CD 1.23

1.23. First Head of Doctrine, Rejection of Errors 5

That the incomplete and non-decisive election of particular persons to salvation occurred because of a foreseen faith, conversion, holiness, godliness, which either began or continued for some time; but that the complete and decisive election occurred because of foreseen perseverance unto the end in faith, conversion, holiness and godliness; and that this is the gracious and evangelical worthiness for the sake of which he who is chosen is more worthy than he who is not chosen; and that therefore faith, the obedience of faith, holiness, godliness and perseverance are not fruits of the unchangeable election unto glory, but are conditions, which, being required beforehand, were foreseen as being met by those who will be fully elected, and are causes without which the unchangeable election to glory does not occur. This is repugnant to the entire Scripture which constantly inculcates this and similar declarations: Election is not out of works, but of Him that calleth. "That the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of Him that calleth" (Rom. 9:11). "And as many as were ordained to eternal life believed" (Acts 13:48). "He hath chosen us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy" (Eph. 1:4). "Ye have not chosen Me, but I have chosen you" (John 15:16). "But if it be of works, then is it no more grace" (Rom. 11:6). "Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us, and sent His Son" (1 John 4:10).

Proof texts

• 1 John 4:10 — [10] In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.
• Acts 13:48 — [48] And when the Gentiles heard this, they began rejoicing and glorifying the word of the Lord, and as many as were appointed to eternal life believed.
• Eph. 1:4 — [4] even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love
• John 15:16 — [16] You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you.
• Rom. 11:6 — [6] But if it is by grace, it is no longer on the basis of works; otherwise grace would no longer be grace.
• Rom. 9:11 — [11] though they were not yet born and had done nothing either good or bad — in order that God's purpose of election might continue, not because of works but because of him who calls —
• Rom. 9:11-12 — [11] though they were not yet born and had done nothing either good or bad — in order that God's purpose of election might continue, not because of works but because of him who calls — [12] she was told, “The older will serve the younger.”

For discussion

1. The Assembly cited 1 John 4:10 in support of this answer. Read it in context — how does it bear on what is claimed here?
2. 7 passages are cited here. Which does the most work, and is anything claimed that the proofs do not obviously carry?
3. WSC Q7 treats the same ground. What does it add, and why might it put things differently?
4. WSC Q8 treats the same ground. What does it add, and why might it put things differently?

Read alongside

WSC Q7 · WSC Q8 · WLC Q12 · WLC Q13 · WLC Q14 · WCF 3.1 · BC 5.1 · 1689 3.1