The Westminster Confession of Faith (WCF)
WCF 6.5-6
5. This corruption of nature remains in those who are regenerated during this life. Although it is pardoned and mortified through Christ, yet this nature itself and all the actions coming from it are truly and properly sin. 6. Every sin, both original and actual, being a transgression of the righteous law of God and contrary to it, by its nature brings guilt on the sinner, by which the sinner is bound over to the wrath of God and the curse of the law, and so made subject to death, with all manner of spiritual, temporal, and eternal miseries. Read more
5. This corruption of nature remains in those who are regenerated during this life. Although it is pardoned and mortified through Christ, yet this nature itself and all the actions coming from it are truly and properly sin. 6. Every sin, both original and actual, being a transgression of the righteous law of God and contrary to it, by its nature brings guilt on the sinner, by which the sinner is bound over to the wrath of God and the curse of the law, and so made subject to death, with all manner of spiritual, temporal, and eternal miseries. Read more
WCF 6.1-2
1. Our first parents, being seduced by the subtlety and temptation of Satan, sinned in eating the forbidden fruit. God was pleased, according to his wise and holy counsel, to permit this sin of theirs, having planned to use it to his own glory. 2. By this sin they fell from their original righteousness and communion with God, and so became dead in sin, and wholly defiled in all the parts and abilities of soul and body. Read more
1. Our first parents, being seduced by the subtlety and temptation of Satan, sinned in eating the forbidden fruit. God was pleased, according to his wise and holy counsel, to permit this sin of theirs, having planned to use it to his own glory. 2. By this sin they fell from their original righteousness and communion with God, and so became dead in sin, and wholly defiled in all the parts and abilities of soul and body. Read more
WCF 6.3-4
3. Because they were the root of all mankind, the guilt of this sin was imputed to all their posterity descending from them by ordinary generation; and the same death in sin and the same corrupted nature was conveyed to their posterity. 4. All of our actual transgressions proceed from this original corruption, by which we are utterly unwilling, disabled, made opposite to all good, and wholly inclined to all evil. Read more
3. Because they were the root of all mankind, the guilt of this sin was imputed to all their posterity descending from them by ordinary generation; and the same death in sin and the same corrupted nature was conveyed to their posterity. 4. All of our actual transgressions proceed from this original corruption, by which we are utterly unwilling, disabled, made opposite to all good, and wholly inclined to all evil. Read more
WCF 5.5-7
5. The most wise, righteous, and gracious God often leaves his own children for a season to various temptations and the corruption of their own hearts, to chastise them for their former sins, or to show to them the hidden strength of the corruption and deceitfulness of their hearts, so that they may be humbled and to raise them to a more close and constant dependence for their support upon himself, also to make them more watchful against all future occasions of sin, and for various other just and holy purposes. Read more
5. The most wise, righteous, and gracious God often leaves his own children for a season to various temptations and the corruption of their own hearts, to chastise them for their former sins, or to show to them the hidden strength of the corruption and deceitfulness of their hearts, so that they may be humbled and to raise them to a more close and constant dependence for their support upon himself, also to make them more watchful against all future occasions of sin, and for various other just and holy purposes. Read more
WCF 5.4
4. The almighty power, unsearchable wisdom, and infinite goodness of God do so far manifest themselves in his providence, that it extends even to the first fall, and all other sins of angels and people. Such do not happen by a bare permission, but are joined with a most wise and powerful bounding, ordering and governing of them, in various dispensations, for his own holy purposes, yet so that the sinfulness of them comes only from the creature, and not from God, who, being most holy and righteous, is not nor can be the author or approver of sin. Read more
4. The almighty power, unsearchable wisdom, and infinite goodness of God do so far manifest themselves in his providence, that it extends even to the first fall, and all other sins of angels and people. Such do not happen by a bare permission, but are joined with a most wise and powerful bounding, ordering and governing of them, in various dispensations, for his own holy purposes, yet so that the sinfulness of them comes only from the creature, and not from God, who, being most holy and righteous, is not nor can be the author or approver of sin. Read more
WCF 5.2-3
2. In relation to the foreknowledge and decree of God, the first cause, all things come to pass immutably and unerringly; yet, by the same providence, he orders them to come about according to the nature of secondary causes, either necessarily, freely, or contingently. 3. God, in his ordinary providence, makes use of means, yet is free to work without, above, and against, them, at his pleasure. (WCF 5.2-3) Read more
2. In relation to the foreknowledge and decree of God, the first cause, all things come to pass immutably and unerringly; yet, by the same providence, he orders them to come about according to the nature of secondary causes, either necessarily, freely, or contingently. 3. God, in his ordinary providence, makes use of means, yet is free to work without, above, and against, them, at his pleasure. (WCF 5.2-3) Read more
WCF 5.1
God the great Creator of all things upholds, directs, disposes, and governs all creatures, actions, and things, from the greatest to the least, by his most wise and holy providence, according to his certain foreknowledge and the free and immutable counsel of his own will, to the praise of the glory of his wisdom, power, justice, goodness, and mercy. (WCF 5.1) Over the last few months we have been exploring the Westminster Confession of Faith together. Read more
God the great Creator of all things upholds, directs, disposes, and governs all creatures, actions, and things, from the greatest to the least, by his most wise and holy providence, according to his certain foreknowledge and the free and immutable counsel of his own will, to the praise of the glory of his wisdom, power, justice, goodness, and mercy. (WCF 5.1) Over the last few months we have been exploring the Westminster Confession of Faith together. Read more
WCF 4.2
2. After God had made all other creatures, he created mankind, male and female, with immortal souls that could reason, endued with knowledge, righteousness, and true holiness, after his own image. They had the law of God written in their hearts and power to fulfil it, but with the possibility of transgressing, being left to the liberty of their own will, which was subject unto change. Beside this law written in their hearts, they received a command not to eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. Read more
2. After God had made all other creatures, he created mankind, male and female, with immortal souls that could reason, endued with knowledge, righteousness, and true holiness, after his own image. They had the law of God written in their hearts and power to fulfil it, but with the possibility of transgressing, being left to the liberty of their own will, which was subject unto change. Beside this law written in their hearts, they received a command not to eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. Read more
WCF 4.1
1. It pleased God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, for the manifestation of the glory of his eternal power, wisdom, and goodness, to create, or make of nothing, the world and all things in it, whether visible or invisible, in the beginning in the space of six days; all of this was very good. (WCF 4.1) Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall nd; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh ndeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. Read more
1. It pleased God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, for the manifestation of the glory of his eternal power, wisdom, and goodness, to create, or make of nothing, the world and all things in it, whether visible or invisible, in the beginning in the space of six days; all of this was very good. (WCF 4.1) Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall nd; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh ndeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. Read more
WCF 3.7-8
7. God decided, according to the unsearchable counsel of his own will, by which he extends or withholds mercy as he pleases, for the glory of his sovereign power over his creatures, to pass by the rest of mankind and to ordain them to dishonour and wrath for their sin, to the praise of his glorious justice. 8. The doctrine of this high mystery of predestination is to be handled with special prudence and care, so that people, giving attention to the will of God revealed in his Word and yielding their obedience to it, may be assured of their eternal selection based on the certainty of their effectual calling. Read more
7. God decided, according to the unsearchable counsel of his own will, by which he extends or withholds mercy as he pleases, for the glory of his sovereign power over his creatures, to pass by the rest of mankind and to ordain them to dishonour and wrath for their sin, to the praise of his glorious justice. 8. The doctrine of this high mystery of predestination is to be handled with special prudence and care, so that people, giving attention to the will of God revealed in his Word and yielding their obedience to it, may be assured of their eternal selection based on the certainty of their effectual calling. Read more