A Short Confession of Faith

by Benjamin Keach

While many churches today practise and emphasise doctrinal minimalism, the Articles of Faith republished in this book show what it can look like for a church to be devoted to the teaching of the Bible. A Short Confession of Faith is the theological expression of one Particular Baptist congregation in London, which was pastored by Benjamin Keach, at the end of the seventeenth century. It agrees with the Second London Confession of Faith but also highlights some distinctives which were debated amongst Reformed Baptists. It displays doctrinal clarity, urges commitment to the local church in meaningful membership, and exhibits pastoral warmth.

69 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1697

About the author

Benjamin Keach (1640-1704) was a Particular Baptist preacher in London whose name was given to Keach’s Catechism.

Originally from Buckinghamshire, Keach worked as a tailor during his early years. He was baptized at the age of 15 and began preaching at 18. He was the minister of the congregation at Winslow before moving in 1668 to the church at Horse-lie-down, Southwark where he remained for 36 years as pastor (1668-1704). This congregation later became the New Park Street Church and then moved to the Metropolitan Tabernacle under the pastorship of Charles Spurgeon. It was as representative of this church that Keach went to the 1689 General Assembly and subscribed the 1689 London Baptist Confession of Faith. Keach was one of the seven men who sent out the invitation to the 1689 General Assembly. The signing of the confession was no mute doctrinal assent on the part of the church, for in the same year they entered into a Solemn Covenant which reflected, at the practical and congregational level, some of the doctrines of the confession. There was a secession from Horse-lie-down in 1673 and the Old Kent Road congregation was formed. Spurgeon later republished the 1689 London Baptist Confession of Faith for use in the congregation.

Keach wrote 43 works, of which his “Parables and Metaphors of Scripture” may be the best known. He wrote a work entitled “The Child’s Instructor” which immediately brought him under persecution and he was fined and pilloried in 1664. He is attributed with the writing of a catechism commonly known as “Keach’s Catechism”, although it is most likely that the original was compiled by William Collins. (From The Digital Puritan)

Reviews

[Allyson Smith · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good simplified version of some of the larger confessions of faith. It was very helpful to have the Scripture references quoted below each article.