Of the Holy Scriptures
Of the Old Testament
Of the New Testament
Of God and of the Holy Trinity
Of God's Eternal Decree
Of Creation
Of Providence
Of the Fall of Man, of Sin, and of the Punishment Thereof
Of God's Covenant
Of Christ the Mediator
Of Free Will
Of Effectual Calling
Of Justification
Of Adoption
Of Sanctification
Of Saving Faith
Of Repentance unto Life and Salvation
Of Good Works
Of the Perseverance of the Saints
Of the Assurance of Grace and Salvation
Of the Law of God
Of the Gospel, and the Extent of the Grace Thereof
Of Christian Liberty and Liberty of Conscienceg
Of Religious Worship and the Sabbath Day
Of Lawful Oaths and Vows
Of the Civil Magistrate
Of Marriage
Of the Church
Of the Communion of Saints
Of Baptism and the Lord's Supper
Of Baptism
Of the Lord's Supper
Of the State of Men after Death, and of the Resurrection of the Dead
Of the Last Judgment
LBC 1.1 The Holy Scripture is the only sufficient, certain, and infallible rule of all saving knowledge, faith, and obedience. Although the light of nature, and the works of creation and providence do so far manifest the goodness, wisdom, and power of God, as to leave men unexcusable, yet are they not sufficient to give that knowledge of God and of his will which is necessary unto salvation. Therefore it pleased the Lord at sundry times and in divers manners to reveal himself, and to declare that his will unto the church; and afterwards for the better preserving and propagating of the truth, and for the more sure establishment and comfort of the church against the corruption of the flesh, and the malice of Satan, and of the world, to commit the same wholly unto writing; which maketh the holy Scripture to be most necessary, those former ways of Gods revealing his will unto his people being now ceased.
LBC 1.2 Under the name of holy Scripture, or the Word of God written, are now contained all the books of the Old and New Testaments, which are these:
Genesis Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy, Joshua, Judges, Ruth, I &;II Samuel, I &;II Kings, I &;II Chronicles, Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther, Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, The Song of Solomon, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Lamentations, Ezekiel, Daniel, Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, &;Malachi.
Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, The Acts of the Apostles, Romans, I &;II
Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, I &;II
Thessalonians, I &;II Timothy, Titus, Philemon, Hebrews, James, I &;II
Peter, I II &;III John, Jude, Revelation.
All which are given by the inspiration of God to be the rule of faith and
life.
LBC 1.3 The books commonly called 'Apocrypha', not being of divine inspiration, are no part of the canon of the Scripture, and therefore are of no authority in the church of God, nor to be any otherwise approved, or made use of, than other human writings.
LBC 1.4 The authority of the holy Scripture, for which it ought to be believed, and obeyed, dependeth not upon the testimony of any man, or church; but wholly upon God (who is truth itself) the author thereof: and therefore it is to be received, because it is the Word of God.
LBC 1.5 We may be moved and induced by the testimony of the church to an high and reverent esteem of the holy Scripture. And the heavenliness of the matter, the efficacy of the doctrine, the majesty of the style, the consent of all the parts, the scope of the whole (which is, to give all glory to God), the full discovery it makes of the only way of man's salvation, the many other incomparable excellencies, and the entire perfection thereof, are arguments whereby it doth abundantly evidence itself to be the Word of God: yet notwithstanding, our full persuasion and assurance of the infallible truth and divine authority thereof, is from the inward work of the Holy Spirit bearing witness by and with the Word in our hearts.
LBC 1.6 The whole counsel of God concerning all things necessary for his
own glory, man's salvation, faith and life, is either expressly set down in
Scripture, or by good and necessary consequence may be deduced from
Scripture: unto which nothing at any time is to be added, whether by new
revelations of the Spirit, or traditions of men.
Nevertheless, we acknowledge the inward illumination of the Spirit of God
to be necessary for the saving understanding of such things as are
revealed in the Word: and that there are some circumstances concerning
the worship of God, and government of the church, common to human
actions and societies, which are to be ordered by the light of nature and
Christian prudence, according to the general rules of the Word, which are
always to be observed.
LBC 1.7 All things in scripture are not alike plain in themselves, nor alike clear unto all: yet those things which are necessary to be known, believed, and observed for salvation, are so clearly propounded, and opened in some place of Scripture or other, that not only the learned, but the unlearned, in due use of ordinary means, may attain unto a sufficient understanding of them.
LBC 1.8 The Old Testament in Hebrew (which was the native language of the people of God of old), and the New Testament in Greek (which, at the time of the writing of it, was most generally known to the nations), being immediately inspired by God, and by his singular care and providence kept pure in all ages, are therefore authentic; so as, in all controversies of religion, the church is finally to appeal to them. But because these original tongues are not known to all the people of God, who have a right unto, and interest in the Scriptures, and are commanded in the fear of God to read and search them, therefore they are to be translated into the vulgar language of every nation unto which they come, that the Word of God dwelling plentifully in all, they may worship him in an acceptable manner, and, through patience and comfort of the Scriptures may have hope.
LBC 1.9 The infallible rule of interpretation of Scripture is the Scripture itself: and therefore, when there is a question about the true and full sense of any Scripture (which is not manifold, but one), it must be searched and known by other places that speak more clearly.
LBC 1.10 The supreme judge by which all controversies of religion are to be determined, and all decrees of councils, opinions of ancient writers, doctrines of men and private spirits, are to be examined, and in whose sentence we are to rest, can be no other, but the Holy Scripture delivered by the Spirit, into which Scripture so delivered, our faith is finally resolved.
LBC 2.1 The Lord our God is but one only living and true God; whose
subsistence is in and of himself, infinite in being and perfection, a most
pure spirit, invisible, without body, parts, or passions, who only hath
immortality, dwelling in light which no man can approach unto; who is
immutable, immense, eternal, incomprehensible, almighty, every way
infinite, most holy, most wise, most free, most absolute; working all
things according to the counsel of his own immutable and most righteous
will for his own glory; most loving, gracious, merciful, longsuffering,
abundant in goodness and truth, forgiving iniquity, transgression, and sin;
the rewarder of them that diligently seek him; and withal most just and
terrible in his judgments, hating all sin, and who will by no means clear
the guilty.
LBC 2.2 God having all life, glory, goodness, blessedness, in and of himself; and is alone in and unto himself all-sufficient, not standing in need of any creatures which he hath made, nor deriving any glory from them, but only manifesting his own glory in, by, unto, and upon them. He is the alone fountain of all being, of whom, through whom, and to whom are all things; and hath most sovereign dominion over all creatures, to do by them, for them, or upon them whatsoever himself pleaseth. In his sight all things are open and manifest, his knowledge is infinite, infallible, and independent upon the creature, so as nothing is to him contingent, or uncertain. He is most holy in all his counsels, in all his works, and in all his commands. To him is due from angels and men, and every other creature, whatsoever worship, service, or obedience he is pleased to require of them.
LBC 2.3 In this divine and infinite Being there are three subsistences, the Father, the Word (or Son), and the Holy Spirit, of one substance, power, and eternity each having the whole divine essence, yet the essence undivided: the father is of none, neither begotten nor proceeding; the Son is eternally begotten of the Father; the Holy Spirit eternally proceeding from the Father and the Son; all infinite, without beginning, therefore but one God, who is not to be divided in nature or being, but distinguished by several peculiar, relative properties and personal relations; Which doctrine of the Trinity is the foundation of all our communion with God, and comfortable dependence upon him.
LBC 3.1 God, from all eternity, did, by the most wise and holy counsel of his own will, freely, and unchangeably ordain whatsoever comes to pass: yet so, as thereby neither is God the author of sin, nor is violence offered to the will of the creatures; nor is the liberty or contingency of second causes taken away, but rather established.
LBC 3.2 Although God knows whatsoever may or can come to pass upon all supposed conditions, yet hath he not decreed anything because he foresaw it as future, or as that which would come to pass upon such conditions.
LBC 3.3 By the decree of God, for the manifestation of his glory, some men and angels are predestined, or foreordained to eternal life through Jesus Christ, to the praise of his glorious grace; others being left to act in their sin to their just condemnation, to the praise of his glorious justice.
LBC 3.4 These angels and men, thus predestinated, and foreordained, are particularly and unchangeably designed, and their number so certain and definite, that it cannot be either increased or diminished.
LBC 3.5 Those of mankind that are predestinated unto life, God, before the foundation of the world was laid, according to his eternal and immutable purpose, and the secret counsel and good pleasure of his will, hath chosen in Christ unto everlasting glory, out of his mere free grace and love, without any other thing in the creature as a condition or cause moving him thereunto.
LBC 3.6 As God hath appointed the elect unto glory, so hath he, by the eternal and most free purpose of his will, foreordained all the means thereunto. Wherefore, they who are elected, being fallen in Adam, are redeemed by Christ, are effectually called unto faith in Christ by his Spirit working in due season, are justified, adopted, sanctified, and kept by his power, through faith, unto salvation. Neither are any other redeemed by Christ, effectually called, justified, adopted, sanctified, and saved, but the elect only.
LBC 4.1 It pleased God the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, for the manifestation of the glory of his eternal power, wisdom, and goodness, in the beginning, to create, or make of nothing, the world, and all things therein, whether visible or invisible, in the space of six days; and all very good.
LBC 4.2 After God had made all other creatures, he created man, male and female, with reasonable and immortal souls, rendering them fit unto that life to God for which they were created; being made after the image of God, in knowledge, righteousness, and true holiness; having the law of God written in their hearts, and power to fulfill it, and yet under a possibility of transgressing, being left to the liberty of their own will, which was subject unto change.
LBC 4.3 Beside this law written in their hearts, they received a command, not to eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil which while they kept, they were happy in their communion with God, and had dominion over the creatures.
LBC 5.1 God the good Creator of all things, in his infinite power and wisdom, doth uphold, direct, dispose, and govern all creatures, and things, from the greatest even to the least, by his most wise and holy providence, to the end for which they were created, according to his infallible foreknowledge, and the free and immutable counsel of his own will, to the praise of the glory of his wisdom, power, justice, infinite goodness, and mercy.
LBC 5.2 Although, in relation to the foreknowledge and decree of God, the first Cause, all things come to pass immutably and infallibly; so that there is not anything befalls any by chance, or without his providence; yet by the same providence he ordereth them to fall out according to the nature of second causes, either necessarily, freely, or contingently.
LBC 5.3 God, in his ordinary providence, maketh use of means, yet is free to work without, above, and against them at his pleasure.
LBC 6.1 Although God created man upright and perfect, and gave him a righteous law, which had been unto life had he kept it, and threatened death upon the breach thereof, yet he did not long abide in this honor; Satan using the subtlety of the serpent to seduce Eve, then by her seducing Adam, who, without any compulsion, did willingly transgress the law of their creation, and the command given unto them, in eating the forbidden fruit, which God was pleased, according to his wise and holy counsel to permit, having purposed to order it to his own glory.
LBC 6.2 Our first parents, by this sin, fell from their original righteousness and communion with God, and we in them, whereby death came upon all: all becoming dead in sin, and wholly defiled in all the faculties and parts of soul and body.
LBC 6.3 They being the root, and by God's appointment, standing in the room and stead of all mankind, the guilt of this sin was imputed, and corrupted nature conveyed to all their posterity descending from them by ordinary generation, being now conceived in sin, and by nature children of wrath, the servants of sin, the subjects of death, and all other miseries, spiritual, temporal, and eternal, unless the Lord Jesus set them free.
LBC 7.1 The distance between God and the creature is so great, that although reasonable creatures do owe obedience unto him as their Creator, yet they could never have attained the reward of life, but by some voluntary condescension on God's part, which he hath been pleased to express by way of covenant.
LBC 7.2 Moreover, man having brought himself under the curse of the law by his fall, it pleased the Lord to make a covenant of grace, wherein he freely offereth unto sinners life and salvation by Jesus Christ, requiring of them faith in him, that they may be saved; and promising to give unto all those that are ordained unto eternal life, his Holy Spirit, to make them willing and able to believe.
LBC 7.3 This covenant is revealed in the gospel; first of all to Adam in the promise of salvation by the seed of the woman, and afterward by farther steps, until the full discovery thereof was completed in the New Testament; and it is founded in that eternal covenant transaction that was between the Father and the Son about the redemption of the elect; and it is alone by the grace of this covenant that all of the posterity of fallen Adam that ever were saved did obtain life and a blessed immortality, man being now utterly incapable of acceptance with God upon those terms on which Adam stood in his state of innocency.
LBC 8.1 It pleased God, in his eternal purpose, to chose and ordain the Lord Jesus, his only begotten Son, according to the covenant made between them both, to be the Mediator between God and man; the Prophet, Priest, and King, the Head and Savior of his church, the Heir of all things, and Judge of the world; unto whom he did from all eternity give a people to be his seed, and to be by him in time redeemed, called, justified, sanctified, and glorified.
LBC 8.2 The Son of God, the second Person in the Holy Trinity, being very and eternal God, the brightness of the Father's glory, of one substance and equal with Him who made the world, who upholdeth and governeth all things that He hath made, did, when the fullness of time was come, take upon him man's nature, with all the essential properties, and common infirmities thereof, yet without sin; being conceived by the Holy Spirit, in the womb of the virgin Mary, the Holy Spirit coming down upon her, and the power of the Most High overshadowing her: and so was made a woman of the tribe of Judah, of the seed of Abraham and David according to the Scriptures; so that the two whole, perfect, and distinct natures, were inseparably joined together in one person, without conversion, composition, or confusion; which person is very God and very man, yet one Christ, the only Mediator between God and man.
LBC 8.3 The Lord Jesus, in his human nature thus united to the divine in the person of the Son, was sanctified, and anointed with the Holy Spirit, above measure, having in him all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge; in whom it pleased the Father that all fullness should dwell; to the end that, being holy, harmless, undefiled, and full of grace and truth, he might be thoroughly furnished to execute the office of a mediator, and surety. Which office he took not to himself, but was thereunto called by his Father, who put all power and judgment into his hand, and gave him commandment to execute the same.
LBC 8.4 This office the Lord Jesus did most willingly undertake; which that he might discharge, he was made under the law, and did perfectly fulfill it, and underwent the punishment due to us, which we should have borne and suffered, being made sin and a curse for us, enduring most grievous torments immediately from God in his soul, and most painful torments in his body, was crucified, and died; was buried, and remained under the power of death, yet saw no corruption. On the third day he arose from the dead, with the same body in which he suffered, with which also he ascended into heaven, and there sitteth at the right hand of his Father, making intercession; and shall return, to judge men and angels at the end of the world.
LBC 8.5 The Lord Jesus, by his perfect obedience, and sacrifice of himself, which he, through the eternal Spirit, once offered up unto God, hath fully satisfied the justice of God, procured reconciliation, and purchased an everlasting inheritance in the kingdom of heaven, for all those whom the Father hath given unto him.
LBC 8.6 Although the price of redemption was not actually paid by Christ until after his incarnation, yet the virtue, efficacy, and benefits thereof were communicated to the elect, in all ages successively from the beginning of the world, in and by those promises, types, and sacrifices, wherein he was revealed, and signified to the seed of the woman which should bruise the serpent's head; and the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world; being yesterday and today the same, and forever.
LBC 8.7 Christ, in the work of mediation, acts according to both natures, by each nature doing that which is proper to itself; yet, by reason of the unity of the person, that which is proper to one nature is sometimes in Scripture attributed to the person denominated by the other nature.
LBC 8.8 To all those for whom Christ hath obtained eternal redemption, he doth certainly and effectually apply and communicate the same, making intercession for them; uniting them to himself by his Spirit, revealing unto them, in and by the Word, the mystery of salvation; effectually persuading them by his Spirit to believe and obey, and governing their hearts by his Word and Spirit; overcoming all their enemies by his almighty power and wisdom, in such manner and ways, as are consonant to his most wonderful and unsearchable dispensation; and all of free and absolute grace, without any condition foreseen in them to procure it.
LBC 8.9 This office of mediator between God and man is proper only to Christ, who is the prophet, priest, and king of the church of God; and may not be either in whole, or any part thereof, transferred from him to any other.
LBC 8.10 This number and order of offices is necessary; for in respect of our ignorance, we stand in need of his prophetical office; and in respect of our alienation from God, and imperfection of the best of our services, we need his priestly office to reconcile us and present us acceptable unto God; and in respect of our averseness and utter inability to return to God, and for our rescue and security from our spiritual adversaries, we need his kingly office to convince, subdue, draw, uphold, deliver, and preserve us to his heavenly kingdom.
LBC 9.1 God hath indued the will of man with that natural liberty and power of acting upon choice, that it is neither forced, nor, by any absolute necessity of nature, determined to good, or evil.
LBC 9.2 Man, in his state of innocency, had freedom, and power to will and to do that which is good and well pleasing to God; but yet, unstable, so that he might fall from it.
LBC 9.3 Man, by his fall into a state of sin, hath wholly lost all ability of will to any spiritual good accompanying salvation: so as, a natural man, being altogether averse from that good, and dead in sin, is not able, by his own strength, to convert himself, or to prepare himself thereunto.
LBC 9.4 When God converts a sinner, and translates him into the state of grace, he freeth him from his natural bondage under sin; and, by his grace alone, enables him freely to will and to do that which is spiritually good; yet so, as that by reason of his remaining corruption, he doth not perfectly, nor only, will that which is good, but doth also will that which is evil.
LBC 9.5 This will of man is made perfectly and immutably free to good alone, in the state of glory alone.
LBC 10.1 Those whom God hath predestined unto life, and those only, he is
pleased, in his appointed and accepted time, effectually to call, by his
Word and Spirit, out of a state of sin and death, in which they are by
nature, to grace and salvation, by Jesus Christ; enlightening their minds
spiritually and savingly to understand the things of God, taking away their
heart of stone, and giving unto them a heart of flesh; renewing their wills,
and, by his almighty power, determining them to that which is good, and
effectually drawing them to Jesus Christ: yet so, as they come most
freely, being made willing by his grace.
LBC 10.2 This effectual call is of God's free and special grace alone, not
from anything at all foreseen in man, who is altogether passive therein,
until, being quickened and renewed by the Holy Spirit, he is thereby
enabled to answer this call, and to embrace the grace offered and
conveyed in it and that by no less power than that which raised Christ
from the dead.
LBC 10.3 Elect infants, dying in infancy, are regenerated, and saved by Christ, through the Spirit, who worketh when, and where, and how he pleaseth: so also are all other elect persons who are uncapable of being outwardly called by the ministry of the Word.
LBC 10.4 Others, not elected, although they may be called by the ministry of the Word, and may have some common operations of the Spirit, yet not being effectually drawn by the Father, they neither do nor can come unto Christ, and therefore cannot be saved: much less can men that receive not the Christian religion, be saved in any other way whatsoever, be they never so diligent to frame their lives according to the light of nature, and the laws of that religion they do profess.
LBC 11.1 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 anything 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 Christ's active obedience unto the whole Law, and passive obedience in his death for their whole and sole righteousness they receiving and resting on him and his righteousness, by faith; which faith they have not of themselves, it is the gift of God.
LBC 11.2 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.
LBC 11.3 Christ, by his obedience and death, did fully discharge the debt of all those that are thus justified, and did by the sacrifice of himself, in the blood of his Cross, undergoing in their stead the penalty due unto them make a proper, real, and full satisfaction to his God's justice in their behalf. Yet, inasmuch as he was given by the Father for them; and his obedience and satisfaction accepted in their stead; and both, freely, not for anything 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.
LBC 11.4 God did, from all eternity, decree to justify all the elect, and Christ did, in the fullness of time, die for their sins, and rise again for their justification: nevertheless, they are not justified personally, until the Holy Spirit doth, in due time, actually apply Christ unto them.
LBC 11.5 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 in that condition they have not usually the light of his countenance restored unto them, until they humble themselves, confess their sins, beg pardon, and renew their faith and repentance.
LBC 11.6 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.
LBC 12.1 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.
LBC 13.1 They, that are united to Christ, effectually called, and regenerated, having a new heart, and a new spirit created in them, through the virtue of Christ's death and resurrection, are also further sanctified, really and personally through the same virtue, 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.
LBC 13.2 This sanctification is throughout, in the whole man; yet imperfect in this life, there abideth still some remnants of corruption in when ariseth a continual and irreconcilable war, the flesh lusting against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh.
LBC 13.3 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, pressing after an heavenly life, in evangelical obedience to all the commands which Christ as Head and King, in his word hath prescribed to them.
LBC 14.1 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 Baptism and the Lord's Supper, and prayer, and other means, appointed by God, it is increased and strengthened.
LBC 14.2 By this faith, a Christian believeth to be true whatsoever is revealed in the Word, for the authority of God himself, and also apprehendeth an excellency therein above all other writings and all things in the world, as it bears forth the glory of God in His attributes, the excellency of Christ in His nature and offices, and the power and fullness of the Holy Spirit in His workings and operations: and so is enabled to cast his soul upon the truth thus believed; and also 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 have immediate relation to Christ, accepting, receiving, and resting upon Him alone for justification.
LBC 14.3 This faith although it be different in degrees, and may be weak or strong, yet it is in the least degree of it different in kind or nature (as in all other saving grace) from faith and common grace of temporary believers; and therefore, though it may be many times assailed, and weakened, yet it 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.
LBC 15.1 Such of the elect as are converted at riper years, having sometimes lived in the state of nature, and therein served divers lusts and pleasures, God in their effectual calling giveth them repentance unto life.
LBC 15.2 Whereas there is none that doth good and sinneth not, and the best of men may and through the power and deceitfulness of their corruptions dwelling in them, with provocations; God hath in the covenant of grace mercifully provided, that believers so sinning and falling, be renewed through repentance unto salvation.
LBC 15.3 This saving repentance is an evangelical grace, whereby a person being by the holy Ghost made sensible of the manifold evils of his sin, doth by faith in Christ humble himself for it with godly sorrow, detestation of it, and self-abhorrency, praying for pardon and strength of grace, with a purpose, and endeavor by supplies of the Spirit, to walk before God unto all well-pleasing in all things.
LBC 15.4 As repentance is to be continued through the whole course of our lives, upon the account of the body of death, and the motions thereof; so it is every man's duty to endeavor to repent of his particular known sins particularly.
LBC 15.5 Such is the provision which God hath made through Christ in the covenant of grace, for the preservation of believers unto salvation, that although there is no sin so small, but it deserves damnation; yet there is no sin so great, that it shall bring damnation on them who truly repent; which makes the constant preaching of repentance necessary.
LBC 16.1 Good works are only such as God hath commanded in his holy Word, and not such as, without the warrant thereof, are devised by men, blind zeal, or upon any pretense of good intentions.
LBC 16.2 These good works, done in obedience to God's commandments, are the fruits and evidences of a true and lively faith: and by them believers manifest their thankfulness, strengthen their assurance, edify their brethren, adorn the profession of the gospel, stop the mouths of the adversaries, and whose workmanship they are, created in Christ Jesus thereunto, that, having their fruit unto holiness, they may have the end, eternal life.
LBC 16.3 Their ability to do good works is not at all of themselves, but wholly from the Spirit of Christ. And that they may be enabled thereunto, beside the graces they have already received, there is required an actual influence of the same Holy Spirit, to work in them to will, and to do, of his good pleasure: yet are they not hereupon to grow negligent, as if they were not bound to perform any duty unless upon a special motion of the Spirit; but they ought to be diligent in stirring up the grace of God that is in them.
LBC 16.4 They who, in their obedience, attain to the greatest height which is possible in this life, are so far from being able to supererogate, and to do more than God requires, as that they fall short of much which in duty they are bound to do.
LBC 16.5 We cannot by our best works merit pardon of sin, or eternal life at the hand of God, by reason of the great disproportion that is between them and the glory to come; and the infinite distance that is between us and God, whom, by them, we can neither profit, nor satisfy for the debt of our former sins, but when we have done all we can, we have done but our duty, and are unprofitable servants: and because, as they are good, they proceed from his Spirit; and as they are wrought by us, they are defiled, and mixed with so much weakness and imperfection, that they cannot endure the severity of God's judgment.
LBC 16.6 Notwithstanding, the persons of believers being accepted through Christ, their good works also are accepted in him; not as though they were in this life wholly unblamable and unreprovable in God's sight; but that he, looking upon them in his Son, is pleased to accept and reward that which is sincere, although accompanied with many weaknesses and imperfections.
LBC 16.7 Works done by unregenerate men, although for the matter of them they may be things which God commands; and of good use both to themselves and to others: yet, because they proceed not from an heart purified by faith; nor are done in a right manner, according to the Word; nor to a right end, the glory of God, they are therefore sinful, and cannot make a man meet to receive grace from God: and yet, their neglect of them is more sinful and displeasing unto God.
LBC 17.1 Those whom God hath accepted in the Beloved, effectually called, and sanctified by his Spirit, and given the precious faith of his elect unto, can neither totally nor finally fall away from the state of grace, but shall certainly persevere therein to the end, and be eternally saved, seeing the gifts and callings of God are without repentance, whence He still begets and nourisheth in them faith, repentance, love, joy, hope, and all the graces of the Spirit unto immortality; and though many storms and floods arise and beat against them, yet they shall never be able to take them off that foundation and rock which by faith they are fastened upon; notwithstanding, through unbelief and the temptations of Satan, the sensible sight of the light and love of God, may for a time be clouded and obscured from them, yet He is still the same, and they shall be sure to be kept by the power of God unto salvation, where they shall enjoy their purchased possession, they being engraved upon the palm of His hands, and their names having been written in the book of life from all eternity.
LBC 17.2 This perseverance of the saints depends not upon their own free will, but upon the immutability of the decree of election, flowing from unchangeable love of God the Father; upon the efficacy of the intercession of Jesus Christ, and union with Him, the oath of God, the abiding of His Spirit, and of the seed of God within them, and the nature of the covenant of grace: from all which ariseth also the certainty and infallibility thereof.
LBC 17.3 And though, they may, through the temptation of Satan and of the world, the prevalency of corruption remaining in them, and the neglect of the means of their preservation, fall into grievous sins; and, for a time therein: whereby they incur God's displeasure, and grieve his Holy Spirit come to have their graces and comforts impaired, have their hearts hardened, and their consciences wounded; hurt and scandalize others, and bring temporal judgments upon themselves; yet shall they renew their repentance and be preserved through faith in Christ Jesus to the end.
LBC 18.1 Although temporary believers and other unregenerate men may vainly deceive themselves with false hopes and carnal presumptions of being in God, and state of salvation (which hope of theirs shall perish): yet such as truly believe in the Lord Jesus, and love him in sincerity, endeavoring to walk in all good conscience before him, may, in this life, be certainly assured that they are in the state of grace, and may rejoice in the hope of the glory of God, which hope shall never make them ashamed.
LBC 18.2 This certainty is not a bare conjectural and probable persuasion grounded upon a fallible hope; but an infallible assurance of faith founded on the blood and righteousness of Christ, revealed in the Gospel, and also upon the inward evidence of those graces of the Spirit unto which promises are made, and on the testimony of the Spirit of adoption, witnessing with our spirits that we are the children of God, and as a fruit thereof, keeping the heart both humble and holy.
LBC 18.3 This infallible assurance doth not so belong to the essence of faith, but that a true believer may wait long, and conflict with many difficulties before he be partaker of it: yet, being enabled by the Spirit to know the things which are freely given him of God, he may, without extraordinary revelation, in the right use of means, attain thereunto; and therefore it is the duty of everyone to give all diligence to make his calling and election sure, that thereby his heart may be enlarged in peace and joy in the Holy and thankfulness to God, and in strength and cheerfulness in the obedience, the proper fruits of this assurance; so far is it from inclining men to looseness.
LBC 18.4 True believers may have the assurance of their salvation divers ways shaken, diminished, and intermitted; as, by negligence in persevering of it, by falling into some special sin which woundeth the conscience and grieveth the Spirit; by some sudden or vehement temptation, by God's withdrawing the light of His countenance, suffering even such as fear Him to walk in darkness and to have no light: yet are they never destitute of that seed of God, and life of faith, that love of Christ and the brethren, that sincerity of heart, and conscience of duty, out of which by the operation of the Spirit, this assurance may, in due time, be revived; and by the which, in the meantime, they are preserved from utter despair.
LBC 19.1 God gave to Adam a law of universal obedience written in his heart, and a particular precept of not eating the fruit of the tree of knowledge of good and evil, as a covenant of works, by which he bound him and all his posterity to personal, entire, exact, and perpetual obedience, promised life upon the fulfilling, and threatened death upon the and endued him with power and ability to keep it.
LBC 19.2 This same law that was first written in the heart of man continued to be a perfect rule of righteousness after the fall and, as such, was delivered by God upon Mount Sinai, in ten commandments, and written in two tables: the four first commandments containing towards God; and the other six, our duty to man.
LBC 19.3 Beside this law, commonly called moral, God was pleased to give to the people of Israel, ceremonial laws, several typical ordinances, partly of worship, prefiguring actions, sufferings, and benefits; and partly, holding forth of moral duties. All which ceremonial laws being appointed only to the time of reformation, are by Jesus Christ the true Messiah and only lawgiver, who was furnished with power from the Father for that end, abrogated and taken away.
LBC 19.4 To them also, he gave sundry judicial laws, which expired together with the state of that people; not obliging any now by virtue of that institution, their general equity only being of moral use.
LBC 19.5 The moral law doth forever bind all, as well justified persons as others, to the obedience thereof; and that, not only in regard of the matter contained in it, but also in respect of the authority of God the Creator, neither doth Christ, in the gospel, any way dissolve, but much strengthen this obligation.
LBC 19.6 Although true believers be not under the law, as a covenant of works, to be thereby justified, or condemned; yet is it of great use to them, as well as to others; in that, as a rule of life informing them of the will of God, and their duty, it directs and binds them to walk accordingly; discovering also the sinful pollutions of their natures, hearts, and lives; so as, examining themselves thereby, they may come to further conviction of, humiliation for, and hatred against sin, together with a clearer sight of the need they have the perfection of his obedience. It is likewise of use to the restrain their corruptions, in that it forbids sin: and the serve to show what even their sins deserve; and what afflictions, in this life, they may expect for them, although freed from the curse and unallayed rigor thereof. These promises of it, likewise show them God's approbation of obedience, and what blessings they may expect upon the performance thereof, though not as due to them by the law as a covenant of works. So as man's doing good, and refraining from evil, because the law encourageth to the one, and deterreth from the other, is no evidence of his being under the law and not under grace.
LBC 19.7 Neither are the aforementioned uses of the law contrary to the grace of the gospel, but do sweetly comply with it; the Spirit of Christ enabling the will of man to do that freely, and cheerfully, which God, revealed in the law, required to be done.
LBC 20.1 The covenant of works being broken by sin, and made unprofitable unto life, God was pleased to give forth the promise of Christ, the seed of the woman, as the means of calling them, and begetting in them faith and repentance: In this promise the gospel, as to the substance of it, was revealed, and is therein effectual for the conversion and salvation of sinners.
LBC 20.2 This promise of Christ, and salvation by him, is revealed only by the Word of God: neither do the works of creation and providence, with the light of nature, make discovery of Christ, or of grace by him, so much as in a general or obscure way; much less that men destitute of the revelation of him by the promise or gospel, should be enabled thereby to attain saving faith or repentance.
LBC 20.3 The revelation of the gospel unto sinners, made in divers times, and by sundry parts, with the addition of promises and precepts for the obedience required therein, as to the nations and persons to whom it is granted, is merely of the sovereign will and good pleasure of of God, not being annexed by virtue of any promise to the due improvement of men's natural abilities, by virtue of common light received without it, which none ever did make or can do so: and therefore in all ages the preaching of the Gospel hath been granted unto persons and nations, as to the extent and straightening of it, in great variety, according to the counsel of the will of God.
LBC 20.4 Although the Gospel be the only outward means of revealing Christ and saving grace, and is so much abundantly sufficient thereunto: yet that men who are dead in trespasses, may be born again, quickened or regenerated, there is moreover necessary an effectual, insuperable work of the Holy Spirit upon the whole soul, for the producing in them a new spiritual life, without which no other means will effect their conversion unto God.
LBC 21.1 The liberty which Christ hath purchased for believers under the
gospel consists in their freedom from the guilt of sin, the condemning
wrath of God, the rigor and curse of the law; and in their being delivered
from the world, bondage to Satan, and dominion of sin; from the evil of
afflictions, the fear and sting of death, the victory of the grave, and
everlasting damnation; as also, in their free access to God, and their
yielding obedience out of slavish fear, but a childlike love and willing
mind.
All which were common also to believers under the law, for the substance
of them; But, under the New Testament, the liberty of Christians is
further enlarged, in their freedom from the yoke ceremonial law, to which
the Jewish church was subjected; and in boldness of access to the throne
of grace, and in fuller communications of the free Spirit of God, than
believers under the law did ordinarily partake of.
LBC 21.2 God alone is Lord of the conscience, and hath left it free from the doctrines and commandments of men, which are, in anything, contrary Word, or not contained in it; so that, to doctrines, or to obey such commands, out of conscience, is to betray true liberty of conscience, the requiring of an implicit faith, and blind obedience, is to destroy liberty of conscience, and reason also.
LBC 21.3 They who, upon pretense of Christian liberty, do practice any sin, or cherish any sinful lust, as they do thereby pervert the main design of the grace of the gospel to their own destruction; so they wholly destroy the end of Christian liberty, which is, that being delivered out of the hands of our enemies, we might without fear, in holiness and righteousness before him, all the days of our life.
LBC 22.1 The light of nature showeth that there is a God, who hath lordship and sovereignty over all, is just good, and doth good unto all, and is therefore to be feared, loved, praised, called upon, trusted in, and served, with all the heart, and all the soul, and with all the might. But the acceptable way of worshiping the true God is instituted by himself, and so limited by his own revealed will, that he may not be worshiped according to the imaginations and devices of men, or the suggestions of Satan, under any visible representations, or any other way not prescribed in the holy Scriptures.
LBC 22.2 Religious worship is to be given to God, the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit; and to him alone; not to angels, saints, or any other creatures: and, since the fall, not without a mediator; nor in the mediation of any other but of Christ alone.
LBC 22.3 Prayer, with thanksgiving, being one special part of natural worship, is by God required of all men: but, that it may be accepted, it is to be made in the name of the Son, by the help of his Spirit, according to his will, with understanding, reverence, humility, fervency, faith, love, and perseverance; and, when with others, in a known tongue.
LBC 23.1 A lawful oath is a part of religious worship, wherein, upon just occasion, the person swearing in truth, righteousness and judgment, solemnly calleth God to witness what he sweareth, and to judge him according to the truth or falsehood thereof.
LBC 23.2 The name of God only is that by which men ought to swear, and therein it is to be used with all holy fear and reverence. Therefore, to swear vainly, or rashly, by that glorious or dreadful Name; or, to swear at all by any other thing, is sinful, and to be abhorred. Yet, as in matters of weight and moment, an oath is warranted by the Word of God, so a lawful oath, being imposed by lawful authority, in such matters, ought to be taken.
LBC 23.3 Whosoever taketh an oath swared by the Word of God, ought duly to consider the weightiness of so solemn an act, and therein to avouch nothing but what he knoweth to be truth; for that by rash, false and vain oaths, the Lord is provoked, and for them this land mourns.
LBC 23.4 An oath is to be taken in the plain and common sense of the words, without equivocation, or mental reservation.
LBC 23.5 A vow, which is not to be made to any creature, but God alone, is to be made and performed with all religious care and faithfulness; but popish monastical vows of perpetual single life, professed poverty, and regular obedience, are far from degrees of higher perfection, that they are superstitious and sinful snares, in which no Christian may entangle himself.
LBC 24.1 God, the supreme Lord and King of all the world, hath ordained civil magistrates, to be, under him, over the people, for his own glory, and the public good: and, to this end, hath armed them with the power of the sword, for the defense and encouragement of them that do good, and for the punishment of evil doers.
LBC 24.2 It is lawful for Christians to accept and execute the office of a magistrate, when called thereunto: in the management whereof, as they ought especially to maintain justice, and peace, according to the wholesome laws of each kingdom and commonwealth; so, for that end, they may lawfully, the New Testament, wage war, upon just and necessary occasion.
LBC 24.3 Civil magistrates being set up by God for the ends aforesaid; subjection, in all lawful things commanded by them, ought to be yielded by us in the Lord, not only for wrath, but for conscience' sake; and we ought to make supplications and prayers for kings and all that are in authority, that under them we may live a quiet and peaceable life, in all godliness and honesty.
LBC 25.1 Marriage is to be between one man and one woman: neither is it lawful for any man to have more than one wife, nor for any woman to have more than one husband, at the same time.
LBC 25.2 Marriage was ordained for the mutual help of husband and wife, for the increase of mankind with legitimate issue, and for preventing of uncleanness.
LBC 25.3 It is lawful for all sorts of people to marry, who are able with judgment to give their consent. Yet it is the duty of Christians to marry in the Lord. And therefore such as profess the true religion should not marry with infidels, or other idolaters: neither should such as are godly be unequally yoked, by marrying with such as are wicked in their life, or maintain damnable heresy.
LBC 25.4 Marriage ought not to be within the degrees of consanguinity or affinity for-bidden by the Word. Nor can such incestuous marriages ever be made lawful by any law of man or consent of parties, so as those persons may live together as man and wife.
LBC 26.1 The catholic or universal church, which (with respect to the internal work of the Spirit and truth of grace) may be called invisible, consists of the whole number of the elect, that have been, are, or shall be gathered into one, under Christ the head thereof; and is the spouse, the body, the fullness of him that filleth all in all.
LBC 26.2 All persons throughout the world, professing the faith of the gospel, and obedience unto God by Christ according unto it, not destroying their own profession by any errors everting the foundation, or unholiness of conversation, are and may be called visible saints; and of such ought all particular congregations to be constituted.
LBC 26.3 The purest churches under heaven are subject to mixture and error; and some have so degenerated as to become no churches of Christ, but synagogues of Satan; nevertheless Christ always hath had, and ever shall have a kingdom in this world, to the end thereof, of such as believe in him, and make profession of his name.
LBC 26.4 The Lord Jesus Christ is the Head of the church, in whom, by the appointment of the Father, all power for the calling, institution, order, or government of the church, is invested in a supreme and sovereign manner.
LBC 26.5 In the execution of this power wherewith he is so entrusted, the Lord Jesus calleth out of the world unto himself, through the ministry of his Word, by his Spirit, those that are given unto him by his father, that they may walk before him in all the ways of obedience, which he prescribeth to them in his Word. Those thus called, he comandeth to walk together in particular societies, or churches, for their mutual edification, and the due performance of that public worship, which he requireth of them in the world.
LBC 26.6 The members of these churches are saints by calling, visibly manifesting and evidencing (in their profession and walking) their obedience unto that call of Christ; and do willingly consent to walk together according to the appointment of Christ, giving up themselves to the Lord, and one to another, by the will of God, in professed subjection to the ordinances of the Gospel.
LBC 26.7 To each of these churches thus gathered, according to his mind declared in his Word, he hath given all that power and authority, which is in any way needful for their carrying on that order in worship and discipline, which he hath instituted for them to observe; with commands and rules for the due and right exerting, and executing of that power.
LBC 26.8 A particular church, gathered and completely organized according to the mind of Christ, consists of officers and members; and the officers appointed by Christ to be chosen and set apart by the church (so called and gathered), for the peculiar administration of ordinances, and execution of power or duty, which he intrusts them with, or calls them to, to be continued to the end of the world, are bishops or elders, and deacons.
LBC 26.9 The way appointed by Christ for the calling of any person, fitted and gifted by the Holy Spirit, unto the office of bishop or elder in a church, is, that he be chosen thereunto by the common suffrage of the church itself; and solemnly set apart by fasting and prayer, with imposition of hands of the eldership of the church, if there be any before constituted theirin; and of a deacon that be chosen by the like suffrage, and set apart by prayer, and the like imposition of hands.
LBC 26.10 The work of pastors being constantly to attend the service of Christ, in his churches, in the ministry of the Word and prayer, with watching for their souls, as they that must give an account to Him; it is incumbent on the churches to whom they minister, not only to give them all due respect, but also to communicate to them of all their good things, according to their ability, so as they may have a comfortable supply, without being themselves entangled in secular affairs; and may also be capable of exercising hospitality towards others; and this required by the law of nature, and by express order of our Lord Jesus, who hath ordained that they preach the Gospel should live of the Gospel.
LBC 26.11 Although it be incumbent on the bishops or pastors of the churches, to be instant in preaching the Word, by way of office, yet the work of preaching the Word is not so peculiarly confined to them, but that others also gifted and fitted by the Holy Spirit for it, and approved and called by the church, may and ought to perform it.
LBC 26.12 As all believers are bound to join themselves to particular churches, when and where they have opportunity so to do; so all that are admitted unto the privileges of a church, are also under the censures and government thereof, according to the rule of Christ.
LBC 26.13 No church members, upon any offense taken by them, having performed their duty required of them towards the person they are offended at, ought to disturb any church-order, or absent themselves from the assemblies of the church, or administration of any ordinances, upon the account of such offense at any of their fellow members, but to wait upon Christ, in the further proceeding of the church.
LBC 26.14 As each church, and all the members of it, are bound to pray continually for the good and prosperity of all the churches of Christ, in all places, and upon all occasions to further it (every one within the bounds of their places and callings, in the exercise of their gifts and graces) so the churches, when planted by the providence of God, so as they may enjoy opportunity and advantage for it, ought to hold communion among themselves, for their peace, increase of love and mutual edification.
LBC 26.15 In cases of difficulties or differences, either in point of doctrine or administration, wherein either the churches in general are concerned, or any one church, in their peace, union, and edification; or any member or members of any church are injured, in or by proceedings in censures not agreeable to truth and order: it is according to the mind of Christ, that many churches holding communion together, do, by their messengers, meet to consider, and give their advice in or about that matter in difference, to be reported to all the churches concerned; howbeit these messengers assembled are not intrusted with any church power properly so called; or with any jurisdiction over the churches themselves, to exercise any censures either over any churches or persons; or to impose their determination on the churches or officers.
LBC 27.1 All saints, that are united to Jesus Christ their head, by his Spirit, and faith, although they are not made thereby one person with him, have fellowship in his graces, sufferings, death, resurrection, and glory: and, being united to one another in love, they have communion in each other's gifts and graces, and are obliged to the performance of such duties, public and private in an orderly way, as do conduce to their mutual good, both in the inward and outward man.
LBC 27.2 Saints by profession are bound to maintain an holy fellowship and communion in the worship of God, and in performing such other spiritual services as tend to their mutual edification; as also in relieving each other in outward things, according to their several abilities and necessities. Which communion, according to the rule of the Gospel, though especially to be exercised by them in the relations wherein they stand, whether in families or churches, yet as God offereth opportunity, is to be extended to all the household of faith, even all those who, in every place, call upon the name of the Lord Jesus.
LBC 28.1 Baptism and the Lord's supper are ordinances of positive and sovereign institution, appointed by the Lord Jesus, the only lawgiver, to be continued in his church to the end of the world.
LBC 28.2 These holy appointments are to be administered by those only who are qualified and thereunto called, according to the commission of Christ.
LBC 29.1 Baptism is an ordinance of the New Testament, ordained by Jesus Christ, to be unto the party baptized a sign of his fellowship with him, in his death and resurrection; of his being grafted into him, of remission of sins, and of giving up unto God, through Jesus Christ, to live and walk in newness of life. Which ordinance is, by Christ's own appointment, to be continued in his church until the end of the world.
LBC 29.2 These who do actually profess repentance towards God, faith in, and obedience to, our Lord Jesus Christ, are the only proper subjects of this ordinance.
LBC 29.3 The outward element to be used in this ordinance, is water, wherein the party is to be baptized, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, by a minister of the gospel, lawfully called.
LBC 29.4 Immersion, or dipping the person in water, is necessary to the due administration of this ordinance.
LBC 30.1 The supper of the Lord Jesus was instituted by him the same night wherein he was betrayed, to be observed in his churches, unto the end of the world, for the perpetual remembrance, and shewing forth of the sacrifice of himself in his death; the sealing of all benefits thereof unto true believers, their spiritual nourishment and growth in him, their further engagement in and to all duties which they owe to him; and to be a bond and pledge of their communion with him and with each other.
LBC 30.2 In this ordinance Christ is not offered up to his Father; nor any real sacrifice made at all, for remission of sin of the quick or dead; but only a memorial of that one offering up of himself, by himself, upon the cross, once for all: and a spiritual oblation of all possible praise unto God, for the same: so that the popish sacrifice of the mass (as they call it) is most abominable, injurious to Christ's own only sacrifice, the alone propitiation for all the sins of his elect.
LBC 30.3 The Lord Jesus hath, in this ordinance, appointed his ministers to pray, and bless the elements of bread and wine, and thereby to set them apart from a common to an holy use; and to take and break the bread, to take the cup, and (they communicating also themselves) to give both to the communicants.
LBC 30.4 The denial of the cup to the people, worshiping the elements, the lifting them up, or carrying them about, for adoration, and the reserving them for any pretended religious use; are aIl contrary to the nature of this ordinance, and to the institution of Christ.
LBC 30.5 The outward elements in this ordinance, duly set apart to the use ordained by Christ, have such relation to him crucified, as that, truly, although in terms used figuratively, they are sometimes called by the name of the things they represent, to wit, the body and blood of Christ; albeit, in substance and nature, they still remain truly and only bread and wine, as they were before.
LBC 31.1 The bodies of men, after death, return to dust, and see corruption: but their souls, which neither die nor sleep, having an immortal subsistence, immediately return to God who gave them: the souls of the righteous, being then made perfect in holiness, are received into the paradise, where they are with Christ and behold the face of God in light and glory, waiting for the full redemption of their bodies. And the souls of the wicked are cast into hell, where they remain in torment and utter darkness, reserved to the judgment of the great day. Beside these two places, for souls separated from their bodies, the Scripture acknowledgeth none.
LBC 31.2 At the last day, such of the saints as are found alive shall not sleep, but be changed: and all the dead shall be raised up, with the selfsame bodies, and none other (although with different qualities), which shall be united again to their souls forever.
LBC 31.3 The bodies of the unjust shall, by the power of Christ, be raised to dishonor: the bodies of the just, by his Spirit, unto honor; and be made conformable to his own glorious body.
LBC 32.1 God hath appointed a day, wherein he will judge the world, in righteousness, by Jesus Christ, to whom all power and judgment is given of the Father. In which day, not only the apostate angels shall be judged, but likewise all persons that have lived upon earth shall appear before the tribunal of Christ, to give an account of their thoughts, words, and deeds; and to receive according to what they have done in the body, whether good or evil.
LBC 32.2 The end of God's appointing this day is for the manifestation of the glory of his mercy, in the eternal salvation of the elect; and of his justice, in the eternal damnation of the reprobate, who are wicked and disobedient. For then shall the righteous go into everlasting life, and receive that fullness of joy and glory with everlasting reward in the presence of the Lord; but the wicked who know not God, and obey not the gospel of Jesus Christ, shall be cast aside into everlasting torments, and punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power.
LBC 32.3 As Christ would have us to be certainly persuaded that there
shall be a day of judgment, both to deter all men from sin; and for the
greater consolation of the godly in their adversity: so will he have the day
unknown to men, that they may shake off all carnal security, and be
always watchful, because they know not at what hour the Lord will come;
and may be ever prepared to say, Come Lord Jesus, come quickly, Amen.