Of the Perseverance of the Saints
Of the Perseverance of the Saints
Of the Perseverance of the Saints - Chapter of the Westminster Confession of Faith
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.334
- 334. Philippians 1:6.
- 2 Peter 1:10.
- John 10:28,29.
- 1 John 3:9.
- 1 Peter 1:5,9.
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;335 upon the efficacy of the merit and intercession of Jesus Christ;336 the abiding of the Spirit and of the seed of God within them;337 and the nature of the covenant of grace;338 from all which ariseth also the certainty and infallibility thereof.339
- 335. 1 Timothy 2:18,19.
- Jeremiah 31:3.
- 336. Hebrews 10:10,14.
- Hebrews 13:20,21.
- Hebrews 9:12-15.
- Romans 8:33-39.
- Hebrews 7:25.
- 337. John 14:16,17.
- 1 John 2:27.
- 1 John 3:9.
- 338. Jeremiah 32:40.
- 339. John 10:28.
- 2 Thessalonians 3:3.
Nevertheless they may, through the temptations of Satan and of the world, the prevalency of corruption remaining in them, and the neglect of the means of their preservation, fall into grievous sins;340 and for a time continue therein:341 whereby they incur God's displeasure,342 and grieve his Holy Spirit;343 come to be deprived of some measure of their graces and comforts;344 have their hearts hardened,345 and their consciences wounded;346 hurt and scandalize others,347 and bring temporal judgments upon themselves.348
- 340. Matthew 26:70,72,74.
- 341. Psalms 51:14.
- 342. Isaiah 64:5,7,9.
- 2 Samuel 11:27.
- 343. Ephesians 4:30.
- 344. Psalms 51:8,10,12.
- Revelation 2:4.
- Song of Solomon 5:2,4,6.
- 345. Isaiah 63:17.
- Mark 6:52.
- Mark 16:14.
- 346. Psalms 32:3,4.
- Psalms 51:8.
- 347. 2 Samuel 12:14.
- 348. Psalms 89:31,32.
- 1 Corinthians 11:32.