1689 7.3

7.3. Of God's Covenant

This Covenant is revealed in the Gospel; first of all to Adam in the promise of Salvation by the seed of the woman, and afterwards by farther steps, untill the full discovery thereof was compleated 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 uncapable of acceptance with God upon those terms, on which Adam stood in his state of innocency.

Proof texts

• Genesis 3:15 — [15] I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring; he shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel.”
• Hebrews 1:1 — [1] Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets,
• 2 Timothy 1:9 — [9] who saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began,
• Titus 1:2 — [2] in hope of eternal life, which God, who never lies, promised before the ages began
• Hebrews 11:6, 13 — [6] And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him. [13] These all died in faith, not having received the things promised, but having seen them and greeted them from afar, and having acknowledged that they were strangers and exiles on the earth.
• Romans 4:1, 2 — [1] What then shall we say was gained by Abraham, our forefather according to the flesh? [2] For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God.
• Acts 4:12 — [12] And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”
• John 8:56 — [56] Your father Abraham rejoiced that he would see my day. He saw it and was glad.”

For discussion

1. The Assembly cited Genesis 3:15 in support of this answer. Read it in context — how does it bear on what is claimed here?
2. 8 passages are cited here. Which does the most work, and is anything claimed that the proofs do not obviously carry?
3. WSC Q20 treats the same ground. What does it add, and why might it put things differently?
4. WLC Q30 treats the same ground. What does it add, and why might it put things differently?

Read alongside

WSC Q20 · WLC Q30 · WCF 7.1 · HC Q29 · BC 5.2 · BC 5.3 · BC 5.4 · BC 5.5 · BC 5.6 · SD 7.1 · SD 7.2 · SD 7.3 · SD 7.4 · SD 7.5