Chapter 3: Of God's Decree
1. God hath decreed in himself, from all eternity, by the most wise
and holy counsel of his own will, freely and unchangeably, all things,
whatsoever comes to pass; yet so as thereby is God neither the author
of sin nor hath fellowship with any therein; nor is violence offered
to the will of the creature, nor yet is the liberty or contingency of
second causes taken away, but rather established; in which appears his
wisdom in disposing all things, and power and faithfulness in
accomplishing his decree.
(
Isaiah 46:10;
Ephesians 1:11;
Hebrews 6:17;
Romans 9:15, 18;
James 1:13;
1 John 1:5;
Acts 4:27, 28;
John 19:11;
Numbers 23:19;
Ephesians 1:3-5
)
2. Although God knoweth whatsoever may or can come to pass, upon
all supposed conditions, yet hath he not decreed anything, because he
foresaw it as future, or as that which would come to pass upon such
conditions.
(
Acts 15:18;
Romans 9:11, 13, 16, 18
)
3. By the decree of God, for the manifestation of his glory,
some men and angels are predestinated, or foreordained to eternal
life through Jesus Christ, to the praise of his glorious grace;
others being left to act in their sin to their just condemnation,
to the praise of his glorious justice.
(
1 Timothy 5:21;
Matthew 25:34;
Ephesians 1:5, 6;
Romans 9:22, 23;
Jude 4
)
4. These angels and men thus predestinated and foreordained, are
particularly and unchangeably designed, and their number so certain and
definite, that it cannot be either increased or diminished.
(
2 Timothy 2:19;
John 13:18
)
5. Those of mankind that are predestinated to 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 mere free grace and love,
without any other thing in the creature as a condition or cause moving
him thereunto.
(
Ephesians 1:4, 9, 11;
Romans 8:30;
2 Timothy 1:9;
1 Thessalonians 5:9;
Romans 9:13, 16;
Ephesians 2:5, 12
)
6. As God hath appointed the elect unto glory, so he hath, 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, or effectually called, justified, adopted, sanctified,
and saved, but the elect only.
(
1 Peter 1:2;
2 Thessalonians 2:13;
1 Thessalonians 5:9, 10;
Romans 8:30;
2 Thessalonians 2:13;
1 Peter 1:5;
John 10:26;
John 17:9;
John 6:64
)
7. The doctrine of the high mystery of predestination is to be
handled with special prudence and care, 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; 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.
(
1 Thessalonians 1:4, 5;
2 Peter 1:10;
Ephesians 1:6;
Romans 11:33;
Romans 11:5, 6, 20;
Luke 10:20
)
Back to the 2nd London Baptist Confession of Faith
