We confess, therefore, that God did fulfill the promise, which he made to the fathers, by the mouth of his holy prophets, [1] when he sent into the world, at the time appointed by him, his own, only-begotten and eternal Son, who took upon him the form of a servant, and became like unto man, [2] really assuming the true human nature, with all its infirmities, sin excepted, [3] being conceived in the womb of the blessed Virgin Mary, by the power of the Holy Ghost, without the means of man, [4] and did not only assume human nature as to the body, but also a true human soul, that he might be a real man. [5] For since the soul was lost as well as the body, it was necessary that he should take both upon him, to save both.

Therefore we confess (in opposition to the heresy of the Anabaptists, who deny that Christ assumed human flesh of his mother) that Christ is become a partaker of the flesh and blood of the children; [6] that he is a fruit of the loins of David after the flesh; [7] made of the seed of David according to the flesh; [8] a fruit of the womb of the Virgin Mary, [9] made of a woman, [10] a branch of David; [11] a shoot of the root of Jesse; [12] sprung from the tribe of Judah;[13] descended from the Jews according to the flesh; [14] of the seed of Abraham, since he took on him the seed of Abraham,[15] and became like unto his brethren in all things, sin excepted, [16] so that in truth he is our Immanuel, that is to say, God with us. [17]

Introduction

1. That there is One Only God.
   
2. By what means God is made known unto us.
   
3. Of the written Word of God.
   
4. Canonical Books of the Holy Scripture.
   
5. From whence the Holy Scriptures derive their dignity and authority.
   
6. The difference between the canonical and apocryphal books.
   
7. The sufficiency of the Holy Scriptures, to be the only rule of faith.
   
8. That God is one in Essence, yet nevertheless distinguished in three Persons.
   
9. The proof of the foregoing article of the Trinity of persons in one God.
   
10. That Jesus Christ is true and eternal God.
    
11. That the Holy Ghost is true and eternal God.
    
12. Of the Creation.
    
13. Of Divine Providence.
    
14. Of the Creation and Fall of man, and his Incapacity to perform what is truly good.
    
15. Of Original Sin.
    
16. Of Eternal Election.
    
17. Of the Recovery of Fallen Man.
    
18. Of the Incarnation of Jesus Christ.
    
19. Of the union and distinction of the two Natures in the person of Christ.
    
20. That God hath manifested his justice and mercy in Christ Jesus.
    
21. Of the satisfaction of Christ, our only High Priest, for us.
    
22. Of Faith in Jesus Christ.
    
23. Of Justification.
    
24. Of man's Sanctification and Good Works.
    
25. Of the abolishing of the Ceremonial Law.
    
26. Of Christ's Intercession.
    
27. Of the Catholic Christian Church.
    
28. That every one is bound to join himself to the true Church.
    
29. Of the marks of the true Church, and wherein she differs from the false Church.
    
30. Concerning the Government of, and Offices in the Church.
    
31. Of the Ministers, Elders, and Deacons.
    
32. Of the Order and Discipline of the Church.
    
33. Of the Sacraments.
    
34. Of Holy Baptism.
    
35. Of the Holy Supper of our Lord Jesus Christ.
    
36. Of Magistrates.
    
37. Of the Last Judgment.
    
    

1. And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots: Isa. 11:1;
   
   As he spake to our fathers, to Abraham, and to his seed for ever. Luke 1:55;
   
   And I will make thy seed to multiply as the stars of heaven, and will give unto thy seed all these countries; and in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; Gen. 26:4;
   
   And when thy days be fulfilled, and thou shalt sleep with thy fathers, I will set up thy seed after thee, which shall proceed out of thy bowels, and I will establish his kingdom. 2 Sam 7:12;
   
   The LORD hath sworn in truth unto David; he will not turn from it; Of the fruit of thy body will I set upon thy throne. Psa. 132:11;
   
   And when he had removed him, he raised up unto them David to be their king; to whom also he gave testimony, and said, I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after mine own heart, which shall fulfil all my will. 23 Of this man's seed hath God according to his promise raised unto Israel a Saviour, Jesus: Acts 13:22,23.
   
   
2. For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; 1 Tim. 2:5;
   
   And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory. 1 Tim. 3;16;
   
   But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: Phil. 2:7.
   
   
3. Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; 15 And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage. Heb. 2:14,15;
   
   For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Heb. 4:15.
   
   
4. And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS. ... Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man? 35 And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God. Luke 1:31,34,35.
   
   
5. Then saith he unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: tarry ye here, and watch with me. Matt. 26:38;
   
   Now is my soul troubled; and what shall I say? Father, save me from this hour: but for this cause came I unto this hour. John 12:27.
   
   
6. Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; Heb. 2:14.
   
   
7. Therefore being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him, that of the fruit of his loins, according to the flesh, he would raise up Christ to sit on his throne Acts 2:30.
   
   
8. The LORD hath sworn in truth unto David; he will not turn from it; Of the fruit of thy body will I set upon thy throne. Psa. 132:11;
   
   Concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh; Rom. 1:3.
   
   
9. And she spake out with a loud voice, and said, Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb. Luke 1:42.
   
   
10. But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, Gal. 4:4.
    
    
11. In those days, and at that time, will I cause the Branch of righteousness to grow up unto David; and he shall execute judgment and righteousness in the land. Jer. 33.15.
    
    
12. And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots: Isa. 11:1.
    
    
13. For it is evident that our Lord sprang out of Juda; of which tribe Moses spake nothing concerning priesthood. Heb. 7:14.
    
    
14. Who are Israelites; to whom pertaineth the adoption, and the glory, and the covenants, and the giving of the law, and the service of God, and the promises; Whose are the fathers, and of whom as concerning the flesh Christ came, who is over all, God blessed for ever. Amen. Rom. 9:4,5.
    
    
15. And in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; because thou hast obeyed my voice. Gen. 22:18;
    
    And when thy days be fulfilled, and thou shalt sleep with thy fathers, I will set up thy seed after thee, which shall proceed out of thy bowels, and I will establish his kingdom. 2 Sam 7:12;
    
    The book of the generation of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham. Matt. 1:1;
    
    Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ. Gal. 3:16.
    
    
16. And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage. For verily he took not on him the nature of angels; but he took on him the seed of Abraham. Wherefore in all things it behoved him 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. Heb. 2:15,16,17.
    
    
17. Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel. Isa. 7:14;
    
    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. Matt. 1:23.