The Book of Confessions - The Presbyterian Leader

danger, (1134) but also of the filthiness and odiousness of his sins, (1135) and upon the
apprehension of God's mercy in Christ to such as are penitent, (1136) he so grieves for, and hates
his sins, (1137) as that he turns from them all to God, (1138) purposing and endeavoring
constantly to walk with him in all the ways of new obedience. (1139)
Q. 77. Wherein do justification and sanctification differ?
A. Although sanctification be inseparably joined with justification, (1140) yet they
differ in that God, in justification, imputeth the righteousness of Christ; (1141) in sanctification,
his Spirit infuseth grace, and enableth to the exercise thereof; (1142) in the former, sin is
pardoned; (1143) in the other, it is subdued; (1144) the one doth equally free all believers from
the revenging wrath of God, and that perfectly in this life, that they never fall into
condemnation; (1145) the other is neither equal in all, (1146) nor in this life perfect in
any, (1147) but growing up to perfection. (1148)
Q. 78. Whence ariseth the imperfection of sanctification in believers?
A. The imperfection of sanctification in believers ariseth from the remnants of sin
abiding in every part of them, and the perpetual lusting of the flesh against the Spirit; whereby
they are often foiled with temptations, and fall into many sins, (1149) are hindered in all their
spiritual service, (1150) and their best works are imperfect and defiled in the sight of
God. (1151)
Q. 79. May not true believers, by reason of their imperfections, and the many
temptations and sins they are overtaken with, fall away from the state of grace?
A. True believers, by reason of the unchangeable love of God, (1152) and his decree
and covenant to give them perseverance, (1153) their inseparable union with Christ, (1154) his
continual intercession for them, (1155) and the Spirit and seed of God abiding in them, (1156)
can neither totally nor finally fall away from the state of grace, but are kept by the power of God
through faith unto salvation. (1157)
Q. 80. Can true believers be infallibly assured that they are in the estate of grace,
and that they shall persevere therein unto salvation?
A. Such as truly believe in Christ, and endeavor to walk in all good conscience before
him, may, without extraordinary revelation, by faith grounded upon the truth of God's promises,
and by the Spirit enabling them to discern in themselves those graces to which the promises of life
are made, and bearing witness with their spirits that they are the children of God, be infallibly
assured that they are in the estate of grace, and shall persevere therein unto salvation. (1158)
Q. 81. Are all true believers at all times assured of their present being in the estate
of grace, and that they shall be saved?
A. Assurance of grace and salvation not being of the essence of faith, true believers
Copyright © 1996 by the Office of the General Assembly, Presbyterian Church (USA)