1689 BCF, Chapter 3, Paragraph 7: How the Doctrine of God’s Decree is to be Held

Controversy surrounds the doctrine of election so the confession ends with a very pastoral
note. Deeply aware of how this doctrine is able to stir up difficulties we have a rare pastoral
addendum added. This paragraph is found in the WCF; Savoy and 1689 showing that this
advice is held to be important by all those who hold to the Reformed understanding of these
matters. ‘The doctrine of the 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.’ This paragraph lays out how we ought to handle the doctrine and the benefits we
can derive from it. These will be our two headings