The Westminster Confession of Faith Public Domain (1646) Chapter III Of God's Eternal Decree
- God from all eternity did by the most wise and holy
counsel of his own will, freely and unchangeably ordain whatsoever
comes to pass; yet so as thereby neither is God the author of sin;
nor is violence offered to the will of the creatures, nor is the
liberty or contingency of second causes taken away, but rather established.
- Although God knows whatsoever may or can come to pass,
upon all supposed conditions; yet hath he not decreed any thing
because he foresaw it as future, as that which would come to pass,
upon such conditions.
- By the decree of God, for the manifestation of his glory,
some men and angels are predestinated unto everlasting life,
and others foreordained to everlasting death.
- These angels and men, thus predestinated and foreordained,
are particularly and unchangeably designed; and their number is
so certain and definite that it can not be either increased or diminished.
- 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,
out of his free grace and love alone, 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; and all
to the praise of his glorious grace.
- 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. Wherefore they who are elected being
fallen in Adam are redeemed by Christ, are effectually called
unto faith in Christ by his Spirit working in due season; are
justified, adopted, sanctified, and kept by his power through
faith unto salvation. Neither are any other redeemed by Christ,
effectually called, justified, adopted, sanctified,
and saved, but the elect only.
- 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 dishonor and wrath for their sin, to the praise of
his glorious justice.
- The doctrine of this high mystery of predestination
is to be handled with special prudence and care, that men
attending to 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. So shall this
doctrine afford matter of praise, reverence, and admiration of
God; and of humility, diligence, and abundant consolation to all
that sincerely obey the gospel.
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