A Confession of Evangelical Principles / in a letter to a friend
Date: 2018-12-18T00:00:00+00:00
Keywords: Theology; Doctrinal; Church; J. (John); approximately 1780-approximately 1825

The Project Gutenberg eBook of A Confession of Evangelical Principles

This ebook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and most other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included with this ebook or online at www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you will have to check the laws of the country where you are located before using this eBook.

Title: A Confession of Evangelical Principles

Author: J. Church

Release date: December 18, 2018 [eBook #58492]

Language: English

Credits: Transcribed from the [1808] J. Cheney edition by David Price. Many thanks to the Bodleian for allowing their copy to be consulted

*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK A CONFESSION OF EVANGELICAL PRINCIPLES ***

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.

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; the resurrection of the Dead; the last Judgment; the everlasting happiness of the Righteous; and the punishment of the Impenitent.  These, Sir, are the leading doctrines I preach, and they stand in no need of an apology: but, as I am set for the defence of that gospel I have felt and enjoyed, I am not ashamed of one of its glorious doctrines; nor did I ever intentionally deviate from them in one sentence I ever pronounced, since I have felt their power, seen their beauty, and have been enabled to declare them; and that good hand that instructed me in them, and has owned and blest them, by me, as an instrument, I trust, will enable me to maintain them to the close of life; then, I hope to feel them supporting my soul, comforting my heart, and giving me a sweet assurance of an entrance into that kingdom, that cannot be moved.

The following doctrines I have been enabled to declare amidst great opposition, and, as they are a part of the revealed will of God, those who oppose them, are fighting against God himself.  As to the loss of the favor and friendship of those Ministers who are strangers to the power of Godliness, and averse to the humiliating doctrines of the Cross of Christ, this, I hope, will not break my heart; and while they are loading me with reproach, I shall not render railing for railing; for while they curse, I will bless; while they condemn, I hope God will justify; while they oppose, I know he will lead on; and, I hope, I shall be enabled to put up that charitable prayer for my enemies, which the Redeemer did for his; “Father, forgive them:” in the language of dying Stephen, “Lord, lay not this to their charge:” and in the pious breathings of the Church of England Litany, I would pray, “That it may please thee, to forgive our enemies, persecutors, and slanderers, and to turn their hearts.”  And while many in our day are shy of the doctrines of the gospel, (which is an awful proof they never felt their power, and never tasted their sweetness, so that they are but little consequence to them;) I hope, I shall be enabled to stand fast in the faith, and hold the beginning of my confidence firm, unto the end; not at all terrified by any of my adversaries, however popular they may be.  If I could palliate and comply with their dead barren dry system of legality, I believe that they would cease to reproach me.  But, because I maintain and declare the whole counsel of God, I am deemed an Antinomian; a Troubler of Churches; a Sower of Dissentions; a Creator of Divisions; One that Disaffects Hearers with their own Ministers; One that does not preach to Sinners; and, in fact, every thing that is disrespectful in the estimation of proud Legalists, and self-righteous Pharisees.

The following Confession, I read at my Ordination, with a few additions; and as many of my friends have so repeatedly intreated me to make it public, I take this opportunity of doing it, praying that the best of blessings may accompany the same, as they are sentiments calculated to display the glory of God, and bring joy and peace to that Sinner who is made sensible of his lost condition.

A Confession of Faith.

I.  I believe, that the Scriptures of the Old and New Testament are the word of God, and the only rule of faith and practice.

II.  I believe, that there is but One only, living, and true God; that there are Three Persons in the Godhead, who are equal in nature, power, and glory; and, that the Son and Holy Ghost, are as truly and properly God, as the Father.  These Three divine Persons are distinguished from each other by peculiar relative properties.  These Three divine distinct Persons, I profess to reverence, serve, and worship, as the One true God.

III.  I believe, that before the World began, God did elect a certain number of Mankind unto everlasting life, whom he did predestinate to the adoption of Children, by Jesus Christ, of his own free grace, and according to the good pleasure of his will; that he appointed holiness as the means; and that no one has a right to consider himself as a chosen vessel, till he is effectually called by the grace of God. [6]

IV.  I believe, that God made all things in Creation, out of nothing, to display his goodness, wisdom, power, and glory; and, that by the same power, he upholds and governs, rules and directs all things in Heaven and Earth; and, that he displays his sovereignty according to the counsel of his own will, or his eternal plan, formed before all Worlds.

V.  I believe, that there is one Mediator between God and Man; the Man, Christ Jesus; that he stood in his mediatorial capacity as our representative and head, in the covenant of eternal redemption and grace; engaged to be all that to his people, they could possibly need in time, and their bliss through eternity.

VI.  I believe, that God made Man upright; but mutable and liable to fall: and, being left to the freedom of his own will, through the influence of Satan, he broke the covenant of works, and fell from the Image of God; that all Mankind sinned in him and fell with him, as their head and representative; and both him and his posterity became liable to the curse and penalty of a violated law.

VII.  I believe, that all Mankind are conceived and born in sin, Children of disobedience, enemies to God, violaters of his commands, averse to good, prone to evil, Children of wrath, obnoxious to the justice of God, and the condemnation of his law: and I believe, that no Creature can help or deliver himself, out of that wretched state into which he has fallen.  I solemnly believe, that this is the state of all Men by nature.

VIII.  I believe, that according to the eternal appointment of God the Father, and the Covenant engagements of the dear Redeemer, that, in the fulness of time, God sent his Son into the world to redeem fallen Men; that part of the human race, that was given him in eternity; that their redemption was obtained by the shedding of his blood; that this redemption is special and particular, designed only for the elect of God, the Sheep of Christ, who only share the special and peculiar blessings of it.  And, in order to accomplish our redemption, I believe, it was necessary that the Redeemer should take upon him our nature, a human body and soul, created and formed by God the Spirit, conceived in the womb of the Virgin Mary, born of a Woman, made under the law, that he might redeem his people from it; work out a righteousness adequate to its demands, make an atonement by suffering the death of the Cross, satisfy divine Justice, glorify all the attributes of Deity, and open a way, for the communication of all those blessings, which are needful for the Saints of God, both for time and eternity.

IX.  I believe, that the matter of the Sinners’ justification before a holy God, is the righteousness of Christ imputed to them; which is, his perfect, spotless obedience to the law, in their room and stead, without the consideration of any works done by them; and, that the full and free pardon of all their sins, past, present, and to come, is only through the blood of Christ, according to the riches of his grace; and, that none can be justified in any other way.  This righteousness being seen by the eye of faith, and embraced by the hand of faith, we are manifestly justified and freed from the law; that, being dead wherein we were held, we live to God, and by love serve the Lord, having our fruit unto holiness, and the end, eternal life. [9]

X.  I believe, that all the objects of eternal love, the subjects of his choice, and the purchase of the Redeemer’s blood, are effectually called in one way or another, by the efficacious and irresistible grace of God the divine Spirit; and not by an act of Man’s free will and power.  I believe they are washed, justified, and sanctified, in the name and by God the Spirit, in some part of their lives.

XI.  I believe, that all Saints are kept by the mighty power of God, through faith, to eternal Salvation; and, that as sure as they are called, justified, and sanctified, they will infallibly persevere: because of the perpetuity of God’s love, the liability of his covenant, and his faithfulness to his absolute promises.

XII.  I believe, that the Church of Christ consists of true believers in his name; that these are his mystical body, of which, he is the only head, and there is no other: and, that all the Children of God derive spiritual life from him, by virtue of union to him; that he is our life; and in consequence of that, we are now quickened by his life-giving power in conversion; our bodies shall be quickened in the last day, and all Believers shall enjoy eternal life, in glory for ever.

XIII.  I believe, that in the new testament Church of Christ, there are but two Sacraments; Baptism, and the Supper of the Lord.  I believe, Baptism to be an outward and visible sign; first, of the sufferings, death, burial, and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ; secondly, of an inward and spiritual operation of the Holy Ghost, upon the hearts of believers; and is a grand emblem of a death unto sin, and a new birth unto righteousness; for being by nature the children of wrath, we are by regeneration, manifested to be children of grace.  I believe, that only those who profess the name of Jesus, have any right thereto.  That it should be administered to Adults alone, in the name of the adorable Trinity; and, that it is to be performed by immersion.  I believe, that the Lord’s Supper was instituted the night on which he was betrayed, to represent his sufferings and death; and is to be attended too by all Believers, until his second coming.

XIV.  I believe, that it is the duty of every Christian to obey the laws of their Country; not to speak evil of Dignities; but, to pray for the King, his Family, and the Government under which we live; to study to be quiet, peaceable, and submissive, according to the laws of Jesus Christ, which is our rule of conduct: and, who has said, “Render unto Cæsar, the things which are his;” and, by his holy Apostles, has commanded “That every Soul should be subject to the higher powers; that we should honor all Men, love the Brotherhood, fear God, honor the King.”

XV.  I believe, that it is the duty of all Believers, to take the commands of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, as their rule of conduct; that, while they are relying on his Righteousness, for justification; on his Blood, for pardon; and, on the Spirit, for internal sanctification; they, from a principle of love shed abroad in their hearts, are made willing to obey his laws, as King in Mount Zion: and, that his commandments are the Believer’s rule of life: that it is their duty to stand fast in one Spirit, with one mind, striving together for the faith of the gospel: that it is their duty to walk in wisdom, to them that are without; to exercise a conscience void of offence towards God and Man, by living soberly, righteously, and godly in this present world: that it is their duty to walk with each other in all humility and brotherly love; to watch over each other’s conversation; to stir up one another to love and to good works; not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as we have opportunity; to worship God, according to his revealed will; and, when the case requires, to warn, rebuke, and admonish one another, according to the rules of the gospel: and, that it is our duty to sympathize with each other, to bear with one another’s weaknesses, failings, and infirmities; and, particularly to pray for one another.  All these duties we are bound to perform, and every other law of Christ’s spiritual house, through the gracious influence of a Spirit of love, of power, and of a sound mind; ever remembering, that we are to obey the laws of our Sovereign, as King, on his holy hill of Zion. [12]

XVI.  I believe, that all the Ordinances of divine appointment ought to be attended unto, by all that profess their faith in, and love to our Lord Jesus Christ, as the head of his Church; hearing the Word, public Prayer, Baptism, and the Lord’s Supper: singing of Psalms, Hymns, and Spiritual Songs, vocally; this is an ordinance of the gospel, to be performed by Believers; but, as to time, place, and manner, every one ought to be left to their liberty in using it.

XVII.  I believe, that there will be a Resurrection, both of the just and unjust; and, that Christ will come a second time, to judge both quick and dead; when he will take vengeance on the wicked, and introduce his own People into his kingdom and glory, where they shall be for ever with him; and, then shall the mediatorial kingdom be delivered up to the Father, by the Redeemer; the mystery of God be finished: Heaven will be the Saints final home; and, God, Father, Son, and Spirit, be all in all, for ever and ever.

XVIII.  I believe, that the felicity of the Saints will be eternal; and I as firmly believe, such will be the eternity of misery; unless, the never dying worm dies, and the unquenchable fire goes out; which will not, cannot be; for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it.

The above Articles are the doctrines I preach, which I did not learn of Man; but, by the teachings of the Spirit, by the Word.  The rest of the Charges are not worthy my notice, as they arise from pride and envy; and, I shall only remark, that all faithful preaching ever did create divisions.  God having put an enmity between the seed of the Woman, and the seed of the Serpent; this enmity is stirred up wherever these two seeds meet.  The history of Truth, in all ages, prove that this is no new thing.  The dear Redeemer, asks an important question, “Suppose ye, that I am come to give peace on the earth?  I tell you, nay; but rather divisions;” see the 12th chapter of Luke, from the 40th to the 54th verse.  As to the disaffection of the People to their own Ministers, after hearing me preach, as Ministers inform you; how can I help that?  I do not speak against them; but, advise my hearers to follow after truth, in its beauty, simplicity, and power.  But I am not accountable for the imprudencies of my hearers.  None ever heard me in public or in private, drop a disrespectful hint of any Ministers around me; although, I am informed, they have said many cruel things of me: for which, I trust, the good Lord will pardon them, for I do; as I know, God, for Christ’s sake, hath forgiven me.  As to the last Charge you intimate, that I do not preach to Sinners.  This is an absurd accusation indeed!  For who do I, or who can I preach to, but fallen Sinners, by nature and practice; as faith the voice of wisdom, “Unto you, O Men, I call, and my voice is to the Sons of Men.”  But, I suppose the meaning of this Charge is, that I do not command dead Sinners to quicken their own souls; and suppose I did, would they obey me?  That I do not tell blind Sinners to open their own eyes?  If I thought they could do it, I would tell them to do it, from the pulpit.  That I do not tell all Men it is their duty to believe?  Whereas, God says of many, they never shall believe.  That I do not command carnal Persons to perform spiritual acts? and how should they? seeing they are enemies to God, and the slaves of sin and error.  That I do not tell all Mankind, that Christ is offered to them, if they will but accept of him?  No.  Sir.  I leave all this Baxterian stubble, and declare the whole counsel of God.  Whereas, the above Calls to Sinners, form no part of that counsel.  God does not condemn Men because he has been pleased to withold that precious gift of faith from them: there is sin enough in all Men, to render them obnoxious to the curse of the law: and the Saviour himself says, “Think not, that I will accuse you to the Father; there is one that accuseth you already, even, Moses, in whom ye trust.”  To command all Men, where the gospel comes, to obey the internal call of it, is not my work: but, to tell People, it is their duty to be found in the means, is another thing.  The former, I shall not do; the latter, is in harmony with many parts of God’s Word.  But I know it is fashionable, to tell Sinners to believe, and to receive an offered Christ; to open the door of their hearts to him; and, in fact, the Sinner is set to do that, which the Holy Ghost only can do for him.  This is the modern doctrine so much admired in our day; which is calculated to cherish the pride of Man, and make Sinners contented with a form of godliness without the power.  But, “From all false doctrine, heresy, and schism, good Lord deliver us.”

I am yours, in gospel bonds,

J. CHURCH.

Cheney, Printer, Banbury.

Footnotes.

[6]  This doctrine is clearly revealed in the Scriptures, embraced by our Reformers, as set forth in the 17th Article of the Church of England, and in the Westminster Confession of Faith.  The Seventeenth Article of the Church, thus expresseth this doctrine:—“Predestination to Life, is the everlasting purpose of God, whereby (before the foundations of the world were laid) he hath constantly decreed by his counsel, secret to us, to deliver from curse and damnation those whom he hath chosen in Christ out of mankind, and to bring them by Christ to everlasting salvation, as vessels made to honour.  Wherefore, they which be endued with so excellent a benefit of God, be called according to God’s purpose by his Spirit working in due season; they through grace obey the calling; they be justified freely: they be made sons of God by adoption: they be made like the image of his only-begotten Son, Jesus Christ: they walk religiously in good works, and at length, by God’s mercy, they attain to everlasting felicity.”—This is the noble testimony of our Reformers, as agreed and subscribed to by every conscientious Churchman; to this agree, the Westminster Confession of Faith, as exprest in the 20th Article of the shorter Catechism.  God having out of his mere good pleasure, from all eternity, elected some to everlasting life, did enter into a Covenant of grace, to deliver them out of the estate of sin and misery, and to bring them into an estate of salvation by a Redeemer.  A vast many passages of scripture can easily be brought to prove this important Article; and, happy for those, who have got the sweet evidence of God’s Spirit, witnessing their adoption into his family.  If this is Antinomianism, I am willing to bear the name, and enjoy the blessings of an everlasting Covenant of Election and Sovereign Grace.

[9]  This doctrine of a Sinner’s justification before God, as exprest in this Article, is held forth in almost every part of God’s Word that relates to our Salvation.  This doctrine, however despised in our day by modern Pharisees, is a glorious and a precious truth: it was received by our Reformers, as noted in the Eleventh Article of the Church of England, on the justification of Man.  “We are accounted righteous before God, only for the merit of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, by faith, and not for our own works or deservings: Wherefore, that we are justified by faith only, is a most wholesome doctrine, and very full of comfort, as more largely is expressed in the Homily of justification.”  See also, the Thirty-third Article in the Assembly’s Catechism: “Justification is an act of God’s free grace, wherein he pardoneth all our sins, and accepteth us as righteous in his sight, only for the righteousness of Christ imputed to us, and received by faith alone.”  Happy Believer, that can say in sweet assurance,

“Jesus, thy blood and righteousness,
My beauty are, my glorious dress;
’Midst flaming Worlds, in these array’d,
With joy shall I lift up my head.”

And this honor have all the Saints.

[12]  If it can be proved, that this Article has a grain of Antinomianism in it, I ask, are not these the practical truths of the gospel, which we, as Believers, are to obey, as a proof we are passed from death unto life, and are brought to serve the Lord, in newness of Spirit, and not in the oldness of the letter; not working for life, but from a principle of life received, as being not without law to God, but under the laws of our present Husband, Christ.  The moral law being fulfilled in our stead, we are by faith enabled to serve him, who has done so great things for us.  It is the Believer’s desire, that the moral law should be fulfilled; and, to use the language of a good and great Man, it is evident this law is fulfilled in a fourfold sense; First, “In precept and penalty, by the Redeemer himself.”  Secondly, “In the Believed, when the love of God is shed abroad in his heart.”  Thirdly, “In the exercise of a conscience void of offence, by the internal operations of the Spirit, enabling us to walk in our degree, as he walked.”  Fourthly, “In the execution of its awful sentence upon the wicked; and Heaven and Earth shall pass away, before a tittle of this law can fail, till it be fulfilled.”  It is strange, that those Ministers, who maintain the holiness, goodness, truth, and justice of the moral law, should be traduced as Antinomians; whereas, they are the only characters that handle the law, lawfully; by representing it to Believers as fulfilled in their stead, by their covenant Head and Husband; laying them under eternal obligations to love and serve him in newness of the Spirit.  The term Antinomian, cannot belong to the above characters, but to all Men in a state of nature, whether professors or prophane, they are in a state of enmity against the law, and its adorable giver; and, although they may plead for it, they are enemies to it, ignorant of it, and condemned by it.  It is evident, this was the case of Paul, before his conversion, “I was alive without the law once;” he was ignorant of its nature, its author, its demands, and its curse: but, when God led him to see himself in that glass, he exclaimed, “The law is spiritual, but I am carnal, sold under sin.”  When David was taught the same lesson, he crys out, “I have seen an end of all perfection, but thy commandments are exceeding broad.”  All that are cleaving to this law, as a covenant of works, are enemies to the Lord Jesus Christ; and, all that die under it, must be judged by it.  Now, because I hold forth the grand doctrines of the gospel, and enforce a knowledge of this law, by the teachings of the Spirit of God, that Sinners may be brought to see their need of a Mediator, and a Surety righteousness; for this, I am condemned as an Antinomian!  But, if this Article of my Confession, teaches anything like it, I must say it is the Antinomianism of the gospel, which I shall consider as my duty to enforce, as ornamental to the Religion of the Son of God.  I shall only add, that I was much pleased to see this subject ably handled, in that best of monthly publications, the Gospel Magazine: one paragraph I shall insert, see vol. 9, page 372.  “The doctrine of the total abolition of the covenant of works, and the perfect deliverance of all true Believers from its power and authority, by the substitution, obedience, and atonement of Christ, breaks the arms of ungodliness, demolishes the whole empire of sin, and makes the church of the first born fruitful to God.  Fruitful in heart, fruitful in life, fruitful in every good work.  The proof which the Scriptures afford of the truth of these assertions, mocks all contradiction, and bids defiance to all assault.”

*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK A CONFESSION OF EVANGELICAL PRINCIPLES ***

Updated editions will replace the previous one—the old editions will be renamed.

Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright law means that no one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to copying and distributing Project Gutenberg™ electronic works to protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG™ concept and trademark. Project Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you charge for an eBook, except by following the terms of the trademark license, including paying royalties for use of the Project Gutenberg trademark. If you do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the trademark license is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and research. Project Gutenberg eBooks may be modified and printed and given away—you may do practically ANYTHING in the United States with eBooks not protected by U.S. copyright law. Redistribution is subject to the trademark license, especially commercial redistribution.

START: FULL LICENSE

THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE

PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK

To protect the Project Gutenberg™ mission of promoting the free distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase “Project Gutenberg”), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project Gutenberg™ License available with this file or online at www.gutenberg.org/license.

Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg™ electronic works

1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg™ electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy all copies of Project Gutenberg™ electronic works in your possession. If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project Gutenberg™ electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8.

1.B. “Project Gutenberg” is a registered trademark. It may only be used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg™ electronic works even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project Gutenberg™ electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg™ electronic works. See paragraph 1.E below.

1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation (“the Foundation” or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project Gutenberg™ electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an individual work is unprotected by copyright law in the United States and you are located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project Gutenberg™ mission of promoting free access to electronic works by freely sharing Project Gutenberg™ works in compliance with the terms of this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg™ name associated with the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project Gutenberg™ License when you share it without charge with others.

1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project Gutenberg™ work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning the copyright status of any work in any country other than the United States.

1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg:

1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate access to, the full Project Gutenberg™ License must appear prominently whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg™ work (any work on which the phrase “Project Gutenberg” appears, or with which the phrase “Project Gutenberg” is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, copied or distributed:

This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and most other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you will have to check the laws of the country where you are located before using this eBook.

1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg™ electronic work is derived from texts not protected by U.S. copyright law (does not contain a notice indicating that it is posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work with the phrase “Project Gutenberg” associated with or appearing on the work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the Project Gutenberg™ trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or 1.E.9.

1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg™ electronic work is posted with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked to the Project Gutenberg™ License for all works posted with the permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work.

1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg™ License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg™.

1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project Gutenberg™ License.

1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg™ work in a format other than “Plain Vanilla ASCII” or other format used in the official version posted on the official Project Gutenberg™ website (www.gutenberg.org), you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon request, of the work in its original “Plain Vanilla ASCII” or other form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg™ License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1.

1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg™ works unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9.

1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing access to or distributing Project Gutenberg™ electronic works provided that:

- • You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from the use of Project Gutenberg™ works calculated using the method you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg™ trademark, but he has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the address specified in Section 4, “Information about donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation.”

- • You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg™ License. You must require such a user to return or destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of Project Gutenberg™ works.

- • You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days of receipt of the work.

- • You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free distribution of Project Gutenberg™ works.

1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg™ electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the manager of the Project Gutenberg™ trademark. Contact the Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below.

1.F.

1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread works not protected by U.S. copyright law in creating the Project Gutenberg™ collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg™ electronic works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain “Defects,” such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by your equipment.

1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the “Right of Replacement or Refund” described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project Gutenberg™ trademark, and any other party distributing a Project Gutenberg™ electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGE.

1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further opportunities to fix the problem.

1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you ‘AS-IS’, WITH NO OTHER WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE.

1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions.

1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone providing copies of Project Gutenberg™ electronic works in accordance with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg™ electronic works, harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg™ work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any Project Gutenberg™ work, and (c) any Defect you cause.

Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg™

Project Gutenberg™ is synonymous with the free distribution of electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from people in all walks of life.

Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg™’s goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg™ collection will remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure and permanent future for Project Gutenberg™ and future generations. To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 and the Foundation information page at www.gutenberg.org.

Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation

The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non-profit 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal Revenue Service. The Foundation’s EIN or federal tax identification number is 64-6221541. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state’s laws.

The Foundation’s business office is located at 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887. Email contact links and up to date contact information can be found at the Foundation’s website and official page at www.gutenberg.org/contact

Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation

Project Gutenberg™ depends upon and cannot survive without widespread public support and donations to carry out its mission of increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be freely distributed in machine-readable form accessible by the widest array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt status with the IRS.

The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any particular state visit www.gutenberg.org/donate.

While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who approach us with offers to donate.

International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff.

Please check the Project Gutenberg web pages for current donation methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other ways including checks, online payments and credit card donations. To donate, please visit: www.gutenberg.org/donate.

Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg™ electronic works

Professor Michael S. Hart was the originator of the Project Gutenberg™ concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared with anyone. For forty years, he produced and distributed Project Gutenberg™ eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support.

Project Gutenberg™ eBooks are often created from several printed editions, all of which are confirmed as not protected by copyright in the U.S. unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition.

Most people start at our website which has the main PG search facility: www.gutenberg.org.

This website includes information about Project Gutenberg™, including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks.

back

Table of Contents

- A CONFESSION OF Evangelical Principles, IN A LETTER TO A FRIEND;

- Letter.

- A Confession of Faith.

- Footnotes.

- THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE