Extended Table of Contents
Extended Table of Contents
Index of Heads and Questions
Chapter 1
On the Scriptures and Fundamental Articles
* 1. Whether Scripture is the judge of controversies? We affirm. Or, whether God in his Word has not left us any conscience-binding rule, but only one that judges guidingly? We deny against the Arminians, or Remonstrants.[8] 1
2. Whether those fundamental articles which are deduced by consequence from the most common principles are believed by true faith? Explained and distinguished. 19
3. What sort of consequence is entailed by
evidence so that it is an article of faith?
Explained. 29
4. Whether the number of fundamental doctrines can be determined by us? We deny. 32
5. For which of the fundamentals is understanding and faith required? Explained. 34
6. What is overcomeable versus absolute ignorance of the fundamentals? Explained. 38
7. In what way is understanding of the fundamentals necessary for salvation? Explained. 42
8. Why everything contained in the Word of God ought to be believed, on pain of damnation, while nevertheless only the fundamentals are necessary to be believed as a necessary means? Explained. 43
9. How far are they may be tolerated who err in the fundamentals? Explained. 44
10. How far is it necessary for us to separate from a church erring in fundamentals? Explained. 46
11. Whether the Roman church is a true church? We answer with a distinction. 46, 64
12. Whether the light of the Holy Spirit is required for the Scriptures to be savingly understood? We affirm against the Arminians. 83
13. Whether it follows from this necessity that the Scriptures are obscure in themselves, as the Papists assert? We deny against the same. 87
14. Whether solid faith in the Scriptures can consist with the Arminian freedom of preaching? We deny against the Arminians. 89
15. Whether anyone in any religion can be saved? We deny against the Remonstrants. 94
16. Whether the Arminian freedom of preaching is Libertinism? We affirm against the same. 94
* 17. Whether not only all the traditions of the Papists, but even new offices, such as the domineering bishop, etc, human ceremonies and whatsoever is of positive observance in divine worship contrived by the Antichrist or the bishops and prelates, conflicts with the completeness and perfection of the Scriptures? We affirm against the Arminians. 97
18. Whether the word of God obliges to the assent of its true sense, or whether so greatly and in truth the conscience obliges to the sense which it judges true? We affirm the former; we deny the latter against the Remonstrants. 128
Chapter 2
On God
Heading 1: On the
Knowledge [Cognitione] of God
1. Whether
or not a living and right knowledge of God is commanded? We affirm
against the Remonstrants. 138
Heading 2: On God’s Essence
2. Whether God, by his nature, is most simple? We affirm against the Remonstrants. 141
3. Whether God, according to his essence, is omnipresent? We affirm against the Remonstrants. 143
Heading 3: On the Trinity
4. Whether the essence in God is so much one, or three? We affirm the former. We deny the latter against Vorstius.[9] 147
* 5. Whether the Son is autotheos [of Himself God]? We affirm against the Arminians and Vorstius. 149
6. Whether, according to the Arminians, Christ is true God, of one substance with the Father? We deny against the same. 150
* 7. Whether Christ, as a man, is worshipped? We deny against the Arminians. 155
8. Whether the communication of deity in Christ is twofold? We deny against the Arminians. 156
* 9. Whether Christ, as Mediator, is to be worshipped? We respond with a distinction. 158
10. Whether the Holy Spirit is true God? We affirm against the wavering Remonstrants. 160
Heading 4: On God’s Knowledge [Scientia]
11. Whether there is a middle knowledge in God. We deny against the Jesuits and Arminians. 162
12. Whether God foreknows future contingencies with certainty. We affirm against the doubting Remonstrants. 166
Heading 5: On God’s Will and its Execution
13. Whether whatsoever is in God, so far as it is, such as decrees, willings and actions, be God? We affirm against the Remonstrants. 169
14. Whether in God there is an antecedent and consequent will, according to the Arminian sense? We deny against the Arminians. 170
15. Whether to take pity and do good is essential to God, and even necessary, as much as for the sun to give light? We deny against Jackson and the Anabaptists. 174
16. Whether God punishes men unwillingly? We deny against the Remonstrants. 175
16. [sic] Whether God is immutable? We affirm against the Arminians. 175
17. Whether there is a primary intention in God which sometimes fails, with a secondary intention following it? We deny against the Arminians. 179
* 18. Whether a distinction between the will of God’s good pleasure [beneplaciti] and his revealed [signi] will is to be admitted? We affirm with a distinction. 181
* Whether in the calling of all in the visible Church is the intention of God that all and every person obey and be saved? The Remonstrants affirm; we negate. 183
* Whether because God amiably invites and by supplications solicits, entreats and calls upon reprobates, and as He mourns over them, is grieved by them and laments on account of the disobedient, whether He, therefore, intends the obedience of them? The Remonstrants affirm; we negate. 183
* 19. Whether a distinction of will between effecting and permitting is commendable? We affirm with a distinction against the Arminians. 184
20. Whether God indeed absolutely decreed all contingencies from all eternity? We affirm against the Remonstrants. 185
21. Whether the conditional decree of the Arminians suffices to save God’s providence of future contingencies? We deny against them. 191
22. Whether fortune reigns according to the Arminians? We affirm against them. 193
23. Whether the dominion of his providence in free acts, according to the view of the Jesuits and Arminians, consists with God? We deny against them. 196
24. Whether such a dominion consists with God as that He be able to effect things so that a free act be rather than not be, according to the Scriptures? We affirm against the Remonstrants and Jesuits. 197
25. Whether God’s dominion requires that all free acts of creatures be principally and determinately from Himself? We affirm against the Remonstrants and Jesuits. 200
* 26. Whether God wills sin to exist, He permitting it? We affirm against the Remonstrants. 203
27. Whether God wills sin as it is a penalty for sinning? We affirm against the Remonstrants and Jesuits. 210
28. Whether sin is a penalty for sin? We affirm against the Remonstrants. 211
29. Whether God is a bare permitter, and an accidental cause of hardening? We deny against the Remonstrants. 213
30. Whether there are other evil acts of the hardened which do not increase their damnation? We deny against the Remonstrants. 214
* 31. Whether God impels persons to sins which He forbids? We affirm with a distinction against the Remonstrants. 216
32. Whether God absolutely foreordained the sufferings in the death of Christ, but not really the unjust actions? We deny against the Remonstrants. 216
33. Whether God forbids acts [considered materially in themselves], or rather the malice of an act, in his law? We deny the former; we affirm the latter against the Remonstrants. 218
* 34. Whether the act and the lawlessness are distinguishable in all sins? We affirm against the Arminians. 219
* 35. Whether sin is opposed to God in its essence? We deny against the Remonstrants. 220
36. Whether God concurs with material acts of sin by a universal, indifferent, and determinate concurrence through secondary causes? We deny against the Jesuits and Remonstrants. 221
* Whether because God would predetermine the will to material acts of sin, therefore He is the author of sin? 224
37. Whether an obligation as first cause excuses God so that an evil action be not imputed to Him, even though He gives a general concurrence to it? We deny against the Jesuits and Arminians. 224
38. Whether God’s good pleasure is the first cause of all moral goodness in creatures? We affirm against the Remonstrants. 226
39. Whether God’s predetermination is the fate of the Stoics? We deny against the Remonstrants. 227
* 40. Whether each wicked action, which is from sinning instruments, is done by God as by the principal agent? We affirm with a distinction against the Remonstrants. 230
41. Whether our people are Libertines in this doctrine? We deny against the Remonstrants. 231
* 42. Whether that distinction is frivolous by which it is taught that God hates sin, and yet wills its existence? We deny against the Remonstrants. 233
43. Whether all acts of good and evil are particularized and determined by God even as far as the numerical singleness and unity of acts generally? We affirm against the Jesuits and Arminians.
44. Whether God’s permission is a bare, non-efficient one, and a dereliction of will, the nature of it being indifferent? We deny against the Jesuits and Arminians. 235
Whether the permission of sin works only by persuasion? So says Arminius; we deny. 236
* 45. Whether sin necessarily follows upon God’s giving permission by a logical necessity? We affirm against the Remonstrants. 236
Chapter 3
On Election
1. Whether election to salvation is two-fold; on the one hand indefinite and general, and on the other hand definite and special? We deny against the Arminians. 238
2. Whether election is of certain singular, definite persons? We affirm against the Arminians. 239
3. Whether election is revocable and incomplete for those who for a time believe, and complete and irrevocable for those whom God foreknew to be believing finally? We deny against the Arminians. 241
4. Whether the election of this one rather than that one to glory is only from the absolute good pleasure of God? Explained and affirmed against the Arminians. 245
5. Whether faith is a consequence of election? We affirm against the Remonstrants. 252
6. Whether election to glory is done from all eternity? We affirm against the Remonstrants. 257
7. What that good pleasure of God consists in which Paul speaks of in Rom. 9? Explained and proven against the Arminians. 258
8. Whether each and every mortal is either elect or reprobate? We affirm against the Arminians. 260
9. Whether Christ is the meritorious cause of election? We deny against the Arminians. 264
10. Whether, because God absolutely destined to eternal glory, Christ cannot therefore merit it? We deny against the Arminians. 268
11. Whether the promise of some conditional good can be subordinated by an immutable decree in such a way that that good which is promised is destined absolutely? We affirm against the Remonstrants. 269
* 12. Whether or not faith may at once be a required condition in a formal way and the thing which is promised and indeclinably brought about in us by God? We affirm against the Remonstrants. 270
* 13. Whether we invert the natural order because we state that the man who is to be created is the object of predestination? We deny against the Remonstrants. 271
14. Whether carefulness, fear, and caution in the use of means are in disagreement with absolute election to glory? We deny against the Remonstrants. 272
15. Whether the number of elect is precisely determined? We affirm against the Arminians. 274
Chapter 4
On Reprobation
1. Whether reprobation is an eternal act in God? We affirm against the Remonstrants. 276
2. Whether God reprobated men absolutely from his choice alone? Whether sin is truly the meritorious cause of reprobation? We affirm the former; we deny the latter against the Remonstrants. 277
* 3. Whether the distinction between negative and privative non-election, or preterition, versus reprobation, is senseless? We deny against the Arminians. 278
* 4. Whether reprobation is indeed the lot of those who are outside of the church? We affirm against the Remonstrants. 279
* 5. Whether absolute reprobation is the prime cause of the enduring destruction of the better portion of mankind? We deny against the Remonstrants. 280
6. Whether God creates and stores up some men for destruction? We distinguish against the Remonstrants. 280
7. Whether on this account creation forbears to be good, because reprobates are created unto this end, that they be vessels of wrath for the manifestation of the glory of punitive justice? We deny against the Arminians. 281
8. Whether God stores up men, especially the truly reprobate, to sin? We distinguish against the Remonstrants. 282
9. Whether the absolute will of God is the cause of all things? We affirm against the Remonstrants.
10. Whether God needs the slavery of sin, according to us? We deny against the Remonstrants. 284
11. Whether God by the covenant of grace has abdicated his absolute dominion in the disposing of rational creatures exactly as He wills? We deny against the Remonstrants. 285
* 12. Whether God willed absolutely that men would do no more good than what they do? We affirm with a distinction against the Remonstrants. 285
13. Whether God does not absolutely will more to be converted and saved than are converted and saved? We affirm against the Remonstrants. 286
14. Whether the commands, promises, and threatenings of the gospel conflict with absolute reprobation? We deny against the Remonstrants. 287, 291, 294
15. Whether God absolutely, from eternity past, decreed the declaration of punitive justice? We affirm against the Arminians. 290
16. Whether absolute reprobation conflicts with the ministry of the Word? We deny against the Remonstrants. 291
* 17. Whether it conflicts with the blessedness of God for Him to absolutely put forth an end which cannot be reached without sin, which thing is ungracious of Him? We deny against the Remonstrants. 292
18. Whether reprobates can be argued [to be so] from [their] ingratitude toward the mercy and merits of Christ? We affirm against the Remonstrants. 292
* 19. Whether it would have been better for the reprobate to never have heard the gospel? We deny with a distinction against the Remonstrants. 295
20. Whether the doctrine of absolute reprobation is an abyss of despair? We deny against the Remonstrants. 295
Chapter 5
On the Estate of the First Man
1. Whether original righteousness was natural to unfallen man, or supernatural? We affirm the former; we deny the latter against the Remonstrants. 297
* 2. Whether God is made the author of the first sin if man sinned for this reason, because God, without regard to his fault, denied him grace necessary to escape the first sin? We deny against the Remonstrants. 300
3. Whether the first sin freed Adam from any covenant? We deny against the Arminians. 301
* 4. Whether sinful concupiscence is a negative entity or positive quality? We distinguish. 305
5. Whether in unfallen Adam there was the power of believing in Christ? We affirm with a distinction against the Arminians. 305
6. Whether the image of God in Adam was original righteousness and habitual holiness, or rather a bare free will of obeying God? We affirm the former; we deny the latter against the Remonstrants. 307
7. Whether Adam was created mortal? We distinguish. 308
Chapter 6
On Original Sin
1. Whether there is original sin in every man? We affirm against the Arminians and Socinians. 310
* 2. Whether, because original sin is not committed by personal volition, it is therefore not sin, properly so-called? We deny against the Arminians. 313 & 323
3. Whether such a covenant can be proven, by
which Adam’s sin is imputed to all his posterity?
We affirm against the Remonstrants. 314
4. Whether concupiscence is sin, particularly after baptism and regeneration? We affirm against the Remonstrants and Papists. 314 & 321
5. Whether concupiscence is formally prohibited by the law of God? We affirm against the Remonstrants and Papists. 316
* 6. Whether concupiscence is sin when one does not give consent of the will? We affirm against the Pelagians. 318
7. Whether the wresthng between the flesh and the Spirit in the reborn is simply natural, and on the part of the resisting flesh, so minimally culpable? We deny against the Remonstrants. 319
8. Whether this wresthng is always in the reborn? We affirm against the Remonstrants. 319
9. Whether actual sins have arisen, not from original sin, but from an acquired habit of evil acting, and from pure free will? We deny against the Remonstrants and Socinians. 322
Chapter 7
On the State of Fallen Man
1. Whether the knowledge of God is natural to man after the fall? We deny against the Arminians and Socinians. 325
2. Whether the mind is already blind in supernatural matters, so that illumination is needed? We affirm against the Remonstrants and Socinians. 327
3. Whether the will is powerless in supernatural acts? We affirm against the Remonstrants. 331
4. Whether there is a freedom of the will to nil
and will good, being indicated from the intellect?
We deny against the Remonstrants. 331
5. Whether the Arminians say sincerely that the will is corrupt? We deny against them. 333
6. Whether God, by any law founded in the merits of Christ, confers a prevenient [antecedent] grace for doing what is in it? We deny against the Papists. 336
7. Whether God gives grace of conversion to man because he is better disposed, or from any mode of equity and congruency? We deny with a distinction against the Papists and Remonstrants. 337
* 8. Whether the Adversaries rightly infer this, that according to us, it is noxious for the unconverted to hear the Word and to use external means? We deny. 343
* 9. Whether legal contrition can be called preparation for conversion? We distinguish. 344
10. Whether the unregenerate can furnish truly good works? We deny against the Remonstrants. 344
11. Whether the virtues of the gentiles are true virtues? We deny against the Remonstrants. 346
12. Whether the unregenerate person is constrained by a need to sin? We affirm against the Remonstrants. 347
13. Whether there is sin which cannot be avoided by the one sinning? We affirm against the Remonstrants. 348
14. Where the afflictions of the faithful are truly punishments? We deny against the Remonstrants. 349
Chapter 8
On the State of Grace
1. Whether the Arminians contend rightly for the dignity of the merit of Christ and the excellency of divine grace? We deny against the same. 352
2. Whether Arminianism is Pelagianism and Semi-pelagianism? We affirm against the Remonstrants. 357
3. Whether sufficient grace is given, by which all can be saved if they will? We deny against the Remonstrants. 362, 369
* 4. Whether a distinction of grace between sufficient and efficacious is to be admitted? We deny against the Remonstrants. 368
5. Whether the power to believe is conferred upon all? We deny against the Remonstrants. 370
6. Whether the grace of God efficaciously determines the will? We affirm against the Remonstrants and Jesuits. 371
Chapter 9
On Universal Redemption
1. Whether Christ died for each and every person? We deny against the Remonstrants. 372
2. Whether Christ procured reconciliation for each and every person by his death, and that truly, not by that act conferring it? We deny against the Remonstrants. 387, 398
3. Whether those may perish for whom Christ has died? We deny against the Remonstrants. 388
4. Whether these three things are effects of the death of Christ: 1. That God does not will anyone to perish because of the sin of Adam. 2. That he casts off none from himself because of sins preceding the calling of the gospel. 3. That none are afflicted with an eternal punishment or cast off from the communion of a heavenly life on account of sins of infirmity. We deny against the Remonstrants. 394
5. Whether the gospel can be preached in every place and time? We deny against the Remonstrants. 398
* 6. Whether all are directly obligated in the same way and by the same principle [jure] to believe in Christ announced by the gospel? We deny with a distinction against the Remonstrants. 399
7. Whether unbelievers are objects of eternal punishment because, although they can, they do not believe? We deny against the Remonstrants. 400
8. Whether the Remonstrants say rightly and by consequence from their principles that Christ did not die only for the finally impenitent? We deny. 401
9. Whether, by the death of Christ, the merciful affection in God, by which He wills all to be saved, is changed into an absolute purpose to give eternal life to those who believe? We deny against the Remonstrants. 405
10. Whether Christ thus endured the lot of those for whom He died in order that God would consider the punishments owed to them as dead? We affirm against the Remonstrants. 406
11. Whether Christ intercedes generally for all, but specially and truly only for those who believe? We deny against the Remonstrants. 411
12. Whether Christ merited faith and regeneration for none? We deny against the Remonstrants. 413
13. Whether Christ embraced those He died for with the greatest love? We affirm against the Remonstrants. 415
14. Whether reconciliation is by the active efficiency of God’s will to save in place of a will to damn? We deny against the Remonstrants. 417
15. Whether the foundation of Christian certainty is in this, that Christ died for all, and of desperation rather, that He died only for those elected absolutely? We deny against the Remonstrants. 418
* 16. Whether the reprobate are made reconcilable to God by the death of Christ? We deny against the Remonstrants. [The Arminians simply affirm it. We distinguish…] [10] 421
* 17. Whether each and every truly reprobate person must believe Christ to have died for them? We deny against the Remonstrants. 422
* 18. Whether it may be required from reprobates by [divine] law that they believe in Christ? We affirm against [what] the Remonstrants [say of our position]. 424
19. Whether none can rest in Christ in faith, except that he first know that He was given by God to him as a savior? We deny against the Remonstrants. 425
Chapter 10
On the Covenant of Grace
1. Whether God, of his free good pleasure alone, entered into a Covenant of Grace with man? We affirm against the Remonstrants. 427
2. Whether the fathers under the Old Testament had no promises beyond the corporal? We deny against the Remonstrants. 430
3. Whether the covenant of grace is made with all, even with them that have heard nothing of Christ? We deny against the Remonstrants. 432
4. Whether grace which determines the will for good is promised in the New Covenant? We affirm against the Remonstrants. 435
* 5. Whether the Covenant of Grace is eternal? We affirm against the Remonstrants. 438
6. Whether the promises of the New Covenant, proceeding from the first intention and prior will of God, are to all equally? We deny against the Remonstrants. 440
7. Whether the gospel is preached according to inherent merits or demerits, and not out of the mere grace and good pleasure of God? We deny against the Remonstrants. 446
* 8. Whether the Covenant of Works entered into with Adam was rigid and of such a sort that God, according to its rigor, could not carry it out on his posterity? We deny against the Remonstrants. 449
* 9. Whether no one is under the law anymore, insofar as it is a law, and under the covenant entered into with Adam, as such? We deny against the Remonstrants. 451
Chapter 11
On the Manner of Conversion
1. Whether grace irresistibly brings about conversion? We affirm against the Remonstrants and Jesuits. 453
2. Whether every act of God in conversion is simply moral, not real and physical? We deny against the Remonstrants. 473
3. Whether God indeed internally calls all whom He externally calls, so that there is therefore a strength to obey in them if they so will? We deny against the Remonstrants. 476
4. Whether absolutely no grace, not even common grace, accompanies the word of the gospel? We respond with a distinction. 480
5. Whether the essence of conversion lies in a sole, free act of assenting to and believing the Word, or rather in the giving of a new heart? We deny the former; we affirm the latter against the Remonstrants. 481
6. Whether only the power of believing is from God and the free act of believing from man, and yet the particular work of conversion is from God? We deny against the Remonstrants. 485
* 7. Whether because God converts with irresistible force, the will is therefore coerced and freedom overturned? We deny against the Remonstrants. 486
* Whether because God infallibly determines the will to one thing, He overturns liberty? 486
8. Whether only the elect are internally called? We affirm against the Remonstrants. 487
9. Whether the efficacy of grace and of conversion (rather than non-conversion) depends upon actual, determining grace? We affirm against the Remonstrants. 488
10. Whether non-conversion should be attributed to God denying efficacious grace, rather than to man refusing to believe? We deny against the Remonstrants. 491
11. Whether it is from free will that supernatural acts of believing and repentance be stronger or weaker, not from the nature of grace? We deny against the Remonstrants. 493
12. Whether God joins with active grace in supernatural works for this reason, because the created will joins in? We deny against the Remonstrants. 493
13. Whether the irresistibility of grace conflicts with precepts, promises, and threatenings? We deny against the Remonstrants. 495
14. Whether the efficacy of grace depends upon a congruent calling? We deny against the Jesuits and Remonstrants. 497
Chapter 12
On the Justification of Sinners
1. Whether we are justified by faith alone, not by our works? We affirm against the Jesuits and Remonstrants. 498
2. Whether God justly imputes the righteousness of Christ to us? We affirm against the Remonstrants, Papists, and Socinians. 506
* 3. Whether the act of believing is imputed to the believer properly, so that it is therefore his righteousness formally before God? We deny against the Remonstrants and Jesuits. 510
4. Whether, by the grace of God which is granted to the faithful in this life, the law can be fulfilled perfectly? We deny against the Remonstrants, Papists, and Socinians. 511
5. Whether a distinction should be made between mortal and venial sin? We respond with a distinction. 516
6. Whether there is any sin under the New Covenant which is by its nature venial? We deny against the Remonstants and Papists. 517
7. Whether the most excellent works of the regenerate are polluted with sin? We affirm against the Remonstrants and Papists. 520
8. Whether the wresthng between the Spirit and the flesh in the regenerate is perpetual and culpable? We affirm against the Remonstrants. 524
9. Whether the Apostle speaks of the regenerate man in Rom. 7? We affirm against the Remonstrants and Papists. 527
* 10. Whether good works are necessary as causes of justification, and therefore also of salvation? We deny against the Remonstrants and Papists. 530
11. Whether justification is a singular, complete, enduring, and unrepeatable act? We affirm against the Remonstrants. 535
12. Whether faith only justifies as an instrument? We affirm against the Remonstrants. 540
13. Whether faith is a token of special mercy? We affirm against the Remonstrants. 542
14. Whether the Word is the one and only instrument, either preparatory or consummatory, of the internal generation of faith, so that therefore no immediate action of the Spirit is required? We deny against the Remonstrants. 547
Chapter 13
On the Perseverance of the Saints
1. Whether (1) adults (2) who are truly regenerate, (3) not for reason of their infirmity, and (4) notwithstanding the intercession of Christ, the principle of a lively faith, the immutable covenant of God, election, and the care and power of God, can so fall away that (i) they part with all right unto the kingdom of God that they once had in Christ, (ii) fall away from the favor and grace of a gratuitous election, and (iii) totally and finally fall away? We deny against the Papists, Pseudo-Lutherans, Socinians, and Remonstrants. 553
2. Whether temporary faith has the essence of saving faith? We deny against the Remonstrants. 563
3. * Whether it is hypocritical that those possessing temporary faith cannot be said to fall away? We deny with a distinction against the Remonstrants. 568
4. Whether, because exhortations by their nature serve to engender fear, the purpose of the promise, by which God absolutely promises perseverance, is therefore extinguished? We deny against the Remonstrants. 579
5. Whether they cannot be moved to obedience by the promise of eternal life who are certainly comprehended in it? We deny against the Remonstrants. 591
6. Whether God promises perseverance absolutely? We affirm against the Remonstrants. 594
7. Whether Christ elected none to perseverance? We deny against the Remonstrants. 596
8. Whether Christ acquired perseverance for the elect by the merit of his death? We affirm against the Remonstrants. 598
9. Whether the promise of salvation applies immediately only to him who finally perseveres and has complete faith, i.e. as many as endure to the end? We deny against the Remonstrants.
10. Whether he, being under divine judgment, perseveres in faith who (1) does not sin against the clear and plain dictates of either natural reason or supernatural revelation, and (2) seeks to correct and emend their infirmities, this moderation furthering diligence? We deny against the Remonstrants. 604
11. Whether the sins of the regenerate are all sins of infirmity according to us? We deny with a distinction against the Remonstrants. 606
12. Whether the regenerate can sin with deliberate purpose, with all the might of the will, and with full consent, being given over to malice? We deny against the Remonstrants. 607
13. Whether the strivings of the Spirit against the flesh diminish the sin of the regenerate? We affirm with a distinction against the Remonstrants. 610
14. Whether we teach that true believers not only do not cast off the Holy Spirit and faith by the most severe sins, but that the abiding principle of faith in these persons remains safe under those sins, it being so pleasing to God that, due to it, God wills to grant eternal life? We deny against the Remonstrants. 617
15. Whether there is not any intrinsic and vital principle from which the duration of faith proceeds by the necessity of the consequent, nor any extrinsic principle, by the force of some decree by which it is necessary that the elect persevere? We deny against the Remonstrants. 620
16. Whether an apostate can, through knowledge [of the gospel], which he recognizes to be true, which he had in a former time believed, even if that knowledge is without all assent, resurge in life anew, so much so that it be not a work of total regeneration? We deny against the Remonstrants. 622
17. Whether God first deserts men who desert Him? We deny with a distinction against the Remonstrants. 623
18. Whether the truly regenerate, being excommunicated, are excluded from the kingdom of heaven? We deny against the Remonstrants. 624
Chapter 14
On the Certainty of Salvation
1. Whether any can be certain that he himself is truly justified, in the grace of God, and will continue to be saved? We affirm against the Papists and Remonstrants. 625, 630
2. Whether the certainty which Arminians attribute to believers can consist with the Scriptures, or with faith and hope? We deny against the same. 635
* 3. Whether the Arminians rightly deny there to be any certainty of our salvation? We deny against the same. 638
* 4. Whether or not a greater certainty is required by us than that which the nature of a free act itself bears? We affirm against the Remonstrants. 640
Chapter 15
On the Church and its Marks
1. Whether the Remonstrants rightly define the visible Church as the congregation of believers who profess saving doctrine, and of those who will do so, though they do not actually believe? We deny against the same. 643
2. Whether there is a church in the New Testament that is destitute of all elders to which [our] Lord and Savior commits the power of the keys? We deny with a distinction against the Remonstrants and Separatists. 644
3. Whether the Remonstrants rightly teach that to be the true Church which agrees in the faith and profession of necessary truth? We deny according to their own principles. 644
4. Whether it is possible that there be no Church of Christ on the earth? We deny against the Remonstrants. 665
* 5. Whether the doctrine of the marks of the Church is useless and harmful? We deny against the Remonstrants. 670
6. Whether there are any other marks of the Church than the profession of saving faith and the external observance of Christ’s commands? We affirm against the Remonstrants. 671
7. Whether the preaching of true doctrine is incorrectly stated by us to be a mark of the Church? We deny and explain against the Remonstrants. 672
Chapter 16
On the Ministers of the Word
* 1. Whether all the divine things of the apostles were to be proven to be inspired by the rule of the Word? We deny with a distinction against the Remonstrants. 681
2. Whether the sending of ministers by the calling and ordination of the Church is still necessary by divine institution? We affirm against the Remonstrants. 684
3. Whether the ministry of the gospel and the preaching of the Word are precisely necessary for salvation? We affirm with an explanation against the Remonstrants. 686
4. Whether it is well spoken that the distinction in presbyters between teaching and ruling [presbyters] is an innovation? We deny against the Remonstrants. 689
Chapter 17
On Synods
1. Respecting synods, how much is to be attributed to the authority of them? Explained and proven against the Papists, Remonstrants, and Separatists. 692
2. Whether synods are neither useful, nor the ideal way for controversies to be decided? We deny against the Remonstrants and Socinians. 710
* 3. Whether they must be wholly indifferent and not restrained to any party who have the right of voting in a synod? We deny against the Remonstrants. 714
Chapter 18
On the Sacraments and Ecclesiastical Discipline
1. Whether sacraments are signs, not [only] by way of representing and shadowing forth the thing signified to us, but also in a certain way by exhibiting and sealing? We affirm against the Remonstrants and Socinians. 716
2. Whether sacraments may be administered by any lay-person whatsoever? We deny against the Remonstrants and Socinians. 721
3. Whether the Remonstrants rightly teach that paedobaptism is to be used by them insofar as it is an ancient rite, yet it has authority neither from a precept of Christ nor as an apostolic institution? We deny against the same. 722
4. Whether baptism is only a temporary rite and not to last till the end of the world from Christ’s institution? We deny against the Remonstrants and Socinians. 723
* 5. Whether baptism is only a solemn rite by which we are distinguished from others and brought into divine worship, and not rather by which grace is really conferred? We deny against the Remonstrants and Socinians. 724
* 6. Whether, in the Lord’s Supper, the death of Christ is only proclaimed and commemorated, and no spiritual gifts are actually sealed? We deny against the Remonstrants and Socinians. 725
7. Whether the Remonstrants rightly deny that the Church wields any power whatsoever in the act of discipline, not only not over the flesh (such as the magistrate wields), but neither that which is internal and ecclesiastical, by which the Church binds the conscience to the thing before God and excludes one from the kingdom of heaven on account of guilt? We deny against the same. 726
Chapter 19
On the Magistrate[11]
1. Whether it is lawful for the magistrate to afflict the dissolute and murderers with capital punishment? We affirm against the Remonstrants and Socinians. 728
* 2. Whether it is for the magistrate to punish heretics? Whether it is agreeable to the laws of our most merciful Savior Jesus Christ that the magistrate tolerate Jews, Turks, Papists, etc, and all heretics in the republic who err with a purely mental error? We affirm the former. We deny the latter with a distinction against the Remonstrants. 732
3. Whether none errs in doing works, nor persuades himself to err while he is stirred up on account of his eternal salvation? We deny against the Remonstrants. 737
4. Whether the power of the magistrate is supreme in the external rule of the Church, is in kind higher than Church-power and is immediately subject to God alone? We deny against the Remonstrants. 739
Chapter 20
On the Soul and the Resurrection of the Body
* 1. Whether souls are immortal? We affirm against the doubting Remonstrants and Socinians. 753
2. Whether the same number of bodies are to resurrect as are dissolved into dust? We affirm against the Remonstrants and Socinians. 753
3. It is asked whether the hellish tortures of the damned are eternal, or whether at last in the end it will be that the impious at length will be wholly destroyed and will be reduced to nothing? The Remonstrants waver. We deny the latter. 758