A47381:55
The articles of the faith of the Church of Christ
The articles of the faith of the Church of Christ, or, Congregation meeting at Horsley-down Benjamin Keach, pastor, as asserted this 10th of the 6th month, 1697.
London : s.n., 1697
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
Of Faith and Repentance.
XIX. WE believe that Faith is a saving Grace,1 or the most precious Gift of God; and that it is an Instrument whereby we receive, take hold of, and wholly rest upon Jesus Christ, as offered to us in the Gospel. That Repentance unto Life is also a saving Grace,2 whereby a Sinner, out of a true Sense of Sin, and Apprehension of God's Mercy in Christ, doth with Grief and Hatred of his Sins, turn from them. And that tho Repentance is in order of Nature called the first Principle of the Doctrine of Christ, yet we believe no Man can savingly repent,3 unless he believes in Jesus Christ, and apprehends the Free Pardon and Forgiveness of all his Sins through the Blood of the everlasting Covenant, and the Sight and Sense of God's Love in ⟨p. 19⟩a bleeding Saviour; being that only thing that melts and breaks the stony Heart of a poor Sinner,4 as the Sight of a free Pardon from a Prince humbles the stout Heart of a rebellious Malefactor.