God (who conforms to his holy nature) has from eternity foreseen,
ordained or predestinated, and created, at a convenient time, by far
the greater number of the human race unto eternal damnation; or that,
they having fallen through the sin of the first man Adam, he let them
remain without help in eternal death and condemnation, into which they
had come without their knowledge and own actual evil works, without
having in this case seen and known the just cause of their rejection.
Far be it from us, to believe this from the only good and righteous God!
But, on the other hand, all true followers of Christ believe and
confess: That the righteous God, in the beginning, created man good
and upright, and gave him an existence, and he hates none of those
things which he has created. And when through the subtlety of the devil
they had fallen into eternal death, the blessed God, whose mercy is
over all flesh, and who is not willing that any should perish, out
of pure love and mercy, redeemed, bought, and delivered, through the
atonement of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, the whole human race,
without exception of persons, from eternal condemnation; so that, in
consideration of the death of Christ, none shall perish on account
of Adam’s sin; but God the righteous Judge will judge the world in
righteousness, giving assurance unto all men, and rendering to every
man according to his own works and deeds. The believers, who by patient
continuance in well-doing seek for eternal life, attain glory and honor
and immortality, but the unbelieving and disobedient, tribulation and
anguish, and the everlasting wrath of God.
Concerning the foreknowledge or prescience of God, read: “And hath
determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their
habitation.” Acts 17:26; Deut. 32:8.
“She foreseeth signs and wonders, and the events of seasons and times.”
Wis. 8:8; Dan. 2:28; 5:17.
“O everlasting God, that knowest the secrets, and knowest all things
before they be.” Hist. Sus. v. 42; Is. 46:10; Job 42:2; Rom. 9:11; Acts
2:23,31; 1 Pet. 1:20.
“My substance was not hid from thee, when I was made in secret, and
curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth. Thine eyes did see
my substance, yet being unperfect; and in thy book all my members were
written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was
none of them.” Ps. 139:15,16.
“He knew all things ere ever they were created; so also after they were
perfected he looked upon them all.” Syr. 23:20; Acts 15:18.
Here it is to be observed with attention, how God, through his
prescience, from the beginning elected the believers in Christ, and
rejected the unbelievers. Read: “Hearken, my beloved brethren, hath not
God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith?” etc. Jas. 2:5.
“But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the
wise, and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the
things which are mighty; and base things of the world, and things which
are despised, hath God chosen,” etc. 1 Cor. 1:27,28.
“I have even from the beginning declared it to thee; before it came
to pass I shewed it thee: for I knew that thou wouldest deal very
treacherously, and wast called a transgressor from the womb.” Is.
48:5,8; Mal. 1:2; Rom. 9:13; Eph. 3:11; 2 Tim. 1:9.
“Before they were sealed that have gathered faith for a treasure; then
did I consider these things,” etc. 2 Esdr. 6:5.
“And who, as I, shall call, and shall declare it, and set it in order
for me, since I appointed the ancient people?” Is. 44:7.
“We know that all things work together for good to them that love God,
to them who are the called according to his purpose. For whom he did
foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his
Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover, whom
he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he
also justified.” Rom. 8:28–30.
“Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee, and before thou camest
forth out of the womb I sanctified thee,” etc. Jer. 1:5.
“According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the
world,” etc. Eph. 1:4; 2 Tim. 1:9; John 15:16; Acts 13:48.
ARTICLE XI.
_Of the written word of God, the law of Moses, and the Gospel of
Christ._ We confess: That the old law which was given by Moses and
received by the disposition of angels, was a perfect doctrine and rule
for the descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, with whom God had
made and established this his covenant. According to the doctrine and
tenor of this law, this people had to conduct and regulate themselves,
without transgressing any part of it, or taking away from, or adding
to it, or following their own opinion in regard to it, on pain of being
exterminated, and falling under a great curse. On the other hand, those
who hear, believe and fulfill this law, are promised life, and many
glorious blessings. This blessing and curse extended mostly to temporal
and bodily things.
This law of God--the five books of Moses--embracing also all kings,
priests and prophets, who prophesied and spoke, through the Spirit
of God, among this people, Israel (agreeing with the law of Moses),
which is the entire Old Testament, has through the grace of God
been made known to us in the Bible. This law is also spiritual, the
bringing in of a better hope, and the schoolmaster to Christ. By its
various figures and shadows, as the Levitical priesthood, ceremonies
and sacrifices, the land of Canaan, kings, the city of Jerusalem, and
the temple, it pointed and led to Christ Jesus, because the old law
was an intolerable yoke of bondage, which brought condemnation upon
all who did not continue in, and perform all that is written in the
book of the law. And since men, through the weakness of the flesh,
could not perfectly keep all this, they could not obtain the eternal
blissful life through the law, but would have had to remain under the
wrath and anger of God. But Christ Jesus came, who is the end and the
fulfilling of the old law, and the beginner and author of the new law,
of perfect liberty, and the real, true light, to which all the dark
shadows pointed; he came sent from God, with full power in heaven and
on earth and is the one who has abolished death, and brought life and
immortality to light through the Gospel.
He has made a new covenant with the house of Israel, and the house
of Judah, and has invited thereto all the Gentiles and nations of
the earth, who in time past were strangers and enemies, but who now,
through grace, are all invited, and for whom the way unto life has
been opened and well beaten; so that by obedience through grace, they
may now become fellow-citizens with the saints, and of the household
of God. And this is the word of reconciliation, by which Almighty God,
through his Spirit, works faith, regeneration, and all the good fruits
resulting therefrom in men; in which word of the New Testament are
proclaimed to us full grace and peace, forgiveness of sins, and eternal
life, together with all things that pertain unto life and godliness,
yea, all the counsel of God. According to this proclamation all
believing children of the New Testament must necessarily regulate and
conduct themselves in all matters relating to the faith; in accordance
with which, finally, an eternal judgment will be held. And it is so
much worthier, and better established than the Old Testament, as it
was given through a higher and worthier ambassador, and was sealed
with a more precious blood; and it shall not cease, but continue till
the end of the world. And as a man’s covenant, if it be confirmed, may
not be changed, or anything taken from or added to it, so this New and
everlasting Covenant, which is confirmed with the precious death and
blood of our Lord Jesus Christ, may still much less be diminished, or
anything added thereto, nor may it be bent and distorted according to
one’s own individual opinions; but all Christians are in duty bound to
bow their whole heart, mind and soul under the obedience of Christ and
the mind of the Holy Spirit expressed in the holy Scriptures, and to
regulate and measure their whole faith and conversation according to
the import thereof.
The Old Testament is to be expounded by and reconciled with this New
Testament and must be distinctively taught among the people of God:
Moses with his stern, threatening, punishing law over all impenitent
sinners as still under the law; but Christ with his new, glad tidings
of the holy Gospel over all believing, penitent sinners as not under
the law, but under grace.
To this new law of Jesus Christ all decrees, councils and ordinances
made contrary to it by men in the world, must give place; but all
Christians must necessarily, as far as the faith is concerned, regulate
and conduct themselves only in accordance with this blessed Gospel of
Christ. And as the outward man lives outwardly by the nourishment of
bread; so the inward man of the soul lives by every word proceeding
from the mouth of the Lord. Therefore the word of God must be purely
and sincerely preached, heard, received and kept, by all believers.
Of the law of Moses: how it was written with the finger of God on
tables of stone, and given by the disposition of angels, concerning
this read: Ex. 20:2; Deut. 5:6; John 1:17; Acts 7:53; Ex. 31:18; 32:16.
Of the severity of the law, and how we must neither take away from, nor
add to, it; in regard to this, read: “Cursed be he that confirmeth not
all the words of this law to do them: and all the people shall say,
Amen.” Deut. 27:26; Gal. 3:10.
“What thing soever I command you, observe to do it: thou shalt not add
thereto, nor diminish from it.” Deut. 12:32,8; 29:19; Prov. 30:6; Deut.
4:2.
Of the imperfectness of the law, read: “For the law having a shadow of
good things to come, and not the very image of the things,” etc. Heb.
10:1; Col. 2:17.
“For the priesthood being changed, there is made of necessity a change
also of the law. For there is verily a disannulling of the commandment
going before, for the weakness and unprofitableness thereof. For the
law made nothing perfect, but the bringing in of a better hope did.”
Heb. 7:12,18,19; Gal. 2:16; Acts 13:39; Rom. 8:3.
How Christ is the end and fulfilling of the law; with regard to this,
read: “For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one
that believeth.” Rom. 10:4; Matt. 5:17; Rom. 7:4; Gal. 1:19.
Of the power and dignity of the holy Gospel, read: “For I am not
ashamed of the Gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto
salvation to every one that believeth,” etc. Rom. 1:16; John 1:17; Luke
16:16; Mark 1:15; 1 Pet. 1:12.
“Who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to
light through the Gospel.” 2 Tim. 1:10; 1 Pet. 1:25.
Of the usefulness and power of the holy Gospel, read: “And that from
a child thou hast known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make
thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable
for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in
righteousness: that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished
unto all good works.” 2 Tim. 3:15–17; 2 Peter 3:15.
“Search the Scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life.”
“He that believeth on me, as the Scripture hath said,” etc. John 5:39;
7:38; James 1:21; Matt. 4:4; Deut. 8:3; Wis. 16:26; Revelation 22:18;
Deut. 4:2; 12:32; Prov. 30:6.
“For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our
learning, that we through patience and comfort of the Scriptures might
have hope.” Rom. 15:4.
How Christ Jesus will pronounce the last judgment upon the obedience of
the Gospel, read: “The word that I have spoken, the same shall judge
him in the last day.” John 12:48.
“When the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty
angels, in flaming fire, taking vengeance on them that know not God,
and that obey not the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: who shall be
punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord,”
etc. 2 Thessalonians 1:7–9; Matt. 24:14; Heb. 4:12; Rev. 20:12.
ARTICLE XII.
_Of saving faith._ We confess: That saving faith is not a vain or
hidden thing unborn in man; nor does it consist in us having a
historical knowledge derived from the holy Scriptures, and that we
have much to say about it, without having the real substance or
signification thereof. But the real and true faith, which avails before
God, is a sure knowledge of the heart in a sure confidence, which
we receive from God, not through our own power, will, or ability,
but through the hearing of the word of God; and which, through the
illumination of the Holy Spirit, is imprinted on, and written in,
the heart, and works so effectually in us, that we are drawn away
by it from all visible and perishable things, to the invisible and
living God; acquiring thereby a new spiritual taste for that which
is heavenly, and not for that which is earthly. For saving faith,
accompanied with hope and love, is of such a nature that it conforms
to things not seen. Hence, all true believers gladly and obediently
submit themselves to all the commandments of God, contained in the
holy Scriptures, and, when necessary, testify to and confess them with
the mouth before kings, princes, lords, and all men, not allowing
themselves to be drawn away therefrom by any means whatever, though,
on account thereof, money, property, body and life be sacrificed unto
spoiling, water, and fire. For the power of God, which preserves them
in the faith, strengthens them, so that they esteem all the sufferings
of this time brief and light, not avenging themselves, but praying for
their persecutors, gladly suffering for the name of the Lord what is
imposed upon them, because of the faith, hope, and love which they have
to their Creator and his heavenly riches.
Where this true faith is received in the heart, there the fruits of
the Holy Spirit, as witnesses of the same, must follow and flow out.
On the contrary, unbelief, with its unfruitful works of darkness must
flee, as darkness before the clear sunlight. By this faith, which is
the beginning of the Christian doctrine, we become children of God,
overcome the world, are armed against all the subtle wiles of the
devil, become sanctified, justified, saved, and partakers of all the
benefits of God shown in Christ Jesus; and without this faith it is
impossible to please God.
In this true faith we cannot stand still, but, with humble fasting,
praying and supplicating in the Spirit, we must plead for help,
assistance, and new strength in all divine virtues, unto the end, in
order that God may strengthen and preserve us in the same. Where this
is neglected men may fall from the faith; the good Spirit may be taken
away, and their names blotted out of the Book of Life, and written
again in the earth. To this true faith, which is a noble gift of God,
all men, who have attained to understanding and knowledge, so that
they can hear and understand the word of God, without distinction of
persons, are called through the divine word, and invited to come; but
all infants, and those whom God permits to remain in their infancy are
herefrom excepted and excluded. They are under the grace and pleasure
of God through the atonement of Jesus Christ, by which he, through his
blood, cleansed and redeemed the whole human race from the fall of
Adam, without requiring of them any other means than faith, hope, love
and the observance of certain commandments of God. It is therefore a
great error that some ascribe faith to new born infants; or [that they
say] that without this they cannot be saved. It is a sure sign that
said persons do not know the true faith, and do not believe the words
of Jesus Christ, who has promised the kingdom of heaven to infants
without this.
For, as true faith consists in hearing, believing and accepting the
good things which God offers us through his word; and, again, as
unbelief consists in despising and rejecting those things; and since
infants have neither knowledge, ability, inclination, nor emotion
concerning any of these things, as all intelligent persons see and
know; therefore it must truly follow that neither faith nor unbelief
may be attributed to infants; but they are simple and ignorant, and in
this state perfectly pleasing to God, he having set them as examples
for us, that we should imitate them in their simplicity.
How the true faith is a gift of God, and is wrought in the hearts of
men through the hearing of God’s word, read: “For by grace are ye saved
through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God.” Eph.
2:8; Rom. 12:3; Col. 2:12; Phil. 1:29; Jude 3.
“So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” Rom.
10:17; Heb. 6:2.
With regard to how we must believe in God through his word, read:
“Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe
on me through their word.” John 17:20; Eph. 1:9; John 7:38; 14:1; Heb.
11:6; 1 Pet. 1:21; 2 Tim. 3:15.
Concerning how true faith is not vain, but manifests its effectual
power and nature, read: “By whom we have received grace and
apostleship, for obedience to the faith among all nations,” etc. Rom.
1:5; 16:25; Acts 6:7.
“When ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it
not as the word of men, but, as it is in truth, the word of God, which
effectually worketh also in you that believe.” 1 Thessalonians 2:13.
“In Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth anything, nor
uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love.” Gal. 5:6.
He that does not evince from his faith the seven virtues required, “is
blind, and cannot see afar off,” etc. 2 Pet. 1:9; Jas. 2:26.
“But the just shall live by his faith.” Hab. 2:4; Heb. 10:38; Rom.
1:17; Gal. 3:11.
By faith we become righteous and partakers of the benefits of God. Acts
26:18; Rom. 10:10; Gen. 15:6; Rom. 4:3; Gal. 3:6; Mark 16:16.
We must pray to God, to be strengthened and kept in the faith. Luke
17:5; 1 Pet. 1:5.
When the grace of God is neglected through unbelief and evil works, one
may fall away from the faith, and be blotted out of the Book of Life.
Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall
depart from the faith. 1 Tim. 4:1; 2 Peter 2:1; 1 Tim. 6:10.
“Which for a while believe, and in time of temptation fall away.” Luke
8:13.
“One that returneth from righteousness to sin: the Lord prepareth such
a one for the sword.” Syrach 26:28; Jer. 17:13; Prov. 3:21; Heb. 6:6.
“The Lord said unto Moses, Whosoever hath sinned against me, him will I
blot out of my book.” Ex. 32:33; Rev. 3:5; Ps. 69:29; Isa. 1:2; 30:1;
Jer. 18:7.
How infants are simple and ignorant, and that therefore neither faith
nor unbelief may be imputed to them; but that they are well-pleasing
to God through his grace, without any other means, read: “Moreover,
your little ones, which ye said should be a prey, and your children,
which in that day had no knowledge between good and evil, they shall go
in thither, and unto them will I give it, and they shall possess it.”
Deut. 1:39; Matt. 19:14.
“When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child,
I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish
things.” 1 Corinthians 13:11; Heb. 5:13.
“Brethren, be not children in understanding: howbeit in malice be ye
children.” 1 Corinthians 14:20; Eph. 4:14; Matt. 18:2; 19:13; Mark
10:13; Luke 18:15.
ARTICLE XIII.
_Of regeneration and the new creature_, we confess: Inasmuch as our
first parents, Adam and Eve, through their transgression, separated
themselves from God, and fell into temporal and eternal death, with all
their posterity, and, consequently, lost the image of God, which is
righteousness and true holiness; became depraved in their nature, and
inclined to sin and wickedness from their youth; so that of all men
none can attain unto faith and a godly conversation through the power
of their first birth, which has sprung and proceeded from sinful seed;
because that which is born of the flesh is flesh, and hence, carnally
minded, and the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit
of God; therefore, all men, having come of the earth, shall return to
dust and earth, and, in part, are also like to the corrupted earth,
which of itself does not bring forth good grain, but must thereto be
prepared anew, and sown with good seed. Thus also, all men, when they
have passed their youth, and have come to understand and discern good
and evil, we perceive, that their carnal hearts and earthly life, being
conceived in sin, are inclined to sin, which conceives by its own lust,
which awakens sin in them, and allures and moves them to actual sin;
and thus they fall from grace,--to which they had been redeemed through
the atonement of Christ--which plunges them into the death of sin.
Hence, God the Lord requires and demands through his word, of all men
of understanding, a true reformation and a renewing from these their
own actual sins; that is, that through the hearing of the word of God
they receive the faith, become regenerated from above, of God, be
created anew in the inner mind of the heart, according to the image
of God, and circumcised, being translated from the carnal into the
spiritual, from unbelief into faith, from that which is earthly-minded
and like Adam into that which is heavenly-minded and like Jesus Christ;
that they crucify and mortify their earthly members, and feel, prove,
and taste that which is heavenly, and not that which is earthly. To
this, God promises life, peace, and all heavenly riches; and it is the
sanctification in the spirit of the mind, and the appropriation of all
the benefits of Christ (which have been lost through our own actual
sin), and has the promise of eternal salvation.
And wherever this renewing and conversion of the mind and the
heart is not found (among all those who know sin have served it),
there Christ and the life do not exist; and without this renewing
neither circumcision nor uncircumcision, baptism nor Supper, nor any
ceremonies, however glorious they may appear, avail anything.
And as man in the beginning is brought forth with pain and anguish from
the flesh, so the second, spiritual generation is also called a birth;
and it takes place with godly sorrow over sin, and with the crucifying
and mortifying of the earthly members.
And as men by the fall of Adam were not altogether deprived and
divested of all godly virtues and qualities, so as to become like
Satan in evil, but through the grace of God have retained many good
principles, so the innate sinful nature, affection for, and proneness
to sin are not utterly removed by regeneration, but remain until death
in the regenerated; so that the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the
lust or indwelling sin wars against the law of the new mind, so that
the regenerated enter upon a continuous warfare, and must constantly
crucify and mortify the lusts of the flesh, tame and bring into
subjection their bodies, and abstain from fleshly lusts, which war
against the soul; and thus fighting, they must keep the victory unto
death.