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Web transcription of the official 2026 PDF, with links (Crown & Covenant Publications), or the unchanged file. Where they differ, the PDF governs.Transcribed from the official 2026 PDF, with links (or the unchanged file). Where they differ, the PDF governs.

Contents

Chapter 3. Of God’s Eternal Decree

(Larger Catechism: 12-14; Shorter Catechism: 7-8)

Confession of Faith

1CF 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.

Eph. 1:11; Rom. 11:33; Heb. 6:17; Rom. 9:15, 18; Jas. 1:13, 17; 1 John 1:5; Acts 2:23; Matt. 17:12; Acts 4:27-28; John 19:11; Prov. 16:33.

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Testimony 3.1

2CF 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.

Acts 15:18; 1 Sam. 23:11-12; Matt. 11:21, 23; Rom. 9:11, 13, 16, 18.

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Testimony 3.2

3CF 3.3

By the decree of God, for the manifestation of His glory, some men and angels are predestinated unto everlasting life, and others fore-ordained to everlasting death.

1 Tim. 5:21; Matt. 25:41; Rom. 9:22-23; Eph. 1:5-6; Prov. 16:4.

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4CF 3.4

These angels and men, thus predestinated and fore-ordained, are particularly and unchangeably designed, and their number is so certain and definite, that it cannot be either increased or diminished.

2 Tim. 2:19; John 13:18.

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5CF 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 foresight of faith or good works, or perseverance in either of them, or any other thing in the creature, as conditions, or causes moving Him thereunto: and all to the praise of His glorious grace.

Eph. 1:4, 9, 11; Rom. 8:30; 2 Tim. 1:9; 1 Thess. 5:9; Rom. 9:11, 13, 16; Eph. 1:4, 9; Eph. 1:6, 12.

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6CF 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.

1 Pet. 1:2; Eph. 1:4-5; Eph. 2:10; 2 Thess. 2:13; 1 Thess. 5:9-10; Titus 2:14; Rom. 8:30; Eph. 1:5; 2 Thess. 2:13; 1 Pet. 1:5; John 17:9; Rom. 8:28-39; John 6:64-65; John 10:26; John 8:47; 1 John 2:19.

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7CF 3.7

The rest of mankind God was pleased, according to the unsearchable counsel of His own will, whereby He extendeth or withholdeth mercy, as He pleaseth, for the glory of His sovereign power over His creatures, to pass by; and to ordain them to dishonour and wrath, for their sin, to the praise of His glorious justice.

Matt. 11:25-26; Rom. 9:17-18, 21-22; 2 Tim. 2:19-20; Jude 1:4; 1 Pet. 2:8.

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Testimony 3.3

8CF 3.8

The doctrine of this high mystery of predestination is to be handled with special prudence and care, that men attending the will of God revealed in His Word, and yielding obedience thereunto, may, from the certainty of their effectual vocation, be assured of their eternal election. So shall this doctrine afford matter of praise, reverence, and admiration of God, and of humility, diligence, and abundant consolation to all that sincerely obey the Gospel.

Rom. 9:20; Rom. 11:33; Deut. 29:29; 2 Pet. 1:10; Eph. 1:6; Rom. 11:33; Rom. 11:5-6, 20; 2 Pet. 1:10; Rom. 8:33; Luke 10:20.

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Testimony

With Confession 3.1

1T 3.1

We reject any teaching which asserts that God has not planned all that comes to pass.

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With Confession 3.2

2T 3.2

It is God’s decree which by itself completely determines the course of history; it is never the course of history which in any way determines or modifies God’s decree.

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With Confession 3.7

3T 3.3

We reject the teaching that God is unjust in choosing some sinners to salvation and leaving others to suffer merited condemnation.

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Connections

Connections · CF 3.1

Printed beside

Of God’s Eternal Decree

Cited at the chapter head

Index entries citing this

Index: DECREES OF GOD Nature, end, extent, and properties of
Index: PROVIDENCE Events ordered according to the nature of second causes
Index: WILL OF GOD Counsel of God’s will
Index: WILL, FREE Will of man not forced

Proof texts

Ephesians 1:11
KJV
Ephesians 1:11 In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will:
also cited by 7
Romans 11:33
KJV
Romans 11:33 O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out!
also cited by 2
- CF 3.8
- LC 12
Hebrews 6:17
KJV
Hebrews 6:17 Wherein God, willing more abundantly to shew unto the heirs of promise the immutability of his counsel, confirmed it by an oath:
Romans 9:15
KJV
Romans 9:15 For he saith to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion.
Romans 9:18
KJV
Romans 9:18 Therefore hath he mercy on whom he will have mercy, and whom he will he hardeneth.
also cited by 2
- CF 3.2
- LC 12
James 1:13
KJV
James 1:13 Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man:
James 1:17
KJV
James 1:17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.
also cited by 4
1 John 1:5
KJV
1 John 1:5 This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.
Acts 2:23
KJV
Acts 2:23 Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain:
also cited by 2
- CF 5.2
- CF 5.4
Matthew 17:12
KJV
Matthew 17:12 But I say unto you, That Elias is come already, and they knew him not, but have done unto him whatsoever they listed. Likewise shall also the Son of man suffer of them.
also cited by 1
- CF 9.1
Acts 4:27-28
KJV
Acts 4:27 For of a truth against thy holy child Jesus, whom thou hast anointed, both Herod, and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles, and the people of Israel, were gathered together,
also cited by 2
- CF 5.4
- LC 6
John 19:11
KJV
John 19:11 Jesus answered, Thou couldest have no power at all against me, except it were given thee from above: therefore he that delivered me unto thee hath the greater sin.
also cited by 1
- LC 150
Proverbs 16:33
KJV
Proverbs 16:33 The lot is cast into the lap; but the whole disposing thereof is of the LORD.
also cited by 1
- T 5.4

References

none

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Chapter 3. Of God’s Eternal Decree

Confession of Faith

Testimony

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