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The Book of Confessions - The Presbyterian Leader

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10. <strong>The</strong> Supreme Judge, by which (47) all controversies <strong>of</strong> religion are to be determined,<br />

and all decrees <strong>of</strong> councils, opinions <strong>of</strong> ancient writers, doctrines <strong>of</strong> men, and private spirits, are<br />

to be examined, and in whose sentence we are to rest, can be no other but the Holy Spirit<br />

speaking in the Scripture. (48)<br />

CHAPTER II - Of God, and <strong>of</strong> the Holy Trinity<br />

1. <strong>The</strong>re is but one only living and true God, (49) who is infinite in being and<br />

perfection, (50) a most pure spirit, (51) invisible, (52) without body, parts, or passions, (53)<br />

immutable, (54) immense, (55) eternal, (56) incomprehensible, (57) almighty; (58) most<br />

wise, (59) most holy, (60) most free, (61) most absolute, (62) working all things according<br />

to the counsel <strong>of</strong> his own immutable and most righteous will, (63) for his own glory; (64)<br />

most loving, (65) gracious, merciful, long- suffering, abundant in goodness and truth, forgiving<br />

iniquity, transgression, and sin; (66) the rewarder <strong>of</strong> them that diligently seek him; (67) and<br />

withalh(68) most just and terrible in his judgments; (69) hating all sin, (70) and who will by no<br />

means clear the guilty. (71)<br />

2. God hath all life, glory, goodness, blessedness, in and <strong>of</strong> himself; (72) and is alone in<br />

and unto himself all-sufficient, not standing in need <strong>of</strong> any creatures which he hath made, nor<br />

deriving any glory from them, but only manifesting his own glory in, by, unto, and upon<br />

them: (73) he is the alone fountain <strong>of</strong> all being, <strong>of</strong> whom, through whom, and to whom, are all<br />

things; (74) and hath most sovereign dominion over them, to do by them, for them, or (75) upon<br />

them, whatsoever himself pleaseth. (76) In his sight all things are open and manifest; (77) his<br />

knowledge is infinite, infallible, and independent upon the creature; (78) so as nothing is to him<br />

contingent or uncertain. (79) He is most holy in all his counsels, in all his works, and in all his<br />

commands. (80) To him is due from angels and men, and every other creature, whatsoever<br />

worship, service, or obedience he is pleased to require <strong>of</strong> them. (81)<br />

3. In the unity <strong>of</strong> the Godhead there be three Persons <strong>of</strong> one substance, power, and<br />

eternity: God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Ghost. (82) <strong>The</strong> Father is <strong>of</strong> none,<br />

neither begotten nor proceeding; the Son is eternally begotten <strong>of</strong> the Father; (83) the Holy<br />

Ghost eternally proceeding from the Father and the Son. (84)<br />

CHAPTER III (85) - Of God's Eternal Decrees (86)<br />

1. God from all eternity did by the most wise and holy counsel <strong>of</strong> his own will, freely and<br />

unchangeably ordain whatsoever comes to pass; (87) yet so as thereby neither is God the author<br />

<strong>of</strong> sin; (88) nor is violence <strong>of</strong>fered to the will <strong>of</strong> the creatures, nor is the liberty or contingency <strong>of</strong><br />

second causes taken away, but rather established. (89)<br />

2. Although God knows whatsoever may or can come to pass, upon all supposed<br />

conditions; (90) yet hath he not decreed anything because he foresaw it as future, or as that<br />

Copyright © 1996 by the Office <strong>of</strong> the General Assembly, <strong>Presbyterian</strong> Church (USA)

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