Form
The document is heavily footnoted with 308 scriptural references—the authors wished to show how their understanding of a congregation mirrored that of the family of Sarah and Abraham who they considered the first free church Following that model, the free church is understood to arise out of a covenant. The covenant defines who the members can be, what they are to do, and how they are to relate with one another, the union of actual people in that covenant creates the church.
The preface takes pains to respect the Westminster Confession in all ways except with regard to governance—there are just three chapters of the Westminster Confession that are being disagreed with. It also urges that it is not in any way advocating any schism, change, or revolution in governance among the churches of England.
Read more about this topic: The Cambridge Platform
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