USA > Massachusetts > Suffolk County > Boston > Confession of faith, and covenant, also a brief history of Union Church, Essex Street > Part 4
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The Holy Ghost is God.
But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thy heart to lie to the Holy Ghost ? Thou hast not lied unto man, but unto God. Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. Which were born not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. All Scripture is given by inspiration of God. Holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost. Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you ? What ! know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you ? Howbeit, when he, the Spirit of Truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth. For the Holy Ghost shall teach you in the same hour what ye ought to say. And the Holy Ghost descended in a bodily shape like a dove upon him. For the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. Whither shall I go from thy Spirit ? The Spirit of God hath made me. By his Spir- it he garnisheth the heavens. Elsewhere the Holy Ghost is called the eternal Spirit, the Spirit of wisdom and knowledge, the Spirit of prayer -the Spirit of power, the Spirit of holiness, the Holy Spirit, and the Comforter. We are baptized in his name, and prayer is offered to him in the apostolic benediction. Acts 5 : 3, 4. Jn. 3: 5. Jn. 1: 13. 2 Tim. 3:16. 2 Pet. 1: 21. 1 Cor. 3: 16. 1 Cor. 6: 19. Jn. 16: 13. Lk. 12: 13. Lk. 3: 22. 1 Cor. 2: 10. Ps. 139: 7. Job 26: 13. Job 33: 4.
ARTICLE IV.
We believe that God made all things to show forth His own glorious perfections ; that known unto Him are
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all His works from the beginning ; that He governs all things according to the counsel of His own will; and that the principles and administration of His government are perfectly holy, just, and good.
God's Glory the Highest Aim.
Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory, and honor, and power, for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created. For of him, and through him, and to him are all things, to whom be glory forever. Whether, therefore, ye eat or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God. The Lord hath made all things for himself; yea, even the wicked for the day of evil. Rev. 4: 11. Rom. 11: 36. 1 Cor. 10: 31. Prov. 16: 4.
God's Counsels, Purposes, and Decrees.
Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure. According as he hath chosen us in him be- fore the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without · blame before him in love. Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will. To the praise and glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the Beloved. Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure, which he hath purposed in himself. In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will. "And hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habita- tion. Seeing his days are determined, the number of his months are with thee, thou hast appointed his bounds that he cannot pass. And truly the Son of Man goeth as it was determined, but wo unto that man by whom he is betrayed. Him being delivered, by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain. For of a truth against thy holy child Jesus, whom thou hast anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles and the people of Israel, were gathered together, for to do whatsoever thy hand and thy counsel determined before to be done .- Rev. 4: 11. Rom. 11: 36. 1 Cor. 10: 31. Prov. 16: 4. Is. 46 : 10. Eph. 1 : 4, 6, 9, 11. Acts 17: 26. Job 14: 5. Luke 22: 22. Acts 2 : 23. Acts 4 : 27, 28.
ARTICLE V.
We believe that God created man holy, and that he fell from his happy state by sinning against God ; that in
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consequence of the fall, mankind are by nature destitute of holiness and alienated from God, and so continue un- til regenerated by the special influence of the Holy Spirit.
And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. So God created man in his own image (moral likeness) in the image of God created he him. Lo, this only have I found, that God hath made man upright; but they have sought out many inventions. Where- fore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin ; and' so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned. By the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation. By one man's disobedience, many were made (constituted) sinners. Gen. 1: 26, 27. Eccl. 7: 29. Rom. 5: 12, 18, 19.
Unrenewed Men, dead in Sin and Enemies of God.
But I know you, that ye have not the love of God in you. For I know that in me, (that is, in my flesh) dwelleth no good thing. Be cause the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. So then, they that are in the flesh cannot please God. The heart is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked; who can know it ? And God saw that the wick- edness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. What then ? are we better than they ? No, in no wise ; for we have before proved both Jews and Gentiles, that they are all under sin. As it is written, there is none righteous, no, not one. There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God. They are all gone out of the way, they are altogether become unprofitable ; there is none that doeth good, no, not one. Behold, I was shapen in iniquity ; and in sin did my mother conceive me. Who can bring a clean thing out of an un- clean ? not one. What is man that he should be clean ? and he which is born of a woman that he should be righteous ? That which is born of flesh is flesh, (carnal in its views, feelings and affections,) and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit, (spiritual in its views, feelings and affections.) For the imagination of man's heart is evil from his youth. The wicked are estranged from the womb ; they go astray as soon as they be born, speaking lies. Foolishness ( wickedness) is bound in the heart of a child. For I know thou wouldst deal very treacherously, and wast called a transgressor from the womb. Eph. 2: 1. Jn. 5: 42. Rom. 7: 1S. and 8: 7, 8. Jer. 17: 9. Gen. 6: 5. Rom. 3: 9-12. Ps. 51: 5. Job. 14: 4. and 15 : 14. Jn. 3: 6. Gen. 8: 21. Ps. 58: 3. Prov. 22: 15. Is. 48: 8.
In a State of Condemnation.
And were by nature the children of wrath, even as others. Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them. The soul that sinneth it shall die. The wages of sin is death. And these (the wicked) shall go away into ev- erlasting punishment. Eph. 2: 3. Gal. 3: 10. Ezek. 18: 4. Rom. 6: 23. Matt. 25: 46.
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ARTICLE VI.
We believe that the Son of God became incarnate, and by his obedience, sufferings, and death, made a full atonement for sin, and thus opened the way for the salva- -tion of all who believe on Him; and that such repent- ance as arises from supreme love to God, and such faith in Jesus Christ, as includes an affectionate submission to Him, and reliance upon Him for pardon and eternal life, are the indispensable conditions of salvation.
Christ in his Divine Nature, God ; in his Human Na- .ture, Man.
In the beginning was the Word, (Christ) and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. And the Word, (which was God,) was made flesh, and dwelt among us. Who, (Christ,) being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God ; but made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men. For in him (Christ) dwelleth all the fullness of the Godhead bodily. Behold a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a Son, (Christ) and they shall call his name Im- manuel, which, being interpreted, is, God with us. And without con- troversy, great is the mystery of godliness ; God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory. The Jews answered him (Christ) saying, For a good work we stone thee not, but for blas- phemy, and because that thou, being a man, makest thyself God .- John 1 : 1, 14. Philip. 2: 6, 7. Col. 2 : 9. Matt. 1 : 23. 1 Tim. 3: 16. John 10:33.
Atonement for Sin by the Death of Christ.
But ye are come-to Jesus the Mediator of the new covenant. Jesus said unto him, I am the way, and the truth, and the life ; no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. Neither is there salvation in any other, for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved. This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners. Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day : and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations. For this is my blood of the new Testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins. Without shedding of blood is no remission. And if any man sin we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous : and he is the propitiation for our sins ; and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world. Ye were not redeemed with corrupti- ble things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by
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tradition from your fathers ; but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a Lamb without blemish and without spot ; who verily was foreor- dained before the foundation of the world. While we were yet sin- ners Christ died for us. Thou wast slain and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood, out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and na- tion. The Lord is well pleased for his righteousness sake ; he will magnify the law and make it honorable. Heb. 12: 22, 24. John 14 : 6. Acts 4 : 12. 1 Tim. 1: 15. Luke 24: 46, 47. Matt. 26: 28. Heb. 9 : 22. John 2 : 1, 2. 1 Pet. 1: 18-20. Rom. 5: 8. Rev. 5 : 9. Is. 42 : 21.
Faith in his Blood essential to Salvation.
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, to declare I say at this time, his righteousness, that he might be just and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus. For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. Rom. 3 : 25, 26. John 3: 16.
ARTICLE VII.
We believe that the invitations of the Gospel are full and sincere, that all who will may come and partake of , the water of life freely; but that mankind do of their own accord most freely and most wickedly refuse to comply with these conditions, so that none of them do come, unless drawn by the special influence of the Holy Spirit.
God's Invitations to Sinners are most sincere and gra- cious.
Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters. As I live, saith the Lord God, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked. Him that cometh to me, I will in no wise cast out. Make you a new heart and a new spirit : for why will ye die ? Is. 55: 1. Ezek. 33 : 11. Jn. 6 : 37. Ezek. 18 : 31.
Regeneration by the Holy Spirit necessary.
Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. Fol- low peace with all men ; and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord. For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God ; for it is not subject to the law of God, neither in- deed can be. So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God. But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God, for
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they are foolishness unto him, neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you ; and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh. Which were born not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. Not by works of righteousness, which we have done, but ac- cording to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Ghost. John 3: 3. Heb. 12: 14. Gal. 6: 15. Rom. 8: 7. 1 Cor. 2: 14. Ezek. 36: 26. John 1: 13. Titus 3: 5.
ARTICLE VIII.
We believe the influences of the Holy Spirit are not bestowed on account of any previous merit in the sinner, but as the free gift of God. But that these influences are ordinarily so connected with the careful use of means, as imposes the most solemn obligation to attend upon them, and renders hope of conversion in the neg- lect of means, or while living in sin, eminently presump- tuous.
How shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard ? I will therefore that men pray everywhere, lifting up holy hands, with- out wrath or doubting. If thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures ; then shalt thou understand the fear of the Lord. Ask, and it shall be given you ; seek, and ye shall find. Strive to enter in at the strait gate. The kingdom of heaven suffereth vio- lence, and the violent (the earnest and determined seekers) take it by force. Rom. 10: 14. 1 Tim. 2: 8. Prov. 2: 4, 5. Matt. 7: 7. Luke 13: 24. Matt. 11: 12.
ARTICLE IX.
We believe that all who obtain salvation through Christ were "chosen in Him before the foundation of the world," and that all who truly believe in Him are justified on account of his righteousness, and will be kept by the mighty power of God, through faith unto salva- tion.
Election and Predestination.
For whom He did foreknow He also did predestinate, to be conformed to the image of His Son, that he might be the first-born among many brethren. Moreover, whom he did predestinate, them He also called ; and whom He called, them He also justified ; and whom He justified,
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them he also glorified. And when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad, and glorified the word of the Lord ; and as many as were ordain- ed to eternal life, believed. According as he hath chosen us in Him, be- fore the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love. Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to Himself according to the good pleasure of His will. In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being pre- destinated according to the purpose of Him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will." Who hath saved us, and called us with a holy calling ; not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began. Therefore, being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Being confident of this very thing, that He which hath begun a good work in you, will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ. Rom. 8: 29-39. Acts 13: 48. Rom. 9: 11, and 11: 5, 7. Eph. 1: 4, 5, 11. 2 Thess. 2: 13. 2 Tim. 1: 9. 1 Pet. 1: 2. Eph. 2: 8, 9, 10, and 3: 11. Gal. 2: 16. Rom. 3: 20, 24, 28, and 5: 1, and 8: 1. John 5: 24. Phil. 1: 6.
Final Perseverance of the Saints.
They went out from us, but they were not of us, for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out that they might be made manifest, that they were not all of us. For I am persuaded that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principali- ties, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to-come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. And this is the Fa- ther's will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me, I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day. My sheep hear my voice, and I know them ; and they follow me. And I give unto them eternal life ; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. My Father which gave them me is greater than all, and none is able to pluck them out of my Fa- ther's hand. The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord ; and he delighteth in his way. Though he fall he shall not be utterly cast down ; for the Lord upholdeth him with his hand. The righteous also shall hold on his way, and he that hath clean hands shall be stronger and stronger. Moreover, whom he did predestinate, them he also called, and whom he called, them he also justified; and whom he justified, them he also glorified. But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day. Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you, will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ. 1 John 2: 19. Rom. 8: 88, 89. John 6: 39. John 10: 27-29. Psalm 37 : 23, 24. Job 17: 9. Rom. S: 80. Prov. 4: 18. Phil. 1 : 6.
ARTICLE X.
We believe that in this world the Lord Jesus Christ has a visible church -that the terms of membership are a creditable profession of faith in Christ, and of that holi- ness which is wrought by the renewing grace of God ;
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and that habitual communion with God, and conscien- tious attendance upon public, family, and secret worship, and the habitual practice of righteousness, temperance, sobriety, sincerity, and truth, are essential to Christian character.
Unto the church of God, which is at Corinth, to them that are sanc- tified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours. Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, the Lord knoweth them that are his. For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body being many, are one body ; so also is Christ. For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free ; and have all been made to drink into one Spirit. That in the dispensation of the fullness of times, he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth, even in him. And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, which is his body, the fullness of him that filleth all in all. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches. And I say also unto thee, that thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church ; and. the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: they shall prosper that love thee. Not forsaking the assembling of yourselves together, as the manner of some is. Then David returned to bless his house. The Psalmist says,. Evening and morning, and at noon, will I pray and cry aloud. Daniel kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave. thanks before his God as he did aforetime. As for me and my house,. we will serve the Lord. It is good for me to draw near to God. Enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut the door, pray to thy Father. which is in secret. He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty ;. and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city. Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt. Let us watch and be sober. 1 Cor. 1: 2. 2 Tim. 2: 19. '1 Cor. 12: 12, 13. Eph. 1: 10,. 22, 23, Rev. 2: 7. Matt. 16: 18. Psalm 122: 6. Heb. 10: 25. 2 Sam .. 6: 20. Psalm 55: 17. Dan. 6: 10. Josh. 24: 15. Psalm 73: 28. Matt. 6 : 6. Prov. 16: 32. Coloss. 4: 6. 1 Thess. 5: 6.
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ARTICLE XI.
We believe that the sacraments of the New Testa- ment are baptism and the Lord's supper : baptism to be administered only to covenanting believers and their households, and the supper only to believers in regular standing and communion with the church.
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Baptism.
Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Then they that gladly received his word were baptized ; and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls. Matt. 28: 19. Acts. 2: 41.
Household Baptism ; the Seal of the Covenant on Be. lievers and their Children.
And I will establish my covenant between me and thee, and thy seed after thee, in their generation, for an everlasting covenant ; to be a God unto thee, and to thy seed after thee. And God said unto Abra- ham, Thou shalt keep my covenant, therefore, thou and thy seed after thee, in their generations. This is my covenant, which ye shall keep between me and you, and thy seed after thee ; every man child among you shall be circumcised. And ye shall circumcise the flesh of your foreskin ; and it shall be a token of the covenant betwixt me and you. And he that is eight days old, shall be circumcised among you, and every man child in your generations ; he that is born in the house, or bought with money of any stranger, which is not of thy seed. And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith, which he had, yet being uncircumcised, that he might be the father of all them that believe, though they be not circumcised, that righteousness might be imputed to them also. Therefore it is of faith, that it might be by grace, to the end the promise might be sure to all the seed ; not to that only which is of the law, but to that also which is of the faith of Abraham, who is the father of us all. For the promise is unto you and your children. Their children shall also be as aforetime. For the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified by the husband ; else were your children unclean, but now they are holy. But Jesus called them unto him and said, Suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid them not ; for of such is the kingdom of God. And he took them the same hour of the night, and washed their stripes ; and was baptized, he and all his straightway. And when she was baptized, and her household, she besought us, saying, If ye have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come into my house, and abide there. And I baptized also the household of Stephanas. Gen. 17: 7, 9, 10, 11, 12. Rom. 4: 11, 16. Acts 2: 39. Jer. 30: 20. 1 Cor. 7: 14. Luke 18: 16. Acts 16: 33. Acts 16: 15. 1 Cor. 1 : 16.
The Lord's Supper.
And as they were eating, Jesus took bread and blessed it, and brake it, and gave it to his disciples, and said, Take, eat ; this is my body. And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it ; for this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many, for the remission of sins. But I say unto you, I will not drink henceforth of the fruit of the vine, until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father's kingdom. And when they had sung a hymn, they went out into the Mount of Olives. For I have re- ceiyed of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you. That the
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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 was broken for you ; this do in remembrance of me. After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, say- ing, This cup is the New Testament in my blood; this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me. For as often as ye eat this bread and drink this cup, ye do show the Lord's death till he come. And when a stranger shall sojourn with thee, and will keep the passover to the Lord, let all his males be circumcised, and then let him come near and keep it, and he shall be as one that is born in the land ; for no un- circumcised person shall eat thereof. Whosoever, therefore, shall con- fess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven. But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven. Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers ; for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness ? And what communion hath light with darkness ? And what concord hath Christ with Belial ? Or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel ? But unto the wicked God saith, What hast thou to do to declare my statutes, or that thou shouldst take my covenant in thy mouth ? The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomina- tion to the Lord ; but the prayer of the upright is his delight. Matt. 26 : 26-30. 1 Cor. 11 : 23-26. Ex. 12: 48. Matt. 10: 32, 33. 2 Cor. 6 : 14, 15. Ps. 50 : 16. Prov. 15: 8.
ARTICLE XII.
Finally, we believe that at death, and not before, the souls of believers are made perfectly holy, and do imme- diately-pass into glory ; and that the souls of the wicked do, at death, pass immediately to a state of punishment. That at the end of the world, there will be a resurrection of the dead, when all mankind will give to God an ac- count of their conduct, and be judged according to what they have done ; and the righteous, publicly acquitted, . will enter into life eternal ; and the wicked, publicly con- demned, will go away into punishment that will never end.
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