The Book of Confessions - The Presbyterian Leader

4. God did, from all eternity, decree to justify all the elect; (277) and Christ did, in the
fullness of time, die for their sins and rise again for their justification: (278) nevertheless they are
not justified until the Holy Spirit doth, in due time, actually apply Christ unto them. (279)
5. God doth continue to forgive the sins of those that are justified; (280) and although
they can never fall from the state of justification, (281) yet they may by their sins fall under
God's Fatherly displeasure, and not have the light of his countenance restored unto them, until
they humble themselves, confess their sins, beg pardon, and renew their faith and
repentance. (282)
6. The justification of believers under the Old Testament was, in all these respects, one
and the same with the justification of believers under the New Testament. (283)
CHAPTER XIV/CHAPTER XII - Of Adoption
1. All those that are justified, God vouchsafeth, in and for his only Son Jesus Christ, to
make partakers of the grace of adoption: (284) by which they are taken into the number, and
enjoy the liberties and privileges of the children of God; (285) have his name put upon
them; (286) receive the Spirit of adoption; (287) have access to the throne of grace with
boldness; (288) are enabled to cry, Abba, Father; (289) are pitied, (290) protected, (291)
provided for, (292) and chastened by him as by a father; (293) yet never cast off, (294) but
sealed to the day of redemption, (295) and inherit the promises, (296) as heirs of everlasting
salvation. (297)
CHAPTER XV/CHAPTER XIII - Of Sanctification
1. They who are effectually called and regenerated, having a new heart and a new spirit
created in them, are further sanctified, really and personally, through the virtue of Christ's death
and resurrection, by his Word and Spirit dwelling in them; (298) the dominion of the whole body
of sin is destroyed, (299) and the several lusts thereof are more and more weakened and
mortified, (300) and they more and more quickened and strengthened, in all saving graces, (301)
to the practice of true holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord. (302)
2. This sanctification is throughout in the whole man, (303) 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. (304)
3. In which war, although the remaining corruption for a time may much prevail, (305)
yet, through the continual supply of strength from the sanctifying Spirit of Christ, the regenerate
part doth overcome: (306) and so the saints grow in grace, (307) perfecting holiness in the fear
of God. (308)
CHAPTER XVI/CHAPTER XIV - Of Saving Faith
Copyright © 1996 by the Office of the General Assembly, Presbyterian Church (USA)