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ARTICLE XIII.

Concerning Good Works.

If we live after the flesh, we shall die; but if we, through the Spirit, do mortify the deeds of the body, we shall live.' For they which believe in God must be careful to maintain good works. For God will render to every man according to his deeds. According to his righteous judgment, to them who by patient continuance in well-doing, seek for glory, honour and immortality, eternal life: For such are counted worthy of the kingdom of God. And cast not away their confidence, which hath great recompence of reward. Blessed then are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.

ARTICLE XIV.

Concerning Perfection.

Sin shall not have dominion over such as are not under the law, but under grace." For there is no condemnation to those that are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit; for the law of the Spirit of life maketh free from the law of sin and death.8 For such are become dead unto sin, and alive unto righteousness; and being made free from sin, are become servants of righteousness." Therefore ought we to be perfect, as our heavenly Father is perfect.10 For the yoke of Christ is easy, and his burthen is light." And his commandments are not grievous.' And whosoever will enter into life must keep the commandments." Hereby do we know that we know God, if we keep his commandments." He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.15

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Whoso

(4) 2 Thes. (7) Rom. 6. 14.

(11) Ch. (14) 1 John

ever abideth in him, sinneth not; whosoever sinneth, hath not seen him, neither known him.' Let no man deceive us; he that doth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous; he that committeth sin is of the devil; whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.2 For not every one that saith Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doth the will of the Father, which is in heaven. Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing, but the keeping the commandments of God.*

ARTICLE XV.

Concerning Perseverance and falling from Grace.

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We ought to give diligence to make our calling and election sure, which things if we do, we shall never fall." For even Paul kept under his body, and brought it into subjection, lest by any means, when he preached to others, he himself become a cast-away. Let us therefore take heed, lest there be in any of us an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God. Likewise let us labour to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief. For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, and have tasted of the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, if they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance. For he that abideth not in Christ is cast forth, and is withered.10 Yet such as overcome, he will make as pillars in the temple of his God, and they shall go no more out." And these are persuaded, that nothing shall be able to separate them from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus."

(1) 1 John 3. 6.

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(2) Ver. 7, 8, 9.

Cor. 7. 19. (5) 2 Pet. 1. 10.

(8) Ch. 4. 11.

(4) 1 (7) Heb. 3. 12. (10) John 15. 16. (11) Rev.

(3) Mat. 7. 21.

(6) 1 Cor. 9. 27.

(9) Ch. 6. 4, 5, 6.

3. 12.

(12) Rom. 8. 38.

ARTICLE XVI.

Concerning the Church and ministry.

The Church of God is the pillar and ground of truth.' Whereof the dear Son of God is the head." From which all the body by joints and bands, having nourishment ministered and knit together, increaseth with the increase of God. Which church of God are they that are sanctified in Christ Jesus. Who when he ascended up on high, gave gifts unto men: And he gave some apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers, for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry. Who ought to be blameless, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach; not given to wine, no strikers, not greedy of filthy lucre, but patient; not brawlers, nor covetous.6 Lovers of good men, sober, just, holy, temperate, holding fast the faithful word, as they have been taught, that they may be able by sound doctrine, both to exhort and to convince gainsayers." Taking heed to themselves and to the flock, over which the Holy Ghost hath made them overseers, to feed the church of God.8 Taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; neither as being lords over God's heritage, but as being ensamples to the flock. And such elders as rule well, are to be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine.10 And to be esteemed very highly in love for their works' sake." As every man hath received the gift, so ought the same to be ministered: if any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giv eth. Preaching the gospel, not with the wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect.13 Nor yet with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demon. stration of the Spirit and of power; that the faith may not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.1

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(2) Col. 1. 18. (3) Ch. 2. 19. (4) 1 Cor. 1. 2. (6) 1 Tim. 3. 2, 3. (7) Tit. 1. 8, 9. (8) Acts

(1) 1 Tim. 3. 15. (5) Eph. 4. 8, 11, 12. 20. 28. (9) 1 Pet. 5. 2, 3. (12) 1 Pet. 4. 10, 11.

5. 12.

2. 4, 5.

(10) 1 Tim. 5. 17.

(13) 1 Cor. 1. 17.

(11) 1 Thes.

(14) Ch.

Howbeit such speak wisdom among them that are perfect; yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, which cometh to nought; but they speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world to their glory.' Which things they also speak not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth. For it is not they that speak, but the Holy Ghost, or Spirit of the Father, that speaketh in them.3 Who if they sow spiritual things, ought to reap carnal things, for so the Lord hath ordained, that they which preach the gospel, should live of the gospel; for the scripture saith, Thou shalt not muzzle the mouth of the ox that treadeth out the corn; and the labourer is worthy of his reward. Yet a necessity is laid upon them; yea, woe is unto them if they preach not the gospel; and their reward is, that when they preach the gospel, they make the gospel of Christ without charge. Not coveting any man's silver or gold, or apparel; but their hands minister to their necessities, that so labouring, they may support the weak; remembering the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give, than to receive." For they are not of the greedy dogs that can never have enough. Nor of the shepherds that look to their own way, every one for his gain from his quarter. That feed themselves, and not the flock.9 That make the people err, biting with their teeth, and crying peace, and preparing war against all such as put not into their mouths, teaching for hire, and divining for money.10 Nor yet of those which teach things which they ought not, for filthy lucre's sake." That run greedily after the error of Balaam for reward, loving the wages of unrighteousness.12 And through covetousness, with feigned words, making merchandise of souls." Men of corrupt minds, destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness. But they know that godliness with contentment is great gain.15 And having food and raiment, they are therewith content."

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(3) Mat. 10. 20.
(6) Acts 20, 33, 34.
(10) Micah 3. 5, 11.

(13) Ver. 3.

(4) 1 Cor.

(7) Isa.

(11) Tit.

(14) 1

Tim. 6. 5.

ARTICLE XVII.

Concerning Worship.

The hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in Spirit and in truth; for the Father seeketh such to worship him.' God is a Spirit, and they which worship him, must worship him in Spirit and in truth.2 For the Lord is nigh to all them that call upon him, to all that call upon him in truth. He is far from the wicked; but he heareth the prayers of the righteous. And this is the confidence that we have in him, That if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us. What is it then? We must pray with the Spirit, and with the understanding also. Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities; for we know not what we should pray for as we ought; but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us, with groanings which cannot be uttered: And he that searcheth the heart, knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints, according to the will of God."

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ARTICLE XVIII.

Concerning Baptism.

As there is one Lord, one faith, so there is one baptism. Which doth also now save us, not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience towards God, by the resurrection of Jesus Christ. For John indeed baptised with water, but Christ with the Holy Ghost and with fire.10 Therefore as many as are baptised into Jesus Christ, are baptised into his death, and are buried with him by baptism into death, that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so they also should walk in newness of life." Having put on Christ.12

(1) John 4. 23. (2) Ver. 24. 15. 29. (5) 1 John 5. 14. 27. (8) Eph. 4. 5. (11) Rom. 6. 3, 4.

(4) Prov. (7) Rom. 8. 26. (10) Mat. 3. 11.

(3) Psalm 145. 18.
(6) 1 Cor. 14. 15.
(9) 1 Pet. 3. 21, 22.
(12) Gal. 3. 27.

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