From the Westminister Confession of Faith -
CHAPTER XVII.
Of The Perseverance of the Saints.
I. They whom God hath accepted in his Beloved, effectually called
and sanctified by his Spirit, can neither totally nor finally fall
away from the state of grace; but shall certainly persevere therein
to the end, and be eternally saved.
II. This perseverance of the saints depends, not upon their own
free-will, but upon the immutability of the decree of election,
flowing from the free and unchangeable love of God the Father; upon
the efficacy of the merit and intercession of Jesus Christ; the
abiding of the Spirit and of the seed of God within them; and the
nature of the covenant of grace; from all which ariseth also the
certainty and infallibility thereof.
III. Nevertheless they may, through the temptations of Satan and of
the world, the prevelancy of corruption remaining in them, and the
neglect of the means of their perseverance, fall into grievous
sins; ad for a time continue therein: whereby they incur God's
displeasure, and grieve his Holy Spirit; come to be deprived of
some measure of their graces and comforts; have their hearts
hardened, and their consciences wounded; hurt and scandalize
others, and bring temporal judgments upon theselves.
