We believe, that this true Church must be governed by that spiritual policy which our Lord hath taught us in his Word; namely, that there must be ministers or pastors to preach the Word of God, and to administer the sacraments; [1] also elders and deacons, who, together with the pastors, form the council of the Church: [2] that by these means true religion may be preserved, and the true doctrine everywhere propagated, likewise transgressors punished and restrained by spiritual means: [3] also that the poor and distressed may be relieved and comforted, according to their necessities. By these means everything will be carried on in the Church with good order and decency, when faithful men are chosen, according to the rule prescribed by St. Paul in his Epistle to Timothy. [4]

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 he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; Eph. 4:11;
   
   And labour, working with our own hands: being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we suffer it: 1 Cor. 4:1,2;
   
   Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God. 2 Cor. 5:20;
   
   Whose soever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them; and whose soever sins ye retain, they are retained. John 20:23;
   
   Delivering thee from the people, and from the Gentiles, unto whom now I send thee, To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me. Acts 26:17,18;
   
   He that heareth you heareth me; and he that despiseth you despiseth me; and he that despiseth me despiseth him that sent me. Luke 10:16.
   
   
2. Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business. Acts 6:3;
   
   And when they had ordained them elders in every church, and had prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord, on whom they believed. Acts 14:23.
   
   
3. And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican. Matt. 18:17;
   
   In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, when ye are gathered together, and my spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus Christ, To deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus. 1 Cor. 5:4,5.
   
   
4. This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work. ... 1 Tim. 3:1, &c
   
   For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting, and ordain elders in every city, as I had appointed thee: ... Titus 1:5, &c.