Chapter 5: Of Divine Providence

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) 5.1 God the great Creator of all things doth uphold, direct, dispose, and governe all creatures, actions, and things, from the greatest even to the least, by his most wise and holy Providence, according to his infallible fore-knowledge, and the free, and immutable counsell of his own Will, to the praise of the glory of his wisedome, power, justice, goodnesse, and mercy.	Savoy Declaration of Faith and Order (1658) 5.1 God the great Creator of all things, doth uphold, direct, dispose and govern all creatures, actions, and things from the greatest even to the least by his most wise and holy Providence, according unto his infallible fore-knowledge, and the free and immutable counsel of his own Will, to the praise of the glory of his Wisdom, Power, Justice, Goodness and Mercy.	Second London Baptist Confession of Faith (1689) 5.1 God the good Creator of all things, in his infinite Power and Wisdom, doth uphold, direct, dispose, and govern all Creatures and Things, from the greatest even to the least, by his most wise and holy Providence, to the end for which they were created, according unto his infallible foreknowledge, and the free and immutable Counsel of his own Will; to the praise of the glory of his Wisdom, Power, Justice, infinite Goodness and Mercy.
Westminster Confession of Faith (1646) 5.2 Although, in relation to the fore-knowledge and decree of God, the first Cause, all things come to passe immutably, and infallibly: yet, by the same Providence, he ordereth them to fall out, according to the nature of second causes, either necessarily, freely, or contingently.	Savoy Declaration of Faith and Order (1658) 5.2 Although in relation to the fore-knowledge and decree of God, the first Cause, all things come to pass immutably, and infallibly; yet by the same Providence he ordereth them to fall out, according to the nature of second Causes, either necessarily, freely, or contingently.	Second London Baptist Confession of Faith (1689) 5.2 Although in relation to the foreknowledge and Decree of God, the first Cause, all things come to pass immutably and infallibly; so that there is not any thing, befalls any by chance, or without his Providence; yet by the same Providence he ordereth them to fall out according to the nature of second Causes, either necessarily, freely, or contingently.
Westminster Confession of Faith (1646) 5.3 God, in his ordinary Providence maketh use of meanes, yet is free to work without, above, and against them at his pleasure.	Savoy Declaration of Faith and Order (1658) 5.3 God in his ordinary Providence maketh use of means, yet is free to work without, above, and against them at his pleasure.	Second London Baptist Confession of Faith (1689) 5.3 God in his ordinary Providence maketh use of Means; yet is free to work without, above, and against them at his Pleasure.
Westminster Confession of Faith (1646) 5.4 The almighty power, unsearchable wisdome, and infinit goodnesse of God so farre manifest themselves in his Providence, that it extendeth it selfe even to the first Fall, and all other sinnes of Angels and Men; and that not by a bare permission, but such as hath joyned with it a most wise and powerfull bounding, and otherwise ordering, and governing of them, in a manifold dispensation, to his owne holy ends: yet so, as the sinfulnesse thereof proceedeth onely from the creature, and not from God, who being most holy and righteous, neither is, nor can be the Author or Approver of sin.	Savoy Declaration of Faith and Order (1658) 5.4 The almighty Power, unsearchable Wisdom, and infinite Goodness of God, so far manifest themselves in his Providence, in that his determinate Counsel extendeth it self even to the first Fall, and all other sins of Angels and Men (and that not by a bare permission) which also he most wisely and powerfully boundeth, and otherwise ordereth and governeth in a manifold Dispensation to his own most holy ends; yet so, as the sinfulness thereof proceedeth onely from the Creature, and not from God, who being most holy and righteous, neither is, nor can be the author or approver of sin.	Second London Baptist Confession of Faith (1689) 5.4 The Almighty Power, unsearchable Wisdom, and infinite Goodness of God, so far manifest themselves in his Providence, that his determinate Counsel extendeth itself even to the first Fall, and all other sinful Actions both of Angels and Men; (and that not by a bare permission) which also he most wisely and powerfully boundeth, and otherwise ordereth, and governeth, in a manifold dispensation to his most holy Ends: Yet so, as the sinfulness of their Acts proceedeth only from the Creatures, and not from God; who being most holy and righteous, neither is nor can be, the Author or Approver of Sin.
Westminster Confession of Faith (1646) 5.5 The most wise, righteous, and gracious God doth oftentimes leave for a season his owne children to manifold temptations, and the corruption of their own hearts, to chastise them for their former sinnes, or to discover unto them the hidden strength of corruption, and deceitfulnesse of their hearts, that they may be humbled; and, to raise them to a more close and constant dependance for their support upon himselfe, and to make them more watchfull against all future occasions of sin, and for sundry other just and holy ends.	Savoy Declaration of Faith and Order (1658) 5.5 The most wise, righteous and gracious God doth oftentimes leave for a season his own children to manifold temptations, and the corruption of their own hearts, to chastise them for their former sins, or to discover unto them the hidden strength of corruption, and deceitfulness of their hearts, that they may be humbled; and to raise them to a more close and constant dependence for their support upon himself, and to make them more watchful against all future occasions of sin, and for sundry other just and holy ends.	Second London Baptist Confession of Faith (1689) 5.5 The most wise, righteous, and gracious God, doth oftentimes, leave for a season his own Children to manifold Temptations, and the Corruptions of their own Heart, to chastise them for their former Sins, or to discover unto them the hidden strength of Corruption, and deceitfulness of their Hearts, that they may be humbled; and to raise them to a more close and constant dependence for their support upon himself; and to make them more watchful against all future occasions of Sin, and for other just and holy Ends. So that whatsoever befalls any of his Elect is by his appointment, for his Glory, and their good.
Westminster Confession of Faith (1646) 5.6 As for those wicked and ungodly men whom God, as a righteous judge, for former sinnes doth blinde and harden, from them he not onely withholdeth his grace, whereby they might have been inlightened in their understandings, and wrought upon in their hearts; but, sometimes also withdraweth the gifts which they had, and exposeth them to such objects as their corruption makes occasions of sin; and withall, gives them over to their own lusts, the temptations of the world, and the power of Satan: whereby it comes to passe that they harden themselves, even under those meanes, which God useth for the softning of others.	Savoy Declaration of Faith and Order (1658) 5.6 As for those wicked and ungodly men, whom God as a righteous Judge, for former sins, doth blinde and harden, from them he not onely withholdeth his grace, whereby they might have been inlightned in their understandings, and wrought upon in their hearts; but sometimes also withdraweth the gifts which they had, and exposeth them to such objects, as their corruption makes occasions of sin; and withal gives them over to their own lusts, the temptations of the world, and the power of Satan; whereby it comes to pass that they harden themselves, even under those means which God useth for the softning of others.	Second London Baptist Confession of Faith (1689) 5.6 As for those wicked and ungodly Men, whom God, as a righteous Judge, for former Sin doth blind and harden; from them he not only withholdeth his Grace, whereby they might have been enlightned in their understanding, and wrought upon in their Hearts; but sometimes also withdraweth the Gifts which they had, and exposeth them to such Objects as their Corruptions makes occasion of Sin; and withal, gives them over to their own Lusts, the temptations of the World, and the power of Satan, whereby it comes to pass, that they harden themselves, even under those means which God useth for the softning of others.
Westminster Confession of Faith (1646) 5.7 As the providence of God doth in generall, reach to all Creatures; so after a most speciall manner, it taketh care of his Church, and disposeth all things to the good thereof.	Savoy Declaration of Faith and Order (1658) 5.7 As the providence of God doth in general reach to all Creatures, so after a most special maner it taketh care of his Church, and disposeth all things to the good thereof.	Second London Baptist Confession of Faith (1689) 5.7 As the Providence of God doth in general reach to all Creatures, so after a more special manner it taketh Care of his Church, and disposeth of all things to the good thereof.