7 reasons for confessionalism

Scott Clark has a useful reflection upon the necessity of confessionalism in the contemporary confusion. Samuel Miller's defence of confessionalism "The Utility and Importance of Creeds and Confessions" is one of the great classic works in this area. Miller states the danger that can arise from individuals. One 'may have unfeigned piety, as well as talents and learning; and yet, from habitual indiscretion ; from a defect in that sobriety of mind, which is so precious to all men, but especially to every one who occupies a public
station; from a fondness for novelty and innovation, or from that love of distinction which is so natural to men; — after all, instead of edifying the "body
of Christ," he may become a disturber of its peace, and a corrnpter of its purity'. He points out 'how easy it is for a single imprudent or unsound minister to do extensive and irreparable mischief in the Church. Such an one, especially if he be a man of talents and influence, by setting himself, either openly or covertly, against the public standards of his church; by addressing popular feeling, and availing himself of popular prejudice ; may do more, in a short time, to prepare the way for fatal error, than all his usefulness, though multiplied a hundred fold, would be
able to countervail.'

There are 7 points in defence of ecclesiastical confessions.
1. Without a Creed explicitly adopted, it is not easy to see how the MINISTERS AND MEMBERS OF ANY PARTICULAR CHURCH AND MORE ESPECIALLY A LARGE DENOMINATION OF CHRISTAINS, CAN MAINTAIN UNITY AMONG THEMSELVES.
2. One great design of establishing a church in our world was, that she might be in all ages, a DEPOSITORY, A GUARDIAN, AND A WITNESS OF THE TRUTH.
3. The adoption and publication of a Creed, is A TRIBUTE TO TRUTH AND CANDOUR, which every Christian church OWES TO THE OTHER CHURCHES, AND TO THE WORLD AROUND HER.
4. THEY ARE FRIENDLY TO THE STUDY OF CHRISTIAN DOCTRINE, AND OF COURSE, TO THE PREVALENCE OF CHRISTIAN KNOWLEDGE.
5. THE EXPERIENCE OF ALL AGES HAS FOUND THEM INDISPENSABLY NECESSARY.
6. THEIR MOST ZEALOUS OPPOSERS HAVE GENERALLY BEEN LATITUDINARIANS AND HERETICS.
7. THEIR MOST ZEALOUS OPPOSERS DO THEMSELVES VIRTUALLY EMPLOY THEM IN ALL THEIR ECCLESIASTICAL PROCEEDINGS.

Miller then refutes a few common objections to having ecclesiastical confessions and requiring subscription to them on the part of office-bearers.
1. That having a Creed, and requiring subscription to it as a religious test, is SUPERSEDING THE BIBLE, AND MAKING A HUMAN COMPOSITION INSTEAD OF IT A STANDARD OF FAITH.
2. Another objection frequently made to church Creeds is, that they INTERFERE WITH THE RIGHTS OF CONSCIENCE, AND NATURALLY LEAD TO OPPRESSION.
3. A third objection often urged against subscription to Creeds and Confessions is, that it is UNFRIENDLY TO FREE INQUIRY.
4. A fourth objection frequently brought against Creeds is, that they have ALTOGETHER FAILED OF ANSWERING THE PURPOSE PROFESSED TO BE INTENDED BY THEM.
5. The last objection which I shall consider is, that subscription to Creeds, has not only failed entirely of producing the benefits contemplated by their friends; but has rather been found to PRODUCE THE OPPOSITE EVILS; TO GENERATE DISCORD AND
STRIFE.

Miller then draws PRACTICAL INFERENCES from the foregoing principles and reasonings.
1. From the representation which has been given, we may see HOW LITTLE REASON ANY HAVE TO BE AFRAID OF CREEDS, AS INSTRUMENTS OF OPPRESSION.
2. We may see, from what has been said, that subscribing a church Creed, is not a mere formality; but a VERY SOLEMN TRANSACTION, WHICH MEANS MUCH, AND INFERS THE MOST SERIOUS OBLIGATIONS.
3. From the view which has been presented of this subject, we may decide HOW AN HONEST MAN OUGHT TO ACT, AFTER SUBSCRIBING TO A PUBLIC CREED.
4. How easy it is for a SINGLE IMPRUDENT OR UNSOUND MINISTER TO DO EXTENSIVE
AND IRREPARABLE MISCHIEF IN THE CHURCH.
5. The duty and importance of all the members, and especially the ministers, of the Presbyterian church, exerting themselves TO SPREAD A KNOWLEDGE OF HER PUBLIC STANDARDS.
6. Once more; if the foregoing principles be just, then how unhappy is the mistake of those who imagine, that, BY ABANDONING ALL CREEDS AND CONFESSIONS, THEY ARE ABOUT TO RENDER THE CHURCH AN ESSENTIAL SERVICE; to build her up more extensively and gloriously than ever!