APPENDIX A
THE STANDARD BAPTIST CONFESSION OF 1660

This confession was subscribed by certain elders, deacons, and brethren who met in London and composed the General Assembly of the General Baptists. They claimed to represent more than twenty thousand members. It was formally presented to King Charles II on July 26, 1660. It was published and reprinted and reaffirmed by the General Assembly of General Baptists in 1663, 1678, 1691, 1697, and 1704.[1] It is a good example of an early Baptist statement on religious liberty and citizenship responsibilities.

Article XXIV.

It is the will, and mind of God (in these Gospel times) that all men should have the free liberty of their own Consciences in matters of Religion, or Worship, without the least oppression, or persecution, as simply upon that account; and that for any in Authority otherwise to act, we confidently believe is expressly contrary to the mind of Christ….

Article XXV.

We believe that there ought to be civil Magistrates in all Nations, for the punishment of evil doers, and for the praise of them that do well, I Pet. 2:14 … and that we and all men are obliged by Gospel rules, to be subject to the higher Powers, to obey Magistrates, Tit. 3:1, and to submit to every Ordinance of man, for the Lords sake, as saith Peter 2:13. But in case the Civil Powers do, or shall at any time impose things about matters of Religion, which we through conscience to God cannot actually obey, then we with Peter also do say, that we ought (in such cases) to obey God rather than men; Acts 5: 29 …. we will not yield, nor (in such cases) in the least actually obey them; yet humbly purposing (in the Lords strength) patiently to suffer whatsoever shall be inflicted upon us, for our conscionable forbearance.

[1] McGlothlin, Baptist Confessions, pp. 109-120.