Modern 1689 Confession

 Original

Reeves

Chapter 21

Of Christian Liberty and Liberty of Conscience

1. The liberty which Christ hath purchased for believers under the gospel, consists in their freedom from the guilt of sin, the condemning wrath of God, the rigour and curse of the law, and in their being delivered from this present evil world, bondage to Satan, and dominion of sin, from the evil of afflictions, the fear and sting of death, the victory of the grave, and ever- lasting damnation: as also in their free access to God, and their yielding obedience unto Him, not out of slavish fear, but a child-like love and willing mind.

All which were common also to believers under the law for the substance of them; but under the New Testament the liberty of Christians is further enlarged, in their freedom from the yoke of a ceremonial law, to which the Jewish church was subjected, and in greater boldness of access to the throne of grace, and in fuller communications of the free Spirit of God, than believers under the law did ordinarily partake of.

( Galatians 3:13; Galatians 1:4; Acts 26:18; Romans 8:3; Romans 8:28; 1 Corinthians 15:54-57; 2 Thessalonians 1:10; Romans 8:15; Luke 1:73-75; 1 John 4:18; Galatians 3:9, 14; John 7:38, 39; Hebrews 10:19-21 )

2. God alone is Lord of the conscience, and hath left it free from the doctrines and commandments of men which are in any thing contrary to his word, or not contained in it. So that to believe such doctrines, or obey such commands out of conscience, is to betray true liberty of conscience; and the requiring of an implicit faith, an absolute and blind obedience, is to destroy liberty of conscience and reason also.

( James 4:12; Romans 14:4; Acts 4:19, 29; 1 Corinthians 7:23; Matthew 15:9; Colossians 2:20, 22, 23; 1 Corinthians 3:5; 2 Corinthians 1:24 )

3. They who upon pretence of Christian liberty do practice any sin, or cherish any sinful lust, as they do thereby pervert the main design of the grace of the gospel to their own destruction, so they wholly destroy the end of Christian liberty, which is, that being delivered out of the hands of all our enemies, we might serve the Lord without fear, in holiness and righeousness before Him, all the days of our lives.

( Romans 6:1, 2; Galatians 5:13; 2 Peter 2:18, 21 )

Chapter 21

Christian Liberty and Liberty of Conscience

1. The liberty Christ has purchased for believers under the gospel is found in their freedom from the guilt of sin, the condemning wrath of God, and the severity and curse of the law.¹ It also includes their deliverance from this present evil age,² bondage to Satan,³ the dominion of sin,⁴ the suffering of afflictions,⁵ the fear and sting of death, the victory of the grave,⁶ and everlasting damnation.⁷  In addition, it includes their free access to God and their obedience to Him, not from slavish fear⁸ but from a childlike love and willing mind.⁹

All these liberties were also enjoyed in their essence by believers under the law.¹⁰  But under the New Testament the liberty of Christians is further expanded.  They are free from the yoke of the ceremonial law to which the Jewish church was subjected; they have greater boldness of access to the throne of grace; and they have a fuller supply of God’s free Spirit than believers under the law usually experienced.¹¹

¹Galatians 3:13. ²Galatians 1:4. ³Acts 26:18. ⁴Romans 8:3. ⁵Romans 8:28. ⁶1 Corinthians 15:54-57. ⁷2 Thessalonians 1:10. ⁸Romans 8:15. ⁹Luke 1:73-75; 1 John 4:18. ¹⁰Galatians 3:9, 14. ¹¹John 7:38, 39; Hebrews 10:19-21.

2. God alone is Lord of the conscience,¹² and he has left it free from human doctrines and commandments that are in any way contrary to his word or not contained in it.¹³ So, believing such doctrines, or obeying such commands out of conscience, is a betrayal of true liberty of conscience.¹⁴  Requiring implicit faith or absolute and blind obedience destroys liberty of conscience and reason as well.¹⁵

¹²James 4:12; Romans 14:4. ¹³Acts 4:19, 29; 1 Corinthians 7:23; Matthew 15:9. ¹⁴Colossians 2:20, 22, 23. ¹⁵1 Corinthians 3:5; 2 Corinthians 1:24.

3. Those who use Christian liberty as an excuse to practice any sin or nurture any sinful desire pervert the main objective of the grace of the gospel to their own destruction,¹⁶ and they completely destroy the purpose of Christian liberty.  This purpose is that we, having been delivered from the hands of all our enemies, may serve the Lord without fear, in holiness and righteousness before Him, all the days of our lives.¹⁷

¹⁶Romans 6:1, 2. ¹⁷Galatians 5:13; 2 Peter 2:18, 21.

 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.

 Original

Reeves

Chapter 19

Of the Law of God

1. God gave to Adam a law of universal obedience written in his heart, and a particular precept of not eating the fruit of the tree of knowledge of good and evil; by which he bound him and all his posterity to personal, entire, exact, and perpetual obedience; promised life upon the fulfilling, and threatened death upon the breach of it, and endued him with power and ability to keep it.

( Genesis 1:27; Ecclesiastes 7:29; Romans 10:5; Galatians 3:10, 12 )

2. The same law that was first written in the heart of man continued to be a perfect rule of righteousness after the fall, 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.

( Romans 2:14, 15; Deuteronomy 10:4 )

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; and partly holding forth divers instructions of moral duties, 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.

( Hebrews 10:1; Colossians 2:17; 1 Corinthians 5:7; Colossians 2:14, 16, 17; Ephesians 2:14, 16 )

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.

( 1 Corinthians 9:8-10 )

5. The moral law doth for ever bind all, as well justified persons as others, to the obedience thereof, 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; neither doth Christ in the Gospel any way dissolve, but much strengthen this obligation.

( Romans 13:8-10; James 2:8, 10-12; James 2:10, 11; Matthew 5:17-19; Romans 3:31 )

6. Although true believers be not under the law as a covenant of works, to be thereby justified or condemned, 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; 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 shew 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 shew 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 encourageth to the one and deterreth from the other, is no evidence of his being under the law and not under grace.

( Romans 6:14; Galatians 2:16; Romans 8:1; Romans 10:4; Romans 3:20; Romans 7:7, etc; Romans 6:12-14; 1 Peter 3:8-13 )

7. Neither are the aforementioned uses of the law contrary to the grace of the Gospel, but do sweetly comply with it, 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, requireth to be done.

( Galatians 3:21; Ezekiel 36:27 )

Chapter 19

The Law of God

1. God gave Adam a law of comprehensive obedience written in his heart and a specific precept not to eat the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.¹  By these God obligated him and all his descendants to personal, total, exact, and perpetual obedience.²  God promised life if Adam fulfilled it and threatened death if he broke it, and he gave Adam the power and ability to keep it.³

¹Genesis 1:27; Ecclesiastes 7:29. ²Romans 10:5; Galatians 3:10, 12.

2. The same law that was first written in the human heart continued to be a perfect rule of righteousness after the fall.⁴  It was delivered by God on Mount Sinai in ten commandments and was written in two tables.  The first four commandments contain our duty to God and the other six our duty to humanity.⁵

⁴Romans 2:14, 15. ⁵Deuteronomy 10:4.

3. In addition to this law—usually called the moral law—God was pleased to give the people of Israel ceremonial laws, containing several typological ordinances.  In some ways these concerned worship, by prefiguring Christ, his graces, actions, sufferings, and benefits.⁶  In other ways they revealed various instructions about moral duties.⁷  Since all of these ceremonial laws were appointed only until the new order^a arrived, they are now abolished and taken away by Jesus Christ.  As the true Messiah and the only law-giver, he was empowered by the Father to do this.⁸

^a reformation

⁶Hebrews 10:1; Colossians 2:17. ⁷1 Corinthians 5:7. ⁸Colossians 2:14, 16, 17; Ephesians 2:14, 16.

4. To Israel he also gave various judicial laws, which ceased at the same time their nation ended.  These laws no longer obligate anyone as part of that institution.  Only their general principles of justice continue to have moral value.⁹

⁹1 Corinthians 9:8-10.

5. The moral law forever requires obedience of everyone, both those who are justified as well as others.¹⁰  This obligation arises not only because of its content but also because of the authority of God the Creator who gave it.¹¹ Nor does Christ in any way dissolve this obligation in the Gospel; instead he greatly strengthens it.¹²

¹⁰Romans 13:8-10; James 2:8, 10-12. ¹¹James 2:10, 11. ¹²Matthew 5:17-19; Romans 3:31.

6. True believers are not under the law as a covenant of works, to be justified or condemned by it.¹³  Yet it is very useful to them and to others as a rule of life that informs them of the will of God and their duty.  It directs and obligates them to live according to its precepts. It also exposes the sinful corruptions of their natures, hearts, and lives.  As they examine themselves in light of the law, they come to further conviction of, humiliation for, and hatred of sin,¹⁴ along with a clearer view of their need for Christ and the perfection of his obedience.  The law is also useful to the regenerate to restrain their corruptions because it forbids sin.  The punishment threatened by the law shows them what even their sins deserve and what troubles they may expect in this life due to their sin, even though they are freed from the curse and undiminished severity of it. The promises of the law likewise show them God's approval of obedience and the blessings they may expect when they keep it, even though these blessings are not owed to them by the law as a covenant of works.  If people do good and refrain from evil because the law encourages good and discourages evil, that does not indicate that they are under the law and not under grace.¹⁵

¹³Romans 6:14; Galatians 2:16; Romans 8:1; 10:4. ¹⁴Romans 3:20; 7:7, etc; ¹⁵Romans 6:12-14; 1 Peter 3:8-13.

7.  These uses of the law are not contrary to the grace of the Gospel but are in sweet harmony with it,¹⁶ for the Spirit of Christ subdues and enables the human will to do freely and cheerfully what the will of God as revealed in the law requires.¹⁷

¹⁶Galatians 3:21. ¹⁷Ezekiel 36:27.

 Original

Reeves

Chapter 18: Of the Assurance of Grace and Salvation

1. Although temporary believers, and other unregenerate men, may vainly deceive themselves with false hopes and carnal presumptions of being in the favour of God and state of salvation, which hope of theirs shall perish; yet such as truly believe in the Lord Jesus, and love him in sincerity, endeavouring to walk in all good conscience before him, may in this life be certainly assured that they are in the state of grace, and may rejoice in the hope of the glory of God, which hope shall never make them ashamed.

( Job 8:13, 14; Matthew 7:22, 23; 1 John 2:3; 1 John 3:14, 18, 19, 21, 24; 1 John 5:13; Romans 5:2, 5 )

2. This certainty is not a bare conjectural and probable persuasion grounded upon a fallible hope, but an infallible assurance of faith founded on the blood and righteousness of Christ revealed in the Gospel; and also upon the inward evidence of those graces of the Spirit unto which promises are made, and on the testimony of the Spirit of adoption, witnessing with our spirits that we are the children of God; and, as a fruit thereof, keeping the heart both humble and holy.

( Hebrews 6:11, 19; Hebrews 6:17, 18; 2 Peter 1:4, 5, 10, 11; Romans 8:15, 16; 1 John 3:1-3 )

3. This infallible assurance doth not so belong to the essence of faith, but that a true believer may wait long, and conflict with many difficulties before he be partaker of it; yet being enabled by the Spirit to know the things which are freely given him of God, he may, without extraordinary revelation, in the right use of means, attain thereunto: and therefore it is the duty of every one to give all diligence to make his calling and election sure, that thereby his heart may be enlarged in peace and joy in the Holy Spirit, in love and thankfulness to God, and in strength and cheerfulness in the duties of obedience, the proper fruits of this assurance; -so far is it from inclining men to looseness.

( Isaiah 50:10; Psalms 88; Psalms 77:1-12; 1 John 4:13; Hebrews 6:11, 12; Romans 5:1, 2, 5; Romans 14:17; Psalms 119:32; Romans 6:1,2; Titus 2:11, 12, 14 )

4. True believers may have the assurance of their salvation divers ways shaken, diminished, and intermitted; as by negligence in preserving of it, by falling into some special sin which woundeth the conscience and grieveth the Spirit; by some sudden or vehement temptation, by God's withdrawing the light of his countenance, and suffering even such as fear him to walk in darkness and to have no light, yet are they never destitute of the seed of God and life of faith, that love of Christ and the brethren, that sincerity of heart and conscience of duty out of which, by the operation of the Spirit, this assurance may in due time be revived, and by the which, in the meantime, they are preserved from utter despair.

( Canticles 5:2, 3, 6; Psalms 51:8, 12, 14; Psalms 116:11; Psalms 77:7, 8; Psalms 31:22; Psalms 30:7; 1 John 3:9; Luke 22:32; Psalms 42:5, 11; Lamentations 3:26-31 )

Chapter 18:

Assurance of Grace and Salvation

1. Temporary believers and other unregenerate people may deceive themselves with futile and false hopes and fleshly presumptions that they have God’s favor and salvation, but their hope will perish.¹  Yet those who truly believe in the Lord Jesus, love him sincerely and endeavor to walk in all good conscience before him may be certainly assured in this life that they are in a state of grace.  They may rejoice in the hope of the glory of God,² and this hope will never make them ashamed.³

¹Job 8:13, 14; Matthew 7:22, 23. ²1 John 2:3; 3:14, 18, 19, 21, 24; 5:13. ³Romans 5:2, 5.

2. This certainty is not merely an inconclusive or likely persuasion based on a fallible hope.  It is an infallible assurance of faith⁴ founded on the blood and righteousness of Christ revealed in the Gospel.⁵  It is also built on the inward evidence of those graces of the Spirit about which promises are made.⁶  It is further based on the testimony of the Spirit of adoption, witnessing with our spirits that we are the children of God.⁷  As a fruit of this assurance, our hearts are kept both humble and holy.⁸

⁴Hebrews 6:11, 19. ⁵Hebrews 6:17, 18. ⁶2 Peter 1:4, 5, 10, 11. ⁷Romans 8:15, 16. ⁸1 John 3:1-3.

3. This infallible assurance is not such an essential part of faith that it is always fully experienced alongside faith, but true believers may wait a long time and struggle with many difficulties before obtaining it.⁹  Yet with the enabling of the Spirit to know the things freely given to them by God, they may attain this assurance using ordinary means appropriately without any extraordinary revelation.¹⁰  Therefore, it is the duty of all to be as diligent as possible to make their calling and election sure.  In this way their hearts may be enlarged in peace and joy in the Holy Spirit, in love and thankfulness to God, and in strength and cheerfulness in the duties of obedience. These effects are the natural fruits of this assurance.¹¹  Thus, it does not at all encourage believers to be negligent.¹²

⁹Isaiah 50:10; Psalms 88; 77:1-12. ¹⁰1 John 4:13; Hebrews 6:11, 12. ¹¹Romans 5:1, 2, 5; 14:17; Psalms 119:32. ¹²Romans 6:1, 2; Titus 2:11, 12, 14.

4. True believers may in various ways have the assurance of their salvation shaken, decreased, or temporarily lost.  This may happen because they neglect to preserve it¹³ or fall into some specific sin that wounds their conscience and grieves the Spirit.¹⁴  It may happen through some unexpected or forceful temptation¹⁵ or when God withdraws the light of his face and allows even those who fear him to walk in darkness and to have no light.¹⁶  Yet they are never completely lacking the seed of God,¹⁷ the life of faith,¹⁸ love of Christ and the brethren, sincerity of heart, or conscience concerning their duty.  Out of these graces, through the work of the Spirit, this assurance may at the proper time be revived.¹⁹  In the meantime, they are kept from utter despair through them.²⁰

¹³Song of Solomon 5:2, 3, 6. ¹⁴Psalms 51:8, 12, 14. ¹⁵Psalms 116:11; 77:7, 8; 31:22; ¹⁶Psalms 30:7. ¹⁷1 John 3:9. ¹⁸Luke 22:32. ¹⁹Psalms 42:5, 11. ²⁰Lamentations 3:26-31.