1689 Confession, Perseverance of the Saints, Paragraph 2

1689 CONFESSION OF FAITH, Ch. 17, "Of the Perseverance of the Saints," Para. 2

I. PERSEVERANCE GROUNDED IN ELECTION. "This perseverance of the saints depends not upon their own free will, but upon the immutability of the decree of election…"

A. Perseverance a result of predestination.
B. Perseverance a result of calling.
C. Perseverance a result of justification.
D. Perseverance to final glorification.

II. PERSEVERANCE FLOWS FROM THE LOVE OF GOD. "...flowing from the free and unchangeable love of God the Father, upon the efficacy of the merit and intercession of Jesus Christ and union with Him…"

Free and unchangeable love of the Father based UPON the efficacy:
A. Of the merit of Christ.
B. Of the intercession of Christ.
C. Of union with Christ.

III. PERSEVERANCE AND THE OATH OF GOD. "…the oath of God…"

A. Meaning of oath.
B. Promise of immutability by oath.
C. The oath is our consolation.

IV. PERSEVERANCE AND THE SEED OF GOD WITHIN THEM. "...the abiding of His Spirit, and the seed of God within them…"

A. The abiding of the Spirit leads to perseverance.
B. The implanted seed leads to perseverance.
C. Regeneration means we cannot sin.

V. PERSEVERANCE AND THE COVENANT OF GRACE. "...and the nature of the covenant of grace…"

A. The COG is something God says: "I will make."
B. The COG is something God says promises to: "do them good."
C. The COG is something God says: "will put my fear in their hearts..."

1. The fear of God is from God.
2. The fear of God is the beginning of all knowledge.
3. The fear of God is the reason that they shall not depart from Him.

"...from all which ariseth also the certainty and infallibility thereof."