1689 9.3

9.3. Of Free Will

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.

Proof texts

• Romans 5:6 — [6] For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly.
• Romans 8:7 — [7] For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God's law; indeed, it cannot.
• Ephesians 2:1, 5 — [1] And you were dead in the trespasses and sins [5] even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ — by grace you have been saved —
• Titus 3:3-5 — [3] For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, hated by others and hating one another. [4] But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, [5] he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit,
• John 6:44 — [44] No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him. And I will raise him up on the last day.

For discussion

1. The Assembly cited Romans 5:6 in support of this answer. Read it in context — how does it bear on what is claimed here?
2. 5 passages are cited here. Which does the most work, and is anything claimed that the proofs do not obviously carry?
3. WCF 9.1 treats the same ground. What does it add, and why might it put things differently?
4. WCF 9.2 treats the same ground. What does it add, and why might it put things differently?

Read alongside

WCF 9.1 · WCF 9.2 · WCF 9.3 · WCF 9.4 · WCF 9.5 · WLC Q57 · WSC Q29 · WSC Q30 · WSC Q31 · WSC Q32 · BC 6.1 · BC 6.2 · BC 6.3 · CD 3.1 · HC Q53 · SD 9.1 · SD 9.2 · SD 9.3 · SD 9.4 · SD 9.5