1689 9.4

9.4. Of Free Will

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.

Proof texts

• Colossians 1:13 — [13] He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son,
• John 8:36 — [36] So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.
• Philippians 2:13 — [13] for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.
• Romans 7:15, 18, 19, 21, 23 — [15] For I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate. [18] For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh. For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out. [19] For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep on doing. [21] So I find it to be a law that when I want to do right, evil lies close at hand. [23] but I see in my members another law waging war against the law of my mind and making me captive to the law of sin that dwells in my members.

For discussion

1. The Assembly cited Colossians 1:13 in support of this answer. Read it in context — how does it bear on what is claimed here?
2. 4 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