Modern 1689 Confession

 Original

Reeves

Chapter 14: Of Saving Faith

1. The grace of faith, whereby the elect are enabled to believe to the saving of their souls, is the work of the Spirit of Christ in their hearts, and is ordinarily wrought by the ministry of the Word; by which also, and by the administration of baptism and the Lord's supper, prayer, and other means appointed of God, it is increased and strengthened. ( 2 Corinthians 4:13; Ephesians 2:8; Romans 10:14, 17; Luke 17:5; 1 Peter 2:2; Acts 20:32 )

2. By this faith a Christian believeth to be true whatsoever is revealed in the Word for the authority of God himself, and also apprehendeth an excellency therein above all other writings and all things in the world, as it bears forth the glory of God in his attributes, the excellency of Christ in his nature and offices, and the power and fullness of the Holy Spirit in his workings and operations: and so is enabled to cast his soul upon the truth thus believed; and also acteth differently upon that which each particular passage thereof containeth; yielding obedience to the commands, trembling at the threatenings, and embracing the promises of God for this life and that which is to come; but the principal acts of saving faith have immediate relation to Christ, accepting, receiving, and resting upon him alone for justification, sanctification, and eternal life, by virtue of the covenant of grace.

( Acts 24:14; Psalms 27:7-10; Psalms 119:72; 2 Timothy 1:12; John 14:14; Isaiah 66:2; Hebrews 11:13; John 1:12; Acts 16:31; Galatians 2:20; Acts 15:11 )

3. This faith, although it be different in degrees, and may be weak or strong, yet it is in the least degree of it different in the kind or nature of it, as is all other saving grace, from the faith and common grace of temporary believers; and therefore, though it may be many times assailed and weakened, yet it gets the victory, growing up in many to the attainment of a full assurance through Christ, who is both the author and finisher of our faith.

( Hebrews 5:13, 14; Matthew 6:30; Romans 4:19, 20; 2 Peter 1:1; Ephesians 6:16; 1 John 5:4, 5; Hebrews 6:11, 12; Colossians 2:2; Hebrews 12:2

Chapter 14

Saving Faith

1. The grace of faith, by which the elect are enabled to believe so that their souls are saved, is the work of the Spirit of Christ in their hearts.¹  Faith is ordinarily produced by the ministry of the Word.²  By this same ministry and by the administration of baptism and the Lord's supper, prayer, and other means appointed by God, faith is increased and strengthened.³

¹2 Corinthians 4:13; Ephesians 2:8. ²Romans 10:14, 17. ³Luke 17:5; 1 Peter 2:2; Acts 20:32.

2. By this faith Christians believe to be true everything revealed in the Word as the authority of God himself.⁴  They also perceive that the Word is more excellent than every other writing and everything else in the world,⁵ because it displays the glory of God in his attributes, the excellence of Christ in his nature and offices, and the power and fullness of the Holy Spirit in his activities and operations.  So they are enabled to entrust their souls to the truth believed.⁶  They respond differently according to the content of each particular passage—obeying the commands,⁷ trembling at the threatenings,⁸ and embracing the promises of God for this life and the one to come.⁹  But the principal acts of saving faith focus directly on Christ—accepting, receiving, and resting upon him alone for justification, sanctification, and eternal life, by virtue of the covenant of grace.¹⁰

⁴Acts 24:14. ⁵Psalms 27:7-10; Psalms 119:72. ⁶2 Timothy 1:12. ⁷John 14:14. ⁸Isaiah 66:2. ⁹Hebrews 11:13. ¹⁰John 1:12; Acts 16:31; Galatians 2:20; Acts 15:11.

3. This faith may exist in varying degrees so that it may be either weak or strong.¹¹  Yet even in its weakest form, it is different in kind or nature (like all other saving graces) from the faith and common grace of temporary believers.¹²  Therefore, faith may often be attacked and weakened, but it gains the victory.¹³  It matures in many to the point that they attain full assurance through Christ,¹⁴ who is both the founder and perfecter of our faith.¹⁵

¹¹Hebrews 5:13, 14; Matthew 6:30; Romans 4:19, 20. ¹²2 Peter 1:1. ¹³Ephesians 6:16; 1 John 5:4, 5. ¹⁴Hebrews 6:11, 12; Colossians 2:2. ¹⁵Hebrews 12:2.

 Original

Reeves

Chapter 13: Of Sanctification

1. They who are united to Christ, effectually called, and regenerated, having a new heart and a new spirit created in them through the virtue of Christ's death and resurrection, are also farther sanctified, really and personally, through the same virtue, by His Word and Spirit dwelling in them; the dominion of the whole body of sin is destroyed, and the several lusts thereof are more and more weakened and mortified, and they more and more quickened and strengthened in all saving graces, to the practice of all true holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord.

( Acts 20:32; Romans 6:5, 6; John 17:17; Ephesians 3:16-19; 1 Thessalonians 5:21-23; Romans 6:14; Galatians 5:24; Colossians 1:11; 2 Corinthians 7:1; Hebrews 12:14 )

2.This sanctification is throughout the whole man, yet imperfect in this life; there abideth still some remnants of corruption in every part, whence ariseth a continual and irreconcilable war; the flesh lusting against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh.

( 1 Thessalonians 5:23; Romans 7:18, 23; Galatians 5:17; 1 Peter 2:11 )

3. In which war, although the remaining corruption for a time may much prevail, yet through the continual supply of strength from the sanctifying Spirit of Christ, the regenerate part doth overcome; and so the saints grow in grace, perfecting holiness in the fear of God, pressing after an heavenly life, in evangelical obedience to all the commands which Christ as Head and King, in His Word hath prescribed them.

( Romans 7:23; Romans 6:14; Ephesians 4:15, 16; 2 Corinthians 3:18; 2 Corinthians 7:1

Chapter 13

Sanctification

1. Those who are united to Christ and effectually called and regenerated have a new heart and a new spirit created in them through the power of Christ's death and resurrection.  They are also further sanctified, really and personally,¹ through the same power, by His Word and Spirit dwelling in them.² The dominion of the whole body of sin is destroyed,³ and its various lusts are more and more weakened and put to death.⁴  At the same time, those called and regenerated are more and more enlivened and strengthened in all saving graces⁵ so that they practice true holiness, without which no one will see the Lord.⁶

¹Acts 20:32; Romans 6:5, 6. ²John 17:17; Ephesians 3:16-19; 1 Thessalonians 5:21-23. ³Romans 6:14. ⁴Galatians 5:24. ⁵Colossians 1:11. ⁶2 Corinthians 7:1; Hebrews 12:14.

2. This sanctification extends throughout the whole person,⁷ though it is never completed in this life.  Some corruption remains in every part.⁸  From this arises a continual and irreconcilable war, with the desires of the flesh against the Spirit and the Spirit against the flesh.⁹

⁷1 Thessalonians 5:23. ⁸Romans 7:18, 23. ⁹Galatians 5:17; 1 Peter 2:11.

3. In this war, the remaining corruption may greatly prevail for a time.¹⁰  Yet through the continual supply of strength from the sanctifying Spirit of Christ, the regenerate part overcomes.¹¹  So the saints grow in grace, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.  They pursue a heavenly life, in gospel obedience to all the commands that Christ as Head and King has given them in His Word.¹²

¹⁰Romans 7:23. ¹¹Romans 6:14. ¹²Ephesians 4:15, 16; 2 Corinthians 3:18; 2 Corinthians 7:1.

 Original

Reeves

Chapter 12:

Of Adoption

1. All those that are justified, God vouchsafed, in and for the sake of his only Son Jesus Christ, to make partakers of the grace of adoption, by which they are taken into the number, and enjoy the liberties and privileges of the children of God, have his name put upon them, receive the spirit of adoption, have access to the throne of grace with boldness, are enabled to cry Abba, Father, are pitied, protected, provided for, and chastened by him as by a Father, yet never cast off, but sealed to the day of redemption, and inherit the promises as heirs of everlasting salvation.

( Ephesians 1:5; Galatians 4:4, 5; John 1:12; Romans 8:17; 2 Corinthians 6:18; Revelation 3:12; Romans 8:15; Galatians 4:6; Ephesians 2:18; Psalms 103:13; Proverbs 14:26; 1 Peter 5:7; Hebrews 12:6; Isaiah 54:8, 9; Lamentations 3:31; Ephesians 4:30; Hebrews 1:14; Hebrews 6:12

Chapter 12

Adoption

1. God has granted that all those who are justified would receive the grace of adoption, in and for the sake of his only Son Jesus Christ.¹ By this they are counted among the children of God and enjoy the freedom and privileges of that relationship.² They inherit his name,³ receive the spirit of adoption,⁴ have access to the throne of grace with boldness, and are enabled to cry “Abba, Father!”⁵ They are given compassion,⁶ protected,⁷ provided for,⁸ and chastened by him as a father.⁹  Yet they are never cast off¹⁰ but are sealed for the day of redemption¹¹ and inherit the promises as heirs of everlasting salvation.¹²

¹Ephesians 1:5; Galatians 4:4, 5. ²John 1:12; Romans 8:17. ³2 Corinthians 6:18; Revelation 3:12. ⁴Romans 8:15. ⁵Galatians 4:6; Ephesians 2:18. ⁶Psalms 103:13. ⁷Proverbs 14:26. ⁸1 Peter 5:7. ⁹Hebrews 12:6. ¹⁰Isaiah 54:8, 9; Lamentations 3:31. ¹¹Ephesians 4:30. ¹²Hebrews 1:14; 6:12.