The Westminster
Confession of Faith
with the Scripture Proofs
This text of the Westminster Confession of Faith is is derived from a
1646 manuscript edited by S. W. Carruthers. Revisions were introduced into
Confession of Faith in 1789 when the Presbyterian Church in the USA was
originally constituted. Some additional revisions were made in 1936 when
the Confession of Faith was adopted by the Orthodox Presbyterian Church.
The identical version was adopted by the Presbyterian Church in America
in 1973.
The biblical proof texts included in this edition are those prepared by
a special committee of the General Assembly of the Orthodox Presbyterian
Church in 1978.
Table of Contents
CHAPTER I
Of the Holy Scripture
[TOP]
1. Although the light of nature, and the works of creation and providence
do so far manifest the goodness, wisdom, and power of God, as to leave men
unexcusable;[a] yet are they not sufficient to give that knowledge of God,
and of his will, which is necessary unto salvation.[b] Therefore it pleased
the Lord, at sundry times, and in divers manner, to reveal himself, and
to declare that his will unto his church;[c] and afterwards, for the better
preserving and propagating of the truth, and for the more sure establishment
and comfort of the church against the corruption of the flesh, and the malice
of Satan and of the world, to commit the same wholly unto writing:[d] which
maketh the holy Scripture to be most necessary;[e] those former ways of
God's revealing his will unto his people being now ceased.[f]
- [a]. Rom. 2:14-15; Rom. 1:19-20; Ps. 19:1-4; see Rom. 1:32; Rom. 2:1
- [b]. John 17:3; I Cor. 1:21; I Cor. 2:13-14
- [c]. Heb. 1:1-2
- [d]. Luke 1:3-4; Rom. 15:4; Matt. 4:4, 7, 10; Isa. 8:20
- [e]. II Tim. 3:15; II Pet. 1:19
- [f]. John 20:31; I Cor. 14:37; I John 5:13; I Cor. 10:11; Heb. 1:1-2;
Heb. 2:2-4
2. Under the name of holy Scripture, or the Word of God written, are now
contained all the books of the Old and New Testaments, which are these:
OF THE OLD TESTAMENT
- Genesis
- Exodus
- Leviticus
- Numbers
- Deuteronomy
- Joshua
- Judges
- Ruth
- 1 Samuel
- 2 Samuel
- 1 Kings
- 2 Kings
- 1 Chronicles
- 2 Chronicles
- Ezra
- Nehemiah
- Esther
- Job
- Psalms
- Proverbs
- Ecclesiastes
- The Song of Songs
- Isaiah
- Jeremiah
- Lamentations
- Ezekiel
- Daniel
- Hosea
- Joel
- Amos
- Obadiah
- Jonah
- Micah
- Nahum
- Habbakkuk
- Zephaniah
- Haggai
- Zechariah
- Malachi
OF THE NEW TESTAMENT
- The Gospels according to
- Matthew
- Mark
- Luke
- John
- The Acts of the Apostles
- Paul's Epistle to
- the Romans
- the Corinthians I
- the Corinthians II
- the Galatians
- the Ephesians
- the Philippians
- the Colossians
- the Thessalonians I
- the Thessalonians II
- Timothy I
- Timothy II
- Titus
- Philemon
- The Epistle to the Hebrews
- The Epistle of James
- The First and Second Epistles of Peter
- The First, Second, and Third Epistles of John
- The Epistle of Jude
- The Revelation of John
All which are given by inspiration of God to be the rule of faith and life[g].
- [g]. Luke 16:29, 31; Luke 24:27, 44; II Tim. 3:15-16; John 5:46-47
3. The books commonly called Apocrypha, not being of divine inspiration,
are no part of the canon of the Scripture, and therefore are of no authority
in the church of God, nor to be any otherwise approved, or made use of,
than other human writings[h].
- [h]. Rev. 22:18-19; Rom. 3:2; II Pet. 1:21
4. The authority of the holy Scripture, for which it ought to be believed,
and obeyed, dependeth not upon the testimony of any man, or church; but
wholly upon God (who is truth itself) the author thereof: and therefore
it is to be received, because it is the Word of God[i].
- [i]. II Pet. 1:19-20; II Tim. 3:16; I John 5:9; I Thess. 2:13; Rev.
1:1-2
5. We may be moved and induced by the testimony of the church to an high
and reverend esteem of the holy Scripture[k]. And the heavenliness of the
matter, the efficacy of the doctrine, the majesty of the style, the consent
of all the parts, the scope of the whole (which is, to give all glory to
God), the full discovery it makes of the only way of man's salvation, the
many other incomparable excellencies, and the entire perfection thereof,
are arguments whereby it doth abundantly evidence itself to be the Word
of God: yet notwithstanding, our full persuasion and assurance of the infallible
truth and divine authority thereof, is from the inward work of the Holy
Spirit bearing witness by and with the Word in our hearts[l].
- [k]. I Tim. 3:15
- [l]. I Cor. 2:9-10; Heb. 4:12; John 10:35; Isa. 55:11; see Rom. 11:36;
Ps. 19:7-11; see II Tim. 3:15; I Cor. 2:4-5; I Thess. 1:5; I John 2:20,
27; see Isa. 59:21
6. The whole counsel of God concerning all things necessary for his own
glory, man's salvation, faith and life, is either expressly set down in
Scripture, or by good and necessary consequence may be deduced from Scripture:
unto which nothing at any time is to be added, whether by new revelations
of the Spirit or traditions of men[m]. Nevertheless, we acknowledge the
inward illumination of the Spirit of God to be necessary for the saving
understanding of such things as are revealed in the Word:[n] and that there
are some circumstances concerning the worship of God, and government of
the church, common to human actions and societies, which are to be ordered
by the light of nature, and Christian prudence, according to the general
rules of the Word, which are always to be observed[o].
- [m]. II Tim. 3:16-17; Gal. 1:8-9; II Thess. 2:2
- [n]. John 6:45; I Cor. 2:12, 14-15; Eph. 1:18; see II Cor. 4:6
- [o]. I Cor. 11:13-14; I Cor. 14:26, 40
7. All things in Scripture are not alike plain in themselves, nor alike
clear unto all[p]: yet those things which are necessary to be known, believed,
and observed for salvation, are so clearly propounded, and opened in some
place of Scripture or other, that not only the learned, but the unlearned,
in a due use of the ordinary means, may attain unto a sufficient understanding
of them[q].
- [p]. II Pet. 3:16
- [q]. Ps. 119:105, 130; Deut. 29:29; Deut. 30:10-14; Acts 17:11
8. The Old Testament in Hebrew (which was the native language of the people
of God of old), and the New Testament in Greek (which, at the time of the
writing of it, was most generally known to the nations), being immediately
inspired by God, and, by his singular care and providence, kept pure in
all ages, are therefore authentical[r]; so as, in all controversies of religion,
the church is finally to appeal unto them[s]. But, because these original
tongues are not known to all the people of God, who have right unto, and
interest in the Scriptures, and are commanded, in the fear of God, to read
and search them[t], therefore they are to be translated into the vulgar
language of every nation unto which they come[u], that, the Word of God
dwelling plentifully in all, they may worship him in an acceptable manner[w];
and, through patience and comfort of the Scriptures, may have hope[x].
- [r]. Matt. 5:18; Ps. 119:89
- [s]. Is. 8:20; Matt. 15:3, 6; Acts 15:15; see II Tim. 3:14-15
- [t]. John 5:39; Acts 17:11; Rev. 1:3; see II Tim. 3:14-15
- [u]. Matt. 28:19-20; see I Cor. 14:6; Mark 15:34
- [w]. Col. 3:16; see Exod. 20:4-6; Matt. 15:7-9
- [x]. Rom. 15:4
9. The infallible rule of interpretation of Scripture is the Scripture itself:
and therefore, when there is a question about the true and full sense of
any Scripture (which is not manifold, but one), it must be searched and
known by other places that speak more clearly[y].
- [y]. Acts 15:15; John 5:46; see II Pet. 1:20-21
10. The supreme judge by which all controversies of religion are to be determined,
and all decrees of councils, opinions of ancient writers, doctrines of men,
and private spirits, are to be examined, and in whose sentence we are to
rest, can be no other but the Holy Spirit speaking in the Scripture[z].
- [z]. Matt. 22:29, 31; Acts 28:25; see I John 4:1-6
CHAPTER II
Of God, and of the Holy Trinity
[TOP]
1. There is but one only,[a] living, and true God,[b] who is infinite in
being and perfection,[c] a most pure spirit,[d] invisible,[e] without body,[f]
parts, or passions;[g] immutable,[h] immense,[i] eternal,[k] incomprehensible,[l]
almighty,[m] most wise,[n] most holy,[o] most free,[p] most absolute;[q]
working all things according to the counsel of his own immutable and most
righteous will,[r] for his own glory;[s] most loving,[t] gracious, merciful,
long-suffering, abundant in goodness and truth, forgiving iniquity, transgression,
and sin;[u] the rewarder of them that diligently seek him;[w] and withal,
most just, and terrible in his judgments,[x] hating all sin,[y] and who
will by no means clear the guilty.[z]
- [a]. Deut. 6:4; I Cor. 8:4, 6; see Gal. 3:20
- [b]. I Thess. 1:9; Jer. 10:10
- [c]. Job 11:7-9; Job 26:14; see Ps. 139:6
- [d]. John 4:24
- [e]. I Tim. 1:17; see John 1:18
- [f]. Deut. 4:15-16; cf. John 4:24 with Luke 24:39
- [g]. Acts 14:11, 15
- [h]. James 1:17; Mal. 3:6
- [i]. I Kings 8:27; Jer. 23:23-24
- [k]. Ps. 90:2; see I Tim. 1:17
- [l]. Ps. 145:3; see Rom. 11:34
- [m]. Gen. 17:1; Rev. 4:8
- [n]. Rom. 16:27
- [o]. Isa. 6:3; see Rev. 4:8
- [p]. Ps. 115:3; see Isa. 14:24
- [q]. Isa. 45:5-6; see Exod. 3:14
- [r]. Eph. 1:11
- [s]. Prov. 16:4; Rom. 11:36; see Rev. 4:11
- [t]. I John 4:8; see vs. 16 and John 3:16
- [u]. Exod. 34:6-7
- [w]. Heb. 11:6
- [x]. Neh. 9:32-33; see Heb. 10:28-31
- [y]. Rom. 1:18; Ps. 5:5-6; see Ps. 11:5
- [z]. Exod. 34:7a; see Nah. 1:2-3, 6
2. God hath all life,[a] glory,[b] goodness,[c] blessedness,[d] in and of
himself; and is alone in and unto himself all-sufficient, not standing in
need of any creatures which he hath made,[e] nor deriving any glory from
them,[f] but only manifesting his own glory in, by, unto, and upon them.
He is the alone fountain of all being, of whom, through whom, and to whom
are all things;[g] and hath most sovereign dominion over them, to do by
them, for them, or upon them whatsoever himself pleaseth.[h] In his sight
all things are open and manifest,[i] his knowledge is infinite, infallible,
and independent upon the creature,[k] so as nothing is to him contingent,
or uncertain.[l] He is most holy in all his counsels, in all his works,
and in all his commands.[m] To him is due from angels and men, and every
other creature, whatsoever worhsip, service, or obedience he is pleased
to require of them.[n]
- [a]. Jer. 10:10; see John 5:26
- [b]. Acts 7:2
- [c]. Ps. 119:68
- [d]. I Tim. 6:15; see Rom. 9:5
- [e]. Acts 17:24-25
- [f]. Luke 17:10
- [g]. Rom. 11:36
- [h]. Rev. 4:11; Dan. 4:25, 35; see I Tim. 6:15
- [i]. Heb. 4:13
- [k]. Rom. 11:33-34; Ps. 147:5
- [l]. Acts 15:18; Ezek. 11:5
- [m]. Ps. 145:17; Rom. 7:12
- [n]. Rev. 5:12-14
3. In the unity of the Godhead there be three persons, of one substance,
power, and eternity: God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Ghost:[o]
the Father is of none, neither begotten, not proceeding; the Son is eternally
begotten of the Father;[p] the Holy Ghost eternally proceeding from the
Father and the Son.[q]
- [o]. Matt. 3:16-17; Matt. 28:19; II Cor. 13:14; see Eph. 2:18
- [p]. John 1:14, 18; see Heb. 1:2-3; Col. 1:15
- [q]. John 15:26; Gal. 4:6
CHAPTER III
Of God's Eternal Decree
[TOP]
1. God from all eternity, did, by the most wise and holy counsel of his
own will, freely, and unchangeably ordain whatsoever comes to pass:[a] yet
so, as thereby neither is God the author of sin,[b] nor is violence offered
to the will of the creatures; nor is the liberty or contingency of second
causes taken away, but rather established.[c]
- [a]. Ps. 33:11; Eph. 1:11; Heb. 6:17
- [b]. Ps. 5:4; James 1:13-14; 1 John 1:5; see Hab. 1:13
- [c]. Acts 2:23; Matt. 17:12; Acts 4:27-28; John 19:11; Prov. 16:33
2. Although God knows whatsoever may or can come to pass upon all supposed
conditions,[d] yet hath he not decreed anything because he foresaw it as
future, or as that which would come to pass upon such conditions.[e]
- [d]. I Sam. 23:11-12; Matt. 11:21, 23
- [e]. Rom. 9:11, 13, 16, 18
3. By the decree of God, for the manifestation of his glory, some men and
angels[f] are predestinated unto everlasting life; and others foreordained
to everlasting death.[g]
- [f]. I Tim. 5:21; Jude 6; Matt. 25:31, 41
- [g]. Eph. 1:5-6; Rom. 9:22-23; Prov. 16:4
4. These angels and men, thus predestinated, and foreordained, are particularly
and unchangeably designed, and their number so certain and definite, that
it cannot be either increased or diminished.[h]
- [h]. John 13:18; II Tim. 2:19; see John 10:14-16, 27, 28; John 17:2,
6, 9-12
5. Those of mankind that are predestinated unto life, God, before the foundation
of the world was laid, according to his eternal and immutable purpose, and
the secret counsel and good pleasure of his will, hath chosen, in Christ,
unto everlasting glory,[i] out of his mere free grace and love, without
any foresight of faith, or good works, or perseverance in either of them,
or any other thing in the creature, as conditions, or causes moving him
thereunto:[k] and all to the praise of his glorious grace.[l]
- [i]. Eph. 1:4, 9, 11; Rom. 8:28-30; II Tim. 1:9; I Thess. 5:9
- [k]. Rom. 9:11, 13, 15-16; Eph. 2:8-9; see Eph. 1:5, 9, 11
- [l]. Eph. 1:6, 12
6. As God hath appointed the elect unto glory, so hath he, by the eternal
and most free purpose of his will, foreordained all the means thereunto.[m]
Wherefore, they who are elected, being fallen in Adam, are redeemed by Christ,[n]
are effectually called unto faith in Christ by his Spirit working in due
season, are justified,adopted, sanctified,[o] and kept by his power, through
faith, unto salvation.[p] Neither are any other redeemed by Christ, effectually
called, justified, adopted, sanctified, and saved, but the elect only.[q]
- [m]. I Pet. 1:2; Eph. 2:10; II Thess. 2:13
- [n]. I Thess. 5:9-10; Titus 2:14
- [o]. Rom. 8:30; see Eph. 1:5; II Thess. 2:13
- [p]. I Pet 1:5
- [q]. John 10:14-15, 26; John 6:64-65; Rom. 8:28-39; see John 8:47;
John 17:9; I John 2:19
7. The rest of mankind God was pleased, according to the unsearchable counsel
of his own will, whereby he extendeth or witholdeth mercy, as he pleaseth,
for the glory of his sovereign power over his creatures, to pass by; and
to ordain them to dishonour and wrath for their sin, to the praise of his
glorious justice.[r]
- [r]. Matt. 11:25-26; Rom. 9:17-18, 21-22; Jude 4; I Pet. 2:8; II Tim.
2:19-20
8. The doctrine of this high mystery of predestination is to be handled
with special prudence and care,[s] that men, attending the will of God revealed
in his Word, and yielding obedience thereunto, may, from the certainty of
their effectual vocation, be assured of their eternal election.[t] So shall
this doctrine afford matter of praise, reverence, and admiration of God;[u]
and of humility, diligence, and abundant consolation to all that sincerely
obey the gospel.[w]
- [s]. Rom. 9:20; Rom. 11:33; Deut. 29:29
- [t]. II Pet. 1:10; I Thess. 1:4-5
- [u]. Eph. 1:6; see Rom. 11:33
- [w]. Rom. 11:5-6, 20; Rom. 8:33; Luke 10:20; see II Pet. 1:10
CHAPTER IV
Of Creation
[TOP]
1. It pleased God the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost,[a] for the manifestation
of the glory of his eternal power, wisdom, and goodness,[b]in the beginning,
to create, or make of nothing, the world, and all things therein whether
visible or invisible, in the space of six days; and all very good.[c]
- [a]. Rom. 11:36; I Cor. 8:6; Heb. 1:2; John 1:2-3; Gen. 1:2; Job 33:4
- [b]. Rom. 1:20; Jer. 10:12; Ps. 104:24; Ps. 33:5
- [c]. Gen. 1:1-31; Ps. 33:6; Heb. 11:3; Col. 1:16; Acts 17:24; Exod.
20:11
2. After God had made all other creatures, he created man, male and female,[d]
with reasonable and immortal souls,[e] endued with knowledge, righteousness,
and true holiness, after his own image,[f] having the law of God written
in their hearts,[g] and power to fulfil it:[h] and yet under a possibility
of transgressing, being left to the liberty of their own will, which was
subject unto change.[i] Beside this law written in their hearts, they received
a command, not to eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, which
while they kept, they were happy in their communion with God,[k] and had
dominion over the creatures.[l]
- [d]. Gen. 1:27
- [e]. Gen. 2:7; Ecc. 12:7; Luke 23:43; Matt. 10:28
- [f]. Gen. 1:26; Col. 3:10; Eph. 4:24
- [g]. Rom. 2:14-15
- [h]. Gen. 2:17; Ecc. 7:29
- [i]. Gen. 3:6, 17
- [k]. Gen. 2:17; Gen. 2:15-3:24
- [l]. Gen. 1:28; see Gen. 1:29-30; Ps. 8:6-8
CHAPTER V
Of Providence
[TOP]
1. God the great Creator of all things doth uphold,[a] direct, dispose,
and govern all creatures, actions, and things,[b] from the greatest even
to the least,[c] by his most wise and holy providence,[d] according to his
infallible foreknowledge,[e] and the free and immutable counsel of his own
will,[f] to the praise of the glory of his wisdom, power, justice, goodness,
and mercy.[g]
- [a]. Neh. 9:6; Ps. 145:14-16; Heb. 1:3
- [b]. Dan. 4:34-35; Ps. 135:6; Acts 17:25-28; Job 38:1-41:34
- [c]. Matt. 10:29-31, see Matt. 6:26-32
- [d]. Prov. 15:3; II Chron. 16:9; Ps. 104:24; Ps. 145:17
- [e]. Acts 15:18; Isa. 42:9; Ezek. 11:5
- [f]. Eph. 1:11; Ps. 33:10-11
- [g]. Isa. 63:14; Eph. 3:10; Rom. 9:17; Gen. 45:7; Ps. 145:7
2. Although, in relation to the foreknowledge and decree of God, the first
Cause, all things come to pass immutably, and infallibly;[h] yet, by the
same providence, he ordereth them to fall out, according to the nature of
second causes, either necessarily, freely, or contingently.[i]
- [h]. Acts 2:23; see Isa. 14:24, 27
- [i]. Gen. 8:22; Jer. 31:55; Isa. 10:6-7; see Exod. 21:13; and Deut.
19:5; I Kings 22:28-34
3. God, in his ordinary providence, maketh use of means,[k] yet is free
to work without,[l] above,[m] and against them, at His pleasure.[n]
- [k]. Acts 27:24, 31, 44; Isa. 55:10-11
- [l]. Hos. 1:7; Matt. 4:4; Job 34:20
- [m]. Rom. 4:19-21
- [n]. II Kings 6:6; Dan. 3:27
4. The almighty power, unsearchable wisdom, and infinite goodness of God
so far manifest themselves in his providence, that it extendeth itself even
to the first fall, and all other sins of angels and men;[o] and that not
by a bare permission,[p] but such as hath joined with it a most wise and
powerful bounding,[q] and otherwise ordering, and governing of them, in
a manifold dispensation, to his own holy ends;[r] yet so, as the sinfulness
thereof proceedeth only from the creature, and not from God, who, being
most holy and righteous, neither is nor can be the author or approver of
sin.[s]
- [o]. Isa. 45:7; Rom. 11:32-34; II Sam. 16:10; Acts 2:23; Acts 4:27-28;
see II Sam. 24:1 and I Chron. 21:1; I Kings 22:22-23; I Chron. 10:4, 13-14
- [p]. John 12:40; II Thess. 2:11
- [q]. Ps. 76:10; II Kings 19:28
- [r]. Gen. 50:20; Isa. 10:12; see verses 6-7, 13-15
- [s]. James 1:13-14, 17; I John 2:16; Ps. 50:21
5. The most wise, righteous, and gracious God doth oftentimes leave, for
a season, his own children to manifold temptations, and the corruption of
their own hearts, to chastise them for their former sins, or to discover
unto them the hidden strength of corruption and deceitfulness of their hearts,
that they may be humbled;[t] and, to raise them to a more close and constant
dependence for their support upon himself, and to make them more watchful
against all future occasions of sin, and for sundry other just and holy
ends.[u]
- [t]. II Chron. 32:25-26, 31; Deut. 8:2-3, 5; Luke 22:31-32; see II
Sam. 24:1, 25
- [u]. II Cor. 12:7-9; see Ps. 73:1-28; Ps. 77:1-12; Mark 14:66-72;
John 21:15-19
6. As for those wicked and ungodly men whom God, as a righteous Judge, for
former sins, doth blind and harden,[w] from them he not only withholdeth
his grace whereby they might have been enlightened in their understandings,
and wrought upon in their hearts;[x] but sometimes also withdraweth the
gifts which they had,[y] and exposeth them to such objects as their corruptions
make occasions of sin;[z] and, withal, gives them over to their own lusts,
the temptations of the world, and the power of Satan,[a] whereby it comes
to pass that they harden themselves, even under those means which God useth
for the softening of others.[b]
- [w]. Rom. 1:24, 26, 28; Rom. 11:7-8
- [x]. Deut. 29:4; Mark 4:11-12
- [y]. Matt. 13:12; Matt. 25:29; see Acts 13:10-11
- [z]. Gen. 4:8; II Kings 8:12-13; see Matt. 26:14-16
- [a]. Ps. 109:6; Luke 22:3; II Thess. 2:10-12
- [b]. Exod. 8:15, 32; II Cor. 2:15-16; Isa. 8:14; I Pet. 2:7-8; see
Exod. 7:3; Isa. 6:9-10; Acts 28:26-27
7. As the providence of God doth, in general, reach to all creatures; so,
after a most special manner, it taketh care of his church, and disposeth
all things to the good thereof.[c]
- [c]. I Tim. 4:10; Amos 9:8-9; Matt. 16:18; Rom. 8:28; Isa. 43:3-5,
14
CHAPTER VI
Of the Fall of Man, of Sin,
and of the Punishment Thereof
[TOP]
1. Our first parents, being seduced by the subtilty and temptation of Satan,
sinned, in eating the forbidden fruit.[a] This their sin, God was pleased,
according to his wise and holy counsel, to permit, having purposed to order
it to his own glory.[b]
- [a]. Gen. 3:13; II Cor. 11:3
- [b]. See Chapter V, Section IV
2. By this sin they fell from their original righteousness and communion,
with God,[c] and so became dead in sin,[d] and wholly defiled in all the
parts and faculties of soul and body.[e]
- [c]. Gen. 3:6-8; Rom. 3:23
- [d]. Gen. 2:17; Eph. 2:1-3; see Rom. 5:12
- [e]. Gen. 6:5; Jer. 17:9; Titus 1:15; Rom. 3:10-19
3. They being the root of all mankind, the guilt of this sin was imputed;[f]
and the same death in sin, and corrupted nature, conveyed to all their posterity
descending from them by ordinary generation.[g]
- [f]. Acts 17:26; Rom. 5:12, 15-19; I Cor. 15:21-22, 49
- [g]. Ps. 51:5; John 3:6; Gen. 5:3; Job 15:14
4. From this original corruption, whereby we are utterly indisposed, disabled,
and made opposite to all good,[h] and wholly inclined to all evil,[i] do
proceed all actual transgressions.[k]
- [h]. Rom. 5:6; Rom. 7:18; Rom. 8:7; Col. 1:21
- [i]. Gen. 8:21; see Gen. 6:5; Rom. 3:10-12
- [k]. Matt. 15:19; James 1:14-15; Eph. 2:2-3
5. This corruption of nature, during this life, doth remain in those that
are regenerated;[l] and although it be, through Christ, pardoned, and mortified;
yet both itself, and all the motions thereof, are truly and properly sin.[m]
- [l]. Prov. 20:9; Ecc. 7:20; Rom. 7:14, 17-18, 21-23; I John 1:8, 10
- [m]. Rom. 7:7-8, 25; Gal. 5:17
6. Every sin, both original and actual, being a transgression of the righteous
law of God, and contrary thereunto,[n] doth in its own nature, bring guilt
upon the sinner,[o] whereby he is bound over to the wrath of God,[p] and
curse of the law,[q] and so made subject to death,[r] with all miseries
spiritual,[s] temporal,[t] and eternal.[u]
- [n]. I John 3:4
- [o]. Rom. 2:15; Rom. 3:9, 19
- [p]. Eph. 2:3
- [q]. Gal. 3:10
- [r]. Rom. 6:23
- [s]. Eph. 4:18
- [t]. Rom. 8:20; Lam. 3:39
- [u]. Matt. 25:41; II Thess. 1:9
CHAPTER VII
Of God's Covenant with Man
[TOP]
1. The distance between God and the creature is so great, that although
reasonable creatures do owe obedience unto him as their Creator, yet they
could never have any fruition of Him as their blessedness and reward, but
by some voluntary condescension on God's part, which he hath been pleased
to express by way of covenant.[a]
- [a]. Isa. 40:13-17; Job 9:32-33; Ps. 113:5-6; Job 22:2-3; Job 35:7-8;
Luke 17:10; Acts 17:24-25
2. The first covenant made with man was a covenant of works,[b] wherein
life was promised to Adam; and in him to his posterity,[c] upon condition
of perfect and personal obedience.[d]
- [b]. Gen. 2:16-17; Hos. 6:7; Gal. 3:12
- [c]. Gen. 3:22; Rom. 10:5; Rom. 5:12-14; see Rom. 5:15-20
- [d]. Gen. 2:17; Gal. 3:10
3. Man, by his fall, having made himself uncapable of life by that covenant,
the Lord was pleased to make a second,[e] commonly called the covenant
of grace; wherein he freely offereth unto sinners life and salvation
by Jesus Christ; requiring of them faith in him, that they may be saved,[f]
and promising to give unto all those that are ordained unto eternal life
his Holy Spirit, to make them willing, and able to believe.[g]
- [e]. Gal. 3:21; Rom. 3:20-21; Rom. 8:3; Gen. 3:15; see Isa. 42:6
- [f]. John 3:16; Rom. 10:6, 9; Rev. 22:17
- [g]. Acts 13:48; Ezek. 36:26-27; John 6:37, 44-45; I Cor. 12:3
4. This covenant of grace is frequently set forth in Scripture by the name
of a testament, in reference to the death of Jesus Christ the Testator,
and to the everlasting inheritance, with all things belonging to it, therein
bequeathed.[h]
- [h]. Heb. 9:15-17
5. This covenant was differently administered in the time of the law, and
in the time of the gospel:[i] under the law it was administered by promises,
prophecies, sacrifices, circumcision, the paschal lamb, and other types
and ordinances delivered to the people of the Jews, all foresignifying Christ
to come;[k] which were, for that time, sufficient and efficacious, through
the operation of the Spirit, to instruct and build up the elect in faith
in the promised Messiah,[l] by whom they had full remission of sins, and
eternal salvation; and is called the old testament.[m]
- [i]. II Cor. 3:6-9
- [k]. Heb. 8:9-10; Rom. 4:11; Col. 2:11-12; I Cor. 5:7
- [l]. I Cor. 10:1-4; Heb. 11:13; John 8:56
- [m]. Gal. 3:7-9, 14; Ps. 32:1-2, 5
6. Under the gospel, when Christ, the substance,[n] was exhibited, the ordinances
in which this covenant is dispensed are the preaching of the Word, and the
administration of the sacraments of Baptism and the Lord's Supper:[o] which,
though fewer in number, and administered with more simplicity, and less
outward glory, yet, in them, it is held forth in more fullness, evidence,
and spiritual efficacy,[p] to all nations, both Jews and Gentiles;[q] and
is called the new testament.[r] There are not therefore two covenants of
grace, differing in substance, but one and the same, under various dispensations.[s]
- [n]. Col. 2:17
- [o]. I Cor. 1:21; Matt. 28:19-20; I Cor. 11:23-25
- [p]. Heb. 12:22-24; II Cor. 3:9-11; Jer. 31:33-34
- [q]. Luke 2:32; Acts 10:34; Eph. 2:15-19
- [r]. Luke 22:20
- [s]. Gal. 3:8-9, 14, 16; Rom. 3:21-22, 30; Rom. 4:3, 6-8; see Gen.
15:6; Ps. 32:1-2; Rom. 4:16-17, 23-24; Heb. 4:2; see Rom. 10:6-10; I Cor.
10:3-4
CHAPTER VIII
Of Christ the Mediator
[TOP]
1. It pleased God, in his eternal purpose, to choose and ordain the Lord
Jesus, his only begotten Son, to be the Mediator between God and man,[a]
the Prophet,[b] Priest,[c] and King[d] the Head and Saviour of his church,[e]
the Heir of all things,[f] and Judge of the world:[g] unto whom he did from
all eternity give a people, to be his seed,[h] and to be by him in time
redeemed, called, justified, sanctified, and glorified.[i]
- [a]. Isa. 42:1; I Pet. 1:19-20, John 3:16; I Tim. 2:5
- [b]. Acts 3:20, 22; see Deut. 18:15
- [c]. Heb. 5:5-6
- [d]. Ps. 2:6; Luke 1:33; see Isa. 9:5-6; Acts 2:29-36; Col. 1:13
- [e]. Eph. 5:23
- [f]. Heb. 1:2
- [g]. Acts 17:31
- [h]. John 17:6; Ps. 22:30; Isa. 53:10; Eph. 1:4
- [i]. I Tim. 2:6; Isa. 55:4-5; I Cor. 1:30; Rom. 8:30
2. The Son of God, the second person in the Trinity, being very and eternal
God, of one substance and equal with the Father, did, when the fulness of
time was come, take upon him man's nature,[k] with all the essential properties,
and common infirmities thereof, yet without sin;[l] being conceived by the
power of the Holy Ghost, in the womb of the virgin Mary, of her substance.[m]
So that two whole, perfect, and distinct natures, the Godhead and the manhood,
were inseparably joined together in one person, without conversion, composition,
or confusion.[n] Which person is very God, and very man, yet one Christ,
the only Mediator between God and man.[o]
- [k]. John 1:1, 14; I John 5:20; Phil. 2:6; Gal. 4:4
- [l]. Phil. 2:7; Heb. 2:14, 16-17; Heb. 4:15
- [m]. Luke 1:27, 31, 35; Gal. 4:4; see Matt. 1:18, 20-21
- [n]. Matt. 16:16; Col. 2:9; Rom. 9:5; I Tim. 3:16
- [o]. Rom. 1:3-4; I Tim. 2:5
3. The Lord Jesus, in his human nature thus united to the divine, was sanctified,
and anointed with the Holy Spirit, above measure,[p] having in him all the
treasures of wisdom and knowledge;[q] in whom it pleased the Father that
all fulness should dwell;[r] to the end that, being holy, harmless, undefiled,
and full of grace and truth,[s] he might be thoroughly furnished to execute
the office of a mediator and surety.[t] Which office he took not unto himself,
but was thereunto called by his Father,[u] who put all power and judgment
into his hand, and gave him commandment to execute the same.[w]
- [p]. Ps. 45:7; John 3:34; see Isa. 61:1; Luke 4:18; Heb. 1:8-9
- [q]. Col. 2:3
- [r]. Col. 1:19
- [s]. Heb. 7:26; John 1:14
- [t]. Acts 10:38; Heb. 12:24; Heb. 7:22
- [u]. Heb. 5:4-5
- [w]. John 5:22, 27; Matt. 28:18; Acts 2:36
4. This office the Lord Jesus did most willingly undertake;[x] which that
he might discharge, he was made under the law,[y] and did perfectly fulfill
it;[z] endured most grievous torments immediately in his soul,[a] and most
painful sufferings in his body;[b] was crucified, and died,[c] was buried,
and remained under the power of death, yet saw no corruption.[d] On the
third day he arose from the dead,[e] with the same body in which he suffered,[f]
with which also he ascended into heaven, and there sitteth at the right
hand of his Father,[g] making intercession,[h] and shall return, to judge
men and angels, at the end of the world.[i]
- [x]. Ps. 40:7-8; see Heb. 10:5-10; John 4:34; John 10:18; Phil. 2:8
- [y]. Gal. 4:4
- [z]. Matt. 3:15; Matt. 5:17; Heb. 5:8-9
- [a]. Matt. 26:37-38; Luke 22:44; Matt. 27:46
- [b]. Matt. 26:67-68; Matt. 27:27-50
- [c]. Mark 15:24, 37; Phil. 2:8
- [d]. Matt. 27:60; Acts. 2:24, 27; Acts 13:29, 37; Rom. 6:9
- [e]. I Cor. 15:3-4
- [f]. Luke 24:39; John 20:25, 27
- [g]. Luke 24:50-51; I Pet. 3:22
- [h]. Rom. 8:34; Heb. 7:25; see Heb. 9:24
- [i]. Acts 1:11; John 5:28-29; Rom. 14:10b; Acts 10:42; Matt. 13:40-42;
Jude 6; see II Pet. 2:4
5. The Lord Jesus, by his perfect obedience, and sacrifice of himself, which
he through the eternal Spirit, once offered up unto God, hath fully satisfied
the justice of his Father;[k] and purchased, not only reconciliation, but
an everlasting inheritance in the kingdom of heaven, for all those whom
the Father hath given unto him.[l]
- [k]. Rom. 5:19; Heb. 9:14; Heb. 10:14; Eph. 5:2; Rom. 3:25-26
- [l]. Dan. 9:24; II Cor. 5:18; Col. 1:20; Eph. 1:11, 14; Heb. 9:12,
15; John 17:2
6. Although the work of redemption was not actually wrought by Christ till
after his incarnation, yet the virtue, efficacy, and benefits thereof were
communicated unto the elect, in all ages successively from the beginning
of the world, in and by those promises, types, and sacrifices, wherein he
was revealed, and signified to be the seed of the woman which should bruise
the serpent's head; and the Lamb slain from the beginning of the world;
being yesterday and today the same, and forever.[m]
- [m]. Gal. 4:4-5; Gen. 3:15; I Cor. 10:4; Rev. 13:8; Heb. 13:8; see
Rom. 3:25; Heb. 9:15
7. Christ, in the work of mediation, acts according to both natures, by
each nature doing that which is proper to itself;[n] yet, by reason of the
unity of the person, that which is proper to one nature is sometimes in
Scripture attributed to the person denominated by the other nature.[o]
- [n]. John 10:17-18; I Pet. 3:18; Heb. 1:3; see Heb. 9:14
- [o]. Acts 20:28; Luke 1:43; see Rom. 9:5
8. To all those for whom Christ hath purchased redemption, he doth certainly
and effectually apply and communicate the same;[p] making intercession for
them,[q] and revealing unto them, in and by the Word, the mysteries of salvation;[r]
effectually persuading them by his Spirit to believe and obey, and governing
their hearts by his Word and Spirit;[s] overcoming all their enemies by
his almighty power and wisdom, in such manner, and ways, as are most consonant
to his wonderful and unsearchable dispensation.[t]
- [p]. John 6:37, 39; John 10:15-16, 27-28
- [q]. I John 2:1; Rom. 8:34
- [r]. John 15:15; Eph. 1:9; John 17:6
- [s]. John 14:26; II Cor. 4:13; Rom. 8:9, 14; Rom. 15:18-19; John 17:17
- [t]. Ps. 110:1; I Cor. 15:25-26; Col. 2:15; Luke 10:19
CHAPTER IX
Of Free-Will
[TOP]
1. God hath endued the will of man with that natural liberty, that it is
neither forced, nor, by any absolute necessity of nature, determined to
good, or evil.[a]
- [a]. James 1:13-14; Deut. 30:19; Isa. 7:11-12; Matt. 17:12; John 5:40;
James 4:7
2. Man, in his state of innocency, had freedom, and power to will and to
do that which was good and well pleasing to God;[b] but yet, mutably, so
that he might fall from it.[c]
- [b]. Ecc. 7:29; Gen. 1:26, 31; Col. 3:10
- [c]. Gen. 2:16-17; Gen. 3:6, 17
3. Man, by his fall into a state of sin, hath wholly lost all ability of
will to any spiritual good accompanying salvation:[d] so as, a natural man,
being altogether averse from that good,[e] and dead in sin,[f] is not able,
by his own strength, to convert himself, or to prepare himself thereunto.[g]
- [d]. Rom. 8:7-8; John 6:44, 65; John 15:5; Rom. 5:5
- [e]. Rom. 3:9-10, 12, 23
- [f]. Eph. 2:1, 5; Col. 2:13
- [g]. John 6:44, 65; John 3:3, 5-6; I Cor. 2:14; Titus 3:3-5
4. When God converts a sinner, and translates him into the state of grace,
he freeth him from his natural bondage under sin;[h] and, by his grace alone,
enables him freely to will and to do that which is spiritually good;[i]
yet so, that by reason of his remaining corruption, he doth not perfectly,
nor only, will that which is good, but doth also will that which is evil.[k]
- [h]. Col. 1:13; John 8:34, 36; Rom. 6:6-7
- [i]. Phil. 2:13; Rom. 6:14, 17-19, 22
- [k]. Gal. 5:17; Rom. 7:14-25; I John 1:8, 10
5. The will of man is made perfectly and immutably free to do good alone
in the state of glory only.[l]
- [l]. Heb. 12:23; I John 3:2; Jude 24; Rev. 21:27
CHAPTER X
Of Effectual Calling
[TOP]
1. All those whom God hath predestinated unto life, and those only, he is
pleased, in his appointed and accepted time, effectually to call,[a] by
his Word and Spirit,[b] out of that state of sin and death, in which they
are by nature to grace and salvation, by Jesus Christ;[c] enlightening their
minds spiritually and savingly to understand the things of God,[d] taking
away their heart of stone, and giving unto them an heart of flesh;[e] renewing
their wills, and, by his almighty power, determining them to that which
is good,[f] and effectually drawing them to Jesus Christ:[g] yet so, as
they come most freely, being made willing by his grace.[h]
- [a]. Acts 13:48; Rom. 8:28, 30; Rom. 11:7; Eph. 1:5, 11; II Tim. 1:9-10
- [b]. II Thess. 2:13-14; James 1:18; II Cor. 3:3, 6; I Cor. 2:12
- [c]. II Tim. 1:9-10; I Pet. 2:9; Rom. 8:2; Eph. 2:1-10
- [d]. Acts 26:18; I Cor. 2:10, 12; Eph. 1:17-18; II Cor. 4:6
- [e]. Ezek. 36:26
- [f]. Ezek. 11:19; Deut. 30:6; Ezek. 36:27; John 3:5; Titus 3:5; I
Pet. 1:23
- [g]. John 6:44-45; Acts 16:14
- [h]. Ps. 110:3; John 6:37; Matt. 11:28; Rev. 22:17; Rom. 6:16-18;
Eph. 2:8; Phil. 1:29
2. This effectual call is of God's free and special grace alone, not from
any thing at all foreseen in man,[i] who is altogether passive therein,
until, being quickened and renewed by the Holy Spirit,[k] he is thereby
enabled to answer this call, and to embrace the grace offered and conveyed
in it.[l]
- [i]. II Tim. 1:9; Eph. 2:8-9; Rom. 9:11
- [k]. I Cor. 2:14; Rom. 8:7-9; Titus 3:4-5
- [l]. John 6:37; Ezek. 36:27; I John 5:1; cf. I John 3:9
3. Elect infants, dying in infancy, are regenerated, and saved by Christ,
through the Spirit,[m] who worketh when, and where, and how he pleaseth:[n]
so also are all other elect persons who are uncapable of being outwardly
called by the ministry of the Word.[o]
- [m]. Gen. 17:7; Luke 18:15-16; Acts 2:39; John 3:3, 5; I John 5:12;
see Luke 1:15
- [n]. John 3:8
- [o]. John 16:7-8; I John 5:12; Acts 4:12
4. Others, not elected, although they may be called by the ministry of the
Word,[p] and may have some common operations of the Spirit,[q] yet they
never truly come unto Christ, and therefore cannot be saved:[r] much less
can men, not professing the Christian religion, be saved in any other way
whatsoever, be they never so diligent to frame their lives according to
the light of nature, and the laws of that religion they do profess.[s] And
to assert and maintain that they may, is very pernicious, and to be detested.[t]
- [p]. Matt. 13:14-15; Acts 28:24; cf. Acts 13:48; Matt. 22:14
- [q]. Matt. 13:20-21; Matt. 7:22; Heb. 6:4-5
- [r]. John 6:37, 64-66; John 8:44; John 13:18; cf. John 17:12
- [s]. Acts 4:12; I John 4:2-3; II John 9; John 14:6; Eph. 2:12-13;
John 4:22; John 17:3; Rom. 10:13-17
- [t]. II John 9-11; I Cor. 16:22; Gal. 1:6-8
CHAPTER XI
Of Justification
[TOP]
1. Those whom God effectually calleth, he also freely justifieth;[a] not
by infusing righteousness into them, but by pardoning their sins, and by
accounting and accepting their persons as righteous; not for anything wrought
in them, or done by them, but for Christ's sake alone; nor by imputing faith
itself, the act of believing, or any other evangelical obedience to them,
as their righteousness; but by imputing the obedience and satisfaction of
Christ unto them,[b] they receiving and resting on him and his righteousness
by faith; which faith they have not of themselves, it is the gift of God.[c]
- [a]. Rom. 8:30; Rom. 3:24; Rom. 5:15-16
- [b]. Rom. 4:5-8; II Cor. 5:19, 21; Rom. 3:22-28; Titus 3:5, 7; Eph.
1:7; Jer. 23:6; I Cor. 1:30-31; Rom. 5:17-19
- [c]. John 1:12; Acts 10:43; Acts 13:38-39; Phil. 3:9; Eph. 2:7-8;
John 6:44-45, 65; Phil. 1:29
2. Faith, thus receiving and resting on Christ and his righteousness, is
the alone instrument of justification:[d] yet is it not alone in the person
justified, but is ever accompanied with all other saving graces, and is
no dead faith, but worketh by love.[e]
- [d]. John 3:18, 36; Rom. 3:28; Rom. 5:1
- [e]. James 2:17, 22, 26; Gal. 5:6
3. Christ, by his obedience and death, did fully discharge the debt of all
those that are thus justified, and did make a proper, real, and full satisfaction
to his Father's justice in their behalf.[f] Yet, in as much as he was given
by the Father for them;[g] and his obedience and satisfaction accepted in
their stead;[h] and both, freely, not for anything in them; their justification
is only of free grace;[i] that both the exact justice, and rich grace of
God might be glorified in the justification of sinners.[k]
- [f]. Mark 10:45; Rom. 5:8-10, 18-19; Gal. 3:13; I Tim. 2:5-6; Heb.
1:3; Heb. 10:10, 14; Dan. 9:24, 26; see Isa. 52:13-53:12
- [g]. Rom. 8:32; John 3:16
- [h]. II Cor. 5:21; Eph. 5:2; Phil. 2:6-9; Isa. 53:10-11
- [i]. Rom. 3:24; Eph. 1:7
- [k]. Rom. 3:26; Eph. 2:7; Zech. 9:9; Isa. 45:21
4. God did, from all eternity, decree to justify all the elect,[l] and Christ
did, in the fulness of time, die for their sins, and rise again for their
justification:[m] nevertheless, they are not justified, until the Holy Spirit
doth, in due time, actually apply Christ unto them.[n]
- [l]. Rom. 8:29-30; Gal. 3:8; I Pet. 1:2, 19-20
- [m]. Gal. 4:4; I Tim. 2:6; Rom. 4:25
- [n]. Eph. 2:3; Titus 3:3-7; Gal. 2:16; cf. Col 1:21-22
5. God doth continue to forgive the sins of those that are justified;[o]
and, although they can never fall from the state of justification,[p] yet
they may, by their sins, fall under God's fatherly displeasure, and not
have the light of his countenance restored unto them, until they humble
themselves, confess their sins, beg pardon, and renew their faith and repentance.[q]
- [o]. Matt. 6:12; I John 1:7, 9; I John 2:1-2
- [p]. Rom. 5:1-5; Rom. 8:30-39; Heb. 10:14; cf. Luke 22:32; John 10:28
- [q]. Ps. 89:30-33; Ps. 51; Ps. 32:5; Matt. 26:75; Luke 1:20; I Cor.
11:30, 32
6. The justification of believers under the old testament was, in all these
respects, one and the same with the justification of believers under the
new testament.[r]
- [r]. Gal. 3:9, 13-14; Rom. 4:6-8, 22-24; Rom. 10:6-13; Heb. 13:8
CHAPTER XII
Of Adoption
[TOP]
1. All those that are justified, God vouchsafeth, in and for his only Son
Jesus Christ, to make partakers of the grace of adoption,[a] by which they
are taken into the number, and enjoy the liberties and privileges of the
children of God,[b] have his name put upon them,[c] receive the spirit of
adoption,[d] have access to the throne of grace with boldness,[e] are enabled
to cry, Abba, Father,[f] are pitied,[g] protected,[h] provided for,[i] and
chastened by him as by a Father:[k] yet never cast off,[l] but sealed to
the day of redemption;[m] and inherit the promises,[n] as heirs of everlasting
salvation.[o]
- [a]. Eph. 1:5; Gal. 4:4-5
- [b]. Rom. 8:17; John 1:12
- [c]. Num. 6:24-26; Jer. 14:9; Amos 9:12; Acts 15:17; II Cor. 6:18;
Rev. 3:12
- [d]. Rom. 8:15
- [e]. Eph. 3:12; see Heb. 4:16
- [f]. Rom. 8:15; see Gal. 4:6; Rom. 8:16
- [g]. Ps. 103:13
- [h]. Prov. 14:26
- [i]. Matt. 6:30, 32, I Pet. 5:7
- [k]. Heb. 12:6
- [l]. Lam. 3:31-32; see Ps. 89:30-35
- [m]. Eph. 4:30
- [n]. Heb. 6:12
- [o]. I Pet. 1:3-4; Heb. 1:14
CHAPTER XIII
Of Sanctification
[TOP]
1. They, who are once effectually called, and regenerated, having a new
heart, and a new spirit created in them, are further sanctified, really
and personally, through the virtue of Christ's death and resurrection,[a]
by his Word and Spirit dwelling in them,[b] the dominion of the whole body
of sin is destroyed,[c] and the several lusts thereof are more and more
weakened and mortified;[d] and they more and more quickened and strengthened
in all saving graces,[e] to the practice of true holiness, without which
no man shall see the Lord.[f]
- [a]. I Thess. 5:23-24; II Thess. 2:13-14; Ezek. 36:22-28; Titus 3:5;
Acts 20:32; Phil. 3:10; Rom. 6:5-6
- [b]. John 17:17, 19; Eph. 5:26; Rom. 8:13-14; II Thess. 2:13
- [c]. Rom. 6:6, 14
- [d]. Gal. 5:24; Rom. 8:13
- [e]. Col. 1:10-11; Eph. 3:16-19
- [f]. II Cor. 7:1; Col. 1:28; Col. 4:12; Heb. 12:14
2. This sanctification is throughout, in the whole man;[g] yet imperfect
in this life, there abiding still some remnants of corruption in every part;[h]
whence ariseth a continual and irreconcilable war, the flesh lusting against
the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh.[i]
- [g]. I Thess. 5:23; Rom. 12:1-2
- [h]. I John 1:8-10; Rom. 7:14-25; Phil. 3:12
- [i]. Gal. 5:17
3. In which war, although the remaining corruption, for a time, may much
prevail;[k] yet, through the continual supply of strength from the sanctifying
Spirit of Christ, the regenerate part doth overcome;[l] and so, the saints
grow in grace,[m] perfecting holiness in the fear of God.[n]
- [k]. Rom. 7:23
- [l]. Rom. 6:14; I John 5:4; Eph. 4:15-16; see Rom. 8:2
- [m]. II Pet. 3:18; II Cor. 3:18
- [n]. II Cor. 7:1
CHAPTER XIV
Of Saving Faith
[TOP]
1. The grace of faith, whereby the elect are enabled to believe to the saving
of their souls,[a] is the work of the Spirit of Christ in their hearts,[b]
and is ordinarily wrought by the ministry of the Word,[c] by which also,
and by the administration of the sacraments, and prayer, it is increased
and strengthened.[d]
- [a]. Titus 1:1; Heb. 10:39
- [b]. I Cor. 12:3; John 3:5; Titus 3:5; John 6:44-45, 65; Eph. 2:8;
Phil. 1:29; II Pet. 1:1; see I Pet. 1:2
- [c]. Matt. 28:19-20; Rom. 10:14, 17; I Cor. 1:21
- [d]. I Pet. 2:2; Acts 20:32; Rom. 1:16-17; Matt. 28:19; see Acts 2:38;
I Cor. 10:16; I Cor. 11:23-29; Luke 17:5; Phil. 4:6-7
2. By this faith, a Christian believeth to be true whatsoever is revealed
in the Word, for the authority of God himself speaking therein;[e] and acteth
differently upon that which each particular passage thereof containeth;
yielding obedience to the commands,[f] trembling at the threatenings,[g]
and embracing the promises of God for this life, and that which is to come.[h]
But the principal acts of saving faith are accepting, receiving, and resting
upon Christ alone for justification, sanctification, and eternal life, by
virtue of the covenant of grace.[i]
- [e]. II Pet. 1:20-21; John 4:42; I Thess. 2:13; I John 5:9-10; Acts
24:14
- [f]. Ps. 119:10-11; 48, 97-98, 167-168; John 14:15
- [g]. Ezra 9:4; Isa. 66:2; Heb. 4:1
- [h]. Heb. 11:13; I Tim. 4:8
- [i]. John 1:12; Acts 16:31; Gal. 2:20; Acts 15:11; II Tim. 1:9-10
3. This faith is different in degrees, weak or strong;[k] may be often and
many ways assailed, and weakened, but gets the victory:[l] growing up in
many to the attainment of a full assurance, through Christ,[m] who is both
the author and finisher of our faith.[n]
- [k]. Heb. 5:13-14; Rom. 14:1-2; Matt. 6:30; Rom. 4:19-20; Matt. 8:10
- [l]. Luke 22:31-32; Eph. 6:16; I John 5:4-5
- [m]. Heb. 6:11-12; Heb. 10:22; Col. 2:2
[n]. Heb. 12:2
CHAPTER XV
Of Repentance unto Life
[TOP]
1. Repentance unto life is an evangelical grace,[a] the doctrine whereof
is to be preached by every minister of the gospel, as well as that of faith
in Christ.[b]
- [a]. Acts 11:18; II Cor. 7:10; Zech. 12:10
- [b]. Luke 24:47; Mark 1:15; Acts 20:21
2. By it, a sinner, out of the sight and sense not only of the danger, but
also of the filthiness and odiousness of his sins, as contrary to the holy
nature, and righteous law of God; and upon the apprehension of his mercy
in Christ to such as are penitent, so grieves for, and hates his sins, as
to turn from them all unto God,[c] purposing and endeavouring to walk with
him in all the ways of His commandments.[d]
- [c]. Ezek. 18:30-31; Ezek. 36:31; Isa. 30:22; Ps. 51:4; Jer. 31:18-19;
Joel 2:12-13; Amos 5:15; Ps. 119:128; II Cor. 7:11; I Thess. 1:9
- [d]. Ps. 119:6, 59, 106; II Kings 23:25; see Luke 1:6
3. Although repentance be not to be rested in, as any satisfaction for sin,
or any cause of the pardon thereof,[e] which is the act of God's free grace
in Christ;[f] yet it is of such necessity to all sinners, that none may
expect pardon without it.[g]
- [e]. Ezek. 36:31-32; Ezek. 16:61-63; Isa. 43:25
- [f]. Hos. 14:2, 4; Rom. 3:24; Eph. 1:7
- [g]. Luke 13:3, 5; Mark 1:4; Acts 17:30-31
4. As there is no sin so small, but it deserves damnation;[h] so there is
no sin so great, that it can bring damnation upon those who truly repent.[i]
- [h]. Rom. 6:23; Gal. 3:10; Matt. 12:36
- [i]. Isa. 55:7; Rom. 8:1; Isa. 1:16-18
5. Men ought not to content themselves with a general repentance, but it
is every man's duty to endeavour to repent of his particular sins, particularly.[k]
- [k]. Ps. 19:13; Matt. 26:75; Luke 19:8; I Tim. 1:13, 15
6. As every man is bound to make private confession of his sins to God,
praying for the pardon thereof;[l] upon which, and the forsaking of them,
he shall find mercy;[m] so, he that scandalizeth his brother, or the church
of Christ, ought to be willing, by a private or public confession, and sorrow
for his sin, to declare his repentance to those that are offended,[n] who
are thereupon to be reconciled to him, and in love to receive him.[o]
- [l]. Ps. 32:5-6; Ps. 51:1-14
- [m]. Prov. 28:13; Isa. 55:7; I John 1:9
- [n]. James 5:16; Luke 17:3-4; Josh. 7:19; see Matt. 18:15-18
- [o]. II Cor. 2:7-8; see Gal. 6:1-2
CHAPTER XVI
Of Good Works
[TOP]
1. Good works are only such as God hath commanded in His holy Word,[a] and
not such as, without the warrant thereof, are devised by men, out of blind
zeal, or upon any pretence of good intention.[b]
- [a]. Mic. 6:8; Rom. 12:2; Heb. 13:21
- [b]. Matt. 15:9; Isa. 29:13; I Pet. 1:18; John 16:2; Rom. 10:2; I
Sam. 15:21-23; Deut. 10:12-13; Col. 2:16-17, 20-23
2. These good works, done in obedience to God's commandments, are the fruits
and evidences of a true and lively faith:[c] and by them believers manifest
their thankfulness,[d] strengthen their assurance,[e] edify their brethren,[f]
adorn the profession of the gospel,[g] stop the mouths of the adversaries,[h]
and glorify God,[i] whose workmanship they are, created in Christ Jesus
thereunto,[k] that, having their fruit unto holiness, they may have the
end, eternal life.[l]
- [c]. James 2:18, 22
- [d]. Ps. 116:12-14; Col. 3:15-17; I Pet. 2:9
- [e]. I John 2:3, 5; II Pet. 1:5-10
- [f]. II Cor. 9:2; Matt. 5:16; I Tim. 4:12
- [g]. Titus 2:5, 9-12; I Tim. 6:1
- [h]. I Pet. 2:15
- [i]. I Pet. 2:12; Phil. 1:11; John 15:8
- [k]. Eph. 2:10
- [l]. Rom. 6:22
3. Their ability to do good works is not at all of themselves, but wholly
from the Spirit of Christ.[m] And that they may be enabled thereunto, beside
the graces they have already received, there is required an actual influence
of the same Holy Spirit to work in them to will, and to do, of his good
pleasure:[n] yet are they not hereupon to grow negligent, as if they were
not bound to perform any duty unless upon a special motion of the Spirit;
but they ought to be diligent in stirring up the grace of God that is in
them.[o]
- [m]. John 15:4-6; Rom. 8:4-14; Ezek. 36:26-27
- [n]. Phil 2:13; Phil. 4:13; II Cor. 3:5; Eph. 3:16
- [o]. Phil. 2:12; Heb. 6:11-12; II Pet. 1:3, 5, 10-11; Isa. 64:7; II
Tim. 1:6; Acts 26:6-7; Jude 20-21
4. They who, in their obedience, attain to the greatest height which is
possible in this life, are so far from being able to supererogate, and to
do more than God requires, as that they fall short of much which in duty
they are bound to do.[p]
- [p]. Luke 17;10; Neh. 13:22; Rom. 8:21-25; Gal. 5:17
5. We cannot by our best works merit pardon of sin, or eternal life at the
hand of God, by reason of the great disproportion that is between them and
the glory to come; and the infinite distance that is between us and God,
whom, by them, we can neither profit, nor satisfy for the debt of our former
sins,[q] but when we have done all we can, we have done but our duty, and
are unprofitable servants:[r] and because, as they are good, they proceed
from his Spirit;[s] and as they are wrought by us, they are defiled, and
mixed with so much weakness and imperfection, that they cannot endure the
severity of God's judgment.[t]
- [q]. Rom. 3:20; Rom. 4:2, 4, 6; Eph. 2:8-9; Titus 3:5-7; Rom. 8:18,
22-24; Ps. 16:2; Job 22:2-3; Job 35:7-8
- [r]. Luke 17:10
- [s]. Rom. 8:13-14; Gal. 5:22-23
- [t]. Isa. 64:6; Gal. 5:17; Rom. 7:15, 18; Ps. 143:2; Ps. 130:3
6. Notwithstanding, the persons of believers being accepted through Christ,
their good works also are accepted in him;[u] not as though they were in
this life wholly unblameable and unreproveable in God's sight;[w] but that
he, looking upon them in his Son, is pleased to accept and reward that which
is sincere, although accompanied with many weaknesses and imperfections.[x]
- [u]. Eph. 1:6; I Pet. 2:5; see Exod. 28:38; Gen. 4:4; Heb. 11:4
- [w]. Job 9:20; Ps. 143:2; I John 1:8
- [x]. Heb. 13:20-21; II Cor. 8:12; Heb. 6:10; Matt. 25:21, 23; I Cor.
3:14; I Cor. 4:5
7. Works done by unregenerate men, although for the matter of them they
may be things which God commands; and of good use both to themselves and
others:[y] yet, because they proceed not from an heart purified by faith;[z]
nor are done in a right manner, according to the Word;[a] nor to a right
end, the glory of God,[b] they are therefore sinful, and cannot please God,
or make a man meet to receive grace from God:[c] and yet, their neglect
of them is more sinful and displeasing unto God.[d]
- [y]. II Kings 10:30-31; I Kings 21:27, 29; Luke 6:32-34; Luke 18:2-7;
see Rom. 13:4
- [z]. Heb. 11:4, 6; see Gen. 4:3-5
- [a]. I Cor. 13:3; Isa. 1:12
- [b]. Matt. 6:2, 5, 16; I Cor. 10:31
- [c]. Prov. 21:27; Hag. 2:14; Titus 1:15; Amos 5:21-22; Mark 7:6-7;
Hos. 1:4; Rom. 9:16; Titus 3:5
- [d]. Ps. 14:4; Ps. 36:3; Matt. 25:41-45; Matt. 23:23; see Rom. 1:21-32
CHAPTER XVII
Of the Perseverance of the Saints
[TOP]
1. They, whom God hath accepted in his Beloved, effectually called, and
sanctified by His Spirit, can neither totally nor finally fall away from
the state of grace, but shall certainly persevere therein to the end, and
be eternally saved.[a]
- [a]. Phil 1:6; II Pet. 1:10; Rom. 8:28-30; John 10:28-29; I John 3:9;
I John 5:18; I Pet. 1:5, 9
2. This perseverance of the saints depends not upon their own free will,
but upon the immutability of the decree of election, flowing from the free
and unchangeable love of God the Father;[b] upon the efficacy of the merit
and intercession of Jesus Christ,[c] the abiding of the Spirit, and of the
seed of God within them,[d] and the nature of the covenant of grace:[e]
from all which ariseth also the certainty and infallibility thereof.[f]
- [b]. Ps. 89:3-4, 28-33; II Tim. 2:18-19; Jer. 31:3
- [c]. Heb. 10:10, 14; Heb. 13:20-21; Heb. 9:12-15; Rom. 8:33-39; John
17:11, 24; Luke 22:32; Heb. 7:25
- [d]. John 14:16-17; I John 2:27; I John 3:9
- [e]. Jer. 32:40; Ps. 89:34-37; see Jer. 31:31-34
- [f]. John 6:38-40; John 10:28; II Thess. 3:3; I John 2:19
3. Nevertheless, they may, through the temptations of Satan and of the world,
the prevalency of corruption remaining in them, and the neglect of the means
of their preservation, fall into grievous sins;[g] and, for a time, continue
therein:[h] whereby they incur God's displeasure,[i] and grieve his Holy
Spirit,[k] come to be deprived of some measure of their graces and comforts,[l]
have their hearts hardened,[m] and their consciences wounded;[n] hurt and
scandalize others,[o] and bring temporal judgments upon themselves.[p]
- [g]. Exod. 32:21; Jonah 1:3, 10; Ps. 51:14; Matt. 26:70, 72, 74
- [h]. II Sam. 12:9, 13; Gal. 2:11-14
- [i]. Num. 20:12; II Sam. 11:27; Isa. 64:7, 9
- [k]. Eph. 4:40
- [l]. Ps. 51:8, 10, 12; Rev. 2:4; Matt. 26:75
- [m]. Isa. 63:17
- [n]. Ps. 32:3-4; Ps. 51:8
- [o]. Gen. 12:10-20; II Sam. 12:14; Gal. 2:13
- [p]. Ps. 89:31-32; I Cor. 11:32
CHAPTER XVIII
Of Assurance of Grace and Salvation
[TOP]
1. Although hypocrites and other unregenerate men may vainly deceive themselves
with false hopes and carnal presumptions of being in the favour of God,
and estate of salvation[a] (which hope of theirs shall perish):[b] yet such
as truly believe in the Lord Jesus, and love him in sincerity, endeavouring
to walk in all good conscience before him, may, in this life, be certainly
assured that they are in the state of grace,[c] and may rejoice in the hope
of the glory of God, which hope shall never make them ashamed.[d]
- [a]. Mic. 3:11; Deut. 29:19; John 8:41
- [b]. Amos 9:10; Matt. 7:22-23
- [c]. I John 5:13; I John 2:3; I John 3:14, 18-19, 21, 24
- [d]. Rom. 5:2, 5
2. This certainty is not a bare conjectural and probable persuasion grounded
upon a fallible hope;[e] but an infallible assurance of faith founded upon
the divine truth of the promises of salvation,[f] the inward evidence of
those graces unto which these promises are made,[g] the testimony of the
Spirit of adoption witnessing with our spirits that we are the children
of God,[h] which Spirit is the earnest of our inheritance, whereby we are
sealed to the day of redemption.[i]
- [e]. Heb. 6:11, 19
- [f]. Heb. 6:17-18
- [g]. II Pet. 1:4-11; I John 2:3; I John 3:14; II Cor. 1:12
- [h]. Rom. 8:15-16
- [i]. Eph. 1:13-14; Eph. 4:30; II Cor. 1:21-22
3. This infallible assurance doth not so belong to the essence of faith,
but that a true believer may wait long, and conflict with many difficulties,
before he be partaker of it:[k] yet, being enabled by the Spirit to know
the things which are freely given him of God, he may, without extraordinary
revelation in the right use of ordinary means, attain thereunto.[l] And
therefore it is the duty of every one to give all diligence to make his
calling and election sure,[m] that thereby his heart may be enlarged in
peace and joy in the Holy Ghost, in love and thankfulness to God, and in
strength and cheerfulness in the duties of obedience, the proper fruits
of this assurance;[n] so far is it from inclining men to looseness.[o]
- [k]. I John 5:13
- [l]. I Cor. 2:12; I John 4:13; Heb. 6:11-12; Eph. 3:17-18
- [m]. II Pet. 1:10
- [n]. Rom. 5:1-2, 5; Rom. 14:17; Rom. 15:13; Eph. 1:3-4; Ps. 4:6-7;
Ps. 119:32
- [o]. I John 2:1-2; Rom. 6:1-2; Titus 2:11-12, 14; II Cor. 7:1; Rom.
8:1, 12; I John 3:2-3; Ps. 130:4; I John 1:6-7
4. True believers may have the assurance of their salvation divers ways
shaken, diminished, and intermitted; as, by negligence in preserving of
it, by falling into some special sin which woundeth the conscience and grieveth
the Spirit; by some sudden or vehement temptation, by God's withdrawing
the light of his countenance, and suffering even such as fear him to walk
in darkness and to have no light:[p] yet are they never utterly destitute
of that seed of God, and life of faith, that love of Christ and the brethren,
that sincerity of heart, and conscience of duty, out of which, by the operation
of the Spirit, this assurance may, in due time, be revived;[q] and be the
which, in the mean time, they are supported from utter despair.[r]
- [p]. Ps. 51:8, 12, 14; Eph. 4:30-31; Ps. 77:1-10; Ps. 31:22; cf. Matt.
26:69-72 and Luke 22:31-34
- [q]. I John 3:9; Luke 22:32; Ps. 51:8, 12; see Ps. 73:15
- [r]. Mic. 7:7-9; Jer. 32:40; Isa. 54:7-14; II Cor. 4:8-10
CHAPTER XIX
Of the Law of God
[TOP]
1. God gave to Adam a law, as a covenant of works, by which he bound him
and all his posterity, to personal, entire, exact, and perpetual obedience,
promised life upon the fulfilling, and threatened death upon the breach
of it, and endued him with power and ability to keep it.[a]
- [a]. Gen. 1:26-27; Gen. 2:17; Eph. 4:24; Rom. 2:14-15; Rom. 10:5;
Rom. 5:12, 19; Gal. 3:10, 12; Ecc. 7:29
2. This law, after his fall, continued to be a perfect rule of righteousness;
and, as such, was delivered by God upon Mount Sinai, in ten commandments,
and written in two tables:[b] the first four commandments containing our
duty towards God; and the other six, our duty to man.[c]
- [b]. James 1:25; James 2:8, 10-12; Rom. 3:19; Rom. 13:8-9; Deut. 5:32;
Deut. 10:4; Exod. 34:1
- [c]. Exod. 20:3-17; Matt. 22:37-40
3. Besides this law, commonly called moral, God was pleased to give
to the people of Israel, as a church under age, ceremonial laws, containing
several typical ordinances, partly of worship, prefiguring Christ, his graces,
actions, sufferings, and benefits;[d] and partly, holding forth divers instructions
of moral duties.[e] All which ceremonial laws are now abrogated, under the
new testament.[f]
- [d]. Heb. 10:1; Gal. 4:1-3; Col. 2:17; Heb. 9:1-28
- [e]. Lev. 19:9-10, 19, 23, 27; Deut. 24:19-21; see I Cor. 5:7; II
Cor. 6:17; Jude 23
- [f]. Col. 2:14, 16-17; Dan. 9:27; Eph. 2:15-16; Heb. 9:10; Acts 10:9-16;
Acts 11:2-10
4. To them also, as a body politic, he gave sundry judicial laws, which
expired together with the state of that people; not obliging any other now,
further than the general equity thereof may require.[g]
- [g]. Exod. 21:1-23:19; cf. Gen. 49:10; with I Pet. 2:13-14; I Cor.
9:8-10
5. The moral law doth forever bind all, as well justified persons as others,
to the obedience thereof;[h] and that, not only in regard of the matter
contained in it, but also in respect of the authority of God the Creator,
who gave it.[i ] Neither doth Christ, in the gospel, any way dissolve, but
much strengthen this obligation.[k]
- [h]. Rom. 13:8-10; Rom. 3:31; Rom. 7:25; I Cor. 9:21; Gal. 5:14; Eph.
6:2-3; I John 2:3-4, 7; cf. Rom. 3:20; Rom. 7:7-8 and I John 3:4 with Rom.
6:15
- [i]. Deut. 6:4-5; Exod. 20:11; Rom. 3:19; James 2:8, 10-11; Matt.
19:4-6; Gen. 17:1
- [k]. Matt. 5:17-19; Rom. 3:31; I Cor. 9:21; Luke 16: 17-18
6. Although true believers be not under the law, as a covenant of works,
to be thereby justified, or condemned;[l] yet is it of great use to them,
as well as to others; in that, as a rule of life informing them of the will
of God, and their duty, it directs and binds them to walk accordingly;[m]
discovering also the sinful pollutions of their nature, hearts, and lives;[n]
so as, examining themselves thereby, they may come to further conviction
of, humiliation for, and hatred against sin,[o] together with a clearer
sight of the need they have of Christ, and the perfection of his obedience.[p]
It is likewise of use to the regenerate, to restrain their corruptions,
in that it forbids sin:[q] and the threatenings of it serve to show what
even their sins deserve; and what afflictions, in this life, they may expect
for them, although freed from the curse thereof threatened in the law.[r]
The promises of it, in like manner, show them God's approbation of obedience,
and what blessings they may expect upon the performance thereof:[s] although
not as due to them by the law as a covenant of works.[t] So as, a man's
doing good, and refraining from evil, because the law encourageth to the
one, and deterreth from the other, is no evidence of his being under the
law; and not under grace.[u]
- [l]. Rom. 6:14; Rom. 7:4; Gal. 2:16; Gal. 3:13; Gal. 4:4-5; Acts 13:38-39;
Rom. 8:1, 33
- [m]. Rom. 7:12, 22, 25; Ps. 119:1-6; I Cor. 7:19; Gal. 5:14-23
- [n]. Rom. 7:7, 13; Rom. 3:20
- [o]. James 1:23-25; Rom. 7:9, 14, 24
- [p]. Gal. 3:24; Rom. 7:24-25; Rom. 8:3-4
- [q]. James 2:11-12; Ps. 119, 101, 104, 128
- [r]. Ezra 9:13-14; Ps. 89:30-34; Gal. 3:13
- [s]. Exod. 9:5-6; Deut. 5:33; Lev. 18:5; Matt. 19:17; Lev. 26:1-13;
II Cor. 6:16; Eph. 6:2-3; Ps. 19:11; Ps. 37:11; Matt. 5:5
- [t]. Gal. 2:16; Luke 17:10
- [u]. Rom. 6:12-15; cf. I Pet. 3:8-12 with Ps. 34:12-16; Heb. 12:28-29
7. Neither are the forementioned uses of the law contrary to the grace of
the gospel, but do sweetly comply with it;[w] the Spirit of Christ subduing
and enabling the will of man to do that freely, and cheerfully, which the
will of God, revealed in the law, requireth to be done.[x]
- [w]. Rom. 3:31; Gal. 3:21; Titus 2:11-14
- [x]. Ezek. 36:27; cf. Heb. 8:10 with Jer. 31:33; Ps. 119:35, 47; Rom.
7:22
CHAPTER XX
Of Christian Liberty, and Liberty of Conscience
[TOP]
1. The liberty which Christ hath purchased for believers under the gospel
consists in their freedom from the guilt of sin, the condemning wrath of
God, the curse of the moral law;[a] and, in their being delivered from this
present evil world, bondage to Satan, and dominion of sin;[b] from the evil
of afflictions, the sting of death, the victory of the grave, and everlasting
damnation;[c] as also, in their free access to God,[d] and their yielding
obedience unto him, not out of slavish fear, but a child-like love and willing
mind.[e] All which were common also to believers under the law.[f] But,
under the new testament, the liberty of Christians is further enlarged,
in their freedom from the yoke of the ceremonial law, to which the Jewish
church was subjected;[g] and in greater boldness of access to the throne
of grace,[h] and in fuller communications of the free Spirit of God, than
believers under the law did ordinarily partake of.[i]
- [a]. Titus 2:14; I Thess. 1:10; Gal. 3:13
- [b]. Gal. 1:4; Col. 1:13; Acts 26:18; Rom. 6:4
- [c]. Rom. 8:28; Ps. 119:71; II Cor. 4:15-18; I Cor. 15:54-57; Rom.
5:9; Rom. 8:1; see I Thess. 1:10 [d]. Rom. 5:1-2
- [e]. Rom. 8:14-15; Gal. 4:6; I John 4:18
- [f]. Gal. 3:8-9, 14; Rom. 4:6-8; I Cor. 10:3-4; Heb. 11:1-40
- [g]. Gal. 4:1-7; Gal. 5:1; Acts 15:10-11
- [h]. Heb. 4:14-16; Heb. 10:19-22
- [i]. John 7:38-39; Acts 2:17-18; II Cor. 3:8, 13, 17-18; see Jer.
31:31-34
2. God alone is Lord of the conscience,[k] and hath left it free from the
doctrines and commandments of men, which are, in any thing, contrary to
his Word; or beside it, if matters of faith, or worship.[l] So that, to
believe such doctrines, or to obey such commands, out of conscience, is
to betray true liberty of conscience:[m] and the requiring of an implicit
faith, and an absolute and blind obedience, is to destroy liberty of conscience,
and reason also.[n]
- [k]. James 4:12; Rom. 14:4, 10; I Cor. 10:29
- [l]. Acts 4:19; Acts 5:29; I Cor. 7:22-23; Matt. 15:1-6; Matt. 23:8-10;
II Cor. 1:24; Matt. 15:9
- [m]. Col. 2:20-23; Gal. 1:10; Gal. 2:4-5; Gal. 4:9-10; Gal. 5:1
- [n]. Rom. 10:17; Isa. 8:20; Acts 17:11; John 4:22; Rev. 13:12, 16-17;
Jer. 8:9; I Pet. 3:15
3. They who, upon pretence of Christian liberty, do practise any sin, or
cherish any lust, do thereby destroy the end of Christian liberty, which
is, that being delivered out of the hands of our enemies, we might serve
the Lord without fear, in holiness and righteousness before him, all the
days of our life.[o]
- [o]. Gal. 5:13; I Pet. 2:16; II Pet. 2:19; Rom. 6:15; John 8:34; Luke
1:74-75
4. And because the powers which God hath ordained, and the liberty which
Christ hath purchased, are not intended by God to destroy, but mutually
to uphold and preserve one another, they who, upon pretence of Christian
liberty, shall oppose any lawful power, or the lawful exercise of it, whether
it be civil or ecclesiastical, resist the ordinance of God.[p] And, for
their publishing of such opinions, or maintaining of such practices, as
are contrary to the light of nature, or to the known principles of Christianity
(whether concerning faith, worship, or conversation), or to the power of
godliness; or, such erroneous opinions or practices, as either in their
own nature, or in the manner of publishing or maintaining them, are destructive
to the external peace and order which Christ hath established in the church,
they may lawfully be called to account, and proceeded against by the censures
of the church.[q]
- [p]. I Pet. 2:13-14, 16; Rom. 13:1-8; Heb. 13:17; I Thess. 5:12-13
- [q]. Rom. 1:32; I Cor. 5:1, 5, 11-13; II John 10-11; II Thess. 3:6,
14; I Tim. 6:3-4; Titus 1:10-11, 13-14; Titus 3:10; Rom. 16:17; Matt. 18:15-17;
I Tim. 1:19-20; Rev. 2:2, 14-15, 20
CHAPTER XXI
Of Religious Worship, and the Sabbath Day
[TOP]
1. The light of nature sheweth that there is a God, who hath lordship and
sovereignty over all, is good, and doth good unto all, and is therefore
to be feared, loved, praised, called upon, trusted in, and served, with
all the heart, and with all the soul, and with all the might.[a] But the
acceptable way of worshipping the true God is instituted by himself, and
so limited by his own revealed will, that he may not be worshipped according
to the imaginations and devices of men, or the suggestions of Satan, under
any visible representation, or any other way not prescribed in the holy
Scripture.[b]
- [a]. Rom. 1:20; Ps. 19:1-4a; Ps. 50:6; Ps. 97:6; Ps. 145:9-12; Acts
14:17; Ps. 104:1-35; Ps. 86:8-10; Pa. 95:1-6; Ps. 89:5-7; Deut. 6:4-5
- [b]. Deut. 12:32; Matt. 15:9; Acts 17:23-25; Matt. 4:9-10; Deut. 4:15-20;
Exod. 20:4-6; John 4:23-24; Col. 2:18-23
2. Religious worship is to be given to God, the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost;
and to him alone;[c] not to angels, saints, or any other creature:[d] and,
since the fall, not without a Mediator; nor in the mediation of any other
but of Christ alone.[e]
- [c]. John 5:23; Matt. 28:19; II Cor. 13:14; Eph. 3:14; Rev. 5:11-14;
Acts 10:25-26
- [d]. Col. 2:18; Rev. 19:10; Rom. 1:25
- [e]. John 14:6; I Tim. 2:5; Eph. 2:18; Col 3:17
3. Prayer, with thanksgiving, being one special part of religious worship,[f]
is by God required of all men:[g] and, that it may be accepted, it is to
be made in the name of the Son,[h] by the help of his Spirit,[i] according
to his will,[k] with understanding, reverence, humility, fervency, faith,
love, and perseverance;[l] and, if vocal, in a known tongue.[m]
- [f]. Phil. 4:6; I Tim. 2:1; Col. 4:2
- [g]. Ps. 65:2; Ps. 67:3; Ps. 96:7-8; Ps. 148:11-13; Isa. 55:6-7
- [h]. John 14:13-14; I Pet. 2:5
- [i]. Rom. 8:26; Eph. 6:18
- [k]. I John 5:14
- [l]. Ps. 47:7; Ecc. 5:1-2; Heb. 12:28; Gen. 18:27; James 5:16; James
1:6-7; Mark 11:24; Matt. 6:12, 14-15; Col. 4:2; Eph. 6:18
- [m]. I Cor. 14:14
4. Prayer is to be made for things lawful;[n] and for all sorts of men living,
or that shall live hereafter:[o] but not for the dead,[p] nor for those
of whom it may be known that they have sinned the sin unto death.[q]
- [n]. I John 5:14, 16; John 15:7
- [o]. I Tim. 2:1-2; John 17:20; II Sam. 7:29; II Chron. 6:14-42
- [p]. Luke 16:25-26; Isa. 57:1-2; Ps. 73:24; II Cor. 5:8, 10; Phil.
1:21-24; Rev. 14:13
- [q]. I John 5:16
5. The reading of the Scriptures with godly fear,[r] the sound preaching[s]
and conscionable hearing of the Word, in obedience unto God, with understanding,
faith and reverence,[t] singing of psalms with grace in the heart;[u] as
also, the due administration and worthy receiving of the sacraments instituted
by Christ, are all parts of the ordinary religious worship of God:[w] beside
religious oaths,[x] vows,[y] solemn fastings,[z] and thanksgivings upon
special occasions,[a] which are, in their several times and seasons, to
be used in an holy and religious manner.[b]
- [r]. Luke 4:16-17; Acts 15:21; Col. 4:16; I Thess. 5:27; Rev. 1:3
- [s]. II Tim. 4:2; Acts 5:42
- [t]. James 1:22; Acts 10:33; Matt. 13:19; Heb. 4:2; Isa. 66:2
- [u]. Col. 3:16: Eph. 5:19; James 5:13; I Cor. 14:15
- [w]. Matt. 28:19; I Cor. 11:23-29; Acts 2:42
- [x]. Deut. 6:13; Neh. 10:29; II Cor. 1:23
- [y]. Ps. 116:14; Isa. 19:21; Ecc. 5:4-5
- [z]. Joel 2:12; Esth. 4:16; Matt. 9:15; Acts 14:23
- [a]. Exod. 15:1-21; Ps. 107:1-43; Neh. 12:27-43; Est. 9:20-22
- [b]. Heb. 12:28
6. Neither prayer, nor any other part of religious worship, is now, under
the gospel, either tied unto, or made more acceptable by any place in which
it is performed, or towards which it is directed:[c] but God is to be worshipped
everywhere,[d] in spirit and truth;[e] as, in private families[f] daily,[g]
and in secret, each one by himself;[h] so, more solemnly in the public assemblies,
which are not carelessly or willfully to be neglected, or forsaken, when
God, by his Word or providence, calleth thereunto.[i]
- [c]. John 4:21
- [d]. Mal. 1:11; I Tim. 2:8
- [e]. John 4:23-24
- [f]. Jer. 10:25; Deut. 6:6-7; Job 1:5; II Sam. 6:18, 20
- [g]. Matt. 6:11; see Job 1:5
- [h]. Matt. 6:6, 16-18; Neh. 1:4-11; Dan. 9:3-4a
- [i]. Isa. 56:6-7; Heb. 10:25; Ps. 100:4; Ps. 122:1; Ps. 84:1-12; Luke
4:16; Acts 13:42, 44; Acts 2:42
7. As it is the law of nature, that, in general, a due proportion of time
be set apart for the worship of God; so, in his Word, by a positive, moral,
and perpetual commandment binding all men in all ages, he hath particularly
appointed one day in seven, for a sabbath, to be kept holy unto him:[k]
which, from the beginning of the world to the resurrection of Christ, was
the last day of the week; and, from the resurrection of Christ, was changed
into the first day of the week,[l] which, in Scripture, is called the Lord's
day,[m] and is to be continued to the end of the world, as the Christian
sabbath.[n]
- [k]. Exod. 20:8-11; Isa. 56:2-7
- [l]. Gen. 2:2-3; I Cor. 16:1-2; Acts 20:7
- [m]. Rev. 1:10
- [n]. Matt. 5:17-18; Mark 2:27-28; Rom. 13:8-10; James 2:8-12
8. This sabbath is then kept holy unto the Lord, when men, after a due preparing
of their hearts, and ordering of their common affairs beforehand, do not
only observe an holy rest all the day from their own works, words, and thoughts
about their worldly employments and recreations,[o] but also are taken up,
the whole time, in the public and private exercises of His worship, and
in the duties of necessity and mercy.[p]
- [o]. Exod. 20:8; Exod. 16:23-30; Exod. 31:15-17; Isa. 58:13-14; Neh.
13:15-22
- [p]. Isa. 58:13-14; Luke 4:16; Matt. 12:1-13; Mark 3:1-5
CHAPTER XXII
Of Lawful Oaths and Vows
[TOP]
1. A lawful oath is part of religious worship,[a] wherein, upon just occasion,
the person swearing solemnly calleth God to witness what he asserteth, or
promiseth, and to judge him according to the truth or falsehood of what
he sweareth.[b]
- [a]. Deut. 10:20; Isa. 45:23; Rom. 14:11; Phil. 2:10-11
- [b]. Exod. 20:7; Lev. 19:12; Rom. 1:9; II Cor. 1:23; II Cor. 11:31;
Gal. 1:20; II Chron. 6:22-23
2. The name of God only is that by which men ought to swear, and therein
it is to be used with all holy fear and reverence.[c] Therefore, to swear
vainly, or rashly, by that glorious and dreadful Name; or, to swear at all
by any other thing, is sinful, and to be abhorred.[d] Yet, as in matters
of weight and moment, an oath is warranted by the Word of God, under the
new testament as well as under the old;[e] so a lawful oath, being imposed
by lawful authority, in such matters, ought to be taken.[f]
- [c]. Deut. 6:13; Josh. 23:7
- [d]. Exod. 20:7; Jer. 5:7; Matt. 5:33-37; James 5:12
- [e]. Heb. 6:16; II Cor. 1:23; Isa. 65:16
- [f]. I Kings 8:31; Neh. 13:25; Ezra 10:5
3. Whosoever taketh an oath ought duly to consider the weightiness of so
solemn an act, and therein to avouch nothing but what he is fully persuaded
is the truth:[g] neither may any man bind himself by oath to anything but
what is good and just, and what he believeth so to be, and what he is able
and resolved to perform.[h]
- [g]. Exod. 20:7; Lev. 19:12; Jer. 4:2; Hos. 10:4
- [h]. Gen. 24:2-9; Neh. 5:12-13; Ecc. 5:2, 5
4. An oath is to be taken in the plain and common sense of the words, without
equivocation, or mental reservation.[i] It cannot oblige to sin; but in
anything not sinful, being taken, it binds to performance, although to a
man's own hurt.[k] Nor is it to be violated, although made to heretics,
or infidels.[l]
- [i]. Jer. 4:2; Ps. 24:4
- [k]. I Sam. 25:22, 32-34; Ps. 15:4
- [l]. Ezek. 17:16-19; Josh. 9:18-19; II Sam. 21:1
5. A vow is of the like nature with a promissory oath, and ought to be made
with the like religious care, and to be performed with the like faithfulness.[m]
- [m]. Num. 30:2; Isa. 19:21; Ecc. 5:4-6; Ps. 61:8; Ps. 66:13-14
6. It is not to be made to any creature, but to God alone:[n] and, that
it may be accepted, it is to be made voluntarily, out of faith, and conscience
of duty, in way of thankfulness for mercy received, or for the obtaining
of what we want, whereby we more strictly bind ourselves to necessary duties:
or, to other things, so far and so long as they may fitly conduce thereunto.[o]
- [n]. Ps. 50:14; Ps. 76:11; Ps. 116:14
- [o]. Deut. 23:21-23; Gen. 28:20-22; I Sam. 1:11; Ps. 66:13-14; Ps.
132:2-5
7. No man may vow to do anything forbidden in the Word of God, or what would
hinder any duty therein commanded, or which is not in his own power, and
for the performance whereof he hath no promise of ability from God.[p] In
which respects, popish monastic vows of perpetual single life, professed
poverty, and regular obedience, are so far from being degrees of higher
perfection, that they are superstitious and sinful snares, in which no Christian
may entangle himself.[q]
- [p]. Acts 23:12-14; Mark 6:26; Num. 30:5, 8, 12-13
- [q]. Matt. 19:11-12; I Cor. 7:2, 9; Heb. 13:4; Eph. 4:28; I Thess.
4:11-12; I Cor. 7:23
CHAPTER XXIII
Of the Civil Magistrate
[TOP]
1. God, the supreme Lord and King of all the world, hath ordained civil
magistrates to be under him, over the people, for his own glory, and the
public good: and, to this end, hath armed them with the power of the sword,
for the defense and encouragement of them that are good, and for the punishment
of evil doers.[a]
- [a]. Rom. 13:1-4; I Pet. 2:13-14
2. It is lawful for Christians to accept and execute the office of a magistrate,
when called thereunto:[b] in the managing whereof, as they ought especially
to maintain piety, justice, and peace, according to the wholesome laws of
each commonwealth;[c] so, for that end, they may lawfully, now under the
new testament, wage war, upon just and necessary occasion.[d]
- [b]. Gen. 41:39-43; Neh. 12:26; Neh. 13:15-31; Dan. 2:48-49; Prov.
8:15-16; Rom. 13:1-4
- [c]. Ps. 2:10-12; I Tim. 2:2; Ps. 82:3-4; II Sam. 23:3; I Pet. 2:13
- [d]. Luke 3:14; Rom. 13:4; Matt. 8:9-10; Acts 10:1-2
3. Civil magistrates may not assume to themselves the administration of
the Word and sacraments; or the power of the keys of the kingdom of heaven;[e]
or, in the least, interfere in matters of faith.[f] Yet, as nursing fathers,
it is the duty of civil magistrates to protect the church of our common
Lord, without giving the preference to any denomination of Christians above
the rest, in such a manner that all ecclesiastical persons whatever shall
enjoy the full, free, and unquestioned liberty of discharging every part
of their sacred functions, without violence or danger.[g] And, as Jesus
Christ hath appointed a regular government and discipline in his church,
no law of any commonwealth should interfere with, let, or hinder, the due
exercise thereof, among the voluntary members of any denomination
of Christians, according to their own profession and belief.[h] It is the
duty of civil magistrates to protect the person and good name of all their
people, in such an effectual manner as that no person be suffered, either
upon pretence of religion or of infidelity, to offer any indignity, violence,
abuse, or injury to any other person whatsoever: and to take order, that
all religious and ecclesiastical assemblies be held without molestation
or disturbance.[i]
- [e]. II Chron. 26:18; Matt. 18:17; Matt. 16:19; I Cor. 12:28-29; Eph.
4:11-12; I Cor. 4:1, 12; Rom. 10:15; Heb. 5:4
- [f]. John 18:36; Acts 5:29; Eph. 4:11-12
- [g]. Isa. 49:23; Rom. 13:1-6
- [h]. Ps. 105:15
- [i]. Rom. 13:4; I Tim. 2:2
4. It is the duty of people to pray for magistrates,[k] to honour their
persons,[l] to pay them tribute or other dues,[m] to obey their lawful commands,
and to be subject to their authority, for conscience' sake.[n] Infidelity,
or difference in religion, doth not make void the magistrates' just and
legal authority, nor free the people from their due obedience to them:[o]
from which ecclesiastical persons are not exempted,[p] much less hath the
pope any power and jurisdiction over them in their dominions, or over any
of their people; and, least of all, to deprive them of their dominions,
or lives, if he shall judge them to be heretics, or upon any other pretence
whatsoever.[q]
- [k]. I Tim. 2:1-3
- [l]. I Pet. 2:17
- [m]. Matt. 22:21; Rom. 13:6-7
- [n]. Rom. 13:5; Titus 3:1
- [o]. I Pet. 2:13-16
- [p]. Rom. 13:1; Acts 25:9-11; II Pet. 2:1, 10-11; Jude 8-11
- [q]. Mark 10:42-44; Matt. 23:8-12; II Tim. 2:24; I Pet. 5:3
CHAPTER XXIV
Of Marriage and Divorce
[TOP]
1. Marriage is to be between one man and one woman: neither is it lawful
for any man to have more than one wife, nor for any woman to have more than
one husband, at the same time.[a]
- [a]. Gen. 2:24; Matt. 19:4-6; Rom. 7:3; Prov. 2:17
2. Marriage was ordained for the mutual help of husband and wife,[b] for
the increase of mankind with legitimate issue, and of the church with an
holy seed;[c] and for preventing of uncleanness.[d]
- [b]. Gen. 2:18; Eph. 5:28; I Pet. 3:7
- [c]. Gen. 1:28; Gen. 9:1; Mal. 2:15
- [d]. I Cor. 7:2, 9
3. It is lawful for all sorts of people to marry, who are able with judgment
to give their consent.[e] Yet it is the duty of Christians to marry only
in the Lord.[f] And therefore such as profess the true reformed religion
should not marry with infidels, papists, or other idolaters: neither should
such as are godly be unequally yoked, by marrying with such as are notoriously
wicked in their life, or maintain damnable heresies.[g]
- [e]. Heb. 13:4; I Tim. 4:3; I Cor. 7:36-38; Gen. 24:57-58
- [f]. I Cor. 7:39
- [g]. Gen. 34:14; Exod. 34:16 see II Cor. 6:14; Deut. 7:3-4; I Kings
11:4; Neh. 13:25-27; Mal. 2:11-12
4. Marriage ought not to be within the degrees of consanguinity or affinity
forbidden by the Word.[h] Nor can such incestuous marriages ever be made
lawful by any law of man or consent of parties, so as those persons may
live together as man and wife.[i]
- [h]. Lev. 18:6-17; 24-30; Lev. 20:19; I Cor. 5:1; Amos 2:7
- [i]. Mark 6:18; Lev. 18:24-28
5. Adultery or fornication committed after a contract, being detected before
marriage, giveth just occasion to the innocent party to dissolve that contract.[k]
In the case of adultery after marriage, it is lawful for the innocent party
to sue out a divorce.[l] and, after the divorce, to marry another, as if
the offending party were dead.[m]
- [k]. Matt. 1:18-20; see Deut. 22:23-24
- [l]. Matt. 5:31-32
- [m]. Matt. 19:9; Rom. 7:2-3
6. Although the corruption of man be such as is apt to study arguments unduly
to put asunder those whom God hath joined together in marriage: yet, nothing
but adultery, or such willful desertion as can no way be remedied by the
church, or civil magistrate, is cause sufficient of dissolving the bond
of marriage:[n] wherein, a public and orderly course of proceeding is to
be observed; and the persons concerned in it not left to their own wills
and discretion in their own case.[o]
- [n]. Matt. 19:8-9; I Cor. 7:15; Matt. 19:6
- [o]. Deut. 24:1-4
CHAPTER XXV
Of the Church
[TOP]
1. The catholic or universal Church, which is invisible, consists of the
whole number of the elect, that have been, are, or shall be gathered into
one, under Christ the head thereof; and is the spouse, the body, the fullness
of Him that filleth all in all.[a]
- [a]. Eph. 1:10, 22-23; Eph. 5:23, 27, 32; Col. 1:18
2. The visible church, which is also catholic or universal under the gospel
(not confined to one nation, as before under the law), consists of all those
throughout the world that profess the true religion;[b] and of their children:[c]
and is the kingdom of the Lord Jesus Christ,[d] the house and family of
God,[e] out of which there is no ordinary possibility of salvation.[f]
- [b]. I Cor. 1:2; I Cor. 12:12-13; Ps. 2:8; Rev. 7:9; Rom. 15:9-12
- [c]. I Cor. 7:14; Acts 2:39; Gen. 17:7-12; Ezek. 16:20-21; Rom. 11:16;
see Gal. 3:7, 9, 14; Rom. 4:12, 16, 24
- [d]. Matt. 13:47; Isa. 9:7; Luke 1:32-33; Acts 2:30-36; Col. 1:13
- [e]. Eph. 2:19; Eph. 3:15
- [f]. Acts 2:47
3. Unto this catholic visible church Christ hath given the ministry, oracles,
and ordinances of God, for the gathering and perfecting of the saints, in
this life, to the end of the world: and doth, by his own presence and Spirit,
according to his promise, make them effectual thereunto.[g]
- [g]. I Cor. 12:28; Eph. 4:11-13; Matt. 28:19-20; Isa. 59:12
4. This catholic church hath been sometimes more, sometimes less visible.[h]
And particular churches, which are members thereof, are more or less pure,
according as the doctrine of the gospel is taught and embraced, ordinances
administered, and public worship performed more or less purely in them.[i]
- [h]. Rom. 11:3-5; Acts 9:31; Acts 2:41, 47; Acts 18:8-10
- [i]. Acts 2:41-42; I Cor. 5:6-7; Rev. chaps. 2 and 3
5. The purest churches under heaven are subject both to mixture and error;[k]
and some have so degenerated as to become no churches of Christ, but synagogues
of Satan.[l] Nevertheless, there shall be always a church on earth to worship
God according to his will.[m]
- [k]. I Cor. 13:12; Rev. chaps. 2 and 3; Matt. 13:24-30, 47
- [l]. Matt. 23:37-39; Rom. 11:18-22
- [m]. Matt. 16:18; Ps. 45:16-17; Ps. 72:17; Matt. 28:19-20; I Cor.
15:51-52; I Thess. 4:17
6. There is no other head of the church but the Lord Jesus Christ.[n] Nor
can the pope of Rome, in any sense, be head thereof.[o]
- [n]. Col. 1:18; Eph. 1:22
- [o]. Matt. 23:8-10; I Pet. 5:2-4
CHAPTER XXVI
Of the Communion of Saints
[TOP]
1. All saints, that are united to Jesus Christ their head, by his Spirit,
and by faith, have fellowship with him in his graces, sufferings, death,
resurrection, and glory:[a] and, being united to one another in love, they
have communion in each other's gifts and graces,[b] and are obliged to the
performance of such duties, public and private, as do conduce to their mutual
good, both in the inward and outward man.[c]
- [a]. I John 1:3; Eph. 3:16-18; John 1:16; Eph. 2:5-6; Phil. 3:10;
Rom. 6:5-6; Rom. 8:17; II Tim. 2:12
- [b]. Eph. 4:15-16; I Cor. 12:7, 12; I Cor. 3:21-23; Col. 2:19
- [c]. I Thess. 5:11, 14; Rom. 1:11-12, 14; I John 3:16-18; Gal. 6:10
2. Saints by profession are bound to maintain an holy fellowship and communion
in the worship of God, and in performing such other spiritual services as
tend to their mutual edification;[d] as also in relieving each other in
outward things, according to their several abilities and necessities. Which
communion, as God offereth opportunity, is to be extended unto all those
who, in every place, call upon the name of the Lord Jesus.[e]
- [d]. Heb. 10:24-25; Acts 2:42, 46; Isa. 2:3; I Cor. 11:20
- [e]. I John 3:17; I Cor. chaps. 8 and 9; Acts 11:29-30; see Acts 2:44-45
3. This communion which the saints have with Christ, doth not make them
in any wise partakers of the substance of his Godhead; or to be equal with
Christ in any respect: either of which to affirm is impious and blasphemous.[f]
Nor doth their communion one with another, as saints, take away, or infringe
the title or propriety which each man hath in his goods and possessions.[g]
- [f]. Col. 1:18-19; I Cor. 8:6; Ps. 45:6-7; Heb. 1:6-9; John 1:14;
John 20:17
- [g]. Exod. 20:15; Eph. 4:28; Acts 5:4
CHAPTER XXVII
Of the Sacraments
[TOP]
1. Sacraments are holy signs and seals of the covenant of grace,[a] immediately
instituted by God,[b] to represent Christ and his benefits; and to confirm
our interest in him:[c] as also, to put a visible difference between those
that belong unto the church and the rest of the world;[d] and solemnly to
engage them to the service of God in Christ, according to his Word.[e]
- [a]. Rom. 4:11; Gen. 17:7, 10-11
- [b]. Matt. 28:19; I Cor. 11:23
- [c]. Rom. 6:3-4; Col. 2:12; I Cor. 10:16; I Cor. 11:25-26; Gal. 3:27
- [d]. Exod. 12:48; Gen. 34:14; I Cor. 10:21
- [e]. Rom. 6:3-4; Gal. 3:27; I Pet. 3:21; I Cor. 10:16; see I Cor.
5:7-8
2. There is, in every sacrament, a spiritual relation, or sacramental union,
between the sign and the thing signified: whence it comes to pass, that
the names and effects of the one are attributed to the other.[f]
- [f]. Gen. 17:10; Matt. 26:27-28; I Cor. 10:16-18
3. The grace which is exhibited in or by the sacraments rightly used, is
not conferred by any power in them; neither doth the efficacy of a sacrament
depend upon the piety or intention of him that doth administer it:[g] but
upon the work of the Spirit,[h] and the word of institution, which contains,
together with a precept authorizing the use thereof, a promise of benefit
to worthy receivers.[i]
- [g]. Rom. 2:28-29; I Pet. 3:21
- [h]. I Cor. 12:13
- [i]. Matt. 26:26-28; Luke 22:19-20; Matt. 28:19-20; I Cor. 11:26
4. There be only two sacraments ordained by Christ our Lord in the gospel;
that is to say, Baptism, and the Supper of the Lord: neither of which may
be dispensed by any, but by a minister of the Word lawfully ordained.[k]
- [k]. Matt. 28:19; I Cor. 11:20, 23; I Cor. 4:1; Eph. 4:11-12
5. The sacraments of the old testament in regard of the spiritual things
thereby signified and exhibited, were, for substance, the same with those
of the new.[l]
- [l]. I Cor. 10:1-4; Rom. 4:11; Col. 2:11-12
CHAPTER XXVIII
Of Baptism
[TOP]
1. Baptism is a sacrament of the new testament, ordained by Jesus Christ,[a]
not only for the solemn admission of the party baptized into the visible
church;[b] but also to be unto him a sign and seal of the covenant of grace,[c]
of his ingrafting into Christ,[d] of regeneration,[e] of remission of sins,[f]
and of his giving up unto God, through Jesus Christ, to walk in newness
of life.[g] Which sacrament is, by Christ's own appointment, to be continued
in his church until the end of the world.[h]
- [a]. Matt. 28:19
- [b]. I Cor. 12:13; Gal. 3:27-28
- [c]. Rom. 4:11; Col. 2:11-12
- [d]. Gal. 3:27; Rom. 6:5
- [e]. John 3:5; Titus 3:5
- [f]. Mark 1:4; Acts 2:38; Acts 22:16
- [g]. Rom. 6:3-4
- [h]. Matt. 28:19-20
2. The outward element to be used in this sacrament is water, wherewith
the party is to be baptized, in the name of the Father, and of the Son,
and of the Holy Ghost, by a minister of the gospel, lawfully called thereunto.[i]
- [i]. Acts 10:47; Acts 8:36, 38; Matt. 28:19
3. Dipping of the person into the water is not necessary; but Baptism is
rightly administered by pouring, or sprinkling water upon the person.[k]
- [k]. Heb. 9:10, 13, 19, 21; Mark 7:2-4; Luke 11:38
4. Not only those that do actually profess faith in and obedience unto Christ,[l]
but also the infants of one, or both, believing parents, are to be baptized.[m]
- [l]. Acts 2:41; Acts 8:12-13; Acts 16:14-15
- [m]. Gen. 17:7-14; Gal. 3:9, 14; Col. 2:11-12; Acts 2:38-39; Rom.
4:11-12; Matt. 19:13; Mark 10:13-16; Luke 18:15-17; Matt. 28:19; I Cor.
7:14
5. Although it be a great sin to condemn or neglect this ordinance,[n] yet
grace and salvation are not so inseparably annexed unto it, as that no person
can be regenerated, or saved, without it:[o] or, that all that are baptized
are undoubtedly regenerated.[p]
- [n]. Gen. 17:14; Matt. 28:19; Acts 2:38; see Luke 7:30
- [o]. Rom. 4:11; Acts 10:2, 4, 22, 31, 45, 47
- [p]. Acts 8:13, 23
6. The efficacy of Baptism is not tied to that moment of time wherein it
is administered;[q] yet, notwithstanding, by the right use of this ordinance,
the grace promised is not only offered, but really exhibited, and conferred,
by the Holy Ghost, to such (whether of age or infants) as that grace belongeth
unto, according to the counsel of God's own will, in his appointed time.[r]
- [q]. John 3:5, 8
- [r]. Rom. 6:3-6; Gal. 3:27; I Pet. 3:21; Acts 2:38, 41
7. The sacrament of Baptism is but once to be administered unto any person.[s]
- [s]. Rom. 6:3-11
CHAPTER XXIX
Of the Lord's Supper
[TOP]
1. Our Lord Jesus, in the night wherein he was betrayed, instituted the
sacrament of his body and blood, called the Lord's Supper, to be observed
in his church, unto the end of the world, for the perpetual remembrance
of the sacrifice of himself in his death; the sealing all benefits thereof
unto true believers, their spiritual nourishment and growth in him, their
further engagement in and to all duties which they owe unto him; and, to
be a bond and pledge of their communion with him, and with each other, as
members of his mystical body.[a]
- [a]. I Cor. 11:23-26; I Cor. 10:16-17, 21; I Cor. 12:13
2. In this sacrament, Christ is not offered up to his Father; nor any real
sacrifice made at all, for remission of sins of the quick or dead;[b] but
only a commemoration of that one offering up of himself, by himself, upon
the cross, once for all: and a spiritual oblation of all possible praise
unto God, for the same:[c] so that the popish sacrifice of the mass (as
they call it) is most abominably injurious to Christ's one, only sacrifice,
the alone propitiation for all the sins of his elect.[d]
- [b]. Heb. 9:22, 25-26, 28; Heb. 10:10-14
- [c]. I Cor. 11:24-26; Matt. 26:26-27; Luke 22:19-20
- [d]. Heb. 7:23-24, 27; Heb. 10:11-12, 14, 18
3. The Lord Jesus hath, in this ordinance, appointed his ministers to declare
his word of institution to the people; to pray, and bless the elements of
bread and wine, and thereby to set them apart from a common to an holy use;
and to take and break the bread, to take the cup, and (they communicating
also themselves) to give both to the communicants;[e] but to none who are
not then present in the congregation.[f]
- [e]. Matt. 26:26-28; Mark 14:22-24; Luke 22:19-20; I Cor. 10:16-17;
I Cor. 11:23-27
- [f]. Acts 20:7; I Cor. 11:20
4. Private masses, or receiving this sacrament by a priest, or any other
alone;[g] as likewise, the denial of the cup to the people,[h] worshipping
the elements, the lifting them up, or carrying them about, for adoration,
and the reserving them for any pretended religious use; are all contrary
to the nature of this sacrament, and to the institution of Christ.[i]
- [g]. I Cor. 10:16
- [h]. Matt. 26:27-28; Mark 14:23; I Cor. 11:25-29
- [i]. Matt. 15:9
5. The outward elements in this sacrament, duly set apart to the uses ordained
by Christ, have such relation to him crucified, as that, truly, yet sacramentally
only, they are sometimes called by the name of the things they represent,
to wit, the body and blood of Christ;[k] albeit, in substance and nature,
they still remain truly and only bread and wine, as they were before.[l]
- [k]. Matt. 26:26-28
- [l]. I Cor. 11:26-28; Matt. 26:29
6. That doctrine which maintains a change of the substance of bread and
wine, into the substance of Christ's body and blood commonly called transubstantiation
by consecration of a priest, or by any other way, is repugnant, not to Scripture
alone, but even to common sense, and reason; overthroweth the nature of
the sacrament, and hath been, and is, the cause of manifold superstitions;
yea, of gross idolatries.[m]
- [m]. Acts 3:21; I Cor. 11:24-26; Luke 24:6, 39
7. Worthy receivers, outwardly partaking of the visible elements, in this
sacrament,[n] do then also, inwardly by faith, really and indeed, yet not
carnally and corporally but spiritually, receive, and feed upon, Christ
crucified, and all benefits of his death: the body and blood of Christ being
then, not corporally or carnally, in, with, or under the bread and wine;
yet, as really, but spiritually, present to the faith of believers in that
ordinance, as the elements themselves are to their outward senses.[o]
- [n]. I Cor. 11:28
- [o]. I Cor. 10:16; see I Cor. 10:3-4
8. Although ignorant and wicked men receive the outward elements in this
sacrament; yet, they receive not the thing signified thereby; but, by their
unworthy coming thereunto, are guilty of the body of the Lord, to their
own damnation. Wherefore, all ignorant and ungodly persons, as they are
unfit to enjoy communion with him, so are they unworthy of the Lord's table;
and cannot, without great sin against Christ, while they remain such, partake
of these holy mysteries,[p] or be admitted thereunto.[q]
- [p]. I Cor. 11:27-29; II Cor. 6:14-16; I Cor. 10:21
- [q]. I Cor. 5:6-7, 13; II Thess. 3:6, 14-15; Matt. 7:6
CHAPTER XXX
Of Church Censures
[TOP]
1. The Lord Jesus, as king and head of his church, hath therein appointed
a government, in the hand of church officers, distinct from the civil magistrate.[a]
- [a]. Isa. 9:6-7; Col. 1:18; I Tim. 5:17; I Thess. 5:12; Acts 20:17,
28; Heb. 13:7, 17, 24; Eph. 4:11-12; I Cor. 12:28; Matt. 28:18-20; John
18:36
2. To these officers the keys of the kingdom of heaven are committed; by
virtue whereof, they have power, respectively, to retain, and remit sins;
to shut that kingdom against the impenitent, both by the Word, and censures;
and to open it unto penitent sinners, by the ministry of the gospel; and
by absolution from censures, as occasion shall require.[b]
- [b]. Matt. 16:19; Matt. 18:17-18; John 20:21-23; II Cor. 2:6-8
3. Church censures are necessary, for the reclaiming and gaining of offending
brethren, for deterring of others from the like offenses, for purging out
of that leaven which might infect the whole lump, for vindicating the honour
of Christ, and the holy profession of the gospel, and for preventing the
wrath of God, which might justly fall upon the church, if they should suffer
his covenant, and the seals thereof, to be profaned by notorious and obstinate
offenders.[c]
- [c]. I Cor. 5:1-13; I Tim. 5:20; Matt. 7:6; I Tim. 1:20; I Cor. 11:27-34;
Jude 23
4. For the better attaining of these ends, the officers of the church are
to proceed by admonition, suspension from the sacrament of the Lord's Supper
for a season; and by excommunication from the church, according to the nature
of the crime, and demerit of the person.[d]
- [d]. I Thess. 5:12; II Thess. 3:6, 14-15; I Cor. 5:4-5, 13; Matt.
18:17; Titus 3:10
CHAPTER XXXI
Of Synods and Councils
[TOP]
1. For the better government, and further edification of the church, there
ought to be such assemblies as are commonly called synods or councils;[a]
and it belongeth to the overseers and other rulers of the particular churches,
by virtue of their office, and the power which Christ hath given them for
edification and not for destruction, to appoint such assemblies;[b] and
to convene together in them, as often as they shall judge it expedient for
the good of the church.[c]
- [a]. Acts 15:2, 4, 6
[b]. Acts 15:1-35
[c]. Acts 15:1-35; 20:17
2. It belongeth to synods and councils, ministerially to determine controversies
of faith, and cases of conscience; to set down rules and directions for
the better ordering of the public worship of God, and government of his
church; to receive complaints in cases of maladministration, and authoritatively
to determine the same: which decrees and determinations, if consonant to
the Word of God, are to be received with reverence and submission; not only
for their agreement with the Word, but also for the power whereby they are
made, as being an ordinance of God appointed thereunto in his Word.[d]
- [d]. Acts 15:15, 19, 24, 27-31; Acts 16:4; Matt. 18:17-20
3. All synods or councils, since the apostles' times, whether general or
particular, may err; and many have erred. Therefore they are not to be made
the rule of faith, or practice; but to be used as a help in both.[e]
- [e]. Eph. 2:20; Acts 17:11; I Cor. 2:5; II Cor. 1:24; cf. Isa. 8:19-20;
Matt. 15:9
4. Synods and councils are to handle, or conclude nothing, but that which
is ecclesiastical: and are not to intermeddle with civil affairs which concern
the commonwealth, unless by way of humble petition in cases extraordinary;
or, by way of advice, for satisfaction of conscience, if they be thereunto
required by the civil magistrate.[f]
- [f]. Luke 12:13-14; John 18:36; Matt. 22:21
CHAPTER XXXII
Of the State of Men after Death,
and of the Resurrection of the Dead
[TOP]
1. The bodies of men, after death, return to dust, and see corruption:[a]
but their souls, which neither die nor sleep, having an immortal subsistence,
immediately return to God who gave them:[b] the souls of the righteous,
being then made perfect in holiness, are received into the highest heavens,
where they behold the face of God, in light and glory, waiting for the full
redemption of their bodies.[c] And the souls of the wicked are cast into
hell, where they remain in torments and utter darkness, reserved to the
judgment of the great day.[d] Beside these two places, for souls separated
from their bodies, the Scripture acknowledgeth none.
- [a]. Gen. 3:19; Acts 13:36
- [b]. Luke 23:43; Ecc. 12:7
- [c]. Heb. 12:23; II Cor. 5:1, 6, 8; Phil 1:23; Acts 3:21; Eph. 4:10;
Rom. 8:23
- [d]. Luke 16:23-24; Acts 1:25; Jude 6-7; I Pet. 3:19
2. At the last day, such as are found alive shall not die, but be changed:[e]
and all the dead shall be raised up, with the self-same bodies, and none
other (although with different qualities), which shall be united again to
their souls forever.[f]
- [e]. I Thess. 4:17; I Cor. 15:51-52
- [f]. John 5:25-29; Acts 24:15; Job 19:26-27; Dan. 12:2; I Cor. 15:42-44
3. The bodies of the unjust shall, by the power of Christ, be raised to
dishonour: the bodies of the just, by his Spirit, unto honour; and be made
conformable to his own glorious body.[g]
- [g]. Acts 24:15; John 5:25-29; I Cor. 15:43; Phil. 3:21
CHAPTER XXXIII
Of the Last Judgment
[TOP]
1. God hath appointed a day, wherein he will judge the world, in righteousness,
by Jesus Christ,[a] to whom all power and judgment is given of the Father.[b]
In which day, not only the apostate angels shall be judged,[c] but likewise
all persons that have lived upon earth shall appear before the tribunal
of Christ, to give an account of their thoughts, words, and deeds; and to
receive according to what they have done in the body, whether good or evil.[d]
- [a]. Acts 17:31
- [b]. John 5:22, 27
- [c]. Jude 6; II Pet. 2:4
- [d]. II Cor. 5:10; Ecc. 12:14; Rom. 2:16; Rom. 14:10, 12; Matt. 12:36-37
2. The end of God's appointing this day is for the manifestation of the
glory of his mercy, in the eternal salvation of the elect; and of his justice,
in the damnation of the reprobate, who are wicked and disobedient. For then
shall the righteous go into everlasting life, and receive that fullness
of joy and refreshing, which shall come from the presence of the Lord: but
the wicked, who know not God, and obey not the gospel of Jesus Christ, shall
be cast into eternal torments, and be punished with everlasting destruction
from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power.[e]
- [e]. Matt. 25:31-46; Rom. 2:5-6; Rom. 9:22-23; Matt. 25:21; Acts 3:19;
II Thess. 1:7-10
3. As Christ would have us to be certainly persuaded that there shall be
a day of judgment, both to deter all men from sin; and for the greater consolation
of the godly in their adversity:[f] so will he have that day unknown to
men, that they may shake off all carnal security, and be always watchful,
because they know not at what hour the Lord will come; and may be ever prepared
to say, Come Lord Jesus, come quickly. Amen.[g]
- [f]. II Pet. 3:11, 14; II Cor. 5:10-11; II Thess. 1:5-7; Luke 21:27-28;
Rom. 8:23-25
- [g]. Matt. 24:36, 42-44; Mark 13:35-37; Luke 12:35-36; Rev. 22:20
This hypertext version of the
Westminster Confession of Faith
was prepared by
Terry M. Gray
(grayt@calvin.edu)
February 1996