xix

The First London Baptist Confession of Faith
Benjamin Cox[e]. Without their assistance, this
work would not be possible.
As a publishing guideline when reproducing
historic publications, we wish to allow the
original authors and their writings to speak for
themselves. Great care is given by our copy
editor to ensure our readers receive an accurate
republication of the original. When possible, as
a rule, we have sought to maintain original
spelling, punctuation, and Scripture citations.
However, for sake of clarity and to make this
republication useful to the modern reader,
spelling, and capitalization have been
regularized and modernized throughout, at
times, but the original punctuation and verb
forms have been retained.
This edition of the First London Baptist
Confession of Faith utilizes the New King
James Version for the proof texts without
prejudice to other editions and/or translations.
In not a few instances, the language of the
NKJV is reflected in the language of the
original Confession itself, which makes it a
natural choice for a modern edition. In this
xx

Publisher’s Introduction
republication, several updates have been made
to the overall frame and structure of the
confession with the hope of making it easily
navigable and better utilized by a modern
audience.
The original 1646 edition of the Confession
followed the traditional manner utilizing letters
of the alphabet (except for omitting j and v)
when citing Scripture proof texts. This has
been changed to numerical citations to make
referencing specific scriptures and their
location within the Confession more
convenient (e.g., referencing how Heb. 9:15 is
understood in relation to the covenant of grace
would be 1LCF 10.1).
Additionally, the 1646 edition contains fiftytwo
doctrinal statements. Each statement, or
article in the original is separated by a Roman
numeral. In place of roman numerals, we have
assigned headings to each of the fifty-two
doctrinal statements which best captures the
overall content of the statement. In similar
fashion, article headings were also assigned to
the original Appendix by Cox[e]. These
xxi

The First London Baptist Confession of Faith
combined headings are what make up the table
of Contents for quick referencing.
Lastly, we have also included a Scriptural
Index which lists Scriptures as they are
employed throughout the work including the
several Prefaces from 1644, 1646, 1651, the
body of the Confession, and all Appendices.
Our desire with these updates is that this
republication of the Confession will lend itself
favorably to laymen, students, and teachers
alike, who wish to conveniently explore the
beliefs held by these early Particular Baptists
and begin to incorporate such discoveries into
their understanding of God’s word.
A great deal of energy, effort, and financial
commitment is required to bring such a work
as this into reality. However, despite the
sacrifice, we do so with all confidence, trusting
that you the reader, esteem not only the
sacrificial exertions of our forefathers in the
faith, but also the biblical heritage illustrated in
their doctrines.
We publish this current work to all the world
and for future generations as an affectionate
xxii

Publisher’s Introduction
memorial of their loyalty to conscience, their
fidelity to revealed truth, and of their
steadfastness amidst defamation, difficulty, and
cruel persecution.
Despite all this, those who confessed the
biblical truths contained in this First London
Baptist Confession of Faith with much
patience, courage, and cheerfulness carried on
the work which Christ gave them, to “earnestly
contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the
saints.”
A work which now is happily continuing in
many Baptist churches across the world!
D.W. Barger
Knightstown, IN
February 2022
xxiii

EPISTLE DEDICATORY
(1646)
To the Right Honorable the Lords, Knights, Citizens,
and Burgesses in Parliament assembled.
Right Honorable and most Noble Patriots,
Inasmuch as there hath been a book 1 lately
presented unto you, in whose dedicatory
epistle there are many heinous accusations
unjustly and falsely laid against us, we
conceived it necessary to make some
declaration of our innocency, and (to the end)
humbly to present unto your view this our confession
of faith: Here we unfeignedly declare,
what in our hearts we judge, and what we teach,
and according to this rule we desire and
endeavor, through the grace of God, to lead
our lives. This confession of our faith we send
1 Daniel Featly, The Dippers Dipt. Or, The Anabaptists
Duck’d and Plung’d over Head and Ears (London: N.B.,
1647)
xxv

The First London Baptist Confession of Faith
forth to speak the truth for us, and so to make
our innocency to appear; desiring that the same
light may guide others also to the same way of
truth and of obedience both to God and to the
magistrate, who is the minister of God to us for
good. We hope your Honors will permit us to
speak with modesty in our just defense. And
when any shall provoke you to lift up a hand
against us, we desire you may seriously
consider Gamaliel’s counsel in Acts 5. We take
no thought for ourselves, for the Lord our God
is all sufficient, but we desire and pray that you
may do nothing against Christ, neither in his
members, nor in his ordinances, that there may
be no wrath upon you from the Lord, but that
you knowing the innocent and protecting them
according to the will of God, may for the same
be famous unto all generations, and the
memorial of your names may be precious
among the saints till the coming of King Jesus.
xxvi

PREFACE
(1646)
To the judicious and impartial READER.
COURTEOUS READER;
It is no wonder if it seem strange to thee,
that we should publish a confession of our
faith, who are frequently termed to be heretics
and schismatics, and what not, though unjustly;
neither is it any discouragement unto us,
though this sect (as they call the Anabaptists) is
everywhere spoken against, 1 and in that we are
charged (for Christ’s name sake) with the same
things our Lord Jesus Christ, and his Apostles
were accused of; it’s a mercy, an honor, and a
comfort unto us, when we remember what our
Lord hath said unto us, Blessed are ye when men
shall revile you, and persecute you, and say all manner
of evil falsely, for my sake; rejoice and be exceeding glad,
1 Acts 28:22.
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The First London Baptist Confession of Faith
for great is your reward in heaven, for so persecuted they
the prophets that were before you. 2 The disciple is not
above his master, nor the servant above his Lord; it’s
enough for the disciple that he be as his master, and the
servant as his Lord. If they have called the master of the
house Beelzebub, how much more shall they call them of
his household? 3 If the world hate you, ye know that it
hated me before it hated you: if ye were of the world, the
world would love her own, but because ye are not of the
world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore
the world hateth you. The servant is not greater than the
Lord; if they have persecuted me, they will also persecute
you, etc. All these things will they do unto you for my
name’s sake, because they know not him that sent me; 4
yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall
suffer persecution; 5 but rejoice, inasmuch as ye are
partakers of Christ’s sufferings, that when his glory
shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding
joy. 6
2 Matt. 5:11-12.
3 Matt. 10:24-25.
4 John 15:18-21; see Acts 21:28, 30-31, and 14:22.
5 2 Tim. 3:12.
6 1 Pet. 4:13.
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Preface (1646)
Our Lord Jesus was accused to be a
seditious and mutinous fellow: 7 Paul was called
a pestilent fellow, and a mover of sedition, and
a ringleader of the sect of Nazarenes; saying,
Away with such a fellow, for it is not fit he
should live; saying, This fellow persuadeth men
to worship God contrary to the law: 8 and our
Lord Jesus Christ was accused of perverting
the people, and forbidding to give tribute to
Caesar; and that he and his disciples did teach
novelties, and brake the traditions of the
elders. 9 Christ was accused to have a devil, and
to be mad; saying to the people, Why do ye
hear him? 10 Paul was esteemed to be mad: also
they said, What will this babbler say ? And that
he taught new doctrine, 11 And Christ was
accused to speak blasphemy, and they all
condemned him to be guilty of death. 12 So
7 Luke 23:25.
8 Acts 24:1, 5-6, 8, 18:13.
9 Luke 23:2, 14; Matt. 15:1-9.
10 John 10:20.
11 Acts 26:24-25, 17:18-19.
12 Mark 14:64.
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The First London Baptist Confession of Faith
some are offended at us for meeting in houses
to preach, and would have us punished for it;
notwithstanding, it was Christ’s and his
Apostles’ practice to do so, whose example we
are to follow. Christ taught upon a mountain,
and in a ship. Paul preached from house to
house; also the church met together in an
upper room, where Peter preached; and Paul
preached, and converted Lydia by the river
side; the disciples met together in the night in
an upper room; Paul preached two years in an
hired house, and received all that came unto
him. 13 If he had lived in these days and done
so, it is to be feared some would have
petitioned against him: So some accuse us to
be disturbers of the peace of the
commonwealth; yet all that know us can testify
for us, that we meet together and depart in a
peaceable manner: and from Acts 17:5-7, 14 it
will appear, what persons they were that
13 Matt. 5:1-2, 13:2; Acts 20:20, 1:13, 15-16, 2:2,
16:13-14, 20:7-9, 28:30-31.
14 Acts 17:5-7.
xxx

Preface (1646)
disturbed the public peace, it’s fit such persons
should be taken notice of and accordingly
punished.
So we are blamed, because we frequent not
their temples; we dare not trust in lying words,
saying, The temple of the Lord, the temple of
the Lord are these; we know the Most High
dwelleth not in temples made with hands; and
that we are the temple of the living God; and
that our bodies are the temples of the Holy
Ghost; and that Christ’s Church is not built
with dead stones. 15 And because there are but
a few of us, some conceive we are in an error,
and that the least number should yield to the
greater; then it seems, if the number of the
Papists or Atheists exceed the number of the
Protestants, they must forsake their religion.
God in times past suffered all nations to walk
in their own ways; there was but one true
15 Acts 7:48, 17:24-25; 1 Cor. 3:16, 6:3, 19; 1 Pet. 2:4-5;
John 4:20.
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The First London Baptist Confession of Faith
prophet to 400 false. 16 After three years’
preaching and working miracles by Christ,
there was but a small number: Christ calls his,
a little flock: the Scripture declares the greatest
number followed after the beast. 17 Also those
that preach amongst us are esteemed, as the
Apostles were, to be unlearned and ignorant
men. Apollos was instructed more perfectly in
the way of God by Aquila, a tradesman, and
Priscilla his wife: 18 But the scripture saith; As
every man hath received the gift, even so
minister the same one to another, as good
stewards of the manifold grace of God. 19 Also
some say of us, that we be of several sects, and
that we cannot agree among ourselves. Pilate
and Herod agreed together to crucify Christ;
we dare not agree as the Jews did, that if any
did confess that Jesus was the Christ, he should
16 Acts 14:16; Exod. 23:2; 1 Kgs. 22:6-7.
17 Acts 1:14-15; Luke 12:32; Matt 7:13-14; Rev. 13:7,
16-17.
18 Acts 4:13, 18:1-3, 26.
19 1 Pet. 4:10-11; see 1 Cor. 14:3, 26, 31.
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be put out of the synagogue. 20 The union Christ
prayed for, we desire, and for such an
agreement as agreeth not with the truth, we
may not agree unto, therefore we desire it not; 21
Yet the Paedobaptists differ more among
themselves than we do, and if this their reason
have any strength in it, it is against themselves:
the several sects of Paedobaptists be Papists,
Arians, Nestorians, Pelagians, Donatists,
Eutychians, Grecians, Lutherans, Arminians,
Episcopans, Nicolaites, Calvinists, Zuinglians,
Hussites, and above twenty other several sects,
which are all baptizers of infants, and
notwithstanding, for other points, are all
asunder, and have all rent one from another;
therefore we send them to follow the counsel
of Christ. 22
As the watchman dealt with the Spouse of
Christ, in her seeking her beloved, 23 so they
20 Luke 23:12; John 9:22; see 1 Cor. 1:10-11.
21 John 17:21; Eph. 4:3-17.
22 Matt. 7:3-5.
23 Song. 3:2, 5, 5:6-7.
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deal with us, they finding us out of that
common and broad way themselves walk in,
they smite us, and take away our veil, and veil
us with reproaches, and odious names: to
incense all, both good and bad, against us, that
we may appear vile in the eyes and hearts of all
that behold us, or shall hear of us, 24 which they
endeavor to do, both in pulpit and print, not
fearing to charge us with holding free-will,
falling from grace, denying election, original
sin, children’s salvation, the Old Testament,
and men’s propriety in their estates, and
censuring all to be damned that are not of our
judgment and practice; all which we disclaim,
because they are untrue. And as for the other
things whereof we are accused, we refer those
who desire further satisfaction to the answers
of them: 25 yet by reason of the many
accusations that are cast upon us, although they
24 Acts 16:19.
25 In a small treatise, entitled, Brief Considerations on Dr.
Featly his book, entitled, the Dipper Dipt, by Samuel
Richardson.
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Preface (1646)
cannot prove the things whereof we are
accused, yet the generality of the people are
incensed against us, and are encouraged, and
set on by such, to seek out the place of our
meetings, which are the more private, not
because they are private, but because we have
not any more public places; but if any shall
please to procure us more larger places to meet
in, we are willing to embrace them with
thankfulness and joy, although no man should
speak for us to those in authority, from whom
one word were enough to protect us, from the
violence we should be subject unto; but as it
was then, 26 so it is now; yet must we bear all the
blame; but our God will in his time clear our
innocency, although now many stand looking
upon us as a people (holding such things) not
worthy to live, and are in danger by the rude
multitude gathering together to stone us: and
had it been against our persons only, we would
have held our peace, and committed our cause
26 Acts 17:5-7.
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The First London Baptist Confession of Faith
to God; but considering it is the truth that we
profess that suffers, we may not, nor dare not
be neuters in matters of so high a nature, but
come in and speak to the help of the Lord
against the mighty.
Therefore, to free ourselves and the truth
we profess, from such unjust aspersions, that it
may be at liberty, though we be in bonds, we
have published a brief confession of our faith
(which we conceive most void of contention in
these sad and troublesome times) the thoughts
of our hearts as in the presence of God we here
declare, that it may appear to the consciences
of them that fear God, what wrong we suffer
from some who have ability to cast mists, and
dark clouds, which overshadow the glory of the
truth, and them that profess it. 27 And although
they acknowledge with us that the truth is not
fully discovered, yet they will tie all future
discovery to a former light, and conceive they
do well in so doing. But God will by his truth
27 Jude 14-15.
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Preface (1646)
show their error, and exalt Jesus Christ, the
chief cornerstone, which the builders so much
reject. And lest this should be thought to be the
judgment of some particular persons, this is
done by the consent and appointment of seven
congregations or churches in London, with the
names of some of each of them subscribed in
the behalf of the whole. And although we be
distinct in our meetings, for conveniency; yet
are we one in faith, fellowship, and
communion, holding Jesus Christ for our Head
and Lawgiver, under whose rule and
government we desire to walk, and to follow
the Lamb wheresoever he goeth, that when our
Lord and King shall call us to account, we may
be found ready and worthy to be received into
our Master’s joy. Until which time we desire to
spend these few days we have here to remain,
to the glory of God, the honor of the gospel,
the saints’ comfort, and our country’s good, to
our own account at the great day when Christ
shall come in flaming fire, taking vengeance on
them that know not God, and that obey not the
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The First London Baptist Confession of Faith
gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. 28
Subscribed by us in the behalf of seven
congregations or churches of Christ in
London. As also by a French congregation of
the same judgment.
THOMAS GUNNE
JOHN MABBIT.
JOHN SPILSBERY,
SAMUEL RICHARDSON
PAUL HOBSON.
THOMAS GOARE.
BENJAMIN COCKES.
THOMAS KILIKOP
THOMAS MUNDEN,
GEORGE TIPPING,
WILLAM KIFFEN,
THOMAS PATIENT,
HANSERD KNOLLYS,
THOMAS HOLMS,
DENIS LE BARBIER,
CRISTOPH LE DURET.
28 2 Thess. 1:8.
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A
CONFESSION
OF FAITH
Of Seven Congregations or Churches
of Christ in London, which are
commonly (but unjustly)
called Anabaptists
PUBLISHED
For the vindication of the Truth, and
information of the ignorant; likewise
for the taking off of those aspersions
which are frequently both in Pulpit and
Print unjustly cast upon them
Acts 24:14-15
John 18:23
Matt. 11:12, 19:29
The Second Impression corrected
and enlarged
Published according to Order
London Printed by Matt. Simmons, and are to
be sold by John Hancock in Popes-head Alley.
1646

Appendix A: An Appendix to a Confession of Faith
1. God
The Lord our God is but one God, 1 whose
subsistence is in himself; 2 whose essence
cannot be comprehended by any but himself;
who only hath immortality, dwelling in the light
which no man can approach unto; 3 who is in
himself most holy, 4 every way infinite, 5 in
greatness, 6 wisdom, 7 power, 8 love; merciful and
gracious, 9 long-suffering, and abundant in
goodness and truth, who giveth being, moving,
and preservation to all creatures. 10
1 1 Cor. 8:6. Yet for us there is one God, the Father,
of whom are all things, and we for Him; and one Lord
Jesus Christ, through whom are all things, and through
whom we live. Isa. 44:6. "Thus says the LORD, the
King of Israel, And his Redeemer, the LORD of hosts:
'I am the First and I am the Last; Besides Me there is no
God.' " 46:9. Remember the former things of old, For I
am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is
none like Me.
2 Exod. 3:14. And God said to Moses, "I AM WHO I
AM." And He said, "Thus you shall say to the children
of Israel, 'I AM has sent me to you.' "
3 1 Tim 6:16. Who alone has immortality, dwelling in
unapproachable light, whom no man has seen or can see,
to whom be honor and everlasting power. Amen.
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First London Baptist Confession of Faith
4 Isa. 43:15. "I am the LORD, your Holy One, The
Creator of Israel, your King."
5 Ps. 147:5. Great is our Lord, and mighty in power;
His understanding is infinite.
6 Deut. 32:3. For I proclaim the name of the LORD:
Ascribe greatness to our God.
7 Job 36:5. "Behold, God is mighty, but despises no
one; He is mighty in strength of understanding."
8 Jer. 10:12. He has made the earth by His power, He
has established the world by His wisdom, And has
stretched out the heavens at His discretion.
9 Exod. 34:6-7. And the LORD passed before him
and proclaimed, "The LORD, the LORD God, merciful
and gracious, longsuffering, and abounding in goodness
and truth, keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving
iniquity and transgression and sin, by no means clearing
the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the
children and the children's children to the third and the
fourth generation."
10 Acts 17:28. For in Him we live and move and have
our being, as also some of your own poets have said, 'For
we are also His offspring.' Rom. 11:36. For of Him and
through Him and to Him are all things, to whom be
glory forever. Amen.
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Appendix A: An Appendix to a Confession of Faith
2. The Trinity
In this divine and infinite Being there is the
Father, 1 the Word, 2 and the Holy Spirit, 3 each
having the whole divine essence, 4 yet the
essence undivided; all infinite without any
beginning, therefore but one God, 5 who is not
to be divided in nature, and being, but
distinguished by several peculiar relative
properties.
1 1 Cor. 1:3. Grace to you and peace from God our
Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
2 John 1:1. In the beginning was the Word, and the
Word was with God, and the Word was God.
3 John 15:26. "But when the Helper comes, whom I
shall send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who
proceeds from the Father, He will testify of Me."
4 Exod. 3:14. And God said to Moses, "I AM WHO I
AM." And He said, "Thus you shall say to the children
of Israel, 'I AM has sent me to you.' "
5 1 Cor. 8:6. Yet for us there is one God, the Father,
of whom are all things, and we for Him; and one Lord
Jesus Christ, through whom are all things, and through
whom we live.
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First London Baptist Confession of Faith
3. God’s Decrees
God hath decreed in himself before the world
was concerning all things, 1 whether necessary, 2
accidental or voluntary, with all the
circumstances of them, to work, dispose, and
bring about all things according to the counsel
of his own will, to his glory: (yet without being
the author of sin, or having fellowship with any
therein) in which appears his wisdom in
disposing all things, unchangeableness, power,
and faithfulness in accomplishing his decree:
and God hath before the foundation of the
world, foreordained some men to eternal life,
through Jesus Christ, to the praise and glory of
His grace; leaving the rest in their sin to their
just condemnation, to the praise of his justice. 3
1 Isa. 46:10. Declaring the end from the beginning,
And from ancient times things that are not yet done,
Saying, 'My counsel shall stand, And I will do all My
pleasure.' Eph. 1:11. In Him also we have obtained an
inheritance, being predestined according to the purpose
of Him who works all things according to the counsel of
His will. Rom. 11:33. Oh, the depth of the riches both
of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How
unsearchable are His judgments and His ways past
finding out!
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Appendix A: An Appendix to a Confession of Faith
2 Ps. 115:3. But our God is in heaven; He does
whatever He pleases. 135:6. Whatever the LORD
pleases He does, In heaven and in earth, In the seas and
in all deep places.
2 Ps. 33:15. He fashions their hearts individually; He
considers all their works. 1 Sam. 10:9. So it was, when
he had turned his back to go from Samuel, that God gave
him another heart; and all those signs came to pass that
day. 26. And Saul also went home to Gibeah; and valiant
men went with him, whose hearts God had touched.
Prov. 21:6. Getting treasures by a lying tongue Is the
fleeting fantasy of those who seek death. Exod. 21:13.
However, if he did not lie in wait, but God delivered him
into his hand, then I will appoint for you a place where
he may flee. Prov. 16:33. The lot is cast into the lap, But
its every decision is from the LORD. Ps. 144. Blessed
be the LORD my Rock, Who trains my hands for war,
And my fingers for battle-- My lovingkindness and my
fortress, My high tower and my deliverer, My shield and
the One in whom I take refuge, Who subdues my people
under me. LORD, what is man, that You take knowledge
of him? Or the son of man, that You are mindful of him?
Man is like a breath; His days are like a passing shadow.
Bow down Your heavens, O LORD, and come down;
Touch the mountains, and they shall smoke. Flash forth
lightning and scatter them; Shoot out Your arrows and
destroy them. Stretch out Your hand from above;
Rescue me and deliver me out of great waters, From the
hand of foreigners, Whose mouth speaks vain words,
And whose right hand is a right hand of falsehood. I will
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First London Baptist Confession of Faith
sing a new song to You, O God; On a harp of ten strings
I will sing praises to You, The One who gives salvation
to kings, Who delivers David His servant From the
deadly sword. Rescue me and deliver me from the hand
of foreigners, Whose mouth speaks lying words, And
whose right hand is a right hand of falsehood-- That our
sons may be as plants grown up in their youth; That our
daughters may be as pillars, Sculptured in palace style;
That our barns may be full, Supplying all kinds of
produce; That our sheep may bring forth thousands And
ten thousands in our fields; That our oxen may be wellladen;
That there be no breaking in or going out; That
there be no outcry in our streets. Happy are the people
who are in such a state; Happy are the people whose
God is the LORD! Isa. 45:7. 'I form the light and create
darkness, I make peace and create calamity; I, the
LORD, do all these things.' Jer. 14:22. Are there any
among the idols of the nations that can cause rain? Or
can the heavens give showers? Are You not He, O
LORD our God? Therefore we will wait for You, Since
You have made all these. Matt. 6:28. So why do you
worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field,
how they grow: they neither toil nor spin. 30. Now if
God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is, and
tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not much
more clothe you, O you of little faith? Col. 1:16-17. For
by Him all things were created that are in heaven and
that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones
or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were
created through Him and for Him. And He is before all
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Appendix A: An Appendix to a Confession of Faith
things, and in Him all things consist. Num. 23:19-20.
"God is not a man, that He should lie, Nor a son of man,
that He should repent. Has He said, and will He not do?
Or has He spoken, and will He not make it good Behold,
I have received a command to bless; He has blessed, and
I cannot reverse it." Rom. 3:4. Certainly not! Indeed, let
God be true but every man a liar. As it is written: "That
You may be justified in Your words, And may overcome
when You are judged." Jer. 10:10. But the LORD is the
true God; He is the living God and the everlasting King.
At His wrath the earth will tremble, And the nations will
not be able to endure His indignation. Eph. 1:4-5. just
as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the
world, that we should be holy and without blame before
Him in love, having predestined us to adoption as sons
by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good
pleasure of His will. Jude 4. For certain men have crept
in unnoticed, who long ago were marked out for this
condemnation, ungodly men, who turn the grace of our
God into lewdness and deny the only Lord God and our
Lord Jesus Christ. 6. And the angels who did not keep
their proper domain, but left their own abode, He has
reserved in everlasting chains under darkness for the
judgment of the great day. Prov. 16:4. The LORD has
made all for Himself, Yes, even the wicked for the day
of doom.
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First London Baptist Confession of Faith
50

APPENDIX B
Preface to the First Edition (1644)
Preface to the Third Edition (1651)
Heart Bleedings for Professors’ Abominations,
Original appendix to the 1651, 52 editions.

Appendix B: Heart Bleedings
for Professors’ Abominations
53

APPENDIX C
The Apostles’ Creed
The Nicene Creed
The Athanasian Creed

SCRIPTURE INDEX
Keynotes:
Appx.=Appendix; Pfn.=Preface Footnote.
Example:
Gen. 3:1 is in Article 4 The Fall, citation 4
Num. 16:22 is in Appx. B., citation 10
Exod. 23:2 is in Preface, citation 16
Genesis
1:1 ............................. 4.1
3:1, 4-5 ..................... 4.4
3:15 ........................... 9.1
22:18 ......................... 9.1
49:9-10 ..................... 9.3
49:10 ......................... 9.1
Exodus
3:14 .................... 1.2, 2.4
21:13 .................. 3.3, 5.3
23:2 .................... Pfn. 16
34:6-7 ....................... 1.9
Leviticus
10:1-3 ........ Appx. B. 38
Numbers
16:22 .......... Appx. B. 10
23:19-20 ................... 3.3
Deuteronomy
2:5 ........................... 31.4
6:13 ......................... 50.1
18:15 ............ 14.1, 15.1,
16.1, 16(note)
32:3 ........................... 1.6
1 Samuel
10:9, 26 ..................... 3.3
29:30 ........... Appx. B. 1
1 Kings
22:6-7 ................ Pfn. 16
Job
1:8 ........................... 19.1
36:5 ........................... 1.7
38:11 ......................... 5.1

First London Baptist Confession of Faith
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