All which are given by the inspiration of God to be the rule
of faith and life.(g)
g. Lk. 16:29, 31; Eph. 2:20; Rev. 22:18, 19; 2 Tim. 3:16.
III. 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. Lk. 24:27, 44; Rom. 3:2; 2 Pet. 1:21.
IV. 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. 2 Pet. 1:19, 21; 2 Tim. 3:16; 1 Jn. 5:9; 1 Thess. 2:13.
V. 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. 1 Tim. 3:15.
l. 1 Jn. 2:20, 27; Jn. 16:13, 14; 1 Cor. 2:10-12; Is. 59:21.
VI. 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. 2 Tim. 3:15-17; Gal. 1:8, 9; 2 Thess. 2:2.
n. Jn. 6:45; 1 Cor. 2:9-12.
o. 1 Cor. 11:13, 14; 1 Cor. 14:26, 40.
VII. 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. 2 Pet. 3:16.
q. Ps. 119:105, 130.
VIII. 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. Mt. 5:18.
s. Is. 8:20; Acts 15:15; Jn. 5:39, 46.
t. Jn. 5:39. x. Rom. 15:4.
u. 1 Cor. 14:6, 9, 11, 12, 24, 27, 28.
w. Col. 3:16.
IX. 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. 2 Pet. 1:20, 21; Acts 15:15, 16.
X. 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. Mt. 22:29, 31; Eph. 2:20; Acts 28:25.
Chapter II - Of
God, and of the Holy Trinity.
I. 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, parts,(f) 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, longsuffering,
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. Dt.6:4; 1 Cor.8:4,6.
b. 1 Thess.1:9; Jer.10:10.
c. Job 11:7-9; 26:14.
d. Jn.4:24.
e. 1 Tim.1:17.
f. Dt.4:15,16; Jn.4:24 with Lk.24:39.
g. Acts 14:11,15.
h. Jas. 1:17; Mal 3:6.
i. 1 K.8:27; Jer.23:23,24.
k. Ps.90:2; 1 Tim.1:17.
l. Ps.145:3.
m. Gen.17:1; Rev.4:8.
n. Rom.16:27.
o. Is.6:3; Rev.4:8.
p. Ps.115:3.
q. Ex.3:14.
r. Eph 1:11.
s. Prov.16:4; Rom.11:36.
t. 1 Jn.4:8,16.
u. Ex.34:6,7.
w. Heb.11:6.
x. Neh.9:32,33.
y. Ps.5:5,6.
z. Nah.1:2,3; Ex.34:7.
II. 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 worship, service, or
obedience He is pleased to require of them.(n)
a. Jn.5:26.
b. Acts 7:2.
c. Ps.119:68.
d. 1 Tim.6:15; Rom.9:5.
e. Acts 17:24,25.
f. Job 22:2,3.
g. Rom.11:36.
h. Rev.4:11; 1 Tim.6:15; Dan.4:25,35.
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.
III. 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. 1 Jn.5:7; Mt.3:16,17; 28:19; 2 Cor.13:14.
p. Jn.1:14,18.
q. Jn.15:26; Gal.4:6.
Chapter III - Of God's
Eternal Decree.
I. 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. Eph.1:11; Rom.11:33; Heb.6:17; Rom.9:15,18.
b. Jas.1:13,17; 1 Jn.1:5.
c. Acts 2:23; Mt.17:12; Acts 4:27,28; Jn.19:11; Prov.16:33.
II. Although God knows whatsoever may or can come to pass
upon all supposed conditions,(d) yet hath He not decreed any
thing because he foresaw it as future, or as that which
would come to pass upon such conditions.(e)
d. Acts 15:18; 1 Sam.23:11,12; Mt.11:21,23.
e. Rom.9:11,13,16,18.
III. 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. 1 Tim.5:21; Mt.25:41.
g. Rom.9:22,23; Eph.1:5,6; Prov.16:4.
IV. These angels and men, thus predestinated, and
foreordained, are particularly and unchangeably designed,
and their number so certain and definite, that it can not be
either increased or diminished.(h)
h. 2 Tim.2:19; Jn.13:18.
V. 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.8:30; 2 Tim.1:9; 1 Thess.5:9.
k. Rom.9:11,13,16; Eph.1:4,9.
l. Eph.1:6,12.
VI. 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. 1 Pet.1:2; Eph.1:4,5; 2:10; 2 Thess.2:13.
n. 1 Thess.5:9,10; Tit.2:14.
o. Rom.8:30; Eph.1:5; 2 Thess.2:13.
p. 1 Pet.1:5.
q. Jn.17:9; Rom.8:28ff; Jn.6:64,65; 10:26; 8:47; 1 Jn.2:19.
VII. The rest of mankind God was pleased, according to the
unsearchable counsel of His own will, whereby He extendeth
or withholdeth 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. Mt.11:25,26; Rom.9:17,18,21,22; 2 Tim.2:19,20; Jude 4; 1
Pet.2:8.
VIII. 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; 11:33; Dt.29:29.
t. 2 Pet.1:10.
u. Eph.1:6; Rom.11:33.
w. Rom.11:5,6,20; 2 Pet.1:10; Rom.8:33; Lk.10:20.
Chapter IV - Of Creation.
I. 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. Heb.1:2; Jn.1:2,3; Gen.1:2; Job 26:13; 33:4.
b. Rom.1:20; Jer.10:12; Ps.104:24; Ps.33:5,6.
c. Gen. Ch.1; Heb.11:3; Col.1:16; Acts 17:24.
II. 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;(k)
which while they kept, they were happy in their communion
with God, and had dominion over the creatures.(l)
d. Gen.1:27.
e. Gen.2:7 with Eccl.12:7 and Lk.23:43 and Mt.10:28.
f. Gen.1:26; Col.3:10; Eph.4:24.
g. Rom.2:14,15.
h. Eccl.7:29.
i. Gen.3:6; Eccl.7:29.
k. Gen.2:17; 3:8-11,23.
l. Gen.1:26,28.
Chapter V - Of Providence.
I. 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. Heb.1:3.
b. Dan.4:34,35; Ps.135:6; Acts 17:25,26,28; Job Chs.38-41.
c. Mt.10:29-31.
d. Prov.15:3; Ps.104:24; 145:17.
e. Acts 15:18; Ps.94:8-11.
f. Eph.1:11; Ps.33:10,11.
g. Is.63:14; Eph.3:10; Rom.9:17; Gen.45:7; Ps.145:7.
II. 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.
i. Gen.8:22; Jer.31:35; Ex.21:13 with Dt.19:5; 1 K.22:28,34;
Is.10:6,7.
III. God, in His ordinary providence, maketh use of means,(k)
yet is free to work without,(l) above,(m) and against
them,(n) at His pleasure.
k. Acts 27:31,44; Is.55:10,11; Hos.2:21,22.
l. Hos.1:7; Mt.4:4; Job 34:10.
m. Rom.4:19-21.
n. 2 K.6:6; Dan.3:27.
IV. 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. Rom.11:32-34; 2 Sam.24:1 with 1 Chron.21:1; 1 K.22:22,23;
1 Chron.10:4,13,14; 2 Sam.16:10; Acts 2:23; 4:27,28.
p. Acts 14:16.
q. Ps.76:10; 2 K.19:28.
r. Gen.1:20; Is.10:6,7,12.
s. Jas.1:13,14,17; 1 Jn.2:16; Ps.50:21.
V. 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. 2 Chron.32:25,26,31; 2 Sam.24:1.
u. 2 Cor.12:7-9; Ps. Ch.73; 77:1-12; Mk.14:66ff with
Jn.21:15-17.
VI. As for those wicked and ungodly men whom God, as a
righteous Judge, for former sins, doth blind and harden,
from them He not only withholdeth His grace whereby they
might have been enlightened in their understandings, and
wrought upon in their hearts;(y) but sometimes also
withdraweth the gifts which they had(z), and exposeth them
to such objects as their corruption makes occasion of sin;(a)
and, withal, gives then over to their own lusts, the
temptations of the world, and the power of Satan,(b) whereby
it comes to pass that they harden themselves, even under
those means which God useth for the softening of others.(c)
x. Rom.1:24,26,28; 11:7,8.
y. Dt.29:4.
z. Mt.13:12; 25:29.
a. Dt.2:30; 2 K.8:12,13.
b. Ps.81:11,12; 2 Thess.2:10-12.
c. Ex.7:3; 8:15,32; 2 Cor.2:15,16; Is.8:14; 1 Pet.2:7,8;
Is.6:9,10
with Acts 28:26,27.
VII. 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.(d)
d. 1 Tim.4:10; Amos 9:8,9; Rom.8:28; Is.43:3-5,14.
Chapter VI -
Of the Fall of Man, of Sin, and of the Punishment thereof.
I. 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; 2 Cor.11:3.
b. Rom.11:32.
II. 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; Eccl.7:29; Rom.3:23.
d. Gen.2:17; Eph.2:1.
e. Tit.1:15; Gen.6:5; Jer.17:9; Rom.3:10-18.
III. 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. Gen.1:27,28 and Gen.2:16,17; Acts 17:26 with
Rom.5:12,15-19 and 1
Cor.15:21,22,45,49.
g. Ps.51:5; Gen.5:3; Job 14:4; 15:14.
IV. 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; 8:7; 7:18; Col.1:21.
i. Gen.6:5; 8:21; Rom.3:10-12.
k. Jas.1:14,15; Eph.2:2,3; Mt.15:19.
V. 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. 1 Jn.1:8,10; Rom.7:14,17,18,23; Jas.3:2; Prov.20:9;
Eccl.7:20.
m. Rom.7:5,7,8,25; Gal.5:17.
VI. 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. 1 Jn.3:4.
o. Rom.2:15; 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. Mt.25:41; 2 Thess.1:9.
Chapter VII - Of God's
Covenant with Man.
I. 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. Is.40:13-17; Job 9:32,33; 1 Sam.2:25; Ps.113:5,6;
100:2,3; Job
22:2,3; 35:7,8; Lk.17:10; Acts 17:24,25.
II. 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. Gal.3:12.
c. Rom.10:5; 5:12-20.
d. Gen.2:17; Gal.3:10.
III. Man, by his fall, having made himself incapable 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.8:3; 3:20,21; Gen.3:15; Is.42:6.
f. Mk.16:15,16; Jn.3:16; Rom.10:6,9; Gal.3:11.
g. Ezek.36:26,27; Jn.6:44,45.
IV. 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; 7:22; Lk.22:20; 1 Cor.11:25.
V. 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. 2 Cor.3:6-9.
k. Heb. Chs.8-10; Rom.4:11; Col.2:11,12; 1 Cor.5:7.
l. 1 Cor.10:1-4; Heb.11:13; Jn.8:56.
m. Gal.3:7-9,14.
VI. 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. Mt.28:19,20; 1 Cor.11:23-25.
p. Heb.12:22-27; Jer.31:33,34.
q. Mt.28:19; Eph.2:15-19.
r. Lk.22:20.
s. Gal.3:14,16; Acts 15:11; Rom.3:21-23,30; Ps.32:1 with
Rom.4:3,6,16,17,23,24; Heb.13:8.
Chapter VIII - Of Christ
the Mediator.
I. 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. Is.42:1; 1 Pet.1:19,20; Jn.3:16; 1 Tim.2:5.
b. Acts 3:22.
c. Heb.5:5,6.
d. Ps.2:6; Lk.1:33.
e. Eph.5:23.
f. Heb.1:2.
g. Acts 17:31.
h. Jn.17:6; Ps.22:30; Is.53:10.
i. 1 Tim.2:6; Is.55:4,5; 1 Cor.1:30.
II. 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. Jn.1:1,14; 1 Jn.5:20; Phil.2:6; Gal.4:4.
l. Heb.2:14,16,17; 4:15.
m. Lk.1:27,31,35; Gal.4:4.
n. Lk.1:35; Col.2:9; Rom.9:5; 1 Pet.3:18; 1 Tim.3:16.
o. Rom.1:3,4; 1 Tim.2:5.
III. 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
fullness 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.(x)
p. Ps.45:7; Jn.3:34.
q. Col.2:3.
r. Col.1:19.
s. Heb.7:26; Jn.1:14.
t. Acts 10:38; Heb.12:24; 7:22.
u. Heb.5:4,5.
x. Jn.5:22,27; Mt.28:18; Acts 2:36.
IV. This office the Lord Jesus did most willingly
undertake;(y) which that He might discharge, He was made
under the law,(z) and did perfectly fulfil it;(a) endured
most grievous torments immediately in His soul,(b) and most
painful sufferings in His body;(c) was crucified, and
died,(d) was buried, and remained under the power of death,
yet saw no corruption.(e) On the third day He arose from the
dead,(f) with the same body in which He suffered,(g) with
which also He ascended into heaven, and there sitteth at the
right hand of His Father,(h) making intercession,(i) and
shall return, to judge men and angels, at the end of the
world.(k)
y. Ps.40:7,8 with Heb.10:5-10; Jn.10:18; Phil.2:8.
z. Gal.4:4.
a. Mt.3:15; 5:17.
b. Mt.26:37,38; Lk.22:44; Mt.27:46.
c. Mt. Chs.26,27.
d. Phil.2:8.
e. Acts 2:23,24,27 and 13:37; Rom.6:9.
f. 1 Cor.15:3-5.
g. Jn.20:25,27.
h. Mk.16:19.
i. Rom.8:34; Heb.9:24; 7:25.
k. Rom.14:9,10; Acts 1:11; 10:42; Mt.13:40-42; Jude 6; 2
Pet.2:4.
V. 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;(l) and purchased, not only reconciliation, but an
everlasting inheritance in the kingdom of heaven, for all
those whom the Father hath given unto Him.(m)
l. Rom.5:19; Heb.9:14,16; 10:14; Eph.5:2; Rom.3:25,26.
m. Dan.9:24,26; Col.1:19,20; Eph.1:11,14; Jn.17:2;
Heb.9:12,15.
VI. 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
to-day the same, and forever.(n)
n. Gal.4:4,5; Gen.3:15; Rev.13:8; Heb.13;8.
VII. Christ, in the work of mediation, acts according to
both natures, by each nature doing that which is proper to
itself;(o) 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.(p)
o. Heb.9:14; 1 Pet.3:18.
p. Acts 20:28; Jn.3:13; 1 Jn.3:16.
VIII. To all those for whom Christ hath purchased
redemption, He doth certainly and effectually apply and
communicate the same;(q) making intercession for them,(r)
and revealing unto them, in and by the Word, the mysteries
of salvation;(s) effectually persuading them by His Spirit
to believe and obey, and governing their hearts by His Word
and Spirit;(t) 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.(u)
q. Jn.6:37,39; 10:15,16.
r. 1 Jn.2:1,2; Rom.8:34.
s. Jn.15:13,15; Eph.1:7-9; Jn.17:6.
t. Jn.14:16; Heb.12:2; 2 Cor.4:13; Rom.8:9,14; 15:18,19;
Jn.17:17.
u. Ps.110:1; 1 Cor.15:25,26; Mal.4:2,3; Col.2:15.
Chapter IX - Of Free-Will.
I. 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. Mt.17:12; Jas.1:14; Dt.30:19.
II. 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. Eccl.7:29; Gen.1:26.
c. Gen.2:16,17; Gen.3:6.
III. 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.5:6; 8:7; Jn.15:5.
e. Rom.3:10,12.
f. Eph.2:1,5; Col.2:13.
g. Jn.6:44,65; Eph.2:2-5; 1 Cor.2:14; Tit.3:4,5.
IV. 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, as 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; Jn.8:34,36.
i. Phil.2:13; Rom.6:18,22.
k. Gal.5:17; Rom.7:15,18,19,21,23.
V. The will of man is made perfectly and immutably free to
do good
alone in the state of glory only.(l)
l. Eph.4:13; Heb.12:23; 1 Jn.3:2; Jude 24.
Chapter X - Of Effectual
Calling.
I. 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. Rom.8:30; 11:7; Eph.1:10,11.
b. 2 Thess.2:13,14; 2 Cor.3:3,6.
c. Rom.8:2; Eph.2:1-5; 2 Tim.1:9,10.
d. Acts 26:18; 1 Cor.2:10,12; Eph.1;17,18.
e. Ezek.36:26.
f. Ezek.11:19; Phil.2:13; Dt.30:6; Ezek.36:27.
g. Eph.1:19; Jn.6:44,45.
h. Sol.1:4; Ps.110:3; Jn.6:37; Rom.6:6-18.
II. This effectual call is of God's free and special grace
alone, not from anything 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. 2 Tim.1:9; Tit.3:4,5; Eph.2:4,5,8,9; Rom.9:11.
k. 1 Cor.2:14; Rom.8:7; Eph.2:5.
l. Jn.6:37; Ezek.37:27; Jn.5:25.
III. 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. Lk.18:15,16; Acts 2:38,39; Jn.3:3,5; 1 Jn.5:12;
Rom.8:9(compared).
n. Jn.3:8.
o. 1 Jn.5:12; Acts 4:12.
IV. 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 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. Mt.22:14.
q. Mt.7:22; 13:20,21; Heb.6:4,5.
r. Jn.6:64-66; 8:24.
s. Acts 4:12; Jn.14:6; Eph.2:12; Jn.4:22; 17:3.
t. 2 Jn.9-11; 1 Cor.16:22; Gal.1:6-8.
Chapter XI - Of Justification.
I. 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 they have not of themselves,
it is the gift of God.(c)
a. Rom.8:30; 3:24.
b. Rom.4:5-8; 2 Cor.5;19,21; Rom.3:22,24,25,27,28; Tit.3:57;
Eph.1:7;
Jer.23:6; 1 Cor.1:30,31; Rom.5:17-19.
c. Acts 10:44; Gal.2:16; Phil.3:9; Acts 13:38,39; Eph.2:7,8.
II. 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. Jn.1:12; Rom.3:28; 5:1.
e. Jas.2:17,22,26; Gal.5:6.
III. 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. Rom.5:8-10,19; 1 Tim.2:5,6; Heb.10:10,14; Dan.9:24,26;
Is.53:4-
6,10-12.
g. Rom.8:32.
h. 2 Cor.5:21; Mt.3:17; Eph.5:2.
i. Rom.3:24; Eph.1:7.
k. Rom.3:26; Eph.2:7.
IV. 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. Gal.3:8; 1 Pet.1:2,19,20; Rom.8:30.
m. Gal.4:4; 1 Tim.2:6; Rom.4:25.
n. Col.1:21,22; Gal.2:16; Tit.3:4-7.
V. 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. Mt.6:12; 1 Jn.1:7,9; 2:1,2.
p. Lk.22:32; Jn.10:28; Heb.10:14.
q. Ps.89:31-33; 51:7-12; 32:5; Mt.26:75; 1 Cor.11:30,32;
Lk.1:20.
VI. 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.4:22-24; Heb.13:8.
Chapter XII - Of Adoption.
I. 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; Jn.1:12.
c. Jer.14:9; 2 Cor.6:18; Rev.3:12.
d. Rom.8:15.
e. Eph.3:12; Rom.5:2.
f. Gal.4:6.
g. Ps.103:13.
h. Prov.14:26.
i. Mt.6:30,32; 1 Pet.5:7.
k. Heb.12:6.
l. Lam.3:31.
m. Eph.4:30.
n. Heb.6:12.
o. 1 Pet.1:3,4; Heb.1:14.
Chapter XIII - Of Sanctification.
I. 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. 1 Cor.6:11; Acts 20:32; Phil.3:10; Rom.6:5,6.
b. Jn.17:17; Eph.5:26; 2 Thess.2:13.
c. Rom.6:6,14.
d. Gal.5:24; Rom.8:13.
e. Col.1:11; Eph.3:16-19.
f. 2 Cor.7:1; Heb.12:14.
II. 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. 1 Thess.5:23.
h. 1 Jn.1:10; Rom.7:18,23; Phil.3:12.
i. Gal.5:17; 1 Pet.2:11.
III. 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; 1 Jn.5:4; Eph.4:15,16.
m. 2 Pet.3:18; 2 Cor.3:18.
n. 2 Cor.7:1.
Chapter XIV - Of Saving Faith.
I. 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. Heb.10:39.
b. 2 Cor.4:13; Eph.1:17-19; 2:8.
c. Rom.10:14,17.
d. 1 Pet.2:2; Acts 20:32; Rom.4:11; Lk.17:5; Rom.1:16,17.
II. 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. Jn.4:42; 1 Thess.2:13; 1 Jn.5:10; Acts 24:14.
f. Rom.16:26.
g. Is.66:2.
h. Heb.11:13; 1 Tim.4:8.
i. Jn.1:12; Acts 16:31; Gal.2:20; Acts 15:11.
III. 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.4:19,20; Mt.6:30; 8:10.
l. Lk.22:31,32; Eph.6:16; 1 Jn.5:4,5.
m. Heb.6:11,12; 10:22; Col.2:2.
n. Heb.12:2.
Chapter XV - Of Repentance
unto Life.
I. 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. Zech.12:10; Acts 11:18.
b. Lk.24:47; Mk.1:15; Acts 20:21.
II. 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; 36:31; Is.30:22; Ps.51:4; Jer.31:18,19;
Joel
2:12,13; Amos 5:15; Ps.119:128; 2 Cor.7:11.
d. Ps.119:6,59,106; Lk.1:6; 2 K.23:25.
III. Although repentance be not to be rested in, as any
satisfaction for sin, or any cause of the pardon therof,(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; 16:61-63.
f. Hos.14:2,4; Rom.3:24; Eph.1:7.
g. Lk.13:3,5; Acts 17:30,31.
IV. 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; 5:12; Mt.12:36.
i. Is.55:7; Rom.8:1; Is.1:16,18.
V. 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; Lk.19:8; 1 Tim.1:13,15.
VI. 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 publick 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.51:4,5,7,9,14; 32:5,6.
m. Prov.28:13; 1 Jn.1:9.
n. Jas.5:16; Lk.17:3,4; Josh.7:10; Ps.51.
o. 2 Cor.2:8.
Chapter XVI - Of Good Works.
I. 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. Micah 6:8; Rom.12:2; Heb.13:21.
b. Mt.15:9; Is.29:13; 1 Pet.1:18; Rom.10:2; Jn.16:2; 1
Sam.15:21-23.
II. These good works, done in obedience to God's comandments,
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. Jas.2:18,22.
d. Ps.116:12,13; 1 Pet.2:9.
e. 1 Jn.2:3,5; 2 Pet.1:5-10.
f. 2 Cor.9:2; Mt.5:16.
g. Tit.2:5,9-12; 1 Tim.6:1.
h. 1 Pet.2:15.
i. 1 Pet.2:12; Phil.1:11; Jn.15:8.
k. Eph.2:10.
l. Rom.6:22.
III. 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 to 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. Jn.15:4-6; Ezek.36:26,27.
n. Phil.2:13; 4:13; 2 Cor.3:5.
o. Phil.2:12; Heb.6:11,12; 2 Pet.1:3,5,10,11; Is.64:7; 2
Tim.1:6; Acts 26:6,7; Jude 20,21.
IV. 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. Lk.17:10; Neh.13:22; Job 9:2,3; Gal.5:17.
V. 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; 4:2,4,6; Eph.2:8,9; Tit.3:5-7; Rom.8:18;
Ps.16:2; Job 22:2,3; 35:7,8.
r. Lk.17:10.
s. Gal.5:22,23.
t. Is.64:6; Gal.5:17; Rom.7:15,18; Ps.143:2; 130:3.
VI. Notwithstanding, the persons of believers being accepted
through Christ, their good works also are accepted in Him;(v)
not as though they were in this life wholly unblameable and
unreprovable 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)
v. Eph.1:6; 1 Pet.2:5; Ex.28:38; Gen.4:4; Heb.11:4.
w. Job 9:20; Ps.143:2.
x. Heb.13:20,21; 2 Cor.8:12; Heb.6:10; Mt.25:21,23.
VII. 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. 2 K.10:30,31; 1 K.21:27,29; Phil.1:15,16,18.
z. Gen.4:5 with Heb.11:4,6.
a. 1 Cor.13:3; Is.1:12.
b. Mt.6:2,5,16.
c. Hag.2:14; Tit.1:15; Amos 5:21,22; Hos.1:4; Rom.9:16;
Tit.3:15.
d. Ps.14:4; 36:3; Job 21:14,15; Mt.25:41-45; 23:3.
Chapter XVII -
Of the Perseverance of the Saints.
I. 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; 2 Pet.1:10; Jn.10:28,29; 1 Jn.3:9; 1 Pet.1;5,9.
II. 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. 2 Tim.2:18,19; Jer.31:3.
c. Heb.10:10,14; 13:20,21; 9:12-15; Rom.8:33-39;
Jn.17:11,24;
Lk.22:32; Heb.7:25.
d. Jn.14:16,17; 1 Jn.2:27; 3:9.
e. Jer.32:40.
f. Jn.10:28; 2 Thess.3:3; 1 Jn.2:19.
III. 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. Mt.26:70,72,74.
h. Ps.51 (title),14.
i. Is.64:5,7,9; 2 Sam.11:27.
k. Eph.4:30.
l. Ps.51:8,10,12; Rev.2:4; Sol.5:2-4,6.
m. Is.63:17; Mk.6:52; 16:14.
n. Ps.32:3,4; 51:8.
o. 2 Sam.12:14.
p. Ps.89;31,32; 1 Cor.11:32.
Chapter XVIII -
Of Assurance
of Grace and Salvation.
I. 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. Job 8:13,14; Micah 3:11; Dt.29:19; Jn.8:41.
b. Mt.7:22,23.
c. 1 Jn.2:3; 3:14,18,19,21,24; 5:13.
d. Rom.5:2,5.
II. 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. 2 Pet.1:4,5,10,11; 1 Jn.2:3; 3:14; 2 Cor.1:12.
h. Rom.8:15,16.
i. Eph.1:13,14; 4:30; 2 Cor.1:21,22.
III. 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,(n) the proper fruits of this assurance; so far is
it from inclining men to looseness.(o)
k. 1 Jn.5:13; Is.1:10; Mk.9:24; Ps.138; 77:1-12.
l. 1 Cor.2:12; 1 Jn.4:13; Heb.6:11,12; Eph.3:17-19.
m. 2 Pet.1:10.
n. Rom.5:1,2,5; 14:17; 15;13; Eph.1:3,4; Ps.4:6,7; 119:32.
o. 1 Jn.2:1,2; Rom.6:1,2; Tit.2:11,12,14; 2 Cor.7:1;
Rom.8:1,12; 1
Jn.3:2,3; Ps.130:4; 1 Jn.1:6,7.
IV. 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 by the which, in the mean time,
they are supported from utter despair.(r)
p. Sol.5:2,3,6; Ps.51:8,12,14; Eph.4:30,31; Ps.77:1-10;
Mt.26:69-72;
Ps.31:22; Ch.88; Is.50:10.
q. 1 Jn.3:9; Lk.22:32; Job 13:15; Is.77:15; Ps.51:8,12;
Is.50:10.
r. Micah 7:7-9; Jer.32:40; Is.54:7-10; Ps.22:1; Ch.88.
Chapter XIX - Of the Law of
God.
I. 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; 2:17; Rom.2:14,15; 10:5; 5:12,19;
Gal.3:10,12;
Eccl.7:29; Job 28:28.
II. 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. Jas.1:25; 2:8,10-12; Rom.13:8,9; Dt.5:32; 10:4; Ex.24:1.
c. Mt.22:37-40.
III. 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.9; 10:1; Gal.4:1-3; Col.2:17.
e. 1 Cor.5:7; 2 Cor.6:17; Jude 23.
f. Col.2:14,16,17; Dan.9:27; Eph.2:15,16.
IV. 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. Ex.21; 22:1-29; Gen.49:10; 1 Pet.2:13,14; Mt.5:17 with
38,39; 1 Cor.9:8-10.
V. 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; Eph.6:2; 1 Jn.2:3,4,7,8.
i. Jas.2:10,11.
k. Mt.5:17-19; Jas.2:8; Rom.3:31.
VI. 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 shew
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.(v)
l. Rom.6:14; Gal.2:16; 3:13; 4:4,5; Acts 13:39; Rom.8:1.
m. Rom.7:12,22,25; Ps.119:4-6; 1 Cor.7:19;
Gal.5:14,16,18-23.
n. Rom.7:7; 3:20.
o. Jas.1:23-25; Rom.7:9,14,24.
p. Gal.3:24; Rom.7:24,25; 8:3,4.
q. Jas.2:11; Ps.119:101,104,128.
r. Ezra 9:13,14; Ps.89:30-34.
s. Lev.26:1-14 with 2 Cor.6:16; Eph.6:2,3; Ps.37:11 with
Mt.5:5; Ps.19:11.
t. Gal.2:16; Lk.17:10.
v. Rom.6:12,14; 1 Pet.3:8-12 with Ps.34:12-16; Heb.12:28,29.
VII. 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. Gal.3:21.
x. Ezek.36:27; Heb.8:10 with Jer.31:33.
Chapter XX -
Of
Christian Liberty, and Liberty of Conscience.
I. 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. Tit.2:14; 1 Thess.1:10; Gal.3:13.
b. Gal.1:4; Col.1:13; Acts 26:18; Rom.6:14.
c. Rom.8:28; Ps.119:71; 1 Cor.15:54-57; Rom.8:1.
d. Rom.5:1,2.
e. Rom.8:14,15; 1 Jn.4:18.
f. Gal.3:9,14.
g. Gal.4:1-3,6,7; 5:1; Acts 15:10,11.
h. Heb.4:14,16; 10:19-22.
i. Jn.7:38,39; 2 Cor.3:13,17,18.
II. God alone is Lord of the conscience,(k) and hath left it
free from the doctrines and commandments of men, which are,
in anything, 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. Jas.4:12; Rom.14:4.
l. Acts 4:19; 5:29; 1 Cor.7:23; Mt.23:8-10; 2 Cor.1:24;
Mt.15:9.
m. Col.2:20,22,23; Gal.1:10; 2:4,5; 5:1.
n. Rom.10:17; 14:23; Is.8:20; Acts 17:11; Jn.4:22; Hos.5:11;
Rev.13:12,16,17; Jer.8:9.
III. 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; 1 Pet.2:16; 2 Pet.2:19; Jn.8:34; Lk.1:74,75.
IV. 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,(q) and proceeded against,
by the censures of the Church.*
p. Mt.12:25; 1 Pet.2:13,14,16; Rom.13:1-8; Heb.13:17.
q. Rom.1:32 with 1 Cor.5:1,5,11,13; 2 Jn.10,11 and 2
Thess.3:14 and 1 Tim.6:3-5 and Tit.1:10,11,13 and 3:10 with
Mt.18:15-17; 1 Tim.1:19,20; Rev.2:2,14,15,20; 3:9.
* Amended by the Presbyterian
Reformed Church of Australia, Feb 1972.
The original adds at the end of section IV:
"and by the power of the civil magistrate.(r)"
r. Dt.13:6-12; Rom.13:3,4 with 2 Jn.10,11; Ezra 7:23,25-28;
Rev.17:12,16,17; Neh.13:15,17,21,22,25,30; 2
K.23:5,6,9,20,21; 2 Chron.34:33; 15:12,13,16; Dan.3:29; 1
Tim.2:2; Is.49:23; Zech.13:2,3.
Chapter XXI -
Of
Religious Worship, and the Sabbath Day.
I. 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; Acts 17:24; Ps.119:68; Jer.10:7; Ps.31:23;
18:3; Rom.10:12; Ps.62:8; Josh.24:14; Mk.12:33.
b. Dt.12:32; Mt.15:9; Acts 17:25; Mt.4:9,10; Dt.15:1-20;
Ex.20:4-6; Col.2:23.
II. 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. Mt.4:10 with Jn.5:23 and 2 Cor.13:14.
d. Col.2:18; Rev.19:10; Rom.1:25.
e. Jn.14:6; 1 Tim.2:5; Eph.2:18; Col.3:17.
III. 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.
g. Ps.65:2.
h. Jn.14:13,14; 1 Pet.2:5.
i. Rom.8:26.
k. 1 Jn.5:14.
l. Ps.47:7; Eccl.5:1,2; Heb.12:28; Gen.18:26; Jas.5:16;
1:6,7;
Mk.11:24; Mt.6:12,14,15; Col.4:2; Eph.6:18.
m. 1 Cor.14:14.
IV. 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. 1 Jn.5:14.
o. 1 Tim.2:1,2; Jn.17:20; 2 Sam.7:29; Ruth 4:12.
p. 2 Sam.12:21-23 with Lk.16:25,26; Rev.14:13.
q. 1 Jn.5:16.
V. 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;(v)
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. Acts 15:21; Rev.1:3.
s. 2 Tim.4:2.
t. Jas.1:22; Acts 10:33; Mt.13:19; Heb.4:2; Is.66:2.
v. Col.3:16; Eph.5:19; Jas.5:13.
w. Matt.28:19; 1 Cor.11:23-29; Acts 2:42.
x. Dt.6:13 with Neh.10:29.
y. Is.19:21 with Eccl.5:4,5.
z. Joel 2:12; Est.4:16; Mt.9:15; 1 Cor.7:5.
a. Ps. Ch.107; Est.9:22.
b. Heb.12:28.
VI. 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 wilfully to be neglected, or forsaken, when
God, by His Word or providence, calleth thereunto.(i)
c. Jn.4:21.
d. Mal.1:11; 1 Tim.2:8.
e. Jn.4:23,24.
f. Jer.10:25; Dt.6:6,7; Job 1:5; 2 Sam.6:18,20; 1 Pet.3:7;
Acts 10:2.
g. Mt.6:11.
h. Mt.6:6; Eph.6:18.
i. Is.56:6,7; Heb.10:25; Prov.1:20,21,24; 8:34; Acts 13:42;
Lk.4:16; Acts 2:42.
VII. 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. Ex.20:8,10,11; Is.56:2,4,6,7.
l. Gen.2:2,3; 1 Cor.16:1,2; Acts 20:7.
m. Rev.1:10.
n. Ex.20:8,10 with Mt.5:17,18.
VIII. This Sabbath is then kept holy unto the Lord, when
men, after a due preparing of their hearts, and ordering of
their common affairs before-hand, 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
necesssity and mercy.(p)
o. Ex.20:8; 16:23,25,26,29,30; 31:15-17; Is.58:13;
Neh.13:15-19,21,22.
p. Is.58:13; Mt.12:1-13.
Chapter XXII - Of Lawful
Oaths and Vows.
I. A lawful oath is a 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. Dt.10:20.
b. Ex.20:7; Lev.19:12; 2 Cor.1:23; 2 Chron.6:22,23.
II. 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. Dt.6:13.
d. Ex.20:7; Jer.5:7; Mt.5:34,37; Jas.5:12.
e. Heb.6:16; 2 Cor.1:23; Is.65:16.
f. 1 K.8:31; Neh.13:25; Ezra 10:5.
III. 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) Yet it is a sin
to refuse an oath touching anything that is good and just,
being imposed by lawful authority.(i)
g. Ex.20:7; Jer.4:2.
h. Gen.24:2,3,5,6,8,9.
i. Num.5:19,21; Neh.5:12; Ex.22:7-11.
IV. An oath is to be taken in the plain and common sense of
the words, without equivocation, or mental reservation.(k)
It cannot oblige to sin; but in any thing not sinful, being
taken, it binds to performance, although to a man's own
hurt;(l) nor is it to be violated, although made to
heretics, or infidels.(m)
k. Jer.4:2; Ps.24:4.
l. 1 Sam.25:22,32-34; Ps.15:4.
m. Ezek.17:16,18,19; Josh.9:18,19 with 2 Sam.21:1.
V. 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.(n)
n. Is.19:21; Eccl.5:4-6; Ps.61:8; 66:13,14.
VI. It is not to be made to any creature, but to God
alone:(o) 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.(p)
o. Ps.76:11; Jer.44:25,26.
p. Dt.23:21-23; Ps.50:14; Gen.28:20-22; 1 Sam.1:11;
Ps.66:13,14; 132:2-5.
VII. 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.(q) In which
respects, popish monastical 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.(r)
q. Acts 23:12,14; Mk.6:26; Num.30:5,8,12,13.
r. Mt.19:11,12; 1 Cor.7:2,9; Eph.4:28; 1 Pet.4:2; 1
Cor.7:23.
Chapter XXIII - Of the
Civil Magistrate.
I. 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
defence and encouragement of them that are good, and for the
punishment of evildoers.(a)
a. Rom.13:1-4; 1 Pet.2:13,14.
II. 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 to especially 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. Prov.8:15,16; Rom.13:1,2,4.
c. Ps.2:10-12; 1 Tim.2:2; Ps.82:3,4; 2 Sam.23:3; 1 Pet.2:13.
d. Lk.3:14; Rom.13:4; Mt.8:9,10; Acts 10:1,2; Rev.17:14,16.
III. 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, or in the least interfere
in matters of faith.(e) 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.
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. The
civil magistrate has neither the right nor the
responsibility to promote false religions; nevertheless,
while such false cults respect the laws of the land and the
rights of others in matters of religion they may worship
without fear of violence or abuse or injury under the
protection of the civil magistrate, who has no more
authority than the Church of Christ to convert the heathen
by coercion or to suppress false religions by force.(f) It
is the duty of the 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 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. *
e. 2 Chron.26:18 with Mt.18:17 and 16:19; 1 Cor.12:28,29;
Eph.4:11,12;
1 Cor.4:1,2; Rom.10:5; Heb.5:4.
f. Is.49:23; Acts 17:16-23; Rom.13:1-7.
IV. It is the duty of people to pray for magistrates,(h) to
honour their persons,(i) to pay them tribute or other
dues,(k) to obey their lawful commands, and to be subject to
their authority, for conscience' sake.(l) 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:(m) from which ecclesiastical persons are
not exempted,(n) 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.(o)
h. 1 Tim.2:1,2.
i. 1 Pet.2:17.
k. Rom.13:6,7.
l. Rom.13:5; Tit.3:1.
m. 1 Pet.2:13,14,16.
n. Rom.13:1; 1 K.2:35; Acts 25:9-11; 2 Pet.2:1,10,11; Jude
8-11.
o. 2 Thess.2:4; Rev.13:15-17.
* (Section III was amended by the
Presbyterian Reformed Church of Australia, Feb. 1972.) The
original reads:
III. The civil magistrate may not assume to himself the
administration of the Word and sacrament, or the power of
the keys of the kingdom of heaven:(e) yet he hath authority,
and it is his duty, to take order that unity and peace be
preserved in the Church, that the truth of God be kept pure
and entire, that all blasphemies and heresies be suppressed,
all corruptions and abuses in worship and discipline
prevented or reformed, and all the ordinances of God duly
settled, administered, and observed.(f) For the better
effecting whereof, he hath power to call Synods, to be
present at them, and to provide that whatsoever is
transacted in them be according to the mind of God.(g)
e. 2 Chron.26:18 with Mt.18:17 and Mt.16:19; 1 Cor.12:28,29;
Eph.4:11,12; 1Cor.4:1,2; Rom.10:15; Heb.5:4.
f. Isa.49:23; Ps.122:9; Ezra 7:23,25f; Lev.24:16;
Dt.13:5,6,12; 2
K.18:4; 1 Chron.13:1-9; 2 K.24:1-26; 2 Chron.34:33; 2
Chron.15:12,13.
g. 2 Chron.14:8-11; Chs 29, 30; Mt.2:4,5.
Chapter XXIV - Of
Marriage, and Divorce.
I. 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; Mt.19:5,6; Prov.2:17.
II. Marriage was ordained for the mutual help of husband and
wife,(b) for the increase of mankind with a legitimate
issue, and of the Church with an holy seed;(c) and for
preventing of uncleanness.(d)
b. Gen.2:18.
c. Mal.2:15.
d. 1 Cor.7:2,9.
III. It is lawful for all sorts of people to marry, who are
able with judgment to give their consent.(e) Yet is it 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 such as are notoriously wicked in their life, or
maintain damnable heresies.(g)
e. Heb.13:4; 1 Tim.4:3; 1 Cor.7:36-38; Gen.24:57,58.
f. 1 Cor.7:39.
g. Gen.34:14; Ex.34:16; Dt.7:3,4; 1 K.11:4; Neh.13:25-27;
Mal.2:11,12;
2 Cor.6:14.
IV. Marriage ought not to be within the degrees of
consanguinity or affinity forbidden in 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. Ch.18; 1 Cor.5:1; Amos 2:7.
i.Mk.6:18; Lev.18:24-28.
V. Adultery or fornication committed after a contract, being
detected before marriage, giveth just occasion to the
innocent party to dissolve that contract.(l) In the case of
adultery after marriage, it is lawful for the innocent party
to sue out a divorce:(m) and, after the divorce, to marry
another, as if the offending party were dead.(n)
l. Mt.1:18-20.
m. Mt.5:31,32.
n. Mt.19:9; Rom.7:2,3.
VI. 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 wilful desertion as can no way be remedied by the
Church, or civil magistrate, is cause sufficient of
dissolving the bond of marriage:(o) 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.(p)
o. Mt.19:8,9; 1 Cor.7:15; Mt.19:6.
p. Dt.24:1-4.
* (Section IV was amended by the
Presbyterian Reformed Church of Australia, Sept. 1979.) The
original reads:
IV. 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 paersons may live
together as man and wife.(i) The man may not marry any of
his wife's kindred, nearer in blood than he may of his own:
nor the woman of her husband's kindred, nearer in blood than
of her own.(k)
h. Lev. Ch.18; 1 Cor.5:1; Amos 2:7.
i. Mk.6:18; Lev.18:24-28.
k. Lev.20:19-21
Chapter XXV - Of the Church.
I. 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 fulness of Him
that filleth all in all.(a)
a. Eph.1:10,22,23; Eph.5:23,27,32; Col.1:18.
II. 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. 1 Cor.1:2; 12:12,13; Ps.2:8; Rev.7:9; Rom.15:9-12.
c. 1 Cor.7:14; Acts 2:39; Ezek.16:20,21; Rom.11:16;
Gen.3:15; 17:7.
d. Mt.13:47; Is.9:7.
e. Eph.2:19; 3:15.
f. Acts 2:47.
III. 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 by His own presence and Spirit,
according to His promise, make them effectual thereunto.(g)
g. 1 Cor.12:28; Eph.4:11-13; Mt.28:19,20; Is.59:21.
IV. 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.11:3,4; Rev.12:6,14.
i. Rev. Chs.2 and 3; 1 Cor.5:6,7.
V. 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. 1 Cor.13:12; Rev. Chs.2 and 3; Mt.13:24-30,47.
l. Rev.18:2; Rev.11:18-22.
m. Mt.16:18; Ps.72:17; 102:28; Mt.28:19,20.
VI. 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: but
is that Antichrist, that man of sin, and son of perdition,
that exalteth himself, in the Church, against Christ and all
that is called God.(o)
n. Col.1:18; Eph.1:22.
o. Mt.23:8-10; 2 Thess.2:3,4,8,9; Rev.13:6.
CHAP. XXVI - Of the
Communion of Saints.
I. All saints, that are united to Jesus Christ their head,
by His Spirit, and by faith, have fellowship with Him in His
grace, 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. 1 Jn.1:3; Eph.3:16-19; Jn.1:16; Eph.2:5,6; Phil.3:10;
Rom.6:5,6; 2 Tim.2:12.
b. Eph.4:15,16; 1 Cor.12:7; 3:21-23; Col.2:19.
c. 1 Thess.5:11,14; Rom.1:11,12,14; 1 Jn.3:16-18; Gal.6:10.
II. 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; Is.2:3; 1 Cor.11:20.
e. Acts 2:44,45; 1 Jn.3:17; 2 Cor. Chs.8 and 9; Acts
11:29,30.
III. 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; 1 Cor.8:6; Is.42:8; 1 Tim.6:15,16; Ps.45:7;
Heb.1:8,9.
g. Ex.20:15; Eph.4:28; Acts 5:4.
Chapter XXVII - Of the
Sacraments.
I. 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.
b. Mt.28:19; 1 Cor.11:23.
c. 1 Cor.10:16; 11:25,26; Gal.3:17,27.
d. Rom.15:8; Ex.12:48; Gen.34:14.
e. Rom.6:3,4; 1 Cor.10:16,21.
II. 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; Mt.26:27,28; Tit.3:5.
III. 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; 1 Pet.3:21.
h. Mt.3:11; 1 Cor.12:13.
i. Mt.26:27,28; 28:19,20.
IV. 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 an
elder (presbyter), lawfully ordained.(k) *
k. Mt.28;19; 1 Cor.11:20,23; 1 Cor.4:1; Heb.5:4; Acts 20:17
with 28.
V. 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. 1 Cor.10:1-4.
* (Section IV was amended by the
Presbyterian Reformed Church of Australia, Feb. 1970.) The
original reads:
IV. 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. Mt.28;19; 1 Cor.11:20,23; 1 Cor.4:1; Heb.5:4.
Chapter XXVIII - Of Baptism.
I. 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. Mt.28:19.
b. 1 Cor.12:13.
c. Rom.4:11; Col.2:11,12.
d. Gal.3:27; Rom.6:5.
e. Tit.3:5.
f. Mk.1:4.
g. Rom.6:3,4.
h. Mt.28:19,20.
II. The only outward element to be
used in this sacrament is water, wherewith the party is to
be baptised, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and
of the Holy Ghost, by an elder (presbyter), lawfully
ordained.(i) *
i. Mt.3:11; Jn.1:33; Mt.28:19,20.
III. 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.9:10,19-22; Acts 2:41; 16:33; Mk.7:4.
IV. 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. Mk.16:15,16; Acts 8:37,38.
m. Gen.17:7,9 with Gal.3:9,14 and Col.2:11,12 and Acts
2:38,39 and Rom.4:11,12; 1 Cor.7:14; Mt.28:19; Mk.10:13-16;
Lk.18:15.
V. Although it be a great sin to contemn 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. Lk.7:30 with Ex.4:24-26.
o. Rom.4:11; Acts 10:2,4,22,31,45,47.
p. Acts 8:13,23.
VI. The efficacy of Baptism is not tied to that moment of
time wherein it is administered;(q) yet, not withstanding,
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. Jn.3:5,8.
r. Gal.3:27; Tit.3:5; Eph.5:25,26; Acts 2:38,41.
VII. The sacrament of Baptism is but once to be administered
unto any person.(s)
s. Tit.3:5.
* (Section II was amended by the
Presbyterian Reformed Church of Australia, Sept. 1973, and
revised back to be nearer the original in April 2001) The
original reads:
II. 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. Mt.3:11; Jn.1:33; Mt.28:19,20.
Chapter XXIX - Of the Lord's
Supper.
I. Our Lord Jesus Christ, 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 of 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. 1 Cor. 11:23-26; 10:16, 17, 21; 12:13.
II. 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.
c. 1 Cor. 11:24, 25, 26; Mt. 26:26, 27.
d. Heb. 7:23, 24, 27; Heb. 10:11, 12, 14, 18.
III. 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. Mt. 26:26-28 and Mk. 14:22-24 and Lk. 22:19, 20 with 1
Cor. 11:23-26.
f. Acts 20:7; 1 Cor. 11:20.
IV. 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. 1 Cor. 10:6.
h. Mk. 14:23; 1 Cor. 11:25-29.
i. Mt. 15:9.
V. 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. Mt. 26:26-28.
l. 1 Cor. 11:26-28; Mt. 26:29.
VI. The 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 with 1 Cor. 11:24-26; Lk. 24:6, 39.
VII. 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 the 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 are to their outward senses.(o)
n. 1 Cor. 11:28.
o. 1 Cor. 10:16.
VIII. 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 and blood 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. 1 Cor. 11:27-29; 2 Cor. 6:14-16.
q. 1 Cor. 5:6, 7, 13; 2 Thess. 3:6, 14, 15; Mt. 7:6.
Chapter XXX - Of Church
Censures.
I. 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. Is. 9:6, 7; 1 Tim. 5:17; 1 Thess. 5:12; Acts 20:17, 18;
Heb. 13:7, 17, 24;
1 Cor. 12:28; Mt. 28:18-20.
II. 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
impeninent, 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. Mt. 16:19; Mt. 18:17, 18; Jn. 20:21-23; 2 Cor. 2:6-8.
III. Church censures are necessary, for the reclaiming and
gaining of offending brethren, for deterring of others from
the like offences, 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 profained by notorious and obstinate
offenders.(c)
c. 1 Cor. Ch. 5; 1 Tim. 5:20; Mt. 7:6; 1 Tim. 1:20; 1 Cor.
11:27-34 with
Jude 23.
IV. 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 the demerit of the person.(d)
d. 1 Thess. 5:12; 2 Thess. 3:6, 14, 15; 1 Cor. 5:4, 5, 13;
Mt. 18:17; Tit. 3:10.
Chapter XXXI - Of Synods
and Councils. *
I. For the better government, and further edification of the
Church, there ought to be such assemblies as are commonly
called Synods and Councils; and it belongeth to the
overseers and other rulers of the particular Churches, by
virtue of their office and by the power which Christ hath
given them for edification, and not for destruction, to
appoint such assemblies and to convene together in them as
often as they shall judge it expedient for the good of the
Church.(a)
a. Acts 15:2, 4, 6, 22, 23, 25; Prov. 11:14.
II. 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; 16:4; Mt. 18:17-20.
III. 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 an help in both.(e)
e. Eph. 2:20; Acts 17:11; 1 Cor. 2:5; 2 Cor. 1:24.
IV. 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. Lk. 12:13, 14; Jn. 18:36.
* (Chapter 31 was amended by the
Presbyterian Reformed Church of Australia, Feb. 1972.
Section I was revised. The original section II
was deleted and Sections III, IV and V have become
Sections II, III and IV respectively. ) The original reads:
I. For the better government, and further edification of the
Church, there ought to be such assemblies as are commonly
called synods or councils.(a)
a. Acts 15:2, 4, 6.
II. As magistrates may lawfully call a synod of ministers,
and other fit persons, to consult and advise with, about
matters of religion;(b) so, if magistrates be open enemies
to the Church, the ministers of Christ, of themselves, by
virtue of their office, or they, with other fit persons upon
delegation from their Churches, may meet together in such
assemblies.(c)
b. Isa. 49:23; 1 Tim. 2:1, 2; 2 Chron. 19:8ff; 2 Chron. chs.
29, 30;
Mt. 2:4, 5; Prov. 11:14
c. Acts 15:2, 4, 22, 23, 25.
III. 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 an help in both.(e) III. 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 therunto in
His Word.(d)
d. Acts 15:15, 19, 24, 27-31; 16:4; Mt. 18:17-20.
IV. 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 an help in both.(e)
e. Eph. 2:20; Acts 17:11; 1 Cor. 2:5; 2 Cor. 1:24.
V. 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. Lk. 12:13, 14; Jn. 18:36.
Chapter XXXII - Of
the State of Men after Death, and of the Resurrection of
the Dead.
I. 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 departed from their bodies, the Scriptures
acknowledgeth none.
a. Gen. 3:19; Acts 13:36.
b. Lk. 23:43; Eccl. 12:7.
c. Heb. 12:23; 2 Cor. 5:1, 6, 8; Phil. 1:23 with Acts 3:21
and Eph. 4:10.
d. Lk. 16:23. 24; Acts 1:25; Jude 6, 7; 1 Pet. 3:19.
II. 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 for ever.(f)
e. 1 Thess. 4:17; 1 Cor. 15:51, 52.
f. Job 19:26, 27; 1 Cor. 15:42-44.
III. 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; Jn. 5:28, 29; 1 Cor. 15:43; Phil. 3:21.
Chapter XXXIII - Of the Last
Judgment.
I. 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. Jn. 5:22, 27.
c. 1 Cor. 6:3; Jude 6; 2 Pet. 2:4.
d. 2 Cor. 5:10; Eccl. 12:14; Rom. 2:16; 14:10, 12; Mt.
12:36, 37.
II. 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 fulness 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 the glory of
His power.(e)
e. Mt. 25:31ff; Rom. 2:5, 6; 9:22, 23; Mt. 25:21; Acts 3:19;
2 Thess. 1:7-10.
III. 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. 2 Pet. 3:11, 14; 2 Cor. 5:10, 11; 2 Thess. 1:5-7; Lk.
21:27, 28;
Rom. 8:23-25.
g. Mt. 24:36, 42-44; Mk. 13:35-37; Lk. 12:35, 36; Rev.
22:20.
Chapter XXXIV - Of the
Offer of the Gospel and God's Grace Therein *
I. It pleased God to commit to the church the preaching of
the gospel(a) wherein the whole counsel of God, including
the accursed state of man on account of sin, the eternal
plan of redemption, the redeeming work of Christ for
sinners, and the effectual application by the Holy Spirit of
the benefits of His death, (b) is to be preached to all men
without distinction, (c) together with the solemn command to
repent and believe, God's earnest entreaty to be reconciled
to Him and His free offer of full salvation to all sinners,
(d) whereby He promises that whosoever truly repents of his
sin and believes in the Lord Jesus Christ shall not perish
but have eternal life.(e)
a. Mt. 28:18-20; Mk. 16:15; Acts 1:8.
b. Acts 13:16-41; 20:24-27; 1 Cor. 15:1-6.
c. Acts 17:30; Rom. 10:12, 13 (see also letter a. )
d. Acts 20:21; 2 Cor. 5:11, 18-20; Is. 45:22; Lk. 24:47; Jn.
7:37ff.
e. Acts 3:19; 16:31.
II. The Holy Spirit employs this offer of life and salvation
unto sinners, in the administration of the covenant of grace
to gather the elect out of every kindred and tongue and
people and nation in order to confer upon them all the
saving benefits which Christ has purchased for them by His
death.(f) This purpose, to the glory of God, is the chief
end of preaching the gospel which is the power of God unto
salvation only to those who believe.(g) For God, out of mere
free grace and everlasting love towards the elect, not out
of a love towards men in general, did send Christ, and that
effectually to redeem all those and those only, who were
from eternity chosen to salvation.(h)
f. Acts 26:18; Rom. 8:29f; Rev. 5:9.
g. Lk. 9:54ff; Rom. 1:16; 2 Tim. 2:8-10.
h. Jn. 17:6-10; Rom. 5:8; 8:20-39.
III. Yet as many as are called by the gospel are unfeignedly
called; for redemption has been purchased certainly for each
who will receive it;(i) and not only that but God has
declared most sincerely and truly by an oath in His Word
that He has no pleasure in the death of the wicked but
rather it is His nature to delight that those who are called
should come to Him in repentance and faith.(k)
i. Eph. 1:11, 14.
k. Ezek. 18;23, 31f; 33:11; Jon. 4:2, 11.
IV. Therefore the free offer of the gospel also serves to
manifest the goodness of God, particularly His kindness and
longsuffering in extending to sinners a season of grace, (l)
and His holiness in exhorting such to turn from unbelief;(m)
as well as the righteousness of God and the wickedness of
the unbeliever(n) who so despises, not only this most
gracious offer, but indeed every perfect gift which God, out
of His goodness, gives to him;(o) and thereby the unbeliever
brings upon his head greater condemnation.(p)
l. Acts 14:15ff; 17:25-27; Rom. 2:4.
m. Isa. 55:6, 7.
n. Rom. 3:5, 6.
o. Lk. 6:35; Rom. 1:20, 21; Mt. 5:44-48; Jas. 1:17.
p. Prov. 1:24-33; Mt. 11:20-24; Lk. 12:47f; Rom. 2:5.
V. Although according to His eternal and immutable purpose
God governs all the actions of all His creatures, including
the rejection of the gospel by the wicked, (q) yet it is not
the fault of the gospel, nor of Christ offered therein, nor
of God who calls men by the gospel and confers upon them
various gifts, (r) that many who are called by the ministry
of the word refuse to come and be converted; the fault lies
in themselves.(s)
q. Ex. 10:1f; Mt. 11:25f; Acts 4:27f.
r. Jn. 3:17-20f; Mt. 23:37; Job 34:10-12.
s. Ex. 10:3; Jn. 3:17-20.
VI. The preaching of this glorious gospel ever remains the
burden of the visible Church;(t) which duty it has not taken
unto itself, but was thereunto called by its King and Head
Jesus Christ, Whose commission to the Church is its only
warrant to offer salvation to men.(u) It is to the praise of
the glory of God's grace or justice that His word shall
accomplish that which He pleases;(v) but as the affect of
the word preached depends upon God who has no pleasure in
the death of the wicked, so the Church of God, while it
abhors man's wilful rebellion, (w) has no pleasure in his
destruction, but rather seeks the good of all men(x) and
rejoices with the angels of God over one sinner who
repents.(y)
t. 1 Cor. 9:16.
u. Rom. 16:26; 1 Cor. 1:17; 1 Thess. 2:4 (see also letter a.
)
v. Is. 55:11; 2 Cor. 2:16f.
w. Ps. 139:21f; Rom. 12:9; 2 Thess. 2:12.
x. Prov. 24:17; Phil. 3:18; Mt. 5:44; Rom. 10:1; Gal. 6:9,
10.
y. Lk. 15:7, 10.
* (This chapter was added to the
Confession by the Presbyterian Reformed Church of Australia,
Sept. 1979)
Covenanter Press
