Note 32 — Chapter VIII

The edition before us is the seventh, and “printed by John Dunlap, at the newest printing office in Market street, Philadelphia, MDCCLXXIII.” [1773.] The title page reads, “A Confession of Faith, put forth by the Elders and Brethren of many Congregations of Christians, (Baptized upon Profession of their Faith,) in London and the Country.”

Adopted by the Baptist Association, met in Philadelphia, Sept. 25, 1742. This “Confession” had its origin in fact from “seven congregations gathered in London, 1643,” and revised and adopted by “Ministers and Messengers of upwards of one hundred baptized congregations in England and Wales,” in 1689. The “Confession” of that year is signed by thirty-eight persons, as a committee, “in the name and behalf of the whole assembly.” The name of the renowned Hanserd Knollys stands at the head of the committee. The object of this Confession, was not to have a “standard,” or rule of faith, separate from or in addition to the Scriptures, in the churches, but “for the satisfaction of all other Christians that differ from us in the point of baptism.”