The First London Baptist Confession of Faith, published in 1644, and signed by men such as John Spilsbury, William Kiffin, Hanserd Knollys, and Samuel Richardson, wrote the following under Article XXV. (emphasis mine)
"THE preaching of the gospel to the conversion of sinners, is absolutely free; no way requiring as absolutely necessary, any qualifications, preparations, or terrors of the law, or preceding ministry of the law, but only and alone the naked soul, a sinner and ungodly, to receive Christ crucified, dead and buried, and risen again; who is made a prince and a Saviour for such sinners as through the gospel shall be brought to believe on Him."
John 3:14.15.1:12; Isa.55:1; John 7:37; 1 Tim.1:15; Rom.4:5.5:8; Acts 5:30.31,2:36; 1 Cor.1:22,24.
Observations
1. These writers viewed "conversion" as the same as regeneration.
2. They did not believe that regeneration preceded faith or conversion, for this would be putting a qualification before conversion.
3. Prior to faith, or believing in Christ, a man is an ungodly condemned sinner, one not yet regenerated.
4. The gospel is the means of begetting faith and life, and of creating a union between Christ and sinners.
See here
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