Transcribed from the [1808] J. Cheney edition by David Price, email ccx074@pglaf.org Many thanks to the Bodleian for allowing their copy to be consulted. [Picture: Pamphlet cover] A CONFESSION OF Evangelical Principles, IN A LETTER TO A FRIEND; BY _J. CHURCH_, MINISTER OF THE GOSPEL, _BANBURY_, OXON. * * * * * “Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you, of the common Salvation; it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you, that ye should earnestly contend for the Faith, which was once delivered unto the Saints.” _Jude_ 3. * * * * * Banbury; PRINTED AND SOLD BY J. CHENEY, _Printer to His Royal Highness the Duke of Clarence_. * * * * * PRICE SIXPENCE. * * * * * Letter. _Banbury_; _February_ 1st, 1808. SIR, AS you have solicited me to vindicate myself from the things laid to my charge, I take this opportunity of making public the sentiments I hold; and I will answer the rest of the charges at the close of my confession of faith. The charges brought against me, are these four; _First_, That I hold and propogate Antinomian sentiments. _Secondly_, That I create divisions wherever I preach. _Thirdly_, That after People come to hear me preach, they cannot with pleasure hear their own Ministers again. And, _Fourthly_, That I do not preach to Sinners. These are heavy charges indeed! With respect to the _first_, as my sentiments are deemed Antinomian, I think it my duty to make them public: the rest of the charges are not worth an answer. But, I can assure you, Sir, that the leading doctrines I preach, are in harmony with the Word of God, which is the only rule of faith and practice: I embrace and propogate no other doctrines than these, set forth in the doctrinal Articles of the Church of England; the Westminster Confession of Faith; and what your own Ministers, who belong to the Associations, generally hold, as appears upon their circular letters; namely, receiving the Scriptures of the Old and New Testament, as their only guide in faith and practice; and thence deriving their belief, in the important doctrines of three equal Persons, in one divine essence; Eternal and personal Election; Original Sin; Justification, by the imputed righteousness of Christ; Efficacious Grace in Regeneration; the final perseverance of Believers to eternal Glory;