The 1677/89 London Baptist Confession of Faith

It is now many years since divers of us (with other sober Christians
then living and walking in the way of the Lord that we professe) did
conceive our selves to be under a necessity of Publishing a Confession
of our Faith, for the information, and satisfaction of those, that did
not throughly understand what our principles were, or had entertained
prejudices against our Profession, by reason of the strange
representation of them, by some men of note, who had taken very wrong
measures, and accordingly led others into misapprehensions, of us, and
them: and this was first put forth about the year, 1643. in the name of
seven Congregations then gathered in London; since which time, diverse
impressions thereof have been dispersed abroad, and our end proposed,
in good measure answered, inasmuch as many (and some of those men
eminent, both for piety and learning) were thereby satisfied, that we
were no way guilty of those Heterodoxies and fundamental errors, which
had too frequently been charged upon us without ground, or occasion
given on our part. And forasmuch, as that Confession is not now
commonly to be had; and also that many others have since embraced the
same truth which is owned therein; it was judged necessary by us to
joyn together in giving a testimony to the world; of our firm adhering
to those wholesome Principles, by the publication of this which is now
in your hand.