Modern 1689 Confession

 Original

Reeves

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

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; in this promise the gospel, as to the substance of it, was revealed, and [is] therein effectual for the conversion and salvation of sinners.

( Genesis 3:15; Revelation 13:8 )

2. This promise of Christ, and salvation by him, is revealed only by the Word of God; 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; 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.

( Romans 1:17; Romans 10:14,15,17; Proverbs 29:18; Isaiah 25:7; Isaiah 60:2, 3 )

3. The revelation of the gospel unto 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; 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 did make, or can do so; 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.

( Psalms 147:20; Acts 16:7; Romans 1:18-32 )

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; without which no other means will effect their conversion unto God.

( Psalms 110:3; 1 Corinthians 2:14; Ephesians 1:19, 20; John 6:44; 2 Corinthians 4:4, 6 )

Chapter 20

The Gospel and the Extent of Its Grace

1. Because the covenant of works was broken by sin and was unable to confer life, God was pleased to proclaim the promise of Christ, the seed of the woman, as the means of calling the elect and producing in them faith and repentance.¹  In this promise the gospel in its substance was revealed and made effectual for the conversion and salvation of sinners.²

¹Genesis 3:15. ²Revelation 13:8.

2. This promise of Christ and of salvation through him is revealed in the Word of God alone.³  The works of creation and providence, when assisted only by the light of nature, do not reveal Christ or grace through him, even in a general or obscure way.⁴  Much less are those without the revelation of Him in the promise or gospel enabled to attain saving faith or repentance by seeing these works of God.⁵

³Romans 1:17. ⁴Romans 10:14,15,17. ⁵Proverbs 29:18; Isaiah 25:7; Isaiah 60:2, 3.

3. The gospel has been revealed to sinners in various times and in different places, along with the promises and precepts describing the obedience it requires. The particular nations and individuals who are granted this revelation are chosen solely according to the sovereign will and good pleasure of God.⁶  This choice does not depend on any promise to those who demonstrate good stewardship of their natural abilities based on common light received apart from the gospel.  No one has ever done this nor can anyone do so.⁷   Therefore, in every age the preaching of the gospel to individuals and nations has been granted in widely varying degrees of expansion and contraction, according to the counsel of the will of God.

⁶Psalms 147:20; Acts 16:7. ⁷Romans 1:18-32.

4.  The gospel is the only outward means of revealing Christ and saving grace, and as such is abundantly sufficient for that purpose.  Yet to be born again, brought to life or regenerated, those who are dead in trespasses also must have an effectual, irresistible work of the Holy Spirit in every part of their souls to produce in them a new spiritual life.⁸  Without this no other means will bring about their conversion to God.⁹

⁸Psalms 110:3; 1 Corinthians 2:14; Ephesians 1:19, 20. ⁹John 6:44; 2 Corinthians 4:4, 6.