Chapter 3: Of God’s Decree

The Westminster Confession (1646), the Savoy Declaration (1658) and the Second London Confession (1677/1689), paragraph by paragraph. Marked: what each has that the one before it lacks.

Westminster Confession of Faith (1646)	Savoy Declaration of Faith and Order (1658)	Second London Baptist Confession of Faith (1689)
Westminster Confession of Faith (1646) 3.1 God from all eternity did, by the most wise and holy Counsell of his own Will, freely, and unchangeably ordaine whatsoever comes to passe: yet so as thereby neither is God the Author of sin, nor is violence offered to the will of the Creatures, nor is the Liberty or contingencie of second Causes taken away, but rather established.	Savoy Declaration of Faith and Order (1658) 3.1 God from all eternity did by the most wise and holy Counsel of his own Will, freely and unchangeably ordain whatsoever comes to pass: Yet so, as thereby neither is God the Author of sin, nor is violence offered to the will of the Creatures, nor is the liberty or contingency of second Causes taken away, but rather established.	Second London Baptist Confession of Faith (1689) 3.1 God hath decreed in himself, from all Eternity, by the most wise and holy Counsel of his own Will, freely and unchangeable, all things whatsoever comes to pass; yet so as thereby is God neither the Author of Sin nor hath fellowship with any therein, nor is violence offered to the Will of the Creature, nor yet is the liberty, or contingency of second Causes taken away, but rather established, in which appears his Wisdom in disposing all things, and Power, and Faithfulness in accomplishing his Decree.
Westminster Confession of Faith (1646) 3.2 Although God knows whatsoever may, or can come to passe upon all supposed conditions, yet hath he not decreed any thing because he foresaw it as future, or as that which would come to passe upon such conditions.	Savoy Declaration of Faith and Order (1658) 3.2 Although God knows whatsoever may or can come to pass upon all supposed Conditions, yet hath he not decreed any thing, because he foresaw it as future, or as that which would come to pass upon such Conditions.	Second London Baptist Confession of Faith (1689) 3.2 Although God knoweth whatsoever may, or can come to pass upon all supposed Conditions; yet hath he not decreed any thing, because he foresaw it as future, or as that which would come to pass upon such conditions.
Westminster Confession of Faith (1646) 3.3 By the Decree of God, for the manifestation of his Glory, some men and Angels are predestinated unto everlasting life, and others fore-ordained to everlasting death.	Savoy Declaration of Faith and Order (1658) 3.3 By the Decree of God for the manifestation of his Glory, some Men and Angels are predestinated unto everlasting Life, and others fore-ordained to everlasting Death.	Second London Baptist Confession of Faith (1689) 3.3 By the Decree of God, for the manifestation of his Glory, some Men and Angels are pre-destinated, or fore-ordained to Eternal Life, through Jesus Christ, to the praise of his glorious grace; others being left to act in their sin to their just condemnation, to the praise of his glorious Justice.
Westminster Confession of Faith (1646) 3.4 These Angels and men thus predestinated and fore-ordained, are particularly, and unchangeably designed, and their number is so certain, and definite, that it cannot be either increased, or diminished.	Savoy Declaration of Faith and Order (1658) 3.4 These Angels and Men thus predestinated, and fore-ordained, are particularly and unchangeably designed, and their number is so certain and definite, that it cannot be either increased or diminished.	Second London Baptist Confession of Faith (1689) 3.4 These Angels and Men thus pre-destinated, and fore-ordained, are particularly, and unchangeably designed; and their number so certain, and definite, that it cannot be either increased, or diminished.
Westminster Confession of Faith (1646) 3.5 Those of man-kinde that are predestinated unto Life, God, before the foundation of the world was laid, according to his eternall and immutable purpose, and the secret Counsell and good pleasure of his Will, hath chosen, in Christ, unto everlasting glory, out of his meer free grace and love, without any fore-sight of Faith, or Good-works, or perseverance in either of them, or any other thing in the creature, as conditions, or causes moving him thereunto: and all, to the praise of his glorious grace.	Savoy Declaration of Faith and Order (1658) 3.5 Those of mankinde that are predestinated unto Life, God, before the foundation of the world was laid, according to his eternal and immutable purpose, and the secret counsel and good pleasure of his Will, hath chosen in Christ unto everlasting Glory, out of his meer free Grace and Love, without any fore-sight of Faith or good Works, or perseverance in either of them, or any other thing in the Creature, as Conditions or Causes moving him thereunto, and all to the praise of his glorious Grace.	Second London Baptist Confession of Faith (1689) 3.5 Those of Mankind that are pre-destinated to Life, God before the Foundation of the World was laid, according to his eternal and immutable Purpose, and the secret Counsel and good Pleasure of his Will, hath chosen in Christ unto everlasting Glory, out of his meer free Grace and Love; without any other thing in the Creature as a condition or cause moving him thereunto.
Westminster Confession of Faith (1646) 3.6 As God hath appointed the Elect unto glory; so hath he, by the eternall and most free purpose of his Will, fore-ordained all the means thereunto. Wherefore they who are elected, being fallen in Adam, are redeemed by Christ, are effectually called unto faith in Christ, by his Spirit working in due season, are justified, adopted, sanctified, and kept by his power through faith unto salvation. Neither are any other redeemed by Christ, effectually called, justified, adopted, sanctified and saved; but the Elect only.	Savoy Declaration of Faith and Order (1658) 3.6 As God hath appointed the Elect unto Glory, so hath he by the eternal and most free purpose of his Will fore-ordained all the means thereunto: Wherefore they who are elected, being faln in Adam, are redeemed by Christ, are effectually called unto Faith in Christ by his Spirit working in due season, are justified, adopted, sanctified, and kept by his power, through Faith, unto salvation. Neither are any other redeemed by Christ, or effectually called, justified, adopted, sanctified and saved, but the Elect onely.	Second London Baptist Confession of Faith (1689) 3.6 As God hath appointed the Elect unto Glory, so he hath by the eternal and most free Purpose of his Will, fore-ordained all the Means thereunto, wherefore they who are elected, being fall’n in Adam, are redeemed by Christ, are effectually called unto Faith in Christ, by his Spirit working in due season, are justified, adopted, sanctified, and kept by his Power through Faith unto Salvation; neither are any other redeemed by Christ, or effectually called, justified, adopted, sanctified, and saved, but the Elect only.
Westminster Confession of Faith (1646) 3.8 The Doctrine of this high Mystery of Predestination is to be handled with speciall prudence and care, that men attending the Will of God revealed in his Word, and yeelding obedience thereunto, may, from the certainty of their effectuall Vocation, be assured of their eternall Election. So shall this Doctrine afford matter of praise, reverence, and admiration of God, and of humility, diligence, and abundant consolation to all that sincerely obey the Gospel.	Savoy Declaration of Faith and Order (1658) 3.8 The Doctrine of this high mystery of Predestination is to be handled with special prudence and care, that men attending the will of God revealed in his Word, and yielding obedience thereunto, may from the certainty of their effectual Vocation, be assured of their eternal Election. So shall this Doctrine afford matter of praise, reverence and admiration of God, and of humility, diligence, and abundant consolation to all that sincerely obey the Gospel.	Second London Baptist Confession of Faith (1689) 3.7 The Doctrine of this high Mystery of Pre-destination, is to be handled with special Prudence and Care; that Men attending the Will of God revealed in his Word, and yielding Obedience thereunto, may, from the certainty of their effectual Vocation, be assured of their eternal Election; so shall this Doctrine afford matter of Praise, Reverence, and Admiration of God, and of humility, diligence, and abundant Consolation, to all that sincerely obey the Gospel.