Second London Baptist Confession of Faith (first printing) (1677), Elders and brethren of the Particular Baptist churches in London and the country · PDF

Paragraph 16.3

Chapter 16: Of Good Works

Their ability to do good works, is not at all of themselves; but wholly from the Spirit of Christ; and that they may be enabled thereunto, besides the graces they have already received, there is necessary ana actual influence of the same Holy Spirit, to work in them to will, and to do, of his good pleasure; yet are they not hereupon to grow negligent, as if they were not bound to perform any duty, unless upon a special motion of the Spirit; but they ought to be diligent inb stirring up the Grace of God that is in them.c

  1. a. John 15:4, 6

    John 15:4; John 15:6

    15:4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. 15:6 If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.

    15:4 Remain in Me, and I will remain in you. Just as no branch can bear fruit by itself unless it remains in the vine, neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in Me. 15:6 If anyone does not remain in Me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers. Such branches are gathered up, thrown into the fire, and burned.

    King James VersionBerean Standard Bible

  2. b. 2 Corinthians 3:5; Philippians 2:13

    2 Corinthians 3:5

    3:5 Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God;

    3:5 Not that we are competent in ourselves to claim that anything comes from us, but our competence comes from God.

    Philippians 2:13

    2:13 For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.

    2:13 For it is God who works in you to will and to act on behalf of His good purpose.

    King James VersionBerean Standard Bible

  3. c. Philippians 2:12; Hebrews 6:11–12; Isaiah 64:7

    Philippians 2:12

    2:12 Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.

    2:12 Therefore, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not only in my presence, but now even more in my absence, continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling.

    Hebrews 6:11–12

    6:11 And we desire that every one of you do shew the same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end: 6:12 That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises.

    6:11 We want each of you to show this same diligence to the very end, in order to make your hope sure. 6:12 Then you will not be sluggish, but will imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised.

    Isaiah 64:7

    64:7 And there is none that calleth upon thy name, that stirreth up himself to take hold of thee: for thou hast hid thy face from us, and hast consumed us, because of our iniquities.

    64:7 No one calls on Your name or strives to take hold of You. For You have hidden Your face from us and delivered us into the hand of our iniquity.

    King James VersionBerean Standard Bible

Diff style

From Westminster Confession of Faith (1646) to Second London Baptist Confession of Faith (first printing) (1677)

The documents compared, two or more

Westminster Confession of Faith (1646), Paragraph 16.3 → Second London Baptist Confession of Faith (first printing) (1677), Paragraph 16.3

Their ability to do good works, is not at all of themselves; but wholly from the Spirit of Christ; and that they may be enabled thereunto, besides the graces they have already received, there is required necessary an actual influence of the same Holy Spirit, to work in them to will, and to do, of his good pleasure; yet are they not hereupon to grow negligent, as if they were not bound to perform any duty, unless upon a special motion of the Spirit; but they ought to be diligent in stirring up the Grace of God that is in them.

Westminster Confession of Faith (1646), Paragraph 16.3

Their ability to doe good works, is not at all of themselves, but wholly from the Spirit of Christ. And that they may be inabled thereunto, besides the graces they have already received, there is required an actuall influence of the same holy Spirit, to work in them to will and to doe, of his good pleasure: yet are they not hereupon to grow negligent, as if they were not bound to perform any duty, unlesse, upon a speciall motion of the Spirit; but, they ought to be diligent in stirring up the grace of God that is in them.

Savoy Declaration of Faith and Order (1658), Paragraph 16.3

Their ability to do good works is not at all of themselves, but wholly from the Spirit of Christ: And that they may be enabled thereunto, besides the graces they have already received, there is required an actual influence of the same holy Spirit to work in them to will and to do, of his good pleasure; yet are they not hereupon to grow negligent, as if they were not bound to perform any duty, unless upon a special motion of the Spirit, but they ought to be diligent in stirring up the grace of God that is in them.

Second London Baptist Confession of Faith (first printing) (1677), Paragraph 16.3

Their ability to do good works, is not at all of themselves; but wholly from the Spirit of Christ; and that they may be enabled thereunto, besides the graces they have already received, there is necessary an actual influence of the same Holy Spirit, to work in them to will, and to do, of his good pleasure; yet are they not hereupon to grow negligent, as if they were not bound to perform any duty, unless upon a special motion of the Spirit; but they ought to be diligent in stirring up the Grace of God that is in them.

Westminster Confession of Faith (1646), Paragraph 16.3 → Second London Baptist Confession of Faith (first printing) (1677), Paragraph 16.3

Their ability to do good works, is not at all of themselves; but wholly from the Spirit of Christ; and that they may be enabled thereunto, besides the graces they have already received, there is required necessary an actual influence of the same Holy Spirit, to work in them to will, and to do, of his good pleasure; yet are they not hereupon to grow negligent, as if they were not bound to perform any duty, unless upon a special motion of the Spirit; but they ought to be diligent in stirring up the Grace of God that is in them.

Westminster Confession of Faith (1646), Paragraph 16.3

Their ability to do good works, is not at all of themselves, but wholly from the Spirit of Christ. And that they may be enabled thereunto, besides the graces they have already received, there is required an actual influence of the same holy Spirit, to work in them to will and to do, of his good pleasure: yet are they not hereupon to grow negligent, as if they were not bound to perform any duty, unless, upon a special motion of the Spirit; but, they ought to be diligent in stirring up the grace of God that is in them.

Savoy Declaration of Faith and Order (1658), Paragraph 16.3

Their ability to do good works is not at all of themselves, but wholly from the Spirit of Christ: And that they may be enabled thereunto, besides the graces they have already received, there is required an actual influence of the same holy Spirit to work in them to will and to do, of his good pleasure; yet are they not hereupon to grow negligent, as if they were not bound to perform any duty, unless upon a special motion of the Spirit, but they ought to be diligent in stirring up the grace of God that is in them.

Second London Baptist Confession of Faith (first printing) (1677), Paragraph 16.3

Their ability to do good works, is not at all of themselves; but wholly from the Spirit of Christ; and that they may be enabled thereunto, besides the graces they have already received, there is necessary an actual influence of the same Holy Spirit, to work in them to will, and to do, of his good pleasure; yet are they not hereupon to grow negligent, as if they were not bound to perform any duty, unless upon a special motion of the Spirit; but they ought to be diligent in stirring up the Grace of God that is in them.

Related (1)

Second London Baptist Confession of Faith (1689), this paragraph in another edition

Paragraph 16.3

Their ability to do good Works, is not at all of themselves, but wholly from the Spirit of Christ; and that they may be enabled thereunto, besides the Graces they have already received, there is necessary an actual influence of the same Holy Spirit, to work in them to will, and to do of his good Pleasure; yet are they not hereupon to grow Negligent, as if they were not bound to perform any Duty, unless upon a special Motion of the Spirit, but they ought to be diligent in stirring up the Grace of God that is in them.

Commentaries (1)