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ARTICLE XIX.

Concerning eating of bread and wine, washing of one another's feet, abstaining from things strangled, and from blood, and anointing of the sick with oil.

The 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 is broken for you; this do in remembrance of me: After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood; this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me; for as oft as ye do eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew forth the Lord's death till he come.' Jesus knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he was come from God, and went to God, he riseth from supper, and laid aside his garments, and took a towel, and girded himself; after that he poured water into a bason, and began to wash the disciples' feet, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith he was girded: So after he had washed their feet, and had taken his garments, and was set down again, he said unto them, Know ye what I have done unto you? Ye call me Master and Lord, and ye say well; for so I am; if then I, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet, ye also ought to wash one another's feet; for I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done unto you. For it seemed good to the Holy Ghost and to us, to lay upon you no greater burthen than these necessary things. That ye abstain from meats offered to idols, from blood, and from things strangled, and from fornication; from which if ye keep yourselves ye do well. Is any man sick among you, let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him anointing him with oil."

(2) John 13. 2, 3, 4, 5. 12 to 15. (4) James 5. 14.

(1) 1 Cor. 11. 23, 24, 25, 26. (3) Acts 15. 28, 29.

ARTICLE XX.

Concerning the liberty of such Christians as are come to know the substance, as to the using or not using of these rites, and of the observation of days.

The kingdom of God is not meat and drink, but righteousness and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.' Let no man therefore judge us in meat or drink, or in respect of an holy day, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days.2 For if we be dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, are we subject to ordinances? Let us not touch, or taste, or handle, which all are to perish with the using, after the commandments and doctrines of men.3 For now, after we have known God, or rather are known of him, why should we turn again unto the weak and beggarly elements, or desire again to be in bondage to observe days and months, and times and years, lest labour have been bestowed on us in vain. If one man esteem a day above another, another esteems every day alike; let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind: He that regardeth a day, regardeth it unto the Lord: and he that regardeth not the day, to the Lord he doth not regard it.5

ARTICLE XXI.

Concerning Swearing, Fighting, and Persecution.

It hath been said by them of old, Thou shalt not forswear thyself, but shalt perform unto the Lord thine oaths but Christ says unto us, Swear not at all; neither by heaven, for it is God's throne; nor by the earth, for it is his footstool; neither by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King; neither shalt thou swear by thy head, because thou canst not make one hair white or black; but let your communication be yea, yea; nay, nay; for whatsoever is more than these, cometh of evil. And James chargeth us, Above all things not to swear; neither by

(1) Rom. 14. 17. (2) Col. 2. 16. 4. 9 to 11. (5) Rom. 14. 5, 6.

(3) Ver. 20 to 22. (6) Mat. 5. 33 to 37.

(4) Gal.

heaven, neither by the earth, neither by any other oath; but let your yea, be yea, and your nay, nay, lest ye fall into condemnation.' Though we walk in the flesh, we are not to war after the flesh; for the weapons of our warfare are not to be carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds, casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ.2 For wars and fightings come of the lusts, that war in the members. Therefore Christ commands, not to resist evil; but whosoever will smite thee on the right cheek, to turn the other also. Because Christians are lambs among wolves. Therefore are they hated of all men for Christ's sake. And all that will live godly in Christ Jesus, must suffer persecution. Such are blessed, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. For though they

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have lost their lives, yet shall they save them. And because they have confessed Christ before men, he will also confess them before the angels of God. We ought not then to fear them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul; but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.

ARTICLE XXII.

Concerning Magistracy.

Let every soul be subject to the higher powers; for there is no power but of God; the powers that be, are ordained of God. Whosoever therefore resists the power, resists the ordinance of God; and they that resist, shall receive to themselves damnation for rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? Do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same; for he is the minister of God to thee for good: but if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth

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not the sword in vain : For he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doth evil. Wherefore we must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience-sake; for, for this cause pay we also tribute; for they are God's ministers, attending continually upon this very thing: Render therefore to all their dues; tribute to whom tribute is due, custom to whom custom, fear to whom fear, honour to whom honour.' Therefore are we to submit ourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake; whether it be to the king, as supreme; or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evil-doers, and for the praise of them that do well. For so is the will of God, that with well-doing, we may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men. Yet it is right in the sight of God, to hearken unto him more than unto them. And though they straitly command us not to teach in Christ's name, we ought to obey God rather than men.4

ARTICLE XXIII.

Concerning the Resurrection.

There shall be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust. They that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil unto the resurrection of damnation.6 Flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption." Nor is that body sown that shall be; but God giveth it a body as it hath pleaseth him, and to every seed his own body: It is sown in corruption, it is raised in incorruption: it is sown in dishonour, it is raised in glory: it is sown in weakness, it is raised in power it is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body.

(2) 1 Pet. 2. 13 to 15.

(1) Rom. 13. 1 to 7. (4) Ch. 5. 28, 29. (5) Ch.24. 15. (6) John 5. 29. (8) 1 Cor. 15. 37, 38, 42 to 44.

15. 50.

(3) Acts 4. 19.

(7) 1 Cor.

CHAPTER XVII.

A short Expostulation, with an appeal to all other professors.

Come, let us reason with you, all ye professors of Christianity, of what sort or kind soever; and bring forth your Catechisms and Confessions of Faith, to that which by most of yourselves is accounted the touch-stone or rule: And suffer yourselves no more to be blinded, and to err through your ignorance of the scriptures, and of the power of God; but freely acknowledge and confess to that glorious gospel and light, which the scriptures so clearly witness to, and your experience must needs answer; as also to these other doctrines, which consequently depend upon the belief of that noble and truly catholic principle, wherein the love of God is so mercifully exhibited to all men, and his justice and mercy do like twins so harmoniously concord; his mercy in the oft tendering of his love, through the strivings and wrestlings of his light, during the day of every man's visitation; and his justice, both in the destroying and cutting away of the wicked nature and spirit, in those that suffer themselves to be redeemed through his judgments; and in the utter overthrow of such, who rebelling against the light, and doing despite to the Spirit of grace, hate to be reformed. Now not only this fundamental principle is clearly held forth in this treatise, but all those that depend upon it, as the real and inward justification of the saints, through the power and life of Jesus revealed in them, their full and perfect redemption from the body of death and sin, as they grow up by the workings and prevalency of his grace. And yet, lest security should enter, there is great need of watchfulness, in that they may even depart after they have really witnessed a good condition, and make ship. wreck of the faith, and of a good conscience, with all the parts of the doctrine of Christ, as they lie linked together like a golden chain, which doth very much evidence the certainty and virtue of truth above all heresies, error and

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