THE
WESTMINSTER
CONFESSION OF FAITH
CHAP. XI. - Of Justification.
1. Those whom God effectually calleth, He also freely justifieth: not by infusing
righteousness into them, but by pardoning their sins, and by accounting and accepting
their persons as righteous; not for any thing wrought in them, or done by them, but for
Christ's sake alone; nor by imputing faith itself, the act of believing, or any other
evangelical obedience to them, as their righteousness; but by imputing the obedience and
satisfaction of Christ unto them, they receiving and resting on Him and His righteousness
by faith; which faith they have not of themselves, it is the gift of God.
2. Faith, thus receiving and resting on Christ and His righteousness, is the alone
instrument of justification: yet is it not alone in the person justified, but is ever
accompanied with all other saving graces, and is no dead faith, but worketh by love.
3. Christ, by His obedience and death, did fully discharge the debt of all those that
are thus justified, and did make a proper, real, and full satisfaction to His Father's
justice in their behalf. Yet, in as much as He was given by the Father for them; and His
obedience and satisfaction accepted in their stead; and both, freely, not for any thing in
them; their justification is only of free grace; that both the exact justice, and rich
grace of God might be glorified in the justification of sinners.
4. God did, from all eternity, decree to justify all the elect, and Christ did, in the
fulness of time, die for their sins, and rise for their justification: nevertheless, they
are not justified, until the Holy Spirit doth, in due time, actually apply Christ unto
them.
5. God doth continue to forgive the sins of those that are justified; and, although
they can never fall from the state of justification, 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.
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.
CHAP. 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, by which they are taken into the number, and
enjoy the liberties and privileges of the children of God, have His name put upon them,
receive the spirit of adoption, have access to the throne of grace with boldness, are
enabled to cry, Abba, Father, are pitied, protected, provided for, and chastened by Him as
by a Father: yet never cast off, but sealed to the day of redemption; and inherit the
promises, as heirs of everlasting salvation.
CHAP. XIII. - Of Sanctification.
1. They, who are once 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, the
dominion of the whole body of sin is destroyed, and the several lusts thereof are more and
more weakened and mortified; and they more and more quickened and strengthened in all
saving graces, to the practice of true holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord.
2. This sanctification is throughout, in the whole man; yet imperfect in this life,
there abiding 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.
3. In which war, although the remaining corruption, for a time, may much prevail; yet,
through the continual supply of strength from the sanctifying Spirit of Christ, the
regenerate part doth overcome; and so, the saints grow in grace, perfecting holiness in
the fear of God.
CHAP. XIV. - Of Saving Faith.
1. The grace of faith, whereby the elect are enabled to believe to the saving of their
souls, is the work of the Spirit of Christ in their hearts, and is ordinarily wrought by
the ministry of the Word, by which also, and by the administration of the sacraments, and
prayer, it is increased and strengthened.
2. By this faith, a Christian believeth to be true whatsoever is revealed in the Word,
for the authority of God Himself speaking therein; and acteth differently upon that which
each particular passage thereof containeth; yielding obedience to the commands, trembling
at the threatenings, and embracing the promises of God for this life, and that which is to
come. But the principal acts of saving faith are accepting, receiving, and resting upon
Christ alone for justification, sanctification, and eternal life, by virtue of the
covenant of grace.
3. This faith is different in degrees, weak or strong; may be often and many ways
assailed, and weakened, but gets the victory: growing up in many to the attainment of a
full assurance, through Christ, who is both the author and finisher of our faith.
CHAP. XV. - Of Repentance unto Life.
1. Repentance unto life is an evangelical grace, the doctrine whereof is to be preached
by every minister of the Gospel, as well as that of faith in Christ.
2. By it, a sinner, out of the sight and sense not only of the danger, but also of the
filthiness and odiousness of his sins, as contrary to the holy nature, and righteous law
of God; and upon the apprehension of His mercy in Christ to such as are penitent, so
grieves for, and hates his sins, as to turn from them all unto God, purposing and
endeavouring to walk with Him in all the ways of His commandments.
3. Although repentance be not to be rested in, as any satisfaction for sin, or any
cause of the pardon thereof, which is the act of God's free grace in Christ; yet it is of
such necessity to all sinners, that none may expect pardon without it.
4. As there is no sin so small, but it deserves damnation; so there is no sin so great,
that it can bring damnation upon those who truly repent.
5. Men ought not to content themselves with a general repentance, but it is every man's
duty to endeavour to repent of his particular sins, particularly.
6. As every man is bound to make private confession of his sins to God, praying for the
pardon thereof; upon which, and the forsaking of them, he shall find mercy; so, he that
scandalizeth his brother, or the Church of Christ, ought to be willing, by a private or
publick confession, and sorrow for his sin, to declare his repentance to those that are
offended, who are thereupon to be reconciled to him, and in love to receive him.
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PCA COF Contents | COF I - V | COF VI - X | COF XI - XV
COF XVI - XX | COF XXI -
XXV | COF XXVI - XXX | COF XXXI - XXXIII |
