Α

OR NO.

TO THE READER.

SIR,-I marvel not that both yourself and others do think my long imprisonment strange, (or rather strangely of me for the sake of that,) for verily I should also have done it myself, had not the Holy Ghost long since forbidden me, 1 Peter, iv. 12; 1 John, iii. 13. Nay, verily, that notwithstanding, had the adversary but fastened the supposition of guilt upon me, my long trials might by this time have put it beyond dispute; for I have not hitherto been so sordid as to stand to a doctrine right or wrong, much less when so weighty an argument as above eleven years' imprisonment is continually dogging of me to weigh, and pause, and pause again, the grounds and foundation of those principles for which I thus have suffered; but having not only at my trial asserted them, but also since, even all this tedious tract of time, in cool blood, a thousand times by the word of God examined them, and found them good, I cannot, I dare not now revolt or deny the same, on pain of eternal damnation.

And that my principles and practice may be open to the view and judgment of all men, (though they stand and fall to none but the word of God alone,) I have in this small treatise presented to this generation, "A Confession of my Faith, and a Reason of my Practice in the Worship of God," by which, although it be brief, candid Christians may, I hope, without a violation to faith or love, judge I may have the root of the matter found in me.

Neither have I in this relation abusively presented my reader with other doctrines or practices than what I held, professed, and preached when

apprehended and cast in prison; nor did I then or now retain a doctrine besides, or which is not thereon grounded. The subject I should have preached upon even then when the constable came was, "Dost thou believe on the Son of God?" from whence I intended to shew the absolute need of faith in Jesus Christ, and that it was also a thing of the highest concern for men to inquire into, and to ask their own hearts whether they had it or no.

Faith and holiness are my professed principles, with an endeavour, so far as in me lieth, to be at peace with all men. What shall I say, let mine enemies themselves be judges, if any thing in these following doctrines, or if aught that any man hath heard me preach, doth or hath, according to the true intent of my words, savoured either of heresy or rebellion. I say again, let they themselves be judges, if aught they find in my writing or preaching doth render me worthy of almost twelve years' imprisonment, or one that deserveth to be hanged, or banished for ever, according to their tremendous sentence. Indeed, my principles are such as lead me to a denial to communicate in the things of the kingdom of Christ with ungodly and open profane; neither can I in or by the superstitious inventions of this world consent that my soul should be governed in any of my approaches to God, because commanded to the contrary, and commended for so refusing. Wherefore, excepting this one thing, for which I ought not to be rebuked, I shall, I trust, in despite of slander and falsehood, discover myself at all times a peaceable and an obedient subject. But if nothing will do, unless I make of my conscience a continual butchery and slaughter

shop, unless putting out my own eyes I commit me to the blind to lead me, (as I doubt is desired by some,) I have determined, the Almighty God being my help and shield, yet to suffer, if frail life might continue so long, even till the moss shall grow on mine eyebrows, rather than thus to violate my faith and principles. "Will a man leave the snow of Lebanon that cometh from the rock of the field? or shall the cold flowing waters that come from another place be forsaken?" Jer. xviii. 14. "Hath a nation changed their gods

which yet are no gods? For all people will walk every one in the name of his god, and we will walk in the name of the Lord our God for ever and ever," Micah, iv. 5.

Touching my practice as to communion with visible saints, although not baptized with water, I say it is my present judgment so to do, and am willing to render a further reason thereof, shall I see the leading hand of God thereto. Thine in bonds for the gospel, JOHN BUNYAN.

1. I BELIEVE that there is but one only true God, and there is none other but he. "To us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things. And this is life eternal, that they might know thee, the only true God," &c., Mark, xii. 32; 1 Cor. viii. 8; John, xvii. 3; Acts, xvii. 24.

2. I believe that this God is almighty, eternal, invisible, incomprehensible, &c. "I am the Almighty God, walk before me, and be thou perfect. The eternal God is thy refuge. Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honour and glory, for ever and ever," Gen. xvii. 1; Deut. xxxiii. 26, 27; 1 Tim. i. 17; Job, xi. 7; Rom. xi. 33.

3. I believe that this God is unspeakably perfect in all his attributes of power, wisdom, justice, truth, holiness, mercy, love, &c.; his power is said to be eternal, his understanding and wisdom infinite; he is called the just Lord, in opposition to all things; he is said to be Truth itself, and the God thereof; there is none holy as the Lord. "God is love. Canst thou by searching find out God? canst thou find out the Almighty unto perfection?" Romans, i. 20; Psalm exlvii. 5; Zeph. iii. 5; 2 Thess. ii. 10; Deut. xxxii. 4; Job, xi. 7.

4. I believe that in the Godhead there are three Persons, or subsistences. "There are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost," 1 John, v. 7. See also Gen. i. 26; iii. 22; xi. 7; and Isa. vi. 8.

5. I believe that these three are, in nature, essence, and eternity, equally one, "These three are one," 1 John, v. 7.

6. I believe "there is a world to come," Heb. ii. 5; vi. 5.

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7. I believe that there shall be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust, Many that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to everlasting shame and contempt. Marvel not at this for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in their graves shall hear his voice, and shall come forth; they that have done good, to the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, to the resurrection of damnation," Acts, xxiv. 15; Dan. xii. 2; John, v. 28.

8. I believe that they that shall be counted

worthy of that world, and of the resurrection from the dead, neither marry nor are given in marriage, neither can they die any more," for they are equal to the angels, and are the children of God, being the children of the resurrection,” Luke, x. 34-36; John, x. 27-29; Rev. vii. 16; | xx. 6.

9. I believe that those that die impenitent shall be tormented with the devil and his angels, and shall be cast with them into the lake that burns with fire and brimstone, "where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched," Rev. xxi. 8; Mark, ix. 43, 48; Matthew, xxv. 41, 46; John, v. 29.

10. I believe that because God is naturally holy and just, even as he is good and merciful, therefore (all having sinned) none can be saved without the means of a Redeemer. "Then he is gracious unto him, and saith, Deliver him from going down to the pit, I have found a ransom. We have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of our sins. For which without shedding of blood is no remission," Job, xxxiii. 24; Col. i. 14; Heb. ix. 22.

11. I believe that Jesus Christ our Lord himself is the Redeemer. "They remembered that God was their rock, and the high God their Redeemer. Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a Lamb without blemish and without spot," Psalm lxxviii. 35; 1 Pet. i. 18, 19.

12. I believe that the great reason why the Lord, the second Person in the Godhead, did clothe himself with our flesh and blood was, that he might be capable of obtaining the redemption that before the world was intended for us. "Forasmuch then as the children were made partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same, (mark) that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil, and deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage. When the fulness of time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, to redeem them that were

under the law. Wherefore it behoved him in all things to be made like unto his brethren; that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God; to make reconciliation for the sins of the people. For in that himself hath suffered, being tempted, he is able also to succour them that are tempted. Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us. As it is written, Cursed is every one that is hanged on a tree. That the blessing of Abraham might come upon the Gentiles, through faith in Jesus Christ," Heb. ii. 14, 15; Gal. iv. 4; Heb. ii. 17, 18; Gal. iii. 13, 14.

13. I believe that the time when he clothed himself with our flesh was in the days of the reign of Cæsar Augustus; then, I say, and not till then, was the Word made flesh, or clothed with our nature. "And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Cæsar Augustus that all the world should be taxed. And Joseph went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, unto Judah, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; because he was of the house and lineage of David: to be taxed, with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child. And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. This child was he of whom godly Simeon was told by the Holy Ghost, when he said, that he should not see death until he had seen the Lord Christ," John, i. 14; 1 Timothy, iii. 16; Luke, ii. 1-3; vi. 25-27.

14. I believe, therefore, that this very child, as afore is testified, is both God and man, the Christ of the living God. “And she brought forth her first-born son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn. And there were in the same country shepherds, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger." Again," But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him; saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name Jesus: for he shall save his people from their sins. Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us," Luke, ii. 7-12; Matt. i. 20-22.

15. I believe, therefore, that the righteousness and redemption by which we that believe stand just before God, as saved from the curse of the law, are the righteousness and redemption that consist in the personal acts and performances of this child Jesus, this God-man, the

Lord's Christ; they consist, I say, in his personal fulfilling the law for us to the utmost requirement of the justice of God. "Do not think (said he) that I am come to destroy the law or the prophets; I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil;" by which means he became the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth. "For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh; so finishing transgressions, and making an end of sins, and making reconciliation for iniquity, he brought in everlasting righteousness," Matt. v. 17; Rom. viii. 3; x. 3; 1 John, iii. 8; 2 Tim. i. 9; Heb. x. 5—10; Dan. ix. 24.

16. I believe that for the completing of this work he was always sinless; did always the things that pleased God's justice, that every one of his acts, both of doing and suffering, and rising again from the dead, was really and infinitely perfect, being done by him as God-man; wherefore his acts before he died are called "the righteousness of God;" his blood, "the blood of God ;" and "herein perceive we the love of God, in that he laid down his life for us." The Godhead which gave virtue to all the acts of the human nature was then in perfect union with it when he hanged upon the cross for our sins, Heb. iv. 15; vii. 26-28; John, viii. 29; xx. 28; Acts, x. 30; xx. 28; Rom. i. 4; iii. 21, 22; 1 John, iii. 16.

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17. I believe, then, that the righteousness that saveth the sinner from the wrath to come is properly and personally Christ's, and ours but as we have union with him, God by grace imputing it to us. “ Yea, doubtless, and I count all things loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, and be found in him, not having my own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith. For of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption. For he hath made him to be sin for us who knew no sin, that we might be made the righteousness of God in him," Phil. iii. 8, 9; 1 Cor. i. 30 ; 2 Cor. v 20, 21.

18. I believe that God, as the reward of Christ's undertakings for us, hath exalted him to his own right hand as our Mediator, and given him a name above every name, and hath made him Lord of all, and Judge of quick and dead; and all this, that we who believe might take courage to believe and hope in God. "And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself unto death, even the death of the cross, (where he died for our sins;) wherefore God hath highly exalted him, and given him a name above every name; that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, both of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things that are under the earth, and that every tongue shall confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. And he commanded us to preach unto the people, and to testify that it was he that was ordained of God to be the Judge of quick and

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