The 1689 London Baptist Confession Of Faith; Read by Eric Kahure

Chapter 20: Of the Gospel and the Extent of Grace Thereof

PARAGRAPH 4

Although the gospel be the only outward means of revealing Christ and saving grace, and is, as such, abundantly sufficient thereunto; yet that men who are dead in trespasses may be born again, quickened or regenerated, there is moreover necessary an effectual insuperable work of the Holy Spirit upon the whole soul, for the producing in them a new spiritual life;8 without which no other means will effect their conversion unto God.9

8 Ps. 110:3; 1 Cor. 2:14; Eph. 1:19–20
9 John 6:44; 2 Cor. 4:4,6

Chapter 20: Of the Gospel and the Extent of Grace Thereof

PARAGRAPH 3

The revelation of the gospel to sinners, made in divers times and by sundry parts, with the addition of promises and precepts for the obedience required therein, as to the nations and persons to whom it is granted, is merely of the sovereign will and good pleasure of God;6 not being annexed by virtue of any promise to the due improvement of men's natural abilities, by virtue of common light received without it, which none ever made, or can do so;7 and therefore in all ages, the preaching of the gospel has been granted unto persons and nations, as to the extent or straitening of it, in great variety, according to the counsel of the will of God.

6 Ps. 147:20; Acts 16:7
7 Rom. 1:18–32

Chapter 20: Of the Gospel and the Extent of Grace Thereof

PARAGRAPH 2

This promise of Christ, and salvation by him, is revealed only by the Word of God;3 neither do the works of creation or providence, with the light of nature, make discovery of Christ, or of grace by him, so much as in a general or obscure way;4 much less that men destitute of the revelation of Him by the promise or gospel, should be enabled thereby to attain saving faith or repentance.5

3 Rom. 1;17
4 Rom. 10:14–15,17
5 Prov. 29:18; Isa. 25:7; 60:2–3

Chapter 20: Of the Gospel and the Extent of Grace Thereof

PARAGRAPH 1

The covenant of works being broken by sin, and made unprofitable unto life, God was pleased to give forth the promise of Christ, the seed of the woman, as the means of calling the elect, and begetting in them faith and repentance;1 in this promise the gospel, as to the substance of it, was revealed, and [is] therein effectual for the conversion and salvation of sinners.2

1 Gen. 3:15
2 Rev. 13:8

Chapter 19: Of the Law of God

PARAGRAPH 7

Neither are the aforementioned uses of the law contrary to the grace of the Gospel, but do sweetly comply with it,16 the Spirit of Christ subduing and enabling the will of man to do that freely and cheerfully which the will of God, revealed in the law, requires to be done.17

16 Gal. 3:21
17 Ezek. 36:27

Chapter 19: Of the Law of God

PARAGRAPH 6

Although true believers are not under the law as a covenant of works, to be thereby justified or condemned,13 yet it is of great use to them as well as to others, in that as a rule of life, informing them of the will of God and their duty, it directs and binds them to walk accordingly; discovering also the sinful pollutions of their natures, hearts, and lives, so as examining themselves thereby, they may come to further conviction of, humiliation for, and hatred against, sin;14 together with a clearer sight of the need they have of Christ and the perfection of his obedience; it is likewise of use to the regenerate to restrain their corruptions, in that it forbids sin; and the threatenings of it serve to show what even their sins deserve, and what afflictions in this life they may expect for them, although freed from the curse and unallayed rigour thereof. The promises of it likewise show them God's approbation of obedience, and what blessings they may expect upon the performance thereof, though not as due to them by the law as a covenant of works; so as man's doing good and refraining from evil, because the law encourages to the one and deters from the other, is no evidence of his being under the law and not under grace.15

13 Rom. 6:14; Gal. 2:16; Rom. 8:1, 10:4
14 Rom. 3:20, 7:7, etc.
15 Rom. 6:12–14; 1 Pet. 3:8–13

Chapter 19: Of the Law of God

PARAGRAPH 5

The moral law does for ever bind all, as well justified persons as others, to the obedience thereof,10 and that not only in regard of the matter contained in it, but also in respect of the authority of God the Creator, who gave it;11 neither does Christ in the Gospel any way dissolve, but much strengthen this obligation.12

10 Rom. 13:8–10; James 2:8,10–12
11 James 2:10–11
12 Matt. 5:17–19; Rom. 3:31

Chapter 19: Of the Law of God

PARAGRAPH 4

To them also he gave sundry judicial laws, which expired together with the state of that people, not obliging any now by virtue of that institution; their general equity only being of moral use.9

9 1 Cor. 9:8–10

Chapter 19: Of the Law of God

PARAGRAPH 3

Besides this law, commonly called moral, God was pleased to give to the people of Israel ceremonial laws, containing several typical ordinances, partly of worship, prefiguring Christ, his graces, actions, sufferings, and benefits;6 and partly holding forth divers instructions of moral duties,7 all which ceremonial laws being appointed only to the time of reformation, are, by Jesus Christ the true Messiah and only law-giver, who was furnished with power from the Father for that end abrogated and taken away.8

6 Heb. 10:1; Col. 2:17
7 1 Cor. 5:7
8 Col. 2:14,16–17; Eph. 2:14,16

Chapter 19: Of the Law of God

PARAGRAPH 2

The same law that was first written in the heart of man continued to be a perfect rule of righteousness after the fall,4 and was delivered by God upon Mount Sinai, in ten commandments, and written in two tables, the four first containing our duty towards God, and the other six, our duty to man.5

4 Rom. 2:14–15
5 Deut. 10:4