Westminster 1647

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Of God’s Eternal Decree

Of God’s Eternal Decree

Of God’s Eternal Decree - Chapter of the Westminster Confession of Faith

  1. God from all eternity did by the most wise and holy counsel of his own will, freely and unchangeably ordain whatsoever comes to pass;65 yet so as thereby neither is God the author of sin;66 nor is violence offered to the will of the creatures, nor is the liberty or contingency of second causes taken away, but rather established.67

    • 65. Ephesians 1:11.
    • Romans 9:15.
    • Romans 9:18.
    • Romans 11:33.
    • Hebrews 6:17.
    • 66. James 1:13.
    • 1 John 1:5.
    • 67. Matthew 17:12.
    • John 19:11.
    • Acts 2:23.
    • Acts 4:17-28.
    • Proverbs 16:33.

  2. Although God knows whatsoever may or can come to pass, upon all supposed conditions;68 yet hath he not decreed anything because he foresaw it as future, as that which would come to pass, upon such conditions.69

    • 68. 1 Samuel 23:11,12.
    • Matthew 11:21,23.
    • Acts 15:18.
    • 69. Romans 9:13.
    • Romans 9:11.
    • Romans 9:16.
    • Romans 9:18.

  3. By the decree of God, for the manifestation of his glory, some men and angels70 are predestinated unto everlasting life, and others fore-ordained to everlasting death.71

    • 70. 1 Timothy 5:21.
    • Matthew 25:41.
    • 71. Romans 9:22,23.
    • Ephesians 1:5,6.
    • Proverbs 16:4.

  4. These angels and men, thus predestinated and fore-ordained, are particularly and unchangeably designed; and their number is so certain and definite that it cannot be either increased or diminished.72

    • 72. John 13:18.
    • 2 Timothy 2:19.

  5. 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,73 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;74 and all to the praise of his glorious grace.75

    • 73. Ephesians 1:4.
    • Ephesians 1:9.
    • Ephesians 1:11.
    • Romans 8:30.
    • 2 Timothy 1:9.
    • 1 Thessalonians 5:9.
    • 74. Romans 9:11.
    • Romans 9:13.
    • Romans 9:16.
    • Ephesians 1:4.
    • Ephesians 1:9.
    • 75. Ephesians 1:6.
    • Ephesians 1:12.

  6. As God hath appointed the elect unto glory, so hath he, by the eternal and most free purpose of his will, fore-ordained all the means thereunto.76 Wherefore they who are elected being fallen in Adam are redeemed by Christ,77 are effectually called unto faith in Christ by his Spirit working in due season; are justified, adopted, sanctified,78 and kept by his power through faith unto salvation.79 Neither are any other redeemed by Christ, effectually called, justified, adopted, sanctified, and saved, but the elect only.80

    • 76. 1 Peter 1:2.
    • Ephesians 1:4,5.
    • Ephesians 2:10.
    • 2 Thessalonians 2:13.
    • 77. 1 Thessalonians 5:9,10.
    • Titus 2:14.
    • 78. Romans 8:30.
    • Ephesians 1:5.
    • 2 Thessalonians 2:13.
    • 79. 1 Peter 1:5.
    • 80. John 17:9.
    • John 6:64,65.
    • Romans 8:28-39.
    • John 10:26.
    • John 8:47.
    • 1 John 2:19.

  7. 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.81

    • 81. Matthew 11:25,26.
    • Romans 9:17,18.
    • Romans 9:21,22.
    • 2 Timothy 2:19,20.
    • 1 Peter 2:8.

  8. The doctrine of this high mystery of predestination is to be handled with special prudence and care,82 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.83 So shall this doctrine afford matter of praise, reverence, and admiration of God;84 and of humility, diligence, and abundant consolation to all that sincerely obey the gospel.85

    • 82. Romans 9:20.
    • Romans 11:33.
    • Deuteronomy 29:29.
    • 83. 2 Peter 1:10.
    • 84. Ephesians 1:6.
    • 85. Romans 11:5,6.
    • Romans 11:20.
    • 2 Peter 1:10.
    • Romans 8:33.
    • Luke 10:20.