The Confession of Faith, and the Larger and Shorter Catechism

Name: The Confession of Faith, and the Larger and Shorter Catechism
Author: Westminster Assembly

The confession of faith ; and, The larger and shorter catechism first agreed upon by the Westminster Assembly of Divines at Westminster, and now approved by the General Assembly of the kirk of Scotland to be a part of uniformity in religion between the kirks of Christ in the three kingdoms.

Westminster Assembly 1643–1652

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The third thing requisite to evidence true faith is, that obedience to the Law run in the right channel, that is through faith in Christ, &c. holden forth, 1 Tim. 1.5.

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Now the end of the Commandment is love out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience and of saith unfeigned.

NOw the end of the Commandment is love out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience and of saith unfaigned.

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Wherein the Apostle teacheth these seven Doctrines.

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1. That the obedience of the Law must flow from love, and love from a pure heart, and a pure heart from a good Conscience, and a good conscience from Faith unfeigned, this he maketh the only right channel of good works, the end of the Law is Love, &c.

1. That the obedience of the Law must flow from love, and love from a pure heart, and a pure heart from a good Conscience, and a good conscience from Faith unfaigned, this he maketh the only right channel of good works, the end of the Law is Love, &c.

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2. That the end of the Law is not that men may be justified by their obedience of it, ⟨image 124⟩as the Jewish Doctors did falsely teach: for it is impossible that sinners can be justified by the Law, who for every transgression are condemned by the Law: for the end of the Law is (not such as the Jewish Doctors taught, but) love out of a pure heart, &c.

2. That the end of the Law is not that men may be justified by their obedience of it, ⟨image 124⟩as the Jewish Doctors did falsly teach: for it is impossible that sinners can be justified by the Law, who for every transgression are condemned by the Law: for the end of the Law is (not such as the Jewish Doctors taught, but) love out of a pure heart, &c.

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3. That the true end of the Law, preached unto the people, is that they, by the Law, being made to see their deserved condemnation, should fly to Christ unfeignedly, to be justified by faith in him: So saith the Text, while it maketh love to flow through faith in Christ.

3. That the true end of the Law, preached unto the people, is that they, by the Law, being made to see their deserved condemnation, should flie to Christ unfaignedly, to be justified by faith in him: So saith the Text, while it maketh love to flow through faith in Christ.

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4. That no man can set himself in love to obey the Law, except in as far as his conscience is quieted by faith, or is seeking to be quieted in Christ, for the end of the Law is love of a good conscience, and faith unfeigned.

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5. That feigned faith goeth to Christ without reckoning with the Law, and so wants an errand; but unfeigned faith reckoneth with the Law, and is forced to fly for refuge unto Christ as the end of the Law, for righteousness so often as it finds it self guilty for breaking of the Law: For the end of the Law is faith unfeigned.

5. That faigned faith goeth to Christ without reckoning with the Law, and so wants an errand; but unfaigned faith reckoneth with the Law, and is forced to flie for refuge unto Christ as the end of the Law, for righteousness so often as it finds it self guilty for breaking of the Law: For the end of the Law is faith unfaigned.

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6. That the fruits of love may come forth in act particularly it is necessary, that the heart be brought to the hatred of all sin and uncleanness, and to a steadfast purpose to follow all holiness universal; for the end of the Law is love out of a pure heart.

6. That the fruits of love may come forth in act particularly it is necessary, that the heart be brought to the hatred of all sin and uncleanness, and to a stedfast purpose to follow all holiness universal; for the end of the Law is love out of a pure heart.

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7. That unfeigned f•ith is able to make the conscience good, and the heart pure, and the ⟨image 124⟩man lovingly obedient to the Law; for when Christs blood is seen by faith to quiet justice, then the conscience becometh quiet also, and will not suffer the heart to entertain the love of sin, but sets the man on work to fear God for his mercy, and to obey all his commandments out of love to God for his free gift of justification by grace bestowed on him: For this is the end of the Law indeed, whereby it obtaineth of a man more obedience than any other way.

7. That unfaigned f•ith is able to make the conscience good, and the heart pure, and the ⟨image 124⟩man lovingly obedient to the Law; for when Christs blood is seen by faith to quiet justice, then the conscience becometh quiet also, and will not suffer the heart to entertain the love of sin, but sets the man on work to fear God for his mercy, and to obey all his commandments out of love to God for his free gift of justification by grace bestowed on him: For this is the end of the Law indeed, whereby it obtaineth of a man more obedience than any other way.

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The fourth thing requisite to evidence true faith is, the keeping of strait communion with Christ, the fountain of all grace and of all good works: holden forth, John 15.5.

The fourth thing requisite to evidence true faith is, the keeping of strait communion with Christ, the fountain of all grace and of all good works: holden forth, Iohn 15.5.

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I Am the true vine, ye are the branches, he that abideth in me and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit; for without me ye can do nothing.

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Wherein Christ in a similitude from a vine tree teacheth us.

Reformers309

Puritans1,782

Westminster Assembly24

Evangelicals36

The third thing requisite to evidence true faith is, that obedience to the Law run in the right channel, that is through faith in Christ, &c. holden forth, 1 Tim. 1.5.

The fourth thing requisite to evidence true faith is, the keeping of strait communion with Christ, the fountain of all grace and of all good works: holden forth, John 15.5.

The fourth thing requisite to evidence true faith is, the keeping of strait communion with Christ, the fountain of all grace and of all good works: holden forth, Iohn 15.5.