papists who maintained infant baptism, Bartholomew Panten, a pious
brother, also left, before his departure from this world, a testament,
as a last farewell, to his little daughter; in which he, among other
things, admonishes her, how she, when arriving at maturity, should act
with regard to this matter, saying: “My dear child, take this to heart,
and when you attain your understanding, my paternal request to you is,
to join those who fear God, who are by far the least among all people,
but who are nevertheless the true congregation and church of God; who
practice their rule according to the ordinance of the Lord, and the
practice of the apostles, namely, a baptism which is founded upon
faith, and must be received as Christ has commanded, and as is written
in Matthew.”
Then, treating of the words of the holy evangelists, respecting the
unprepared condition in which the Pharisees came to the baptism of
John, and that the latter rebuked them, saying: “O generation of
vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Bring forth
therefore fruits meet for repentance,” he says by way of explanation:
“Here it is to be well understood, that confession is not sufficient,
but that also sorrow of heart, and good works, must be evinced. For,
all outward actions, without renewing the spirit, cannot please God.”
See the beforementioned _Mart. Mirr., p. 924, col. 1_. This matter will
be shown more circumstantially in the account of his martyrdom, for the
year 1592.
NOTE.--We could have filled this century with a very great number
of salutary confessors respecting this article, had we not deemed
this unnecessary and to no purpose; for no one who has but a little
experience in history, will doubt it; since this was not one of the
least points, on account of which an almost countless number of persons
lost their lives in the last persecution, early in this century, and
throughout to the close.
Now, in order to bring this account to an appropriate conclusion, we
deem it not inadvisable, to add here a certain _Confession of Faith_,
which very probably, was once contained in the _History of the pious
Anabaptist Martyrs_, and is declared to have been the summary of their
faith; though it may be (which we would not contradict), that they did
not confess all said articles in precisely this form, but maintained
more or less in regard to this or that point; which, however, if the
true foundation of the same is retained, ought to, according to the
nature of love, be borne with; especially in such persons who did not
spare their dear lives, but gave them unto death, for their God and
Savior. Nevertheless, we do not find that any of them entertained
contrary views, much less, that they opposed said confession; which
incited us the more to insert it here; hoping that it will be
productive of at least some profit or good in these latter sorrowful
and perverted times; the more to confirm the steadfast in the faith, as
well as to give an occasion to the weak, to prove themselves wherein
they have become weak, and how said weakness can be removed.
_About A. D. 1600._--The time when this confession, which we have
just mentioned, was originated, we have not been able definitely to
ascertain; but as it is stated concerning it, that, as far as the sense
is concerned, it was believed, taught, and practiced, by those called
Mennonites, already many years ago, even as at the time, when it was
committed to the printer, namely, when the last persecution was almost
over. We have therefore given it a place about the year 1600; that is
about the close of this century. The title of it is: Confession of
Faith according to the holy Word of God.
CONFESSION OF FAITH, ACCORDING TO THE HOLY WORD OF GOD.
ARTICLE I.
_Of the only God of heaven and earth._. By the grace of God, according
to the import of the holy Scriptures, we believe with the heart, and
confess with the mouth, that there is one only, eternal, almighty,
and true God; who is the Creator of heaven and earth, with all things
visible and invisible; so that all things derive their origin and
being from him alone, and are all sustained, governed and upheld by
his almighty word. He is a just, perfect, holy, incomprehensible and
indescribable, spiritual Being; consisting of or through himself,
Ex. 3:14, and not needing the help or assistance of any thing; but
is himself the origin and fountain of every good thing. From his
overflowing goodness every good and perfect gift proceeds and descends.
And he is the living One, eternal, without beginning or end, an
almighty, true God and Lord of Hosts, a commanding King over all, and
above us all in heaven and earth, a terrible Judge and an avenging,
consuming fire; the true Light, just, righteous and holy, full of grace
and peace, and a God of love and of all comfort, longsuffering and of
great mercy.
And this only good, and only wise, exalted God, who is all in all,
dwells with his worshipful, glorious existence above in heaven, in a
light which no man has seen, nor can see, and is present everywhere
with his Spirit and power, filling heaven and earth, so that heaven
is his throne, and the earth his footstool. From his all-seeing eye
nothing is hid, but he is an omniscient hearer and beholder of the
hearts and secret intents and thoughts of all men; all things being
naked and open unto his eyes. 1 Cor. 4:5; Heb. 4:13.
And since he is such an omniscient God, full of all grace and mercy,
and a God of all comfort, with whom alone the fountain of wisdom and
all good gifts are to be found; and since he will not give this his
divine honor to another, therefore all men are in duty bound, to
seek, by ardent prayer and with a desiring heart, all grace, peace,
forgiveness of sins, and eternal life, in God alone and in none
other.[216]
[216] Since God knows everything, believers can call upon him with a
firm confidence; for he hears their cry and knows their wants.
And to this only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords,
before whose worshipful majesty the angels stand with trembling; whose
word is true, and whose command is powerful; who is a righteous Judge
over all; finally every knee shall bow, and every tongue confess, that
he alone is Lord, to the praise of his glory.
And this only, eternal, true God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, consists
in one true Father, and one true Son, and one true Holy Ghost. And
besides this only God there never has been another, nor ever will be.
Concerning this only, eternal God, read: Hear, O Israel: The Lord our
God is one Lord. Deut. 6:4; Mark 12:29.
Through Isaiah he speaks: For I am God, and there is none else; I am
God, and there is none like me. Is. 46:9; 45:5; 44:6; 43:11; 41:4.
Through Paul he says: That an idol is nothing in the world, and that
there is none other God but one. 1 Cor. 8:4; 12:6; Eph. 4:6.
And in this only God we must necessarily believe to salvation, as the
beginning and foundation of the Christian faith. Read: For he that
cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of
them that diligently seek him. Heb. 11:6.
To believe in this God, is also called a principle of the Christian
doctrine. Read Heb. 6:1; Jas. 2:19. John 17:8; 14:1; Gen. 15:6; Rom.
4:9.
ARTICLE II.
_Of the eternal birth and Godhead of the only and eternal Son of
God_, we confess: That the Son of God was born and proceeded from all
eternity, in an ineffable manner, from the true God, his Father; of
the essence and substance of the almighty God, as a Light from the
true Light, true God from the true God; being in the form of God, the
likeness of the invisible God, the brightness of his glory, and the
express image of his person; so that he was born and proceeded from God
his Father as the brightness of the everlasting light, the immaculate
reflection of the power of God, and the image of his goodness; being
equal with his Father in essence, form, and attributes; as eternal,
almighty, holy, and the like. For it is an inevitable consequence that
like produces like.
Thus, as the stone spoken of by the prophet Daniel, which was cut out
of the mountain without hands, and itself became a great mountain,
is of the same essence and substance with the mountain; so also the
precious, elect corner-stone, Jesus Christ, was born or proceeded from
God the almighty Father (who is called a mountain and rock forever),
and is of the same essence and substance with him. Hence, Christ Jesus,
the only begotten Son of God, is to be believed in, confessed, served,
honored, and worshiped by all believers, as the true God with his
Father. But as this is also a matter of faith, and not of reason or
comprehension, all this must be viewed, believed, judged, and spoken of
not humanly, nor carnally, but divinely and spiritually.
Concerning this high, eternal birth, issue, and Godhead of the Son of
God, read: “Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee.” Ps. 2:7.
“For unto which of the angels said he at any time, Thou art my Son,
this day have I begotten thee? And again, I will be to him a Father,
and he shall be to me a Son. And again, When he bringeth in the
first-begotten into the world.” Heb. 1:5,6.
“So also Christ glorified not himself to be made a high priest; but he
that said unto him, Thou art my Son, to-day have I begotten thee.” Heb.
5:5.
“And we declare unto you glad tidings, how that the promise which
was made unto the fathers, God hath fulfilled the same unto us their
children, in that he raised up Jesus again; as it is also written in
the second Psalm, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee.” Acts
13:32,33. Observe, that this passage of Paul has reference not only
to the raising up of Christ from the dead, but chiefly to his eternal
birth from God his Father.
The prophet Micah, speaking of Bethlehem, says: “Out of thee shall he
come forth that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been
from of old, from everlasting.” Mic. 5:2; John 16:28,30.
Again, Paul says: “Who is the image of the invisible God, the
first-born (mark, _the first-born_) of every creature.” Col. 1:15; Rev.
3:14.
Also John: “No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son
(mark, _the only begotten Son_) which is in the bosom of the Father, he
hath declared him.” John 1:18 and 14.
Read also: Prov. 8:23; Dan. 2:34,45; Syr. 24:13; Rom. 8:29. Concerning
the Godhead of Christ, read: Ps. 45:6; Heb. 1:8; John 1:1 and 20:28;
Rom. 9:5; 1 John 5:20.
ARTICLE III.
_Of the Holy Ghost_ we believe and confess: That there is a true, real
Holy Ghost, also comprehended in the only, eternal, divine essence;
who proceeds from the Father and the Son and is the power of the Most
High, by whom the Father and the Son operate, and through whom heaven
and earth, and all the heavenly host were made. Hence, the divine
attributes are ascribed to him; as eternal, almighty, holy, omniscient;
who searches the deep things of the Godhead, knows what is in God, and
goes through and searches all spirits, however subtle they may be. He
is therefore confessed as the true God with the Father and the Son.
And he is the subtile breath of the power of God, who with his divine
inspiration illuminates and enkindles the heart of man, and confirms
and leads him into all truth. He is given by God unto all who obey him.
All that are led by this Spirit, are the sons of God. He that has not
this Spirit, does not belong to God. He is called the real and earnest
of the inheritance of all true children of God. He who blasphemes this
Spirit, must never expect forgiveness. Christ also commands to baptize
believers in the name of the Holy Ghost.
Concerning this only Spirit of God, read: “In the beginning God created
the heaven and the earth. And the earth was without form and void; and
darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved
upon the face of the waters.” Gen. 1:1,2.
Through Paul we are taught: “There are diversities of gifts, but the
same Spirit.” 1 Cor. 12:4. “But all these worketh that one and the
selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will. 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 been all made to drink
into one Spirit.” 1 Cor. 12:11,13. Read also: 2 Sam. 23:2; Eph. 4:4;
Matt. 10:20; Luke 12:12; Matt. 3:16; John 1:32; Matt. 28:19; Mark 16:16.
ARTICLE IV.
_How Father, Son, and Holy Ghost are to be distinguished in certain
attributes._ Of this we confess: That in the only eternal Divine
Being there are not three mere names; but that each name has its true
signification and attributes; so that there is a true real Father, of
whom all things are; and a true, real Son, by whom are all things; and
a true, real Holy Ghost, through whom the Father and the Son operate.
The Father is the true Father, who begat the Son before all time, and
from whom the Son proceeded and came, and by whom he [the Father]
created and made all things; and through whom the Son was sent to be
the Savior of the world. The Son was born of, proceeded and came from
the Father; by whom the Father created all things, and who was sent by
the Father, and came into the world, and, through the effectual power
of the Most High was conceived by Mary, and born as man. He suffered,
was crucified, died, rose from the dead, ascended to heaven, and
sitteth at the right hand of his Almighty Father in heaven. The Holy
Ghost is he that proceeds from the Father and the Son, and is sent by
them; through whom the Father and the Son operate and work. He speaks
not of himself, but whatsoever he has heard from the Father; he takes
of the things of Christ, to show them to his own.
Hence there are, in the same divine Essence, in heaven, three true
witnesses: the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost; of whom the glory
of the only begotten Son of God appeared really and distinctively, in
the form of a servant, on earth, and was also seen by John the Baptist,
at the Jordan. And the Holy Spirit was also distinctively seen by the
same John to descend, in the form of a dove, from God out of heaven,
upon Christ and abide upon him. And the Father who is an invisible
Spirit, and cannot be seen by mortal eye, let his voice be heard from
heaven: “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”
These three true witnesses are distinctively spoken of, as follows: “If
I bear witness of myself, my witness is not true. There is another that
beareth witness of me.” John 5:31,32.
“I am not alone, but I and the Father that sent me. It is also written
in your law that the testimony of two men is true. I am one that bear
witness of myself, and the Father that sent me, beareth witness of me.”
John 8:16–18,29,54; 1 John 5:20; John 16:32 and 15:24.
Again, Paul says: “There is one God, and one Mediator between God and
men, the man Christ Jesus.” 1 Tim 2:5.
“Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ,
hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both
the Father and the Son.” 2 John 1:9.
Of the Holy Ghost, Christ says: “I will pray the Father, and he shall
give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you forever; even
the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive.” John 14:11,17;
Matt. 12:32.
“But if I depart I will send him unto you. For he shall not speak of
himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak. He shall
glorify me; for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you.”
John 16:7,13,14.
How John, the man of God saw the Holy Ghost in the form of a dove.
Read, “And the Holy Ghost descended in a bodily shape like a dove upon
him, and a voice came from heaven, which said, Thou art my beloved Son;
in thee I am well pleased.” Luke 3:22.
“And John bare record, saying, I saw the Spirit descending from heaven
like a dove, and it abode upon him and I knew him not: but he that sent
me to baptize with water, the same said unto me, Upon whom thou shalt
see the Spirit descending and remaining on him, the same is he which
baptizeth with the Holy Ghost. And I saw, and bare record that this is
the Son of God.” John 1:32–34. Read also Mark 1:10.
“And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water:
and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and John saw the Spirit of
God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him. Matt. 3:16.
Mark, how awfully they sin against the Most High, who, contrary to all
these express words of the Holy Ghost, still dare say and maintain,
that John did not see the Holy Ghost, but only a natural or created
dove.
Hear also how the voice of the Father was heard from heaven: “And lo
a voice from heaven saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well
pleased.” Matt. 3:17.
“For he received from God the Father honor and glory, when there came
such a voice to him from the excellent glory.” 2 Pet. 1:17. Read also:
Ps. 110:1; 2 Esdr. 13:32; John 1:1; 1 Cor. 12:5; 1 John 5:7.
“For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word,
and the Holy Ghost.” 1 John 5:7; 1 Cor. 12:4; Rev. 3:14.
ARTICLE V.
_That these three true witnesses are but one only true God._ Hereupon
we confessed: That this must certainly follow, from the fact, that the
Son proceeded or came forth from the eternal essence and substance of
the Father; and that the Holy Ghost truly proceeds from the Father and
Son, and is comprehended together with the Father and the Son in the
only, eternal Divine Being.[217]
[217] These things are very difficult to understand, and above human
reason; hence they are not to be comprehended by reason, but must
reverently be embraced in faith.
Moreover, this is abundantly testified and confirmed by the divine
works and attributes, which are ascribed in the holy Scriptures jointly
to the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, of which no angels in
heaven, much less, any other creatures are capable, but which belong
and are peculiar to the only God alone; as, the creating, governing,
and upholding of heaven and earth with all things visible and
invisible; the gracious Gospel sent from heaven; the sending out of the
apostles to preach the same among all nations; the raising of man from
the dead, and the giving of eternal life; and all divine worship, honor
and reverence. Hence they are perfectly one, not only in will, words,
and works, but also in essence, and in the eternal and indescribable
godhead. Thus also in the divine works, so that whatsoever the Father
does, the Son does likewise; and as the Father raises up the dead, even
so the Son quickens whom he will; and all this they do in the power
and with the cooperation of the Holy Ghost; and hence they can with
reason and truth be called the _one God of heaven and earth_. Besides
him, there has been no other God, neither shall another be found in all
eternity. Hence in the term _one God_, Father, Son and Holy Ghost are
comprehended.
On this subject read the prophet Jeremiah: “The gods that have not made
the heavens and the earth, even they shall perish from the earth, and
from under these heavens. He hath made the earth by his power, he hath
established the world by his wisdom.” Jer. 10:11,12; Is. 44:24; Ps.
96:5.
“By the word of the Lord were the heavens made; and all the host of
them by the breath of his mouth.” Ps. 33:6; Heb. 3:4; Acts 4:24.
“All things were made by him (Christ); and without him was not anything
made that was made.” John 1:3 and 5:19.
Concerning this perfect unity read: “My Father, which gave them me
(says Christ) is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out
of my Father’s hand. I and my Father are one.” John 10:29,30.
Christ said to Philip: “He that hath seen me hath seen the Father.
Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me?” John
14:9,10; 12:45; 17:21.
How the Holy Ghost is also called God. Read what Peter said to Ananias:
“Why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost?” And a
little further on: “Thou has not lied unto men, but unto God.” Acts
5:3,4.
“Them that have preached the Gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent
down from heaven.” 1 Pet. 1:12.
“The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the
communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen.” 2 Cor. 13:14.
“For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word,
and the Holy Ghost; and these three are one.” 1 John 5:7; Deut. 6:4;
Mark 12:29; 1 Cor. 8:6; Gal. 3:20.
ARTICLE VI.
_Of the creation of all things visible and invisible, and of the
creation of man_ we confess: That the only, almighty, and wonderworking
God, who is the origin of all good, and for whose sake all things
are created, and have their being, created, among other invisible
things, also a multitude of many thousand angels, whom he has put as
ministering and immortal spirits in his worshipful glory, to minister
unto their Creator, and to offer him praise, honor, and thanks; and
who are sent forth by God, as messengers, to minister in manifold ways
for men who shall be heirs of salvation; and with which angels of God,
Christ Jesus shall appear in the clouds of heaven, to hold judgment
over all men. And he shall glorify all that believe and please God, and
make them like the glorious, immortal angels, and crown them with all
holy angels in everlasting glory.
But as some of these angels became unfaithful and apostate to God,
their Creator, they were, through their own voluntary sin or pride,
rejected by the holy and righteous God, who is of purer eyes than to
behold evil, and were cast down from the glorious estate of heaven to
hell, bound with chains of darkness and reserved until the great day of
judgment, to be sentenced with all unbelievers to eternal damnation.
These impure spirits or devils are called: the prince of darkness and
spirit of wickedness, who rules in the air and works in the children of
disobedience; with whom all unbelievers, who are governed and seduced
by Satan, are in fellowship. And as all believers are in the society
or brotherhood of the holy angels, and shall enjoy eternal salvation
with them; so, on the other hand, shall all unbelievers have to endure
everlasting damnation with all impure or apostate angels, with whom
unbelievers are in fellowship.
Likewise, God Almighty, in the beginning, from nothing, in a most
wonderful manner, and above all human reason and comprehension, created
heaven, the earth, and the sea, with all their glorious adornment, he,
the Blessed, only saying: “Let heaven and earth be made; and his word
was a perfect work.” He also adorned the heavens with many glorious
lights; two great lights, one to rule and illume the day, and the other
to rule the night; together with many glorious stars, which he ordained
to the honor of their Creator, and the service of men.
Thus also, the Lord Almighty endowed the earth with many glorious
fountains and running rivers, and adorned it with manifold trees and
animals, and with all that lives and moves thereon. And he created the
sea with great whales and various kinds of fish, for the wants of man,
together with all that lives and moves therein. And he established
the earth out of the water and in the water, by his almighty and
everlasting word. They shall be preserved until the last great day of
judgment.
After God, the Lord, in five days had most wisely and excellently
created heaven, and earth, and the sea, together with all visible
things, he, on the sixth day, formed man from the earth, and breathed
into him the breath of life; and from his rib made Eve, a woman, and
gave her to him as a helpmeet. Moreover, he loved them above all other
creatures, and clothed them like himself with divine virtues, which are
righteousness and true holiness; endowing them with wisdom, speech,
and reason, that they might know, fear, and love their Creator, and
serve him in voluntary obedience. He placed them as lords over all
creatures, endowing them with immortality, that they might be and live
before him, and rule and reign over all creatures which God the Lord
created.
Concerning this wonderful creation, read: “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.” Rev. 4:11.
“For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are
in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions,
or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and in
him.” Col. 1:16; Ps. 33:6.
Regarding the angels, read: “He maketh his angels spirits, and his
ministers a flame of fire. Are they not all ministering spirits, sent
forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?” Heb.
1:7,14; Ps. 104:4.
Concerning the apostasy of the angels, read: “For if God spared not the
angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell, and delivered them unto
chains and darkness, to be reserved unto judgment.” 2 Pet. 2:4; Jude 6;
Luke 10:18; Is. 14:8; Rev. 12:4.