Heads of Agreement BETWEEN Mr. Chauncy, &c. AND Mr. Williams, &c.
WHereas some Differences have of late arisen, occasioned by a Book written by Mr. Williams Intituled Gospel Wherein Doctor Crisps Works reprinted are considered. Truths stated, and vindicated, and by certain Books written by Mr. Chauncy, in opposition thereto; and by an Approbation of divers of us prefixed to Mr. Williams his Book, and by a Paper subscribed by Mr. Griffith, [Page 2]Mr. Cole, Mr. Mather, Mr. Trayle. and Mr. Ri. Taylor, in conjunction with Mr. Chauncy, expressing their Dissatisfaction therein.
1. It is hereby respectively declared, That neither they, who subscribed that Approbation prefixed to Mr. Williams his Book, did therein more than signifie (as their own words express) that they judged he had in all that was material, fully, and rightly stated the Truths and Errors therein mentioned as such, without delivering their sense about the Preface, Explications, or Proofs thereto belonging, which Declaration is not to be esteemed as a Disapproval of the said Preface, Explications, or Proofs: Nor they, who with Mr. Chauncy, subscribed the abovesaid Paper, did therein offer any particular Exceptions against the said state of Truths, and Errors, which [...]et is not to be understood as an Approval of that State of Truth, and Errors.
2. That in order to the more effectual Composing of matters in Controversie, we all of us, having referr'd our selves to the Holy Scriptures, and the Doctrinal Articles of the Church of England, the Westminster, and Savoy Confessions, the Larger, and Shorter Catechisms, do subscribe these following Propositions, as what [Page 3]do most fully provide against the Arminian, Antinomian, Socinian, and Popish Errors; and shall always be content, that any Sermons or Books of ours be interpreted by the said Articles, and Confessions; desiring all others, if they meet with any expressions from any of us, that are to them of Doubtful signification, they would judge of them, and interpret them by the Holy Scriptures, and said Articles and Confessions.
1. Of the Fall of Man, of Sin, and of the Punishment thereof.
1. OUR First Parents being seduced by the Subtilty and Temptation of Satan, sinn'd in eating the Forbidden Fruit.Gen. 3.13. 2 Cor. 11.3. This their Sin God was pleased according to his Wise and Holy Counsel to permit, having purposed to order it to his own Glory.Rom. 11.32.
2. By this Sin they fell from their Original Righteousness, and Communion with God,Gen. 3.6, 7, 8. Eccles. 7.29. and so became Dead in Sin,Gen. 2.17. Ephes. 2.1. and wholly defiled in all the Faculties and Parts of the Soul and Body.Tit. 1.15. Gen. 6.5. Jer. 17.9. Rom. 3.10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18.
3. They being the Root of all Mankind the [Page 4]Guilt of this Sin was imputed,Gen. 1.27, 28. Gen. 2.16, 17. Acts 17.26. Rom. 5.12, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19. 1 Cor. 15.21, 22, 45, 49. and the same Death in Sin and Corrupted Nature conveyed to all their Posterity descending from them by ordinary Generation.Psal. 51.5. Gen. 5.3. Job 14.4. Job 15.14.
4. Every Sin, both Original, and Actual, being a Transgression of the Righteous Law of God, and contrary thereunto1 Joh. 3, 4. doth in its own Nature bring Guilt upon the Sinner,Rom. 2.15. Rom. 3.9.19. whereby he is bound over to the Wrath of God,Eph. 2.3. and Curse of the Law,Gal. 3.10. and so made subject to Death,Rom. 6.23. with all Miseries, Spiritual,Eph. 4.18. Temporal,Rom. 8.20. Lam. 3.39. and Eternal.Matth. 25.41. 2 Thes. 1.9. Assemb. Confession, Chap. 6. Sect. 1, 2, 3, 6.
II. Of God's Covenant with Man.
1. THE First Covenant made with Man, was a Covenant of Works,Gal. 3.12. wherein Life was promised to Adam, and in him to his Posterity,Rom. 10.5. Rom. 5. from 12. to 20. upon condition of Perfect, and Personal Obedience.Geo. 2.17. Gal. 3.10.
2. Man by his Fall, having made himself incapable of Life by that Covenant, the Lord was pleas'd to make a second,Gal. 3.21. Rom. 8.3. Rom. 3.20, 21. Gen. 3.15. Isa. 42.6. commonly call'd the Covenant of Grace, wherein he freely offereth unto Sinners, Life and Salvation by [Page 5]Jesus Christ, requiring of them Faith in Him, that they may be saved,Mark 16.15, 16. John 3.16. Rom. 10.69 Gal. 3.11. and promising to give unto all those that are Ordained unto Life his Holy Spirit, making them willing and able to believe.Ezek. 36.26, 27 Joh. 6 44, 45. Chap. 7. Sect. 2, 3.
3. This Covenant of Grace was made with Christ, as the Second Adam, and in Him with all the Elect as his Seed.Gal. 3.16. Rom. 5.15. Isa. 53.10, 11. Larger Catechism.
4. The Grace of God is manifested in the Second Covenant, in that he freely provideth and offereth to Sinners a Mediator,Gen. 3.15. Isa. 42.6. John 6.27. and Life and Salvation by Him1 John 5.11, 12. and requiring Faith as the Condition to Interest them in Him,Joh. 3, 16. Joh. 1.12. promiseth and giveth his Holy SpiritProv. 1.23. to all his Elect, to work in them that Faith, with all other Saving Graces,Gal. 5.22, 23. and to enable them unto all Holy Obedience,Ezek. 36.37. as the Evidence of the Truth of their FaithJam. 2.18, 22. and Thankfulness to God,1 Cor. 5.14, 15. and as the way which he hath appointed them to Salvation,Eph. 2.10. Larger Catechism.
III. Of Christ the Mediator.
1. IT pleased God in his Eternal Purpose to Chuse and Ordain the Lord Jesus, his only begotten Son, to be the Mediator between [Page 6]God and Man,Isa 42.2. 1 Pet. 1.19, 20. John 3.16. 1 Tim. 2 5. the Prophet,Act. 3.22 Priest,Heb. 5 5 6. and King,Psal. 2 6. Luke 1.33. the Head and Saviour of the Church,Eph. 5.23. the Heir of all things,Heb. 1.2. and Judge of the World,Acts 17.31. unto whom he did from all Eternity give a People to be his SeedJoh. 17.6. Psal. 22.30. Isa. 53.10. and to be by Him in time Redeemed, Called, Justified, Sanctified and Glorified.1 Tim. 2 6. Isa. 55.4, 5. 1 Cor. 1.30.
2. The Lord Jesus by his Perfect Obedience and Sacrifice of Himself, which He through the Eternal Spirit once offered up unto God, hath fully satisfied the Justice of his Father,Rom. 5.19. Heb. 9.14, 16. Heb. 10.14. Ephes. 5.2. Rom. 3.25, 26. and purchased not only Reconciliation, but an Everlasting Inheritance in the Kingdom of Heaven, for all those whom the Father hath given unto Him.Dan. 9.24, 26. Col. 1.19, 20, Ephes. 1.11, 14. John 17.2. Heb. 9.12, 15.
3. To all those for whom Christ hath purchased Redemption, he doth certainly and effectually apply and communicate the same,Joh. 6.37, 39. John 10.15, 16. making Intercession for them,1 John 2.1, 2. Rom. 8.84. and Revealing unto them in, and by the Word, the Mysteries of Salvation,John 15.13, 15. Eph. 1. [...] 8. [...]. John 17.6. effectually perswading them by his Spirit, to believe and obey, and governing their Hearts by his Word and Spirit,John 14.6. Heb. 12.2. 2 Cor. 4.13. Rom. 8.9, 14. Rom. 15.18, 19. John 17.17. [Page 7]overcoming all their Enemies by his Almighty Power and Wisdom, in such manner and ways as are most consonant to his wonderful and unsearchable Dispensations.Psa. 110.1. 1 Cor. 15.25, 26. Mal. 4.2, 3. Col. 2.15. Chap. 8. Sect. 1, 5, 8.
IV. Of Effectual Calling.
1. THE Spirit applieth to us the Redemption purchased by Christ, by working Faith in us, and thereby uniting us to Christ in our Effectual Calling. Shorter Catechism.
2. All those whom God hath predestinated unto Life, and those only he is pleased in his appointed and accepted Time, effectually to callRom. 8 30 Rom. 11.7. Eph. 1.10, 11. by his Word and Spirit2 Thes. 2.13, 14. 2 Cor. 3.3.6. out of the state of Sin and Death, in which they are by Nature, to Grace and Salvation by Jesus Christ;Rom. 8.2. Ephes. 2.1, 2, 3, 4, 5. 2 Tim. 1.9, 10. enlightning their Minds, spiritually and savingly to understand the things of God,Act 26.18. 1 Cor. 2.10, 12. Eph. 1.17, 18. taking away their heart of stone, and giving unto them an heart of flesh,Ezek. 36.26. renewing their Wills, and by his Almighty Power determining them to that which is good,Ezek. 11.19. Phil. 2.13. Deut. 30.6. Ezek. 36.27. and effectually drawing them to Jesus Christ;Ephes. 1.19. John 6 44, 45. yet so as they come most freely, being made willing by this Grace.Cant. 1.4. Psal. 110.3. John 6.37. Rom. 6.16, 17, 18.
[Page 8] 3. This Effectual Call is of God's free and special Grace alone, not from any thing at all foreseen in Man,2 Tim. 1.9. Tit. 3.4, 5. Eph. 2.4, 5, 8, 9. Rom. 9.11. who is altogether passive therein, until being quickned and renewed by the Holy Spirit,1 Cor. 2.14. Rom. 8.7. Ephes. 2.5. he is thereby enabled to answer this Call, and embrace the Grace offered and conveyed in it.Joh. 6.37. Ezek. 36.27, John 5.25. Chap. 10. Sect. 1, 2.
V. Of Justification, Faith, and Repentance.
1. THose whom God Effectually calleth, he also freely justifieth,Rom. 8.30. Rom. 3.24. not by infusing Righteousness into them, but by pardoning their sins, and by accounting and accepting their Persons as Righteous; not for any thing wrought in them, but for Christ's sake alone; nor by imputing Faith it self the Act of Believing, or any other Evangelical Obedience to them, as their Righteousness; but by imputing the Obedience and Satisfaction of Christ unto them,Rom. 4.5, 6, 7, 8. 2. Cor. 5.19, 21. Rom. 3.22, 24, 25, 27, 28. Tit. 3.5, 7. Ephes. 1.7. Jer. 23.6. 1 Cor. 1.30, 31. Rom. 5.17, 18, 19. they receiving and resting on Him, and his Righteousness by Faith, which Faith they have not of themselves, it is the Gift of God.Act. 10.44. Gal. 2.16. Phil. 3.9. Act. 13.38, 39. Eph. 2.7, 8. Chap. 11. Sect. 1.
2. By this Faith a Christian believeth to be true, whatsoever is Revealed in the Word, for [Page 9]the Authority of God Himself, speaking therein,Joh. 4.42. 1 Thes. 2.13. 1 John 5.10. Acts 24 14. and acteth differently upon that which each particular passage containeth, yielding Obedience to the Commands,Rom. 16.26. trembling at the Threatnings,Isa. 66.2. embracing the Promises of God for this Life and that which is to come.Heb. 11.13 1 Tim. 4.8. But the principal acts of Saving Faith are, accepting, receiving, and resting upon Christ alone for Justification, Sanctification, and Eternal Life by virtue of the Covenant of Grace.Joh. 1.12. Acts 16.32. Gal. 2.20. Acts 15.11. Chap. 14. Sect. 2.
3. Faith thus receiving and resting on Christ and his Righteousness, is the alone Instrument of Justification,John 1.12. Rom. 3.3. to 28. Rom. 5.1. yet it is not alone in the Person Justified, but is ever accompanied with all other Saving Graces, and is no dead Faith, but worketh by Love.Jam. 2.17, 22, 26. Gal. 5.6. Chap. 11. Sect. 2.
4. God did from all Eternity decree to Justifie all the Elect,Gal. 3.8. 1 Pet. 1.2, 19, 20. Rom. 8.30. and Christ did in the Fulness of Time die for their Sins, and rise again for their Justification;Gal. 4.4. 1 Gal. 2.6. Rom. 4.25. nevertheless they are not Justified until the Holy Spirit doth in due Time actually apply Christ unto them.Col. 1.21, 22. Gal. 2.16. Acts 13.38, 39. Tit. 3.4, 5, 6, 7. Chap. 11. Sect. 4.
5. That we may escape the Wrath and Curse of God due to us by reason of the Transgression of the Law, he requireth of us Repentance [Page 10]towards God, Faith towards our Lord Jesus Christ,Acts 20.21. Matth. 3.7, 8. Act. 16.30, 31 Joh. 3.16, 18. and the diligent use of the Outward Means, whereby Christ communicateth to us the Benefits of his Mediation.Prov. 2.1, 5. cap. 8.33, 35. Isa. 55.3. Larger Catechism.
6. Repentance unto Life is an Evangelical Grace,Ezek. 12.10. Acts 11.18. the Doctrine whereof is to be Preach'd by every Minister of the Gospel, as well as that of Faith in Christ.Luk. 24.47. Mark 1.15. Acts 20.21. Chap. 15. Sect. 1. Altho' Repentance be not to be rested in as any satisfaction for sin, nor any cause of the pardon thereof,Ezek. 36.31, 32. Ezek. 16.61, 62, 63. which is the act of God's Free Grace in Christ;Hos. 14.2, 4. Ephes. 1.7. yet it is of such necessity to all sinners, that none can expect pardon without it.Luk. 13.3, 5. Act. 17.30, 31 Chap 15. Sect. 3, 4. As there is no sin so small but it deserves damnation;Rom. 6.23. Rom. 5.12. Matth. 12.36. so there is no sin so great that it can bring damnation upon those who truly repent.Isa. 55.7. Rom. 8.1. Isa. 1.16, 18.
7. God doth continue to forgive the sins of those that are justified;Matth. 6.12. 1 Joh. 1.7, 9. 1 John 2.1, 2. and although they can never fall from the state of Justification;Luke 22.32. 1 Joh. 10.28. Heb. 10.14. yet they may by their sins fall under God's fatherly displeasure, and not have the light of his Countenance restored unto them till they humble themselves, confess their sins, beg pardon [Page 11]and renew their Faith and RepentancePsal. 89.31, 32, 33. Psal. 51.7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 Psal. 32.5. Matth. 26.75. 1 Cor. 11.30, 32. Luk. 1.20.. Chap. 11. Sect. 5.
VI. Of Good Works.
1. MAN by his Fall into a state of sin hath wholly lost all ability of will to any spiritual good accompanying Salvation,Rom. 5.6. Rom. 8.7. John 15.5. so as a natural man being altogether averse from that good,Rom. 3 10, 12. and dead in sin,Eph. 2.1, 5. Col. 2.13. is not able by his own strength to convert himself, or prepare himself theretoJohn 6.44, 65. Eph. 2.2, 3, 4, 5. 1 Cor. 2 14. Tit. 3.3, 4, 5. Ch. 9. Sect. 3.
2. Works done by unregenerate men, altho' for the matter of them they may be things which God commands, and of good use both to themselves and others;2 King. 10.30, 31. 1 King. 21.27, 29. Phil. 1.15, 16, 18. yet because they proceed not from a heart purified by Faith,Gen. 4, 5. Heb. 11.4, 6. nor are done in a right manner according to the Word,Cor. 13.3. Isa. 1.12. nor to a right end, the glory of God,Mat. 6.2, 5, 16. they are therefore sinful, and cannot please God, or make a man meet to receive Grace from God;Hag. 2.14. Tit. 1.15. Amos 5.21, 22. Hos. 1.4. Rom. 9.16. Tit. 3.5. yet their neglect of them is more sinful and displeasing unto God.d Ch. 16. Sect. 7.
3. Good works are only such as God hath commanded in his holy Word,Mich. 6.8. Rom. 12.2. Heb. 13.21. and not such [Page 12]as without the warrant thereof are devised by men out of blind Zeal, or upon any pretence of good intention.Matth. 15.9 Isa. 29.13. 1 Pet. 1.18. Rom. 10.2. John 16.2. 1 Sam. 15.21, 22, 23. Ch. 16. Sect. 1.
4. These good works done in obedience to God's Commandments, are the fruits and evidences of a true and lively Faith.Jam. 2.18, 22. and by them Believers manifest their thankfulness,Psa 116.12, 13. 1 Pet. 2 9. strengthen their assurance,1 Joh. 2.3, 5. 1 Pet. 1.5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10. edifie their Brethren,2 Cor. 9.2. Matth. 5.16. adorn the Profession of the Gospel,Tit. 2 5, 9, 10, 11, 12. 1 Tim. 6.1. stop the mouths of Adversaries,1 Pet. 2.15. and glorifie God,1 Pet. 2.12. Phil. 1.11. John 15.8. whose workmanship they are, created in Christ Jesus thereunto;Eph. 2.10. that having their fruit unto holiness, they may have the end everlasting life.Rom. 6.22. Ch. 16. Sect. 2.
5. The Persons of Believers being accepted through Christ, their good works also are accepted in him;Eph. 1.16. 1 Pet. 2.5. Exod. 28.38. Gen. 4.4. Heb. 11.4. not as though they were in this life wholly unblameable and unreprovable in God's sight;Job 9.20. Psal. 143.2. but that he looking, upon them in his Son, is pleased to accept, and reward that which is sincere, tho' accompanied with many weaknesses and imperfections.Heb. 13.20, 21. 2 Cor. 8.12. Heb. 6.10. Matth. 25 21, 23. Ch. 16. Sect. 6.
VII. Of the Perseverance of Saints.
1. THey whom God hath accepted in the Beloved, effectually called, and sanctified by his Holy Spirit, can neither totally, nor finally fall away from the state of Grace; but shall certainly persevere to the end, and be eternally saved.Phil. 1.6. 2 Pet. 1.10. Joh. 10.28.29 1 John 3.9. 1 Pet. 1.5, 9.
2. This Perseverance of the Saints, depends not on their own Free will, but upon the Immutability of the Decree of Election, flowing from the free and unchangeable Love of God the Father;2 Tim. 218, 19. Jer. 31.3. upon the Efficacy of the Merit and Intercession of Jesus Christ,Heb. 10 10, 14. Heb. 13.20, 21. Heb. 9.12, 13, 14, 15. Rom. 8.33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39. John 17.11, 24. Luke 22.32. Heb. 7.25. the abiding of the Spirit, and of the Seed of God within them;Joh. 14 16, 17. 1 Joh. 2.27. 1 John 3.9. and the Nature of the Covenant of Grace;Jer. 32.40. from all which ariseth also the certainty and infallibility thereof.Joh. 10 28. 2 Thes. 3.3. 1 John 2.19.
3 Nevertheless, they may, through the Temptations of Satan and the World, the prevalency of Corruption remaining in them, and the neglect of the means of their Preservation, fall into grievous Sins;Mat. 26.70.72, 74. and for a time continue therein;Psa. 51. title, and v. 14. whereby they incur God's Displeasure,Isa. 64.5, 7, 9, 2 Sam. 11.27. and grieve the Holy Spirit;Eph. 4.30. come to be deprived of some measure of their [Page 14]Graces and Comforts,Psal. 51.8, 10, 12. Rev. 2.4. Cant. 5.2, 3, 4, 5. have their Hearts hardened,Isa. 63.17. Mark 6.52. Mark 16.14. and their Consciences wounded,Psal. 37.3, 4. Psal. 51.8. hurt and scandalize others,2 Sam. 12.14. Psa. 89.31, 32. 1 Cor. 11.32. and bring Temporal Judgments on themselves. p Chap. 17. Sect. 1, 2, 3.
VIII. Of the Moral Law.
1. THE Moral Law doth for ever bind all, as well justified Person as others, to the Obedience thereof;Rom. 13.8, 9, 10. Eph. 6.2. 1 John 2.3, 4, 7, 8. and that not only in regard of the matter contained in it; but also in respect of the Authority of God the Creator who gave it,Jam. 2.10, 11. neither doth Christ in the Gospel any way dissolve, but much strengthen this Obligation.Mat. 5.17, 18, 19. Jam. 2.8. Rom. 3.31.
2. Tho' Believers be not under the Law as a Covenant of Works, to be thereby justified or condemned;Rom. 6.14. Gal. 2.16. Gal. 3.13. Gal. 4.4, 5. Act. 13.39. Rom. 8.1. yet it is of great use to them, as well as to others, in that, as a Rule of Life informing them of the Will of God, and their Duty, it directs, and binds them to walk accordingly;Rom. 7.12, 22, 25. Psal. 119.4, 5, 6. 1 Cor. 7.19. Gal. 5.14, 16, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23. discovering also the sinful Pollutions of their Nature, Hearts and Lives;Rom. 7.7. Rom. 3.20. so as examining themselves thereby, they may come to further Conviction of, Humiliation for, and Hatred against Sin;Jam. 1.23, 24, 25. Rom. 7.9, 14, 24. together with a clearer sight of the need they have of Christ, and the Perfection [Page 15]of his Obedience.Gal. 3.24. Rom. 7.24, 25 Rom. 8.3, 4. It is likewise of use to the Regenerate, to restrain their Corruptions, in that it forbids Sin,Jam. 2.11. Psa. 119.101, 104, 128. and the Threatnings of it serve to shew what even their Sins deserve, and what Afflictions in this Life they may expect for them, although freed from the Curse thereof threatned in the Law.Ezra 9.13, 14. psal 89.30, 31, 32, 33, 34. The Promises of it in like manner shew them God's Approbation of Obedience, and what Blessings they may expect upon the performance thereof,Lev. 26. to v. 14. 2 Cor. 6.16. Ephes. 6.2, 3. Psal. 37.11. Matth. 5.5. Psal. 19.11. although not as due to them by the Law as a Covenant of Works;Gal. 2.16. Luke 17.10. so as a man's doing good, and refraining from evil, because the Law encourageth to the one, and deterreth from the other, is no evidence of his being under the Law, and not under Grace.Rom. 6.12, 14. 1 pet. 3.8, 9, 10, 11, 12 psal. 34.12, 13, 14, 15, 16. Heb. 12.28, 29. Chap. 19. Sect. 5, 6.
IX. Of Christian Liberty.
THey who upon pretence of Christian Liberty do practise any sin, or cherish any lust, do thereby destroy the End of Christian Liberty; which is, that being delivered out of the hands of our Enemies, we might serve the Lord without fear in Holiness and Righteousness before him all the days of our life.Gal. 5.13. 1 pet. 2.16. 2 pet. 2.19. Joh. 8.34. Luk. 1.74, 75. Chap. 20. Sect. 3.
Tho' we have selected these Propositions, as conceiving them most accommodated to some Points at this time controverted: yet we profess to have an equal respect to all other the main parts of Doctrine, contained in the foremen-Articles, Confession, and Catechisms; as judging them tion'd, agreeable to the Word of God.
3. That we shall always, through God's gracious Assistance in our future Ministry, to our uttermost, avoid all Appearances of Opposition to one another, so as not to hinder, or prejudice; but as far as in us lies, to promote the Success thereof, and the common Benefit thereby.
Decemb. 16. 1692. This day the Brethren who endeavoured to Accommodate this Controversie, did with Mr. Williams, Mr. Chauncy, and those other five Brethren, who with him objected against Mr. Williams his Book, subscribe to this Agreement, and these Doctrinal Propositions.
- Daniel Williams.
- Isaac Chauncy.
- Samuel Annesley
- John How
- George Griffith
- Matthew Barker
- Vincent Alsop
- Thomas Cole
- Edward Veal
- George Hamond
- Nath. Mathers
- John James
- Richard Mayo
- Robert Trayle
- Stephen Lobb.
- Samuel Slater
- Richard Taylor.
The Concurrence of the Ʋnited Ministers.
On Decemb. 19. 1692. This Expedient was brought to a Meeting of the Ʋnited Ministers, who unanimously expressed their Approbation in the following words; Viz.
That those Brethren, who at the desire of the Ʋnited Ministers considered some Objections against Mr. Williams his Book, having brought in the above-mentioned Expedient for Accommodation of the Matters in Controversie: The United Ministers have weighed it, and approve of the same. Besides, it was further declared by them, That whereas the Ʋnited Ministers Collectively considered, and as such, have not been desired to Approve of Mr. Williams his Book: In like manner, they do not by any thing in this Agreement imply an Approbation of Mr. Chauncy his Writings in this Controversie: But yet they do rejoyce that both Mr. Williams and Mr. Chauncy have accepted this offer'd Expedient.