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1689 21.2 Of Christian Liberty and Liberty of Conscience
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Of Christian Liberty and Liberty of Conscience

Section 21.2

God alone is Lord of the Conscience, and hath left it free from the Doctrines and Commandments of men, which are in any thing contrary to his Word, or not contained in it. So that to Believe such Doctrines, or obey such Commands out of Conscience, is to betray true liberty of Conscience; and the requiring of an implicit Faith, and absolute and blind Obedience, is to destroy Liberty of Conscience, and Reason also.

See also in WCF: 20.1, 20.2, 20.3, 20.4 Compare: Of Christian Liberty
James 4:12
[12] There is only one lawgiver and judge, he who is able to save and to destroy. But who are you to judge your neighbor?
Romans 14:4
[4] Who are you to pass judgment on the servant of another? It is before his own master that he stands or falls. And he will be upheld, for the Lord is able to make him stand.
Acts 4:19, 29
[19] But Peter and John answered them, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than to God, you must judge, [29] And now, Lord, look upon their threats and grant to your servants to continue to speak your word with all boldness,
1 Corinthians 7:23
[23] You were bought with a price; do not become bondservants of men.
Matthew 15:9
[9] in vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’”
Colossians 2:20, 22, 23
[20] If with Christ you died to the elemental spirits of the world, why, as if you were still alive in the world, do you submit to regulations — [22] (referring to things that all perish as they are used) — according to human precepts and teachings? [23] These have indeed an appearance of wisdom in promoting self-made religion and asceticism and severity to the body, but they are of no value in stopping the indulgence of the flesh.
1 Corinthians 3:5
[5] What then is Apollos? What is Paul? Servants through whom you believed, as the Lord assigned to each.
2 Corinthians 1:24
[24] Not that we lord it over your faith, but we work with you for your joy, for you stand firm in your faith.
See also in WCF
20.1 20.2 20.3 20.4
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Of Christian Liberty

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21.1 21.3

Chapter 21: Of Christian Liberty and Liberty of Conscience

The liberty purchased by Christ for believers

Of Christian Liberty and Liberty of Conscience

Section 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 Rigour and Curse of the Law; and in their being delivered from this present evil 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 unto him not out of a slavish fear, but a Child-like love, and willing mind.

Of Christian Liberty and Liberty of Conscience

Section 21.2

God alone is Lord of the Conscience, and hath left it free from the Doctrines and Commandments of men, which are in any thing contrary to his Word, or not contained in it. So that to Believe such Doctrines, or obey such Commands out of Conscience, is to betray true liberty of Conscience; and the requiring of an implicit Faith, and absolute and blind Obedience, is to destroy Liberty of Conscience, and Reason also.

Of Christian Liberty and Liberty of Conscience

Section 21.3

They who upon pretence of Christian Liberty do practice any sin, or cherish any sinfull lust; as they do thereby pervert the main design of the Grace of the Gospel, to their own Destruction; so they wholy destroy the end of Christian Liberty, which is, that being delivered out of the hands of all our Enemies we might serve the Lord without fear in Holiness, and Righteousness before him, all the days of our Life.