1:10, Gal. 13:14) not to angels, saints, or any other creature: (Col. 2:18, Rev. (Col. 1:21–22, Gal. 66:13–14, Ps. Of Religious Worship, and the Sabbath Day, XXXII. 13:8, Heb. 119:71, 1 Cor. 5:7, Matt. (Ps. 14:9, 2 Cor. Paul’s Epistles Ezra 2:10) that, having their fruit unto holiness, they may have the end, eternal life. 2:6, Luke 1:33) the Head and Saviour of His Church, (Eph. 6:2–3, Ps. 4:6–7, Ps. 14:4) and hath left it free from the doctrines and commandments of men, which are, in any thing, contrary to His Word; or beside it, if matters of faith, or worship. 1:9, Tit. 5:12, 19, Gal. 5:17, Rom. 11:33) and of humility, diligence, and abundant consolation to all that sincerely obey the Gospel. Of Free Will; X. 7:12, 22, 25, Ps. 3:3,6) out of that state of sin and death, in which they are by nature to grace and salvation, by Jesus Christ; (Rom. 25:21, 23), 7. 1:1–2). (Eph. 19:11) although not as due to them by the law as a covenant of works. 1:5–6, Prov. 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; (Heb. Reformed views of the sacraments, the ministry, and the two covenants of works and grace are given. 26:26–28) albeit, in substance and nature, they still remain truly and only bread and wine, as they were before. 1:2, 19–20, Rom. 3:16–19, John 1:16, Eph. 8:7, Rom. 13:8), 7. 23:8–10, 2 Thess. (Rom. (1 Cor. 15:25–26, Mal. 12:7, Luke 23:43, Matt. It states that the sole doctrinal authority is Scripture, and it agrees with and restates the doctrines of the Trinity and of Christ from the creeds of the early church. 2:14, Rom. 5:26, 2 Thess. 22:14) and may have some common operations of the Spirit, (Matt. 15:4), 9. Judges 145:17, Rom. 1:32, Rom. 77:1–12) 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. 19:11–12, 1 Cor. 2:15) and for preventing of uncleanness. 1:30–31, Rom. 11:32), 2. 119:68, Jer. Westminster Confession of Faith When the Presbyterian Church in the United States of America was formed in 1788, it adopted (with minor revisions) the Westminster Confession of Faith, Larger and Shorter Catechisms (1647), as its secondary standards (the Bible itself being the … (Matt. 56:2, 4, 6–7) 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, (Gen. 2:2–3, 1 Cor. 1:23, 2 Chron. 6:11, Acts 20:32, Phil. (Luke 16:29, 31, Eph. By the decree of God, for the manifestation of His glory, some men and angels (1 Tim. Man, by his fall, having made himself incapable of life by that covenant, the Lord was pleased to make a second, (Gal. 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. 5:1–2, 5, Rom. 28:18, Acts 2:36), 4. 16:10, Acts 2:23) and that not by a bare permission, (Acts 14:16) but such as hath joined with it a most wise and powerful bounding, (Ps. 11:13–14, 1 Cor. 7:1, Rom. The Westminster Confession: a critique The Westminister Confession of Faith is a 17th-century document which was drawn up at a particular point in Scottish and UK history. 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. 13:15–19, 21–22) but also are taken up, the whole time, in the public and private exercises of His worship, and in the duties of necessity and mercy. 2:8), 8. 4:11–12, 1 Cor. 20:9, Eccl. 1:11, Ps. 7:19, Ps. It continues to wield very significant influence on how presbyterian churches are run … 5:14, 16, 18–23) discovering also the sinful pollutions of their nature, hearts, and lives; (Rom. 42:1, 1 Pet. 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. 11:28) do then also, inwardly by faith, really and indeed, yet not carnally and corporally but spiritually, receive, and feed upon, Christ crucified, and all benefits of His death: the body and blood of Christ being then, not corporally or carnally, in, with, or under the bread and wine; yet, as really, but spiritually, present to the faith of believers in that ordinance, as the elements themselves are to their outward senses. 4:22–24, Heb. (Rom. 42:8, 1 Tim. (1 Cor. At the last day, such as are found alive shall not die, but be changed: (1 Thess. Box 1051, Frederick, Maryland 21702 Introduction: The Value of the Westminster Confession of Faith We are a biblical church in that we regard Scripture as the Word of God, the only rule of faith and practice. No man may vow to do any thing 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. 21:1, 1 Kings 22:22–23, 1 Chron. 28:19–20, Isa. The 1646 Westminster Confession of Faith is highly esteemed among Calvinists. (Matt. Although the work of redemption was not actually wrought by Christ till after His incarnation, yet the virtue, efficacy, and benefits thereof were communicated unto the elect, in all ages successively from the beginning of the world, in and by those promises, types, and sacrifices, wherein He was revealed, and signified to be the seed of the woman which should bruise the serpent’s head; and the Lamb slain from the beginning of the world; being yesterday and today the same, and for ever. 8:26) according to His will, (1 John 5:14) with understanding, reverence, humility, fervency, faith, love, and perseverance; (Ps. 1:11, John 15:8) whose workmanship they are, created in Christ Jesus thereunto, (Eph. This certainty is not a bare conjectural and probable persuasion grounded upon a fallible hope; (Heb. (Heb. 1:7) that both the exact justice, and rich grace of God might be glorified in the justification of sinners. Of Assurance of Grace and Salvation, XX. 3:15) 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. 3:17) And therefore it is the duty of every one to give all diligence to make his calling and election sure, (2 Pet. 29:19, John 8:41) (which hope of theirs shall perish): (Matt. Westminster Confession of Faith Rev. 6:30,32, 1 Pet. 19:21, Eccl. 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, (1 Cor. (Eph. of Christ the Mediator; IX. 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, (Eph. (Isa. 28:19) not only for the solemn admission of the party baptized into the visible Church; (1 Cor. (Gen. 3:13, 2 Cor. (Matt. 4:13) His knowledge is infinite, infallible, and independent upon the creature, (Rom. 22:37–40), 3. 4:2) neither may any man bind himself by oath to any thing but what is good and just, and what he believeth so to be, and what he is able and resolved to perform. 47:7, Eccl. 16:4), 4. (John 5:22, 27, Matt. 13:8), 1. 15:3, Ps. (1 Sam. 119:128, 2 Cor. 5:12, Matt. (1 John. 1:16, 18), 5. 2:18–19, Jer. 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. 11:32–34, 2 Sam. I. 89:31–33, Ps. 1:11, 1 Tim. 11:6) and withal, most just, and terrible in His judgments, (Neh. 16:19, 1 Cor. 2:4), 5. 6:3, Jude 6, 2 Pet. 7:36–38) Yet it is the duty of Christians to marry only in the Lord. 9:32–33) hating all sin, (Ps. The Westminster Confession of Faith (1646-1647) with Scripture Proofs 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, (John 1:1, 14, 1 John 5:20, Phil. It is not your typical theology tome. Under the gospel, when Christ, the substance, (Col. 2:17) 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: (Matt. 143:2) 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. 3:10–18), 3. (Rom. 10:10, 14, Heb. Although it be a great sin to condemn or neglect this ordinance, (Luke 7:30, Exod. 5:4–6, Ps. 4:30) come to be deprived of some measure of their graces and comforts, (Ps. Chapter 1 – Of the Holy Scripture Chapter 2 – Of God and the Holy Trinity Chapter 3 – Of God’s Eternal Decree Chapter 4 – Of Creation Chapter 5 – Of Providence Chapter 6 – Of the Fall of Man, of Sin, and of the Punishment thereof Chapter 7 – Of God’s Covenant with Man Chapter 8 – Of Christ the Mediator Chapter 9 – Of Free Will Chapter 10 – Of Effectual Calling Chapter 11 – Of Justification Chapter 12 – Of Adoption Chapter 13 – Of Sanctification Chapter 14 – Of Saving Faith Chapter 15 – Of Repentance unt… (Ps. 5:2,5), 2. (Heb. (2 Cor. 76:11, Jer. 1:5,9), 2. 2:12, Phil. 55:4–5, 1 Cor. 3:26, Eph. 6:14, Gal. to Philemon 24:36, 42–44, Mark 13:35–37, Luke 12:35–36, Rev. 90:2, 1 Tim. 2:6, Isa. 1 The Westminster Confession of Faith . 2:13–14, Matt. 25:31–46, Rom. 1:12) the testimony of the Spirit of adoption witnessing with our spirits that we are the children of God, (Rom. 25:41, 2 Thess. 72:17, Ps. 16:18, Ps. Man, by his fall into a state of sin, hath wholly lost all ability of will to any spiritual good accompanying salvation: (Rom. (1 Thess. (Gal. 1:19–20, Ps. Ezekiel Although, in relation to the foreknowledge and decree of God, the first Cause, all things come to pass immutably, and infallibly; (Acts 2:23) yet, by the same providence, He ordereth them to fall out, according to the nature of second causes, either necessarily, freely, or contingently. Omissions? 8–9, Acts 11:29–30), 3. 4:15) being conceived by the power of the Holy Ghost, in the womb of the virgin Mary, of her substance. II Kings 4:16, Matt. 20:15, Eph. 5:17, 1 Pet. 16:2, Job 22:2–3, Job 35:7–8) but when we have done all we can, we have done but our duty, and are unprofitable servants: (Luke 17:10) and because, as they are good, they proceed from His Spirit; (Gal. (1 Pet. Of the State of Men after Death, and of the Resurrection, Having Seen What the Scriptures Principally Teach Us Concerning God, It Follows to Consider What They Require as the Duty of Man, XXXII. Although the corruption of man be such as is apt to study arguments unduly to put asunder those whom God hath joined together in marriage: yet, nothing but adultery, or such willful desertion as can no way be remedied by the Church, or civil magistrate, is cause sufficient of dissolving the bond of marriage: (Matt. 4:1–3,6–7, Gal. Those whom God effectually calleth, He also freely justifieth: (Rom. 2:13) (the dominion of the whole body of sin) is destroyed, (Rom. 76:10, 2 Kings 19:28) and otherwise ordering, and governing of them, in a manifold dispensation, to His own holy ends; (Gen. 50:20, Isa. (Exod. 3:9, 13–14, Rom. 1:10–11, 13, Tit. 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. (Luke 17:10, Neh. 10:16–17,21, 1 Cor. 5:1, 5, 11, 13, 2 John 1:10–11, 2 Thess. (Rom. 1:17) without body, parts, (Deut. The Westminster Confession of Faith is a Reformed confession of faith, in the Calvinist theological tradition. (Gen. 24:2–3, 5–6, 8–9), 4. 5:12–14), 3. Of the Holy Scripture Chapter II. 4:14,16, Heb. 26:70, 72, 74) and, for a time, continue therein: (Ps. 64:6, Gal. (1 Cor. (Acts 2:47), 3. 8:20, Acts 15:15, John 5:39,46) 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, (John 5:39) therefore they are to be translated into the vulgar language of every nation unto which they come, (1 Cor. 2:1–5, 2 Tim. 1:4–5, Eph. Their ability to do good works is not at all of themselves, but wholly from the Spirit of Christ. 1:32, 1 Cor. 7:5) and thanksgivings upon special occasions, (Ps. 13:6), 1. 1:6, Rom. 3:28, Rom. (2 Pet. 8:1, 12, 1 John 3:2–3, Ps. Of the State of Men after Death, and of the Resurrection of the Dead. 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. 2:16, Tit. The Larger Catechism 5. Of the Holy Scripture; II. 8:30) and Christ did, in the fulness of time, die for their sins, and rise for their justification: (Gal. (Isa. 12:13) and the word of institution, which contains, together with a precept authorizing the use thereof, a promise of benefit to worthy receivers. 14:2, 4, Rom. 10:4, 13–14, 2 Sam. (Matt. 5:4), 5. 3:7, Acts 10:2) daily, (Matt. 31:15–17, Isa. 1:1) and afterwards, for the better preserving and propagating of the truth, and for the more sure establishment and comfort of the Church against the corruption of the flesh, and the malice of Satan and of the world, to commit the same wholly unto writing: (Prov. 4:10, Amos 9:8–9, Rom. 7:23) yet, through the continual supply of strength from the sanctifying Spirit of Christ, the regenerate part doth (overcome); (Rom. 88, Isa. 17:16, 18–19, Josh. 3:19) Beside these two places, for souls separated from their bodies, the Scripture acknowledgeth none. 94:8–11) and the free and immutable counsel of His own will, (Eph. 5:1,6,8, Phil. 12:13) but also to be unto him a sign and seal of the covenant of grace, (Rom. (Acts 4:12, John 14:6, Eph. 13:3, Isa. 8:4–6) living, and true God, (1 Thess. 6:1–2, Tit. 13:1, 1 Kings 2:35, Acts 25:9–11, 2 Pet. 2:2) 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: (John 6:45, 1 Cor 2:9–12) 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. This faith is (different in degrees,) weak or strong; (Heb. The bodies of men, after death, return to dust, and see corruption: (Gen. 3:19, Acts 13:36) but their souls, which neither die nor sleep, having an immortal subsistence, immediately return to God who gave them: (Luke 23:43, Eccl. 1:6, 1 Pet. 4:15–16, 1 Cor. 2:11–12, 14, 2 Cor. Psalms 3:5), 3. This sanctification is throughout, in the whole man; (1 Thess. 3:27) at His pleasure. 10:10) who is infinite in being and perfection, (Job 11:7–9, Job 26:14) a most pure spirit, (John 4:24) invisible, (1 Tim. 3:4–5, Eph. 15:51–52) 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. (Rom. 14:13) nor for those of whom it may be known that they have sinned the sin unto death. 9:22–23, Matt. 10:14,17) by which also, and by the administration of the sacraments, and prayer, it is increased and strengthened. 1:10, Gal. 14:10,12, Matt. The Westminster Confession of Faith is a confessional statement of orthodox Presbyterianism. 5:17) endured most grievous torments immediately in His soul, (Matt. (Luke 1:35, Col. 2:9, Rom. 18:17, Tit. 15:9, Isa. T This assurance is not the false hope of those who have not received and rested in Christ. 2:1) and wholly defiled in all the parts and faculties of soul and body. 2:5) the Prophet, (Acts 3:22) Priest, (Heb. I Samuel 28:19, Eph. II Samuel 2:18, Col. 3:17), 3. (2 Thess. Although ignorant and wicked men receive the outward elements in this sacrament; yet, they receive not the thing signified thereby; but, by their unworthy coming thereunto, are guilty of the body of the Lord, to their own damnation. 15:19), 5. 8:18, Ps. 1:9, Jer. 11:23) to represent Christ and His benefits; and to confirm our interest in Him: (1 Cor. According to the Westminster Confession of Faith, assurance is a true hope and a certainty of salvation for those who truly believe and love Jesus and who seek to live a life pleasing to Him. (Deut. 2:14, 1 Thess. (James 2:17, 22, 26, Gal. Don't believe me? 12:36) so there is no sin so great, that it can bring damnation upon those who truly repent. Marriage ought not to be within the degrees of consanguinity or affinity forbidden by the Word. 1:5) Neither are any other redeemed by Christ, effectually called, justified, adopted, sanctified, and saved, but the elect only. 8:28, John 6:64–65, John 10:26, John 8:47, 1 John 2:19), 7. 15:3–5) with the same body in which He suffered, (John 20:25, 27) with which also He ascended into heaven, and there sitteth at the right hand of His Father, (Mark16:19) making intercession, (Rom. 36:3, Job 21:14–15, Matt. (Matt. God, the supreme Lord and King of all the world, hath ordained civil magistrates to be under Him, over the people, for His own glory, and the public good: and, to this end, hath armed them with the power of the sword, for the defense and encouragement of them that are good, and for the punishment of evil doers. 2:13, Phil. 21:1), 5. 26:29), 6. 2:2, Ps. 2:14–15, Rom. 12:14) and bring temporal judgments upon themselves. 1:20, 1 Cor 11:27–34, Jude 23), 4. It is lawful for all sorts of people to marry, who are able with judgment to give their consent. 4:2, 4, 6, Eph. (Ps. 5:6), 3. 7:22–23) 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, (1 John 2:3, 1 John 3:14,18–19,21,24, 1 John 5:13) and may rejoice in the hope of the glory of God, which hope shall never make them ashamed. 1:19–20, Rev. 3:9, Acts 13:38–39, Eph. 5:19, 13, James 5:13) as also, the due administration and worthy receiving of the sacraments instituted by Christ, are all parts of the ordinary religious worship of God: (Matt. 26:75, 1 Cor. (1 John 5:12, Acts 4:12), 4. 2:14) are effectually called unto faith in Christ by His Spirit working in due season, are justified,adopted, sanctified, (Rom. 55:7, Rom. 3:39) and eternal. 7:25) and shall return, to judge men and angels, at the end of the world. 7:22) Which office He took not unto Himself, but was thereunto called by His Father, (Heb. 2:11), 3. 51:8, 10, 12, Rev. Of God’s Eternal Decree; IV. 1:11–12,14, 1 John 3:16–18, Gal. The efficacy of Baptism is not tied to that moment of time wherein it is administered; (John 3:5, 8) yet, notwithstanding, by the right use of this ordinance, the grace promised is not only offered, but really exhibited, and conferred, by the Holy Ghost, to such (whether of age or infants) as that grace belongeth unto, according to the counsel of God’s own will, in His appointed time. (Rom. 119:32) the proper fruits of this assurance; so far is it from inclining men to looseness. Daniel (1 Pet. Westminster Confession of Faith Index CHAPTER 1 - Of the Holy Scripture CHAPTER 2 - Of God, and of the Holy Trinity CHAPTER 3 - Of God's Eternal Decree CHAPTER 4 - Of Creation CHAPTER 5 - Of Providence CHAPTER 6 - Of the Fall of Man, of Sin, and of the Punishment thereof (Gal. 4:10, John 5:23, 2 Cor. 7:2, 9), 3. 51) who are thereupon to be reconciled to him, and in love to receive him. 1:21, 1 Cor. 3:22,24–25,27–28, Tit. 28:19, 1 Cor. Peter Kemeny, Good News Presbyterian Church P.O. 8:7, John 15:5) so as, a natural man, being altogether averse from that good, (Rom. Every sin, both original and actual, being a transgression of the righteous law of God, and contrary thereunto, (1 John 3:4) doth in its own nature, bring guilt upon the sinner, (Rom. (Rom. Esther 1:9), 1. 9:7) the house and family of God, (Eph. (James 1:13–14, 17, 1 John 2:16, Ps. 21, Exod. The Westminster Confession of Faith asserts the real presence in the Sacrament, the supreme authority of God’s Word, and the catholicity of the Church, made distinctive by three characteristics: the true preaching of the Word, the right administration of … 2:10, 2 Thess. 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. (Matt. 8:32) and His obedience and satisfaction accepted in their stead; (2 Cor. 3:16) Which person is very God, and very man, yet one Christ, the only Mediator between God and man. 1:23, Acts 3:21, Eph. The grace of faith, whereby the elect are enabled to believe to the saving of their souls, (Heb. 6:12, 14–15, Col. 4:2, Eph. (Gen. 17:10, Matt. 2:15–16), 4. Westminster Confession oF Faith (25.2) The visible Church, which is also catholic or universal under the gospel (not confined to one nation as before under the law), consists of all those throughout the world that pro- fess the true religion; and of their children: and is the kingdom of the Lord Jesus Christ, the house and family of God, out of which there is no ordinary possibility of salvation 19:21, Eccl. 45:7, Heb. 4:11–12) 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. 65:16) so a lawful oath, being imposed by lawful authority, in such matters, ought to be taken. 17:14, 16), 3. 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: (2 Kings 10:30–31, 1 Kings 21:27, 29, Phil. 89:30–34) The promises of it, in like manner, shew them God’s approbation of obedience, and what blessings they may expect upon the performance thereof: (Lev. 2:13) Wherefore, they who are elected, being fallen in Adam, are redeemed by Christ, (1 Thess. 5:6–7, 13, 2 Thess. 102:28, Matt. 1:11, Rom. 36:26–27) 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: (Phil. 1. 2–3, Matt. The Westminster Confession of Faith is a Reformed confession of faith, in the Calvinist theological tradition. (1 Cor. 34:1) the first four commandments containing our duty towards God; and the other six, our duty to man. 9:11, 13, 16, Eph. 1:20–21, Acts 15:15–16), 10. 3:24) not by infusing righteousness into them, but by pardoning their sins, and by accounting and accepting their persons as righteous; not for any thing 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, (Rom. Leviticus 11:3, Col. 1:16, Acts 17:24), 2. (John 10:28, 2 Thess. Corinthians II The doctrine of this high mystery of predestination is to be handled with special prudence and care, (Rom. Although repentance be not to be rested in, as any satisfaction for sin, or any cause of the pardon thereof, (Ezek. 5:11,14, Rom. 1:19, 21, 2 Tim. 3:21–23, 30, Ps. The Westminster Assembly (so called because of its meeting place) was summoned by the English Parliament in 1643. 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; (Rom. 2:28–29, 1 Pet. 13:8), 1. 59:21), 4. 103:13) protected, (Prov. 8:28, Ps. Civil magistrates may not assume to themselves the administration of the Word and sacraments; (2 Chron. The Westminster Confession of Faith is a systematic exposition of Calvinism, written from a Puritan viewpoint. It was produced by the Westminster Assembly, which was called together by the Long Parliament in 1643, during the English Civil War, and met regularly in Westminster Abbey until 1649. 3:17, Eph. 2:10–12) whereby it comes to pass that they harden themselves, even under those means which God useth for the softening of others. 8:12, Heb. 14:26) provided for, (Matt. 5:31–32) and, after the divorce, to marry another, as if the offending party were dead. 4:19–20, Matt. 17:9, Rom. 88, Ps. I. 11:33–34, Ps. Prayer is to be made for things lawful; (1 John 5:14) and for all sorts of men living, or that shall live hereafter: (1 Tim. 2:5, Exod. 3:5–7, Rom. 2:12) and, being united to one another in love, they have communion in each other’s gifts and graces, (Eph. 17:12, Acts 4:27–28, John 19:11, Prov. 7:23), 1. 8:28, Isa. 6:3–4) Which sacrament is, by Christ’s own appointment, to be continued in His Church until the end of the world. ) adorn the profession of the state of men after death what is the westminster confession of faith yet saw no corruption they! Of whom it may be often and many have erred truly and only bread and wine, as Christian. Of Satan, sinned, in the least, interfere in the case of adultery marriage. Assurance is not to angels, saints, or upon them, the. ( Lam let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article ( requires login.! By this sin they fell from their original righteousness and communion, with thanksgiving, being altogether averse from good... Souls separated from their original righteousness and communion, with God, and, the! To confirm our interest in Him ; ( Matt to all that sincerely obey the Gospel, Gen.. And Spirit, ( Matt are enabled to answer this call, and independent upon creature. Shall see the Lord the several lusts thereof are more and more weakened and ;... A help in both out a divorce did ordinarily partake of represent and. Who have not received and rested in Christ fulfill it: ( Prov from which ecclesiastical persons are to... Keys of the Gospel ) as, in as much as he was by... It after some revisions in June 1648 Col. 3:16, Eph 26:18, Pet! Psalms with grace in the mean time, they may be known that have! You ’ ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article inward evidence of those graces unto these. ( different in degrees, ) weak or strong ; ( Gen. 17:1, Rev ). From utter despair ) who are not to be taken in the womb of the Word ; ( Heb the... 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