Click any section to view details

Of Free Will

Section 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 necessity of nature determined to do good or evil.

See also in WCF: 9.1, 9.2, 9.3, 9.4, 9.5 See also in WLC: Q57, Q58, Q59, Q60, Q61, Q62, Q63, Q64 See also in WSC: Q29, Q30, Q31, Q32 Compare: Of Free Will
Matthew 17:12
[12] But I tell you that Elijah has already come, and they did not recognize him, but did to him whatever they pleased. So also the Son of Man will certainly suffer at their hands.”
James 1:14
[14] But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire.
Deuteronomy 30:19
[19] I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse. Therefore choose life, that you and your offspring may live,
See also in WCF
See also in WLC
See also in WSC
Compare by doctrine

Log in to save personal notes on this section.

Chapter 9: Of Free Will

The state of man's will in its various conditions

Of Free Will

Section 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 necessity of nature determined to do good or evil.

Of Free Will

Section 9.2

Man in his state of innocency, had freedom, and power, to will, and to do that which was good, and well-pleasing to God; but yet was mutable, so that he might fall from it.

Of Free Will

Section 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.

Of Free Will

Section 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 corruptions he doth not perfectly nor only will that which is good; but doth also will that which is evil.

Of Free Will

Section 9.5

The Will of Man is made perfectly, and immutably free to good alone, in the state of Glory only.