Gadsby’s Convictional Statement Of Faith

William Gadsby (1773-1844) was a Strict and Particular Baptist preacher, who for thirty-nine years served as pastor for the church meeting at Black Lane, Manchester. His son John (1808-1893) was an author and printer, who in 1835 started a new religious magazine entitled, “The Gospel Standard, Or, Feeble Christian’s Support.” He immediately gained the help of his father, together serving as its first Editors. 

The first Issue of the magazine was printed in August 1835, beginning with an “Address” to the “Christian Reader”, the content of which sets forth the articles of faith drawn up and embraced by the Editors (most likely the convictional statement of William Gadsby):

“At a time like the present, when so many religious periodicals are already afloat, and when so many high professions are made of their adherence to truth, it may be, to some, matter of surprise that we should venture to launch our little vessel into so wide an ocean, lest the first tempest that it meets with should sink it into oblivion, never to appear again. But when, setting aside all who make no pretensions to steer beyond the general doctrines of the day, we look amongst those who hand out for their banner the discrimination sovereignty of God, and see some setting forth the law of works, the killing letter, as the spiritually-living man’s perfect rule of walk and conduct, thereby, as far as words can do it, sullying the glory of the Gospel, others fearing to express their sentiments, lest they should give offense; and others insisting upon the spirituality of certain dead forms, clenching their views with blasphemously asserting that, in their estimation, they hold the writers of some of them as being “as much inspired by the Holy Spirit when they composed them as any of the sacred writers of the Holy Scriptures;” then calling upon men—whose eyes God has opened to see the abominations of the system with which they were connected, and whose hearts have been made to chill when they heard the most dreadfully-dissipated characters so awfully chattering over their beliefs and prayers, with all the mockery and mummery of Popery—to return to the mother who gave them birth, and again partake of her corruptions and fornications;—when, we say, we see these things, and reflect that in nearly all there is so much flesh-pleasing conformity to the spirit of the world, and so little desire manifested to set forth the simplicity and preciousness of the Gospel, as it is in Jesus, we are free to confess that, under the Divine blessing, and guided as we trust we are by personally disinterested motives, we have few fears but that we shall meet with that encouragement from the truly enlightened followers of the Lamb which will keep our bark upon the wave, despite all the storms and battering of men with which it may be assailed.

In our labours, we hope ever to keep in view the following things, and to vindicate them, in all their bearings, whether men will hear or whether they will forbear:—

That there are Three Persons in the One-Undivided Jehovah—the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost: that each Person in this blessed Three-One God are equal—equal in power, and in glory, and in love to the church; the love of the Father being displayed in Election, the love of the Son in Redemption, and the love of the Holy Ghost in Regeneration, and the glorious things arising therefrom, and connected therewith: that in eternity Jehovah, foreseeing every the most minute circumstances and event, chose to himself, in Christ, a people whom he is determined to save with an everlasting salvation, and who shall show forth his praise; while the rest, being left to the hardness of their hearts, must inevitably perish in their sins: that nothing short of the divine power and energy of God the Holy Ghost in the heart of a sinner will make him spiritually repent—all other repentance being, like Juda’s, fleshly: that wherever the blessed Spirit begins his work of grace in a sinner’s heart, he will perfect it, it being not in the power of Satan or men to wrest one soul from his hands: that his blessed Majesty will daily lead his quickened children into the mystery of the iniquity of their carnal nature, and into the glorious mystery of God in Christ, as suited to and designed for them, thus glorifying Christ in their hearts as all and in all, teaching them the deep things of God, and inspiring their hearts to bless the Lord Jesus Christ, that because he lives, they shall live also: that the imputed righteousness of Christ is absolutely necessary for the justification of a sinner, and his holiness for sanctification—fallen, ruined, guilty man, by nature as well as by practice, being utterly incapacitated from doing anything towards the salvation of his soul: that the Gospel, which contains all the glory of all the laws that every were promulgated from the throne of God, and in which harmonize all the glorious doctrines, promises, and precepts of the grace of God, is the only perfect rule of the believer’s life and conduct, everything else leaving him destitute of hope: that the ordinance of the Lord’s Supper can only be Scripturally administered to those who have been made to feel their lost and ruined state as sinners, and who, having been enabled to give a reason of the hope that is in them, and the answer of a good conscience toward God, have been solemnly immersed in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: and, finally, that the Scriptures, being the absolute, infallible, revealed word and will of God, is the only standard by which the faith of man can rightly be tried. 

But while it will be our privilege ever to adhere to these God-glorifying, man-abasing sentiments, our pages will not be altogether closed against fair and candid discussion; and we shall at all times be glad to receive the communications of our friends, and give place to any remarks that will tend to the comforting, instructing, or edifying of the flock of Christ, knowing that the weakest instruments are sometimes made the greatest blessing.

In the hand of the Divine Master, we desire to leave ourselves; and if it should please him to make our work a blessing to the poor of his household, we trust, as we soar not to a higher object, we shall be enabled to give him the glory. 

THE EDITORS”

Today’s reader may be under the impression that the 18^th century Particular Baptists (with succeeding generations) invariably subscribed to one of the 17^th century confessional statements (1644/1689). However, this is not true. The reforms brought about by the 18^th century Particular Baptists largely rendered the 17^th century confessional statements obsolete. Nor did the Particular Baptists of succeeding generations invariably adopt the newer confessional statements drawn up by men such as John Gill (Goat Yard Declaration 1729). Rather, they drew up their own statements, reflective of their personal faith and practice. Although these personal statements may have been based, in measure, upon preceding confessional statements (especially the 1729 Declaration), yet generally speaking, they were unique articulations of the faith held by the pastors and their churches. Henceforth, it is not surprising to discover William Gadsby articulating his faith in language peculiar to himself. My dear friend, I believe this is a policy that should be adopted by every Christian. Every regenerate sinner should draw up his/her own statement of faith, representative of his/her personal knowledge, understanding and convictions. The statement should be under constant review, throughout his/her earthly pilgrimage, reflective of his/her growth in grace. 

I do not know if you have ever distinguished between a confessional statement of faith and a convictional statement of faith. A confessional statement is dead orthodoxy, representing the views of ancient witnesses. A convictional statement is living orthodoxy, reflecting the views of today’s witnesses. A confessional statement can only be borrowed, whereas a convictional statement is a gift from God the Spirit. My friend, far better for you to live by a convictional statement of only a few articles, than borrow a confessional statement of many articles. In time, the Lord will add to your convictions and your statement will grow and mature. You should be more concerned with what you believe, based on the teaching of the Spirit, than what Nehemiah Coxe or John Gill believed, based on their confessions of faith. 

With reference to Gadsby’s convictional statement, I observe the following:

First, it begins with a statement on the one true and living God, ending with a statement on the authority of the Holy Scriptures—this is a good and proper order in the arrangement of biblical truth. 

Second, it sets forth the covenant of grace as one and the same with the covenant of redemption—the electing love of the Father, the redeeming grace of the Son and the sanctifying power of the Holy Spirit. 

Third, it distinguishes between legal (natural) repentance in an unregenerate condition and living (spiritual) repentance in a regenerate condition—and that only the effectual power of the Holy Spirit in regenerating grace will bring about a living and spiritual repentance. 

Fourth, it affirms the Spirit of God will perfect His work of grace in the sinner’s heart, by bringing him/her to glory. 

Fifth, it marks out the gospel as the rule of conduct by which the regenerate sinner is led during his/her earthly pilgrimage—the soul being united to Christ, the Spirit of God communicates the life and graces of Christ to the soul, thereby enabling the regenerate sinner to work out his/her own salvation with fear and trembling. 

Sixth, it recognizes the importance of the church, with a membership of baptized believers following the gospel of Christ, including the observance of the Lord’s Table. 

Upon these articles do several other vital doctrines rest, which the content of the “Gospel Standard” has promoted and defended for the last one hundred and eighty-nine years. 

How is it with you, my dear friend? Have you drawn up a personal statement of faith, based on your knowledge, understanding and conviction of truth? Or are you borrowing the convictions and confessions of ancient witnesses? You will never live for someone else’s convictions, much less die for them. But you would live and die for your personal convictions. Write them out and make it your standard of faith and practice. 

Jared Smith